Germany based flat roof PV systems integrator SUNOVA AG, has started field tests of several different thin film module technologies with conventional multi-crystalline silicon modules to better evaluate the strength and weaknesses for future installations in the country.
SolarWorld AG has celebrated the topping-out of its new crystalline solar cell manufacturing plant in Freiberg, Germany. The €350 million investment will enable SolarWorld to add approximately 500MW per annum of solar cell capacity by the end of 2010, resulting in 1GW of total capacity at its multiple facilities in Freiberg.
Gov. David Paterson has announced a plan to add 100 MW of solar photovoltaic projects-- the largest PV initiative in the state of New York. This news comes after the governor's recently announced 50 MW PV project, led by the Long Island Power Authority-- and is the fourth major clean energy initiative that Paterson has unveiled in the last two weeks. Together, these two solar projects-- totaling 150 MW--would position New York as the state with the second-highest installed PV capacity.
SMA Solar Technology AG has reported a 25% decline in first quarter sales compared to the same period in 2008. The solar inverter leader said that it didn’t rule out a decline in global demand for PV system in 2009 but expects an increase in sales of at least 65% to about €145 to€165 million in the second quarter. Sales in the first quarter totalled €86.7 million compared to €115.1 million in 2008.
Although there is an expected decline in the demand for advanced chemicals and materials used in PV solar cells and modules, Linx-AEI Consulting said in a new report that the market would return to growth in 2010 and reach a value of approximately $15 billion by 2015. PV chemicals and materials used for all types of technology will decline to US$2.3 billion in 2009, Linx-AEI Consulting said.
Fluor Corporation has entered into the renewables industry with its plan to establish a dedicated renewables business line within its Power Group. The new division will focus on all forms of renewable energy, complementing the company’s existing nuclear, gas fueled, solid fueled and air quality control businesses with lines for solar, wind and biomass.
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. has moved to expand it Board of Directors to 10 members with the news that it has added Emmanuel (Manny) T. Hernandez to its Board. Mr. Hernandez retired from his role as CFO at SunPower last November, where he had served for over three years.
There would seem to be signs that project finance for large-scale photovoltaic energy plants is reappearing, according to tentative comments from Phoenix Solar AG. The systems integrator noted in its first quarter financial statement that the backlog in the financing of large photovoltaic power plants appeared to be ‘easing slowly.’
Weaker demand in the first quarter of 2009, coupled to over-supply of modules in key markets has forced CENTROSOLAR Group AG to write-off its remaining 2008 PV module and materials inventory. CENTROSOLAR's gross profit was pushed down by one-off factors from €14.6 million in the previous year to €6.7 million.
Applied Materials Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Splinter, expects capital spending in the photovoltaics industry to decline by approximately 50% in 2009 as access to capital, over-capacity and weaker demand due to the global economic recession is limiting PV manufacturers' expansion plans this year.
