All News

The feed-in tariffs (FITs) for new photovoltaic installations up to 100 kilowatt peak (kWp) in France will decrease in the second quarter 2012, for the fifth consecutive time. Over the course of 12 months, they have decreased by more than 30 percent.

The Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) will close its last multicrystalline wafer plant in Herøya, Norway. Around 460 employees will be affected. The company has also released its first quarter (Q1) 2012 results.

The Washington, DC-based think-tank, Brookings warned this month that U.S. investment in clean tech is facing a drop in subsidies in the coming two years, in a new report that included extensive coverage of the solar market.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has unveiled its plans to offer a new clean energy program, the “Green Option”, which aims to promote the use of renewable energy. The U.S. utility has asked the California Public Utilities Commission to approve it by early 2013.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has said US$5 million will be made available for the development of plug-and-play photovoltaic systems in 2012, under the SunShot initiative. Over the next four years, it hopes to invest an additional $20 million.

Germany’s Federal Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen has today formed a platform for renewable energies, in order to gather together all the relevant energy transition players. The platform may only submit recommendations, however.

The insolvent Q.Cells has finalized all work on what it says is Europe’s largest photovoltaic park. Located in Germany’s Brandenburg, the final financial installment has been paid for the 91 megawatt (MW) project.

After a considerable period of deliberation, the committee formed to set Japan’s revamped feed in tariffs (FIT) for renewable energy has announced today that a tariff of 42 yen (US$0.51) will be paid for photovoltaics. The tariff is not far off the amount requested by the Japanese solar industry.

Chinese module producer, Phono Solar and German EPC, Sybac Solar signed a 500 megawatt (MW) strategic supply agreement at the vast Hannover Messe industry trade show yesterday. The agreement underpinned a broader theme prominent at the diverse trade show, which was the cooperation between Chinese and German firms.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said it will lend US$103 million to help Reliance Power Ltd install a 100 megawatt (MW) concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in Rajasthan. It is said to be the first time the bank will help finance a CSP project.