Sep 7, 2012 - In the first week of September Europe kicks off an anti-dumping probe into Chinese solar product imports, Germany and France unveil solar capacity statistics and US' attractiveness declines, while the first working prototype of a 3D solar cell comes into being.
The European Commission initiated on Thursday an investigation into imports of solar products from China, in response to accusations from European companies that Chinese peers are selling at prices below market value. The investigation is to take 15 months.
"Protectionist measures would increase the cost of solar energy in Europe, and adversely affect European jobs in the solar industry," warned Zhengrong Shi, executive chairman and chief strategy officer of one of China's biggest solar product makers, Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd (NYSE:STP).
A similar investigation in the US led to preliminary anti-dumping tariffs earlier this year of between 31% and 250% for China-made solar cells and modules.
China still number 1, US and Germany share 2nd spot in Ernst & Young green indices
The August 2012 issue of US audit and consultancy company Ernst & Young's "all renewables" index came out this week with few surprises. China is still the most appealing market, while emerging markets such as South Africa and the Middle East are shaping up as the solar sector's promising targets for the future.
The US now shares the second place with Germany in the green index despite the significant contrast between the two. The US' renewable energy sector is now suffering from the lack of a long-term green energy strategy and tension ahead of the November elections, while Germany is intently pursuing its renewables agenda. Thanks to the launch of appealing feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for renewable power, Japan climbed to ninth from 10th position in the August 2012 indices.
Solar3D releases 1st working 3D solar cell prototype
On Wednesday US solar cell technology developer Solar3D Inc (OTC:SLTD) said it had manufactured a working prototype of its three-dimensional (3D) silicon solar cell. According to the manufacturer, the cell produces "at least 250% of the power of a basic silicon solar cell". Technology head Changwan Son said that the productivity of the prototype had surpassed the company’s expectations. Solar3D eyes entry into the marketplace by the end of 2013.
The company’s 3D cell captures more light in low-light conditions such as morning and evening hours and winter months. Its three-dimensional design allows greater electricity generation efficiency thanks to the bouncing of sunlight inside photovoltaic microstructures.
Solar power capacity in Germany, France rises
Newly-installed solar power systems in Germany hit a combined capacity of 4.9 GW for the first seven months of 2012, more than doubling from around 2.3 GW a year earlier, the Federal Network Agency reported on its website. According to the statistics, Germany added 543 MWp of photovoltaic capacity in July alone.
At the same time, France’s General Commission for Sustainable Development said that the country’s solar capacity had reached 3.63 GW on June 30, increasing by 24% from the end of 2011. France targets an installed solar capacity of 5.4 GW by 2020.
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