Markets

The Portuguese photovoltaics industry could be at risk, following the final report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Union (EU) on Portugal’s bailout, which recommended a reduction in state support regarding the production of electricity from renewable energy sources.

Angry solar panel owners in Australia have protested across the state of New South Wales today after the new coalition government decided to alter the funding for solar installations, including dropping the feed-in tariff from 60 to 40 cents (45 to 30 euro cents) per kilowatt-hour on already existing contracts.

Trina Solar Limited has seen its solar business decline in the first quarter of 2011. Year on year figures are, however, up. Looking ahead, the company will expand its in-house production capacity. It has also announced a 130 megawatt sales agreement with Mohring Energie GmbH.

The electricity authority of Ecuador has adopted a system of feed-in tariffs for the development of renewable energy. The regulations cover both continental Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.

Having successfully completed its first night flight last July, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA airplane has now completed its first international flight.

How do you say “It’s all your fault” in Italian? A waiting game that played out in Italy as the government revised its solar subsidies was mainly to blame for SunPower’s first-quarter net loss and generated sales that fell short of its expectation, the company said Thursday.

Smaller photovoltaic module manufacturers need to foster greater cooperation and exchange more information if they are to survive in the global marketplace. That was the outcome of a workshop held in Berlin, Germany yesterday.

Performing more positively than many of its peers, Canadian Solar has posted positive quarter one figures, with year-on-year shipments, revenue, gross profit, gross margin and operating profit all increasing. In line with industry trends, however, figures are slightly down from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Falling foul to stagnating quarter one photovoltaic module demand, Q-Cells has reported a “significant” year-on-year sales drop. In response, it has adjusted the production of its cells and modules, and abandoned its guidance. But, while it believes it will recover in the second quarter, the analysts are less certain.

Conergy has bucked the trend to post increased first quarter 2011 sales. However, its operating profits have taken a tumble.