Markets & Policy

Confidence in solar stocks faltered late this month, as evidenced by positions at the opening bell on February 27, with First Solar free-falling more than 14% during one night of after-hours trading; and Trina Solar tumbling by about the same cumulative amount in the two days following its fourth-quarter earnings report.

Ernst & Young has highlighted a number of renewable energy trends expected to be seen throughout 2013. Among them are a preference for capacity auctions, utility divestment, and corporate investment. Meanwhile, although China topped the firm’s renewable energy indices, the U.S. took top spot in the solar segment.

Dyesol Limited has secured strategic investment from The National Industrialization Company of Saudi Arabia, or Tasnee, worth AU$4 million. Potential to expand this investment to $20 million exists. Meanwhile, R&D collaboration and demonstration projects in the Middle East are up for discussion.

First Solar has achieved a CdTe photovoltaic cell conversion efficiency of 18.7% in the lab. Meanwhile, although the company recorded impressive Q4 financial figures, the thin film manufacturer missed its revised 2012 net sales guidance, and recorded a number of FY losses.

The International PV Equipment Association (IPVEA) has entered into a mutual cooperation agreement with the Saudi Arabia Solar Industry Association (SASIA). The aim is to promote the benefits of photovoltaics in the MENA region and share knowledge.

The sixth PV Expo Tokyo kicked off today, February 26, with optimism. The world’s most generous photovoltaic FITs, coupled with a high environmental awareness, continue to lure many international solar companies to Japan. Insiders at the event expect new photovoltaic installations to top three to four GW this year.

Buoyed by bullish demand forecasts, and increasing utilization rates and pricing, Deutsche Bank forecasts a solar market transition from subsidized to sustainable in 2014.

Germany’s Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies, VDE, has announced the establishment of a U.S.-based subsidiary, VDE Americas in Silicon Valley. The goal is to “meet investor demand for solar PV power plant quality assurance.”

Under its SunShot Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that up to US$15 million will be paid out to the solar manufacturing industry. It has also made up to $12 million available under the Solar Rooftop Challenge II.

Trina Solar Limited sustained significant losses throughout 2012. While photovoltaic module shipments performed favorably, revenues failed to increase compared to the previous year. Both an imbalance in supply and demand, and “aggressive” pricing strategies have been blamed. On a positive note, Trina expects shipments to increase by as much as 30% in 2013.