Markets

Netherlands-based power equipment supplier, 3W Power/AEG Power Solutions, has officially inaugurated its new solar inverter manufacturing facility in South Africa.

Grid connection and stability issues can be overcome to encompass a more electricity-intensive energy mix in Europe, with photovoltaics supplying up to 25% of that demand by 2030. The findings have been released in a report by EPIA on the first day of the EU PVSEC tradeshow, which began today in Frankfurt.

Renewables, led by photovoltaics, are the only options for energy price reductions in the future, says the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC). In addition to calculating how many GWs of photovoltaics could have been installed using past fossil fuel subsidies, its new report looks at investment in the sector, and emerging markets.

Aleo solar AG has announced the termination of its avim solar production Co. Ltd. joint venture (JV) in China. The decision has affected 246 employees.

Rewards in the form of “strong” market gains await those photovoltaic module manufacturers that survive 2013, states NPD Solarbuzz. It adds that 2012 end-market demand for product is unlikely to reach 2011’s record levels. Overall, just under 30 GW of photovoltaic demand is predicted for 2012.

Austria’s government has unveiled a new Green Energy Act, under which feed-in tariffs for photovoltaic plants over 500 kWp have been removed. Meanwhile, a new support structure has been devised for building integrated and rooftop systems.

According to media reports, the entrance of an Asian investor into Germany-based Centrosolar AG is imminent, following the decision of two of Centrosolar’s board of directors to sell their entire share packages over the counter.

Air Liquide has inaugurated its new R&D lab in France. Via a solar cell pilot manufacturing line, the company aims to speed-up the introduction of next generation passivation and light trapping technologies.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has unveiled a plan this week that sets the goal that 90% of its energy needs will be provided by renewable energy, by 2020. The key pillars to the plan are solar, wind and energy efficiency. The plan sets out 90 MW of large scale solar to be installed by 2020, and around 72 MW of small and medium scale rooftop photovoltaics.

At midnight, registration for Italy’s first photovoltaic register under the Conto Energia V expired. GSE is scheduled to publish the list of projects eligible for a feed-in tariff (FIT) in October.