IMS Research: European PV inverter manufacturers dominate top 10 rankings

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 18:55 (PV-Tech)

A new report from IMS Research highlights that for the first time all of the top 10 PV inverter suppliers were European-based, which was due to PV installations more than doubling in 2010 with the biggest growth in key European markets such as Germany and Italy. However, the top five gainers in market share in 2010 came from a mix of geographical locations, headed by Power-One, Siemens, Advanced Energy, Sungrow and Danfoss. The global PV inverter market grew 140% in 2010, according to the market research firm. Read more

In the Wake of the Wind

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 18:19 (Renewable Energy World)

On the Front Range within the Rocky Mountains, prevailing winds sweep eastward over the mountains smack into the National Wind Technology Center. Read more

OPV revenues to reach US$387 million by 2016, claims NanoMarkets report

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 17:40 (PV-Tech)

The organic photovoltaics (OPV) industry is set to experience a near-sixfold increase in size over the next five years, according to a new report from industry analysts NanoMarkets. The report, titled Materials, Applications and Opportunities in Organic Photovoltaics, claims that OPV, which is expected to generate revenues of US$56 million in 2011, will be worth US$387 million by 2016. Read more

centrotherm, Kinetics Germany to build Africa?s largest module production facility

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 13:43 (PV-Tech)

centrotherm photovoltaics and Kinetics Germany have signed an agreement with Société Nationale de l?Electricité et du Gaz (Sonelgaz) to build an integrated solar module manufacturing facility in Rouiba, Algeria. When completed, the 43,000-square-metre site, located 30 km east of Algiers, will be home to Africa?s largest solar module factory and have an annual production capacity of around 116MW. Read more

Conergy and Annex Power to build 12.4MW Thai PV plant

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 13:12 (Solarserver)

On April 26th, 2011, Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany) and Annex Power Ltd. (Bangkok, Thailand) announced that they will build a 12.4MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand. This is the third Thai PV project the companies have announced in the past year, for a total capacity of 18MW. Read more

FRV begins construction on 30MW Texas PV plant

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 12:59 (Solarserver)

On April 26th, 2011, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Inc. (FRV, San Francisco, California, U.S.) announced that it has closed financing and begun construction on the 30MW Webberville Solar project near Austin in the U.S. state of Texas. Also on April 26th, 2011, Trina Solar Limited (Changzhou, China) announced that one of its subsidiaries has signed an agreement to supply an FRV subsidiary with 35MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, including modules for the Webberville plant. Read more

Sputnik inverters used for 3MW rooftop portfolio in Italy

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 12:02 (PV-Tech)

Italian agro-industrial group Cereals Docks has installed four solar rooftop arrays at two of its sites on the outskirts of Venice. The systems were installed by electrical engineers Elpo, which used over 15,000 polycrystalline modules and Sputnik Engineering?s SolarMax C central inverters to build the 3MW portfolio. Read more

Insight Management obtains rights to BIPV roofings solution

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 6:43 (Solarserver)

On April 21st, 2011, Insight Management Corporation (Orcutt, California, U.S.) announced that it has obtained exclusive rights to a roofing solution which incorporates solar photovoltaic (PV) modules with pre-insulated panels. The company has acquired rights to market, sell and build upon this building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology. Read more

Berkeley Lab: PV systems greatly add to home prices

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 6:38 (Solarserver)

The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, California, U.S.) has released a report which finds that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems significantly contribute to the selling prices of homes in the U.S. state of California. Read more

GlobalWatt, Silver Eagle to integrate solar modules on military/homeland security transport systems

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 3:01 (PV-Tech)

GlobalWatt and Silver Eagle Manufacturing have formed a partnership that will see the two companies incorporating GlobalWatt?s mobile solar system onto Silver Eagle?s Defense and Homeland Security transport systems. GlobalWatt will offer installations of a solar sub-system, which will be amalgamated into Silver Eagle trailers that are built for the US National Guard and Department of Defense. Silver Eagle will private label the solar products, which include GlobalWatt?s Avanti 4kW solar system. Read more

Intertek-tested PV products earn J-PEC recognition and eligibility for Japanese government subsidies

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 1:50 (PV-Tech)

Under its new recognition by Japan?s Department of Energy and its Japanese Photovoltaic Expansion Center (J-PEC), Intertek?s CB reports on PV products distributed to the Japanese market will be eligible for consumer subsidies. The recognition allows for a more streamlined operation where a manufacturer that has their PV products tested and certified by Intertek will not need any supplementary certifications or approvals when entering the Japanese market. Read more

Lincoln Renewable Energy and Macquarie close US$41 million deal on 10MW Oak Solar project

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 22:54 (PV-Tech)

Lincoln Renewable Energy (LRE) has finalized the sale and project finance deal with Macquarie Energy worth US$41 million. The agreement sees Macquarie Energy enter a long-term purchase agreement for power and renewable energy credits from LRE?s New Jersey-based 10MW Oak Solar PV project. LRE will remain the long-term owner of the facility, while Macquarie Energy provides construction finance and term debt for Oak Solar. Read more

SEMI, CPIA white paper details recommendations for China PV policy roadmap

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 22:15 (PV-Tech)

In a new report published by the SEMI PV Group, in collaboration with the SEMI China PV Advisory Committee and the China PV Industry Alliance (CPIA), a policy roadmap has been presented outlining how China can reach a global average PV electricity penetration level of 1.3% PV electricity by 2020. The report, entitled, ?China?s Solar Future ?A Recommended China PV Policy Roadmap 2.0?, uses the IEA Solar PV Roadmap as a benchmark for China, so that the country, which is well known as an export of PV goods, can better partake in using PV power as part of its energy consumption. Read more

Trina Solar Announces Sales Agreement with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 20:56 (Renewable Energy World)

Trina Solar Limited (TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that its subsidiary, Trina Solar (U.S.) Inc., has signed a sales agreement to supply solar modules to US-based FRV AE Solar, LLC ("FRV"), a subsidiary of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc. ("FRV, Inc."), a global independent solar power producer. Read more

IKEA completes 200kW Brooklyn build

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 18:41 (PV-Tech)

IKEA has now completed the installation of a 200kW solar rooftop project at its Brooklyn-based store. Constructed over 19,000-square feet, with four different module types totaling 1,104 panels, the system is one of the largest commercial rooftop installations in the five boroughs. The 240,000kWh of renewable electricity generated annually will be used to power the store, reinforcing the IKEA commitment to sustainable business practice and carbon reduction. Read more

TSMC forms TSMC Solar subsidiary

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 18:09 (PV-Tech)

The recently formed solar business unit of TSMC is being transferred into a wholly owned and incorporated subsidiary to called TSMC Solar Ltd. TSMC said in financial filings with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) that the value of its solar business unit had been pegged at NT$12.5 billion or US$433.1 million. Read more

Order Focus: Trina Solar extends RFI supply deal

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 17:34 (PV-Tech)

Trina Solar subsidiary Changzhou Trina Solar Energy has extended its national distribution agreement with RF Industries (RFI). Initially signed in January 2010, the ~40MW deal, which recognizes RFI as Trina?s exclusive distributor in Australia, will now run until December 31, 2012. Read more

Order Focus: Trina Solar extends RHI supply deal

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 17:34 (PV-Tech)

Trina Solar subsidiary Changzhou Trina Solar Energy has extended its national distribution agreement with RF Industries (RFI). Initially signed in January 2010, the ~40MW deal, which recognizes RFI as Trina?s exclusive distributor in Australia, will now run until December 31, 2012. Read more

12.4 MW: Conergy builds another solar park in Thailand with 100% own components

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 17:32 (Renewable Energy World)

? Thai solar park trio: A total of around 18 megawatts in one year ? Conergy System Technology in Asia on the rise: Two 100% Conergy parks in 3 months ? Thailand's Energy Authority DEDE: 12-14% growth in renewable energy in 2011 Read more

Sign of the times: LDK Solar lowers first quarter outlook

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:59 (PV-Tech)

Although not the first PV manufacturer to lower financial forecasts, LDK Solar is the first of the major producers reacting to weaker than expected market demand by sharply revising downward its first quarter 2011 financial forecast. However, LDK Solar expects the first quarter market softness to be short lived as the integrated PV producer reiterated guidance previously given for the full year. LDK Solar?s revised guidance but unchanged full year expectations could be the recurring theme as the quarterly results period looms. Read more

Sign of the times: LDK Solar lowers first-quarter outlook

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:59 (PV-Tech)

Although not the first PV manufacturer to lower financial forecasts, LDK Solar is the first of the major producers reacting to weaker-than-expected market demand by sharply revising downward its first-quarter 2011 financial forecast. However, LDK Solar expects the first-quarter market softness to be short lived, as the integrated PV producer reiterated guidance previously given for the full year. LDK Solar?s revised guidance but unchanged full-year expectations could be the recurring theme as the quarterly results period looms. Read more

TEPCO customers claim USD 1 million in solar PV rebates in 72 hours

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:25 (Solarserver)

On April 21st, 2011, Tampa Electric Company (TEPCO, Tampa, Florida, U.S.) announced that within 72 hours, its customers claimed the full USD 1 million in rebates that the company made available to support the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants at homes and businesses. The Renewable Energy rebate program will receive additional funding in 2012. Read more

PV production equipment provider Veeco reports USD 255 million in 1Q 2011 revenues

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:20 (Solarserver)

On April 25th, 2011, Veeco Instruments Inc. (Plainview, New York, U.S.) announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2011, reporting a net revenue USD 255 million, including USD 215 million in revenues from the company's LED & Solar division. The company also realized an operating margin of 31.3% and a net income of USD 53.1 million. Read more

Wells Fargo to fund USD 120 Million in U.S. solar projects developed by SunEdison

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 13:20 (Solarserver)

Wells Fargo & Company (San Francisco, Calif.) and SunEdison LLC (Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.), a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, on April 26th, 2011 announced an agreement by which Wells Fargo subsidiaries will invest up to USD 120 million to fund U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) distributed generation power projects developed by SunEdison over the next year. The program builds on a SunEdison solar investment fund established in 2007 in which Wells Fargo invested more than USD 200 million in approximately 150 solar projects developed by SunEdison in eight states. Read more

Intel to transfer manufacturing expertise to accelerate PV producer MiaSole's ramp to 150MW; companies enter solar manufacturing consulting agreement

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 13:06 (Solarserver)

MiaSole (Santa Clara, Calif.), a leading manufacturer of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, on April 26th, 2011 announced that it has entered into an agreement with Intel's Technical Manufacturing Services practice. Under this agreement, Intel will provide customized manufacturing services and systems, strategic consulting, operational knowledge and training to MiaSole as the company ramps its manufacturing facilities in 2011 and 2012. Read more

Solar Frontier selected by Granite Construction for 1.2MW PV plant in Coalinga, California

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 12:50 (Solarserver)

Solar Frontier on April 25th, 2011 announced that it has signed an agreement with Granite Construction Incorporated to provide 1.2 megawatts of solar thin-film CIS technology at Granite?s aggregate and hot mix facility in Coalinga, California. The solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which are now on site for installation, will cover 50% of the total energy requirement of the facility. The amount of solar energy provided for this mining facility represents the largest of its kind to date in the United States. Read more

Q-Cells enters Japanese residential solar market

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 12:48 (PV-Tech)

Q-Cells is set to become the first German firm to enter into the Japanese solar residential sector and is establishing a sales network of selected local installers, Q-Cells Meister Club (QMC), to help smooth its market entry. Read more

Solar Frontier Opens Largest Thin-film Plant in the World

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 11:33 (Renewable Energy World)

One of the world's largest solar module factories, perched atop the bucolic foothills of West Japan's bamboo and pine-covered mountains, began operating in February. Read more

Shenzhen's Achievements in Solar Industry

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 7:16 (Renewable Energy World)

Responding to Premier Wen's commitment at Copenhagen Conference, Shenzhen City requires that all of the newly constructed buildings (less than 12 floors) should be installed with the solar power. And the scope of relevant regulation will be enhanced to all the constructions. Shenzhen City has already been approved by the Central Government to be Pilot City in turns of making good use of renewable energy. The central government requires that Shenzhen City must successfully adopt renewable energy for 7 million square meters area within 3 years. This is a good turning point for Shenzhen City to adopt the solar power for the constructions. Read more

First solar thermal car wash in United States goes operational

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 6:44 (Solarserver)

On April 20th, 2011, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, U.S.) announced that a solar thermal installation with 40.9 square meters of collector space is completed and operating at a car wash in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. The CCEF, which funded the installation through its Solar Thermal Incentive Program, states that the Greenwich Avenue Car Wash is the first in the nation to use energy from the sun to heat wash water. Read more

Hanwha SolarOne receives UL, MCS, TÜV certifications

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 6:39 (Solarserver)

On April 21st, 2011, Hanwha SolarOne Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) announced that it has received Underwriter's Laboratories, (UL, Northbrook, Illinois, U.S.) Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and TÜV Rheinland (Köln, Germany) certification for its solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules These certifications allow the company's modules to be used in PV plants in the British, German and North American markets. Read more

United Solar accomplishes a 1.1MW rooftop PV system for Eurocopter?s French logistics center

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 1:00 (PV-Tech)

Energy Conversion Devices? subsidiary, United Solar, has completed a 1.1MW rooftop solar PV system at the logistics center for Eurocopter in Marignane, France. The installation covers the 500,522 square foot warehouse rooftop, which Barjane, a business par and logistic site builder in France, owns. Barjane will not only maintain ownership of the building, but also of the solar system. The project used Uni-Solar laminates, which were bonded to a waterproof membrane by Derbigum using their Derbisolar PV product. Read more

Bosch names Eric Daniels as new North America regional solar energy president

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 0:50 (PV-Tech)

Eric Daniels will be leading the Solar Energy North American division of Robert Bosch as the department?s first solar energy regional president. In his new role, Daniels will supervise the company?s solar business in North America while specifically focusing on business development opportunities. Daniels is a 14-year veteran of the solar industry who joins Bosch from BP Solar where he served as CTO for seven years. Read more

Winds of Change: Challenges in an Ongoing Wind Boom in Texas

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 23:34 (Renewable Energy World)

In regard to wind energy, Texas is the most important state in the U.S. and has been leading the American wind energy market with a cumulative installed wind energy capacity of 10,085 MW, which is more than twice the capacity of the next ranking state, Iowa (3,675 MW). Read more

DRI Energy installs 1.24MW rooftop, parking canopy PV system at San Jose?s central service yard

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 23:25 (PV-Tech)

San Jose?s central service yard, which houses the city?s municipal vehicles and provides city storage, has a new 1.24MW solar system.  On hand to officially activate the system was San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and officials from DRI Energy, the company responsible for the design and construction of the solar system. Constructed on both the facility?s rooftop and as canopy?s for the parking area, the solar project will produce over 1.8 million kWh of solar energy every year with its 5,614 Yingli Green Energy solar modules. Read more

Stoel Rives Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Team presents THE LAW OF MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC ENERGY: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 21:25 (Renewable Energy World)

Read more

Indiana Senate concurs on energy bill with voluntary Clean Energy Portfolio Standard

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 18:46 (Renewable Energy World)

Read more

Yingli Green opens new regional headquarters in Southeast Asia

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 18:07 (PV-Tech)

In a bid to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia, Yingli Green Energy has established its regional headquarters in Singapore. Setting up the subsidiary Yingli Green Energy Singapore, the company will drive sales and further business development from the new office, which is located on Battery Road. Read more

Konarka names Kenneth McCauley as new vice president of sales, marketing and business development

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:37 (PV-Tech)

Konarka Technologies has named Kenneth McCauley as its new vice president of sales, marketing and business development. McCauley will be responsible for increasing global distribution sales and design contracts for Konarka?s Power Plastic, which converts light to electricity. Read more

CVEC selects American Capital Energy for 18.3MW PV project

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:14 (Solarserver)

On April 21st, 2011, the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative Inc. (CVEC, Barnstable, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that it has awarded a 18.3MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project to American Capital Energy (North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, U.S.). The project will be located on 10 sites in seven CVEC member towns in Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S. Read more

PG&E CEO Peter Darbee to retire

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 16:08 (Solarserver)

On April 21st, 2011, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E, San Francisco, California, U.S.) announced that it will elect a new chairman, CEO and president in coming weeks to succeed Chairman, CEO and President Peter Darbee, who will retire on April 30th, 2011. The Renewable Energy Accountability Project (REAP, Sacramento, California, U.S.) has stated that it "welcomes" the departure of Mr. Darbee from the company, claiming that PG&E has opposed renewable energy requirements under Mr. Darbee's leadership. Read more

USMC releases strategy document on moving to greater renewable energy use

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 15:58 (Solarserver)

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has released a strategy document outlining plans to reduce fossil fuel use 50% per capita and increase operational renewable energy use to 50% by 2025. The "United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Strategy and Implementation Plan" describes these steps as vital to overcoming logistical vulnerabilities and maintaining battlefield effectiveness. Read more

Kuraray commercializes its concentrator PV lens, begins supply contract with Amonix

Wednesday, 4.27.2011 - 2:18 (PV-Tech)

Kuraray has simultaneously announced its commercialization plans for its concentrating PV lens and its intended supply of its technology to Amonix. Kuraray has been working on expanding its business divisions over the past two years and in the energy sector has been working on developing a concentrating lens by producing methacrylic resin. Read more