Markets

Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy has told his parliament that tax hikes for the renewable energy sectors would be part of the solution for the €65 billion deficit in the country. He made this statement at the address yesterday, where he called on Spaniards to back the measures that would aid Madrid in cutting its budget deficit through to 2015.

Navigant, a global expert services provider, has acquired Pike Research, expanding its energy research and market intelligence offerings.

Yet another German company has been forced to file for insolvency protection. Centrotherm photovoltaics AG announced that it has submitted an application to file for self-administrative insolvency. Despite this, business is said to be continuing as usual.

Solar M&A activity in the U.S. has tailed off this year compared to 2011, according to the latest figures. Despite this, photovoltaic project installers have reportedly emerged as a favorable investment area. Furthermore, energy storage M&A activity is said to have enjoyed strong growth.

Investment in the solar industry continues to grow, despite continued economic pressure. Publishing its latest findings, BNEF said that of the US$59.6 billion invested in the global clean energy sector in the second quarter (Q2) of 2012, solar accounted for $33.6 billion. Meanwhile, the importance of small-scale projects is said to be increasing.

Satcon Technology Corporation, A123 Systems, Renewable Energy Services, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) have been awarded US$2 million by the California Energy Commission to work on the development of storage technologies that will help reduce renewable energy power intermittency.

According to the latest figures, German manufacturers sales’ of photovoltaic components, machinery and equipment fell 54 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012. The sales’ share of Asian customers is also said to be on the decline.

After several years of hustling and hyperbole in the photovoltaics industry, the first half of 2012 has been a time of oversupply and underachievement globally. pv magazine takes a look at the biggest developments of the year to date. Overhang, crystalline, storage and fracking are just some of the watchwords.

Korea-based photovoltaic module manufacturer, Hanwha SolarOne Co. Ltd has announced a new partnership with U.S. storage system company, Silent Power.

The Intersolar North America tradeshow and conference ended today with a mixed outlook for photovoltaics, and talk of an industry shakeout prominent in discussions.