Market & Trends

30 remote indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory are set to add 10 MW of PV capacity in a AUD$55 million (US$47.8 million) program. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the NT government will both provide funding for the program, both contributing AUD$27.5 million (US$23.9 million).

The Melbourne Zoo has been certified carbon neutral, making it the world’s first to do so. A 100 kW solar array and energy efficient lighting were key contributors to this ambitious sustainability target. The zoo sourced 390 modules from Hanwha Q CELLS for the installation.

Equipment suppliers to the PV industry continue face challenges. They have to invest and push forward new technologies while working with potential and existing customers to see new orders fill somewhat anemic order books. Meyer Burger CEO Peter Pauli spoke to pv magazine about the Swiss company’s approach.

Joe Hui, the self-styled “Solar Man,” has launched a crowdfunding campaign to construct a GW-scale manufacturing facility and “energy amusement park” in Arizona. Hui’s company Monarch Power manufacturers Lotus solar products, which include a 2.4 kW portable solar flower and combined PV and solar thermal awning.

Solar lease provider SolarCity has announced that it will introduce a solar loan product in the U.S. In a unique approach, customers will pay off the loan in a similar fashion to how they would a lease, in that customers will pay for the kWh produced by the solar array.

Solar industry analysts IHS has revised down its 2014 installed capacity forecast by 1.5 GW, despite a strong Q4. The 45.4 GW to be added for the year will represent a 20% growth on 2013.

Two weeks ago the PV industry organization IPVEA became Solar United. The International PV Equipment Association (IPVEA) had represented the upstream solar business since 2008 and Managing Director Bryan Ekus says that the change in tack was at the behest of its members. Some industry observers are more skeptical of the move, saying that attempts to create a global PV association are bound to fail.

Two weeks ago today, the 29th EU PVSEC trade show and conference opened its doors in Amsterdam. The trade show has continued to shrink, but the event still provides some key insights into where PV is heading in terms of technology directions and equipment supply.

Piyush Goyal believes a solar-led transformation of India’s energy landscape is imminent, but warns coal use will also increase as the country expands its grid.

U.S.-based sPower and the Britain’s Camborne have formed a strategic partnership to develop projects in the U.S. The firms have not said what their target in terms of MW is, but that they intend to deploy “significant capital.”