Markets

With U.S. President Barack Obama expected to meet with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao during tomorrow’s East Asian Summit (EAS) the White House hinted obliquely that the ongoing solar trade dispute may form part of the fringe talks.

The global spot price for polysilicon continued to plummet in October and is expected to continue its descent this month, according to the IHS Solar Polysilicon Price Index.

China-based Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd has announced it will reduce photovoltaic module production by over 30% at its facility located in Arizona. It will also cut around 50 jobs.

In a surprise move, the Australian federal government announced today that it would bring forward, by six months, the conclusion of a “multiplier” Renewable Energy Credit scheme for photovoltaics. While difficult to generalize over the vast continent, the move is anticipated to increase the cost of the average residential solar array by AUD$700 – $800 (US$723 – $826).

The first edition of a newly launched global monitor detailing the race for photovoltaic grid parity has ranked Germany at the foot of the seven countries studied. Meanwhile, Mexico has taken pole position.

While Germany’s FDP politicians call for a rapid reform of the EEG, and the transition to a quota system in the medium term, the CDU party is setting its sights on Europe. Following the EU Energy Commissioners’ requests for the European-wide promotion of renewable energies, a proposal has been presented to the CDU, which could herald the end of the EEG in Germany.

Weighing in at a hefty 56 pages and 2MB, the World Research Institute’s (WRI) study of the global onshore wind and photovoltaic industries provides a useful introduction to the renewables story so far, but provides little new insight to seasoned observers.

As Applied Materials today revealed its Q4 and financial full year results, chairman and CEO Mike Splinter struck an upbeat note, despite solar’s poor performance.

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.