Markets & Finance

Solar installations in the US have increased by over 40% year on year, according to the 2014 edition of US clean tech research firm Clean Edge's annual Clean Tech Leadership Index (CTLI).

Solar and wind energy provider Juhl Renewable Energy Systems, a subsidiary of Juhl Energy, has been appointed the lead contractor for all rooftop PV systems installed through Solar Chicago, a programme serving Chicago, Illinois and other surrounding communities.

A boom in the use of electric vehicles will help push the energy storage market to US$50 billion by 2020, a study by Lux Research has concluded.

The US is lagging behind the likes of Australia and Germany in pushing down the labour costs associated with residential PV installation, a Rocky Mountain Institute study has revealed.

PV project developer, SPI Solar, has completed its private placement of newly issued shares that raised a total of US$21.75 million in new funding.

Shunfeng Photovoltaic International has postponed a large stock share issue announced in May 2014 due to recent volatility on international and Hong Kong stock markets.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is looking for contractors to build and operate rooftop PV as part of a solar rooftop rental programme planned for the Indian city.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that US import duties applied to Chinese solar products in 2012 broke global trade rules.

Pacific Energy Solutions, LLC (PES) has received a US$334 million contract from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific to develop, built, own and operate PV plants at military bases in Hawaii.

US-based solar installer Greenskies Renewable Energy has reached a US$82 million financing deal with Dutch multinational company Rabobank that will see Greenskies finance more than 60 solar projects in Connecticut and three other states, HartfordBusiness.com reports.