Schott Solar halts wafer manufacture
In what it says are efforts to realign its business away from upstream manufacturing, Schott Solar announced today that it will discontinue its wafer manufacturing processes. 290 jobs will be affected by the move.
Hamburg investment company CEE acquires two more solar parks
CEE (Conetwork Erneuerbare Energien Holding GmbH & Co. KGaA) will be acquiring two new PV ground-mounted systems to add to its expanding solar portfolio. The total capacity that CEE owns will then increase to more than 70 MW (megawatts).
Germany: High of 3,000 MW in December alone
The annexing of PV systems in 2011 has been concluded to have been even higher than in record year 2010, says the German Federal Network Agency. In 2011, approximately 7,500 MW of PV installations were installed.
Small European markets on the rise
The European markets remain important for solar despite the financial uncertainty. Lux Research’s Solar Demand Forecaster, a customizable platform for tracking IRR (internal rates of returns) and projecting future growth through 2016, has identified the top five locations by IRR for the first quarter of this year.
Satcon break-even plan presages layoffs and restructuring
Satcon Technology Corporation (SATC) have announced that it will reduce its global workforce by 140 employees, close its Canadian plant, and slash other costs in an effort to offset revenue losses and break even by mid-year 2012. The move follows 85 layoffs made last July, as the Boston-based firms financial results began to flatten.
UK: Government appeals High Court ruling
The government will appeal against the High Court ruling that the cuts made to the renewable feed-in tariffs (FITs) are indeed illegal.
US Congress Pulls the Plug on Section 1603 Treasury Program
The U.S. Congress took an annual winter recess last week without extending the funding for the Section 1603 Treasury Program beyond its statutorily-mandated expiration date of December 31.
SEIA and Solar Alliance merge
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the advocacy organisation commited to establishing solar policies at state level in the U.S., Solar Alliance, will operate under the SEIA brand with effect immediately.
India: NVVN to sign PPAs with 22 companies
NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is expecting to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) with 22 companies by the end of this month to develop 350 MW of grid connected PV power.
LDK Group's capital increase and takeover offer
German company Sunways AG has decided to increase its company’s share capital and only LDK Solar Germany Holding GmbH has been entitled to subscribe for these new shares.
