Global PV markets

In a new study, AFASE has laid out the consequences it expects anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers in Europe will have. Expected European-wide is a fall in demand, job losses and price increases.

Germany’s federal Energy Minister, Peter Altmaier has opened the 13th Forum Solarpraxis. In his speech, he linked his political fate with the success of the energy transition. In the coming week, Germany’s first EEG dialogue on photovoltaics is expected to take place.

A new report, released today by Frost & Sullivan, has predicted that venture capital (VC) funding to renewable energy technologies is set to triple by 2020. The analysts report that this is due to, “environmental support for lower carbon footprint, and innovation in renewable energy technologies.”

The Presidents of the U.S. and Indonesia, and the Sultan of Brunei have proposed the formation of U.S.-Asia Pacific Comprehensive Partnership for a Sustainable Energy Future. Under the partnership, the U.S. has said it will provide up to US$6 billion in support.

Germany’s Environment Minister expects new photovoltaic capacity additions to halve in 2013. These expectations would fall in line with the government’s annual expansion plans.

An influential lobby group, which counts energy policymakers of 102 governments plus the E.U. among its members, has produced a costing analysis that concludes renewable energy should be the default option for providing electricity to the millions of people in the world without grid access.

Last September, GE Energy invested US$3.2 billion in acquiring Converteam. In an interview with pv magazine, Stefan Franko, business leader for renewables at GE’s Power Conversion business, talks about photovoltaic inverter technology, global markets and what the GE acquisition has brought to the Converteam table.

A U.K. solar trade body has renewed its calls for the government to rein in its planned reductions in support for photovoltaics. A decision is expected on the latest renewables obligation banding within days.

In its new Indian Solar Handbook, Bridge to India has taken a look into the inconsistencies which dog the industry in the sub-continent. While there are promising project prospects in the country, a narrow geographical focus is highlighted as one of its photovoltaic weak points.

With U.S. President Barack Obama expected to meet with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao during tomorrow’s East Asian Summit (EAS) the White House hinted obliquely that the ongoing solar trade dispute may form part of the fringe talks.