HCPV supplier OPEL Technologies secures financial backing from Silicon Valley Bank

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:15 (Solarserver)

OPEL Technologies Inc. (Shelton, Conn., USA, and Toronto, Ontario), a global supplier of high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels and solar tracker systems, on November 28th, 2011 announced it has secured a line of credit for USD 5 million from Silicon Valley Bank ("SVB") in Massachusetts. Read more

Q-Cells reports record CIGS aperture area conversion efficiency of 17.4%

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 12:30 (PV-Tech)

Verified by the Fraunhofer ISE Institute, CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenid) thin-film manufacturer, Solibro a subsidiary of Q-Cells has reported a CIGS test module has achieved a new world record conversion efficiency of 17.4%. Earlier this year Solibro produced a record full-module reading of 14.7% in series production. Read more

Fraunhofer to continue partnership with AZUR SPACE on multi-junction PV cells for applications in space

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 12:29 (Solarserver)

On November 24th, 2011 Fraunhofer ISE (Freiburg, Germany) announced that it has signed an agreement to continue its collaboration on the development and production of multi-junction solar photovoltaic (PV) cells with AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH (Heilbronn, Germany) for another 20 years. The two organizations have worked together for the previous 15 years to develop and manufacture high-efficiency multi-junction PV cells based on III-V semiconductors, and Fraunhofer states that it will continue to work exclusively with AZUR SPACE on new PV cells for applications in space. Read more

Kyocera latest to add Enphase microinverters to pre-engineered solar power system offering

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 22:40 (PV-Tech)

Kyocera Solar is expanding its MyGen Kits with its new MyGenflex, which is said to offer enhanced versatility for installation, expansion and monitoring services with Kyocera?s KD240W solar modules and new M215 microinverters from Enphase Energy. The M215 microinverters from Enphase claim to allow a scalable solar system by converting the DC produced by solar modules into AC from each separate module in the solar array. Read more

Solar 3D names Nadir Dagli as chief scientific adviser

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:59 (PV-Tech)

Dr. Nadir Dagli has been named the new chief scientific advisor for Solar 3D. His role will see him guide the company in the development of its technology and prototype by using his background in photonics and semiconductor industries. Read more

ISET ships CIGS thin-film PV modules from LA line to South Korea for off-grid LED applications

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:50 (PV-Tech)

International Solar Electric Technology (ISET) announced that it had recently shipped its first full-sized modules to customers in South Korea from its pilot production site in Los Angeles. The initial products are said to have been designed and manufactured to meet the specifications of distributed power markets with aims to supply off-grid electricity to the agricultural, industrial and transportation market segments. Read more

ISET ships CIGS thin-film PV modules from L.A. line to South Korea for off-grid LED applications

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:50 (PV-Tech)

International Solar Electric Technology (ISET) announced that it had recently shipped its first full-sized modules to customers in South Korea from its pilot production site in Los Angeles. The initial products are said to have been designed and manufactured to meet the specifications of distributed power markets with aims to supply off-grid electricity to the agricultural, industrial and transportation market segments. Read more

CPV company Morgan Solar lands US$9.8 million investment from Enbridge to close Series B round

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:38 (PV-Tech)

Toronto-based Morgan Solar revealed that Enbridge, an oil and natural gas delivery company which is expanding into renewable energy generation, provided a US$9.8 million investment, bringing the company?s Series B fundraising to a total of US$28.8 million. In March, Morgan Solar announced that it was looking to raise between US$20 and US$25 million to invest in sales development of its Sun Simba technology and continue the development and expansion of its portfolio for upcoming solar technologies. Read more

Back-contact module technology from Solland Solar and SCHOTT Solar receives VDE certificate

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:16 (Solarserver)

The German Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE) has certified the back-contact module developed jointly by Solland Solar (Heerlen, Netherlands) and SCHOTT Solar (Mainz, Germany) in accordance with the IEC standard 61215 ed.2 & 61730. This is thus the first fully certified, mass produced module whose solar cells are manufactured on the basis of Metal Wrap Through (MWT) technology, are interconnected by a special back-contact foil located on the backside, both companies report in a press release. Read more

GDF Suez to use SunPower modules on 3.8MW power plant in southeast France

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 14:18 (PV-Tech)

SunPower has delivered 12,000 of its E19/320 solar panels to GDF Suez?s subsidiary La Compagnie du Vent for installation on its new solar power plant in southeast France. The 3.8MW power plant, the exact location of which was undisclosed, is planned for completion in summer 2012 and represents La Compagnie du Vent?s largest ground-mounted PV installation thus far. Read more

Martifer Solar completes 5MW PV project in northern France

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 14:01 (PV-Tech)

Martifer Solar has completed building work on a 5MW PV project in Normandy, France for Germany-based investment fund Leonidas Associates IV. Read more

NPD Solarbuzz: North American solar PV installations to exceed 2.2 GW in 2011

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 13:10 (PV-Tech)

Fear uncertainty and doubt are ever present in the North American PV market, according to the latest ?North America PV Markets Quarterly? report from NPD Solarbuzz. In the US, issues over module dumping from China and the expiration of the US federal cash grant don?t help, but there is growing concern of the feed-in tariff system in Ontario, Canada not least as it is responsible for 99% of the Canadian PV market. Read more

NPD Solarbuzz: North American solar PV installations to exceed 2.2GW in 2011

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 13:10 (PV-Tech)

Fear, uncertainty and doubt are ever present in the North American PV market, according to the latest ?North America PV Markets Quarterly? report from NPD Solarbuzz. In the US, issues over module dumping from China and the expiration of the US federal cash grant do not help, but there is growing concern of the feed-in tariff system in Ontario, Canada, not least as it is responsible for 99% of the Canadian PV market. Read more

U.K. opens Renewable Heat Incentive for non-residential solar heating systems

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 12:59 (Solarserver)

On November 28th, 2011 the U.K. government opened its Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) program, providing incentives of up to GBP 0.085 / kWh (USD 0.13 / kWh) for heat generated from solar thermal equipment smaller than 200 kW-thermal. The government has made USD 1.33 billion available for the program, and will provide support for commercial, industrial, public, non-profit and community generators of heat. The Department of Energy and Climate Change in the U.K. (DECC) plans to open a second phase to provide incentives for residential installations, and states that it will confirm the timing of that phase in 2012. Read more

Indian MNRE announces solar cities, renewable energy projects for historical monuments

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 12:43 (Solarserver)

On November 25th, 2011 India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced to the lower house of the Indian Parliament two new plans to encourage the national development of renewable energy technologies. The Ministry has approved 48 cities in 24 states for development as "solar cities", and has begun a program to support renewable energy installations, including solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, at historical monuments. Read more

PV in Canada: Algonquin Power to buy Cornwall Solar, gain 100 MW-AC project pipeline

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 12:35 (Solarserver)

On November 27th, 2011 Algonquin Power and Utilities Corporation (APUC, Oakville, Canada) announced that its power generation subsidiary has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire Cornwall Solar Inc. from EffiSolar Energy Corporation (Coquitlam, Canada). The share purchase agreement will include acquisition of the rights to develop a 10 MW-AC solar photovoltaic (PV) project, as well as the option to acquire an additional 10 projects in Ontario for a total of 100 MW-AC. Read more

Canadian Solar signs module supply contract for 8.5MW saferay project

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 11:42 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar is supplying modules for saferay?s 8.5MW PV plant in Lindenhof, Germany. Around 36,000 of Canadian Solar?s CS6P-P modules will power the system, which is scheduled to be grid connected next month. Read more

China initiates trade investigation into U.S. support for solar, wind industries

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 8:48 (Solarserver)

On November 25th, 2011 the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) initiated a trade barrier investigation into U.S. support for its renewable energy industries, including both solar and wind industry products. In announcing the investigation, MOFCOM cited requests submitted by two Chinese industry organizations on October 24th, 2011. The opening of the investigation also follows a recent MOFCOM statement that a trade investigation initiated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission could lead to retaliation. Read more

Biomass Could Produce Fifth of Global Energy Without Damaging Food Production, Says UK Energy Research Centre

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 18:13 (Renewable Energy World)

A new report released by the Technology and Policy Assessment function of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), which addresses key controversies in the energy field, suggests that up to one fifth of global energy could be provided by biomass (plants) without damaging food production. The report reviews more than 90 global studies. Read more

Solar, geothermal and wind energy share of electricity generated in India grows to 2.14%

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:14 (Solarserver)

During the last three years, electricity generated from wind and solar power projects in India is estimated at about 50.3 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) reports in a press release. This corresponds to about 2.14% of the total electricity production of 2346 billion kWh during this period. No geothermal power project has been set up in the country, MNRE notes. Read more

Report Details Europe's Offshore Wind Ambition

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 20:14 (Renewable Energy World)

The latest report published by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) released at its annual offshore wind conference finds there is the potential for exponential growth in offshore installations, with a high concentration in the waters off northwestern Europe. Read more

Cogenra among those tapped for US Defense Department?s installation energy test bed initiative

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 22:27 (PV-Tech)

Cogenra Solar?s solar cogeneration technology has been selected by the US Department of Defense?s (DOD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) for its Installation Energy Test Bed initiative taking place in fiscal year 2012. Cogenra was among 27 projects chosen out of 575 proposals for the DOD?s initiative and was awarded a US$2 million contract for installations at two military sites. Read more

Photon Energy to build Poland's largest rooftop PV plant at 311 kW

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 21:15 (Solarserver)

On November 22nd, 2011 Photon Energy AS (Prague, Czech Republic) announced that it will build a 311 kW photovoltaic (PV) plant on the roof of a water utility company in the town of Ruda Slaska, Poland. Photon plans to complete the plant in mid-2012, when it will be the largest rooftop PV plant in the nation. The utility, Górno?l?skie Przedsi?biorstwo Wodoci?gów SA (GPW, Ruda Slaska, Poland) will also act as an investor in the project. RenCraft Sp. z o.o (Bydgoszcz, Poland) won the tender to design and construct the PV plant on the roof of the GPW plant, and Photon subsidiary Photon Engineering s.r.o. (Prague, Czech Republic) will provide engineering works, technology procurement Read more

Energy and Climate Change and Environmental Audit Committees discuss FiT review

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 20:33 (Solarpowerportal)

The Environmental Audit and the Energy Climate Change Committees jointly conducted an inquiry on solar PV feed-in tariff rates today in Westminster.  Read more

BrightSource Energy adds storage technology to three CSP plants

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 17:17 (PV-Tech)

BrightSource Energy is adding molten salt storage capacity to three concentrating solar power (CSP) plants it is building for Southern California Edison (SCE). The additional capacity will also dispense with the need for one of the seven 200MW power stations BrightSource had agreed to build in the original contract. Read more

U.S. Coast Guard Finds Success with Collaborative Funding Method for Renewable Energy Project

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Four U.S. Coast Guard sites in Puerto Rico are getting a $50 million green renovation for an investment of $13.8 million, thanks in part to a financing tool that embeds a Renewable Energy Services Agreement (RESA) within an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). The project marks the first time the financing structure was used by the U.S. government and allowed for green improvements to 35 buildings and 411 housing units at Sector San Juan, Rio Bayamon housing, Air Station Borinquen and Air Station Borinquen housing. Read more

Pramac opens new showroom in London

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 14:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Pramac UK has opened a new showroom in the heart of London at the Building Centre. The new showroom aims to highlight Pramac’s approach to renewable energy generation by showcasing the Micromorph range of thin-film modules which are suitable for integrated, ground-mounted and rooftop applications.  Read more

Blue Oak Energy, Point 2 design 2.8MW PV plant for US Coast Guard base in Puerto Rico

Tuesday, 11.29.2011 - 2:34 (PV-Tech)

Blue Oak Energy and Point 2 Structural Engineers have completed a 2.8MW solar installation for the US Coast Guard in Puerto Rico. The project was implemented by Schneider Electric and spans two sites: the Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla and Rio Bayamon Housing Center in San Juan. The arrays include 200 residential rooftops, six commercial rooftops, five carports arrays and three ground-mount arrays. Read more