UrbanTec China: Solar to be integral part of cities clean future
This week brought encouraging news from China regarding the development of smart grids to help enable the smart and sustainable cities of tomorrow. In addition to the key role solar can play, the need to focus on technology communication was highlighted – if the application is not visualized to the end-user, the adoption rate of the technology will suffer.
Solar stocks suffer tough month
A tough month on global financial markets, with the main U.S. indices posting losses of around six percent and Europe, fairing a little worse, was exacerbated for solar stocks, as key governmental decisions impacted upon prices.
California: New roofs must be solar ready from 2014
The California Energy Commission has introduced new energy efficient standards for all new residential and commercial buildings. The new measures mean that from January 1, 2014, all new buildings must have solar-ready roofs.
Komax Solar lays off 70 workers
In response to the “persistently challenging economic environment”, Komax Holding AG has announced that Komax Solar will lay off around 70 workers.
Future of Germanys PV industry discussed
Industry experts are currently discussing the future of the German solar market in Berlin, following the amendments to the countrys renewable energy law (EEG).
SolarBridge obtains $25 million for expansion
U.S.-based photovoltaic microinverter company, SolarBridge Technologies has secured US$25 million in Series D funding.
Inventux lets 67 employees go
Inventuxs insolvency administrator has, after fruitless negotiations with Germanys labor agency, let 67 employees go, mainly from the already significantly-reduced production side.
North America: PV module supply shortage; higher costs; lower ROIs
The preliminary antidumping tariffs announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) could see up to 45 percent, or 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic module shipments to North America suspended. Meanwhile, module costs are expected to rise, and returns on investment (ROI), decrease.
Yingli sees Q1 improvement despite dumping tariffs
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has recorded a relatively positive first quarter (Q1), despite the imposition of preliminary dumping tariffs by the U.S. While its financials significantly improved sequentially, it still suffered major losses compared to Q1 2011.
Hanwha SolarOne sees mixed Q1 results
Having curtailed its photovoltaic module shipments to avoid potential retroactive tariffs from the U.S., Hanwha SolarOne has seen a decrease in activity in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012. Overall, its financials achieved mixed results. Despite this, it is confident about the future.
