EU rules household PV systems exempt from VAT
Austrian homeowner successfully argued he should not pay VAT when purchasing the system as it is used as an economic activity. Luxembourg based court agrees that regardless of profit or loss, a system which feeds into a grid for payment on a regular basis constitutes an economic activity.
U.S. opens $135 million clean energy research center
The U.S. Energy Department and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have announced the opening of the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF), which is focused on utility-scale clean energy grid integration.
China Electric Equipment Group to develop 20 MW PV project in China
China Electric Equipment Group has received approval from China’s Development and Reform Commission to develop a 20 MW grid-connected PV power generation project in Xinjiang, China.
No news is good news, the message from Beijing
Trade commissioner Karel de Gucht repeats desire for amicable solution to solar stand-off but talks with Chinese opposite number were not part of the latest EU-China Joint Committee. Technical negotiations on the issue have moved from Brussels to Beijing.
Italian FIT payments to stop in July
Subsidy limit of 6.7 billion has been passed triggering a halt to future FIT payments from a point one month after the limit was reached. Italy is the third EU member state to halt its solar incentives.
Samsung and Ontario row back on renewables commitment
Samsung has reduced by C$2 billion its commitment to wind and solar in Ontario. Provincial government denies the move has anything to do with recent WTO ruling against its FIT program’s domestic content requirement.
SMA braces for hefty drop in revenue
Executives at German inverter manufacturer SMA have said that second quarter revenue will likely fall from 429 million a year ago to between 240 million and 280 million. The company continues to grapple with decreased demand, price drops and a general decline in business.
Intersolar Europe: no boom but surpassing expectations
Attendees at Intersolar Europe in Munich were upbeat on the final day trade show and praised the quality of this years event and the large crowds of visitors the decline in exhibitors. Uncertainty over EU tariffs remained palpable in the exhibition halls, however, with leading Chinese manufactures reportedly cutting production by as much as 50%.
Chile on track for 6 GW of solar projects
Development of solar power projects are Chile has increased dramatically in recent months. The countrys Environmental Evaluation Service (SEA) has already approved 4 GW of new projects with an additional 2.2 GW currently under review.
Abengoa partners on 110 MW CSP project in Israel
Negev Energy, a joint company established by Spanish group Abengoa and Israels Shikun & Binui, has won a contract to build a 110 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in southern Israel.
