6 GW of PV installed in Asia Pacific in 2011
While it is well known that the Asia Pacific solar markets are on the up and up, new research has revealed that they are growing at a faster than expected pace. Having installed six gigawatts (GW) of new photovoltaic capacity in 2011, the region was said to have grown 165 percent year on year.
UK: DECC High Court FIT appeal dismissed; will go to Supreme Court
Representing a goal for the U.K. solar industry, the Department for Energy and Climate Changes (DECCS) judicial appeal against the High Court ruling that its plan to alter the feed-in tariff (FIT) rates was illegal, has today been dismissed.
Germanys Economics Minister calls for PV cap and drastic cuts
It seems Germanys FDP Economics Minister has submitted his own solar incentive proposal. According to media reports, he wants to introduce a nine gigawatt (GW) cap for newly installed photovoltaic capacity until 2020, and a drastic one-time reduction in remuneration.
Microsol to save Solon?
According to a list issued from the German antitrust authorities on January 18, Microsol Inc. registered the takeover of Solon. Appointed company liquidator, Rüdiger Wienberg, declined to comment on the news.
Italy: PV register for large systems will not open in 2H 2012
Italian regulatory authority, GSE, has officially announced that it will not open a register for large-scale photovoltaic systems in the second half (2H) of 2012.
Germany: Changes to FITs, still an open discussion
The discussion on the implementation of the FITs reductions on a staggered basis throughout the year carries on. BSW-Solar’s Carsten Körnig still sees predictability of returns on investment for rooftop PV installations, but it remains hard to predict what’s in store for large-scale PV development.
China-US trade dispute: The process continues
Jeffries organized another conference call with trade law expert Ed Lebow on January 18 and Lebows clear message to the PV industry in the U.S. was that “you just dont want to be an importer of record” of Chinese crystalline silicon cells and panels.
Germany: Solar branch to provide alternative model for subsidy cuts
At today’s meeting with the German Federal Environment Minister, the PV industry will probably submit its own proposal for the further development of solar energy.
UK: FIT cuts clarity emerges
The British Government has introduced a plan to lower photovoltaic feed-in tariffs (FIT) with effect from March 3, 2012.
Germany: Monthly cuts of FITs planned
The suggestion has been put forth to reduce photovoltaic feed-in tariffs on a monthly basis instead of a half-yearly one. Via this solution, the Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen hopes to prevent anymore occurrences of final spurts of PV installations, like it happened in December 2011.
