[UPDATE] Conergy's Q1 loss narrows as shipments grow
The German photovoltaic company improved its net loss sequentially and increased shipments, despite sustained overcapacity and price declines.
SNEC: Intense competition evident in Chinese market
The 2013 SNEC trade show has opened today with talk of escalating photovoltaic trade wars ever present and the intense price competition in the Chinese module market evident. Attendance figures are not available, however first impressions is that traffic is slower than in previous years.
SNEC: "Shanghai Declaration" calls for cooperation and negotiation
As global photovoltaic industry leaders assembled for the SNEC 2013 tradeshow and conference in Shanghai today, a declaration has been issued calling for a negotiation and conciliation approach to various solar trade disputes currently gripping the industry.
PPAs signed for 417 MW in South Africa
South Africa’s public utility Eskom has signed power purchase agreements (PPA) for nine photovoltaic projects worth 417.1 MW, under the countrys renewable energy expansion program. Meanwhile, the government has expressed concern about the grid’s capacity to absorb additional electricity from renewable energies systems.
Spire posts Q1 loss of $2.6 million, 57% drop in sales
Reflecting the manufacturing slowdown in the global PV market, U.S. solar group Spire Corporation has posted a 57% drop in its first quarter revenue to $3.2 million.
Hyundai Heavy exits polysilicon business
The Korean conglomerate Hyundai Heavy Industries has withdrawn its shares from the joint venture Korean Advanced Materials, which manufactures polysilicon, according to a local media report. The sustained downturn in the photovoltaic industry has been blamed for the decision.
Smart meter market is hotting up in China
The smart meter market is burgeoning in China, according to market research company IHS iSuppli, but manufacturers are being hit by a price erosion similar to that which devastated solar panel makers last year.
China calls for dialogue, consultation to address EU trade dispute
In response to the EU Commission’s plans to impose provisional anti-dumping duties of an average 47% on Chinese solar imports as of June 6, China has called for dialogue and consultations to solve EU trade disputes.
IG Metall calls on Bosch to reconsider exit
IG Metall, Germanys biggest industrial union, is calling on Bosch to reconsider its withdrawal from the crystalline solar photovoltaic business in view of the European Commissions plan to slap Chinese imports with anti-dumping duties.
China: Heraeus opens revamped PV lab
As a side event to the SNEC trade show that will begin tomorrow in Shanghai, metal paste supplier Heraeus has opened an expanded photovoltaics lab at its Chinese branch, the Heraeus Materials Technology Shanghai (HTMS). Despite a temporary downturn in volume, the company continues its expansion into photovoltaics.
