Solar in for strong second half, if financial crisis can be controlled
The first half of 2011 has been less than stellar for photovoltaics, but there are indicators that demand will be much stronger in the second half. All bets are off, however, if the European debt crisis can’t be managed, or if the U.S. falls back into recession.
Plans for 20 MW China PV plant underway
LDK Solar and Datang International Power Generation are to install a 20 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic plant in China.
Q-Cells announces restructuring program; reduces cell production
In response to the current photovoltaic market conditions Q-Cells has said it will streamline its organizational structure and “permanently” reduce its German production capacity by 50 percent.
80 MW Ukraine PV project unveiled
Austria-based Activ Solar has announced the construction of an 80 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic project in the Ukraine. When complete, it will be one of the largest of its kind worldwide.
Chinese manufacturers winners under Chinas FIT
Mondays announcement that China is to introduce a national photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme was received well by many in the industry. However, analyst opinion is that the Chinese tier-one manufacturers stand to gain the most.
First Solar Q2 sales and profits decline
First Solar has announced its quarter two (Q2) 2011 results, revealing sales of US$533 million, a decline of $34,5 million, or six percent, from quarter one (Q1) 2011. Sales were also down on six-month figures from 2010, by almost $56 million. Gross profits for the quarter also fell by $89,396 million from 2010. Profit decline from the first six-months of this year was $111,777.
Thames Water deal to install over 5 MW
The United Kingdoms (U.K.) largest water and sewerage company, Thames Water, has signed a deal to become the biggest on-site photovoltaic producer and industrial user, in a deal with Ennoviga Solar. The deal will see photovoltaic arrays installed and expanded on a number of Thames Water sites.
Industry upset with WA tariff-cut
The suspension of the feed-in tariff in yet another state of Australia has been met with anger and dismay by much of the solar community in the country.
Growing demand sees full-year forecasts increase to 22 GW
The latest IMS Research photovoltaic 2011 forecast predicts installed capacity to increase by one gigawatt (GW) over previous estimates. Growing demand in Asia, the Americas and the German market driving demand.
South, East and over the Atlantic
A new downstream report by Solarbuzz indicates that as the European markets represent a smaller proportion of the worldwide photovoltaic market, U.S. and Asian markets will continue to grow. This growth will be so vigorous, the reports authors argue, that by 2015 Asia will represent almost 26 percent of the market.
