Italian grid operator announces a 2012 boom in photovoltaic production
TERNA, the Italian grid operator for electricity transmission, announced today that photovoltaic power production in 2012 provided 5.6% of the total electricity demand.
PV equipment market remains flat
In its Q3 2012 worldwide photovoltaic equipment supply report; SEMI has observed bookings remaining flat, while the book-to-bill ratio improved slightly due to a decline in billings.
First Solar acquires Solar Chile
Thin film producer First Solar has announced the acquisition of Santiago-based solar development company Solar Chile.
VC funding down 50% in 2012
Mercom Capital has reported that global venture capital investments, in the cleantech sector, in 2012 plunged nearly 50% to US$992 million in 103 deals. US$1.9 billion was raised in 2011. The report also states that 35 solar companies filed for insolvency or bankruptcy protection in 2012.
Hawaiis PUC ponders on-bill financing of solar energy systems
Americas Aloha State soon may help residents to welcome solar energy into their homes at a reasonable monthly rate. The model is of wider interest as it may prove to be one where residential photovoltaics can be installed more widely, with utilities retaining their customer base.
Conergy installs 500 kW Canary Island rooftop plant
German photovoltaic manufacturer and integrator Conergy has announced the installation of a 500 kW rooftop power plant across three roofs on the island of Fuerteventura today. When completed, the array takes the companys installations on the islands to 14 MW.
French government provides details on future EU bonus
The French Eco-Ministry has unveiled more details by which conditions the new “national” PV-bonus of up to 10% on FITs will be paid. It additionally provided further information on the forthcoming auctions and FIT-reform.
Solar Mosaic sells out first round of projects
Crowdfunding solar site Solar Mosaic has funded the first four projects it offered within 24 hours of launching on Monday. The four projects are worth over 150 kW combined and are on affordable housing sites in California.
Hanergy completes acquisition of MiaSolé
Chinas Hanergy has completed its acquisition of Silicon Valley thin film manufacturer MiaSolé. The acquisition indicates that Hanergy intends for MiaSolé to supply the flexible module market and its other CIGS acquisition, Solibro, glass modules to Europe. R&D breakthroughs and patents between all three will presumably be shared.
China sets 10 GW installed capacity target for 2013
Reuters are reporting that China has set a goal to install 10 GW of new solar capacity in 2013. This would more than double its current cumulative capacity of 7 GW.
