Markets

On the back of weakened demand from Asian customers, sales of German photovoltaic equipment have fallen by half in Q2 2012, compared to the same period last year. To maintain competitiveness, cooperation with local industry is urged.

Malaysia’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) has announced that applications for 2 MW of rooftop photovoltaic projects in H2 2012 and 6 MW for H1 2013, have opened.

Several large photovoltaic power plants are expected to be built in Uzbekistan soon, with the participation of both local and foreign investors.

EU ProSun, headed by SolarWorld AG, has filed a second official complaint to the European Commission, this time accusing Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers of receiving illegal subsidies.

Using just 60 solar cells, Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has created a 303 W photovoltaic module in production conditions. “Significant” cost reductions are expected to follow.

Netherlands-based power equipment supplier, 3W Power/AEG Power Solutions, has officially inaugurated its new solar inverter manufacturing facility in South Africa.

Grid connection and stability issues can be overcome to encompass a more electricity-intensive energy mix in Europe, with photovoltaics supplying up to 25% of that demand by 2030. The findings have been released in a report by EPIA on the first day of the EU PVSEC tradeshow, which began today in Frankfurt.

Renewables, led by photovoltaics, are the only options for energy price reductions in the future, says the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC). In addition to calculating how many GWs of photovoltaics could have been installed using past fossil fuel subsidies, its new report looks at investment in the sector, and emerging markets.

Aleo solar AG has announced the termination of its avim solar production Co. Ltd. joint venture (JV) in China. The decision has affected 246 employees.

Rewards in the form of “strong” market gains await those photovoltaic module manufacturers that survive 2013, states NPD Solarbuzz. It adds that 2012 end-market demand for product is unlikely to reach 2011’s record levels. Overall, just under 30 GW of photovoltaic demand is predicted for 2012.