Three reasons to be bullish on Japan
Japan has been and remains a booming PV market. In the last Japanese financial year, March 2012 through March 2013, over 7 GW of new PV capacity was installed in the country. But increasingly observers are asking, how long will the boom last? This is the first of pv magazine’s series based on discussions from the PV Japan 2014 trade show floor.
Vivint files for IPO for solar business
The home automation and security company has filed to spin off its solar business. Vivint Solar is the second-largest residential installer in the United States, and is gaining market share.
Indian manufacturers begin to split on duties
Not all Indian PV manufacturers are coming out in support of anti-dumping duties the government may impose to protect domestic manufacturers. Vikram Solar has spoken out against the recommended duties.
GCL New Energy, Singyes Solar announce far-reaching partnership
The companies will cooperate mainly on distributed generation projects next year with a combined target of at least 500 MW.
French nuclear giant Areva exits CSP
Majority state owned nuclear power plant developer Areva has announced plans to close its concentrated solar power (CSP) business.
Leading UK solar firms challenge government plans to end subsidies
In their ongoing battle against government plans to end the RO support scheme for large-scale PV, solar companies are now banking on the courts to overturn the proposal.
World’s largest solar boat charts course for ancient Greece
Solar boat MS Turanor PlanetSolar has become a research vessel for archaeological expeditions in Greece. The catamaran completed a round-the-world trip in 2012 powered only by sun.
Australia: FRV's Moree financials show difficulties with large-scale sector
Spains Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has stepped up to close the financing of the 70 MW DC Moree Solar Farm. The project has had a long and mottled history, and will be funded only with a large grant from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and loan from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
GT looks to the future in its solar, polysilicon businesses
The company’s quarterly results show the lowest revenues in over three years in its PV and Polysilicon businesses, and only $3 million in new orders across the two divisions. However, GT expects a rebound in the second half of 2014 and beyond, based on new technologies including Merlin, Hyperion and HiCz.
Projects not progressing put on notice in Japan
PV power plant projects that are not moving towards completion run the risk of having their FIT registration cancelled. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) made the announcement today, saying the 22 projects will be considered by the department with another 330 having until the end of the month to report on their status.
