Arkema, INES to collaborate on PV polymer materials research

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 22:39 (PV-Tech)

Arkema and CEA teams from the French Institut National de l?Energie Solaire (INES) have joined forces to create what is being called the first private/public mixed research laboratory in France dedicated to the development of polymer materials for various photovoltaic module technologies. Read more

Enecsys micro inverters receive UL certification

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 16:40 (PV-Tech)

Enecsys has become the first company in the world to receive UL certification for a micro inverter without electrolytic capacitors. The 240-watt inverter has also been certified for use in Europe, thus helping Enecsys to establish itself as one of the few truly global inverter manufacturers. Read more

Taiwan feed-in tariff sliced in line with equipment prices

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 16:30 (PV-Tech)

The Taiwanese government has reduced the feed-in tariffs for solar power for 2011 by approximately 30% from the levels in 2010 due to the falling cost of solar photovoltaics installation equipment. Read more

Tool Order: Roth & Rau bags multiple orders worth ?31.9 million

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 16:27 (PV-Tech)

So far in January, Roth & Rau has received multiple orders, primarily for its SiNA antireflective coating system worth ?31.9 million. Read more

centrotherm photovoltaics ?342 million in new orders prompts added capacity

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 1:55 (PV-Tech)

Prompted by increased orders during the fourth quarter 2010, centrotherm photovoltaics feels that it is off to a good start in 2011. During 2010?s fourth quarter, new orders saw a 192% increase to ?342 million over the previous year?s same period orders of ?117 million. The company specifically points to orders from China and Taiwan during the fourth quarter as influencing the positive results. Read more

RevoluSun Chosen For National Honor

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 0:45 (Renewable Energy World)

Hawaii-based RevoluSun today announced it is the first solar firm in the city of Honolulu to be accredited as a SunPower Elite Dealer by SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems. Only a handful of firms nationwide have achieved this status. Read more

Adrano revisited: Enel to deploy 9MW PV system at historic Sicilian solar power site

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 23:58 (PV-Tech)

Solar power is coming back to Adrano, home of the one of the first CSP systems. Enel Green Power is starting construction on a new 9MW photovoltaic power plant on the Sicilian site where the historic Eurelios CSP array once operated. Read more

Italy has a US$60 billion solar subsidy problem, says Barclays Capital

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 18:39 (PV-Tech)

Despite the confusion over the GSE?s PV installation figures for 2010, Barclay?s Capital PV analyst, Vishal Shah said in an investors note that no matter what the actual installation figure will be for 2010, it is increasingly likely that the Italian Government would have to pay for 6GW worth of subsidies at the 2010 FiT rate. Read more

Spain Generated 3% of its Electricity from Solar in 2010

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 17:56 (Renewable Energy World)

Red Electrica reported this week that Spain generated nearly 3% of its electricity from solar energy in 2010. Read more

Solar energy cutbacks help foot the flood bill in Australia

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 17:03 (PV-Tech)

Due to the widespread disaster throughout Australia, caused by the country?s recent floods, several cutbacks will be made in order to fit the bill. One area which is expected to be hit hard by the fundraising is the renewable energy sector. Read more

German banks close debt financing for Puglia portfolio

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 16:00 (PV-Tech)

Deutsche Bank, KfW IPEX-Bank and BayernLB have closed debt financing for the 14.2MWp ground-mounted PV plant in Puglia, Italy. The project was originally developed by Schüco International KG before being purchased by Erste Puglia Solarfonds. Read more

SEAT completes first phase of solar scheme

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 13:36 (PV-Tech)

SEAT has made a significant step in its attempt to establish itself as Spain?s leading solar power generator by completing the first phase of its ?SEAT al Sol? scheme. Read more

Scheuten Solar snags 10MW of new turnkey EPC contracts in Belgium

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 2:54 (PV-Tech)

Scheuten Solar has signed 10MW of new contracts for its turnkey projects in Belgium. The contracts calls for mostly large-scale PV system on industrial rooftops and include the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) along with operation and maintenance on the systems. Read more

IKEA partners with REC Solar for two solar installations in Germany

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 2:10 (PV-Tech)

Two of IKEA?s German stores have recently been outfitted with solar installations and connected to the grid thanks to the partnership between the home furnishing company and REC Solar. IKEA selected REC Solar out of 200 solar installation providers, who then provided the modules and installed the solar systems on IKEA?s store roofs. Read more

Agave Fuels Interest as a Bioenergy Crop

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 18:11 (Renewable Energy World)

Agave, currently known for its use in the production of alcoholic beverages and fibers, thrives in semi-arid regions where it is less likely to conflict with food and feed production. Agave is a unique feedstock because of its high water use efficiency and ability to survive without water between rainfalls. An article in the current issue of Global Change Biology Bioenergy evaluates the potential of Agave as a sustainable biofuel feedstock. Read more

Texas Energy Independence Week

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 15:41 (Renewable Energy World)

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) has declared February 20 ? 24 Texas Energy Independence Week to explore Texas' vast renewable energy resources and its potential. Read more

HomeSun provides solution to energy price hikes

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 12:54 (Solarpowerportal)

As we enter the New Year, more and more energy companies are announcing price increases, making it increasingly difficult to fend off the icy weather. Homeowners are always on the lookout for ways to cut the price of their energy bill, which is where free solar PV company HomeSun comes in. Read more

Argentina Looks to Wind for the Answer to its Energy Woes

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 6:36 (Renewable Energy World)

In 2004, Argentina received a wake up call. The Latin American nation experienced a deep energy crisis as a result of a shortage in natural gas caused by the demand for energy skyrocketing and outstripping supply. Since then the country has made a conscious effort to diversify its energy sources, with wind power attracting particular attention. Read more

GE, NRG Energy, ConocoPhillips commit US$300 million towards Energy Technology Ventures fund

Friday, 1.28.2011 - 2:36 (PV-Tech)

GE Capital, NRG Energy and ConocoPhillips have jointly committed US$300 million in capital for a new joint venture: Energy Technology Ventures.  The JV will fund around 30 venture-and growth-stage companies over the next four years, including the next generation photovoltaics developer Alta Devices. Although details about financial details of the JV and the initial investments have not been disclosed, the JV will focus early investments in companies developing ?game-changing? technologies. Read more