Markets

German photovoltaic feed-in tariff cuts should be slightly reduced and implemented in two stages – including retroactively – according to a recommendation issued by the parliamentary mediation committee between the German Bundestag and the Bundesrat for solar promotion.

Solar inverter manufacturer SMA Solar has raised its profit expectations for this year, due to the fact it sees the global solar market growing at least 30 percent faster than it previously forecast.

Publicly funded demonstration projects and trials (DTs), such as those for photovoltaics (PV), are “vitally important” for developing low-carbon technologies in the fight against global warming. However, according to new research from the Advanced Institute of Management Research (AIM Research), the process of innovation needs to be managed holistically for DTs to be effective.

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has unveiled new guidelines for off-grid and decentralized solar applications, which are to be achieved as a part of the National Solar Mission. Rooftop and other small solar power plants are also included.

President Barack Obama has announced that USD$1.85 billion in conditional commitments will be made available in the form of loan guarantees to two U.S. solar companies. As a result, one of the world’s biggest solar plants is scheduled to be built in Arizona, while around 5,000 jobs are expected to be created.

Intersolar North America and Solartech have announced an expanded partnership for the 2010 Intersolar North America conference. Under the agreement, Solartech will now provide an additional program offering at the conference. Other reciprocal elements between both organizations will extend into next year.

The U.S. is the leading solar energy market with a total of 73 points out of 100, according to the Ernst and Young Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices. Following hot on its heels is India in second place with 66 points, whilst Italy and Spain are ranked joint third with 64 points.

Spain-based Isofotón has said it will be entering new photovoltaics markets, such as Asia and the U.S.

The solar industry must embrace the resources currently available, i.e. the best-known methods and technologies, in order to advance product quality and accelerate grid parity, according to industry figures who attended Camstar Systems’ The Summit on Solar Quality, held in Santa Clara, the U.S.

If the euro reaches parity with the dollar, the cost competitiveness of Chinese photovoltaics (PV) manufacturers will “significantly erode”, says a new report by the Goldman Sachs European Clean Energy team.