Major rise in solar cell sales in Japan
Leading Japanese solar cell makers report mixed results for the year ended March 31.
Sales of solar cells in Japan rose 32% year-on-year to 1,404 megawatts on the back of strong demand from home owners, said the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association.
On the other hand, solar cell exports in fell by 13% from a year ago to 1,281 MW. Exports fell 53% to 163 MW from January to March. Imported solar panels accounted for 22% of shipments in 2011/12.
Sales from January to March rose 38% from a year earlier to 391.5 MW helped by subsidies to encourage home owners to install solar panels.
In July, Japan will introduce a new feed-in tariff that will compel electric utilities pay US$0.52 per kilowatt hour for solar power supplies. The generous rate is expected to encourage business investors to enter the market.
The association includes major Japanese solar panel makers such as Sharp Corporation, Kyocera Corporation, Panasonic Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and foreign makers.
ABB continues to strengthen the Symphony Plus platform with features and functionalities that meet the needs of a varied and changing power and water market.
The industry giant forays into the Mainland with the introduction of the turbocharged 6-cylinder 4006-23TRS gas engine.
Last December Alstom Grid announced it had acquired Canadian Smart Grid technology company ASAT Solutions - a strategic move to offer integrated substation data management solutions for utilities and industrial customers worldwide.
Modularity of hardware and software to meet the changing and individual requirements of modern grids during the whole life cycle
Following a trial phase with various grid operators, Siemens Smart Grid has brought the new protection device series Siprotec 5 onto the market.
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