177W modules rolling off Solar Frontiers production lines
Japanese thin film producer Solar Frontier has announced a milestone module efficiency during Thin Film Week in Berlin. Speaking at the Thin Film Forum, head of product management, Ichiro Sugiyama, said that a champion module with 177W rolled off its production lines at its 900 MW Kunitomi plant.
Asia drives growth in global PV inverter market
Global inverter sales generated 5% growth, as Asia drove the global market in 2012, IMS Research reports. But European and U.S. suppliers still dominate this market segment.
Austria: New subsidy system for PV
Austria started its subsidy round for PV power plants on Friday. A total budget of 36 million has been set aside. With this budget more than 24,000 power plants with a total capacity of 115 MW are expected to be developed.
17 MW AZ Sun PV facility dedicated
The first phase of a 35 MW photovoltaic facility has been dedicated by the Arizona Public Service Co. and AMEC. It is the fifth such facility to come online under the AZ Sun Program.
ADB makes $85 million available for Thai PV projects
The Asian Development Bank has announced it will make US$85 million available for the construction of three photovoltaic projects in Thailand, worth 57 MW.
French developer proposes 250 MW Spanish PV project
French photovoltaic developer Dhamma Energy is planning to install a 250 MW photovoltaic plant in Extremadura, Spain, according to Spanish newspaper El Periódico de Extremadura.
LDK Solar announces non-payment of convertible notes
China-based LDK-Solar announced that, due to a temporary cash-flow shortage, it was not able to make full payments to the holders of its 4.75% convertible senior notes due on April 15. A settlement is said to have been reached, however.
ReneSola launches bankability book to secure more financing
In a bid to persuade lenders to cough up more cash, ReneSola has launched a Bankability Book which, it says, provides a “comprehensive guide” to its business, and will help European and U.S. businesses, in particular, secure financing faster.
Solen reports insolvency
PV manufacturer Solen was unable to repay the interest on a loan within the stipulated time period. Two meetings with creditors to decide on a moratorium failed, due to the lack of interest and participation. The board is left with the sole decision to head to the district court.
Weak Q1 for clean energy investments, says BNEF
Global investment in clean energy in the first quarter 2013 was the lowest since 2009, according to the latest figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). In 2013, nonetheless, it predicts that solar installations will grow by about 20%.
