US industry sees EU-China settlement in mixed light
Industry representatives in the U.S. are divided over the recent EU-China trade dispute settlement and remain unsatisfied with anti-dumping measures against Chinese imports. The PV sector nevertheless continues to grow.
Commentary: A Lesson in Opacity
The manner in which the EU and China negotiated the compromise in the trade dispute and the way it continues to be communicated is a lesson in opacity. The companies and the public have been left in the dark about crucial details of the agreement and its implementation.
VC funding remains downstream
The latest report into venture capital (VC) investment in the photovoltaic industry has indicated investments slightly improving, however remaining at a low level.
Malta cancels EUR5.5 million commercial rooftop scheme
The government from the small Mediterranean country of Malta has cancelled a EUR5.5 million program aimed at encouraging commercial or industrial rooftop solar installations.
Japan: government approves 19 GW in non-residential PV
In figures released today, Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has indicated that it approved almost 19 GW of commercial rooftop or ground mounted solar installations between July 2012 and April 2013.
India: Retroactive solar cut rejected
A retroactive cut to the rate paid to solar power generators has been rejected, in Indias leading solar state Gujarat.
EU-China deal continues to irk industry
Details of the EU-China trade settlement are slowly emerging, but much of the industry remains critical of the lack of transparency and clear answers. China’s leading firms look likely to come out on top.
SolarWorld halves net loss in first half of 2013
The German manufacturing giant has succeeded in winning approval for a restructuring plan and considerably narrowed its first-half loss. CEO Frank Asbeck offers an upbeat assessment.
Australia: fixed rate utility charges floated
The government of the state of Western Australia (WA) has suggested introducing a fixed fee for grid connection for solar households in the face of falling utility revenues.
FIT battle puts PV at the center of politics
In an intriguing case in Australia, a state government’s decision to cut a FIT rate for households and its subsequent “back flip” has highlighted the political weight solar households can bring to bear.
