Markets & Policy

July 4th marks the third Solar Independence Day in the UK, an annual event organized by the Solar Trade Association (STA), and this year’s celebration is buoyed by a fresh peak generation record of 23.9% and a new STA initiative to raise operation and maintenance standards of PV systems.

Just weeks after Japanese car maker Toyota unveiled its market ready solar-integrated Prius hybrid EV, Chinese solar panel maker Hanergy has announced plans to commercialise four PV-powered – “zero charging” – electric vehicle models of its own design.

Rays Experts India is teaming up with Solarinfinite Europe to form Rays Experts Singapore, a solar developer in South East Asia, which aims to install at least 100 MW of solar projects in the region over the next two years.

DAS Energy’s managing director Matthias Schoft spoke to pv magazine about its innovative new glass-less modules. DAS Energy is a joint venture of Diamond Aircraft Industries and Alternative Energy Solutions, which it believes gives it a unique position for innovation.

The German renewable energy specialist registered positive profit and increased revenues in 2015, which came about after a reorientation of its business operations and some welcome outside investment.

Integrated Asset Management invested a total of EUR 127 million to acquire the 30 solar plants in Italy, as part of a forward looking strategy from the group, who targets the eventual acquisition of 100 MW of alternative energy.

French environment and energy minister Segolene Royal greenlights raft of new tenders for solar energy, including a three-fold increase in installed PV capacity, eyeing 20 GW by 2023.

The rush to build may have subsided, but three large financing deals show that interest in the U.K.’s ground-mounted solar sector remains high.

The yieldco of First Solar and SunPower saw second quarter performance beat CAFD guidance, generating revenue of $13.5 million and lowering net losses to just $0.2 million.

The solar arm of Japanese electronics giant Sharp will, according to local media reports, seek to boost its solar cell business in the Philippines and Indonesia while also re-launching its panel business in Europe.