SunPower takes different track with smart modules: special interest group to set standards

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 15:29 (PV-Tech)

A special interest group (SIG), lead by SunPower has been formed with the aim of setting the set protocols and standards needed within the solar industry to enable lower total system costs, an ongoing issue with respect to distributed power control systems (DPCS). SolarBridge Technologies and Tigo Energy have already joined the task force and the group are encouraging others to join. Read more

SunPower reports 328 metric tons of CO2 per MW of solar cells produced

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

Any manufacturer involved in the renewable energy business should be taking note of the move by SunPower to report its carbon footprint from operations. As part of the Carbon Disclosure Project, an independent not-for-profit organization, SunPower said that in 2009, its global operations produced greenhouse gas emissions of 328 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per megawatt of solar cells produced.  Due to higher cell efficiencies this was approximately 10% down on the previous year. Read more

Munich Re provides performance warranty insurance for SolFocus CPV panels

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

The concentrator photovoltaic sector has taken another step toward enhanced bankability with the introduction of what is being called the first insurance solution to offer an effective performance warranty for CPV panels in the United States. The new plan, which covers systems manufactured by SolFocus, is a  collaboration among insurance provider Munich Re, broker Woodruff-Sawyer, and the CPV company. Read more

Power-One gains CSA certification for modular commercial inverters

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Power-One successfully acquired full entry into the North American market with its newly certified PVI-250 and PVI-300 central PV inverters. The commercial inverters were listed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) to UL 1741 second edition and CSA C22.2 No.107.1-01 standards. The company also expects for a 400kW transformerless unit to be added to the inverter family by the end of this year. Read more

SEMI forms PV automation standards committee

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

SEMI has created the new PV Automation Standards Committee, located in both Japan and Europe. The Europe committee is co-chaired by Tino Korner of Q-Cells, Eberhard Teichmann from the Peer Group and Martin Zenning of Jonas & Redmann. In Japan, the PV committee is co-chaired by Terry Asakawa from Tokyo Electron and Emi Ishikawa from Atelier Ishikawa. The new committee’s preliminary focus... Read more

Order Focus: Masdar PV signs 1MW supply contract with biomo solar

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

Various rooftop installations giving a combined supply of 1MW are to use a-Si thin-film modules from Masdar PV. biomo solar plans to complete the projects in Germany before the end of 2010, using 1.4m² modules rather than the larger substrate size that the modules are initially fabricated on. Read more

Order Focus: First Solar adds 380MW of new expanded European contracts for 2011

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 13:09 (PV-Tech)

A key aim for First Solar in 2010 has been to focus on broadening its customer base in Europe to mitigate potential fluctuations in core markets such as Germany. In 2009, 71% of sales were to Germany but have been declining to around 50% by the second quarter of this year as both utility-scale projects went ahead in the U.S. and important emerging markets in Europe, such as France and Italy continued to grow. Expanded contracts with seven key customers in Europe have led to a 380MW increase in module supply agreements for 2011. Read more

Project Focus: Air Products chooses Blue Sky Solar to install PV panels for its 2MW solar farm

Thursday, 10.7.2010 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Air Products revealed its selection of Blue Sky Solar for the installation of silicon tandem thin-film PV panels from ENN Solar and Astronergy, both Air Products customers. Blue Sky will be the turnkey installer with the help of Newkirk Electric Associates who will provide the mechanical and electrical construction for the project. Read more