Australia: Four percent of installations "unsafe"
A Senate hearing at the Australian Federal Parliament has learned that a national inspection program of residential photovoltaic installations has found that four percent, of an initial survey, are “unsafe”.
US: Solar leasing installations continue to grow
Solar leaser, SunRun and Californian market analyst, PV Solar Report have released data showing that solar leasing, or third-party-owned solar, accounted for 59 percent of Californian residential installations in the third quarter (Q3) of 2011. This brings the cumulative total for 2011 to 51 percent.
Canadian Solar lowers Q3 guidance
In line with a number of other photovoltaic companies, Canadian Solar has revised its third quarter guidance downwards, due to the continuing flat market.
PV racking task force launched
At the opening of the Solar Power International conference in Dallas, Texas, today, a taskforce has been launched to improve the integration of solar racking systems.
US solar industry fights for Section 1603 subsidy extension
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) this week urged the U.S. Congress to approve another one-year extension of the Section 1603 Treasury program, citing a newly released study, which found that a longer program would support the creation of tens of thousands of solar jobs nationwide.
India: First big ticket solar project goes online
Moser Baer has officially brought its 30 megawatt (MW) thin film solar power plant online in Indias Gujarat. Amongst much brouhaha about aggressive bidding, lack of bank financing and the feasibility of solar power in India, the move should silence the sceptics, at least in the short term.
Resale of PV PPAs in India risky
According to new research, there is rising anxiety among photovoltaic project developers, who are looking to sell their power purchase agreements (PPAs) before even starting construction on their projects. The lack of experience of companies operating in photovoltaics has been cited as the main reason.
Cost the key at GEs new CdTe plant
Executives from GE have faced journalists to answer questions regarding its new CdTe plant to be built in Colorado.
Germany: EEG levy only 0.062 higher for 2012
In Germany, the Renewable Energy Law (EEG) levy will increase next year to 3.592 euro cents per kilowatt hour. Further expansion of renewables is not the reason for the increase; the cause is in fact a new “liquidity buffer”. The buffer was actually supposed to come into effect with the 2012 EEG amendment.
Solar cell manufacturer Arise Germany announces insolvency
Arise Technologies Deutschland GmbH (Arise Germany) has entered structured insolvency. Failure to secure adequate financing for the development of its solar plans was cited as the primary reason.
