First Solar: Initial moves away from thin film?
The announcement of strong earnings forecasts for the next three years, more projects acquisitions, a technology acquisition and a new efficiency record; April has already been a huge month for thin film giant First Solar. But what can be made of the recent moves? Principal Analyst at IHS Solar Stefan de Haan speaks to pv magazine.
Thin film in the MENA region
The 5th Thin Film Industry forum is about to commence in Germany’s capital next week. With the global photovoltaic market shifting to the sunbelt regions and MENA countries, are the prospects for thin film in these parts of the world beginning to look up? Badr Ikken, Director General of Moroccos Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energy, will be presenting at the Solarpraxis event on April 16. He shares his insights into prospects for the technology in the MENA region with pv magazine.
Italy: PV generation decreased 14.6% in March
While photovoltaic energy generation in Italy decreased 14.6% last month, wind and hydro-electric power both recorded a significant boost, reports Terna. Meanwhile, at 6.6 billion, solar funding is nearing its limit.
Insolvency proceedings open for Asola Solarpower
Germany-based Asola Solarpower is experiencing financial difficulties. Nevertheless, the companys insolvency administrator sees good opportunities for redevelopment via a realigned business plan.
Portugal: Renewables supply 70% of power in Q1
Seventy percent of Portugal’s power generation came from renewable energies, mainly hydroelectric power and wind energy, in Q1 2013, according to the country’s grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN). Despite this record, photovoltaic energy still fails to have significant presence in the energy mix.
Turkey: 2013 a critical year for solar energy development
2013 is expected to be a pivotal year for the Turkish solar industry, as the countrys Energy Market Regulatory Authority gears up to distribute PV production licenses for projects larger than 1 MW. Meanwhile, cumulative capacity is expected to surpass 4 GW by 2017.
US installs 537 MW of large-scale solar projects in Q1
A total of 537 MW of new large-scale photovoltaic capacity was added in the first quarter of 2013, according to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
First Solar stock surges on major announcements
U.S. thin film manufacturer and project developer First Solar has taken what appears to be a major leap forward, as its share price soared on the back of 2013 financial guidance, an acquisition announcement and a major efficiency improvement.
Germany: PV falls by 500 GWh year-over-year
Despite an increase in installed PV capacity to 33.4 GW in Germany, photovoltaic power output fell by 500 GWh year-over-year during the first quarter of 2013, according to a report released by the German Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE).
UK: Martifer Solar completes 28.1 MWp PV project
Portugal-based Martifer Solar has commissioned a 28.1 MWp photovoltaic project in the U.K. Spread across a number of systems, construction was completed in 15 weeks.
