France: EdF takes Photowatt over
Following on from the announcement at the start of February that French electricity giant, Electricité de France (EdF) was looking to acquire Photowatt, media have reported that an offer has now been accepted.
Solar Frontier claims 17.8% aperture efficiency
In what it claims is a world record, Japanese CIGS manufacturer Solar Frontier today announced that it has achieved an aperture are efficiency of 17.8 percent, on a 30cm by 30cm submodule. The record was achieved at the companys Atsugi Research Center.
Q-Cells' creditors agree to defer bond payments
Germany-based Q-Cells has been able to defer its convertible bonds originally due today until the end of April. The photovoltaic company adds that it will carry on with its financial restructuring plan.
Employees let go as Solar Millennium insolvency proceedings begin
Insolvency proceedings for Solar Millennium AG were officially initiated yesterday, February 27. While the insolvency administrator is confident investors can still be found, the remaining employees have received notice of termination.
MENA region holds great solar potential, as West faces uncertain 2012
Ernst and Young asserts that 2012s solar prospects look uncertain, particularly in the West, due to the ongoing Eurozone crisis and renewable energy policy makers. However, emerging markets and, in particular, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) hold “great potential”.
LG Solar also denies scaling back solar operations
Following media reports that some of Koreas biggest solar players are looking to exit the arena, LG Solar has stepped forward to set the record straight.
Singulus plans to finance larger solar projects
Over the weekend, German company Singulus Technologies announced that it will issue a corporate bond with a volume of up to 60 million. The proceeds of the bond issue will finance larger solar projects.
China: Rethinking PV on a global scale
China’s first major solar tradeshow of the year, CIPV Expo 2012 in Beijing, ended this past weekend with continued optimism over the further development of China’s solar industry, despite Germanys support cutbacks, announced during the show. Rooftop photovoltaics emerged as one of Chinas key future trends, while “integration” was the watchword du jour.
4 of top 5 PV module manufacturers are China-based
According to IMS Researchs latest quarterly report, four of the top five photovoltaic module manufacturers are based in China, thus underlining the countrys increasing dominance on the global solar scene.
BP Solar no more
Solar-industry pioneer BP-Solar has halted all of its solar operations, while continuing to pursue other renewable-energy technologies such as wind and biofuels. The decision to abandon its solar efforts was made in December 2011, with the company informally releasing the information in the following months.
