SunPower introduces 24 percent Maxeon Solar Cell
U.S. cell and module manufacturer SunPower Corp. has announced that its 160 mm, 24 percent Maxeon solar cell is now in commercial production.
Italy: The wait for the next Conto Energia
The fourth Conto Energia may be replaced by a fifth Conto Energia this spring/summer, or so some investors speculate. Whether the fifth Conto really gets implemented, however, and the reprecussions for solar subsidies, remain open questions.
Australia: Queensland Premier axes environmental funds
The new premier of Queensland Liberal National Party’s (LNP) Campbell Newman plans to axe the state’s climate change and renewable energy programs, including funds allocated for solar flagship programs.
Upsolar expands into the Balkans
Upsolar has partnered with Plan-net Solar in installing a 1.2 megawatt rooftop photovoltaic system in Slovenia. This is the company’s largest system in the country to date.
IGEE: R&D and production equipment a key focus for Korean PV industry
The 9th International Green Energy Expo 2012 (IGEE) kicked off today, March 28, in Daegu, South Korea. In contrast to the two solar events held in Shanghai, China last week, the exhibitors, including Korea’s heavyweights, were out in force. There are mixed feelings however, over the future of the Korean solar industry. On the one side is a clear lack of political support and on the other, a stark focus on research and development, and equipment. Many capacity ramp ups have also been put on hold.
A growing global smart grid market
Smart grids are set to grow as Pike Research’s report shows. Meanwhile Echelon Corporation has announced two micro grid deployments in India and South Africa that will integrate distributed generation to compensate disruptions in utility-supplied power.
Germany: Revised photovoltaic draft
The revised draft for the changes in the solar subsidies calls for some serious changes. The cuts remain though.
Costs still the focus for PV Technologies Roadmap 2012
Cost reduction is still more important than achieving higher efficiency as a photovoltaic production technology driver, according to speakers at the sixth edition of the PV Fab Managers Forum held in Berlin, Germany this week.
Ecobuild 2012: UK PV industry ready for sustainable growth
International photovoltaic companies exhibiting at Ecobuild, which took place in London last week, see the U.K. market as important for being able to accommodate and reward companies with long-term strategies.
Q-Cells North America underscores utility partnerships
On the eve of delivering his company’s first 30 megawatt (MW) of photovoltaics to Pacific Gas & Electric under the utility’s 250 MW Utility Owned Generation program, Boris Schubert, the CEO of Q-Cells North America, tells pv magazine why he is betting on the continued rapid growth of photovoltaics on this continent, and how his company will seek out a lion’s share of the market.
