Markets

Due to converging supply and demand, the solar industry is all set for a quick rebound. According to the new findings released by Lux Research, the global module capacity will fall to about 58 GW in 2015 and module margins will increase to 10% from the current near-zero averages.

In May, the New York solar equities market took a page from the parable, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” While investors reacted swiftly to favorable company reports – propelling those stocks prices higher (as in the case of JA Solar) and taking others along for the ride – analysts examining the fundamentals saw little or nothing to recommend.

Debt-stricken polysilicon, wafer and module manufacturer LDK Solar could be set for more tough talks with lenders after admitting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it will breach the terms of a June 2011 share sale.

New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved on Wednesday a US$446 million solar program.

Following the failure of an appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision against the domestic content requirement of its renewable energy FIT scheme, the Ontario Energy Department has announced plans to remove the offending provision.

Frank Asbeck, CEO and founder of SolarWorld AG, has proposed to invest a double-digit-million euro amount to help his debt-ridden company survive its difficult financial situation, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt.

Google director Rick Needham has revealed the search engine giant has invested ZAR103 million (US$10 million) in the Jasper Power Project.

From a cost perspective it does not really matter whether wind and photovoltaic systems are probably better erected where it is particularly inexpensive to generate electricity, or instead where the electricity is actually consumed. The overall costs for the change in energy policy in Germany can be reduced in particular through less development of offshore wind power.

Momentum for municipal/mid-size solar installations is growing in the United States, says NPD Solarbuzz. The research firm’s analysts announced on Wednesday that solar projects in the range from 100 kW to 2 MW account for over 60% of the current U.S. project pipelines.

Hit by unexpected liabilities related to its former management, including a $96 million lawsuit by U.S. polysilicon producer Hemlock, government demands to return subsidies and a refusal by banks to refinance its growing debt, Spanish PV giant Isofotón has been forced to file for restructuring proceedings.