Global PV markets

New research published by IMS Research indicates that due to a surge in installations, the money set aside for Italy’s fifth Conto Energia will be insufficient to fund the scheme, and the Italian market will effectively be operating without subsidies in 2013.

With a new energy framework only months away, photovoltaics is shaping up as the prime candidate to replace the nuclear reactors on which the country draws around 40 percent of its power.

According to industry analyst, Jefferies, China is mulling the possibility of again raising its 2015 photovoltaic target to over 25 GW. Meanwhile, it says feed-in tariff troubles have arisen, which may affect internal rates of return (IRRs), and that a state owned enterprise merger could be on the cards for LDK Solar.

The U.S. Export-Import bank has authorized two loans worth US$57.3 million to support the development of three photovoltaic power plants in India, which will use First Solar thin film modules.

Due to improved demand, photovoltaic module price declines are expected to ease slightly in the second half (2H) of 2012. Meanwhile, global installations are forecast to reach 30.2 GW this year. Overcapacity is still a dominant theme, however.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has published figures showing that a record number of photovoltaic projects were purchased last year, worth approximately US$10.8 billion. BNEF found that “approved and operating” projects were seen as high yield investments.

On July 12, Italy reached its €6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff funding limit. On Friday 13, the energy agency’s official counter showed just under €6 billion worth of funding for plants. By Monday 16, it was sitting at €6.06 billion. If the funds continue to be consumed at this rate, the money allocated for the Conto Energia V will be used up before the end of August.

According to the latest statistics, Greece has installed 627 MW of photovoltaics to date. Of this, 53 MW was added in May. Meanwhile, in 2012, photovoltaics has generated 292.9 GWh of energy in the country.

SkyPower Group has applied to launch a judicial review against the Ontario Minister of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), in light of proposed photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FITs) changes. It is further seeking to claim damages worth CA$100 million.

The Brazilian solar market has yet to get off the ground, and many of the existing photovoltaic installations are off-grid. However, according to ANEEL, there has been a recent “explosion” of interest in the country, with rooftop systems offering cheaper electricity prices than the grid. Nevertheless, based on existing support, the IEA is more skeptical about growth.