First Solar loses $60m on sale of Mesa facility
The Mesa plant, intended to produce PV modules, never went into production and is being sold off at a loss. The facility includes what First Solar claimed would be Arizona’s largest solar rooftop.
SolarCity to acquire mounting system company
Californian installer SolarCity is set to acquire Zep Solar in exchange for shares worth $158 million. Zep Solar’s Zep Compatible technology has been used by solar giants including Canadian Solar and Trina Solar.
Suntech bid is confirmed
A consortium of cell and module manufacturer Jiangsu Shunfeng and the Wuxi local government’s investment arm has been confirmed as the bidder for Suntech’s insolvent Wuxi manufacturing unit. The consortium is proposing to restructure Suntech’s main Chinese unit.
Trina vows to fight lawsuit
Module giant Trina joins Yingli in dismissing the lawsuit lodged by the rump of failed U.S. thin film manufacturer Energy Conversion Devices. Allegations of collusion to bankrupt U.S. manufacturers are described as ‘baseless.’
Brazil: 695 MW of PV applications
National electricity agency ANEEL has revealed the details of 30 requests for authorization it has received to develop PV parks. More than 500 MW are planned for Bahia state.
Unbuilt PV projects in Japan could have FIT certification withdrawn
An investigation has been launched by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) into why only one-in-ten approved PV projects in Japan has been built. Possible sanctions for deliberate delays could include withdrawal of FIT certification.
Legal victory for Greek PV developers
The Metaxas law firm has forced the Greek government to reimburse investors with a PV plant development subsidy it had promised and then reduced. The legal firm is also fighting the ‘solidarity’ PV plant tax, domestically and with the EU.
Polysilicon manufacturers named in U.S. lawsuit
The trust bringing a lawsuit against Trina, Yingli and Suntech says polysilicon suppliers ‘such as’ GCL-Poly and Daqo New Energy conspired with module makers to fix prices. Legal papers also name three Chinese banks as co-conspirators.
All Energy: looking to the commercial rooftop market
The commercial rooftop market is an important growth area as a post-FIT residential sector slows. But rigid requirements from state utilities are an obstacle for installers.
Brighter future? Maybe not for UK solar
The roadmap on the future of UK solar published yesterday questions solar’s effectiveness at reducing carbon output and asks whether the cost reductions necessary for 20 GW by 2020 are feasible.
