Kyocera Solar launched the Kyocera Solar Finance program, which aims to provide loan and lease options for customers looking to install light to mid-to-large commercial solar installations. The program is run in partnership with De Lage Landen Financial Services with Kyocera offering up to 100% financing for qualified borrowers.
Motech Americas, the US-based solar module business of Motech Industries, has selected Eric Kuo as its president. Kuo has over 15 years of global experience in branding, growing markets and driving revenue, with a background in international business and marketing. He comes to Motech from MSI Computer India where he served as managing director.
JinkoSolar will continue to sponsor Valencia Football Club for two more years following the signing of a new contract. Valencia recently finished third in Spain’s La Liga and will play in the European Champions League next year. JinkoSolar will remain the club’s main sponsor and the company’s logo will be featured on Valencia’s home and away shirts throughout the season.
Socialist François Hollande has been elected as President of France, bringing further concerns and hopes to the country’s already flagging solar industry. Dubbed “Mr Normal”, he has promised a 25% reduction in nuclear facilities by 2020, an investment in alternative energy generation and improving energy efficiency.
Registered professional engineer Doug Mutcher has joined Westwood Professional Services’ national solar energy group as an electrical engineering manager. Mutcher holds almost 20 years of experience in electrical engineering field work for the industrial, commercial, transportation, educational, corporate, medical, retail, manufacturing and process industries.
Declining prices whether on the spot market or long-term supply agreements are making business conditions very tough for polysilicon producers, regardless of their market size or purity of the material they produce. According to the latest financial results of Dow Corning, its JV subsidiary, Hemlock Semiconductor expects overcapacity in the sector to continue throughout 2012.
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, has announced it will omit net-metering purchase prices from the new feed-in tariffs due to be implemented in July. Instead, the government has decided that in order to avoid confusion, current rates will be extended for three months until June and kept separate from the feed-in tariff.
ReneSola has announced that its chief strategy officer, Charles Bai, has left the company as his contract comes to an end. The departure is effective May 1, 2012.
Assurant has launched a new comprehensive insurance offering for commercial solar project developments specifically aimed to service the 100kW to 3MW solar market. The Assurant Solar Project Insurance is said to be the industry’s first warranty administration and comprehensive protection plan for all phases of commercial-sized development projects.
K. Subramanya has resigned as CEO of India’s third largest panel manufacturer, Tata BP Solar, effective May 1. No explanation was given for the resignation and Subramanya has stated he has no plans for the immediate future.
