Markets

The bankruptcies, losses and production cuts of German photovoltaic companies show the dire state the country’s solar industry is in. An enquiry made by the Die Linke political party revealed there are only around 87,000 jobs in the PV sector and sales figures have also shrunk drastically. The ongoing EEG discussions are, however, not responsible for the turmoil, according to the federal government.

Financial experts shocked not by the Conergy insolvency but by how long it took the Hamburg company to file insolvency proceedings. The Hamburg state prosecutor had filed charges against former Conergy executives two years ago.

Solar park in the northern Chilean region of Arica y Parinacota will provide energy to mining company Quiborax. New PV plant inaugurated yesterday by government ministers is the country’s largest to date.

Romania reaches 203.5 MW of installed PV capacity of which 175.5 MW has been electrified in the first half of 2013. Country’s PV pipeline amounts to 2.7 GW in coming years.

The tendency is mounting towards a possible short-term agreement in the ongoing trade dispute between the EU and China. According to the EU trade commissioner Karel de Gucht’s spokesperson, the EU is doing everything in its power to negotiate a solution in the short-term. Nevertheless the EU has not officially reacted to the compromise proposal from China for a minimum export price for modules amounting to €0.50/Watt (US$0.65) as well as an annual export volume cap of 10 GW.

Despite the fact that the U.S. is increasingly embracing solar power, some major electricity providers are resisting the trend. Atlanta-based Georgia Power is now facing a statewide revolt as calls for more solar grow louder. Georgia’s Public Service Commission will shape the future of solar in the state in a crucial vote on July 11.

The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has received offers to set up 418 MW of photovoltaic capacity at INR6.49 (US$0.11) per unit price. This was finalized under the state’s solar policy.

The U.K. added 261 MW in the first quarter of 2013, bringing the total installed solar PV in the territory to 2 GW, while the share of electricity generation from renewables reached 12.3%.

Bulgaria’s photovoltaic industry protesting efforts by major utilities to limit renewable energy generation. The Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association has taken its complaints to the highest authorities.

The Dominican Republic has become a solar leader in Latin America, recently building a 1.5 MW plant and more recently a 267 kW project. Another 800 kW facility is in the works.