Thin film: Potential remains for those who survive
In a week when major restructuring at the worlds largest thin film producer, First Solar, has been the focus, the industry has gathered to discuss prospects for the technology and market in the future.
US: Interconnection queries raised as solar found to be fastest growing electricity source for utilities
Solar is the fastest growing electricity source for U.S. utilities, says the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). While positive, the trend raises questions as to how the countrys distribution grid will manage this growth. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), meanwhile, was identified as the most “solar-active” utility.
Ontario: Bureaucracy required
Ambitious expansion plans are afoot for renewable energy and photovoltaics in the Canadian province of Ontario, Oleg Popovsky, business development manager of SunEdison tells pv magazine. He also calls for a reduction of red tape with regards to feed-in tariff (FIT) implementation.
Survive the solar shakeout and reap substantial rewards
Reports of the imminent demise of the solar industry have been highly exaggerated, according to research released this week by New York City-based McKinsey & Company, Inc. While it states that the “rules of the game are changing” and that there will be “significant challenges”, it firmly believes there are still substantial rewards to be reaped.
Bosch acquires Conergy inverter subsidiary
Bosch has officially acquired Conergys photovoltaic inverter subsidiary, voltwerk electronics GmbH, following approval from the German anti-trust authorities. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Georgia PV project targets 1.5 GW of PV projects
A new joint venture, Georgia PV Project, is targeting over 1.5 gigawatts (GW) worth of photovoltaic installations across the world. It will also set up a module production facility in Georgia.
Germany: Gehrlicher begins construction on 35 MW PV park
Gehrlicher Solar AG has begun construction work on its 35 megawatt (MW) Perleberg Airport photovoltaic park project in Brandenburg, Germany.
India: 200 MW PV park inaugurated; 600 MW commissioned
At the inauguration of the Charanka solar park in India, photovoltaic projects worth 604.89 megawatts (MW) were handed commissioning certificates by Gujarats Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. In related news, 50 MW of photovoltaic projects have been approved under the Karnataka state solar policy.
Brazil approves new solar legislation
Brazils board of the National Agency of Electrical Energy (ANEEL) has approved two new pieces of solar legislation aimed at improving the countrys domestic industry.
Updated: SDL and SPI to work on 100 MW of Greek PV projects
SDL Solar and SPI Solar announced yesterday that they will install 23 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics across Greece, having signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Greek venture capital funds. pv magazine has now learned that the goal is to install up to 100 MW.
