Europe

In a bid to kick-start the photovoltaics sector in the Netherlands, Van der Valk Solar Systems, the manufacturer of components for the horticultural industry, has joined forces with GH Solar. So far, solar progress in the country has been slow, due to lack of a renewable subsidy structure; however the introduction of a feed-in tariff is expected in the near future.

The Czech Senate has approved a new law, which will add a 26% tax on solar energy production over the next three years, as well as 32% tax on carbon credits awarded to solar companies in the next two years. The new taxes will apply to all photovoltaic plants that were guaranteed to receive a fixed feed-in tariff (FiT) for a period of 20 years.

Currently, the Vénissieux, France location that Bosch Solar Energy plans to set up as a PV module assembly plant is being used as diesel system location where common-rail injection pumps are manufactured. As the demand for such products has declined, Bosch began looking for a new use of the location and eventually, the company decided to bring their assembly plant to the locale.

Scheuten Solar has finished work on three turnkey PV systems for Italian furniture manufacturer Natuzzi SpA. The rooftop facilities in Santeramo in Colle, Matera and Laterza consist of approximately 14,000 panels, took two-and-a-half months to complete and will reduce Natuzzi's annual CO2 emissions by 3400 tonnes.

SunPower has signed loan agreements worth €195.2 million to finance the final two phases of the Montalto di Castro solar park in Lazio, Italy. The solar bonds are expected to be funded by the end of December and will help add 44MW to the facility, which will have a final capacity of 72MW.

SunPower has signed loan agreements worth €195.2 million to finance the final two phases of the Montalto di Castro solar park in Lazio, Italy. The solar bonds are expected to be funded by the end of December and will help add 44MW to the facility, which will have a final capacity of 72MW.

Rhodia is planning to install 12,000m² of PV panels at the Rhodia Belle-Etoile site in Rhône, France. Solairedirect, the solar module manufacturer, and OFI Asset Management will partner Rhodia on the project, which will boast a peak capacity of 2MW and produce two million kilowatt hours of electricity per annum.

Phoenix Solar is constructing two PV plants in Italy, with a combined capacity of 8.9MWp. Building work on the 6.1MWp Taranto and 2.8MWp Alessandria plants began in October, with a completion date scheduled for the end of December.

The German government is looking to temper growth in solar panel installation in an attempt to protect consumers from rising costs. Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union fear that the escalating costs of solar power may lead to a fall in demand and undermine the acceptance of alternative energy.

Solyndra has announced a multi-year sales agreement with Sika Services AG.