France: FIT reductions continue
In France, the photovoltaic feed-in tariffs (FITs) continue to drop. As the countrys regulator, CRE (Commission de Regulation de lEnergie) announced, the tariffs for new installations connected in the first quarter 2012 will decrease by four to ten percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
Solar-Energy expands PV module plant in Poland
Polish manufacturer, Solar-Energy, which opened a new photovoltaic module manufacturing facility in Poland late last year, has announced it will double capacity in 2012.
2011: 27.7 GW of PV installed; full potential of many markets unfulfilled
According to the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), in 2011, photovoltaic installations grew 11 GW over 2010. While emerging markets played a vital role in this growth, they have yet to fulfill their “enormous” potential.
Conergy suffers EBITDA blow
Rounding off a tough year, Conergy has reported a weaker than expected EBITDA. Price pressure, restructuring costs and project financing delays all impacted on the companys performance. A continuing difficult market environment is predicted for 2012.
6 GW of PV installed in Asia Pacific in 2011
While it is well known that the Asia Pacific solar markets are on the up and up, new research has revealed that they are growing at a faster than expected pace. Having installed six gigawatts (GW) of new photovoltaic capacity in 2011, the region was said to have grown 165 percent year on year.
UK: DECC High Court FIT appeal dismissed; will go to Supreme Court
Representing a goal for the U.K. solar industry, the Department for Energy and Climate Changes (DECCS) judicial appeal against the High Court ruling that its plan to alter the feed-in tariff (FIT) rates was illegal, has today been dismissed.
MiaSolé provides staff layoff update
Following various media reports that CIGS manufacturer, MiaSolé had introduced staff layoffs, the company has provided pv magazine with an update.
'Bring high-tech industry home,' Obama says in State of Union address
Proclaiming that U.S. “workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you America will always win,” President Barack Obama came out swinging on January 23, in a State of the Union 2012 address delivered at the U.S. Capitol to a joint session of Congress and a world television audience.
Tunisia: 2 GW of solar to be installed
Project developer Nur Energie and the Desertec Foundation are developing plans to install two gigawatts (GW) worth of concentrated solar power (CSP) in Tunisia.
Powerway invests in South African production facilities
China-based solar mounting structure producer, Powerway Renewable Energy Co. has unveiled its plans to establish production facilities in South Africa to the tune of ZAR 10 million (around US$1.25 million; 960,700).
