Order Focus: Schmid wins 400MW solar cell turnkey lines business from India

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 17:15 (PV-Tech)

An Indian corporation based in Kolkata, India the Jain Group, is to start production of c-Si solar cells via placing a 400MW turnkey order with Gebr. Schmid, for a three-figure million euro range purchase. The two cell production lines will have a total capacity of 13,200 cells/hour with planned delivery of the lines to Jain Solar Energy Pvt Ltd, in the second and third quarter of 2011. The significant turnkey order also includes advanced processing capabilities including Schmid’s selective emitter process. Read more

DECC replaces Ofgem in smart meter roll out

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 15:20 (Solarpowerportal)

The countrywide roll out of energy smart meters will now be managed by the Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), as opposed to the original plan for industry regulator Ofgem to oversee the transition. Read more

Taiwan feed-in tariff could drop in line with equipment prices

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 14:40 (PV-Tech)

The Taiwanese Government is expected to cut the feed-in tariff rate available to solar energy generators due to the falling cost of installation equipment. Su Jin-sheng, a director at the Bureau of Energy, said that the island may also increase the payments to wind power producers, since these costs are rising. The government plans to announce the rates for 2011 before the end of the year. Read more

Order Focus: Oxford Instruments enters PV equipment market with Bosch cluster tool purchase

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 14:05 (PV-Tech)

Well known equipment supplier to the semiconductor and related electronics fields, UK-based Oxford Instruments is entering the c-Si PV equipment sector after Bosch has recently taken delivery of a cluster tool capable of running both ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) and plasma CVD aluminium oxide deposition processes. Read more

Lumeta awarded TÜV InterCert certification for PowerPly panel

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 1:45 (PV-Tech)

Lumeta has recently been granted TÜV InterCert certification for its PowerPly roof-integrated PV solar modules, which achieved IEC compliance for IEC 61215 and IEC 61730. The PowerPly 400Wp module uses a DuPont Tefzel front sheet and a lightweight composite substrate with high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The solar modules are manufactured in Suntech Power Holdings BIPV factory in Wuxi, China. Read more

SunWize adds Enphase inverters, new module choices to latest Grid-Tie System offering

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Ready for immediate delivery from SunWize are its new generation Grid-Tie System packages that now feature microinverters from Enphase Energy. The packages contain modular building blocks, along with the Enphase microinverter, in order to fashion one or more branch circuits and a system of any size. Read more

Project Focus: Kyocera and Kinney Construction unveil new PV system in Sedona, Arizona

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Kinney Construction Services (KCS) has completed one of the first in a series of photovoltaic systems for the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District at Sedona Red Rock High School in Sedona, Arizona. Over 3,838 Kyocera Solar KD210 high-efficiency multicrystalline solar panels are on the 806kW PV system, which will generate about 1.45 million kWh of electricity each year. Read more

First Solar to reach nearly US$4 billion in sales in 2011:  French plant cancellation threat

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 23:26 (PV-Tech)

Updated: In an attempt to nearly double capital expenditure by as much as US$1.1 billion over the next two years, First Solar hopes to achieve sales of between US$3.7 to US$3.9 billion in 2011 as new capacity comes on stream. The financial projection was given ahead of its conference call to discuss 2011 operating performance for the thin-film PV leader. First Solar also expects net module sales of between US$2.8 to US$2.9 billion with US$0.9 to US$1.0 billion of EPC/project development sales in 2011. Read more

First Solar to reach nearly US$4 billion in sales in 2011:  French plant cancellation threatened

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 23:26 (PV-Tech)

Updated: In an attempt to nearly double capital expenditure by as much as US$1.1 billion over the next two years, First Solar hopes to achieve sales of between US$3.7 billion and US$3.9 billion in 2011 as new capacity comes on stream. The financial projection was given as part of its conference call to discuss 2011 operating performance for the thin-film PV leader. First Solar also expects net module sales of US$2.8 billion and US$2.9 billion with US$0.9 billion to US$1.0 billion of EPC/project development sales in 2011. Read more

First Solar to reach nearly US$4 billion in sales in 2011

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 23:15 (PV-Tech)

Updated: In an attempt to nearly double capital expenditure by as much as US$1.1 billion over the next two years, First Solar hopes to achieve sales of between US$3.7 to US$3.9 billion in 2011 as new capacity comes on stream. The financial projection was given ahead of its conference call to discuss 2011 operating performance for the thin-film PV leader. First Solar also expects net module sales of between US$2.8 to US$2.9 billion with US$0.9 to US$1.0 billion of EPC/project development sales in 2011. Read more

Abound Solar closes on $400M DOE loan guarantee, lands $110M in equity funds for capacity expansion

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 21:00 (PV-Tech)

Photovoltaic manufacturing in the United States has received a shot in the arm as cadmium-telluride PV module maker Abound Solar said it has closed on a previously announced $400 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy and has raised $110 million in additional equity financing to help fund the expansion of the company’s production capacity. The monies will be invested at the firm's existing facility in Colorado and a second site in Indiana. Abound's Kanjorski talked with PV-Tech about the firm’s recent activities and plans for growth, including why it chose the Midwestern location. Read more

Two more PV manufacturers enter UK market

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 19:03 (PV-Tech)

Both Solarfun and Centrosolar have announced that they have been granted Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approval to market their separate PV modules in the UK. Centrosolar is marketing its silicon thin-film laminates produced by U.S.-based United Solar Ovonic, while China-based Solarfun will be marketing its SF160 monocrystalline and SF190 and SF220 polycrystalline modules. Read more

Project Focus: Lincoln Renewable?s 10MW Cedar Solar development gains approval

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 18:07 (PV-Tech)

Mannington Township has approved Lincoln Renewable Energy?s planning application for its 10MW Cedar Solar farm in Salem County, New Jersey. Lincoln Renewable plan to start work at the 129-acre site in early 2011, with construction costs estimated at US$60 million. Read more

Centrosolar thin-film modules gain UK certification

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 17:02 (Solarpowerportal)

German module manufacturer, Centrosolar, has now received Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation for its thin-film solar modules. This qualification follows the company’s receipt of MCS recognition for its entire crystalline solar module range in October this year. Read more

Solarfun modules receive MCS accreditation

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 16:08 (Solarpowerportal)

China-based solar photovoltaic cell and modules manufacturer, Solarfun Power Holdings, is the latest global industry leader to receive Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation. The certification, which is necessary in order to gain eligibility for UK feed-in tariff (FiT) payments, has been awarded for the company’s SF160 monocrystalline and SF190 and SF220 polycrystalline modules. Read more

Enfinity partners with ADAS for UK solar site selection

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 15:42 (Solarpowerportal)

UK agricultural and environmental consultancy, ADAS, has joined forces with international solar photovoltaic company, Enfinity, to begin work scoping sites and installing what could be, once completed, the UK’s largest solar energy parks. Read more

Manfred Bächler resigns as Phoenix Solar chief technology officer

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 15:08 (PV-Tech)

Manfred Bächler has resigned from his position as Phoenix Solar?s chief technology officer. Bächler will also be stepping down from the Phoenix Solar executive board, citing personal reasons for his decision. Read more

Indian government awards projects worth 620MW to 37 companies

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 14:52 (PV-Tech)

The Indian government has awarded solar projects totalling 620MW to 37 companies that took part in a recent auction. Among the companies successful at auction were Mahindra Solar One, Azure Power, SunEdison Energy India, Indian Oil, Welspun Solar AP and Punj Lloyd Infrastructure, all of which secured deals to supply 5MW. Read more

Project Focus: SunPower to build 1MW system in Arizona

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 13:58 (PV-Tech)

SunPower has won the right to design and build a 1MW PV system near Tucson, Arizona. The ground-mounted facility, which is scheduled to be completed in March 2011, will double Tucson's solar capacity and is to be built on 10 acres of recovered agricultural land owned by the city's water department. Read more

Engensa launches exclusive FREE solar campaign under the UK feed-in tariff

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 10:32 (Solarpowerportal)

Despite the bitter cold weather that is forcing us all to turn our heating up more than we would prefer, solar energy schemes are ploughing forward in the UK. Renewable energy provider, Engensa is just one... Read more

Family sees electricity bill go from $400 a month to $5 with solar panels

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

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Report: $723M in Solar Net Exports from the U.S.

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

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January 14, 2011 Application Deadline for NABCEP Installer Certification Exams

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) reminds potential candidates for its PV, Solar Thermal and Small Wind Installer Certifications that the application deadline is January 14, 2011 for the March 26, 2011 exams. Read more

Solarbuzz report projects global PV market to reach 16.3GW by end of 2010

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 0:15 (PV-Tech)

Several reports have been released in the past few weeks detailing the projected growth of the PV market in the future years and in the latest issue of Solarbuzz Quarterly, analysts have honed in on a more specific prediction for 2010. According to the new report by Solarbuzz, the market size for 2010 is expected to reach 16.3GW, an adjustment from the previously forecasted 15.2GW that analysts thought 2010 would bring. Read more

Natural Power turns up the heat on small-scale biomass projects

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Leading renewable energy consultancy Natural Power has developed a rapid 'heat assessment' package aimed at small-scale biomass projects which provides initial feasibility surveys, technology selection and sizing of potential systems. The assessment package is specifically aimed at community projects and is already proving to be very popular throughout the UK. Read more

Turning Wastewater from Oil Wells into an Asset

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Oil and gas wells produce a lot of water. According to the Department of Energy, between 20 and 25 billion gallons of water are drawn up by wells each year in the U.S., creating a hassle for operators and sometimes shutting down production. Read more

Power giant OMV look to re-consult and the Natural Power group for technical services

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Turkey's leading wind energy consultancy, re-consult (part of the Natural Power group) announced today the signing of a framework agreement with Austria's most successful industrial corporation, OMV, for the provision of technical services such as risk analyses and technical due diligences on wind farm projects in Turkey and neighbouring countries. Read more

Ormazabal supplies primary and secondary distribution units and solutions for Turguttepe wind farm in Milas, Turkey

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

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Second Wind makes 2010 a breakout year

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Second Wind, a leader in wind measurement systems for the wind energy industry, made its 30th year in business its strongest ever, with record growth, new products and a major expansion of sales channels worldwide. Read more

Expansion Media Adds 17 New Cleantech Clients in 2010

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Expansion Media, one of the leading public relations firms focusing exclusively on the cleantech world, has announced its acquisition of 17 new cleantech clients during the year of 2010. Expansion Media's clients represent a broad spectrum of the diverse sectors within the world of cleantech, including solar, wind, biogas, fuel cells, urban agriculture, energy efficiency, and wastewater treatment. Read more

Geological Society of America Moves Toward 100 Percent Renewable Energy

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The Geological Society of America (GSA) recently unveiled a 65 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar energy system at its Boulder headquarters. The new array will provide the GSA with 88 megawatt hours per year of energy, approximately 35 percent of the annual electric consumption for the building. Read more

Aquamarine Power Taps BiFab for Oyster 2 Wave Energy Project in Scotland

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Marine hydro developer Aquamarine Power announced its next-generation Oyster wave energy device is to be built in Scotland by leading fabrication contractor Burntisland Fabrications Ltd (BiFab). Read more

The Best Clean and Renewable Energy ETFs

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

If cost is the most important factor, an individual investor without the time or expertise to build a clean energy stock portfolio should choose one of the clean energy Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Read more

Quick Look: Renewable Energy Development in China

Tuesday, 12.14.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Developers, manufacturers, investors and other renewable energy industry stakeholders need to know where the next big market is going to be so that they can adjust their business decisions accordingly. Read more