Market overview » 17.05.2012
Bloomberg says solar is here
A study released yesterday by Bloomberg New Energy Finance finds that the conventional energy sector does not realize how inexpensive solar has become, partly because utilities and politicians have to compare apples and oranges. But BNEF says solar is already competitive. read more »
Photovoltaics » 16.05.2012
Sovello files for bankruptcy
Sovello has become the second firm in Germany's Solar Valley to file for bankruptcy after Q-Cells. Local politicians are now calling for protection for German firms from Chinese competition, but a back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that local content already exceeds 60 percent in Germany even when panels are imported. read more »
Alpha Ventus » 15.05.2012
Monitoring offshore wind
Since 2009, researchers have installed more than 1,200 sensors and measuring devices in the Alpha Ventus offshore test wind farm to gather data for future projects. The RAVE (Research at Alpha Ventus) initiative recently presented the first findings at a conference in Bremerhaven, Germany. The recent death of a technician seems to have been the result of a heart attack. read more »
Market report » 15.05.2012
Japan's energy problems
The Japanese Institute of Energy Economics says that Japan's trade deficit hit a new record high in 2011, largely because so much energy had to be imported. Meanwhile, the country is debating whether to restart the first nuclear reactor since the disaster at Fukushima. read more »
Biomass » 14.05.2012
Changes to German Cogeneration Act postponed
The German Parliament has postponed amendments to its Cogeneration Act. The second and third reading is now scheduled for May 24. read more »
Photovoltaics » 14.05.2012
UK reaches 1.3 GW as growth is cut in half
The drastic cuts in feed-in tariffs for solar power in the UK reduced installations by nearly 60 percent in April, putting the government far behind its target of 22 gigawatts of PV for 2020. read more »
Energy policy » 13.05.2012
Bundesrat forces review of slashed solar FITs
On Friday, the German chamber of Parliament that represents states' rights overwhelmingly rejected the governing coalition's proposal to drastically change feed-in tariffs for photovoltaics. Now, the policy will be reviewed, though it is unclear what the changes will be. And another decision by the Bundesrat the same day shows how differently Germany ticks. read more »
Onshore wind power » 11.05.2012
New tower prototype for high hub heights
Siemens Wind Power is testing a new concept for steel towers. The prototype for onshore 2.3 megawatt turbines with high hubs greater than 100 meters was set up last year at a test field in Hovsore, Denmark. The design is intended as an alternative to concrete and concrete/steel towers. read more »
Consolidation on photovoltaics market » 11.05.2012
Chinese may take over Conergy
The Financial Times Germany reports that a Chinese investor has expressed interest in the German solar firm, which has been in financial trouble. read more »
Photovoltaics » 10.05.2012
German solar sector reports falling sales
The cuts to German of feed-in tariffs have not even been officially resolved yet – that is to happen tomorrow – but already industry association BSW-Solar says a survey of the industry revealed that sales were already down more than 50 percent in April. While that may sound like bad news, it only means that Germany is at the very top of its "growth corridor." read more »
Energy policy » 10.05.2012
What Hollande means for renewables
After the French elections on the weekend, Renewables International did not see any reason to write on the outcome because it is not clear whether very much will change at all. But in light of the international enthusiasm in the renewables community, it might be best to explain why there is so little reason to be enthusiastic. read more »
Energy policy » 09.05.2012
Saudi Arabia announces RE targets
Yesterday, Saudi Arabia announced specific targets for solar and wind. By 2032, the country aims to get nearly a quarter of its electricity from photovoltaics and concentrating solar power alone, but the country will be expanding nuclear even faster. read more »
Ardour Global Index: » 09.05.2012
First Solar finishes last in April
The Ardour Global Extra Liquid (AGIXL) underperformed broader market indices in April, ending down 6.5% for the month. Leading the declines was First Solar, a former darling of the sector and top-weighted constituent of the AGIXL. The Company announced a massive restructuring program and acknowledged their products are no longer competitive in key European markets. read more »
Wind power » 08.05.2012
Japan does offshore
As restricted as land availability is in the densely populated country of Japan, the archipelago's offshore potential is that much greater. An overview of the first projects. read more »
Liquid metal batteries » 08.05.2012
MIT spinoff for power storage
The firm called Liquid Metal Battery Corporation (LMBC) aims to store electricity in molten metal. But the technology is a long way from being market-ready. read more »
