What does Suntechs insolvency mean for solar?
When Suntech defaulted on $541 million of convertible U.S. bonds in March, solar players across the world were watching. The very public, and long-expected, failure of the former poster boy of solar, Zhengrong Shi, has left the PV industry asking what Wuxi Suntechs insolvency means for solar.
SDG&E signs three PV PPAs worth 47 MW
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has signed three solar PPAs for a total of 47 MW.
Japan: PV on the ascent, but nuclear power uncertainty remains
The Japanese Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced that the total combined renewable energy capacity between April 2012 and January 2013 has reached 1,394 MW. Photovoltaic capacity alone accounted for 1,392 MW.
Spain: T-Solar plans to lay off 170 employees
Spanish photovoltaic module manufacturer T-Solar has started proceedings to lay off 170 employees, according to local media. The company has been involved in voluntary insolvency proceedings for over a month.
US: new tool to illustrate solar job creation
The Solar Foundation has released an online tool to chart job creation in the U.S. solar industry by state. The State Solar Jobs Map will allow people lobbying for the wider adoption of solar photovoltaics to illustrate how many jobs are being created and where.
Grid integration: India looks to Germany
Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Alok Srivastava seeks German cooperation to bring grid integration technology to India.
China: Hefei government takes over LDK Solar subsidiary
An affiliate of the Hefei City government in China has agreed to purchase LDK Solar subsidiary, LDK Solar High-Tech (Hefei) Co., Ltd for around RMB 120 million (US$19.4 million, 14.7 million). Originally the subsidiary was to be sold to the Shanghai Qianjiang Group. LDK expects to occur a loss of $80 million to $90 million.
Solimpeks working on 500 kW Turkish PV plant
Solimpeks subsidiary, Seiso is currently working on a 500 kW photovoltaic rooftop plant in Turkey. It is expected to be one of the biggest projects of its kind in the country, when completed next month.
EU votes against carbon market rescue fix
The EU Parliament yesterday narrowly voted against a rescue plan created to help the debilitated carbon market, thus putting the emissions trading scheme it created in 2005 in order to help combat climate change, at risk.
IEA: Solar a leader, but clean energy progress has "stalled"
While the Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 report, released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in New Delhi today, commends the rapid uptake in solar and other renewables worldwide, it reports that clean energy progress has stalled. It further calls for more transparent and predictable policy support for renewables.
