PV equipment spending set to halve in 2012
The Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report has found that global photovoltaic equipment spending is projected to fall by more than 45 percent in 2012. This is on the back of historic peaks in 2011, or USD$13.1 billion.
US solar industry fights for Section 1603 subsidy extension
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) this week urged the U.S. Congress to approve another one-year extension of the Section 1603 Treasury program, citing a newly released study, which found that a longer program would support the creation of tens of thousands of solar jobs nationwide.
Solar demand remains weak; silicon market set for a fall
According to Jefferies, the silicon market is expected to suffer due to the continuing weak solar conditions. Specifically, it says that polysilicon company Wacker Chemie, which has “become a solar company”, has “no choice” but to renegotiate its prices.
Germany: EEG levy only 0.062 higher for 2012
In Germany, the Renewable Energy Law (EEG) levy will increase next year to 3.592 euro cents per kilowatt hour. Further expansion of renewables is not the reason for the increase; the cause is in fact a new “liquidity buffer”. The buffer was actually supposed to come into effect with the 2012 EEG amendment.
Solar cell manufacturer Arise Germany announces insolvency
Arise Technologies Deutschland GmbH (Arise Germany) has entered structured insolvency. Failure to secure adequate financing for the development of its solar plans was cited as the primary reason.
Phoenix Solar halves revenue and earnings outlook
In what may be a sign of things to come, photovoltaic system integrator Phoenix Solar has dramatically revised down its revenue and earnings outlook for 2011.
Indian PV market funding, project and installed capacity update
Mercom Capital Group provides an update on the Indian solar market, including the funding status of current photovoltaic projects, accumulated capacity, and the country’s proposed pipeline.
US: SunShot director talks technology, funding and Chinese competition
In an exclusive interview, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, director of the U.S. Department of Energys (DOEs) SunShot initiative talks to pv magazine about the program, in addition to solar funding in the U.S., future technological developments and competing with the Chinese.
PV Taiwan: Strategies, cost structures and the way forward
While this year’s PV Taiwan has attracted a predominantly Asian audience, the issues addressed have been very much global in nature.
Ontario Liberals victory supports solar
In a victory that can be interpreted as a positive sign for photovoltaics in north-America, Dalton McGuintys Liberal party has claimed victory in yesterdays Ontario elections.
