Markets

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) last week submitted a petition to have the standards for connecting smaller photovoltaic arrays to the grid changed. SEIA has sought to alter specifications that require installations to produce less that 15 percent of the annual peak load if they are to qualify for the “fast track” interconnection of small generation.

On February 13, San Jose, California-based SunPower Corporation filed a motion for a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against the residential solar array supplier, San Mateo-based SolarCity Corporation, as well as five individuals: Tom Leyden, Matt Giannini, Dan Leary, Felix Aguayo, and Alice Cathcart.

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.