[amor de cosmos]

IHS Report Forecasts Global PV to Exceed 35GW in 2013
08 April 2013

Global photovoltaic (PV) installations are forecast to exceed 35 gigawatts (GW) in 2013, equivalent to growth of 12%, according to recently released analysis from IHS Research. IHS also reaffirmed its earlier prediction that global PV installations surpassed 30GW in 2012, with final analysis showing that installations, in fact, grew 14% to reach 31.4GW last year.

These findings and the latest PV demand projections for 2013 and beyond were recently issued by the IHS solar team, which comprises analysts from the IHS acquisitions of IMS Research, iSuppli, and Emerging Energy Research. Contrary to many other more pessimistic predictions for the industry, IHS foresees the PV industry to continue along its double-digit growth path in 2013 and to exceed 35GW for the first time.

http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?...rticle&id=6420

Uttar Pradesh Offers 200 MW Solar PV Tender
by Zach
on April 7, 2013

It’s hard to keep up with all the big solar news coming out of India. One of the most recent stories worth noting is that Uttar Pradesh has put out a tender for 200 MW of solar PV power.

The downside to the tender is that the state utility is just offering a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 10-year period. Nonetheless, one would assume that any solar projects built would be used to send electricity to the grid for a much longer period of time. Solar panels last for decades, and some have speculated they may even produce a notable amount of electricity for a century.

Any bids selected for this offer are expected to receive approval by June 10, 2013.

http://solarlove.org/uttar-pradesh-o...lar-pv-tender/

Switzerland: 40% price drop for turnkey PV module systems
08. April 2013 | Markets & Trends, Applications & Installations | By: Vera von Kreutzbruck

Prices for turnkey PV module systems have dropped around 41 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, according to a report released today by German consultants Photovoltaikzentrum.

A total of 402 photovoltaic system operators and 94 installers were interviewed for the report. The average price per kilowatt of installed photovoltaics in 2012 was 2.947 Swiss Francs (€ 2.422), which represents a 41% decrease, in comparison to 2001’s price of 4.984 Swiss Francs per kilowatt.

In early 2013 feed-in tariffs were cut 8%. Last year, the FITs were reduced three times: first through an 8% cut at the beginning of the year, March saw another 10% cut and October an additional 15%. These measures have helped lower the installation prices of photovoltaic plants in Switzerland, but they still have not fallen to parity with German prices.

According to Photovoltaikzentrum, 50% of the photovoltaic modules installed in Switzerland come from Germany, while only 30% are imported from the Far East.

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...ems_100010821/

Downstream Solar Player Clean Power Finance Wins $37M Equity Round
Edison International buys in as the power sector moves into solar financing.
Herman K. Trabish: April 8, 2013

A $37 million equity round just completed by Clean Power Finance (CPF) more than doubles funding for an important residential solar finance player. Edison International (NYSE:EI) and two other power sector investors buying into the deal is also big news.

This round brings total investment in the firm to more than $62 million with investment from Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, Google Ventures, Claremont Creek Ventures, Clean Pacific Ventures and Sand Hill Angels. Hennessey Capital joined in this round, as did Edison and “two other major power sector companies” which declined to be named but which, CPF told GTM, “look a lot like Edison.”

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articl...M-Equity-Round

PanelClaw Announces Program to Reduce Soft Costs in Solar
08 April 2013

PanelClaw has announced a new program that guarantees the time required to install its flat roof racking systems. Additionally, PanelClaw will cover the costs of shipping as well as the required Professional Engineering (PE) wind and seismic project stamps for all of its flat roof products in the U.S. A part of a new series of initiatives, the program lowers upfront project costs to enable its partners to win more business.


The new PanelClaw Partner Program includes an installation rate guarantee, which guarantees the time required to install its flat roof products for all first time users of the product. The guaranteed rate is established once layout is finalized and modules are selected.

It also covers the freight cost for flat roof products is covered throughout the 48 contiguous United States, with shipping to the nearest ports for projects in Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?...rticle&id=6422