Markets

Buoyed by bullish demand forecasts, and increasing utilization rates and pricing, Deutsche Bank forecasts a solar market transition from subsidized to sustainable in 2014.

Germany’s Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, VDE, has announced the establishment of a U.S.-based subsidiary, VDE Americas in Silicon Valley. The goal is to “meet investor demand for solar PV power plant quality assurance.”

Under its SunShot Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that up to US$15 million will be paid out to the solar manufacturing industry. It has also made up to $12 million available under the Solar Rooftop Challenge II.

Trina Solar Limited sustained significant losses throughout 2012. While photovoltaic module shipments performed favorably, revenues failed to increase compared to the previous year. Both an imbalance in supply and demand, and “aggressive” pricing strategies have been blamed. On a positive note, Trina expects shipments to increase by as much as 30% in 2013.

Conergy has completed a total of 14 photovoltaic plants in Spain since last autumn, which are said to be competitive without subsidies. A new calculation tool is assisting in the planning and implementation of such projects.

According to reports, Uruguay’s government is gearing up to establish a national solar industry. A new decree requiring the country’s national power utility to purchase 200 MW of solar energy is expected to be issued shortly. There are fears, however that compensation is not high enough to attract developers.

The increase of cheaper photovoltaics on the German wholesale power market is reducing the profits and sales of large central power generators. They are hitting back by “heavily” lobbying against decentralization, according to Renewable Analytics, which has further suggested a restructuring of Germany’s renewable energy levy.

Poland’s new renewable energy law is expected to be adopted by the government by the end of March. However, due to the EC notification process, it is not anticipated to enter into force until mid-2014. Meanwhile, mandatory certification for imported biomass has been suggested.

Over the last three years, India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has assigned 1.172 GW worth of grid-connected solar power plants. Of these, 369 MW have already been commissioned.

Pakistan is gearing up to introduce a photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) program, which will see US$0.2329 paid per kWh to plants between one and 100 MW in size. A meeting is scheduled to be held on February 27 to finalize the plans.