Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News
Editor's Blog
The blog is written by PV-Tech's Editor-in-Chief, Mark Osborne. He has been covering the semiconductor and related industries for over ten years. Mark has been blogging tech since 2005.Sharp’s teeth
The news that Sharp and Enel are to build the world's first 1GW thin-film manufacturing plant in Europe (Italy) at a cost of over $1 billion, is a significant move by Sharp to remain a major force within the PV industry. From any angle the move is impressive and bold and reinforces the direction the industry is going, even if that trend is only in its infancy.
$150 billion renewables investment: will Obama deliver?
It’s been a long 21 months of campaigning, voting and high emotions with the American Presidential election. Now that President-elect Barack Obama has been voted into office, with his official term starting on 20th January 2009, it is a great time to look back at what his views and promises were in regards to his presidency’s impact on the solar industry.
With the world watching the unfolding events of the past year in America’s politics, many issues were at the forefront of debates. Economy, war and international relations; all the typical - indeed, important - questions that needed to be asked of the future leader of the United States. One question that was of particular interest was the position that the candidates, specifically Barack Obama, held in regards to renewable energy, especially in the solar industry.
Read more >>Bailout bill passed by Congress, includes solar tax credits; First Solar, Suntech stocks drop
Congress has passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 with the support of senators Obama and McCain. The news is welcomed by the solar industry but unusually was met by traders with a plunge in the value of solar stocks. While most will focus on the financial implications of the bailout bill the solar industry can finally plan ahead...
Read more >>All eyes on House following bipartisan Senate passage of relief legislation
Commentary by Barclay's Capital Solar Energy Equity Research Analyst Vishal Shah
OVERALL THOUGHTS: The Senate passed legislation that combines the House-failed TARP bill with an increase in FDIC insurance coverage (from $100k to $250k) and the Senate's (only partially paid-for) tax extender package. Focus now shifts to the House, where obviously the legislation has faced a tougher hurdle. Read more >>
All eggs in one basket: solar ITC rests with US bailout plan
Just prior to going to press with this week’s newsletter, Reuters has reported that legislation extending tax credits for the solar industry gained new life on Wednesday as U.S. Senate leaders said they plan to attach the tax bill to a $700 billion economic rescue package.
Read more >>23rd EU PVsec Valencia highlights the feel good factor
23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition held in Valencia, Spain last week was one of the best events I have attended in over 15 years of attending trade shows in most parts of the world.
Read more >>Podcast on organic photovoltaics
Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals a precursor as USA goes for solar gold
The landmark announcement of PG&E yesterday to purchase power from facilities that will have a combined capacity of 800MW got me thinking about who is really going for gold among solar power generation centres around the world.The hypothesis: “The top sporting nations in the world also offer the best prospects for the implementation of solar energy in the mainstream.” Read more >>
Europe thinks big on solar Sahara
Is Japan back on the map?
