Failure to secure further funding has forced flexible thin-film manufacturer, Konarka Technologies into bankruptcy. The Chapter 7 bankruptcy via a Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court means full liquidation and asset sale to pay creditors. Since its initial venture capital funding in 2001, the company had raised around US$190 million to develop and market its roll-to-roll OPV (organic photovoltaic) technology.
Transform Solar, a JV established in 2010 between Origin Energy and Micron Technology, advised that it will no longer be manufacturing its Sliver PV modules in Idaho. The company decided to take this route after a review of the global oversupply of PV capacity and the resulting difficult market conditions. Operations and workforce in Idaho will be progressively cut over the next three months.
It was recently announced that Solea AG, Ontario Solar Provider (OSP) and Solar Provider Group have formed Solea SP, a JV with a focus on utility-scale ground mounted solar farms in North America. Head-quartered in Toronto, Canada, with a satellite office in San Francisco, Solea SP advised that additions to its management team will be released in the following weeks.
With victory in site for the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) following the US Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination against Chinese manufacturers, the American wind industry jumped on the band wagon last December and filed a complaint against its Chinese counterparts with the DoC.
Yingli Green Energy’s success continues with the formation of the company’s US nationwide Powering Advancement with Solar and Soccer (PASS) programme. The initiative combines the financial and educational benefits of a solar power system donation with the active lifestyle benefits of soccer.
SolarCity advised that it had completed its 295kW solar installation for Bayer Healthcare in Berkeley, California, which will help power Bayer’s manufacturing facilities. SolarCity was responsible for the financing, design and installation of the project and will oversee its maintenance and monitoring.
Nearly two weeks after the US Department of Commerce issued its preliminary decision to establish antidumping duties on China-manufactured solar products, JA Solar Holding’s has issued its response. The DOC’s preliminary decision, which is expected to be finalized in Q4 2012, would subject an antidumping tariff rate of 31.18%.
Ensuring sufficient future supply of its ‘Tedlar’ polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film for PV module assembly requirements has been completed, according to DuPont. The US$295 million investment in new capacity has more than doubled production, the company said. DuPont has recently secured long-term agreements with Tier 1 PV module manufacturers such as Suntech, Yingli Green, Trina Solar and China Sunergy.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 5 to 0 on the passing of a new rule regarding net metering, chiefly to refine the calculation for California’s 5% net metering cap. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) worked with members and stakeholders as part of the Coalition for Solar Rights petitioning the CPUC to review the calculation of the cap, which is anticipated to be reached as early as next year by some utilities. The CPUC vote essentially clarified the net metering calculation while also calling for further studies into the process.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has identified six renewable energy initiatives in the US that the Chinese government believes is flouting World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on subsidies and countervailing measures in addition to the 1994 GATT Agreement.
