European PV market remains interesting for manufacturers
Video interviews: At this years Intersolar Europe, pv magazines editor in chief, Jonathan Gifford spoke with a number of PV manufacturers about their view of the European solar market. Overall, a much more positive outlook is held than one would expect.
Germany retrofits 200,000 PV installations to meet 50 Hz requirement
The country has so far upgraded half of the total of 400,000 installations that are affected by the measure to better protect the power grid.
Masdar PV to shut down production in Germany
The Abu Dhabi owner of thin-film manufacturer Masdar PV has announced the closure of its production plant in Germany. The Thuringian Development Bank is reviewing a possible refund of subsidy funding.
Donauer Solartechnik files for insolvency
Wholesaler of solar energy systems Donauer Solartechnik has filed for insolvency in the district court of Weilheim in Oberbayern on Monday. The attitude of the municipality Gilching, where the company is located, has been cited as a reason for this decision.
Austria: New subsidy system for PV
Austria started its subsidy round for PV power plants on Friday. A total budget of 36 million has been set aside. With this budget more than 24,000 power plants with a total capacity of 115 MW are expected to be developed.
Germany calls for coal exit
According to a new survey, 80% of German citizens have said they want to put a stop to coal power generation. In their opinion, the phase out of coal-fired electricity should be completed no later than 2040.
Centrotherm, SolarWorld and Phoenix Solar cause big investor losses
A German association for private investors has published its latest Top 50 list of “capital destroyers” in Germany. In 2013, every second company in the top 10 comes from the solar industry.
Solar Gangnam Style
It seems no one is immune to South Korea’s newest pop star. To mark the end of 2012, SolarEdge has released its own version of Psy’s Gangnam Style – a modern ode to solar energy with encouraging words for the coming year.
New off-grid PV concepts unveiled
Although off-grid photovoltaic technology still represents a relatively small market segment in the solar industry, for many, the technology has become vitally important. At the second Off-grid Experts Workshop organized by Phaesun, numerous specialists met in order to discuss the newest concepts.
Germany: Resistance at first parliamentary FIT discussion
Germanys parliament today held the first round of meetings aimed at amending the photovoltaic incentives under the countrys Renewable Energy Act (EEG). As expected, the opposition rejected the new proposals. The CDU and FDP also agreed to rethink fast tracking tariff cuts.
