Finance

Confidence in solar stocks faltered late this month, as evidenced by positions at the opening bell on February 27, with First Solar free-falling more than 14% during one night of after-hours trading; and Trina Solar tumbling by about the same cumulative amount in the two days following its fourth-quarter earnings report.

Ernst & Young has highlighted a number of renewable energy trends expected to be seen throughout 2013. Among them are a preference for capacity auctions, utility divestment, and corporate investment. Meanwhile, although China topped the firm’s renewable energy indices, the U.S. took top spot in the solar segment.

Dyesol Limited has secured strategic investment from The National Industrialization Company of Saudi Arabia, or Tasnee, worth AU$4 million. Potential to expand this investment to $20 million exists. Meanwhile, R&D collaboration and demonstration projects in the Middle East are up for discussion.

First Solar has achieved a CdTe photovoltaic cell conversion efficiency of 18.7% in the lab. Meanwhile, although the company recorded impressive Q4 financial figures, the thin film manufacturer missed its revised 2012 net sales guidance, and recorded a number of FY losses.

Buoyed by bullish demand forecasts, and increasing utilization rates and pricing, Deutsche Bank forecasts a solar market transition from subsidized to sustainable in 2014.

Trina Solar Limited sustained significant losses throughout 2012. While photovoltaic module shipments performed favorably, revenues failed to increase compared to the previous year. Both an imbalance in supply and demand, and “aggressive” pricing strategies have been blamed. On a positive note, Trina expects shipments to increase by as much as 30% in 2013.

Conergy has completed a total of 14 photovoltaic plants in Spain since last autumn, which are said to be competitive without subsidies. A new calculation tool is assisting in the planning and implementation of such projects.

According to reports, Uruguay’s government is gearing up to establish a national solar industry. A new decree requiring the country’s national power utility to purchase 200 MW of solar energy is expected to be issued shortly. There are fears, however that compensation is not high enough to attract developers.

The increase of cheaper photovoltaics on the German wholesale power market is reducing the profits and sales of large central power generators. They are hitting back by “heavily” lobbying against decentralization, according to Renewable Analytics, which has further suggested a restructuring of Germany’s renewable energy levy.

Poland’s new renewable energy law is expected to be adopted by the government by the end of March. However, due to the EC notification process, it is not anticipated to enter into force until mid-2014. Meanwhile, mandatory certification for imported biomass has been suggested.