Markets & Policy

Due to improved demand, photovoltaic module price declines are expected to ease slightly in the second half (2H) of 2012. Meanwhile, global installations are forecast to reach 30.2 GW this year. Overcapacity is still a dominant theme, however.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has published figures showing that a record number of photovoltaic projects were purchased last year, worth approximately US$10.8 billion. BNEF found that “approved and operating” projects were seen as high yield investments.

Following a meeting of Q.Cells’ creditors, the insolvent photovoltaic company has been given the go ahead to continue on with its operations. The insolvency administrator’s position has further been confirmed. Restructuring options are now being considered.

On July 12, Italy reached its €6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff funding limit. On Friday 13, the energy agency’s official counter showed just under €6 billion worth of funding for plants. By Monday 16, it was sitting at €6.06 billion. If the funds continue to be consumed at this rate, the money allocated for the Conto Energia V will be used up before the end of August.

Can the United States fund research and innovation, without factoring in some financial risk? In a political move calculated to prolong the Solyndra scandal, but characterized as concern over lack of due diligence in the Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee process, Capitol Hill Republicans are putting American ingenuity on the chopping block this election season.

According to the latest statistics, Greece has installed 627 MW of photovoltaics to date. Of this, 53 MW was added in May. Meanwhile, in 2012, photovoltaics has generated 292.9 GWh of energy in the country.

Lux Research has said that emerging technologies will bring the costs of photovoltaic metallization down and improve process yields. Overall, copper has been named as the “logical metallization winner”.

The renewable energy inverter industry is facing a dichotomy, says Pike Research. On the one hand, it is undergoing an “intense period of technological innovation”, but on the other, it is in “turmoil”. Overall, the market, led by photovoltaic applications, is expected to be worth more than US$19 billion in 2017. Meanwhile, differentiation has been highlighted as a key survival tool.

SkyPower Group has applied to launch a judicial review against the Ontario Minister of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), in light of proposed photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FITs) changes. It is further seeking to claim damages worth CA$100 million.

ReneSola Ltd has increased its full year 2012 photovoltaic product shipment guidance on the back of strong 1H sales. In related news, it has signed a 100 MW module distribution agreement with Greece-based Big Solar S.A.