Markets

Gehrlicher Solar has finished construction on three ground-mounted systems in Romania with a total capacity of 9 MWp and is currently building additional projects of 5 MWp. It will soon have a total of 23 MWp of installed capacity in the country.

Responding to the pleas of local Indian manufacturers India launched investigations into anti-dumping duties on solar cells from the U.S., China, Malaysia and Taiwan last year. An official hearing is now said to be scheduled for July 18.

NRG Solar is designing and developing a 6.2 MW photovoltaic project for MGM Resorts International’s first commercial solar project in the U.S. — a rooftop installation on the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Global trade association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) has released their 2013 first quarter statistics report on the worldwide photovoltaics equipment market. Billings and bookings numbers still look sombre.

The battle for German module manufacturer and automobile applications maker Asola has been raging for months. Shanghai-based STGCON Group has now announced that it intends to turn Asola Solarpower into a European development center for energy storage, management and charging systems. In parallel insolvency proceedings, Asola Solarpower’s chief executive hopes to soon conclude an agreement with a German investor for the company’s automotive segment.

SMA has announced today that it will inform its employees of the necessary personnel adjustments as a response to the difficult solar market situation. SMA plans to gradually downsize its full-time employee pool by 700 in Germamy by end of 2014.

Interview: Nabih Cherradi, chief technology officer at Saudi Arabian renewable energy group Desert Technologies, discusses Saudi Arabia’s ambitious sustainable energy plans and the growing opportunities in the Kingdom for local as well as international companies.

Future of visionary project to generate energy from the world’s deserts cast into doubt by founding organization’s withdrawal. Press release announcing decision refers to ‘management crisis and disorientation of the industrial consortium’ that foundation had established.

Industrial consortium’s communications problems exemplified when Desertec members read an online news story stating plans to sell Saharan energy to Europe may be altered. Foundation’s co-founder says visionary group will continue their work to drive renewables development. Dii responds to move.

Facing increasing demand for thin film CIS modules, Solar Frontier has restarted production at its Miyazaki No. 2 Plant.