Having been the major beneficiary of venture capital investments over recent years, solar funding could be on the wane if the fall in funding for the first quarter of 2010 develops into a trend going forward. According to the latest findings issued by the Cleantech Group and Deloitte, transportation topped the category list for the first time with US$704 million invested in 27 deals. The solar sector only attracted US$322 million in 27 deals. Clean technology in general attracted VC investments totalling US$1.9 billion across 180 companies in the first quarter of 2010.
The third-largest built solar PV power plant, located in Lieberose, Germany, has been sold by juwi Group for approximately €160 million to WealthCap, a subsidiary of UniCredit Bank. The 162-hectare site was a former military training area and employs 700,000 CdTe thin-film modules from First Solar for a capacity of 53MW. The plant came onstream in autumn 2009.
One of AES Solar Energy's subsidiaries has closed a long-term project financing round totaling €173 million, to finance the construction of the Cellino San Marco (CSM) project, the 43MW solar PV facility located in Puglia, Italy. CSM is now the largest solar PV project in Italy to reach financial close.
Enphase Energy has secured US$40 million in funding, with Bay Partners leading the equity financing. This round of financing also includes participation from Horizon Technology Finance, Bridge Bank and existing investors Third Point Ventures, RockPort Capital Partners, Madrone Capital Partners and Applied Ventures.
Embarking on its second year as India’s international exhibition for solar technology, Intersolar India will this year be held in the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, having been held in Hyderabad for its inaugural show in 2009. The relocation to one of the country’s largest exhibition centres underscores the success of last year’s launch, paving the way for the expansion of the show in years to come.
Impacted by high polysilicon contract prices that were significantly above current spot prices and major competitors reported costs, LDK Solar reported fourth quarter, 2009 revenue below market expectations. Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 were US$304.6 million, compared to US$281.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, and US$426.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Wafer ASPs declined faster than expected in the quarter. The company generated a small loss of US$3.5 million due to a US$10 million settlement of a class action lawsuit.
The Australian marine biologist Lloyd Godson has began his attempt to set a new world record by generating the largest amount of electricity ever produced by under water cycling, at the Bavarian Legoland theme park in Germany. For a fortnight, beginning March 30, Godson will stay in a 4m² underwater home, his only light provided by solar lamps.
Recurrent Energy has signed agreements with Kaiser Permanente for the development of 15MW of solar power systems at several different locations across California. Recurrent will build, own, and operate 16 solar power systems installed across 15 Kaiser Permanente hospital and office rooftops, ground spaces and above existing ground-level parking spaces and garages.
Preliminary 2009 market figures for the PV industry have been issued by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), after its recent workshop was held in Rome, Italy. The EPIA said that 6.4GW of newly installed capacity was achieved in 2009, reaching a total capacity of over 20GW worldwide. Although this was hailed as being the most important annual capacity increase ever, due in part to the economic recession, 2010 is expected to see installations increase by at least 40%, while the annual growth is expected to increase by more than 15%.
Manz Automation took a heavy hit from the fall in equipment sales in the solar and LCD industries in 2009. Revenue for 2009 was €85.9 million, down sharply from €236.5 million in 2008. Cost cutting measures limited losses to €15.9 million. Manz Automation saw fourth quarter sales jump sharply as a recovery in the PV industry netted sales of €39.2 million (previous year: €77.4 million), accounting for 45.6% of the total annual revenues. Order book stood at €40 million in mid-December 2009, but has increased to €70 million as of February 28, 2010, according to the company. Manz said that it expects a return to double digit growth in 2010.
