Markets

Community-owned solar power is on the rise in the U.S. Kent James, chief strategy officer of Martifer Solar USA has implemented a series of projects with the Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective. In the following interview, he speaks to pv magazine about the benefits and barriers of the model, and discusses why the real traction for rapid solar garden development lies in its broad appeal for utilities.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has issued preliminary Q3 2012 earnings results. Overall, it expects photovoltaic module shipments to decrease and a negative gross margin.

New York-based private equity investment firm Conduit Capital Partners LLC has revealed the details of its investment in two Peruvian solar plants worth 40 MW.

Tokelau, comprised of three small atolls in the south pacific ocean, has officially become the world’s first territory to be 100% powered by photovoltaics.

The bleak outlook for the global polysilicon industry has been laid bare by the prediction that half of the world’s tier 3 polysilicon suppliers face bankruptcy in the months ahead.

Tier 1 photovoltaic module supplier Canadian Solar has released Q3 figures that show declines in the volume of modules shipped and in revenue, thus culminating in a net quarterly loss of US$43.7million.

Organized by SEMI China, the Distributed PV Application and Commercialization Forum opened today in Shunde, Guangdong province. Overall, it was felt that China’s new Presidential appointments will bode well for the domestic photovoltaic market, and that Guangdong and China are about to do a lot more in distributed photovoltaic power.

Unhampered by a massive surge in the output of oil and natural gas, especially in the U.S., renewables will take their place in the sun by 2035, according to the findings of the World Energy Outlook 2012. Overall, solar power is expected to grow more rapidly than any other renewable technology. Subsidies will continue to play a key role in development, however.

According to a new report, the “explosive” growth of photovoltaics in the U.K., and the related falling costs, mean the market for nuclear is disappearing. Combined with “stiff competition” from other renewables, the case for investing in nuclear is shaky at best.

According to a new survey, moderate not major growth is predicted for the United Arab Emirate’s solar industry. The results were presented at Solarpraxis’ Solar Industry Summit – Middle East 2012, held today in Dubai. Meanwhile, Siemens’ indicated its intention to work in the region.