Beyond IEC 61215: TUV Rheinland develops new accelerated, long-term PV module testing method

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

TUV Rheinland has developed a new accelerated environmental testing methodology to simulate long-term operational conditions that solar photovoltaic modules could experience throughout their lifetime, more accurately approximating real outdoor module behavior and power output degradation characteristics in a laboratory environment. The company said the test sequence exceeds the requirements of the IEC 61215 standard. Read more

International Online Conference on Customers and Market Realities for Concentrating PV

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

AltaTerra Research to present customer case study and market overview for emerging solar technology, concentrating photovoltaics, during October 27 online conference co-produced by RenewableEnergyWorld.com. Read more

Order Focus: JinkoSolar signs 130MW module supply deal, sets up U.S. subsidiary

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Chinese crystalline-silicon photovoltaics manufacturer JinkoSolar scored another module supply deal and said it has set up a  U.S. subsidiary based in San Francisco. The 130MW supply agreement, signed with an unnamed "leading global PV company," will begin in 2011 and continue throughout the year. The module deal is an extension of a current contract with the customer that is scheduled to be fully performed in 2010. Financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed. Read more

First Solar doubles revolving credit facility to $600M, extends term to five years

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 18:51 (PV-Tech)

First Solar has amended its existing senior secured revolving credit facility, doubling it from $300 million to $600 million. The term of the facility (which was oversubscribed) has been pushed from three to five years and will now mature in 2015. The thin-film PV firm said it will use the expanded credit facility for general corporate purposes, including letters of credit. Read more

Mass Tank Latest in Massachusetts Manufacturing Announcements

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The emergence of a wind power Massachusetts manufacturing cluster continued with the announcement this week by Governor Deval Patrick (D) that Mass Tank Sales Corp. will manufacture foundations and other metalwork components for the Cape Wind renewable energy project in Nantucket Sound. Read more

Through Recovery Act, DOE Guarantees Loan for Giant Caithness Wind Farm

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu this week announced a conditional commitment to provide a partial guarantee for a $1.3 billion loan in support of Caithness Energy's 845-MW Shepherd's Flat project in eastern Oregon. The $1.3 billion loan is expected to be funded by a group of institutional investors and commercial banks led by Citi, as lender-applicant and joint lead arranger, and three other joint lead arrangers: the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., RBS Securities and WestLB Securities, Inc. Read more

Neal Hot Springs Promises Oregon Commercial Geothermal Power

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

U.S. Geothermal Inc. has a habit of making milestones. In 2007, they generated the first commercial geothermal power in Idaho and they intend to do it again at a hot prospect in Oregon. Neal Hot Springs lies on geothermal and surface leases covering 9.6 square miles near Vale, Ore., about 90 miles west of Boise, Idaho. The company plans to build a 22 MW facility on the site?Oregon's first commercial geothermal power plant under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Read more

UK Drops Massive Severn Tidal Scheme

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

A study found "no strategic case" for the Severn barrage project, said energy secretary Chris Huhne, who gave the green light for building eight nuclear plants in the same announcement. Read more

Public-Private Partnerships Can Help Finance Renewable Energy Projects

Monday, 10.18.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Even in tough economic times, great opportunities exist, especially for governments and tax-exempt organizations interested in using of renewable energy. In fact, it is precisely these tough times that are making renewable energy the smart choice right now. This is especially true for cities and schools, where declining tax revenues and high operating costs are forcing cutbacks to balance budgets. Read more