Declining prices forces SMA to lower 2018 forecasts, announce structural changes
Citing the market downturn in China, which has resulted in “enormous excess capacity”, rapidly declining prices and postponed projects, SMA Technology AG has lowered its 2018 sales and earning guidance, and expects a break-even or negative EBITDA. It has also announced structural changes.
Innogy breaks ground on 349 MWp Australian Limondale solar farm
Germany’s innogy is all set to deliver its first utility-scale solar PV project in Australia. Preparation works and pre-pilling tests are currently underway, and main works are expected to commence this October.
Australia: Ensuring quality or ‘how to avoid the race-to-the-bottom’
What problems are being encountered and how to avoid them by learning from past mistakes? With booming installation rates across all segments of the Australian solar market, quality issues have been pushed to the fore, and quality assurance has become instrumental in shaping further uptake.
Ikea extends PV module offer to Germany
Starting from October, the Swedish furniture provider will start a test phase at five of its branches in Germany. A nationwide online sale of the “Solstrale” offer is planned to begin next February.
China to add 259 GW of coal capacity, satellite imagery shows
By analyzing satellite imagery, research group, Coalswarm has found that coal-fired power stations in China totaling 259 GW, which were supposed to have been scrapped, are being built. When fully commissioned, they will reportedly represent the equivalent of total coal-fired capacity in the United States. Not only does this news go against China’s current push into renewables, but also raises serious air pollution concerns at a time when levels should be decreasing.
Wacker still waiting for expiry of minimum prices for polysilicon in China
The Munich-based chemical group believes that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce may make a decision at the end of October. Wacker’s U.S. plant is still in the start-up phase following a temporary shutdown due to an explosion.
New records and results abound at EU PVSEC
The EU PVSEC conference, held this week in Brussels, was filled with bold announcements regarding solar’s trajectory in the coming years; and is backed up by a few announcements of new world records and impressive results from industry players and leading research institutes.
US Triton to manufacture solar batteries in India
U.S.-based Triton Solar, LLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to set up a solar battery manufacturing unit in the Indian state under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model.
Italy further improves decree for solar, renewables
In a meeting with domestic energy associations, the Italian government has confirmed the general thrust of the draft decree for solar and renewable energies. It has also proposed changes favorable for PV linked to projects for asbestos removal and the rehabilitation of polluted or soil-degraded areas for large-scale projects selected in upcoming RE auctions. Alberto Pinori, president of Italy’s renewable energy association, Anie Rinnovabili, has praised the government’s new attitude and its agencies. He further stressed the importance of the obligation of only using new components for renewable projects, solar included, which will likely be included in the decree.
Denmark launches 140 MW mixed wind-PV tender
Two weeks after issuing a tender for solar up to 1 MW, the Danish Energy Agency has now launched a second tender scheduled for this year, for large-scale solar and wind projects. Selected schemes will be eligible to receieve a premium feed-in premium over a 20-year period.
