Equipment sales at Roth & Rau reach ?268.9 million in 2010: posts loss on impairments

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 22:24 (PV-Tech)

Germany-based PV equipment supplier, Roth & Rau posted preliminary consolidated results for the 2010 financial year this week, reporting sales of ?268.9 million, despite customer challenges that dogged the company in the later part of the year. Read more

Renewable Energy and the Smart Grid

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 12:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy may only produce about 4 percent of electricity worldwide, but producers rely on its predictability options for adding to the grid during peak hours. In order to develop a smarter grid, the grid must be operated as reliably and cost-effectively as possible. Advancements in wind and solar forecasting technology aim to make renewable energy reliability a reality. Read more

Solar market exceeded Applied Materials expectations in 2010: even better this year

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 21:50 (PV-Tech)

In reporting its first quarter fiscal 2011 financial results, Mike Splinter, chairman and chief executive officer of Applied Materials cited that the solar market had exceeded its expectations in 2010 and that he expected crystalline silicon solar equipment spending to increase by more than 30% in 2011. He said that over 6GW of PV modules were installed in the fourth quarter of 2010, bringing the total for the year to 17GW. Read more

Brighton Energy Co-op reveals 300kW community-owned solar scheme

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 16:23 (Solarpowerportal)

Brighton Energy Co-op (BEC), the renewable energy company formed with the vision of enabling community-owned solar power in Brighton, has revealed its plans for the region in the face of the feed-in tariff review. Read more

Business as usual at First Solar: efficiencies up, line run rate up, cost per watt down

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 15:55 (PV-Tech)

Although First Solar reported a revenue decline compared to the previous quarter as its released fourth-quarter results, manufacturing data strongly indicated that the quarter and full year were simply business as usual for the CdTe thin-film module leader. Production cost was reduced to US$0.73/watt, down from US$0.75/watt in the previous quarter. Total manufacturing costs also declined to US$0.75/watt. Module efficiencies climbed to 11.6%, up from 11.3% in the third quarter. Read more

A Solar Power Struggle in Town and Country

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 6:25 (Renewable Energy World)

Dr. Joseph Gira planted a dozen pine trees to block his neighbors' view of the spot ? a slope at the edge of his backyard between a stone retaining wall and a utility pole. Read more

Solar Heating and Cooling Needs New Materials

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

If renewable energy was a family, solar thermal technology might unkindly be seen as a dependable but rather unfashionable cousin whose life hasn't seen much excitement for some years. Read more

Aleo Solar sees stock price rise leading Robert Bosch to possibly increase offer for remaining share

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 2:10 (PV-Tech)

According to Bloomberg, Aleo Solar saw its stock rise today 23% to reach ?23.50 in Frankfurt?s electronic trading. The increase in share value came after Robert Bosch offered ?22 per share in order to acquire the remaining 18% of Aleo Solar it does not currently own or control through share-purchase agreements. Given that Aleo?s stock saw such a swell in price, Bloomberg asserts that Robert Bosch may be solicited to increase its share purchase offer. Read more

Hanwha highlights preliminary results for Q4 2010, provides outlook for 2011

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 1:51 (PV-Tech)

Hanwha SolarOne has released the preliminary outcome for the company?s fourth quarter 2010 as well as giving a glimpse into its outlook for 2011?s first quarter and fiscal year. Total revenue for the fourth quarter, which ended December 31, 2010, is expected to be between US$325 and US$330 million. Further, total PV module shipments for the quarter, including PV module processing, are anticipated to surpass the company?s previous guidance of 205 to 215MW and reach beyond 220MW. Read more

SEI Solar Training - Are You Ready for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification?

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 1:19 (Renewable Energy World)

If you are considering starting your own solar business or you have taken technical solar training through Solar Energy International's PV101 or PV202 courses, you may be ready to take the next professional step of preparing to sit for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification. Read more

Order Focus: Dong Xu orders Oerlikon?s KAI equipment for company?s first thin-film production line

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 0:18 (PV-Tech)

Oerlikon Solar will be supplying Dong Xu, a Chinese photoelectric glass manufacturer, with its KAI equipment that is used in the coating process for thin-film silicon. Oerlikon Solar reveals that its KAI tools will be used as the core absorber technology for Dong Xu?s first thin-film silicon production line.  Financial details for the order were not disclosed. Read more

GE and Alstom Prepare for Larger Wind Turbines

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 6:18 (Renewable Energy World)

America's GE has acquired intellectual property to build lower-cost, 100-meter-tall-plus towers capable of supporting high-capacity turbines. And France's Alstom Group and LM Wind Power Group of Denmark have teamed to develop what they claim will be the longest wind turbine ever produced. Read more

Energy company will move up to Honolulu's Pan Am buiding's penthouse

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 19:36 (Renewable Energy World)

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Florida Renewable Energy Tour finishes in Orlando on Saturday

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 18:31 (Renewable Energy World)

The 2011 Florida Renewable Energy Tour has visited 9 cities so far in Florida, featuring daytime visits to solar and renewable energy facilities and evening Town Halls with local and state legislators. Read more

European & US Renewable Energy Targets

Friday, 2.25.2011 - 12:23 (Renewable Energy World)

Latest figures on the progress of renewable energy in the European Union have been revealed by the European Commission (EC). They show that the 2020 renewable energy policy goals are likely to be met and exceeded if EU member states fully implement their national renewable energy action plans and if financing instruments are improved. Read more