Finance

According to the latest figures from Solarbuzz, 2012 photovoltaic demand grew just 5% on 2011 to reach 29 GW. Meanwhile, the company predicts that “rapid globalization” will characterize 2013.

Germany’s support program for photovoltaic battery storage systems is currently on hold, due to lost revenues from emissions trading. The framework for the program had already largely been agreed upon by the Federal Environment Ministry and KfW state bank.

The Spanish government has officially published its new photovoltaic decree, which revises feed-in tariffs (FITs) for plants installed between 2009 and 2011 downwards. The new rates are effective from January 1, 2013.

Romania is set to lower the number of green certificates issued to photovoltaic systems in 2014. It is still not clear, however, by how much they will be reduced. Meanwhile, newly installed photovoltaic capacity predictions for 2013 range from 500 to 800 MW.

The photovoltaic market in the Philippines may be small, but it is increasingly gaining momentum, with cumulative capacity totaling over 5 MW. An important driver is the high cost of conventional electricity which, coupled with the country’s FIT program, means the technology is starting to pay off.

As the dust settles following all-night negotiations between Europe’s heads of state over the next EU budget, the embattled solar industry has been digesting news of an increase of 20% for the energy budget to 2020.

The third-party ownership (TPO) model could become “the most significant innovation in the U.S. solar market,” according to a report this week from GTM Research.

Greece’s Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (YPEKA) is expected to introduce retroactive photovoltaic feed-in tariff cuts to parliament. The goal is to reduce the burgeoning RES Fund deficit, which is forecast to almost triple by the end of 2014 on the back of significant photovoltaic growth.

Germany’s Environment and Economy Ministers aim to save over €1.8 billion over the next year. One proposal will see all photovoltaic installations bigger than 150 kW, which are connected to the German grid from August 1, sell generated electricity directly to the market.

Photovoltaics will see expansion during 2013, but those who are looking to invest globally must study the landscape and take astute risks – exemplifying the attitude, “No guts, no glory.” A local presence in key developed regions, including the U.S., Japan and China, will pay dividends, according to Lux Research, particularly in terms of distributed generation.