Spanish solar company ISOFOTON and Chinese oil company, China National Offshore Oil Corporations (CNOOC)'s subsidiary, TIANJIN LISHEN BATTERY JOINT-STOCK, have established a joint venture based in Tianjin, China. The new company, called ISOFOTON LISHEN New Energy, will develop PV projects totalling 150MW. CNOOC will invest up to US$300 million in the projects. For the CNOOC Group, partnering with ISOFOTON is an opportunity to have a strong European partner with experience in PV technology and extensive knowledge of international markets.
Istanbul-based energy company Merk Solar Enerji Çözümleri San. ve Tic. Ltd. ?ti. has teamed up with Gehrlicher Solar to establish a joint-venture company to expand the ground- and roof-mounted solar power plant market in Turkey and neighbouring countries. Both of the component companies will have an equal share in the new partnership.
In addition to the 8% FiT cuts made in January, effective March 1 the Swiss Federal Department of Energy (DETEC) will further reduce the FiTs for PV power plants by 10% for new facilities.
Instituto de Energía Solar at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid has certified that Semprius’ HCPV modules have set a new world record with an efficiency level of 33.9%. The module was tested indoors at Standard Test Conditions (850 W/m2, 25°C cell temperature, and a spectrum matched to AM1.5D) and corroborated by outdoor measurements made at the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) in Puertollano, Spain. The HCPV modules significantly exceed the previous claim of 32.0%.
Continuing with the impact of overcapacity and falling prices, REC has said that another long-term wafer sales contract signed in the 2006-2008 period had been terminated. REC said that it would receive a cash compensation of approximately US$34.2 million (NOK 220 million) in relation to the cancellation. REC did not disclose the customer involved.
Spain has made the controversial decision to cease renewables subsidies for new solar, wind, co-generation and waste incineration plants in the face of an ever-growing government budget deficit of €24 billion. The power-system borrowings have been backed by the state but it appears that revenue generated by state-controlled energy prices has not been covering the high costs associated with delivering power, including the payment of renewables subsidies that have been put in place.
London-based private-equity group Amplio has commissioned 7MW of PV capacity in the Italian region of Lazio, just outside of Rome. The company secured €16m from an Italian bank for the project – details for which are yet to be disclosed.
The University of Cyprus campus has been host to a meeting of minds to discuss the feasibility of installing a 10MW PV plant on the grounds of the university. The university’s Rector Konstantinos Christofides initiated the move, which has led to the establishment of a special committee that will be assisted in its task by institutions including the Cyprus Electricity Authority and Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority.
Over a year and a half ago, Japan brought its grievances against FiTs in the Canadian province of Ontario to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The EU has now joined the fray and the WTO Dispute Settlement Body has committed itself to establishing a panel to hear the EU’s claims against the apparent discriminatory nature of Ontario's FiTs. Formal panel proceedings, however, are not expected to start before the end of March.
Major polycilicon producer, Wacker Chemie saw an abrupt demand decline in the fourth quarter of 2011 as PV customers reduced inventory levels and cancelled contracts due to some customers exiting the industry. Polysilicon spot prices fell below Wacker’s long-term pricing levels for the first time in many years, sparking price renegotiations.
