Suntech’s darkest hour – 05-2013
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Hanergy: Questions remain
Thin film: Chinese renewable energy company Hanergy has caught the attention of sections of the PV market with its ambitious manufacturing plans and acquisitions of CIGS firms Solibro and MiaSolé. But questions are arising as to the companys business model and strategy. Shyam Mehta, Senior Analyst with GTM Research, provides some insight.
May 02, 2013
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Solarcon 2013: PV restructuring in China
Solarcon: It is clear that the fall from grace of one of the worlds largest PV manufacturers a key topic at this years Solarcon China 2013 will impact other Chinese top-tier companies. Other discussion points at the event included shifting policy models and the imminent overhaul of Chinas PV FITs.
May 02, 2013
Investment Guide: Chile
South America: Chile is one of the most attractive countries worldwide in terms of solar resources, with more than 2,000 kWh/m2 per year in areas such as the Atacama Desert. This potential has not passed unnoticed by international PV players, who have focused their attention on this Latin American market in recent years. Although the PV market is still undeveloped in Chile with less than 5 MW in operation, there is currently an administrative boom with more than 2 GW of PV commissioned.
May 02, 2013
Solars dirty little secret
Module cleaning: Robots have been transforming manufacturing processes for some time. Autonomous cleaning robots are even becoming more commonplace in our homes. So when it comes to cleaning PV modules, particularly in the MENA region, robots look set to play a major role.
May 02, 2013
Working the system
PV project finance in India: Although impressive, the deployment of utility-scale PV in India has been hampered by industry-specific and economy-wide factors not least the difficulty in accessing non-recourse finance. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt from global renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad Hassan provides examples and practical insights into how players can overcome the hurdles and seize attractive opportunities in the idiosyncratic Indian solar market.
May 02, 2013
Grid mobilization
China: Large-scale solar and wind farms in China have been plagued by a lack of sufficient grid infrastructure to tap these renewable energy sources. Various conferences during the Solarcon China 2013 week in Shanghai provided detailed information on the interplay between Chinas electricity grid and PV power plants.
May 02, 2013
Trend reversal up ahead
Industry ranking: Even for the largest manufacturers it was difficult to make money simply by producing solar cells last year. The market was characterized by overcapacities, declining prices and consolidation. And the ongoing trade disputes are also having an impact on the top ten manufacturers as well. Nevertheless, analysts expect to see a slight recovery of the market as a whole again in the year 2013.
May 02, 2013
EU lets China suffer
Antidumping duties: With the decision of the European Commission to register solar imports from China and thus open up the possibility for additional penalty duties within the scope of antidumping and anti-subsidy proceedings, Chinese modules in Europe will become increasingly scarce while prices increase. If the market proves to be large enough, then Chinese manufacturers could respond to the duties by establishing their own factories in Europe.
May 02, 2013
Australias mass market for PV
Australia: With a carbon price in place and new bodies to support renewable energy applications kicking into gear, it could seem that the PV market is set to continue its rapid growth Down Under. However, changes of government at the state and federal levels look like it will set some new hurdles for the industry to overcome.
May 02, 2013
The next big thing
Commentary: Why do so many believe MENA is the next big solar market? Its all between Germany and China, and their equilibrium is currently being jeopardized by the EU-China trade case, says Yassir Gamil, Managing Director of Solarpraxis new subsidiary in the MENA region.
May 02, 2013
When manufacturers go bust
Inverters: Its been a while since Satcon Technology Corporation, a Boston-based large-scale photovoltaic inverter manufacturer, filed for voluntary bankruptcy. Their inverters however still remain on the field posing the questions of who looks after them when the manufacturer closes shop.
May 02, 2013
The rise and fall of the Suntech empire
Industry consolidation: When Suntech briefly the worlds largest supplier of PV modules and Chinas biggest solar success story defaulted on $541 million of convertible U.S. bonds in March, solar players across the world were watching. The very public, and in many quarters long expected, failure of the former poster boy of solar, Zhengrong Shi, has left the photovoltaics industry asking what Suntechs Wuxi insolvency means for solar.
May 02, 2013
Learning from the giants fall
Dear readers, Suntech – for many years this name had the aura of resplendent success and the triumphant advance of PV technology. The charismatic CEO and founder of the company Shi Zhengrong was lauded as the world’s first green billionaire. In 2010 Suntech was named the top solar panel supplier after shipping 1.49 GW. However, […]
May 02, 2013
