Continued low booking levels for equipment manufacturers [Updated]
SEMI has released the “4Q12 Worldwide Photovoltaic Equipment Market Statistics Report” with global PV equipment billings and bookings data. The report shows that billings and bookings remain low. Asia dominated sales with China taking the lead.
Database of US solar performance launched
The U.S. Energy Department has launched an anonymous open source database of the long-term performance of solar projects across the country.
Westinghouse Solar to debut in Australia
The pending merger between U.S. rooftop solar designer and manufacturer Westinghouse Solar and Australian renewable energy company CBD Energy will see Westinghouse products sold in the Australian market.
SolarWorld expects losses of more than 0.5 billion
SolarWorld AG has said it expects a loss of more than half a billion euros. The German company has also reported the loss of around half its share capital.
New solar policies in India expected to increase demand; help improve margins
According to Bridge to India, close to 1.5 GW of PV projects are currently under development in India. It forecasts that over 1 GW of new capacity will be installed this year. Meanwhile, 2014 is expected to see new installations exceeding 2 GW. Jasmeet Khurana provides a project update and looks at the different state policies.
What does Suntechs insolvency mean for solar?
When Suntech defaulted on $541 million of convertible U.S. bonds in March, solar players across the world were watching. The very public, and long-expected, failure of the former poster boy of solar, Zhengrong Shi, has left the PV industry asking what Wuxi Suntechs insolvency means for solar.
China: Hefei government takes over LDK Solar subsidiary
An affiliate of the Hefei City government in China has agreed to purchase LDK Solar subsidiary, LDK Solar High-Tech (Hefei) Co., Ltd for around RMB 120 million (US$19.4 million, 14.7 million). Originally the subsidiary was to be sold to the Shanghai Qianjiang Group. LDK expects to occur a loss of $80 million to $90 million.
IEA: Solar a leader, but clean energy progress has "stalled"
While the Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 report, released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in New Delhi today, commends the rapid uptake in solar and other renewables worldwide, it reports that clean energy progress has stalled. It further calls for more transparent and predictable policy support for renewables.
Suntech may sell GSF stake
According to reports, Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd may sell its stake in the Global Solar Fund Sicar (GSF Sicar), in a bid to reduce its over US$2 billion debt mountain.
Germanys PV storage incentive program will come into force on May 1
Germany will launch its support program for photovoltaic battery storage systems on May 1. Funding totaling 25 million will be available in the first year from German state bank KfW.
