According to IMS Research, tier 2 PV module manufacturers in China have seen average utilization rates fall as low as 35% in the fourth quarter of 2011 as a result of overcapacity, high inventory levels and weaker than expected demand in 2012. The market research firm noted that many tier 2 suppliers have reduced production significantly or suspended production entirely, resulting in the lowest-ever recorded utilization rates so far reported.
Indian solar manufacturers have entered into talks with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) over adjusting policy to help protect against foreign competition.
Taiwan-based crystalline solar cell producer, Neo Solar Power (NSP) has reported December, 2011 revenue of approximately US$21.94 million (NT $663 million), down significantly from the previous quarter and year-on-year. Total revenue for 2011 reached approximately US$600.2 million, down from US$634.4 million in 2010.
India’s Prime Minister has appointed Anil Kakodkar as the new head of his government’s solar programme. Kakodkar, who is also a member of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and previously led India’s nuclear programme, was unveiled as chairman of the recently launched Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech at the Indian Science Congress.
Inverter manufacturer Power-One has installed 25MW of solar inverters on 50 hectares of land, located in Gujarat, India and covered by more than 100,000 polycrystalline solar panels. 73 units of Aurora PVI-330.0-TL indoor inverters have been fitted along with medium voltage switch gears and transformers.
Sunvalley Solar has scored another commercial solar installation; this time with XL Biofuels in Thermal, California. Late last year, Sunvalley was awarded a US$2 million contract for a project in Long Beach, California, which was followed by two more project contracts for Southern California sites.
According to a report by PV Magazine, Azure Power has advised that it has commissioned its third solar plant in just under two years. Located in Rajasthan, the latest 5MW plant will be found in Kathauti village and is said to be the first 5MW plant under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).
EnterSolar advised that the installation of an 877kW rooftop PV system at Chelten House Products’ Bridgeport, New Jersey, facility had been completed. The system uses over 3,650 solar panels and is set to produce over 1,000,000kWh of electricity per year. Over the next 25-years the PV project is expected to generate 26 million kWh of electricity, which is said to be enough to power over 125 homes.
First Solar recently held its inaugural annual Supplier Recognition Day, which was said to have been attended by approximately 60 companies that were considered critical suppliers to the company. At the event, encapsulant supplier, STR Holdings, was recognised as one of three suppliers, with the NOVA award, designed to recognise premier suppliers that significantly support its mission.
