Suntech creditor claims total almost $1 billion
The Chinese manufacturer’s European unit has revealed a mountain of debt, including $454.3 million for its insolvent Wuxi Suntech unit.
Initiative lights up off-grid villages in Pakistan
Working with local and international partners like Coca-Cola, China Mobile’s Zong, the Imran Khan Foundation and Engro Corporation, Pakistan’s Buksh Foundation has set a goal of illuminating 4,000 off-grid villages by 2017.
Westinghouse-CBD merger is off
Californian solar installer calls off deal after ‘continued delays and uncertainty.’ Westinghouse Solar also faces a name change after falling behind on brand licensing payments.
Indian manufacturers allege EU module dumping
Three manufacturers have complained about dumping of cells and modules from the EU and Japan. Same three companies have an ongoing complaint about cells from the U.S., China, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Solar Sculptures illuminate Portland
The U.S. city of Portland is using photovoltaic sculptures as part of an urban design project to increase pedestrian traffic in the city.
Solar self-consumption on the rise in Germany
Lower feed-in tariffs, high electricity rates and the growing availability of storage systems are making self-consumption a much more attractive option for German solar producers.
Hermes launches trial run for solar module production facility in Sofia
Hermes Solar on Friday officially launched the trial run of its new highly automated crystalline module production with an annual capacity of 60 MW in Bulgaria. The first modules, scheduled to ship in September, are mainly for the European market. Bulgaria’s domestic market has virtually collapsed due to ongoing political squabbling over solar feed-ins.
Thai FITs for further 1 GW of solar
Thai government announces FIT rates for 200 MW of rooftop solar and 800 MW of community-owned ground mounts. Systems will pay rates over 25, rather than previous ten, years and rooftops must be installed by December.
Conergy brand and salesforce acquired by US private equity group
Conergy’s global sales units acquired by U.S. private equity group. Kawa Capital deal excludes mounting system and module production units but administrator is hopeful of sales as module production resumes in Frankfurt (Oder).
US halts mining in Solar Energy Zones
Department of the Interior halts new mining claims for 20 years in its Solar Energy Zones. Almost 304,000 acres across 17 sites in six western U.S. states will come under the 20-year mining ban.
