First Solar modules to power solarhybrid?s 1.5GW pipeline (updated)

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 18:20 (PV-Tech)

(Update) The CEO of solarhybrid said it is enlisting the help of First Solar to help equip a 1.5GW project pipeline it is on the verge of buying from Solar Millennium. First Solar would not confirm the existence of the supposed deal, telling PV-Tech it had no comment at this time. Read more

First Solar modules to power solarhybrid?s 1.5GW pipeline

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 18:20 (PV-Tech)

solarhybrid is enlisting the help of First Solar to help equip a 1.5GW project pipeline it is on the verge of buying from Solar Millenium. First Solar?s modules will be used on the 1GW Blythe and 500MW Palen systems in southern California. Read more

Soitec, Reflexite join forces to manufacture CPV lens plates

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 16:42 (PV-Tech)

Soitec and Reflexite Energy Solutions have joined forces to create a new company dedicated to producing silicone-on-glass (SOG) Fresnel lens plates for concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) modules. The company, which has been christened Reflexite Soitec Optical Technology and is to be based in Soitec?s new San Diego manufacturing facility, will also focus on increasing the efficiency and lowering the cost of the lens plates. Read more

Smart grid platform provider announced for Isle of Wight?s landmark sustainability project

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 15:45 (Solarpowerportal)

Cable & Wireless and Silver Spring Networks have signed an agreement to participate in the Eco Island Partnership, the largest energy sustainability project in the UK. Read more

University of Illinois: Nanowires could be solution for high-performance PV cells

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

On November 14th, 2011, researchers at University of Illinois (Champaign, Illinois, US) have found that nanowires could be solution for high-performance solar cells and other electronics. The research group, led by electrical and computer engineering professor Xiuling Li, developed a technique to integrate compound semiconductor nanowires on silicon wafers, overcoming key challenges in device production. Read more

Bill to effectively eliminate net-metering passes Illinois legislature

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:44 (Solarserver)

According to the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, U.S.), a bill has passed through the legislature in the U.S. state of Illinois which could effectively kill the state's policy of requiring utilities to provide a 1:1 credit for electricity generated by small solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind installations. HB3036, which will invalidate net-metering for customers with systems smaller than 40 kW, is now before Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. The ISEA describes the bill as "smoke and mirrors" by utility Commonwealth Edison (ComEd, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.), and says that this will set the state back in its progress on renewable energy development. Read more

IMS Research predicts global PV market will reach 24 GW in 2011

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 12:36 (Solarserver)

On November 15th, IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) released a new report which predicts that global solar photovoltaic (PV) installations will reach 24 GW in 2011. The company's Q4 2011 PV Demand Database further predicts that European installations will rise by 3% over 2011 and that Italy will displace Germany as the world's largest PV market. Globally, IMS Research predicts that 15 GW will be installed in the second half of 2011. Read more

SEMI issues new PV standard focused on test methods for shipping crystalline-silicon modules

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 1:09 (PV-Tech)

SEMI?s new PV standard, ?SEMI PV23-1011 ? Test Method for Mechanical Vibration of c-Si Photovoltaic Modules in Shipping Environment? has been released so that the cost of damages associated with the transportation of modules can be diminished. The standard was mainly authored by the SEMI Taiwan PV Standards Committee and examined by the global SEMI PV Standards Committee. Read more

UK Faces Growing Opposition to Solar Tariff Cuts

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 20:05 (Renewable Energy World)

Moves by the UK government to abruptly slash feed-in tariffs for smaller and rooftop installations are coming under increasing pressure as opposition becomes more organized and gathers pace. Read more

SolarWorld Circulates Petition for European Trade Complaint

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 16:05 (Renewable Energy World)

SolarWorld AG is busy trying to get signatures from companies that make up at least 50 percent of manufacturing capacity in the European solar industry before bringing a formal complaint against Chinese producers to the European Union Commission, company spokesman Milan Nitzschke said Wednesday. Read more

aleo solar supplies modules for PV project in north Italy

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 15:25 (PV-Tech)

aleo solar has helped finance and equip a new 1MW PV system in Vittorio Veneto, Italy. The Germany-based module manufacturer joined forces with Ailita Engineering and Italian bank BIIS on the project, which was connected to the grid in May. Read more

Solar Markets: A Study in Extremes

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The world is using more and more solar energy; of that there is no doubt. But solar comes in many sizes and shapes. Which will prevail in the coming five or 10 years? Read more

Astronergy mono-crystalline PV technology chosen for 6 MW solar farm in Korea

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:36 (Solarserver)

Astronergy (Hangzhou, China), also known as Chint Solar, a subsidiary of Chint Group, has been chosen to participate in what will be one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Korea in 2011. The uniqueness of the system, which will be commissioned by year end, is the connection to the grid using underwater cables, the company emphasizes in a press release. Astronergy, along with Chint Power Systems, another subsidiary of Chint Group, provided mono-crystalline modules of 6 MWp as well as photovoltaic inverters of 3 MWp for the project. Read more

Sharp Solar has ?no plans to shut manufacturing plant in Wrexham?

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:01 (Solarpowerportal)

This week several news sources have reported that Sharp Solar “could quit the UK” after Government announced its intention to cut solar feed-in tariffs by more than 50 percent from December 12... Read more

SilexSolar suspends manufacturing at Sydney facility

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 12:52 (PV-Tech)

SilexSolar has suspended all manufacturing as it continues to restructure in response to the downturn in Australia?s solar industry. The company has placed its Homebush Bay facility into ?care and maintenance? mode and in the process made all employees in production, as well as several engineering, technical and administrative staff, redundant. Read more

LDK Solar downgrades 3Q 2011, full year guidance

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 12:30 (Solarserver)

On November 14th, 2011 LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu City, China) became the latest major solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer to downgrade its third quarter 2011 guidance, stating that it expects revenues between USD 460 and 470 million, a 29% decrease from its previous forecast. The company predicts a gross margin during the quarter of -3.5% to -5%. LDK has also downgraded its full year 2011 guidance, stating that it expects revenues between USD 2.20 and 2.25 billion, a 14% decrease over previous estimates. Read more

JinkoSolar downgrades guidance for 3Q, full year 2011

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 12:24 (Solarserver)

On November 14th, 2011, JinkoSolar Holding Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) released new revenue and shipment guidances for the third quarter and full year 2011, anticipating a 14% decline in its third quarter revenues. The company now expects module shipments of 210 to 220 MW and revenues of USD 270 to 280 million, in the third quarter of 2011. For the full year 2011, the company expects total module shipments between 770 and 800 MW, and revenues in the range of USD 1.1 to 1.2 billion. Read more

Can Famed Astronaut Give Solar Company Some 'Buzz'?

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 12:18 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar industry has a new star straight from the moon. Read more

IMS Research predicts that global PV installations will hit 24GW in 2011

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 11:47 (Solarpowerportal)

Global solar PV installations will reach 24GW in 2011 according to a new report published by IMS Research. Solar PV installations are predicted to rise by 24 percent in 2011, up from 19GW in 2010. The report has also predicted that European installations will rise by just 3 percent, with Italy set to displace Germany as the world’s largest solar PV market. Read more

SolarTech, CalCEF sign MOU to increase capital formation rate for 1MW commercial PV projects

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 2:05 (PV-Tech)

SolarTech and CalCEF have signed an MOU aimed to fast-track industry efforts to better investor confidence, decrease project risk and improve capital flow through a combined effort between finance, performance and reliability leaders. The two organizations will form a Technical Working Group that will find market gaps in quantification of project risk, capital formation and bankability. Read more

OPDE sells 7.93MW Italian solar power plants to ForVEI for ?33 million

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 1:28 (PV-Tech)

ForVEI investment company revealed that it had bought two solar PV facilities developed by the OPDE Group amounting to a total of 7.93MW. The ?33 million (US$45 million) project was financed by Intesa Sanpaolo with the power plants located in the Italian Piedmont region. Both solar farms are fully operational with the 6.19MW Tortona project and the 1.74MW Predosa installation utilizing Trina Solar and Canadian Solar modules, SMA inverters and Mecasolar single-axis solar trackers. Read more

Residential PV sales company Solmentum opens eighth sales office

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 0:58 (PV-Tech)

San Francisco-based Solmentum has opened its latest sales office in Walnut Creek, California, adding to its seven other sales offices located throughout California and New Jersey. Solmentum sells metered electricity to homeowners and gives them the chance to ?go solar? without paying the upfront costs of an entire PV system. Read more

The Power to Persevere: How One City Is Rebuilding Itself Through Biomass

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:51 (Renewable Energy World)

Drive deep enough into the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and you'll be on your way. Continue far enough past the ski resorts that make the region famous, and you'll head straight for some of the most rugged peaks in North America. Stay close enough to the unforgiving Androscoggin River, and you'll soon see the sign. Read more

Eco Building Products announces kit sponsorship deal with New College Stamford

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 16:10 (Solarpowerportal)

Lincolnshire-based renewable energy distributor Eco Building Products has announced its sponsorship of the New College Stamford football team. The kit sponsorship deal is part of the development of new sports teams at the college including football, rugby and triathlon. Eco Building Products is assisting with funds for the supply of team kit for the new football squad. Read more

The Makings of a U.S. Energy Policy in San Antonio

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for an Energy Policy for our country to provide both a strategy and a roadmap for a secure and strong energy future. The fact of the matter is it really isn't that complicated. We are charting a course right here in San Antonio that we believe many others could follow. And we are doing it without any federal or state mandates; we are doing it because it makes good business sense and it benefits our community. Read more

U.K. electricity prices to soar by 2021

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

On November 14th, 2011, SmartestEnergy (London, England) reported that wholesale electricity prices in United Kingdom will rise by at least 40% over the next ten years. SmartestEnergy's Power Predictor Survey 2012 interviewed independent generators, energy buyers and brokers. More than a third of survey respondents believe that wholesale prices will be between GBP 70 ? GBP 79.99/MWh. Read more

Pike Research: Global energy storage capacity to reach 12,353 MW in 2021

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

On November 11th, 2011, Pike Research (Boulder, Colorado, US) released a new report predicting that total energy storage capacity worldwide will increase from 121 MW in 2011 to 12,353 MW in 2021 ? multiplying 100-fold over a 10-year period. According to the report, more than USD 122 billion investment is expected in energy storage projects over the same period. Read more

Daqo New Energy: Revenues fall 16%, profitability remains in 3Q 2011

Wednesday, 11.16.2011 - 12:18 (Solarserver)

On November 14th, 2011, Daqo New Energy Corporation (Chongqing, China) released third quarter 2011 results, reporting 1,022 metric tons of polysilicon shipments, revenues of USD 59.6 million and an operating margin of 29%. The company's third quarter revenues represent a 16% decrease from the previous quarter, and a 6% decrease from the third quarter of 2010. Read more