Cyprus: Energy regulator issues 18 licenses for PV parks
The Cypriot Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) announced on Friday 14 December the results of its recent application call for photovoltaic projects ranging from 20 KW to 150 KW. Overall, 18 applications were approved corresponding to a total capacity of 1.7 MW of solar power.
PV inverter ranking: Kaco announces 9.5 GW capacity
Kaco New Energy has responded to the latest photovoltaic inverter rankings published in the November edition of pv magazine. The German company says it significantly increased its production capacity in 2011 and can now produce up to 9.5 GW of inverters annually.
Siemens will significantly scale PV inverter business back
A spokesperson has told pv magazine Siemens will “significantly” scale its inverter business back in 2013, due to the weakening demand for photovoltaic components. Meanwhile, the company has provided two reasons for its solar scale back.
Saint Gobain unveils new Solar Gard factory in China
Saint Gobain has opened its new Solar Gard manufacturing facility in Qingdao, China.
PV equipment upgrades and differentiation key to manufacturers survival
A new report has identified a number of opportunities for photovoltaic equipment manufacturers to turn a profit. The key is product differentiation, according to the author, who states that photovoltaic manufacturers with idle capacities cannot afford to not upgrade their production equipment. Meanwhile, Germanys grip on the market is said to be slipping.
PV book-to-bill ratio in the red
Signs are emerging that photovoltaics is finally taking the right course to overcapacity recovery. For the first time since the mid-2000s, says NPD Solarbuzz, the industrys book-to-bill ratio is negative, thus indicating the cancellation of capacity expansion plans.
Saint Gobain plans CIGS facility for Saudi Arabia
Saint Gobain has signed a memorandum of understanding to set up and operate a CIGS thin film photovoltaic module facility in Saudi Arabia.
Record Q4 PV inverter shipments predicted; China to overtake Germany
Global photovoltaic inverter shipments are expected to reach 8.6 GW in Q4 2012, thus representing the “largest final quarter ever recorded”. Despite this, falling inverter prices are predicted to dampen revenues. Meanwhile, in 2013, China is set to become the largest market.
Chile launches online tool to study solar availability
A new online tool that permits solar energy developers to precisely explore the availability of solar resources for the entire territory of continental Chile has been launched by Chiles Ministry of Energy, and the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Chile.
SoloPower opens US CIGS manufacturing facility
SoloPower has officially opened its new CIGS thin film photovoltaics manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon. It is targeting 400 MW of annual capacity.
