Tigo and Schott Solar join forces to produce a more ?intelligent? solar module

Friday, 10.1.2010 - 0:15 (PV-Tech)

Tigo Energy and Schott Solar have come together to work on what they perceive as a more intelligent solar module, which also has an increased power output. Schott has tested and established system compatibility, compromising of the frame mounting procedure, with Tigo’s Energy Maximizer Solution and Schott’s solar PV modules. Their partnership will also see Tigo encourage the Schott Solar Initiative to embrace intelligent electronics in next-generation module design. Read more

iSuppli says German solar market to help catapult global installs to 20GW in 2011

Friday, 10.1.2010 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

Weak demand and falling PV module prices are expected in the first quarter of 2011, however the conditions will spur renewed demand in the sector, boosting installations to over 20GW, up from a forecasted 14.2GW installed in 2010, according to a new forecast from iSuppli Corp. Despite concerns over government subsidy reductions impacting demand such as in the largest market, Germany iSuppli is projecting installs to reach 6.6GW in 2010 and rise to a new record high of 9.5GW in 2011. Read more

First Solar among PV companies getting job training funds from state of Ohio

Friday, 10.1.2010 - 4:15 (PV-Tech)

The state of Ohio continues to assist in the development of the region’s growing solar photovoltaic sector, with the award of nearly $1.7 million in job training funds to four area companies: First Solar, Xunlight, Buckeye Silicon, and Nextronex. The grants represent the first monies distributed by the state’s Energizing Careers Program, which was launched in June with a budget of $6 million made possible through Recovery Act funds directed through the U.S. Department of Labor. Read more

IDC Energy releases new report detailing fire risk and prevention of rooftop solar PV systems

Friday, 10.1.2010 - 0:15 (PV-Tech)

In IDC Energy Insights latest report, Technology Selection: Reducing Fire Risk in Rooftop Solar PV Systems, not only are the risks of a fire occurring on a rooftop PV solar system addressed, but so are the methods of prevention. IDC acknowledges that most owners of rooftop PV systems tend to overlook the potential fire risks as PV systems require little maintenance and don’t have moving parts. However, one of the leading risks of a fire on a rooftop system lies in the possibility for electricity to arc across an unwanted gap in the system’s electrical circuit creating an arc-fault. Read more

Project Focus: California Energy Commission approves two new solar projects totaling 959MW

Friday, 10.1.2010 - 0:15 (PV-Tech)

In order for the Genesis Solar Energy Project and the Imperial Valley Solar Project to qualify for federal stimulus funds, they needed the approval of the California Energy Commission before December 31 and as the clock counted down, the Energy Commission gave their final approval for the two new solar projects in Southern California this week. The two projects are the fifth and sixth solar power plants that the Commission has given their approval for over the past five weeks... Read more

Project Focus: Uni-Solar to build 870kW rooftop PV system for NJRCEV in US$5 million project

Friday, 10.1.2010 - 0:15 (PV-Tech)

Uni-Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, announced its agreement to build an 870kW building integrated PV system for New Jersey Resources Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV). Using Uni-Solar’s amorphous-silicon thin-film laminates, NJRCEV is leasing over 300,000 square feet of roof space from a commercial warehouse owner for 20-years and has signed a PPA with the warehouse owner. Read more