Global PV markets

According to a new study released by NREL, the technical potential of photovoltaics and concentrating solar power (CSP) in the U.S. amounts to just under 200,000 GW, which could generate around 399,700 TWh of energy annually.

SolarWorld has confirmed to pv magazine that an anti-dumping complaint has been filed by a consortium of European manufacturers with the European Commission. More information is expected to be released by the Bonn-based company this afternoon.

According to the latest statistics, photovoltaic contribution to Germany’s electricity needs has grown 47 percent in the first half of the year. Meanwhile, to date, 2012 has been a record year for renewable energy in the country.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation into law on July 23 that will foster the continuing, rampant growth of the state’s solar energy market, the second largest in the United States, after California. Under the law, plans to both stimulate solar demand and regulate its growth, have been laid out.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with the Departments of Interior and Energy, has identified 17 Solar Energy Zones (SEZs) on public lands, covering 285,000 acres across six southwestern states, as priority areas for utility-scale solar development, the Obama Administration announced on July 24.

Following months of speculation, a coalition of solar companies, again led by SolarWorld, has reportedly filed an anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) complaint in the EU. The European Commission now has 45 days to decide if it will pursue the case.

As with photovoltaic module manufacturers and project developers, inverter manufacturers must look to emerging markets in order to secure future growth, according to new research. Latest industry figures further indicate that while the market will continue to increase, European demand is on the wane. Meanwhile, inverter prices will experience another “double digit” drop this year.

Brazil’s solar market will register a new milestone with the first unregulated commercial auction of solar power, planned for August 9 by Bioenergy, a Sao Paulo-based renewable energy developer and marketer.

Updated: Under a new agreement between OCI Solar Power and CPS Energy, 400 MW of solar power will be installed in San Antonio, Texas, and photovoltaic module component manufacturing facilities established. A spokesperson for CPS Energy reveals more details to pv magazine.

Turnabout is fair play—or rather, fair trade, according to China, which on July 20 announced that it would launch countervailing duty (CVD) and anti-dumping (AD) investigations against the U.S. solar industry, as well as an AD case against South Korea.