Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today released the following statement on New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's executive order aimed at making New Mexico the center of the North American solar industry and a leader in renewable energy export. "We applaud Governor Richardson's recognition that New Mexico has the abundant solar resources to become a net exporter of solar energy and the center of the North American solar industry. These are steps that all 50 states can take and we encourage them to follow Governor Richardson's lead by harnessing their rich solar resources and creating tens of thousands of jobs in the process. New Mexico, with a business friendly environment and world-class solar resources, is quickly becoming an important hub in the Southwest for solar manufacturing, installation and project development with companies such as SCHOTT Solar, eSolar, First Solar and others helping to deploy solar and fuel the local economy. Despite the recession, New Mexico's solar industry truly represents an economic bright spot and Governor Richardson should be commended for helping to stimulate this growth. "Governor Richardson's leadership has helped steer New Mexico toward a strong economic future based on solar energy. With today's announcement, New Mexico can lead the nation toward a bright and secure energy future."

Source: SEIA

After a difficult year in 2008, the U.S. solar industry seems to have experienced a new boom in 2009. The prospects for 2010 remain uncertain, however. An example is the California contracting firm Borrego Solar Systems. In 2009 it doubled its revenue compared to 2008. This result, although very good, did not meet Borrego's own expectations. The enthusiasm in the solar market was so high that it expected a threefold increase in revenues. These expectations were similar among Borrego's competitors. An important tax credit for solar had been extended, public support was high and Obama was seen as a pro-green president. Then the crisis hit the solar industry, although by far not as badly as it did with other industries. At the moment, the solar industry feels confident again. Tax credits are expected both from the federal and state governments. "I really see the conversion of many different factors that give us reason to have much more optimism. With good foundation", said G. Robert Powell, president and CEO of Solar Power Partners, an independent power producer in California.

Source: Renewable Energy World

Speakers at EPIA's 3rd International Conference on Solar Photovoltaic Investments confirmed that, like all industries, the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector has not been spared by the credit crunch. Medium to large scale PV plants are taking longer to be financed than ever before. They also stressed that the fundamentals of the PV sector remain intact, if not better than before, considering the price decrease of PV modules between 10 % and 20% since the beginning of 2009.

Given the current world uncertainties, all banks have strongly reduced their credit loans and the solar PV sector has not escaped the trend. Project financing thus appears as a challenge for the industry. While it required around 4 weeks to obtain debt financing in 2008, today it takes 8 to 10 weeks, on average. The perceived risk is higher, so that fewer banks are engaged and they prefer smaller projects (less than 50 million euros). If the situation differs in all countries, PV pricing remains crucial. Companies being able to reduce their prices and technology leaders should be the most successful. Experts also confirm that high-quality PV projects meeting all legal requirements, from the planning to the operating phase, will be financed.

"Financing is possible, but you need to be realistic" states Christian T. Junior from Commerzbank. Investors are very selective due to the low finance availability, but they still see PV as a fantastic sector to invest in, both in PV projects and PV companies. Utilities such as EWE also underline the huge potential PV represents for them and their willingness to engage more.

Over 4000 scientists and 750 companies gathered this week in Valencia to present significant innovations in the field of solar photovoltaic energy. EPIA, The European Photovoltaic Industry Association gathered together, on the 2nd of September
the 50 top CEOs of the industry in an exclusive meeting to redefine industry objectives in the light of recent technology progress and the context of rising energy prices. The industry unanimously agreed that photovoltaic energy could provide 12% of European electricity demand by 2020. The evolution of solar photovoltaic technology will be quicker than previously announced.

Grid parity (competitiveness with retail electricity prices) will be reached progressively from 2010 onwards in several European markets. Countries with the highest solar irradiation and higher electricity prices, such as Italy and Spain have the potential to reach grid parity starting in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Grid parity will be reached in Germany in 2015 and cover progressively most other EU countries up until 2020.