Suntech positive despite Q3 declines
Suntech, affected by the depreciation of the euro, has posted third quarter (Q3) 2011 declines across the board. The company believes the current market troubles will continue into the first half of 2012. However, by mid-year, it expects to return to profitability.
Hanwha also posts significant financial losses
Another victim of the depressed market conditions, Hanwha SolarOne has seen third quarter (Q3) 2011 losses, leading to full year module shipment guidance reductions. Like many, the company believes the financial woes will continue into the first half of 2012.
NRG acquires Solar Power Partners
NRG Energy has acquired Solar Power Partners for an undisclosed sum, thus adding 30 megawatts (MW) worth of distributed solar projects to its roughly two gigawatt (GW) portfolio.
Forum Solarpraxis: More foreign investment and lobbying needed
After an opening day that seemed somewhat overly focused on the German market, the second day provided a whistle-stop, round-the-world tour encompassing both prominent and emerging markets from Europe and beyond. The key issues to emerge were a need for more foreign investment and lobbying against other power sources.
Diversification and integration keys to surviving solar shakeout
In a new solar study, Bank Sarasin has named the five companies most likely to survive the current market shakeout, and identified those which are set to fail. International diversification and vertical integration are the watchwords for success. Meanwhile, India has been identified as a leading solar market going forward.
China: GCL-Poly and CGN to work on one GW solar project
GCL-Poly Limited and CGN Solar Energy Development Co. Ltd. have entered into a cooperative framework agreement under which a one gigawatt (GW) solar project is expected to be realized.
Germany: FDP looking to cap PV market at one GW
The German Liberal Party (FDP) leader is looking to place a one gigawatt (GW) cap on solar subsidies. Federal Minister for the Environment Röttgen has swiftly rejected the demand, however. He has also said he wishes to preserve the existing subsidy system.
Morocco: World Bank support's solar plans
The World Bank has approved a U.S.$297 million loan to Morocco to aid in the financing of the Ouarzazate Concentrated Solar Power Plant Project. This will be one of the first large-scale plants of its kind in North Africa.
Taking the temperature at the Forum Solarpraxis: day one
The 12th Forum Solarpraxis kicked off on Thursday, designed to unite the movers and shakers of the industry in Berlin to discuss the issues currently facing the PV industry. Yet the clash between the pre-organised themes for the first day and the participants desire to look to the future outside of the German industry seemed to present a bit of a problem.
US market predicted to fall short
If module manufacturers and photovoltaic equipment suppliers were looking to the U.S. for markets to compensate for weak European demand, they may be set to be disappointed, a new report has warned.
