Markets

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has said US$5 million will be made available for the development of plug-and-play photovoltaic systems in 2012, under the SunShot initiative. Over the next four years, it hopes to invest an additional $20 million.

Germany’s Federal Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen has today formed a platform for renewable energies, in order to gather together all the relevant energy transition players. The platform may only submit recommendations, however.

After a considerable period of deliberation, the committee formed to set Japan’s revamped feed in tariffs (FIT) for renewable energy has announced today that a tariff of 42 yen (US$0.51) will be paid for photovoltaics. The tariff is not far off the amount requested by the Japanese solar industry.

Chinese module producer, Phono Solar and German EPC, Sybac Solar signed a 500 megawatt (MW) strategic supply agreement at the vast Hannover Messe industry trade show yesterday. The agreement underpinned a broader theme prominent at the diverse trade show, which was the cooperation between Chinese and German firms.

With the increase in installed photovoltaic capacity, the cost effectiveness of coal-fired power plants is decreasing. The outlook for coal, with the further development of emissions trading, will become even worse.

Following its insolvency annoncement at the start of the month, Q.Cells SE has resumed production of its photovoltaic cells and modules. The search for an investor is also underway – a “number” of parties have reportedly expressed interest in the company.

The Nikkei business daily has reported that a feed in tariff (FIT) of 42 yen (US$0.51) per kilowatt-hour (/kWh) is likely to be recommended by the panel established to advise the Japanese government on the matter. The rate is double the retail rate of electricity – close to what the solar industry itself recommended.

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. has today issued a statement denying that its CEO is stepping down.

Solar is a small, but strong part of LG’s business states Yun Ju Hwan of LG Electronics, during a visit to the company’s cell and module factory in South Korea. While capacity ramp ups are on hold, the group is planning to launch a solar storage solution and thin film panels in 2013, and manufacture its own polysilicon.

In a week when major restructuring at the world’s largest thin film producer, First Solar, has been the focus, the industry has gathered to discuss prospects for the technology and market in the future.