Spaniard wins Bauhaus Solar Award 2011
A spatial concept from Spain won this years Bauhaus Solar Award 2011 in Erfurt, Germany. Second prize, meanwhile, was awarded to two students from Munich.
Austrian smart grid project to see 120 new PV systems installed
A new 5 million, three-year smart grid project has been unveiled in Austria. Designed to prepare for the expected “onslaught” of new solar capacity in the country, the pilot project will see 120 photovoltaic systems installed. pv magazine gets the low down.
More solar casualties and job losses announced
Last night, U.S.-based Energy Conversion Devices announced it has suspended all its manufacturing operations and will introduce significant job cuts. Two Asian solar cell manufacturers are also said to be on the brink of insolvency, and more can be expected.
Silicio Solar stops production
Due to the current weak market conditions, Spanish company Silicio Solar is about to halt its solar ingot und wafer production for at least three months. The future for the 800 employees is uncertain.
Centrosolar and aleo report mixed Q3 results
Both Germany-based Centrosolar Group AG and aleo solar AG have reported some positives in their third quarter (Q3) 2011 results. The companies did not escape unscathed, however, with losses experienced, revised revenue guidance announced and production scalebacks.
New details emerge over 360 MW South African PV project
pv magazine has learned that the 360 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic project announced by Moncada Group earlier this week has received all necessary permits.
Heralding a change
While theres a bit of doom and gloom surrounding parts of the photovoltaic industry at present, some areas are generating considerable excitement. One of them is where Berlin-based startup Changers is aiming at: the intersection of photovoltaics, technology and social media.
Q3: Suntech posts 13 percent gross margin; announces redundancies
While acknowledging that cost reductions are key and capacity expansion plans are to be put on hold in the current environment, Chinese polysilicon module manufacturer, Suntech has announced a 13 percent gross margin for the third quarter (Q3) of 2011. It has also said that redundancies have been made.
Roth & Rau suffers significant earnings loss; announces shorter working hours
Roth & Rau has introduced shorter working hours in response to the “drastic” decline in demand for its solar modules and systems. Due also to the deterioration of some customers creditworthiness, the companys sales and EBIT have been hit hard.
Germany: PV suppliers suffer from market depression
The expectations of Germany’s photovoltaic machine manufacturers will not be fulfilled in the current financial year. The 2012 market environment is also forecast to remain difficult.
