Global PV markets

In a new report presented to Ministers at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said photovoltaics must embrace market diversification if it is to maintain its growth trajectory. Overall, it believes clean energy will deliver substantial savings to countries across the globe, however, these savings are currently not on track to be realized by 2050.

The feed-in tariffs (FITs) for new photovoltaic installations up to 100 kilowatt peak (kWp) in France will decrease in the second quarter 2012, for the fifth consecutive time. Over the course of 12 months, they have decreased by more than 30 percent.

The Washington, DC-based think-tank, Brookings warned this month that U.S. investment in clean tech is facing a drop in subsidies in the coming two years, in a new report that included extensive coverage of the solar market.

Germany’s Federal Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen has today formed a platform for renewable energies, in order to gather together all the relevant energy transition players. The platform may only submit recommendations, however.

After a considerable period of deliberation, the committee formed to set Japan’s revamped feed in tariffs (FIT) for renewable energy has announced today that a tariff of 42 yen (US$0.51) will be paid for photovoltaics. The tariff is not far off the amount requested by the Japanese solar industry.

Chinese module producer, Phono Solar and German EPC, Sybac Solar signed a 500 megawatt (MW) strategic supply agreement at the vast Hannover Messe industry trade show yesterday. The agreement underpinned a broader theme prominent at the diverse trade show, which was the cooperation between Chinese and German firms.

With the increase in installed photovoltaic capacity, the cost effectiveness of coal-fired power plants is decreasing. The outlook for coal, with the further development of emissions trading, will become even worse.

The Nikkei business daily has reported that a feed in tariff (FIT) of 42 yen (US$0.51) per kilowatt-hour (/kWh) is likely to be recommended by the panel established to advise the Japanese government on the matter. The rate is double the retail rate of electricity – close to what the solar industry itself recommended.

Ambitious expansion plans are afoot for renewable energy and photovoltaics in the Canadian province of Ontario, Oleg Popovsky, business development manager of SunEdison tells pv magazine. He also calls for a reduction of red tape with regards to feed-in tariff (FIT) implementation.

Reports of the imminent demise of the solar industry have been highly exaggerated, according to research released this week by New York City-based McKinsey & Company, Inc. While it states that the “rules of the game are changing” and that there will be “significant challenges”, it firmly believes there are still substantial rewards to be reaped.