Finance

Interest in solar auctions continue to wane in India in the face of reduced tariffs. In Maharashtra, a major tender failed to attract enough bids and it will now be held anew.

Panasonic Corp. is set to suspend operations at one of its PV cell plants for several months amid dwindling demand, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported Tuesday.

U.S. silicon technology giant Dow Corning Corp. on Friday reported a 10% increase in net income last year despite a 9% drop in sales.

The polysilicon maker will also shut down silane units, and says these moves are the result of Chinese import duties on U.S. polysilicon. Falling polysilicon prices may also play a role.

Iran will authorize 1 GW of solar and wind contracts in March and plans to put 5 GW online over the next decade.

Sharp has surprised many by awarding preferred negotiating rights to Taiwan’s Foxconn for its US$5.9 billion takeover bid, rather than the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ). Meanwhile, the electronic giant has reported a net loss for the first three quarters of around $902.5 million, led by its Energy Solutions segment.

Toshiba’s latest earnings results show catastrophic losses for the Japanese electronics conglomerate, which are forecast to hit US$6 billion for the FY 2015. Its recent accounting scandal has forced it into restructuring. More emphasis will be placed on its energy and storage businesses, despite these segments also suffering sales declines.

United PV has today announced the withdrawal of a US$90 million lawsuit, after receiving $250 million from an investment fund under a deed of assignment, and reimbursement from Hareon for all arbitration and legal costs.

According to a new study by BNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, cumulative solar capacity in the U.S. has reached 28 GW, of which 7.3 GW was installed in 2015. Overall, last year saw 16 GW of renewables added, outstripping fossil fuels for a second year. Energy productivity is also growing, while prices remain stable. Investment, particularly in solar, is also on the rise.

Panasonic reports a slight decrease in sales and a sharper fall in profitability in its Eco Solutions business, which it blames on slowing domestic demand for its solar PV solutions and other products.