Manufacturing

Silver prices have been bad news for photovoltaics of late. Their continuing spike is causing ripples across the photovoltaic manufacturing industry as it forces companies to find cost-effective solutions to the super-conductive metal or face losses.

In a move away from using diesel generators, South African tourism operator Wilderness Safaris has commissioned the “first of many” photovoltaic systems at one of its game reserves.

New research forecasts shrinking, and then flat solar revenues through to 2016, despite the fact installations are expected to grow 15.5 percent as new markets open up. Countries with attractive IRRs are also identified.

Despite suffering year-on-year financial losses in the first half (H1) of 2011, SolarWorld remains confident it will meet its full year guidance. The company, which recorded impressive sequential gains, cites the U.S. as a “significant” solar market.

Adding a touch more light to solar’s primarily dim first half year, Centrosolar AG has announced it also expects to meet its full year targets, despite recording significant losses and battling difficult market conditions.

The Supervisory board of Q-Cells SE has officially approved the realignment package suggested by the company on Wednesday, August 10 in response to the difficult market conditions. It also agreed two executive board changes.

Phoenix Solar AG is reportedly looking to enter the photovoltaic module business. Meanwhile, the company has recoded sizeable H1 losses, although it has a “pleasingly” strong order book for H2 2011.

The first half of 2011 has been less than stellar for photovoltaics, but there are indicators that demand will be much stronger in the second half. All bets are off, however, if the European debt crisis can’t be managed, or if the U.S. falls back into recession.

Bucking the negative trend, Manz AG has reported positive first half financial figures for 2011.

Aleo solar AG has joined forces with LCE (Low Carbon Exchange) and Tigo Energy, and signed a framework agreement with Alliance Homes, to install photovoltaics on 1,200 buildings across the U.K.