Germany: PV makes coal power unprofitable
With the increase in installed photovoltaic capacity, the cost effectiveness of coal-fired power plants is decreasing. The outlook for coal, with the further development of emissions trading, will become even worse.
HHI achieves 19.7 percent copper-contact cell efficiency
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has achieved a conversion efficiency of 19.7 percent on its copper-contact selective-emitter solar cell. This, it says, is a new world record.
Emmvee enters PV project development business
Photovoltaic module manufacturer, Emmvee, has entered into the solar project development and EPC business.
Syncronys to install 400 solar-powered well pumps in Pakistan
Syncronys International will install 400 solar-powered well pumps in Pakistan. The company received the US$4.5 million order from an unnamed party.
Updated: SDL and SPI targeting 100 MW of Greek PV projects
SDL Solar and SPI Solar are to install 100 megawatts (MW) worth of photovoltaic projects in Greece. SPI, with SDLs help has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Greek venture capital funds, for 30 MW.
Q.Cells resumes cell and module production
Following its insolvency annoncement at the start of the month, Q.Cells SE has resumed production of its photovoltaic cells and modules. The search for an investor is also underway a “number” of parties have reportedly expressed interest in the company.
Japan: 51-cent FIT mooted
The Nikkei business daily has reported that a feed in tariff (FIT) of 42 yen (US$0.51) per kilowatt-hour (/kWh) is likely to be recommended by the panel established to advise the Japanese government on the matter. The rate is double the retail rate of electricity close to what the solar industry itself recommended.
MEMC denies CEO's departure
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. has today issued a statement denying that its CEO is stepping down.
Solarhybrid sells Israeli PV project rights
The insolvent solarhybrid AG has announced that subsidiary, solarhybrid Israel Ltd has sold its photovoltaic project rights to Summit Energy LP.
LG expects mass production of storage battery in 2013
Solar is a small, but strong part of LGs business states Yun Ju Hwan of LG Electronics, during a visit to the companys cell and module factory in South Korea. While capacity ramp ups are on hold, the group is planning to launch a solar storage solution and thin film panels in 2013, and manufacture its own polysilicon.
