Markets & Policy

German photovoltaic manufacturer aleo solar has announced a €77 million loss in its 2012 full-year financials, released today. The loss is more than double the €30.5 million the company lost in 2011.

At the end of February, Dyesol secured A$4 million in funding with potential for a further A$16 million draw-down. The executive chairman speaks to pv magazine about what the investment means for the dye-sensitized photovoltaics developer, and how it managed to secure finances in the current financial climate. He also discusses why Dyesol’s products are on their way to achieving grid competitiveness, speaks frankly about the silicon market and provides updates on the company’s various industry partnerships.

According to media reports, the Polish Government has implemented further solar subsidy changes to its renewable energy draft law. Under them, support will only be given to photovoltaic plants up to two MW in size.

In another sign that the booming Japanese market is delivering considerable demand to photovoltaic manufacturers, thin film producer Solar Frontier has announced today that it is restarting its 60 MW Miyazaki No. 2 fab. The company said that it is considering producing “new products” at the fab.

Without announcement, Uganda has dropped its PV FIT program. Although other forms of renewable energy are still eligible for support, prices for PV power are said to have fallen enough worldwide to merit the removal of tariffs in the country. Tenders are now being considered.

In its 2012 EPC rankings, IMS Research has found that First Solar became the world’s biggest, in terms of MW completed. First Solar completed more than 500 MW of projects last year, the report has found. IMS Research is now a part of IHS.

Researchers have published results showing that organic solar cells can be produced on cellulose nanocrystal substrates (CNC). The cells are easily recyclable and are being touted as the first solar cells from materials that literally grow on trees.

In a difficult market environment, even the world’s leading photovoltaic inverter manufacturer suffered revenue and earnings losses in 2012. Despite this, SMA did turn an overall profit. The Board has confirmed its 2013 forecast. Amid expected declining sales, it is not ruling out a loss.

A German association for private investors has published its latest Top 50 list of “capital destroyers” in Germany. In 2013, every second company in the top 10 comes from the solar industry.

A new campaign to introduce the solar leasing model to Australian households was kicked off today. The campaign is called “Every Rooftop” and is the result of a collaboration between solar developer Ingenero and the NGO Green Cross Australia.