Italy PV still in vogue

The closely watched Italian solar market is only slightly relieved by the announcement that Italy will extend its current solar incentives until the end of August.

Italy's regional governments had said previously that they would seek less severe cuts to state incentives for the solar power sector, which were due to end in June. The regional leaders also rejected draft proposals from the government after a meeting today.

Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo said they had also asked for an extension of the current incentives, not until the end of August, but until the end of 2011. The three-month extension until the end of August is under discussion.

The Italian government instituted policies to promote solar in its country, which despite its abundant sunshine, has to import 87% of its electricity. Solar installations in Italy took off—growing from just 60MW installed in 2007 to nearly 2GW in 2010.

Feed-in tariffs were expected to be reduced in June, which many thought would curtail the expected 4GW installed in 2011. An extension through August may send the market soaring through the summer months, though uncertainty may follow.

1MW Grid Connected Project For Sale - €4.3M

FOR SALE: 1MW Photovoltaic plant in Apulia, Italy. This project is already connected to the grid and has been awarded the 2010 tariff by GSE. The plant is fitted with LDK 220 modules, and SIAC-SIEL 250x4 inverters. The price is €4,300,000 and in case of interest an immediate meeting with the legal representative of the prospective buyer should be arranged who, upon positive outcome of the meeting, should deposit in escrow with a notary public a sum to be mutually agreed upon in order to obtain full documentation for the DD. It must be also noted that, due to the fact that the plant is already in operation, the time granted for the DD operations will very likely not exceed ten days.

Solas Power to close deal on 6MW in Italy

Solas Power has entered into inital negotiations with a large EPC contractor to purchase 6MW which are to be installed at 2010 Conto Engeria FIT.

Solas Power Outlook

Solas Power has seen that thanks largely to hefty government support, Germany's solar market has become the largest in the world. Germany has installed half the world's solar power every year since 2007, adding 8.8 gigawatts in 2010 alone. The trend is expected to continue in 2011, with German installations providing nearly half the world's 20 new gigawatts, according to data provided by research and analysis firm iSuppli Corp. and confirmed by other analysts.

But things could get shaky in 2012. Revisions to the country's Renewable Energy Sources Act are due in mid-2011. If the powers that be decide to cut "feed-in" tariffs—which encourage homeowners to add their unused alternative energy to the grid—it will put the brakes on Germany's solar surge.

New photovoltaic output is projected to continue growing globally over the next five years, as other key markets offset the relative decline in Germany. Leading the pack will be Italy and the United States. The U.S. market alone will rise almost tenfold, from less than half a gigawatt in 2009 to more than 4 GW in 2014, according to iSuppli. Japan will lead a fivefold increase in Asia. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association also foresees fresh demand from markets such as Canada, China, Greece, India, and the United Kingdom. According to Solarbuzz's 2010 industry report, "even in the slowest growth scenario, the global market will be 2.5 times its current size by 2014."