Markets

A 38 megawatts solar electricity license has been granted by the Greek regulatory agency to Nur-MOH SA for the construction of the reportedly largest concentrated solar power tower installation in Europe on the island of Crete.

Kyocera is increasing its solar module production capacity with the start of its second plant in Kadan, Czech Republic and the completion of an expanded assembly plant in Tianjin, China. Kyocera aims to meet its target of one gigawatt by the financial year 2013 through its expansions.

Branch representatives and members of the German government have come to an agreement on the adjustment of solar incentives. The EuPD Research sees this as a step to an earlier than planned reduction.

3S Modultec is selling an integrated solar panel production line to West Africa. Senegalese solar company SPEC is developing the first solar panel factory in West Africa with support from 3S Modultec.

Mercom Capital in Texas, U.S. has released a report stating 2010 as the best year smart grid has had.

A proposal for the brought forward cuts of the photovoltaic feed-in tariffs in Germany is to be presented by the end of the week. The plans will be officially presented by the Minister of Environment tomorrow before noon. That was the word from governing party circles.

Latest estimates state that new photovoltaics (PV) installations grew by 130 percent last year to reach 17.5 gigawatts (GWs). This year, installations are forecast to hit 20.5 GWs, thus taking total installed capacity to 58 GWs.

A new report states that the photovoltaics (PV) industry is at a crossroads, with a growing realization that PV panels are becoming commoditized. But, it believes building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) could provide a strategic solution.

SMA Solar Technology AG has announced it expects record sales of between €1.7 to €1.9 billion for 2010. Looking forward, the German inverter company says it hopes to achieve sales of €1.5 to €1.9 billion this year.

According to a new report, the U.S. greentech mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape posted a record year in 2010, with the solar sector displaying increased activity.