Markets

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.

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University has been crowned this year’s winner of the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competition for its Lumenhaus submission.

Japan-based Kaneka Solartech Co., Ltd. has completed the expansion of its thin film photovoltaics facilities by 80 megawatts (MW), thus bringing its annual production total to 150 MW. Meanwhile, the company says it is looking to further expand its solar energy operations.

Signalling its interest in the El Salvadorian solar market, Milenio Solar has signed a contract for a parabolic through power plant feasibility study with Inversiones Energéticas S.A. de C.V.

Following the Spanish government’s decision to scrap both its July 1 deadline to reduce renewable energy subsidies, and a planned hike for consumer power tariffs this month, Luis López talks to pv magazine about the country’s dispute over the cuts in solar incentives.

The Italian government plans to cut incentives for solar power producers by an average of 18 percent in 2011, according to an official, in a cut below market expectations.

A new world record, confirmed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), for large area silicon wafers has been set.