Chris Whitmore

The weak demand that has blighted the solar industry for much of 2011 is likely continue into the new year, according to a new report on the US market from ClearSky Advisors. Despite a growth in installed capacity, overcapacity in the supply chain will continue to affect module prices, with ClearSky forecasting these to fall for at least the first half of 2012.

Coveme has become one of Europe’s first PV manufacturers to start operating out of China by building a facility in Jiangsu Province. The site is focusing production on the company’s dyMat PYE backsheets and has been fitted with the latest lamination, coating and heat stabilization technology.

On Thursday, US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu addressed the House Energy and Commerce Committee about the Solyndra loan controversy. He blamed the Solyndra failure on a sharp drop in the price of solar cells.

French renewable energy company Fonroche is investing US$115 million in a new 44MW solar farm in Puerto Rico, according to business daily Les Echos.

Australian Capital Territory is launching a new incentive scheme to promote large-scale solar in the state. It is Australia’s first scheme targeting larger systems and aims to help install projects totalling up to 210MW.

(Update) The CEO of solarhybrid said it is enlisting the help of First Solar to help equip a 1.5GW project pipeline it is on the verge of buying from Solar Millennium. First Solar would not confirm the existence of the supposed deal, telling PV-Tech it had no comment at this time.

Soitec and Reflexite Energy Solutions have joined forces to create a new company dedicated to producing silicone-on-glass (SOG) Fresnel lens plates for concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) modules. The company, which has been christened Reflexite Soitec Optical Technology and is to be based in Soitec’s new San Diego manufacturing facility, will also focus on increasing the efficiency and lowering the cost of the lens plates.

aleo solar has helped finance and equip a new 1MW PV system in Vittorio Veneto, Italy. The Germany-based module manufacturer joined forces with Ailita Engineering and Italian bank BIIS on the project, which was connected to the grid in May.

Abengoa has begun ramping up its 280MW CSP Mojave Solar Project after the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) approved its power purchase agreement (PPA) with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).

Indeotec has received the first order and down payment for its Octopus II plasma processing tool. Octopus II was first unveiled at PVSEC in Hamburg and is the successor to Indeotec’s popular Octopus I. The new tool measures 300mm x 400mm and is characterized by several PECVD, PVD, heating and customised chambers around a central unit.