Markets

In a no-nonsense interview, Frank Asbeck accuses the energy companies of trying to destroy the solar industry in Germany. He further reiterates his criticisms of Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers.

While the results are still to be confirmed by the German electrical grid regulator, the Bundesnetzagentur, the Financial Times Deutschland (FTD) has reported that almost two gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic capacity was added to Germany’s grid in the first quarter (Q1) of this year. The “mini boom” has been widely predicted ahead of the cuts to German remuneration, which came into effect on April 1.

The first modules have been installed on what will be Australia’s largest utility-scale power plant. The 10 megawatt (MW) plant will provide power to a desalination plant in the area.

Global clean energy financing grew to record levels of US$263 billion (€200 billion) in 2011, with investment in solar accounting for just under half of the overall spend. The U.S., meanwhile, attracted the highest amount of financing.

In 2011, Poland’s photovoltaic module market was worth as much as PLN 500 million (€120 million), according to figures released by the country’s Renewable Energy Institute (IEO) in April.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) moved ahead this week with its plans to mete out “more fight for less fuel”. With support from the White House, the Pentagon intends to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by building next-generation combat vehicles, making energy storage safer and more effective, and increasing the deployment of renewable energy across America’s Armed Forces to three gigawatts (GW) by 2025.

Just how important is “home advantage” to players in the renewable energy sector? It could be a game changer, according to Japan and the European Union, both of which have brought complaints against Canada for violating the rules of fair competition.

The Italian government has announced that the country’s new renewable energy law, Conto Energia V, will come into effect when the €6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) ceiling is reached – expected to be between this July and October. It has also laid out initial proposals for the new law, which include remuneration cuts, an annual installation cap, and big changes to ground-mounted criteria.

In an interview with pv magazine Shinsung Solar Energy talks about its gigawatt capacity ramp up plans and photovoltaic project pipeline in Korea.

How many jobs did the U.S. government create through its $9.7 billion investment in 24,711 renewable energy projects? At least 75,000 overall, based on a report just released by the Golden, Colorado-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), at the behest of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).