Your weekly PV news broadcast!

We report on Q-Cells, once the leading PV cell producer, having to sell its business to debt holders, but potentially securing its long-term future. We take a closer look at 2011's installation figures this week, with NPD Solarbuzz reporting that China installed 2.9GW in 2011 compared to a global install figure of 27.7GW. Yet the EPIA believes the PV industry is at a crossroads as the major European markets contract, insisting that the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, needs to develop its home market to generate growth for the industry. We also cover Spain's PV industry woes as it is up in arms following the government's decision to cease subsidies for renewable installations.

Bondholders of Q-Cells to take 95% ownership of the company

Tariff charges to be back-dated to December, US Department of Commerce tells China

CASE study finds SolarWorld’s fight against China will damage solar industry – not save it

An audience with the WTO: Japan and EU come forward with grievances against Ontario FiTs

Update: China cuts solar subsidies by up to 22% for PV projects

Spain backtracks on solar subsidies as €24 billion debt looms

Global PV installations reached 27.7GW in 2011; industry at crossroads says EPIA

NPD Solarbuzz: China leads solar PV demand in Asia Pacific region with 2.9GW installed in 2011

PV demand in Europe set to rise in first quarter, says NPD Solarbuzz

PV-Tech Newscast—January 27, 2012

As 2012 has got underway, we're getting more and more reports on how the industry performed throughout 2011. And it looks like the CIGS thin-film industry performed particularly well last year - well enough for this sector to be considered a potential major market to 2015, according to Lux Research. Polysilicon prices continue to drop, which will have an adverse effect on already struggling companies' balance sheets, and we take a closer look at the Top 10 cell manufacturers for 2011. This week's Newscast also looks at the MENA region as an up-and-coming place of interest for solar, while Haiti plans to boost its long-suffering population with a dose of PV. Companies: Avancis, GCL Solar, Gintech, GTM Research, Hemlock Semiconductor, Lux Research, Miasolé, Motech, Neo Solar Power, NPD Solarbuzz, Nuvosun, OCI, REC, Solar Frontier, Solibro, Stion, Tokuyama, Trina Solar, Wacker,

PV-Tech Newscast—January 20, 2012

Mixed sentiments continue to dominate the market reports and news. On one hand, Bloomberg New Energy has found that there was 54% growth in new installations to 28GW in 2011, while on the other, the PV equipment industry seems to be the fall guy as capital spending looks set to take a nose-dive in 2012. But optimism reigns here at PV-Tech, and we're glad to see that there have been lots of thin-film developments in recent days, including Solar Frontier's supply of up to 150MWp of its CIS modules for the largest PV plant of its kind in the world. We've also got a report on the progression of Photowatt's status, and we present Schmid and Schott's new 19.9%-efficient cell. Tune in next week for our report on the Middle East market outlook!