SPI 2011: Thin film on the ground

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 23:14 (PV-Tech)

Thin film technologies are a favoured manufacturing alternative to conventional crystalline solar modules in the US. The R&D history goes way back and of course the US is home to First Solar, which stamped thin film technology firmly on the PV industry map. That said, announcements at Solar Power International 2011 - relating to thin film technologies have been rather thin on the ground - in the first few days of the show. Read more

Thin film on the ground

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 23:13 (PV-Tech)

Thin-film technologies are a favoured manufacturing alternative to conventional crystalline solar modules in the US. The R&D history goes way back and of course the US is home to First Solar, which stamped thin-film technology firmly on the PV industry map. That said, announcements at Solar Power International 2011 - relating to thin-film technologies have been rather thin on the ground these first few days of the show. Read more

Mage Solar modules powering 910-kW PV rooftop in New Jersey

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 20:41 (Solarserver)

On October 14th, 2011, Mage Solar (Dublin, Georgia) announced that its high-efficiency MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules were used at Philadelphia Sign Co.'s 910-kW rooftop system for a production facility in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Almost 5,000 of Mage Solar's high quality MAGE POWERTEC PLUS 190/5 modules are mounted on 6,000 stainless steel, roof mounted angle racks on the facility's 225,000 square feet flat roof that underwent substantial upgrading prior to the installation. The PV roofing system will generate 1.1 million kWh of electricity per year. Read more

STR Holdings pulls guidance and lowers earnings expectations on weak demand

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:50 (PV-Tech)

Fist Solar?s key solar module encapsulant supplier, STR Holdings has withdrawn its full year revenue guidance and lowered third quarter non-GAAP earnings forecast in light of continued weak demand and more likely, pressure on prices as end-product pricing has continued to fall all-year - due to overcapacity and lack of demand elasticity. Read more

Schneider Electric Power Boxes selected for 23 MW California PV plant

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:39 (Solarserver)

On October 13th, 2011, Schneider Electric SA (Rueil-Malmaison, France) announced that it has been selected by SunPeak Solar LLC (Palm Desert, California, U.S.) to supply solar power conversion substations, also called PV Boxes, for a 23 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Southern California. Schneider Electric will supply 25 PV Boxes, complete with transformers, GT500-MVX Grid Tie Solar Inverters, and combiner boxes in concrete enclosures for the IVSC-1 PV plant in Niland, California. The company will supply 21 of the PV Boxes rated at 1 MW, and four rated at 0.5 MW. Read more

Q-Cells chosen by PG&E for UOG program, unveils Q.PEAK PV modules

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:26 (Solarserver)

On October 17th, 2011, Q-Cells SE (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) announced that it has been chosen by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E, San Francisco, California, U.S.) as the preferred partner for its 250 MW utility-owned generation (UOG) program. Also on October 17th, 2011, Q-Cells unveiled its new Q.PEAK series premium monocrystalline silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at the Solar Power International trade show in Dallas, Texas, United States. The company notes that the modules offer yields up to 265 watts. Read more

Siemens commissions six French turnkey PV plants totaling 31 MW

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:17 (Solarserver)

In mid-October 2011 Siemens Energy (Erlangen, Germany) put the Les Mées solar farm in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the south of France on line. For this project Siemens installed a total of six turnkey photovoltaic (PV) power plants. Customer is the project developer Eco Delta Développement (EDD), whose subsidiary Delta Solar developed the photovoltaic (PV) farm in the district of Les Mées. The solar power plants, for which Siemens will also handle maintenance, will generate a combined peak output of 31 megawatts (MWp). Approximately 12,000 French households can thus be supplied with clean electricity, the company announces. Read more

SPI 2011: Suniva?s panels chosen for SunCap?s Solar Lease initiative

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 23:54 (PV-Tech)

SunCap Financial has selected Suniva to supply its high-efficiency panels for the SunCap Solar Lease Program, which aims to allow US homeowners a more economically sound option when it comes to the design, installation and financing of a custom solar array for their home. The companies noted that Suniva?s Optimus modules, powered by ARTisun solar cells, would be offered through the lease program and come with a 25-year linear power performance warranty. Read more

RRC and Korean Youil partner to build 100 MW of solar in the next three years

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 20:43 (Solarserver)

Renewable Resource Capital, LLC (RRC, Provo, Utah), a U.S. based solar PV project developer, and Youil Ensys Corporation, a Seoul, South Korea, based solar EPC and solar tracking manufacturer traded on the South Korean stock exchange, have signed an agreement to build at least 100 MW of solar projects in the next three years. RRCwill identify, develop and manage the projects, and provide construction and permanent financing. Youil will be providing development capital, engineering and management. Read more

Granite Construction installs 1 MW thin-film solar PV system in California

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 20:42 (Solarserver)

On October 14th, 2011, Granite Construction Co., a subsidiary of Granite Construction Inc. (Watsonville, Calif.), announced that it installed a 1-MW thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) system at one of its central California construction materials facilities. Granite Construction becomes a voluntary early adopter of California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) with the installation the thin-film solar energy system. The installation will reduce the facility's carbon footprint by more than 50%, Granite Construction emphasizes. Read more

Germany?s EEG levy left virtually unchanged

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 18:05 (PV-Tech)

Germany?s solar industry has endured a difficult year and the Federal Network Agency and transmission system operators (TSO) have responded accordingly by leaving the Renewable Energy Law (EEG) levy virtually unchanged at ?0.3592 per kWh. Read more

Lightsource launches charity drive for solar power in Malawi

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 17:36 (PV-Tech)

Having achieved the largest rooftop installation in the UK, Lightsource Renewable Energy has now branched out to the rest of the world. They have teamed up with SolarAid to provide solar power to communities in Malawi. Read more

OutBack demonstrate off-grid components; Ameresco to take over BP Solar?s off-grid SAM panels

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 17:09 (PV-Tech)

At the Solar Power International Expo this October 2011, technology pioneer OutBack Power Technologies will demonstrate their off-grid power conversion components. And Ameresco Solar, a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company has reached an agreement to provide BP Solar International?s small area module (SAM) line of solar panels that range from 5 watts to 180 watts under the Ameresco Solar brand. Read more

Bluesky secures ?2.4 million funding for renewable research

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 16:36 (Solarpowerportal)

Aerial surveying company Bluesky has secured a €2.4 million investment to fund research into the development of a web-based renewable energy rating platform. Working alongside its European partners, Bluesky will use geographic data to assess the suitability of individual properties for solar energy generation and create an online portal housing this data. Read more

GE Energy Financial Services invests in Moser Baer?s greenhouse solar project

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 15:23 (PV-Tech)

GE Energy Financial Services has invested US$58 million in Moser Baer Clean Energy?s (MBCEL) soon-to-be-completed 20MW Su Scioffu solar greenhouse in Italy. The first 5MW of the system was completed on August 30, and when the remaining 15MW are connected to the grid at the end of the month the array will become one of the largest rooftop installations in the world. Read more

Borrego Solar Systems expands management team to accommodate business growth

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 15:04 (PV-Tech)

Increased demand for the company?s end-to-end solar power services has prompted new recruits in operations and project development. Clark Thompson joins the company as vice president of operations and Ted Walsh joins as director of project development, western US. Read more

The Question Day 26: How Can the U.S. Solar Industry Meet Expectations?

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 15:01 (Renewable Energy World)

RenewableEnergyWorld asked solar executives and our social media community to lend their voices and define what three strategies they think will lead to a thriving solar industry. Answers were varied, and many valid opinions were brought to light. Responses will be updated here daily, and feel free to look at previous insights by clicking on the page links below. Read more

SPI 2011: More on modules in Dallas from Europe

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 14:48 (PV-Tech)

Higher performance and aesthetics is a common new theme when PV module manufacturers launch new products. In the US, during Solar Power International 2011 the ACM products have dominated but that hasn?t stopped others following the tried and tested route to market, especially well known names from Europe wanting to stake a claim to the growing US market. Read more

SunRun and PV Solar report announces more families choose solar leasing over cash purchases

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:54 (PV-Tech)

SunRun, a home installation solar company, and PV Solar, an authority on California solar market data, announced that third-party-owned solar has eclipsed cash purchase as the preferred way to go solar in California. Also known as leasing or solar power service, third-party-owned solar represented approximately 59% of California?s home solar market in Q3 2011 and 51% of the market year to date. Read more

SunRun, PV Solar report announce California PV leases exceed cash purchases

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:51 (Solarserver)

Home solar company SunRun (San Francisco, Calif.) and PV Solar Report, an authority on California solar market data, on October 17th, 2011 announced that 3rd-party-owned solar photovoltaics (PV) has eclipsed cash purchase as the preferred way to go solar in California. Also known as leasing or solar power service, 3rd-party-owned solar due to the companies represented approximately 59 percent of California's home solar market in Q3 2011 and 51 percent of the market year to date. Read more

The Solar Foundation finds 100,000 U.S. jobs in National Solar Jobs Census

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 12:05 (Solarserver)

On October 17th, 2011, The Solar Foundation (Washington D.C., U.S.) released its second national solar jobs census, finding that the U.S. solar industry is growing at 6.8% annually, much higher than the 0.7% growth rate projected for the overall U.S. economy. The "National Solar Jobs Census 2011: A Review of the U.S. Solar Workforce" also found that solar employers expect to increase the number of solar workers 24% in the next 12 months. Read more

Siemens connects 31MW Les Mées solar farm to French grid

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 11:59 (PV-Tech)

Siemens Energy has connected the 31MW Les Mées solar farm in southern France to the grid. The farm, which is owned by Eco Delta Développement (EDD) and comprised of six separate turnkey systems with 112,000 modules, is one of the largest PV installations in the country. Read more

Canadian Solar lowers guidance for 3Q 2011 gross margin

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 11:58 (Solarserver)

Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchner, Canada), one of the world's largest solar companies, on October 17th, 2011 updated its financial guidance for the third quarter 2011. Due to continued pressure on average selling prices ("ASP's") throughout the solar supply chain, compounded by a weaker than normal financing environment the company now expects its gross margin for the third quarter will be in the range of 2% to 5%, compared to prior guidance of 9% to 12%. Read more

LDK Solar signs EPC contract for project in Zhangye, China

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 11:37 (PV-Tech)

Leading vertically-integrated PV manufacturer LDK Solar has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a solar project in Zhangye, China with Guodian Longyuan Zhangye New Energy. Read more

Sanyo and Brightgrid partnership will make solar affordable for homeowners

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 11:16 (PV-Tech)

BrightGrid Solar, a company that facilitates switching to solar energy for homeowners, is to offer financial programs for residential installations of the Sanyo solar panel system. As a provider of solar panels for over 30 years, Sanyo is known for its PV panels? high density of power per square. Read more

Solarbuzz: PV equipment spending to fall 45% in 2012 from a historic peak of USD 13.1 billion this year

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 9:14 (Solarserver)

Global photovoltaic (PV) equipment spending (including c-Si ingot-to-module and thin-film panel) is now projected to fall by more than 45% in 2012, down from a historic peak of USD 13.1 billion this year, according to the latest Solarbuzz "PV Equipment Quarterly" report. As a result, PV equipment suppliers are being forced to redefine their product roadmaps to align with the projected upturn in spending after 2012, Solarbuzz (San Francisco, Calif.) reports in a press release. Read more

Don't Miss Our Coverage of Solar Power International 2011!

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 5:40 (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/video?categoryId=59 Read more

Can the Geothermal Industry Overcome Challenges to Raising Capital?

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Geothermal energy presents baseload clean energy at a lower cost than many other renewable energy alternatives. Despite this compelling value proposition, long development horizons and the risks associated with exploration and drilling activities present hurdles to developing the country's rich geothermal potential. Financing projects that use conventional geothermal technology remains challenging in the uncertain economic environment. Read more

Eaton lands US$8M contract to provide energy management solutions for Abengoa?s Solana CSP project

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 23:36 (PV-Tech)

Eaton Corporation advised that it had signed an US$8.1 million contract with Abengoa Solar to provide its electrical power distribution system equipment to the 280MW Solana generating station in Arizona. Read more

PV Manufacturing: S-Energy increases PV module capacity to 350 MW

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 20:42 (Solarserver)

On October 6th, 2011, S-Energy Company Ltd. (Seoul, Korea) announced that it has increased its solar photovoltaic (PV) module output capacity by an additional 120 MW, to total 350 MW, by adding an additional line to its Korean manufacturing. The company also announced a partnership with Teamtechnik Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH (Freiberg am Neckar, Germany), which supplied stringers for the new line. Read more

Power-One appoints Dave Wojciechowski as VP renewable energy sales for north America

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 15:29 (PV-Tech)

Power-One, Inc., a leading provider of renewable energy and energy-efficient power conversion and power management solutions, has announced the appointment of Dave Wojciechowski as vice president of renewable energy sales for north America. Read more

How FERC Order 1000 Could Affect Hydro

Tuesday, 10.18.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order No. 1000 on July 21. The order amends FERC's requirements for interstate electric transmission companies to allocate the costs of transmission planning and developments to their customers. This is a big step for transmission projects and planning and the effect it will have on renewable energy projects, especially hydroelectric developments, could be positive. Read more