CNPV tightens positive tolerance ratings on solar modules

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 23:27 (PV-Tech)

CNPV Solar Power advised that it had refined the positive tolerance practice for its solar PV modules. The company noted that it routinely provides its solar modules with a positive tolerance based off the solar PV modules rating label. Previously, CNPV provided modules with a +/- tolerance as is traditional industry protocol, which committed to a larger tolerance than its operational activities. CNPV?s positive tolerance process if effective as of November 1 with all modules manufactured at its facility contractually ensured to provide the three positive gains advertised. Read more

First feed-in tariff in the United States successful: Florida town Gainesville to reach 7.3 MW of PV, 36 watts per resident in 2011

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 18:31 (Solarserver)

According to Wind-Works, the municipal utility serving the town of Gainesville in the U.S. state of Florida expects that it will have 7.3 MW of solar photovoltaics (PV) supplying electricity in its service area by the end of 2011. Gainesville Regional Utility (GRU, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.) implemented a feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaics (PV) in 2008, as the first such policy in any town in the United States. Read more

New South Wales Energy Minister urges slashing of feed-in tariff

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 18:27 (Solarserver)

On November 24th, 2011 the energy minister of New South Wales (NSW), Australia publicly called for a dramatic reduction in the state's feed-in tariff, after writing retail electricity providers to suggest that they implement lower rates. The new proposed rate of AUD 0.08 to 0.10 / kWh (USD 0.08 to 0.10 / kWh) has been recommended by the state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and will represent the second time that the tariff has been slashed, from an initial rate of USD 0.58 / kWh. Read more

Pawel Nowotny chosen to head up Suntech?s European marketing team

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 16:50 (PV-Tech)

Solar manufacturing giant Suntech Power has appointed Pawel Nowotny as the new head of its European marketing team. Nowotny will be based out of Suntech?s European headquarters in Schaffhausen, Switzerland and responsible for implementing the company?s long-term brand-building strategy across Europe. Read more

Smart Grid Will Raise Ceiling for Use of Renewables

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 16:43 (Renewable Energy World)

The EU wants electricity distribution systems that can utilize more solar and wind energy ? and sixteen European partners from ten countries are now playing a key role in preparing for them. Read more

SCHOTT announces improved efficiencies with Quasimono wafers, PV cells using low-cost metal contacts

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:57 (Solarserver)

On November 25th, 2011 SCHOTT Solar AG (Mainz, Germany) announced a pair of technical milestones with new solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing processes. As confirmed by Fraunhofer ISE (Munich, Germany), the company has reached 19.9% efficiency with wafers made using its "Quasimono" wafers, and has also achieved 18% efficiency with multicrystalline PV cells using low-cost metal contacts in place of silver. Read more

Panasonic to build 300 MW integrated PV manufacturing plant in Malaysia

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:44 (Solarserver)

On November 25th, 2011 Panasonic Corporation (Osaka, Japan) announced plans to build a facility to produce silicon wafers and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules in Malaysia. The factory will have an annual output of 300 MW. Panasonic expects to complete the plant and begin production of PV products in December 2012. The facility will operate under a subsidiary company, Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., which it will set up in December 2011. Read more

imec and Kaneka demonstrate first heterojunction cell with copper-electroplated top grid electrode

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 11:30 (PV-Tech)

Having collaborated for just over 2-years, Kaneka and imec are to jointly present a paper at the 21st International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (PVSEC-21), which is currently being held in Fukuoka City, Japan that demonstrates for the first time a heterojunction cell with copper-electroplated top grid electrode. Fabricated on a 6-inch silicon substrate, the electroplated copper contact produced a conversion efficiency of more than 21%. The work was carried-out and confirmed at imec in collaboration with Kaneka engineers. Read more

ENN Solar, NERC develop, build 4.3MW PV power plant on New Jersey landfill

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 23:17 (PV-Tech)

The former Edgeboro Landfill in East Brunswick, New Jersey has been converted into a solar power generating facility with the completion of a 4.3MW solar project by ENN Solar Energy and National Renewable Energy Corporation (NERC). ENN used 9,000 of its thin-film silicon solar modules for the project, which is anticipated to be able to produce 100 million kWh of electricity over its lifetime. Read more

Evergreen Solar Finds Chinese Buyer for Its Technology

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 22:53 (Renewable Energy World)

Watching a bankruptcy process unfold is like watching the slow death of a company. Evergreen Solar, which announced the bankruptcy filing back in August, has sold is core assets for $6 million and some shares of the buyer, China Private Equity Investment Holdings. Read more

Germany takes just a decade to reach 1 millionth solar PV system installed

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 18:40 (PV-Tech)

The 1 millionth solar PV system installation milestone has been declared by the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar). Having launched the 1,000 rooftop program in late 1990, its now just over a decade that a system on the roof of the Institute for Sports Equipment Research and Development (Institut für Forschung und Entwicklung von Sportgeräten - FES), in Berlin marked the 1,000,000th system installed in Germany. In contrast, London, England has over 3 million homes but only just over 3,000 installations since the feed-in tariff was introduced in April, 2010. Read more

Intersolar China 2011: Tailor-made exhibition range for the most promising markets worldwide

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 18:23 (Solarserver)

The latest figures point to significant growth in the Chinese solar market, underlining the ever more important role it plays in the global solar industry. The international role of the Chinese companies that are now active in many markets across the globe has also grown. Intersolar China, which is set to take place from December 7th ? 9th in Beijing, offers tailored information for Chinese and international exhibitors and visitors alike, shedding light on the development of markets and technologies in the industry, the organizers announced. Read more

ECD appoints ex-Abound Solar exec as CEO

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 16:48 (PV-Tech)

A sharing of management responsibilities at struggling Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) has been announced with ex-Abound Solar executive, Julian Hawkins joining the firm as Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the Board of Directors, effective December 5, 2011. Current Interim President since May 2011, Jay Knoll will become Executive Vice President and Chief Restructuring Officer at the same time. Read more

Asia Report: China Strikes Back

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 16:15 (Renewable Energy World)

American solar companies have been openly fearful that a trade complaint filed against China could instigate a retaliation. It appears such a move may be under way in Beijing after the ministry of commerce announced on Friday that it was opening a sweeping investigation of American policies that it says may have impacted the development of solar, wind and hydro industries in China. Read more

ET Solar supplies modules for French greenhouse array

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 15:58 (PV-Tech)

Vertically integrated manufacturer ET Solar has supplied 2.56MW of its mono-crystalline modules for a PV project in France. ET Solar was project developer Classic Energy?s sole module supplier for the array, which was installed on an agricultural greenhouse rooftop in the southern French commune of Cruas. Tritec was contracted as system integrator and the project was grid connected last month. Read more

Solar in the Asia Pacific Region Booms: China's 2011 Installs May Surpass America's for the First Time

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 14:23 (Renewable Energy World)

With European solar markets in decline, the industry is looking to the next hot solar region. Even with political troubles in the U.S., companies still see America as a good long-term bet. (And let's remember, Europe's slowdown doesn't mean the region is going to stop being a major player.) Read more

Reading Council leader urges PM to reconsider FiT deadline

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 14:11 (Solarpowerportal)

Councillor Jo Lovelock has written to the Prime Minister to ask for an extension until April before new cuts to the feed-in tariff come into effect. The letter is a direct response to the Government’s plans to slash the solar subsidy by over fifty percent. The proposed cut to the feed-in tariff rate has jeopardised Reading Council’s £5 million scheme, proposed back in August. Read more

Evergreen Solar sacks senior executives after asset sale

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:34 (PV-Tech)

Late Friday, November 25, Evergreen Solar issued a statement announcing that senior executives, including CEO, Michael El-Hillow had been sacked with immediate effect on November 21, 2011. The Board of Directors appointed Christian M. Ehrbar as its new CEO and Paul Kawa as CFO, without providing reasons for the sacking or new appointments. Evergreen Solar is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and recently conducted a sale of some of its core assets to Max Era Properties Limited. Read more

Haringey Council forced to reconsider solar project

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 11:31 (Solarpowerportal)

Cuts to the feed-in tariff have threatened Haringey Council’s solar scheme which was set to double London’s installed solar capacity. The scheme would have seen all suitable council-owned properties receive a solar installation in an effort to cut the council’s carbon emissions. Read more

Algonquin Power takes on 110MW Ontario pipeline

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 10:44 (PV-Tech)

Algonquin Power has entered into a share purchase agreement with EffiSolar Energy to buy all the issued and outstanding shares in Cornwall Solar and its 110MW project pipeline. Read more

Soitec 500KW CPV system commissioned for UN climate change conference in South Africa

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 23:09 (PV-Tech)

As the 17th annual Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) begins in South Africa this week, Soitec announced that it had built a CPV power plant as the flagship project for the Durban, South Africa site. The 500kW project will power the COP17 gathering, taking place November 28 through December 9, and will be officially inaugurated by South African President Dr. Jacob Zuma on December 4. Read more

CPV Will Help Power Global Climate Talks

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 20:48 (Renewable Energy World)

The 17th annual Conference of the Parties (COP17) global climate talks kick off this week with a high sense of urgency but amid the reality of low expectations. Read more

OECD calls for "political courage" in Durban, significant carbon price

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 18:03 (Solarserver)

On November 24th, 2011 the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, Paris, France) issued a statement calling on global governments to show political courage and take decisive action to combat greenhouse gas emissions at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) meeting. COP17 brings together representatives of global governments in Durban, South Africa beginning on November 28th, 2011 to discuss joint action on climate change. Among other recommendations for the meeting, the OECD states that a "significant" carbon price is needed to induce technological change. Read more

Government?s green strategy needs ?clarity and consistency?

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 17:52 (Solarpowerportal)

Andy Boroughs, Managing Director of Organic Energy, has called for ‘clarity and consistency’ from the Government following the unrest over recent proposals to cut the feed-in tariff rate and the announcement of the Green Deal consultation.   Read more

China launches trade probe into US subsidies

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:59 (PV-Tech)

China has launched a trade probe into US subsidies for renewable energy and is contemplating filing a case with the World Trade Organisation. The probe is the latest episode in the rapidly escalating trade dispute between the two countries that was sparked off by an anti-dumping petition from a group of US manufacturers last month. Read more

Desertec, Medgrid sign agreement to collaborate on renewable energy from the deserts, transmission infrastructure

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:38 (Solarserver)

On November 24th, 2011 the Desertec Industrial Initiative GmbH (Dii, Munich, Germany) and Medgrid (Paris, France) signed an agreement to co-operate on the development of industrial-scale renewable energy from the deserts of North African and the Middle East, as well as transmission infrastructure. Dii states that the two industrial consortiums will coordinate their work for the long-term generation, transmission and marketing of renewable energy in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Dii further notes that coordinated actions involving the two organizations have already begun. Read more

New projects confirm Germany's role in energy storage technology; Germany Trade & Invest to present new business opportunities at International Conference

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:30 (Solarserver)

Two new developments confirm Germany?s position as a top location to implement energy storage technology: Canadian fuel cell maker Ballard announced the opening of its new European headquarters in Germany in November 2011. And also a new project to store wind energy via hydrogen in the German natural gas grid was also unveiled. Read more

2012 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards ? Nominate Now!

Monday, 11.28.2011 - 12:00 (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/awards/2012 Read more