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In Germany, the EEG levy received a record surplus of around €970 million (US$ 1,263 million) last March, thus reducing significantly the accumulated deficit to around €450 million (US$ 586 million).

European installers are against the introduction of punitive and protective tariffs, a survey conducted by the EuPD Research showed today.

China dropped import duties and value-added tax (VAT) for a variety of equipment, including for solar cells and lithium-ion batteries on April 1, thus sending a “positive signal” to the China-Europe trade negotiations.

German photovoltaic manufacturer aleo solar has announced a €77 million loss in its 2012 full-year financials, released today. The loss is more than double the €30.5 million the company lost in 2011.

Failure to correctly vertically integrate its business operations, the impacts of the U.S.-Sino trade case and the fallout of the GSF Fund debacle all led to Suntech’s current situation, according to IHS Solar. Furthermore, the research company adds, China appears less willing to prop up its ailing manufacturers.

Photovoltaic laminator producers see little sign of any upturn in the months ahead, on the back of a tumultuous 2012. Weak demand and factory closures are characterizing the industry, as are overcapacity and U.S. sanctions on Chinese exports. Cost reduction and innovation hold the key to long term survival, however.

Despite efforts by some Australian utility companies and industry groups to see Australia’s Renewable Energy Targets (RET) wound back, the government has decided to maintain them. Utilities are having an impact elsewhere, with fixed electricity prices set to increase to ensure solar households pay “their share” of electricity infrastructure costs.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has placed emphasis on the securitization of solar PV assets and associated cash flows in the marketplace. Securitization is expected to draw in more investors to the solar asset class. DOE’s SunShot Initiative will fund this move.

The impact of module prices are always discussed in connection with import tariffs on Chinese photovoltaic products. In the U.S. prices continue to fall, despite the tariffs imposed last year. However, the comparison is lopsided given the significantly higher price levels in the U.S. than in Germany.

Last year, the U.S. reproached China for being “generous to a fault” to its domestic solar manufacturers, even as the rest of the industry suffered from declining subsidies, rising inventories and internecine cost competition. But can punitive tariffs really bring prices up to parity and alleviate the pain?