Markets

Considering the year some had in 2011, SunPower seems to have emerged relatively unscathed. While the company suffered financial losses, it also posted revenue and shipment records. It believes it is well positioned for the future, however the analysts warn that it is “too early to get excited” just yet.

Australian scientists are working on a research project to network solar arrays across many roofs and households, into a “virtual power station”. The project hopes to improve the “predictability, quality and response” of power being put back into the local power grid.

Equipment manufacturer Applied Materials has posted strong first quarter (Q1) 2012 results, including a non-GAAP operating income of US$240 million, from net sales of $2.19 billion. Sales were down $50 million year-on-year, but up slightly up from the fourth quarter (Q4) 2011.

Following in the footsteps of companies like California-based SunRun and Solar City, a new start-up company, DZ-4, is looking to bring decentralized solar power to Germany’s masses. In the following interview, founder Tobias Schütt talks to pv magazine about his plans and explains why such schemes have not already been introduced in Germany.

In releasing its preliminary fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) 2011 financial results, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd says it exceeded Q4 shipments. Revenues and gross margin, however, continued to decline.

A collaborative research project, based in the Australian state of Victoria, claims to have developed the world’s most efficient broadband nanoplasmonic solar cells. The result, published in the journal Nano Letters, report the cells having an efficiency of 8.1 per cent.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. says both its fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) financials reflect the “challenging” market environment it encountered in 2011. While the company believes it is well positioned for the future following its production and staff cutbacks, it forecasts another difficult year.

IMS Research has found that while annualized photovoltaic module price declines have slowed, Chinese Tier 2 manufacturers are implementing “highly competitive” pricing strategies.

In its bid to become an “international knowledge hub and solar technology exporter”, Uzbekistan has unveiled its new International Solar Energy Institute (ISEI).

AU Optronics has said it will market its solar products under the brand name BenQ Solar. The move is in line with its “Global Operation, Local Delivery” business strategy.