Continuing to support the development of one of the largest PV module portfolios, Suntech Power Holdings will also introduce a 255 watt polycrystalline module (STP255–20Wd) at Intersolar Europe 2012. The company claims that the polycrystalline module is around 5% more powerful than the industry average, while offering one of the best ‘price to performance’ ratios on the market.
Reports have emerged that Hanergy Solar Technology is considering the purchase of Solibro, the CIGS thin-film subsidiary of Q-Cells. Insolvency firm HWW Wienberg Wilhelm, which is administering the bankruptcy proceedings of Q-Cells had said in April that there had been both foreign and domestic interest in acquiring the bankrupt PV manufacturer.
Having scrapped import duties on solar systems, Pakistan could be become a highly viable emerging market for photovoltaics, due to its high insolation values and growing energy demands. Adding to a string of recent PV power plant projects, Conergy is partnering with developer Ensunt and DACC Power Generation Company (DPGCL) to build a 50MW solar park in Bahawalpur, Cholistan region.
Failure to secure further funding has forced flexible thin-film manufacturer, Konarka Technologies into bankruptcy. The Chapter 7 bankruptcy via a Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court means full liquidation and asset sale to pay creditors. Since its initial venture capital funding in 2001, the company had raised around US$190 million to develop and market its roll-to-roll OPV (organic photovoltaic) technology.
NanoMarkets has released a new report focusing on the BIPV market, “BIPV Roofing Markets.” The report states that by 2016, the total market value for BIPV roofing products will reach US$3.9 billion. NanoMarkets went on to advise that it expects the market for today’s overlay products, such as building-attached PV) to see a steady growth pattern, but fully integrated BIPV roofing panels will hold the market longevity and opportunity.
Transform Solar, a JV established in 2010 between Origin Energy and Micron Technology, advised that it will no longer be manufacturing its Sliver PV modules in Idaho. The company decided to take this route after a review of the global oversupply of PV capacity and the resulting difficult market conditions. Operations and workforce in Idaho will be progressively cut over the next three months.
It was recently announced that Solea AG, Ontario Solar Provider (OSP) and Solar Provider Group have formed Solea SP, a JV with a focus on utility-scale ground mounted solar farms in North America. Head-quartered in Toronto, Canada, with a satellite office in San Francisco, Solea SP advised that additions to its management team will be released in the following weeks.
With victory in site for the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) following the US Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination against Chinese manufacturers, the American wind industry jumped on the band wagon last December and filed a complaint against its Chinese counterparts with the DoC.
Having recently teamed with Suntech, state-owned firm Phono Solar has signed a new agreement with GCL-Poly to build PV power plants in China. GCL-Poly already has plans to move downstream, having partnered with Winsun New Energy and Shunfeng Photovoltaic for projects in both China and Europe.
Yingli Green Energy’s success continues with the formation of the company’s US nationwide Powering Advancement with Solar and Soccer (PASS) programme. The initiative combines the financial and educational benefits of a solar power system donation with the active lifestyle benefits of soccer.
