FlexTech Alliance, Cambridge NanoTech to develop high-speed ALD system

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

The FlexTech Alliance has awarded a grant to Cambridge NanoTech to develop a high-speed atomic layer deposition (ALD) system. When completed, the system will enable the manufacture of large-area and flexible substrates for use in organic electronics including solar cells. The high-speed ALD system is targeted to operate at the high volumes necessary for commercial roll-to-roll practices. Read more

centrotherm photovoltaics to become major stake holder in Taiwan-based CIGS thin-film firm

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

In an effort to push forward with the development and commercial introduction of new CIGS based thin-film processes, centrotherm photovoltaics has taken an initial stake in Sunshine PV Corp. The CIGS start-up has been producing modules on a 35MW line with 7MW of production. The initial stake taken by centrotherm is 14.4% but this is expected to rise to 25%, early next year. Read more

SMA America's Sunny Central Compact Power Line Now Available

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

SMA America is now securing orders for its Sunny Central Compact Power (CP) line of solar inverters. This outdoor-rated line includes the Sunny Central 500CP, 630CP, 720CP, 760CP and 800CP, which won the Intersolar Award 2010 in the photovoltaics category. These inverters join the Sunny Central High Efficiency (HE) line in SMA's North American utility-scale lineup. Read more

Fraunhofer ISE confirms Schott?s solar modules yield impressive output after 26 years

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 2:15 (PV-Tech)

In 1984 Schott Solar installed solar modules on the Fraunhofer Institute in Freiburg and 26 years after their installation the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) confirmed that the modules average 92% of their initial output. During their original installation in 1984, the 53 modules had a guaranteed output of 90% after ten years with an average performance of 38.4W. Today not only do they average 92% of their initial output, but also average 35.3W. Read more

Project Focus: Solyndra installs its largest system to date in France

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Platinum Solyndra solution provider Nazca has completed a 1.2MW solar installation on a large warehouse roof near Toulouse, France. The warehouse was built by the GSE group, of which Nazca is a subsidiary, and subsequently sold to the 'Port de Barcelona,' one of the main commercial transport and distribution arteries in the Mediterranean area. The system, which consists of more than 7,080 Solyndra panels that will generate approximately 1,360MWh a year, is the largest Solyndra system in France and one of the largest worldwide.  Read more

Government decides to ?cap? funding for FiT payments

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 18:55 (Solarpowerportal)

After a tough few weeks for the UK solar industry, some disappointing news has emerged. The Government has decided to effectively cap the amount of money it will allow to be spent on feed-in tariff (FiT) payments. Read more

Intevac acquire Solar Implant Technologies

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

Intevac has bought Solar Implant Technologies (SIT) for an undisclosed fee. Intevac hope the acquisition of SIT, a California-based solar module design firm, will enable them to reduce solar cell manufacturing costs. Read more

Trina Solar expects demand to outpace planned capacity expansions in 2011

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 18:09 (PV-Tech)

Posting quarterly revenue that exceeded US$500 million for the first time was only one of Trina Solar’s highlights from releasing third quarter results. The PV manufacturer reported module shipments of approximately 291MW, exceeding the previous guidance of 250MW to 260MW. Net revenues were US$508.3 million, while gross margin was 31.4%. Jifan Gao, chairman and CEO of Trina Solar said that the outlook for 2011 was increasingly positive as demand would outpace Trina’s planned capacity expansions in 2011. Read more

Large-scale solar company offers free commercial systems

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 17:09 (Solarpowerportal)

Laughing in the face of large-scale solar intimidation, new business venture Solar Power Direct has launched its free solar panel installation deal aimed specifically at commercial properties throughout England and Wales. Read more

Solar utility market in U.S. gets going in 2010: US$8 billion by 2015 says GTM Research

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 16:15 (PV-Tech)

Although a new and detailed report from GTM Research doesn’t hold much credence to more than 20GW of announced PV projects in the U.S. in the coming few years, the report’s author, Shayle Kann does see some significant developments on the horizon. According to report, The U.S. Utility PV Market: Demand, Players, Strategy and Project Economics Through 2015, the utility PV market is already a US$1 billion market in 2010 and is projected to reach US$8 billion by 2015. Read more

AUO and Evonik consolidate strategic partnership

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 14:52 (PV-Tech)

AU Optronics (AUO) and Evonik have consolidated their business relationship by signing a solar and green energy planning, manufacturing and research and development deal. The non-exclusive agreement will see both companies pool their resources in an attempt to increase their presence within the renewable energy market. Read more

AUO, Evonik consolidate strategic partnership

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 14:52 (PV-Tech)

AU Optronics (AUO) and Evonik have consolidated their business relationship by signing a solar and green energy planning, manufacturing and research and development deal. The non-exclusive agreement will see both companies pool their resources in an attempt to increase their presence within the renewable energy market. Read more

SunConcept opens UK subsidiary

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 14:25 (Solarpowerportal)

German solar company SunConcept has set up a UK subsidiary at Kings Hill in West Malling, Kent. The company reports that it has been monitoring the UK market since the previous government published the ‘UK Renewable Energy Strategy’ back in July 2009, and has now made the decision to increase its activity in the UK after the introduction of the FiT. Read more

Solar PV scientists can use nanowires via supply deal struck between Sigma-Aldrich and Nanosys

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

Sigma-Aldrich through its Aldrich Materials Science business, said it was distributing Nanosys-created silicon nanowires to the global scientific research community. According to Sigma-Aldrich the fabrication of nanowires is challenging, so the supply deal is intended to further foster the development of a variety of new high-technology applications that can continue to open up exciting end product markets. Nanosys recently entered into a partnership with Samsung Electronics to develop products using Nanosys technologies for both solar and other electronics applications. Read more

Project Focus: NRG Solar signs agreements for 250MW power plant in California

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 14:07 (PV-Tech)

NRG Solar, the subsidiary of NRG Energy and SunPower, is to construct a 250MW solar power plant at California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. The project is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during construction and will power 100,000 homes. The company plans to invest up to US$450 million of equity in the project over the next four years, subject to final total project cost and negotiation of the financing terms and conditions. Read more

Project Focus: building work on Phoenix Solar?s two Italian PV plants close to completion

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 12:53 (PV-Tech)

Phoenix Solar is constructing two PV plants in Italy, with a combined capacity of 8.9MWp. Building work on the 6.1MWp Taranto and 2.8MWp Alessandria plants began in October, with a completion date scheduled for the end of December. Read more

ET Solar Announces a 50MW Module Supply Agreement with PM Service

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

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CANADIAN SOLAR PV MODULES ON BANCROFT SCHOOL's ROOF-TOP

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company", "we" or "Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar companies, today announced a newly activated 106 kW roof-mount photovoltaic (PV) solar electric system on the McDonough Center at the Bancroft School in Worcester, Mass. This installation, completed and activated prior to start of the 2010 school year, is currently the largest private solar electric system in Worcester. Read more

Why Now Is the Time To Invest in Solar

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

If you are an owner of a commercial or industrial property who is thinking about investing in a rooftop solar energy system, there is no better time to do so than right now. Read more

Smart Inverters Play a Critical Role in Helping Utilities Adopt Solar Power

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Connecting the power grid to an ocean of distributed electrical sources poses some special challenges to utilities, which have, until now, been able to tightly control their power generation resources. Now, every large corporation is reevaluating its energy strategy, and many state and local governments are actively involved in creating renewable energy policy. For example, the Oregon legislature has mandated that 25% of the state's energy needs be met with renewable power by 2025. What are the challenges and how will we meet them? Read more

Time To Buy Solar Stocks?

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable Energy stocks have been suffering for over a year. but the sector's poster-child has also been the whipping boy. While the S&P 500 has risen 8% percent in 2010, the broader alternative energy sector is down 10% and solar has fared even worse. Solar is down 27% for the year, with a 17% drop in the last 2 weeks (see chart.) Read more

Solar Thin Films and One Globe Renewables to collaborate on solar farm development

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 2:15 (PV-Tech)

Solar Thin Films and One Globe Renewables have signed a letter of intent (LOI) towards the formation of a joint venture and strategic relationship that will develop and syndicate solar farms for proprietary and turnkey use. Solar Thin Films is also conducting initial talks in Israel, Canada, Europe and other parts of the world for further joint ventures that will be similar to the one signed with One Globe Renewables. Read more

Order Focus: Amtech?s November orders put company?s fiscal 2011 solar orders over US$100 million

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 2:11 (PV-Tech)

Amtech Systems has kicked off its fiscal 2011 year, which began on October 1, 2010, into high gear with its subsidiary Tempress Systems receiving US$68 million in new solar orders. The orders, placed by existing customers in China and one new customer from Taiwan, brings Amtech’s solar orders for fiscal 2011 to more than US$100 million. Read more

Broin to address state of the ethanol industry

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

In the last decade, ethanol burst onto the energy scene and now plays an important role in America's economy, environment and national security. The industry is at a crucial juncture, and smart policy decisions today can secure the country's renewable energy future. Read more

Two Important Letters May Help Make Ethanol Reform A Reality

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Read more

Japan, Facing Similar Challenges, Embraces Geothermal

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Although both California and Japan have long used geothermal energy on a small scale, its appeal to policy makers and investors is growing. Read more

Yingli Green secure 2011 contracts worth 1,000MW

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Yingli Green has signed contracts to supply in excess of 1,000MW of PV modules in 2011. The company will provide modules to firms in the U.S., China and Europe, with the majority of clients required to make prepayments in order to guarantee delivery. Read more

Registration Now Open for 2011 Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Registration is now open for the 4th National Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference in Saratoga Springs, March 8-10. This event offers the most current information on instructional strategies, curricula development, skill standards, and best practices for training in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. Early bird rates are in effect until February 1, 2011. Read more

Waste Heat Recovered at Goodsprings

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Ormat Technologies announced this week that waste heat from the Kern River Goodsprings Compressor station, a natural gas power plant, is now being turned into electricity. Read more

Ernst & Young Releases Country Attractiveness Report

Tuesday, 11.30.2010 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Since 2003, global consultancy Ernst & Young has released its Country Attractiveness Indices, which gives a numerical ranking to 30 global renewable energy markets by scoring the renewable energy infrastructure either in place or planned for certain countries along with their suitability for individual technologies. The indices are updated on a quarterly basis. Read more