The recently formed joint venture between Camco International and Rex Investment Ltd. (RIL) has been awarded a tender to distribute and install solar power systems in rural Tanzania.
Innotech Solar (ITS) and CEO Thor-Christian Tuv have decided to part ways after identifying differing opinions on the company’s future growth and expansion. The company’s board is now focusing on creating a new long-term growth strategy to meet the dynamic challenges of the photovoltaic industry. The ITS board views the introduction of new skills and expertise as an important priority, and has appointed David Hogg to the role of CEO at Innotech Solar with immediate effect.
Renewable Energy Corporation said that operating its 300MW monocrystalline wafer plant in Glomfjord, Norway would continue to lose money despite cost reduction efforts and that it will therefore be closed permanently. The plant closure will affect 200 employees.
The US Department of Commerce has released its preliminary determination on countervailing imports of silicon PV modules from China. The DoC states Chinese producers and exporters received a subsidy ranging between 2.9-4.73%. Many analysts had expected subsidies in the range of 20-30%. Suntech and Trina Solar appear to have been singled out with Suntech having received 2.9% and Trina 4.73%; all other Chinese companies will receive 3.61%.
Sainsbury’s has announced PV installations on the roofs of 115 of its supermarkets throughout the UK, totalling 7MW. The cylindrical PV modules were installed by British company Renewable Resources Energy Solutions.
Thin-film module manufacturer Stion has announced that it will begin shipping from its Mississippi factory after receiving certifications from Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and International Electrotechnical Commissions (IEC). The move follows the development of modules with a nominal power of up to 140MW. Commercial shipments will commence from the Hattiesburg plant later this month.
China’s success will cause Germany’s solar manufacturing industry to vanish, predicts a member of EON’s managing board. Klaus-Dieter Maubach stated the industry will become non-existent in five years time.
The difficult solar market in the last quarter of 2011, led Elkem Solar to suspend operations at its plant in Kristiansand, Norway. However, the company has advised that full production has been restored due to an increase in orders for Elkem Solar Silicon.
China-based developer Solar EnerTech Corp has advised that despite its financial struggles requiring it to deregister its common stock; it has retained FTI Consulting to lead its restructuring plans. A chief restructuring officer from FTI has been appointed to explore alternatives to maximize the return to investors.
Aide Solar has multiplied its module portfolio with the release of its Quasi-mono module line, which is comprised of 21 additional modules. The new line is available in 60 and 72 cell designs, with power ratings from 230 to 320W. The company noted that the new modules, which it states have up to a 4% higher conversion efficiency at the module level than traditional polycrystalline, have completed UL certification and are available for release in the US market.