News of the year 2011
Date: 05.10.2011
Enphase PV microinverter system certified in five more European countries
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 19:43 (PV-Tech)
Official regulatory bodies in Italy, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have certified Enphase?s PV microinverter system. The microinverters meet the requirements in the ENEL guidelines for Italy and conform to VDE for European safety standards. The company said that its European-certified products will begin shipping this year to select countries. Read moreNeo Solar Power launches new monocrystalline Perfect19 solar cell at PV Taiwan
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 17:40 (PV-Tech)
Neo Solar Power (NSP) is showcasing its new low-cost, high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cell, dubbed the Perfect19, at the PV Taiwan exhibition in Taipei. The six-inch cell allows conversion efficiency rate of over 19%, claimed to be the highest efficiency generated by today?s mass-produced solar cell manufacturers. Read moreDuPont and Bürkle claim glass/glass thin-film solar module productivity breakthrough
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 14:09 (PV-Tech)
Optimising its PV5400 Series encapsulant for use with the Bürkle Ypsator multi-opening, 3-stage laminator platform, DuPont Photovoltaic Encapsulants is claiming a breakthrough in productivity and reduce manufacturing costs for glass/glass thin-film solar module manufacturing. The collaboration was undertaken in the US with the parties claiming lamination was much faster than all alternative encapsulants tested, including EVA and polyolefin sheet. Read moreRhode Island posts rates for pilot feed-in tariff program
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 11:16 (Solarserver)
On September 27th, 2011, the U.S. state of Rhode Island posted proposed rates for a pilot feed-in tariff program for renewable energy, recommending rates for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation between USD 0.290 and 0.334 per kWh for systems between 10 kW and 5 MW in size. The law creating the feed-in tariff program was signed into law by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee on June 19th, 2011, making the state one of the few in the United States to have a policy even resembling a feed-in tariff. Read moreIHS iSuppli: German PV demand to spike in 4Q 2011
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 10:28 (Solarserver)
On October 3rd, 2011, IHS iSuppli's (El Segundo, California, U.S.) Photovoltaic Service released a prediction that German orders for new photovoltaic (PV) systems will increase sharply in October and November 2011, straining supplies. The company estimates that with this surge, German PV installations will reach 5.9 GW in 2011, a 20% decline from 2010 levels. IHS iSuppli also predicts that the German PV market will fall 15% in 2012 to 5.0 GW. Read moreAES closes on financing, begins construction on 24 MW PV plant in Puerto Rico
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 10:11 (Solarserver)
On September 30th, 2011, AES Solar Energy Ltd. (Arlington, Virginia, U.S.) announced that one of its subsidiaries has closed on financing for a 24 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant project in Guayama, Puerto Rico, and has begun construction on the plant. AES Solar has closed on a construction loan, term loan and tax equity non-resources financing facilities provided by MetLife Inc. (New York, New York, U.S.) for the AES Ilumina project, which will be far larger than any PV plant on the island. Read moreFronius, Obvius collaborate on integrated PV inverter direct monitoring solution
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 0:14 (PV-Tech)
Fronius International and Obvius Holdings have formed a strategic partnership for the development of a monitoring solution that provides ?plug-and-play integration.? Fronius? IG Plus and CL inverters are now supported by Obvius? AcquiSuite, AcquiSuite EMB and AcquiLite EMB. Read moreDow Chemical to begin US market introduction of Powerhouse solar shingle BIPV product
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 23:12 (PV-Tech)
Dow Chemical said it will make the commercial introduction of its Powerhouse solar roofing shingle to U.S. markets this month. The company plans a rolling launch into markets from California to the East Coast that will continue through 2012, starting with the debut program in Colorado in October. Read moreClean Power Finance name Nicholas Mack, Kirstin Hoefer to executive roles
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 21:48 (PV-Tech)
A pair of veteran solar industry executives have joined Clean Power Finance. Nicholas Mack and Kirstin Hoefer have been appointed as senior VP/general counsel/corporate secretary and VP of marketing, respectively, at the integrated services and financing solutions firm. Read moreSaudis activate Solar Frontier CIS thin film-powered 500KW PV plant on Farasan Island
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 20:29 (PV-Tech)
Although better known as one of the world?s largest suppliers of oil, Saudi Arabia continues to join the solar age with the inauguration of one of its first larger-scale photovoltaic power plants on October 1. The facility, a 500KW system comprised of Solar Frontier CI(G)S thin-film modules, is located on Farasan Island and was installed by the Saudi Electricity Co. and Solar Frontier?s parent company, Showa Shell Sekiyu (which is partially owned by the Saudi Arabian Oil Co.). Read moreDeutsche Bank provides Canadian PV project developer SkyPower with CAD$67 million credit facility
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 20:12 (PV-Tech)
SkyPower has secured a CAD$67 million revolving credit facility from Deutsche Bank, to be used to support the ongoing development of SkyPower?s portfolio of utility-scale solar projects in Ontario, Canada. The facility is a letter credit facility innovatively structured to leverage the benefits of Ontario?s green energy program and feed-in tariff. Read moreSatcon Technology to power North America?s second largest solar project
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 17:56 (PV-Tech)
Q-Cells North America has chosen Satcon Technology to supply an additional 40MW of its Prism Platform solutions for its Starwood solar project in Sault St Marie, Ontario. Q-Cells will use a combination of eight 1.25MW Equinox Prism Platforms and 24 1.25MW Solstice Prism Platform solutions at the site. Read moreThe Question Day 17: How Can the U.S. Solar Industry Meet Expectations?
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 17:40 (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 moreTen Things I Learned at the Solar Decathlon
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 17:16 (Renewable Energy World)
Richard King has been there from the beginning, so he’s seen the evolution. When he launched the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in 2002, he did so with 14 pioneering schools and a vision for how youthful innovation could fuse emerging solar technology with efficient building practices. What he’s seen has spanned from traditional to transcendent. He calls this year’s class the fifth generation, and he says in a lot of ways the results are five times better. Each class builds off the innovations of the previous event as the students challenge limitations and push the technology to greater capabilities. The competition stands as more than a testament Read moreWork on SunPower?s 25MW California plant to begin before year?s end
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 16:39 (PV-Tech)
SunPower has received planning permission for its 25MW McHenry Solar Farm in Modesto, California and is looking to start building work before the end of the year. Construction is dependent on the receipt of all remaining building permits and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2012. The development is expected to create up to 144 construction jobs and inject around US$18.7 million into the local economy. Read moreWork on SunPower?s 25MW Californian plant to begin before year?s end
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 16:39 (PV-Tech)
SunPower has received planning permission for its 25MW McHenry Solar Farm in Modesto, California and is looking to start building work before the end of the year. Construction is dependent on the receipt of all remaining building permits and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2012. The development is expected to create up to 144 construction jobs and inject around US$18.7 million into the local economy. Read moreMCS PV Working Group releases new draft of installation guide
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 16:20 (Solarpowerportal)
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) PV Working Group has updated its DTI Guide for installing PV Systems and is calling for the solar community’s input on the new draft. Read moreWestinghouse Solar accuses Canadian Solar and Zep Solar of patent infringements
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 13:37 (PV-Tech)
Opting to file patent infringement complaints with the International Trade Commission (ITC), rather than through the judicial courts, Westinghouse Solar said in statement that both Canadian Solar and Zep Solar, in particular infringing two Westinghouse Solar patents ? U.S. Patent Numbers 7,406,800 and 7,987,641. Read moreGerman Chancellor questions solar?s future
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 12:24 (PV-Tech)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dealt a blow to Germany?s flagging downstream sector by questioning its credibility as a commercially viable energy source and calling for a further cut to its feed-in tariff. Read moreConcentrating solar power: King of Spain Juan Carlos I and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurate Gemasolar solar power plant in Spain
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 11:39 (Solarserver)
On October 4th, 2011 His Majesty the King of Spain Juan Carlos I and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces officially inaugurated the new solar power plant Gemasolar in Fuentes Andalucía, Spain. Owned by Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar ? Abu Dhabi?s holistic and progressive renewable energy company - and SENER ? the leading Spanish engineering and construction firm, Gemasolar is the first commercial plant in the world to use molten salt thermal storage in a central tower configuration with a heliostat field. Read morePratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to supply hardware for Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 11:05 (Solarserver)
On October 3rd, 2011 Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (Canoga Park, California, U.S.) announced that it has received a contract from SolarReserve LLC (Santa Monica, California, U.S.) to supply components for the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project. Crescent Dunes is a 110 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant using solar power tower technology with molten salt storage, which is currently under development near Tonopah, Nevada, United States. Read moreSolarcentury begins work to build 1 MW solar PV bridge at Blackfriars, London, U.K.
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 10:59 (Solarserver)
The new Blackfriars station, which is being built on a bridge spanning the River Thames, is on its way to becoming the world?s largest solar bridge after work started on October 4th, 2011 to install over 4,400 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, Solarcentury Holdings Ltd. (London) reports in a press release The Victorian bridge, built in 1886, is the foundation for the new Blackfriars station, which is being upgraded by Network Rail to cater for more passengers and an improved train service. A new roof, added to the historic structure, will incorporate over 6,000 m2 of PV panels, creating the biggest solar array in London. Read morePhoenix Solar secures project rights for 50 MW PV project in Bulgaria
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 10:18 (Solarserver)
On October 4th, 2011, Phoenix Solar AG (Sulzemoos, Germany) announced that it has secured the project rights to develop a 50 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. The project will be comprised of ten separate 5 MW PV plants. Phoenix Solar is also currently in negotiations to sell the project. Read moreSolarTech releases new guide to streamline solar PV permitting & inspection
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 10:04 (Solarserver)
On September 26th, SolarTech (San Jose, Calif.), a non-profit industry collaborative driving six initiatives to streamline the growth and acceleration of solar in the U.S., announced that it released the first edition of a micro-inverter and AC module application guide. Read moreQatar Solar Technologies to build USD 1 billon, 8,000 MTPY polysilicon plant
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 9:37 (Solarserver)
Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec, Doha, Qatar) on October 4th, 2011 announced that it will be building a solar polysilicon production facility worth approximately USD 1 billion in Qatar. QSTec?s plant will manufacture 8,000 metric tons per year (MTPY) of high-purity solar grade polysilicon and is scheduled to commence operations in 2H 2013. Read moreThere are no news available
There are no news available
There are no news available
There are no news available
There are no news available
Feds Pick 7 Projects to Speed Up Transmission Line Buildout
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 21:36 (Renewable Energy World)
Talks about the need to modernize the transmission grid have swirled around in the renewable energy world for a while now, but securing permits for transmission projects remains a big hurdle. The federal government says it wants to help, and it announces seven pilot projects on Wednesday to show how it could speed up the regulatory processes. Read moreeIQ Energy appoints Cary Vandenberg as sales VP
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 16:37 (PV-Tech)
Bringing two decades of extensive experience in renewable energy, software and semiconductors to the company, solar industry veteran Cary Vandenberg has joined eIQ Energy?s executive team. As vice president of sales he will be responsible for strengthening its sales management, business development and international business in order to expand its product offerings and customer installations. Read moreReality Check: The Changing World of PV Manufacturing
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)
Emily Dickinson wrote, "Fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate." Just a few short months ago solar was big news globally, sometimes touted as the hope for a planet suffering from climate change, offering an industry filled with shiny new factories, perhaps even the new job creation engine for the US. Read moreEurope Will Not Meet 20% Renewable Energy Target by 2020
Wednesday, 10.5.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)
In the world of politics and policy decisions, small individual decisions can often produce large collective consequences. In an unfortunate turn of events, this is becoming exceedingly clear in terms of the energy policy originating from Brussels. Read moreThere are no news available