Markets & Policy

90s nostalgia afflicts solar as utilities clutch at straws in the US, the EU hurls penalties at impervious Chinese glass makers and digest regular Frank Asbeck prepares to count the dollars.

Latest move to shore up domestic solar industry sees state-owned company sign purchase agreement. 12-month supply deal backdated to start last month.

French authorities cite a large volume of bids and very low prices for the doubling of available capacity. This follows a doubling of capacity for a solicitation for mid-sized PV in July.

Motech Industries Inc. has signed a three year loan agreement worth US$197 million. Existing debt will be repaid and working capital funded.

The European Commission has officially removed Chinese solar PV module manufacturer, Znshine from the EU minimum price (MIP) agreement. It has rejected calls for retroactive withdrawal, however.

The Hörmann Group has taken over ITS Halle Cell GmbH, a German subsidiary of the insolvent Norwegian group Innotech Solar AS. The newly-founded Hörmann ITS Cell GmbH has acquired 31 employees and the PV production site in Halle.

JinkoSolar has raised its full year solar PV module shipping guidance to 4 to 4.5 GW, and expects to grid connect up to 800 MW of new projects. Overall, the Chinese solar company has recorded a relatively strong Q2.

This will be the nation’s second auction for renewables in only a few years. When the projects approved are built, solar is expected to play a much larger role in the nation’s energy mix.

SunEdison has the approval of the U.S. government to proceed with its planned acquisition of Vivint Solar, which will give the company a major presence in the U.S. residential solar space.

Canadian Solar retained a healthy margin and profit in its latest quarterly results, and reported strong operational results, despite shipments below guidance. The company says it is progressing towards establishing a yieldco vehicle, but retains backup plans.