Photovoltaics

Spain ceases subsidies for new renewable projects Companies mentioned: Kyocera, Solartec Energia Renovable, SolarBridge Technologies, IBC, Yingli Green, MidAmerican Renewables, Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas, Wind To Power System (w2pS), US Department of Commerce and Solar World

PV Intelligence Brief 18 - 31 January 2012

Spain ceases new solar subsidies

Spain has made the hardline decision to cease renewables subsidies for new solar, wind, co-generation and waste incineration plants as it deals with its €24bn budget deficit.

The subsidies suspension will not be retroactive and will only apply to newly proposed projects. It will not affect operating plants or projects that have already been approved for subsidies by the government, said a government statement. 

“What is today an energy problem could become a financial problem,” commented Industry Minister José Manuel Soria.

Portugal PV ranks first for IRR

Portugal’s solar market remains one of the best markets for solar sector investors able to build systems under that country’s installations cap, according to Lux Research’s latest Solar Demand Forecaster.

The country’s internal rates of returns (IRR) for the six major solar technologies remain high in 2011 along with Cyprus and Greece.

However, with news of Spain cutting all new renewable energy project subsidies, markets such as Portugal may not be able to sustain its level of subsidies.

Uncertainty surrounding Europe’s financial situation and its countries’ ability to pay out incentives will prevent wild growth, keeping that market relatively constant,” said Matt Feinstein, the Lux Research analyst who led the demand forecast.

“However, a number of Asian markets have high returns going into 2012, notably Malaysia at 24.1%, the Phil-ippines at 22.6%, and Japan at 20.9%. They will push demand toward that region in 2012 and 2013.”

Portugal’s solar market remains one of the hottest for investors able to build systems under that country’s installations cap, according to Lux Research’s latest Solar Demand Forecaster.

Following from Portugal, Cyprus, Hawaii, Greece and Israel in that order ranked among the top five markets for profitable IRRs in the first quarter of 2012.

BIPV to surge transparent electronics growth

The market for transparent electronics will grow exponentially over the coming years as it starts to supply to solar market, according to analyst firm NanoMarkets. Revenues are expected to reach US$325m (€251m) in 2015, going on to reach $1.1bn billion (€850m) in 2019 of which a large portion will come from interventions by solar companies, said the analysts.

According to the report, the transparent electronics market has the potential to become a strong revenue stream as its use within solar products grows, particularly as it relates to building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

In one forecast, the study says the market value for absorber layer materials for transparent solar panels will rise sharply by 2020.

The report further suggests that there is enough of a market in transparent electronics to benefit established specialty chemical firms, as well as having room for start-ups.

Kyocera sees sluggish sales for module market

Kyocera, manufacturer in PV equipment and systems, expects a continuation of the module price erosion that in FYQ4 was “beyond expectations.”

It has reported that consolidated net sales for the nine-month period ending December 31, 2011 had declined 7.5% compared to the prior period, to US$11,351m. Profit from operations decreased by 26.2% to US$1,133m.

Sales and profits were reported to be down within its Components Business segment which includes its PV module operations, citing continued stagnation in the solar energy market with consistent erosion of prices as overcapacity continued. Kyocera noted that it has seen no sign of an improvement in a supply/demand balance.

The business environment was said to have remained difficult throughout its financial fourth quarter. Its components business segment revenue was down 34%, compared to the same period a year ago.

SolarBridge and Solartec parter in Mexico

Solartec Energia Renovable’s modules and SolarBridge Technologies’ microinverters are to be introduced to the Mexican market, it has been reported.

Solartec’s S60MC is a 240W monocrystalline AC module that converts DC power from each solar module to grid-compliant AC power. The S60MC features a SolarBridge Pantheon microinverter that is factory-installed on the back of the module. The integrated assembly is backed by a single 25-year warranty. Solartec plans to begin shipping S60MC modules later this quarter.

Integrated AC module makers claim they can provide the lowest installed cost for rooftop solar, a powerful incentive for the burgeoning solar market in Mexico. Solartec’s S60MC is also certified by Mexico’s FIDE (Fidei-comiso Para El Ahorro De Energia Electrica).

IBC and Yingli Green sign module supply deal

Yingli Green is to supply project developer, IBC Solar, with 180MW of multicrystalline and monocrystalline (Panda) PV modules in 2012 under a new supply agreement.

IBC has an option for a further 20MW under the new agreement and expects to use the modules in projects within Germany, Europe and other regions during the year.

The two companies have been working together for the past five years, according to Udo Moehrstedt, founder and CEO of IBC Solar.

MidAmerican launches renewables arm

Warren Buffett-controlled MidAmerican Energy Holdings  has established a new business arm as a conduit for a deepening of the company's move into the unregulated renewables market, it has ben reported. The new vehicle, MidAmerican Renewables, LLC, will oversee wind, geothermal, solar and hydro projects to produce energy for the renewables market.

The Des Moines, Iowa-based company already has significant exposure to the wind and solar sectors including its 100 per cent acquisition of First Solar's $2bn, 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm, in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Aries and Wind to Power form partnership

Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas and Wind To Power System (w2pS) have signed a partnership agreement to supply an integrated solution for the adaptation of PV power plants to ensure maximum compliance with the new regulations on the response of PV plants to voltage dips.

As of November last year, Royal Decree 1565/2010 mandates photovoltaic PV plants with power above 2 MW to comply with operational procedure O.P. 12.3 on the response to voltage dips.

Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas and w2pS distribute a turnkey integral solution that includes the design, engineering, legalisation, installation and the processing of the final certification of the power plant.

US-trade dispute ruling extended

The US Department of Commerce has agreed to postpone the date for its preliminary decision on the CASM-led US versus China trade dispute to March 2, 2012.

The 18-day extension will delay the decision by the Department of Commerce on the case to impose counter-vailing and anti-dumping duties to offset foreign subsidies. Solar World, CASM movement, it was reported, be-lieved the earlier prosed date of 13 February was too soon.