Greek PV installations rise
According to the latest statistics, Greece has installed 627 MW of photovoltaics to date. Of this, 53 MW was added in May. Meanwhile, in 2012, photovoltaics has generated 292.9 GWh of energy in the country.
Innovative technologies will drive PV metallization costs down
Lux Research has said that emerging technologies will bring the costs of photovoltaic metallization down and improve process yields. Overall, copper has been named as the “logical metallization winner”.
Inverter industry entering "dynamic" times
The renewable energy inverter industry is facing a dichotomy, says Pike Research. On the one hand, it is undergoing an “intense period of technological innovation”, but on the other, it is in “turmoil”. Overall, the market, led by photovoltaic applications, is expected to be worth more than US$19 billion in 2017. Meanwhile, differentiation has been highlighted as a key survival tool.
Ontario: SkyPower challenges FIT; seeks damages
SkyPower Group has applied to launch a judicial review against the Ontario Minister of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), in light of proposed photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FITs) changes. It is further seeking to claim damages worth CA$100 million.
ReneSola ups 2012 shipment guidance
ReneSola Ltd has increased its full year 2012 photovoltaic product shipment guidance on the back of strong 1H sales. In related news, it has signed a 100 MW module distribution agreement with Greece-based Big Solar S.A.
Interest increases in Brazilian solar market, but challenges remain
The Brazilian solar market has yet to get off the ground, and many of the existing photovoltaic installations are off-grid. However, according to ANEEL, there has been a recent “explosion” of interest in the country, with rooftop systems offering cheaper electricity prices than the grid. Nevertheless, based on existing support, the IEA is more skeptical about growth.
China predicted to install 5 to 7 GW of PV in 2012
According to IMS Research, between five and seven GW worth of photovoltaics will be installed in China in 2012. It forecasts that over four GW will be added in the second half of the year alone.
Italy: 6 billion PV funding limit reached
Following months of speculation over when Italy’s next renewable energy law will come into play, it has now been confirmed that the country’s 6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) funding limit was reached yesterday, July 12, meaning the Conto Energia V must come into force on August 27.
PV margin and pricing pressure to continue into Q3
According to the Deutsche Bank’s latest solar industry update, photovoltaic companies can expect to see continued margin and pricing pressure.
Ukraine cuts solar FITs
Ukraine has cut its photovoltaic feed-in tariffs by up to 27 percent. It has further adopted a new law, under which private households may sell solar electricity to the grid. Meanwhile, the country’s renewable energy targets have been increased and the local content requirements laid out.
