Suntech Power receives carbon emissions award

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 16:55 (PV-Tech)

Suntech Power has received the 2011 Gigaton Prize for its role in reducing carbon emissions around the world and leading efforts in the fight against climate change. Read more

Global PV inverter revenues decline according to IMS Research

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 16:40 (Solarpowerportal)

Global solar PV inverter revenues have declined again during the third quarter of 2011 according to a new report published by IMS Research. The report shows that industry revenues in Euro have fallen by over 20 percent year-on-year. Read more

Smart Grid: Siemens Industry to acquire Smart Grid company eMeter

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 13:32 (Solarserver)

On December 5th, 2011 Siemens Industry Inc. (Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S.) said that it agreed to acquire eMeter Corp. (San Mateo, California, U.S.) for an undisclosed price. The acquisition will strengthen Siemens' position in the Smart Grid market. Under the agreement, Siemens Industry will acquire all of the stock of eMeter. Subject to necessary approvals and customary closing conditions, the deal is expected to close in December 2011. The companies did not disclose the terms of the agreement. Read more

Renusol America introduces new PV mounting system for flat roofs

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 13:19 (Solarserver)

On December 5th, 2011 Renusol America (Atlanta, Geogia, U.S.) announced that it introduced the next-generation "one-size-one panel" non-penetrating ballast solar photovoltaic (PV) mounting systems for flat roof applications. Renusol CS60 features several advantages that save time and costs for installers, while increasing their installation capacity, the producer emphasizes. The racking and mounting system due to Renusol has 23% fewer components and significantly reduces the cost of fasteners needed for assembly, while reducing labor costs with less time needed to fasten the modules to the CS60 mounting system. Read more

Research in reusable multi-junction solar cell substrates receives Franco-German Business Award 2011

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 12:59 (PV-Tech)

Researchers from Fraunhofer Instituts für Solare Energiesysteme (ISE), Freiburg and the Carnot-Institut Laboratoire d?électronique des technologies de l?information (CEA-LETI) in Paris have been awarded the Franco-German Business award for their work on developing reusable substrates for III-V multi-junction solar cells. Read more

Enphase begins shipments of PV micro-inverters to Europe

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 12:35 (Solarserver)

On December 5th, 2011 Enphase Energy Inc. (Petaluma, California, U.S.) announced that it has begun shipping its solar photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverters to Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where they will be sold by authorized distributors. Two months prior, on October 5th, 2011, the company announced that its M215 Series micro-inverters had received VDE certification by conforming to European safety standards, as well as receiving regulatory approval for grid connectively in these nations. Read more

Solar module manufacturing: Saint-Gobain Solar launches global support program to back PV module makers in order to reduce costs, increase capacity

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 12:30 (Solarserver)

As demand for renewable energy sources continues growing, the pressure for solar module manufacturers to produce high-quality modules quickly is more intense than ever, Saint-Gobain Solar (Chaineux, Belgium) emphasizes in a press release. Saint-Gobain Solar now launches its "SolarBond" global support program, which is designed to provide tailored support to minimize waste and ensure production plants are running at capacity, ultimately saving costs. Read more

Soltecture begins production of 13.4% efficient CIGS modules

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 8:44 (Solarserver)

On December 6th, 2011 Soltecture GmbH (Berlin, Germany) announced that it has begun production of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at a conversion efficiency of 13.4%. Soltecture manufactures these 100 watt "Linion" modules at its production line in Berlin. The company also announced that has achieved ISO 9001 certification, which it says confirms its high production and service standards. Read more

SunPower looks to cut 2% of its global workforce

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 21:58 (PV-Tech)

Bloomberg Bussinessweek is reporting that SunPower will be cutting 2% of its workforce, or 125 jobs, due to languishing prices and demand in the global solar market. According to a disclosure the company filed with federal regulators, the job cuts are part of its companywide restructuring plan, which management approved on November 30. Read more

Eclipsall panels to be used in 30 new microFiT systems in Kapuskasing, Ontario

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 21:48 (PV-Tech)

Eclipsall revealed that its PV modules had been selected as part of 30 new microFiT systems that will be built in Kapuskasing, Ontario through DBMS Energy Solutions and Strathcona Solar Initiatives. The CAN$2 million project plans to build solar projects on vacant properties in the Ontario province to provide a new source of revenue to the Kapuskasing municipality. Read more

FirstEnergy Solutions signs agreement to buy solar energy from Maryland Solar?s 20MW solar farm

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 21:28 (PV-Tech)

FirstEnergy Solutions, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, has executed a long-term agreement that will see it acquire the electric output from Maryland Solar?s 20MW Maryland Solar Farm for the next 20 years. FirstEnergy will additionally receive the renewable energy credits associated with the solar project, which is said, upon its completion, to be the largest solar facility in Maryland. Read more

Rockford Solar Partners given green light by DOE, FAA for 20MW solar array at Rockford airport

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 21:13 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have issued Rockford Solar Partners, a joint venture between Wanxiang American and New Generation Power, the FONSI, ?Finding of No Significant Impact? for the proposed 20MW solar farm at the Rockford Airport. The project will be able to utilize 70 acres of land at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport for what is being called the largest commercial airport-based solar project in the US. Read more

Billionaire Buffett Bets on Solar Energy

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 19:23 (Renewable Energy World)

The "Oracle of Omaha," who made his fortune by betting on technologies that appear underpriced, is now putting his money into solar. Read more

Public Utilities Commission increases California Solar Initiative budget by USD 200 million

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 13:38 (Solarserver)

On December 1st, 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) increased the budget of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) by USD 200 million to cover a shortfall, implementing legislation signed by California Governor Jerry Brown in September 2011. The CPUC states that this new funding should allow utilities to meet their goals under the program, which total 1.94 GW of new solar photovoltaics (PV) in the state by 2016. The program also has a goal to create a self-sustaining PV market without subsidies. Read more

First Solar set to sell 550MW system

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 13:32 (PV-Tech)

MidAmerican Energy Holdings is set to buy First Solar?s 550MW Topaz Solar Farm in San Luis Obispo County, California. Although building work on the US$2 billion system began last week, First Solar has been looking to sell ever since it failed to secure a government loan guarantee to finance construction three months ago. Read more

Exelon, Constellation to build an additional 55 MW of wind, solar capacity in Maryland

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 13:24 (Solarserver)

On December 5th, 2011 Exelon Corp. (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) and Constellation Energy Group (Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.) have disclosed in a statement filed with Maryland Public Service Commission that they will build 175 MW of new generation capacity in Maryland, including 55 MW of wind or solar, which would increase the state's total renewable capacity by more than 30%. The companies announced to spend between USD 220 million and USD 280 million to build new generation projects within the state. Read more

JinkoSolar donates modules for African off-grid project

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 12:48 (PV-Tech)

JinkoSolar is donating modules for an off-grid solar project at a school in Tanzania. The Chinese module manufacturer is partnering with non-profit organisation Power to the People to build the 2.5kW rooftop system that will power lighting and the computer lab at the Nyumba ya Mungu secondary school. Read more

Concentrating solar power: Thai Solar Energy completes nation's first CSP plant

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 12:40 (Solarserver)

On November 29th, 2011 Thai Solar Energy Company Ltd. (Bangkok, Thailand) celebrated the opening of a 5 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province. The plant is the first operational CSP plant in Southeast Asia, and the company states that it is the first in the world to use direct steam generation, in which water replaces oil as a thermal transfer fluid in a parabolic trough plant design. Read more

LDK signs agreements with Lumin Solar, OSM Solar to produce Ontario-made PV modules

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 12:08 (Solarserver)

LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu, China) has signed agreements with Lumin Solar Inc. (Thornhill, Canada) and OSM Solar Corp. (Welland, Canada) to produce LDK PV modules at their facilities in Ontario, Canada. These agreements will allow for the production of PV modules which comply with the "local content" provision in Ontario's feed-in tariff. LDK and OSM have also entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement in the Canadian province. Read more

Latin America Report: U.S. Bill Would Extend Tax on Brazilian Ethanol

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 16:25 (Renewable Energy World)

There are new accusations of protectionism being levied against the United States, but this time it's coming from Brazil's sugarcane industry. Read more

First Atlantic Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Deployed

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 22:04 (Renewable Energy World)

The offshore wind industry passed a milestone recently with the installation of the world's first floating offshore wind turbine off the coast of Agucadoura, Portugal. The WindFloat project consists of a 2-MW semi-submersible wind turbine that can be deployed without heavy machinery. Read more

First Solar to sell 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm to MidAmerican Energy Holdings; California PV plant will generate enough electricity for 160,000 homes

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 15:20 (Solarserver)

On December 7th, 2011, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (Des Moines, Iowa) announced it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the Topaz Solar Farm from First Solar, Inc. (Tempe, Ariz.). The 550-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant being built in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., will have the capacity to generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 160,000 average California homes. The more than USD 2 billion Topaz project is one of the two largest PV projects in the world, both being built by First Solar. Read more

Sundog Energy is awarded Investors in People Silver Award

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 18:54 (Solarpowerportal)

Cumbria-based Sundog Energy has been awarded the Investors in People (IiP) Silver Award, making it one of the first solar PV companies to achieve such an accolade. Read more

The Innovation Imperative Part 2: ICT Companies as Electric Utilities Means Opportunity for India

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 18:18 (Renewable Energy World)

In my previous article in REW on the innovation imperative, I argued that ICT companies are well positioned to be next generation electric utilities, especially in the renewable energy space, should they show leadership and vision. This is due to an increase in energy information intensity, and IT and telecom companies are in the best position to manage the voluminous information we will generate. Read more

WiseEnergy Africa awarded 500MW facilities management deal by ix:Africa fund

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 16:30 (PV-Tech)

WiseEnergy, a merchant bank focused on the renewable energy sector, will manage up to 500MW of solar and wind power projects in South Africa on behalf of ix:Africa. Read more

Former Governor Schwarzenegger calls on U.S. government to increase support for renewables

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 15:39 (Solarserver)

On December 4th, 2011, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly called for the U.S. federal government to increase funding for renewable energy development in an opinion piece in the Washington Post newspaper. The former Governor states that disproportionate subsidies for the oil industry places renewables at a competitive disadvantage. Governor Schwarzenegger was named the Energy Leader of the Decade by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) on November 29th, 2011. Read more

New Lab to Help Utilities "See" Grid of the Future

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 15:34 (Renewable Energy World)

With the simple flick of a light switch, you are connected to "the machine." The North American electric grid ? the world's most complex transmission and distribution system ? also is referred to as the world's largest machine. That same machine has run reliably on coal, natural gas and nuclear energy for decades. Read more

Andreas König appointed as European Sales and Marketing Director at Clenergy

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 14:03 (Solarpowerportal)

Andreas König has been appointed European Sales and Marketing Director for Clenergy and will now be responsible for the solar mounting, inverter and catalyst controller provider’s European business. Read more

DECC announces £30 million of funding for local community and public sector green schemes

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 11:57 (Solarpowerportal)

The Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne, has today announced funding to the tune of £10 million for local community energy projects and a £20 million increase to the existing public sector energy efficiency loan scheme. Read more

Bisol PV modules qualify for salt mist corrosion certificate

Wednesday, 12.7.2011 - 11:25 (PV-Tech)

Bisol?s PV modules have passed a salt mist corrosion test exhibiting less that a 1% decrease in electrical performance. The newly obtained IEC 61071 certificate demonstrates that mechanical and insulation properties are retained, ensuring high energy yields for PV plants located in coastal areas or areas with higher salt mist concentrations. Read more