SPI: Steady growth despite the difficulties
Consolidation, but steady growth. This is the conclusion of many at the end of this years Solar Power International (SPI), which closed its doors yesterday in Orlando, Florida.
Isofotón eyes Sovello up
According to media reports, Spain-based Isofotón is looking to acquire Sovello. The German companys insolvency administrator says Sovello is looking to find an investor by the end of October.
Spain introduces 6% energy tax
Photovoltaic producers will now have to pay a 6% tax on any income they earn from generating solar power, including from feed-in tariffs (FITS).
China: Construction on 40 MW PV project underway
China-based Shanghai Surpass Sun Electric Co. Ltd has started construction on 2 photovoltaic plants worth 20 MW each, in the province of Qinghai.
GreenVolts halts operations
Californian CPV company, GreenVolts has suspended operations, following “a sudden, and unexpected, change in direction from a major strategic investor,” the company said in a statement issued earlier this week. The startup based in the San Francisco Bay Area appears to be pointing to a recent investment and distribution deal that had been struck with power infrastructure giant ABB.
GE and Xtreme Power form storage partnership
GE Energy Storage and turnkey energy storage and power management system solutions provider, Xtreme Power have formed a partnership under which they will develop energy storage solutions for the grid.
US SunShot program unveils $10 million rooftop PV competition
In its bid to significantly lower the costs of solar technology and make it competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade, the U.S. Department of Energys SunShot program has unveiled a competition inviting participants to demonstrate faster, cheaper and easier ways of installing rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Global Solar Alliance presents new initiatives at SPI
Make photovoltaics more competitive through global collaboration. This is the goal of the newly formed Global Solar Alliance, which presented 2 new initiatives at the Solar Power International tradeshow in Florida yesterday.
SEIA boosts solar commitment with sustainability report and handbook
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has underlined its commitment to the solar industry at this years Solar International tradeshow, following the addition of 3 new members to its advisory group. It also announced the introduction of a new sustainability report and handbook.
Japans new solar era takes shape
Evidence is mounting that Japans solar market is in the early stages of a boom. Reports of US$2 billion in investments in only months, a proposed zero-nuclear future energy plan, and analyst predictions of a shift towards commercial, industrial and utility scale PV are all pointing to a new era for photovoltaics in Japan.
