Preliminary figures from Italian government agency GSE for solar module installations in Italy for 2009 indicate that the surge late in 2008 was not replicated in 2009. PV installations reached 374MW in 2009, up only 10% from 2008 when 338MW was installed and connected to the grid. The Italian market had often been touted as becoming a major market in 2009, due to the attractive FiT and high cost of electricity in the country, enabling solar to reach grid-parity earlier than in most other European countries.
In a move that many other PV module manufacturers are expected to adopt, SolarWorld is the first manufacturer to switch to a linear performance guarantee on its entire range of solar modules. SolarWorld claims that as a result of the change, it has extended the performance warranty for its modules from two to five years. Traditionally, the industry has used a stepped performance guarantee system, such as 90% of the lower nominal output for the first 10 years and then 80% for year 11 onwards.
The Canadian government-backed Sustainable Development Technology Canada foundation has announced CAN$58 million in funding for 16 clean technology projects from across the country. The sole solar firm to receive monies to "help move innovative technology solutions to the market" is concentrator photovoltaic company, Morgan Solar.
Colexon Energy has secured a credit commitment of €21 million from the many banks it holds a relationship with. The credit facility, which has a running time of up to four years, will be utilized for working capital, financing project acquisitions and capital expenditure.
In respect of the US$2.3 billion U.S. federal tax credits issued last week for job creation, two key trends have emerged. As already highlighted, the solar sector garnered approximately US$1.0 billion of the credits allocated. However, another trend emerged whereby three major polysilicon producers garnered the most from the credits in the solar sector.
Borrego Solar Systems has announced a partnership with Reading Electric of Reading, PA to install more than 5MW of solar energy at 32 different local businesses across Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Government-funded projects in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces in China that are expected to be completed in 2010 have started to be awarded to PV module manufacturers. Solarfun has said that its subsidiary, Jiangsu Linyang Solarfun, has been contracted to supply Xuzhou Xie Xin PV Power 10MW of solar modules for a project based in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu, as well as two contracts totalling 2.65MW for a government-funded project in Anhui.
Starwood Energy Group Global announced on January 7 that its affiliate, Starwood SSM1 Canada, had finalized agreements to finance and construct a 20MW solar PV project in Ontario. Q-Cells has confirmed that it will deliver the two 10MW systems required for the project.
Former SunPower Systems and PowerLight president Daniel Shugar has joined Solaria as its new CEO. The veteran solar industry executive replaces former CEO Suvi Sharma, who will focus on business development and strategy in his new role as president of the Fremont, CA-based solar photovoltaic module company.
Solar wafer producer PV Crystalox said that it had shipped slightly more solar wafers than had previously guided for 2009, on the back of strong demand at the end of the year. The wafer producer shipped 239MW, up from guidance of 230-235MW provided in November. The company had experienced deferred shipments in the first half of 2009 due to poor demand.
