VDMA: German solar equipment providers report 51% increase in sales in Q2
According to the latest statistics from the German Engineering Federation or VDMA (Verbandes Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau), PV equipment providers in Germany are benefiting primarily from investments in Asia. The demand for thin-film technology contributed to the growth in sales in the second quarter, although order intake dropped during the period.
Sonnen reports record solar storage sales for August
The German provider sold 1,000 storage systems in August alone.
Iberdrola interested in acquiring RWE’s renewable energy unit Innogy
The renewable energy unit of German utility RWE is now reportedly being targeted by the Spanish power provider, after French energy group Engie was said to have launched an offer in March.
Sonnen, E3 / DC, Senec and LG Chem dominate German residential PV storage market
Nearly two-thirds of all solar storage systems sold in Germany come from these four suppliers. According to EuPD Research, about 16,800 photovoltaic storage systems were sold in the country in the first half of the year. Falling prices and an attractive rooftop market are driving demand upwards.
Germany’s VDMA publishes new edition of PV Roadmap
The roadmap provides an overview of the market for crystalline photovoltaics in 2016 and forecasts the most important developments for the coming years.
Germany installs 155 MW of PV in July
Demand for small-sized PV systems remained strong in Germany in July, while growth of large-scale plants was lower than in the previous months.
DNV GL report criticizes EU demand response regulations
A study carried out by energy consultants DNV GL has found that the European Commission’s draft proposal on demand response regulations is “incompatible with market principles,” and made several recommendations for its improvement.
1366 Technologies, Hanwha Q Cells hit 20.3% cell efficiency with Direct Wafer process
U.S. based PV innovator 1366 Technologies, and Korean PV manufacturer Hanwha Q CELLS have announced a new performance record for cells produced using 1366’s Direct Wafer technique. The cells achieved 20.3% efficiency, which has been independently confirmed by Fraunhofer ISE.
Audi, Hanergy unit to jointly develop PV for vehicles
German automaker Audi and California-based Alta Devices — a wholly owned subsidiary of troubled Chinese PV group Hanergy Thin Film Power (HTF) — have agreed to collaborate on thin-film solar research, with plans to exhibit a PV-integrated Audi prototype vehicle by the end of this year.
Appeals court upholds SolarWorld’s $800 million debt to Hemlock
The ruling comes as the German solar manufacturer is restarting following an insolvency process, and Hemlock may have a hard time collecting.
