Solarbuzz: The unpredictability of Chinese solar demand is a headache
Despite China’s reputation as the promised land for the solar industry, the latest report from NPD Solarbuzz says wild fluctuations in demand in the country could mean suppliers which rely on markets outside the People’s Republic will enjoy an advantage.
Post-subsidy PV boom in Western Australia
New figures from local electricity retailer Synergy have shown that a second residential solar boom is taking place in the state of Western Australia (WA). With 2,500 customers each month installing photovoltaic arrays, the installation rate is many times higher than it was when now-defunct generous subsidies were in place.
Sunlabob to supply off-grid PV to Kiribati outer islands
Laos-based Sunlabob has secured its biggest Pacific contract to date with a deal to supply off grid solar systems to the outer islands of Kiribati.
US: SunPowers 100 MW PPA deal approved
The US utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has received authorization from regulators to buy electricity from a 100 MW photovoltaic plant of SunPower Corp.
Switzerland: 40% price drop for turnkey PV module systems
Prices for turnkey PV module systems have dropped around 41 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, according to a report released today by German consultants Photovoltaikzentrum.
Israel: Hydrogen-bromine flow battery goes online
EnStorage Inc. has developed the first ever grid-connected hydrogen-bromine (HBr) flow battery with its 50 kW battery connection at the company’s test site in southern Israel. The battery is said to provide up to 100 kWh of storage capacity.
Clean Power Finance raises $37 million "C Round" finance
While solar startups may struggle to raise venture capital funding at present, Californias Clean Power Finance (CPF) has managed to raise US$37 million in “growth equity” from new and existing investors. Notably, Edison International has purchased a share in the company.
Crowdfunded solar begins in earnest in California
After what has proven to be a lengthy process, a Californian solar startup has received the go-head to offer US$100 million in projects to Californian investors. Mosaic, formerly Solar Mosaic, is the startup which will offer the solar crowdfunding platform.
Germany: 970 million surplus for EEG levy in March
In Germany, the EEG levy received a record surplus of around 970 million (US$ 1,263 million) last March, thus reducing significantly the accumulated deficit to around 450 million (US$ 586 million).
RECs annual report makes grim reading
“No one is making money in the solar industry at the moment,” admits Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) CEO and president Ole Enger in the foreword to the Norwegian solar company’s annual report for 2012.
