Global PV markets

According to the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), Chinese solar imports to the U.S. fell “sharply” in April, following the issuance of preliminary dumping tariffs from the Department of Commerce (DOC).

According to SEIA and GTM Research 506 MW of photovoltaics were installed in Q1 2012. This, they say, represents “more than any other first quarter on record.” Overall, it is predicted that 3.2 GW will be installed throughout the year. There are concerns for 2013, however.

The U.S. may have been ranked as the second biggest cleantech country in 2011 by WWF. However, for it to stay competitive, it must develop a cohesive national policy.

China has become the world’s most successful cleantech nation, both in terms of its growth (number one) and the size of its sector relative to its total economy (second only to Denmark), according to a new WWF report. Meanwhile, photovoltaics has been identified as the fastest growing cleantech segment.

Photovoltaics accounted for around ten percent of Germany’s energy supply in May, according to the country’s Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW).

Markets in which photovoltaics can be a true competitor with traditional energy sources was one of the themes emerging from the first day of the Intersolar Europe Convention, which began in Munich yesterday. German market integration measures, future developments in Spain and the importance and potential of storage technologies all emerged as themes.

With only days to go before Intersolar Europe opens its doors, talk of an EU trade case – similar to the U.S.-Sino one – is becoming more common on the photovoltaic rumor mill. Chinese manufacturer Trina Solar has made adjustments to cope with the provisional tariffs imposed and Ben Hill, President of Trina Solar Europe, spoke to pv magazine about its possible implications and more.

California-based Solar Mosaic has received US$2.5 million in funding to expand its solar-crowdfunding model. While details are scarce and the website still under development, the company’s model is widely tipped to allow investors to fund a part of a solar installation, through its online portal and profit from the proceeds.

Flexible CIGS manufacturer, Global Solar Energy has announced it is looking for new investors to come on board, in order for business to progress to the next phase.

The Croatian government has drastically lowered the country’s renewable energy feed-in tariffs (FITs). The period for which they are paid, however, has been extended.