The pv magazine weekly news digest
The solar big guns were out in force this week as changes to the U.S. net metering landscape rolled into Nevada. Elsewhere, China proved its PV prowess, Japan saw a shakeup and Germany confirmed its relative demise.
US: Cumulative solar installs top 28 GW, 16 GW of renewables installed in 2015
According to a new study by BNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, cumulative solar capacity in the U.S. has reached 28 GW, of which 7.3 GW was installed in 2015. Overall, last year saw 16 GW of renewables added, outstripping fossil fuels for a second year. Energy productivity is also growing, while prices remain stable. Investment, particularly in solar, is also on the rise.
SunEdison offloads Japanese assets, assesses Vivint deal options
The U.S. renewables developer agrees deal to sell its entire 198 MW solar PV portfolio in Japan for around $80 million while, closer to home, the company evaluates options that will see the Vivint acquisition finally closed.
Panasonics solar PV sales suffer from Japanese market weakness
Panasonic reports a slight decrease in sales and a sharper fall in profitability in its Eco Solutions business, which it blames on slowing domestic demand for its solar PV solutions and other products.
U.S. Senators move to preserve solar net metering through energy bill amendment
The bill would require state regulators to account for the benefits of distributed solar before changing net metering valuations, and would prevent the sort of retroactive changes that Nevada has imposed.
Expert analysis: Is SMA out of the woods? Outlook for 2016 is promising
On January 29, SMA published its outlook for 2016, both in terms of financial goals and upcoming product innovations. Industry expert and Smart Solar Consulting CEO, Götz Fischbeck has crunched the numbers and examined how the German inverter giant was able to turn its business around. According to the data, the future is promising.
IHS: The United States will install 15 GW of solar PV in 2016
The firm forecasts a 60% year-over-year growth in the U.S. solar market in 2016, but contraction next year.
Germany: Solar installs just 1.37 GW in 2015
2015 saw declining solar PV activity in Germany once again, with under 1.5 GW installed throughout the year. In December, the Federal Network Agency registered just under 145 MW of new capacity. Meanwhile, four ground-mounted systems have been realized to date under the countrys PV tender.
Sonnen announces partnerships for a more full energy storage offering
Concurrent with the opening of the companys new U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, battery storage integrator Sonnen has partnered with PetersenDean, SolarWorld and Spruce Finance.
SMA forecasts 'considerable earnings increase' in 2016
The German inverter maker is banking on booming business from the digitization of the energy sector and predicts up to a fourfold increase in operating profit in 2016. The company is presenting the upbeat outlook to analysts and investors today at its Capital Markets Day event.
