Global PV markets

As the global photovoltaic market shifts from Europe to America, China and other parts of the world, The NPD Solarbuzz Marketbuzz report predicts that c-Si module prices will fall by 29 percent in 2012. As this trend continues, module prices should continue to fall by between 43 and 53 percent over the next five years.

The consensus at Solarpraxis’ first “Project implementation conference – China 2012” in Shanghai is clear: the potential of photovoltaic project development in China is huge, particularly in light of falling system costs. However, overcoming policy and grid connection issues is key.

Declining photovoltaic wafer and module prices have been blamed for LDK Solar revising down its revenue guidance for the fourth quarter of 2011, from US$440 to $520 million, to $440 to $450 million.

Photovoltaic activity in Israel is heating up: Arava Power Company has unveiled its US$150 million project plans; and Suntech discusses upcoming policy changes, which may result in higher photovoltaic quotas, and provides updates on its Israeli activities, including project pipelines and the market pullout of one of its modules.

Solar thermal plant equipment will be exempt from import duty in India. India’s finance minister made the announcement today. The belief is that project costs could be lowered as a result. Photovoltaics was not mentioned, however.

Having achieved a “historic” year in terms of photovoltaic installations in 2011, the U.S. solar market is estimated to be worth over US$8.4 billion. Declining system prices and improved financing options were said to be among the key growth drivers. Going forward, 2012 is predicted to be a another strong year, with 2.8 GW of installations expected.

Germany’s debate over its solar subsides is continuing – with a focus on the short transition period for the reduction of the photovoltaic feed-in tariffs (FITs). However, in a positive move, the country’s Federal Minister for Economics seems ready to make concessions.

German EPC Belectric and Japanese thin film manufacturer Solar Frontier have formed a new joint venture (JV) company, to develop ground- and roof-mounted power plants. Making reference Solar Frontier’s CIGS technology, which the company refers to as CIS, the joint venture will go by the name PV CIStems.

As part of Germany’s new solar subsidy, feed-in tariffs (FIT) for photovoltaic systems larger than 10 megawatts (MW) are to be eliminated. According to a media report, several companies, including leading project planner Belectric, are considering submitting a complaint against the Renewable Energy Act [EEG] amendment before the German Federal Constitutional Court.

Photovoltaic projects in South Africa being undertaken by the country’s power utility Eskom and independent power producers (IPPs) will be among those to benefit from a financing deal announced early this week between South Africa’s Absa Bank and the French Development Agency (FDA).