IHS: 45.4 GW of solar to be added globally in 2014
Solar industry analysts IHS has revised down its 2014 installed capacity forecast by 1.5 GW, despite a strong Q4. The 45.4 GW to be added for the year will represent a 20% growth on 2013.
Ontario reduces feed-in tariffs 1-5% for solar PV
NPD Solarbuzz predicts limited impacts on the PV market in the Canadian province of Ontario, which is hovering around 200 MW annually.
Proposed change in scope of US-China trade case unlikely to have major impact
The U.S. Department of Commerce has proposed a change in the scope of its anti-dumping case against Chinese solar products, to include wafers and cells manufactured in any nation. GTM Research says that this is likely to have little impact on market dynamics.
Wholesale grid parity for solar possible by 2020s, report finds
Report by energy consultants Pöyry suggest that the end could soon be in sight for solar and wind subsidies in Europe as grid parity nears.
Panasonic, Coronal complete nine solar projects for Southern California Edison
Coronal’s total joint project development with Panasonic is now more than 100 MW. The nine installations mark the first commercial projects to be finished under Panasonic and Coronal’s exclusive partnership.
CIGS in space: Ascent Solar chosen for space-based PV project
The thin film PV manufacturer has again been selected by Vanguard Space Technologies to provide modules for its space research program and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Tokyo Electric upgrading grid with 100-km-long transmission line
Tokyo Electric Power Co. is building a 100-kilometer-long electricity transmission line in central Japan as part of the country’s efforts to upgrade its grid infrastructure in view of surging renewable power.
Interview: Bryan Ekus, managing director of Solar United
Two weeks ago the PV industry organization IPVEA became Solar United. The International PV Equipment Association (IPVEA) had represented the upstream solar business since 2008 and Managing Director Bryan Ekus says that the change in tack was at the behest of its members. Some industry observers are more skeptical of the move, saying that attempts to create a global PV association are bound to fail.
KKR partners with Acciona to grow renewable energy asset portfolio
Private equity firm KKR has moved deeper into renewable energy by acquiring a 1/3 stake in the renewable energy generation business of Acciona. The two companies plan to launch a yieldco to hold some of these assets.
Mercom Capital: Downstream dominates as solar investment levels rebound in Q3 2014
While VC funding is up and a third yeildco IPO was held, Mercom’s Q3 report shows that the biggest sources of available capital in the solar industry are still Chinese banks.
