Technic appoints Wilson Xia as new technical director of photovoltaics

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 17:21 (PV-Tech)

Technic has appointed Wilson Xia as its Asia-Pacific technical director of photovoltaics. Xia?s new role will see him working on the research and development, applications engineering and distribution of the company?s TechniSol photovoltaic processing technologies. Read more

IMS Research: solar module overcapacity expected in 2011

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 16:28 (PV-Tech)

With PV module manufacturing capacity having increased by almost 70% in 2010, slowing demand growth this year is expected to result in significant overcapacity throughout the second-half of 2011, according to the latest report from IMS Research. Read more

China Sunergy to supply modules for record-breaking Chinese BIPV project

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 16:19 (PV-Tech)

China Sunergy has signed a module supply contract for the world?s largest stand-alone building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) project in Nanjing, China, reports Design-Build Solar. CEEG Solar Energy Research Institute has agreed to purchase 7MW of modules for its rooftop project at Nanjing South Railway Station, which, upon its completion, will be one of the most energy efficient public buildings in China. Read more

AVAESEN to sue Spanish Government over feed-in tariff cuts

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 12:47 (PV-Tech)

The Valencian Association of Energy Companies (AVAESEN) has revealed plans to take action, in the form of a law suit, against the Spanish Government?s decision to cut the subsidies for existing solar photovoltaic plants. The number of hours per year that solar generators can claim above-market tariff rates will be capped, affecting as many as 90% of the 260 plants operating in the eastern region of Valencia. Read more

LDK Solar Goes to America

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 18:27 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar Power Inc. has found a benefactor in LKD Solar, which is eager to enter the project development market in the United States. Solar Power hasn't fared well financially and needs capital to carry out its project pipeline. Read more

JinkoSolar secures supply contract with Premier Power Renewable Energy

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 18:18 (PV-Tech)

JinkoSolar has won the right to supply Premier Power Renewable Energy with 1.3MW of multi-crystalline solar modules during Q1 2011. The agreement sees JinkoSolar make significant inroads into the U.S. solar supply market for the first time and Premier Power add another high-profile name to its list of suppliers. Read more

DOE: $50 Million for Competitive Solar Energy Technologies; Creates Solar Energy Zones

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 18:03 (Renewable Energy World)

To develop cost-competitive solar technologies, DOE intends to fund up to $50 million in testing and demonstration initiatives. The program will be a critical link between DOE's advanced technology development programs and full-scale commercialization efforts. Read more

Spanish Government cuts solar subsidies for new and existing plants

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 17:10 (PV-Tech)

On Christmas Eve the Spanish Government made the controversial decision to again cut the financial support offered to solar power generators. The unstable budget situation in the country has forced the Government into a corner in which it will now make significant cutbacks to subsidies for PV plants installed on the Iberian Peninsular, with the additional reduction affecting existing as well as new installations over the next three years. Read more

CIGS cell maker AQT Solar picks South Carolina as site for second production facility

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 14:00 (PV-Tech)

Lured by a package of lucrative state incentives as well as what it saw as favorable workforce, educational, infrastructure, and business climate factors, CIGS thin-film photovoltaic cell manufacturer AQT Solar has chosen Richland County, South Carolina, as the location for its second manufacturing facility after a yearlong site selection process. The company expects to begin production in its new factory by the beginning of 2012, with phased expansion continuing through 2014 that will eventually account for the creation of some 1000 jobs. Read more

KDC Solar to help build facility for New Jersey media company

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 13:51 (PV-Tech)

North Jersey Media Group has enlisted the help of KDC Solar to build a PV facility to power its Rockaway printing and packaging facility. With 20,400 panels, the plant will be among the largest in New Jersey and generate around 4.2 million kWh of electricity a year; construction work on the site will run from January to December, 2011. Read more

LDK pays US$33 million for 70% Solar Power stake

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 12:47 (PV-Tech)

LDK Solar has paid US$33 million for a 70% stake in PV solutions developer Solar Power. LDK?s involvement will help with the development and management of Solar Power?s project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial and industrial generation systems. Read more

Creating "Future Proof" Solar

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 6:14 (Renewable Energy World)

Desertification and land degradation caused by climate change may be "the greatest environmental challenge of our time" and a "threat to global well being," according to some experts but it looks as if deserts can help the planet too. Read more

SolarCity makes first residential solar lease available in Oregon

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 0:50 (PV-Tech)

On January 1, 2011, Oregon?s Department of Energy put new rules into effect, which have allowed for SolarCity to offer its first residential solar lease in the State. As of the first of this year, Oregon residents who lease their solar systems are able to receive the residential tax credit (RETC), which was previously only offered to customers who had purchased their system. Since the credits cannot be passed onto SolarCity, the company will allow its customers to postpone the remaining system cost that is not covered by the lease payments until the customer receives their RETC. Read more

Lux Research report examines global solar subsidies, markets beyond Germany

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 0:43 (PV-Tech)

Among the many changes that 2011 has ushered in, one of the most discussed is the reduction of subsidy programs in Germany. Over the past ten years, Germany has seen massive growth and has embodied half of the global market for solar components. Nevertheless Germany?s subsidies will see a declination and as a new report by Lux Research points out, solar companies around the world will be looking for the next best growth market in 2011. Read more

Colexon sells three Italian PV plants, names new CEO

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 0:38 (PV-Tech)

Colexon Energy closed out 2010 with the sale of three of its solar power plants to an undisclosed Irish investment company. The ?11.5 million sale marks the largest order volume of Colexon in the Italian market to date. The three plants: Leo at 998kWp, Corvo at 997kWp and Valle at 997kWp were developed and constructed as turnkey projects by Colexon Italia, a subsidiary of Colexon Energy. Read more

Order Focus: Zigor to supply PV inverters for two Guascor Solar projects

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 0:32 (PV-Tech)

Zigor has agreed to work with Guascor Solar and supply inverters and cabinets for two of Guascor Solar?s Italian PV plants. The total power for the two fixed structures will stand at 10.5MW with Zigor delivering its Sunzet 125MV inverter, grouped in a 500kW configuration. Read more

Wind Power Romania 2011 - 2 weeks to go!

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 14:04 (Renewable Energy World)

With only 2 weeks remaining until Wind Power Romania takes place, register today to have the unprecedented opportunity to learn from board-level executives and experts as they lead a full agenda packed with information and networking. Read more

Hydropower Study Targets Irrigation Canals

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 16:48 (Renewable Energy World)

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Are Superconductors Finally Coming of Age?

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 22:16 (Renewable Energy World)

Every technology must compete against an incumbent: Transistors fought vacuum tubes; optical fibers fought copper wires in communications; and today, superconductors are facing off against copper cables in the electricity transmission space. Read more

Pumped Hydro: Is it TOO Green?

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 20:40 (Renewable Energy World)

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In an Age of Compromise, Will Clean Energy Become Dirty?

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 20:08 (Renewable Energy World)

Based on the actions of a very active lame duck Congress last month, we could be moving into a new age of compromise. By crossing both sides of the aisle, President Barack Obama was able to pass comprehensive tax legislation, the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and the START nuclear arms reduction agreement in the final weeks of the outgoing Congress. Read more

Ahura Energy signs first contract with PG&E

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 13:17 (PV-Tech)

Ahura Solar Concentrating Systems has signed its first power purchase agreement (PPA) with PG&E. The contract, which relates to a 1MW system located in Healdsburg, California, was signed on December 31, 2010. Read more

Lincoln Renewable Energy closes private funding round with US$14 million

Thursday, 1.6.2011 - 0:40 (PV-Tech)

Led by Austin Venture, Lincoln Renewable Energy (LRE) has closed its most recent round of private funding at US$14 million. Aside from Austin Ventures, contributors also included private investors and LRE management and founding investors. Furthermore, Ken DeAngelis, general partner, and Clark Jernigan, venture partner, and both part of Austin Ventures, will become members of LRE?s board. Read more