Installations

Germany’s Heliatek GmbH has opened its first flexible organic solar panel production facility in Dresden. The company says it invested €14 million in establishing the production line – reportedly the first of its kind worldwide.

2011 was a year of extremes for the solar industry: record installations; a dramatic fall in module prices; and a plethora of companies closing their doors. Going forward, indications are that 2012 will remain extremely challenging, with the industry having been firmly caught in the crosshairs of Europe’s economic crisis. Continued oversupply and less installed capacity are to be expected.

Off-grid photovoltaic system provider, Eight19 has picked up an award, as Climate Week kicked off across the U.K. yesterday. The company, which has pioneered a pay-as-you go solar system in Africa, was named Best Initiative for Small or Medium-Sized Business.

9Ren has announced that industrial rooftops are now its main business focus. Furthermore, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa have been identified as key markets of interest for the company in 2012.

The first day has drawn to a close at Solarpraxis’ Energy Storage conference in Germany’s Düsseldorf. Following calls from Germany’s Environment Minister to rapidly develop storage technology in the country, there is a belief that Germany is well-positioned to become an energy storage technology hotspot.

In its efforts to make a quick course correction, the German ship of state may inadvertently be navigating into turbulent straits that could capsize its own solar industry. At particular threat are the module manufacturers. The residential market segment is also expected to contract significantly

Suncore Photovoltaics commenced production of its concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) modules in China’s Huainan at the end of February. A spokesperson provides further details on capacity ramp ups and funding.

U.S.-based First Solar Inc. has been selected by NRG Energy Inc. to build the 26 megawatt (MW) Avra Valley solar plant, located near Tucson, Arizona. In other news, NextEra Energy Resources has acquired two projects from First Solar.

According to a new study, many photovoltaic systems bigger than 10 kilowatts (kW) achieved grid parity with commercial retail electricity prices in 2011. This has resulted in a spike in projects and, thus, jobs. Both declining costs and the state’s favorable policies are said to be driving growth.

Germany’s parliament today held the first round of meetings aimed at amending the photovoltaic incentives under the country’s Renewable Energy Act (EEG). As expected, the opposition rejected the new proposals. The CDU and FDP also agreed to rethink fast tracking tariff cuts.