Global PV markets

To further develop photovoltaic power in France, the new French government has recommended a change from the current feed-in tariff (FIT) system, available for systems up to 100 kWp, to an auction system.

Agricultural photovoltaic applications in Central and Eastern China are opening up, producing demand for modules in regions where land for ground mounted arrays are in short supply. The trend has been identified in the NPD Solarbuzz China Deal Tracker report, published today.

New figures from British bank ING Direct has shown that solar is the most important “non essential” factor in encouraging a prospective buyer to agree to purchasing a house. 38% of respondents to the ING survey of over 1000 people, responded that solar panels were the most important non-essential factor, which would encourage them to buy a property.

U.S. Republicans hailed the bipartisan approval of the “No More Solyndras Act” by the House of Representatives on Friday, September 14, characterizing the bill as “a commonsense solution that will protect taxpayers and encourage a more robust energy future.”

Underpinning its U.S. market expansion, Fronius has announced it will begin inverter production at new headquarters in Portage, Indiana soon. The Austrian-based company will also introduce its Fronius Service Program to the U.S.

Consolidation, but steady growth. This is the conclusion of many at the end of this year’s Solar Power International (SPI), which closed its doors yesterday in Orlando, Florida.

Photovoltaic producers will now have to pay a 6% tax on any income they earn from generating solar power, including from feed-in tariffs (FITS).

Californian CPV company, GreenVolts has suspended operations, following “a sudden, and unexpected, change in direction from a major strategic investor,” the company said in a statement issued earlier this week. The startup based in the San Francisco Bay Area appears to be pointing to a recent investment and distribution deal that had been struck with power infrastructure giant ABB.

Evidence is mounting that Japan’s solar market is in the early stages of a boom. Reports of US$2 billion in investments in only months, a proposed zero-nuclear future energy plan, and analyst predictions of a shift towards commercial, industrial and utility scale PV are all pointing to a new era for photovoltaics in Japan.

“You are the future of America,” stated former U.S. president, Bill Clinton, yesterday at the Solar Power International tradeshow in Florida. He appealed to the photovoltaics industry to intensify its communication about the solar success story in the political debate.