Schott Solar will stop crystalline PV production in Mainz
According to newspaper reports, Schott Solar AG will stop producing its crystalline silicon photovoltaic products in Germany this October. After this, just the company’s product development and headquarters will remain in Mainz.
Singapore: Five solar research projects awarded grants
The Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO) in Singapore awarded research grants worth S$11 million (6.8 million) to five research teams under the fifth grant call of the Clean Energy Research Programme.
Trade case: Higher CVD rates applied to Chinese PV manufacturers
Three months after making its preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has reportedly upped the rates Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers will have to pay for exporting their cells to the U.S.
Germany: More FIT details emerge
More details have emerged over what the photovoltaic industry can expect to see in Germanys new EEG (renewable energy law). The Environment Ministry has refused to comment on the speculation before the next meeting of the mediation committee, to be held today, however.
PV oversupply issues will see 60 GW capacity come offline by 2015
GTM Research forecasts that a massive 60 GW of photovoltaic product capacity will come offline by 2015, as supply continues to outstrip demand. The company furthermore believes that module manufacturing costs will reach US$0.45/W and that product differentiation will be key to survival.
Italy: Conto Energia V to be approved soon
Italys next renewable energy law, the Conto Energia V could soon be approved. It is believed that most of the regional state rejections should be taken into account, and that a gradual transition will be adopted.
California: Cupertino completes 20 MW PV project
Cupertino Electric, Incs Energy Alternatives Division has completed a 20 MW photovoltaic project under the Pacific Gas and Electric Companys (PG&E) 500 MW Solar PV Program.
PV gross margins fall 75 percent
According to IMS Research, photovoltaic suppliers are suffering from “huge” pressure, following a 75 percent drop in gross profits in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012. It predicts that they will continue to fall, as a result of the persistent price pressures and competitive market conditions.
UK: Sunsolar Energy System to build 30 MW fab
Photovoltaic installer Sunsolar Energy Systems has announced that it will build a 30 megawatt (MW) fab in the West-Midlands region of England. The company has been awarded a GPB5 million (US$7.8 million) grant from the government to build the facility and will invest a further GBP5 million themselves.
Work underway on MPX and E.ONs Brazilian PV plant
MPX and E.ON have begun working on the expansion of their one MW Brazilian photovoltaic plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of the year.
