Dead manufacturers walking: Study predicts solar firms' survival
By 2015, seven out of nine of the worlds leading solar module manufacturers will be China-based; and two will be U.S. firms, following a round of flameouts and takeovers in the industry, according to a report just released by Boston-based GTM Research.
Solyndra anti-trust lawsuit branded as "misguided"
Solyndras anti-trust lawsuit, filed last week, has been branded as a “misguided effort to find scapegoats”. The three named Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers have strongly denied the allegations.
US: Salazar signs final PEIS for solar development on public lands
The U.S. Department of Interior has finally given the green light to the development of solar on 285,000 acres of public lands in the southwest.
SunStrom saved by management
SunStrom GmbH has been saved after former management purchased the company. All remaining jobs are expected to be maintained.
40 MW Peruvian PV project completed
Said to be the largest project of its kind in Latin America, Solarpack, Gestamp Solar and other local companies have completed work on a 40 MW photovoltaic project in Peru.
Wacker Chemie affected by lack of polysilicon demand
According to reports, Wacker Chemie AG has introduced shorter working hours, due to a lack of demand for polysilicon from the photovoltaics industry. 650 workers are said to have been affected.
Italy reaches 15.9 GW cumulative PV capacity
Italy has a cumulative photovoltaic capacity of 15.9 GW, according to Italian network agency, GSE. However, just 241 million is left in the countrys solar subsidy coffers.
The future of Australian large-scale PV
Last week, Australias first utility-scale photovoltaic installation went online. Located in the Midwest of Western Australia, it will sell the generated electricity from its 10 MW of First Solar modules to a nearby desalination plant. Although Australia’s residential market continues to boom, Jack Curtis, VP of business development and sales at First Solar discusses the market prospects for big photovoltaic applications Down Under.
SolarCity becomes focus of US Treasury investigation
A number of U.S. solar companies, including SolarCity Inc., have been issued with subpoenas by the U.S. Department of Treasury, which is investigating the companies participation in the Section 1603 grant program. If irregularities are found, they could be liable to pay damages.
China calls on US to foster closer solar cooperation
Chinas Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has called on the U.S. to drop the trade case launched against Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers and instead help foster closer cooperation between the two nations.
