Markets

Given the stagnating European market conditions, Mounting Systems GmbH based in Rangsdorf, Germany, is reinforcing its international activities. By mid-year, the company will open a branch in Japan. It is also currently negotiating with local partners in Saudi Arabia.

After months of speculation, Bosch has today confirmed it will exit the crystalline solar sector. As of 2014, the German company will cease production of its photovoltaic ingots, wafers and cells. It will also “quickly” sell its solar business units, including its majority stake in aleo. Decreasing prices has been blamed for the decision. Up to 3,000 employees will be affected.

Plant and grid operators start a progressive pilot project for better grid integration. This was presented at the “PV System Technology Forum” in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Research and consulting firm GlobalData’s latest report shows that the global microgrid market will be worth US$18.9 billion in 2020. This will be a significant increase from the US$5.3 billion reaped in 2012.

The Solar Trade Association (STA) has posted its disappointment over the 2013 U.K. Budget, handed down by chancellor George Osborne yesterday. On a range of measures, there appears little support for photovoltaics.

The Wuxi Municipal Intermediate People’s Court in Jiangsu Province, China, has officially accepted the petition for the insolvency and restructuring of Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd’s main subsidiary, Wuxi Suntech Power Co., Ltd, submitted by eight Chinese Banks on March 18.

Despite efforts by some Australian utility companies and industry groups to see Australia’s Renewable Energy Targets (RET) wound back, the government has decided to maintain them. Utilities are having an impact elsewhere, with fixed electricity prices set to increase to ensure solar households pay “their share” of electricity infrastructure costs.

A European Committee has spoken out in favor Germany-style renewable energy (EEG) feed-in tariffs, as opposed to a European-wide quota model, despite opposition from the EU Energy Commissioner.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has placed emphasis on the securitization of solar PV assets and associated cash flows in the marketplace. Securitization is expected to draw in more investors to the solar asset class. DOE’s SunShot Initiative will fund this move.

Figures from a SEIA/GTM Research study released last week have confirmed that the state of New Jersey has hit the 1 GW installed photovoltaic capacity milestone. The state added 415 MW of capacity in 2012, an increase of one-third on 2011, when 313 MW was installed.