Europe

A German government subsidy programme will trigger rapid growth in the solar storage market in 2014, according to research analysts IHS.

Italian minister of economic development, Flavio Zanon has announced reforms to Italy’s renewable energy incentives that will lengthen the payment period and release €3 billion to lower electricity bills.

In reporting improving sales in the first-half of 2013, Chinese thin-film equipment supplier and module manufacturer, Hanergy expects a ‘wide window of opportunity’ in Europe to gain module sales and market share after the anti-dumping dispute between the EU and China has been resolved.

Renewable energy developer the Juwi Group has secured a €252 million (US$336 million) loan, calling it an “act of faith” in the sector.

Austria will install a record amount of solar PV capacity this year, according to the country’s PV trade group, Photovoltaic Austria.

German environment minister Peter Altmaier has predicted new PV capacity in Germany will fall to around half what it was last year.

Solar operator Edisun Power Europe has delayed the announcement of its half-year results that were due to be released on Wednesday of this week.

The Swiss government is considering massive solar subsidy cuts in a move the country’s PV industry has warned could have “profoundly” damaging effects.

A 5.21MW rooftop solar project built by Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain, Migros-Verteilbetrieb Neuendorf, said to be the country's largest PV plant, is now grid-connected and fully operational.

M+W Americas has bought the US subsidiary of struggling German firm Gehrlicher Solar.