Markets

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.

The Canada-based Ontario Power Authority’s intent to extend its feed-in-tariff (FIT) timelines for domestic content has been criticized by the country’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

Solar costs in many markets will reach grid parity by 2013, according to a new report. It also predicts that demand for solar will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24 percent.

Global solar photovoltaic (PV) installations are predicted to reach 13 gigawatts (GW) this year; that number will increase to 17 GW by 2011 according to a new report. It also states that Germany is expected to maintain its leading global position for the next two years.

The U.S is set to experience “truly explosive” photovoltaics (PV) growth in the next few years, a leading industry expert has told pv magazine.