Markets

How many jobs did the U.S. government create through its $9.7 billion investment in 24,711 renewable energy projects? At least 75,000 overall, based on a report just released by the Golden, Colorado-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), at the behest of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Many photovoltaic module suppliers are putting a halt to their in-house wafer production in light of drastically decreasing prices. According to IMS Research, wafer prices fell by over 70 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012.

Solar cell and module manufacturer, Talesun has won a contract from China Merchants New Energy Group Ltd to supply up to one gigawatt worth of photovoltaic modules for solar farms in China and worldwide. The contract, worth US$2.4 billion, will initially be in place for three years.

S.A.G Solarstrom recorded a better year than most in 2011, having achieved the lower end of its sales target. As with many though, the tough market conditions led to both a negative EBIT and consolidated annual result.

According to New York’s Mayor, the city has tripled the amount of solar energy generated following the completion of 10 new photovoltaic systems. A total of 648 kilowatts (kW) is now installed in the U.S. metropolis.

The electric energy power industry is fundamentally changing, according to Pike Research, and photovoltaics has the potential to play a big role in future business models. Overall, the company has identified seven emerging photovoltaic trends.

According to new research, venture capital (VC) funding in the solar market has decreased in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012, despite the fact the number of deals has grown. The drop has been attributed to a fading appetite for risk. Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, meanwhile, has been strong and the CIGS market is expected to remain attractive.

Hyundai Heavy Industries will partner with Magna E-Car Systems under a joint venture, MAHY E-CELL, to co-develop a successful battery cell and battery pack business. Hyundai Heavy aims to couple its new battery direction with its renewable energies division.

Green energy politician, Hans-Josef Fell has requested the government to mitigate the drastic cuts that are being made to the photovoltaics subsidies. German photovoltaic manufacturers are also in the need of support from industry politics.

State Secretary for the Federal Environment Ministry Jürgen Becker at an energy conference in Athens clearly articulated that the support for the development of solar energy in Greece will not come from the EEG.