Markets & Finance

The Asia-Pacific region will account for half of all new demand for solar photovoltaic energy in 2014, according to NPD Solarbuzz.

Following on from recent projections for the PV industry, market research firm IHS has revealed key developments and issues for the sector in 2014.

The Solar Energy Industries Association has warned that proposals to reform energy taxation in the US could damage the country’s solar industry.

Having acquired amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film equipment supplier Oerlikon Solar for over US$280 million in 2012, Tokyo Electron (TEL) has made an impairment charge on the operations of around US$214 million, revaluing the operations at around US$71 million.

No solar projects were successful in the second national energy tender auction in Brazil.

Chinese PV manufacturer Goldpoly New Energy Holdings has continued the expansion of its downstream business with the acquisition of a Zhongli Talesun subsidiary and with it 180MW worth of PV projects.

The IFC, part of the World Bank, has signed an agreement with China’s Chint Group to develop solar farms and supply chains in emerging markets.

The pipeline of grid-use PV projects approved for construction by the Philippines Department of Energy totalled 844.71MW across 38 projects, as of 30 November.

Specialist US-based solar wafer producer, 1366 Technologies has received a further US$2.5 million in Series C financing bringing the round to a total of US$17.5 million.

Restructuring and cost-cutting efforts at PV equipment and technology specialist, Amtech Systems helped limit fourth quarter financial year losses to US$1.7 million, a highlight in what has been another difficult year for the company.