Markets

Convert Italia and Solaria Corporation have completed work on a two megawatt (MW) low concentrating photovoltaic (LCPV) power plant in Puglia, Italy. It is thought to be the world’s largest.

After over two years of policy deliberations and growing pains, India is finally seeing solar installations in meaningful numbers: cumulative photovoltaic capacity stands at 964 megawatts (MW), 745 MW of which have been commissioned in 2012. But it is not all sunshine, with financing proving to be one of the country’s biggest challenges. Quality issues are also surfacing.

Germany’s Bundesrat wants to revise the country’s renewable energy law (EEG) for photovoltaics. A majority of Bundesrat representatives, therefore, voted for the invocation of a mediation committee with the Federal Parliament.

The recently-established Global Solar Council (GSC) has denied that it was set-up in response to the ongoing U.S.-Sino trade dispute, following media claims to the contrary. In related news, its executive director answers pv magazine’s questions.

Phoenix Solar AG has successfully concluded a financing package worth €132 million, following the company’s failure to fulfill the agreements of a previous loan agreement. It was agreed on the back of a restructuring plan, which has included a significant workforce reduction. In reporting its 2011 financials, the company saw massive losses.

ReneSola Ltd has seen first quarter (Q1) 2012 financial improvements across the board, although it is still suffering significant losses. The company has released its wafer, module and polysilicon cost targets for the year.

According to reports, 30 percent of Hamburg-based Conergy AG will be acquired by a Chinese photovoltaic company. Conergy would not confirm the news.

Germany’s S.A.G. Solarstrom is confident it will post a positive EBIT for the full year 2012. Reporting its first quarter (Q1) 2012 financial results, the solar company recorded lower sales and a negative EBIT, compared to the same period in 2011. It is looking to new markets to compensate for domestic decline.

Canadian Solar has posted comparatively positive first quarter (Q1) 2012 financial results. Overall, the photovoltaic module manufacturer expects its total solutions business to generate an increasing amount of revenues over the next two years.

SMA Solar Technology AG has recorded a positive start to 2012, with increased photovoltaic inverter sales achieved. The company forecasts falling demand in Europe, however, for the rest of the year.