PV market pickup forecast for 2H 2013
New photovoltaic installations worth over 31 GW are predicted for 2012, despite continuing overcapacity and price declines. Forecasts are that the global industry will return to growth in Q2 2013, and will regain lost ground in Q4.
Construction to begin on 1 GW Serbian PV project
A one GW, 1.75 billion photovoltaic project has received the green light in Serbia, after the government and project developer, Securum Equity Partners & Associates signed a binding framework agreement on October 25. Construction is scheduled to begin next April.
Italys TerniEnergia unveils South African plans
In addition to setting up a South Africa subsidiary, Italy-based TerniEnergia will install a 9.5 MWp photovoltaic plant at Upington airport.
China lifts nuclear moratorium
Having placed a moratorium on the development of nuclear reactors in the country following the Fukushima disaster in Japan, China has announced it will again start building nuclear plants. Photovoltaic opportunities have also been identified.
PV equipment upgrades and differentiation key to manufacturers survival
A new report has identified a number of opportunities for photovoltaic equipment manufacturers to turn a profit. The key is product differentiation, according to the author, who states that photovoltaic manufacturers with idle capacities cannot afford to not upgrade their production equipment. Meanwhile, Germanys grip on the market is said to be slipping.
APVIA: Singapore becoming base for solar business
While with only 5.5 MW in installed capacity, Singapore is a minor end-market for photovoltaics, however as a business and banking hub, it is increasingly becoming a base for solar companies.
Hanwha Q.Cells GmbH officially launched
The acquisition of one of the worlds pioneering photovoltaic companies, Q.Cells, was completed today, with the launch of Hanwha Q.Cells GmbH. The new companys leadership was unveiled at its headquarters, R&D center and German manufacturing operations, in Germanys Sachsen-Anhalt this morning.
Belectric plans organic PV production in Germany
Following Belectrics takeover of Konarka Technologies GmbH, the company plans to set up organic photovoltaic (OPV) production facilities in Germany in the coming months.
PV book-to-bill ratio in the red
Signs are emerging that photovoltaics is finally taking the right course to overcapacity recovery. For the first time since the mid-2000s, says NPD Solarbuzz, the industrys book-to-bill ratio is negative, thus indicating the cancellation of capacity expansion plans.
APVIA 2012: Singapore leads path to grid parity
As the PV Asia Pacific expo and conference continues today in Singapore, attendees have heard how high electricity prices and the falling cost of photovoltaics have resulted in the city-state arriving at retail grid parity for solar.
