The domestic content requirement (DCR) in India’s flagship solar programme is facing mounting pressure after talks to resolve US opposition to the policy broke down and it was separately branded a “failure”.
US conglomerate General Electric (GE) will invest in the running of Japan’s largest solar power plant, an ¥80 billion (US$777 million) scheduled for completion in 2018, according to reports in Japanese and international media.
Komax Group has taken its first step away from the solar industry, selling its 51% stake in joint venture (JV) company Komax Jinchen to its Chinese JV partner, Yingkou Jinchen.
JA Solar has received certification from TÜV Rheinland which gives assurances of the quality of the company’s module design, production and product warranty for sale in the Japanese market.
Tier one manufacturer Hanwha SolarOne has begun establishing a “long-term strategic partnership to develop downstream PV projects” with the Wuxi New District Administrative Committee in China.
Wacker Chemie has agreed a minimum pricing deal with China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) that will allow the chemical producer to continue exporting polysilicon made at its plants in Europe to China.
Japan has launched a subsidy programme to support the installation of lithium-ion battery-based stationary storage systems, offering to pay individuals and entities up to two-thirds of their purchase price.
Japan’s feed-in tariff (FiT) from 1 April looks almost certain to be set at ¥32/kWh for commercial customers and at ¥37/kWh for residential PV system owners, falling by approximately 11% from 2013 levels.
