Astronergy PV modules used in 3 MW Tennessee State Utility Project

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:12 (Solarserver)

On November 22nd, 2011 Chint Group subsidiary Astronergy (Hangzhou, China) announced that it was selected to provide about 12,700 solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for use in several utility-scale projects in Tennessee. Read more

Sika?s successful 2011 financial results gains it passage into the EPIA

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 15:12 (PV-Tech)

Swedish solar product supplier, Sika, has had its application approved to join the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Read more

JA Solar in made to order mode: capacity constrained on SECIUM cells

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 23:15 (PV-Tech)

Cost savings, technology focus and inventory control were key takeaways from JA Solar?s third quarter 2011 conference call, held this week. Inline with piers, rapid price declines and weaker than expected demand impacted revenue and margins, leading to inventory write downs of US$21.7 million. JA Solar reported shipments (cell and modules combined) of 445MW, which was at the low end of guidance of 450MW, and represented an increase of 11% over the prior quarter. Revenue was reported at US$388.0 million, a decrease of 7.3% compared to the second quarter of 2011. JA Solar reported an operating loss of US$43.3 million compared with operating loss of US$31.7 million in the second Read more

JA Solar in ?made to order? mode: capacity constrained on SECIUM cells

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 23:15 (PV-Tech)

Cost savings, technology focus and inventory control were key takeaways from JA Solar?s third quarter 2011 conference call, held this week. In line with piers, rapid price declines and weaker than expected demand impacting revenue and margins thus leading to inventory write downs of US$21.7 million. JA Solar reported shipments (cell and modules combined) of 445MW, which was at the low end of guidance of 450MW, and represented an increase of 11% over the prior quarter. Revenue was reported at US$388 million, a decrease of 7.3% compared to the second quarter of 2011. JA Solar reported an operating loss of US$43.3 million compared with operating loss of US$31.7 million in the Read more

FiT cut will cost the Treasury up to £230 million per year

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:55 (Solarpowerportal)

Analysis by strategic energy consultants Element Energy has revealed that the proposed cut to the feed-in tariff level for solar technology will put 29,000 solar professionals out of work and cause the treasury to lose up to £230 million a year in tax income. Read more

Chinese producer Phono Solar achieves leading PV USA ratings

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:14 (Solarserver)

Phono Solar (Nanjing, China), announced that its 240 watt mono solar photovoltaic (PV) panel ranks among the top one percent in PV USA (PTC) ratings. PTC ratings are quickly becoming a universally accepted standard for measuring real-world PV module power and performance and measure a PV system?s real solar output in what are considered true solar and climate variable conditions, Phono Solar emphasizes. Read more

Concentrating solar power: Andasol fund fully placed; 3,500 investors acquired an interest

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:14 (Solarserver)

The fund for the Andasol participation right with a volume of EUR 47.9 million that was issued in November 2009 has been subscribed in full, Solar Millennium AG (Erlangen, Germany) reports in a press release. As such, some 3,500 investors have acquired an interest in the Andalusian concentrating solar power (CSP) plant Andasol 3 and will thus benefit from income generated with environmentally friendly power production. Read more

SkyFuel releases new generation of ReflecTech mirror film for solar power concentrators

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:13 (Solarserver)

On November 22nd, 2011, SkyFuel Inc. (Arvada, Colorado, US) announced it has released next generation ReflecTech PLUS mirror film. The new film retains all of the advantages of original ReflecTech and adds a tough, transparent coating that provides surface protection against abrasion, the company emphasizes. Read more

African Development Bank close to approving financing deal for Desertec project

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 15:12 (PV-Tech)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is close to approving a US$497 million financing deal for Morocco?s 500MW Desertec concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. The final decision is likely to be made before the end of the year and takes Desertec one step closer to securing the US$9 billion required to build the record-breaking system. Read more

Chinese government releases white paper on climate change policies and actions, including 168 million square meters of solar thermal collectors installed, increased solar PV capacities

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 13:17 (Solarserver)

On November 22nd, 2011 China's State Council published a white paper detailing the nation's policies and progress towards reducing greenhouse gases, six days before international climate change talks begin in South Africa. This report also comes one day after a World Meteorological Organization warning that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have reached an all-time high, while emissions accelerate. Read more

Industry keep lobbying ? full list of yesterday?s voters

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 13:16 (Solarpowerportal)

The opposition day defeat yesterday has left the industry bitterly disappointed. The decision came despite the solar industry’s descending on Westminster for a comprehensive lobbying of parliament in the hope of halting the proposed cut to the feed-in tariff. Read more

Canadian Solar reports increased revenues, losses in 3Q 2011

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 13:14 (Solarserver)

On November 22nd, 2011 Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchener, Canada) released financial results for the third quarter of 2011, reporting a 4% increase in revenues to USD 500 million, an operating margin of -6%, and a net loss of USD 47.6 million. The company's shipments increased 24% to 355 MW during the quarter, and Canadian Solar expects flat shipment growth during the fourth quarter, and to achieve gross margins between 5% and 8%. The company maintains its shipment guidance between 1.2 GW and 1.3 GW for the full year 2011. Read more

Hanwha SolarOne reports declining revenues, losses in 3Q 2011

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 13:12 (Solarserver)

On November 22nd, 2011 Hanwha SolarOne Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) released its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2011, reporting a 20% sequential fall in revenues to USD 225 million, a -23% operating margin and a net loss of USD 25.2 million. The company reports that its average selling price, excluding module processing services, fell 22% to USD 1.23 per watt during the quarter. The company further reduced its shipment guidance for the full year 2011 to between 815 and 835 MW from its previous guidance of 1 GW. Read more

ET Solar?s 5MW Boerde West plant connects to grid in Germany

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 12:17 (PV-Tech)

Acting as both module provider and EPC contractor, ET Solar Group has announced the connection to the grid of its 5MW Boerde West PV power plant around 150km west of Berlin. The ground-mounted plant was constructed by ET Solutions as a turnkey project for Wattner AG, and this plant marks the fourth such project delivered by the Chinese moduling company to the German project developer since 2009. Read more

Oakapple upbeat despite proposed tariff cuts

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 10:56 (Solarpowerportal)

Swimming against the tide of opinion within the solar industry, Oakapple believes that the reduction to the tariff could actually be a benefit to the UK industry, as the lower rate will accelerate the expulsion of less professional operators and discourage foreign companies from entering the market. Read more

Photon Energy to build Poland?s largest rooftop system

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 19:19 (PV-Tech)

Photon Energy is stepping up its efforts to break into the expanding Eastern European solar market by building Poland?s largest rooftop array. The 311kW system will be installed on a building owned by water utility Górno?l?skie Przedsi?biorstwo Wodoci?gów (GPW) in the city of in Ruda Slaska and is due to be go live in mid-2012. Read more

Soitec lights up the Champs-Elysées

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:36 (PV-Tech)

At 6.30pm yesterday, the Christmas lights on the Champs-Elysées became the first ?zero consumption? illuminations in France. Semiconductor materials manufacturer Soitec is helping to offset the 31,000kW consumed by the lights in full by generating electricity at its Themis concentrator PV plant. Read more

Hoku prepares to commission Idaho polysilicon plant

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 18:12 (Solarserver)

On November 21st, 2011, Hoku Corp. (Honolulu, Hawaii, US) subsidiary Hoku Materials (Pocatello, Idaho, US), announced that it has connected its polysilicon production plant to an 82MW Idaho Power substation and is receiving permanent electricity as the company continues with plant commissioning. Read more

Apple hoping to green up its act

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 16:58 (PV-Tech)

Tentative rumours about technology company Apple?s investment in solar power have been partially confirmed. The Guardian said today that a spokeswoman for Apple would only verify that the company was preparing the ground next to its data centre in California, but not whether it has any intention to leave coal behind and turn to solar power. Read more

BNEF: Tax equity financing can save U.S. renewable energy sector

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 13:30 (Solarserver)

On November 21st, 2011 Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF, New York, New York, U.S.) released a new report which warns that the U.S. renewable energy sector must attract new investors and make use of tax-based financing structures in the next 18 months or risk a sharp decline. "The return - and returns - of tax equity for U.S. renewable projects" notes that U.S. clean energy industries have benefited from over USD 65 billion in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("stimulus package"), but that nearly all of these funds have now been deployed. The report states that the private sector will now have to fill this gap. Read more

Government?s ?Green Deal? scheme will invest £14 billion over the next 10 years

Thursday, 11.24.2011 - 11:11 (Solarpowerportal)

A consultation on the Green Deal, which will provide home energy-saving upgrades to householders at no upfront cost, was published today as part of the Energy and Climate Change Secretary’s Annual Energy Statement to parliament. Read more