PNM Resources dedicates 5 MW PV plant in New Mexico

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 22:35 (Solarserver)

PNM Resources Inc. (Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.) has dedicated a 5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Alamogordo in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The company states that the Alamogordo Solar Energy Center is the fourth of five PV plants that it will complete in 2011. The plant was commissioned on October 14th, 2011. Read more

PV producer China Sunergy delivers first Quasar module shipments to Swiss Sunergic S.A.

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 22:34 (Solarserver)

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nanjing, China), a specialized solar cell and module manufacturer, on October 21st, 2011 announced that it had delivered its first commercial Quasar module shipments to Switzerland's Sunergic S.A. Under the agreement, China Sunergy has delivered in October 0.30 megawatts (MW) of the Quasar modules to Sunergic, which is located in the Vevey area and is one of the leading solar distributors in Switzerland. Read more

Conergy makes further changes to the management board

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 16:30 (PV-Tech)

Thus far, 2011 appears to have been a chaotic year for Conergy: at the beginning of the year it was announced that the company?s 2010 sales had increased by 50%, by the end of the summer it had completed a number of solar park projects worldwide, including in the UK and Germany and building the Gran Canaria?s largest solar installation but that success has been tainted with the shutting down of its Frankfurt plant last month and a purge of the supervisory board which now includes Dr. Sebastian Biedenkopf, CFO at Conergy. Read more

ATS Automation fails to sell solar module manufacturing operations

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 16:24 (PV-Tech)

The sale of its struggling module manufacturing subsidiary has failed, according to ATS Automation Tooling Systems, due in part to the weak PV market in France and across Europe. Talks with potential buyers, failed to reach an ?acceptable transaction,? according to a statement from the company. Its Photowatt Ontario operations were also up for sale but the conclusion of talks brings into question the ?viability of the spinoff alternative.? Read more

?Worst violator of global trade laws?: CASM reacts strongly to China?s Commerce Ministry statement

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 12:28 (PV-Tech)

The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) has issued a statement in response to China?s Ministry of Commerce?s comments regarding allegations of unfair trading practices on the part of Chinese cell and module manufacturers. The CASM is led by SolarWorld Industries America and comprises seven US-based crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturers; the identities of the six remaining members of the CASM have not been disclosed. Read more

Envision Solar breaks ground on Solar Grove PV deployment for California utility

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 22:33 (Solarserver)

On October 20th, 2011, Envision Solar International Inc. (San Diego, California), a sustainable infrastructure product designer and developer, announced that it broke ground on a Solar Grove deployment for a major California utility. The deployment consists of a grove of Envision's Solar Tree structures in a showcase and high visibility innovative facility, which will be open to the public. Read more

SunWize Technologies, appoints Scott L. Tonn new Chief Executive Officer, announces new San Jose corporate headquarters

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 22:33 (Solarserver)

SunWize Technologies, Inc. (San Jose, Calif.), U.S. provider of solar electric solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., has appointed Scott Tonn as chief executive officer, and has elected him to the Company?s board of directors. Mr. Tonn replaces David Kulik as the CEO of SunWize. "I am delighted to announce Scott Tonn as the new CEO. He joins us during a time of fast changing industry dynamics, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position," said Susumu Katagiri, chairman of SunWize?s board of directors. Read more

Solar Frontier extends PV module warranty, adds online registration

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 22:32 (Solarserver)

On October 20th, 2011, Solar Frontier (Tokyo, Japan) announced it is offering, for all modules sold from its new 900MW "Kunitomi" production plant, an extended 25-year warranty, guaranteeing significantly higher performance only eight months after the factory commenced production at Kunitomi in Miyazaki, Japan. Read more

Terna closes sale of 78.5MW NRTS PV plant in Italy to Terra Firma

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 22:24 (PV-Tech)

Terna?s subsidiary SunTergrid has completed the sale of the Nuova Rete Solare (NRTS) to Terra Firma, transferring 100% of NRTS shares to the company. NRTS currently holds a 78.5MW portfolio of projects, which have been completed and connected to the grid. The plants are eligible for benefits from various Conto Energia FiT schemes since all began operation before August 31. Read more

Solon sells pair of solar PV plants with combined capacity of 4.6MW to EAM Solar

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 21:52 (PV-Tech)

Solon revealed that it had recently sold two of its power plants to Norwegian investment company EAM Solar. The projects hold a combined 4.6MW capacity, with the 1.5MW plant and the 3.1MW plant located in close proximity to one another. Together the installations are forecasted to generate 7,070MWh of electricity per year. Financial details surrounding the sale of the solar plants were not disclosed. Read more

SunPower installs 3.3MW of solar power for California school district

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 21:34 (PV-Tech)

SunPower and California?s San Ramon Valley Unified School District celebrated the 3.3MW of solar projects installed across five school sites for the San Ramon school district. It is estimated that the five projects will produce over two-thirds of school?s energy needs over the system?s lifetime. California High School, Dougherty Valley High School, Monte Vista High School, San Ramon Valley High School and Diablo Vista Middle School all saw the solar installations completed earlier this month. Read more

Women in Solar Breakfast Continues To Inspire

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 20:02 (Renewable Energy World)

For the second year in a row at Solar Power International, professional women in the solar industry gathered to network, eat and listen to presentations at the Women in Solar Breakfast. The group, which was informally put together about three years ago by philanthropist and solar industry executive Isabelle Christensen, has now met formally twice. The women come together with three goals in mind: to encourage more women to join the still-male-dominated solar industry; to provide resources and networking opportunities for women to help them advance their careers within the solar industry; to find ways that women can give back by working to increase the amount of solar power Read more

Asia Report: China Responds to Solar Trade Complaint

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 18:58 (Renewable Energy World)

Chinese solar manufacturers came under fire last week with news breaking that SolarWorld and six unnamed American manufacturers were filing a trade complaint, alleging unfair trading practices and pushing for a tariff of 100 percent to be placed on all crystalline silicon cells and modules imported from China. The news broke while the solar industry convened at Solar Power International 2011 in Dallas, and the filing set the stage for a fast-moving process that could result in tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. within six months. The news has drawn a sharp response from the Chinese government, which accused the American solar industry of protectionism. Read more

juwi sells solar park to Plain Energy

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 18:18 (PV-Tech)

juwi, Germany-based solar project developer, has spent most of 2011 involved in building various installations around the world including India?s largest solar power plant, breaking into the Greek solar industry and bringing a small village in northern Nambia its first around-the-clock electricity supply. juwi is also celebrated for building the world?s largest PV power plant in eastern Germany. Read more

Trina Solar adds official response to US trade dispute

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 18:11 (PV-Tech)

Trina Solar has also denied any wrongdoing over a spat with other PV manufacturers, headed by SolarWorld that have claimed a number of China-based producers over unfair practices, including pricing. Trina noted that the subsequent proceedings would reveal the allegations ?unfounded.? Suntech Power and Yingli Green have already denied any unfair practices in official statements. Read more

CASM petition: All our practices above board and prudent, says Trina

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 17:48 (PV-Tech)

As one of the Chinese cell and module manufacturers implicated by but not specified within the CASM?s petition to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Trina Solar has issued a short statement outlining the quality of its manufacturing and trading practices. The company has stated that it has always adhered to accepted trading standards when conducting transactions with the company?s US customers. Read more

Norwest Venture Partners invests US$37 million in SolarEdge

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 17:48 (PV-Tech)

PV module power optimizer firm, SolarEdge Technologies has successfully closed a US$37 million round of new funding, bringing officially announced funding since 2008, close to US$100 million. The latest funding comes from Norwest Venture Partners (NVP), not believed to have been a previous investor in Solaredge. Read more

Kyocera supplies 2MW of modules for solar power plant in France

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 17:23 (PV-Tech)

Kyocera Corporation has announced that it has supplied 8,500 solar modules for the largest solar power plant in north-western France. Read more

Kirchner Group will present new solar tracking systems at Solar Power UK

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 17:17 (Solarpowerportal)

Kirchner Group will present its PV Nachführlösung sonnen system alongside the new track_10_max and track_50_max product packages at the upcoming Solar Power UK Exhibition. The new product packages, which include inverters from SMA and are equipped with 36 solar modules from Yingli Panda per tracker, will be showcased in the UK for the first time from October 26 – 28. Read more

OAREL forms five strategic solar partnerships

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 14:10 (Solarpowerportal)

Oakapple Renewable Energy Limited (OAREL) has formed five partnerships with PV installers throughout the UK after announcing its £100 million investment programme. Read more

Georgia PSC member calls for more solar in U.S. state

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:45 (Solarserver)

On October 18th, 2011, Lauren "Bubba" McDonald (R), public service commissioner in the U.S. state of Georgia, stated that he would support subsidies including charging ratepayers up to USD 0.05 more per month to build more solar energy projects in the state. In a press statement, McDonald noted that Georgia has excellent solar potential but is 35th in the nation for installed solar capacity. The commissioner also identified renewable energy credits (RECs) as a way to build a larger solar industry, and called for investigation into policies to increase the price of RECs. Read more

PV producer Yingli, Chinese government respond to trade petition by SolarWorld

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:31 (Solarserver)

Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers and the Chinese government have responded to formal complaints of unfair trade practices by a coalition of PV manufacturers led by SolarWorld Industries America Inc. (Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.). On October 21st, 2011, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. (Baoding, China) joined Suntech Power Holding Company Ltd. (Wuxi, China) announcing to defend itself against the trade petition. On the following day, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a statement warning against "inappropriate" protectionist measures by the U.S. government. Read more

Florida Power & Light Company to re-open solar rebate program on October 27th

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:18 (Solarserver)

Florida Power & Light Company (Juno Beach, Florida, U.S.) has announced that it will open the application process for its 2012 solar rebate program starting on October 27th, 2011. The utility notes that the Florida Public Service Commission has authorized USD 15.5 million for the program in 2012. Read more

Welcome to 2031: Julia Hamm Presents Utility of Tomorrow

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:09 (Renewable Energy World)

Amidst a darkened room, space-age music and a distinct hush, Julia Hamm stepped onstage as the CEO of Tomorrow Power and Light (TP&L) during its annual meeting in 2031. She announced that the utility was thrilled to declare that TP&L was now the first major utility in the continental U.S. with solar power as its top power source, receiving 30 percent of the energy that it delivers to its customers from solar power. Read more

Centrosolar donates 28 kW PV system for training center in Haiti

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:00 (Solarserver)

On October 20th, 2011, Centrosolar AG (Hamburg, Germany) announced that it donated a 28-kW photovoltaic system for a newly-founded training centre in Haiti. The centre covers 2,000 square meters and provides training for mechanics and construction workers. The training centre was opened in Léogâne on October 18th, 2011. Read more

Sojitz launches second solar plant in Germany

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 11:57 (PV-Tech)

Japan-based independent power provider (IPP), Sojitz Corporation, has completed its second solar project in Germany. Partnered with German energy supplier acting as IPP, EON-Edis AG, the plant, in Mixdorf, has been operating since July. Read more

PV in Eastern Europe: Activ Solar completes 80 MW Ohotnikovo plant, expands operations into Odessa region

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 8:57 (Solarserver)

On October 21st, 2011 Activ Solar GmbH (Vienna) announced the completion of the fourth and final phase of the Ohotnikovo Solar Power Station in Ukraine ? one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) installations ever built in Central Europe, and the largest in Eastern Europe. The Ohotnikovo Power Station has a total capacity of 80 megawatts (MW) spanning over 160 hectares and consisting of approximately 360,000 modules. Read more

Sundog Energy expands UK operations; increases staff numbers by almost 70%

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 15:18 (Solarpowerportal)

UK solar company Sundog Energy has appointed 16 new staff members in the last two months, with a further six due to start in November. The company’s growth is in response to the rising demand for its solar photovoltaic products, systems and services. Read more

California finalizes cap-and-trade CO2 regulation; PG&E announces support

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:25 (Solarserver)

On October 20th, 2011, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted its final plan for cap-and-trade regulation of carbon dioxide (CO2), which it says will set a limit on sources responsible for 85% of California's greenhouse gas emissions. The ARB states that the plan will set a price signal to drive investments in lower-carbon solutions to transportation and electricity demand, including renewable energy generation. The first phase of the plan will begin in 2013 and will cover all major industrial sources as well as electricity utilities. Read more

Tokai University wins 3,000 km Australian solar car race

Monday, 10.24.2011 - 13:08 (Solarserver)

On Thursday, October 20th, 2011 Tokai University's (Tokyo, Japan) vehicle arrived as the first to cross the finish line in Adelaide, Australia, at the conclusion of a five-day, 3,000 km solar-powered car race across Australia. Tokai University was followed by the Nuon Solar Car Team (Netherlands) in second place and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan) in third place for the completion of the Veolia World Solar Challenge. This is the second consecutive victory for Tokai University at the race, which was last held in 2009. Read more