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Due to improved demand, photovoltaic module price declines are expected to ease slightly in the second half (2H) of 2012. Meanwhile, global installations are forecast to reach 30.2 GW this year. Overcapacity is still a dominant theme, however.

On July 12, Italy reached its €6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff funding limit. On Friday 13, the energy agency’s official counter showed just under €6 billion worth of funding for plants. By Monday 16, it was sitting at €6.06 billion. If the funds continue to be consumed at this rate, the money allocated for the Conto Energia V will be used up before the end of August.

The Brazilian solar market has yet to get off the ground, and many of the existing photovoltaic installations are off-grid. However, according to ANEEL, there has been a recent “explosion” of interest in the country, with rooftop systems offering cheaper electricity prices than the grid. Nevertheless, based on existing support, the IEA is more skeptical about growth.

Following months of speculation over when Italy’s next renewable energy law will come into play, it has now been confirmed that the country’s €6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) funding limit was reached yesterday, July 12, meaning the Conto Energia V must come into force on August 27.

Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy has told his parliament that tax hikes for the renewable energy sectors would be part of the solution for the €65 billion deficit in the country. He made this statement at the address yesterday, where he called on Spaniards to back the measures that would aid Madrid in cutting its budget deficit through to 2015.

The district court in Ulm has approved the proposal handed in by centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which requested self-administrative insolvency.

After several years of hustling and hyperbole in the photovoltaics industry, the first half of 2012 has been a time of oversupply and underachievement globally. pv magazine takes a look at the biggest developments of the year to date. Overhang, crystalline, storage and fracking are just some of the watchwords.

The Intersolar North America tradeshow and conference ended today with a mixed outlook for photovoltaics, and talk of an industry shakeout prominent in discussions.

Uncharacteristically clear blue skies greeted attendees at the fifth Intersolar North America tradeshow, which began yesterday in San Francisco, California. Despite a number of political and regulatory clouds hanging over the event, which includes the Intersolar North America conference, a number of firms remained upbeat about the prospects for photovoltaics in the country.

On Friday, July 6, Italy’s ministers signed the new Conto Energia (renewable energy act). It is believed that only an extra €700 million will be made available for photovoltaics. Final security will not be available until the law has been published, however.