Markets & Policy

Net-metered projects continue to grow in the U.S., as annual capacity surpassed 2 GW for first time in 2012, according to a report on new trends and solar power connections by U.S. electric utilities released by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA).

Germany will launch its support program for photovoltaic battery storage systems on May 1. Funding totaling €25 million will be available in the first year from German state bank KfW.

Japanese thin film producer Solar Frontier has announced a milestone module efficiency during Thin Film Week in Berlin. Speaking at the Thin Film Forum, head of product management, Ichiro Sugiyama, said that a champion module with 177W rolled off its production lines at its 900 MW Kunitomi plant.

Global inverter sales generated 5% growth, as Asia drove the global market in 2012, IMS Research reports. But European and U.S. suppliers still dominate this market segment.

Austria started its subsidy round for PV power plants on Friday. A total budget of €36 million has been set aside. With this budget more than 24,000 power plants with a total capacity of 115 MW are expected to be developed.

French photovoltaic developer Dhamma Energy is planning to install a 250 MW photovoltaic plant in Extremadura, Spain, according to Spanish newspaper El Periódico de Extremadura.

China-based LDK-Solar announced that, due to a temporary cash-flow shortage, it was not able to make full payments to the holders of its 4.75% convertible senior notes due on April 15. A settlement is said to have been reached, however.

In a bid to persuade lenders to cough up more cash, ReneSola has launched a Bankability Book which, it says, provides a “comprehensive guide” to its business, and will help European and U.S. businesses, in particular, secure financing faster.

PV manufacturer Solen was unable to repay the interest on a loan within the stipulated time period. Two meetings with creditors to decide on a moratorium failed, due to the lack of interest and participation. The board is left with the sole decision to head to the district court.

Global investment in clean energy in the first quarter 2013 was the lowest since 2009, according to the latest figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). In 2013, nonetheless, it predicts that solar installations will grow by about 20%.