Germany: PV FIT cap snuck in through the back door
An addition to Germanys new photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) plan could prevent the construction of solar farms in many places in Germany in the future.
Ukrainian PV industry ramping up
The Ukrainian photovoltaics industry is on the verge of big change, as more and more investors announce their plans to build power plants in the country.
PV Expo Japan: Solar Spring to bloom
Increased numbers of visitors and a host of new international exhibitors were evident on a slightly chilly trade-show floor today, at the fifth-international PV Expo Japan. While the final rates for the countrys feed-in tariff (FIT), for large installations, are still not known, the general expectation is that the Japanese market is set to blossom this summer.
Germanys cabinet approves FIT plan
A week after the countrys new feed-in tariff (FITs) scheme was unveiled, Germanys Cabinet has today approved the proposal, meaning it will now be sent to the Parliament for consideration.
MENA region holds great solar potential, as West faces uncertain 2012
Ernst and Young asserts that 2012s solar prospects look uncertain, particularly in the West, due to the ongoing Eurozone crisis and renewable energy policy makers. However, emerging markets and, in particular, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) hold “great potential”.
LG Solar also denies scaling back solar operations
Following media reports that some of Koreas biggest solar players are looking to exit the arena, LG Solar has stepped forward to set the record straight.
China: Rethinking PV on a global scale
China’s first major solar tradeshow of the year, CIPV Expo 2012 in Beijing, ended this past weekend with continued optimism over the further development of China’s solar industry, despite Germanys support cutbacks, announced during the show. Rooftop photovoltaics emerged as one of Chinas key future trends, while “integration” was the watchword du jour.
BP Solar no more
Solar-industry pioneer BP-Solar has halted all of its solar operations, while continuing to pursue other renewable-energy technologies such as wind and biofuels. The decision to abandon its solar efforts was made in December 2011, with the company informally releasing the information in the following months.
SMA opens Japanese sales subsidiary
SMA Solar Technology AG has officially opened its new photovoltaic sales and service subsidiary in Japans Tokyo. While the small system market will be focused on initially, the German manufacturer will offer inverters to larger projects in the future.
Greece: More details emerge for 10 GW Project Helios
During a conference held in Brussels last week, George Papaconstantinou, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of the Hellenic Republic, unveiled Greeces plans for the massive 10 gigawatt (GW) photovoltaic project.
