Schiller Wins Additional Thin Film Fab Automation Contracts

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 21:50 (Renewable Energy World)

Schiller Automation GmbH & Co. KG, a leading provider of production solutions to the solar industry, announced today that it has been awarded contracts for a new thin film factory. Based on the Schiller design already in use in 8 operating thin film factories, the new contract expands the company's growing base of business in China. Read more

Conergy completes first North American project on Hawaii

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 18:07 (PV-Tech)

Conergy has broken new ground by completing work on its maiden North American solar installation in Hawaii. The 320kW system is housed on the roof of Fujifilm?s regional office in Oahu and was developed in partnership with local developer 21st Century. Read more

Yingli Green revises Q1 shipping guidance downwards

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 17:20 (PV-Tech)

Yingli Green Energy has become the latest company to feel the force of the global slowdown in the PV industry and has revised its Q1 shipping guidance accordingly. Last winter?s inclement weather and cuts to Italy?s feed-in tariff has hit demand across the board, and Yingli is forecasting quarter-to-quarter shipments to fall by a low-teen percentage. Read more

IMS Research: PV module shipments declined 10% in 1Q 2011

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:55 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2011, IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) stated that solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments declined by 10% in the first quarter of 2011, for the first time in two years, and that PV cell and module prices have also fallen. Read more

ADVANCED ENERGY SETS INDUSTRY RECORD FOR SOLAR INVERTER EFFICIENCY

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 23:53 (Renewable Energy World)

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS), today announced that its 500kW Solaron® PV inverters have achieved a 98 percent efficiency rating from the California Energy Commission (CEC), a record-breaking efficiency rating for any inverter in this power class. Advanced Energy also held the previous industry benchmarks of 97 percent and then 97.5 percent. By achieving 98 percent average efficiency without carve-outs for auxiliary power or other adjustments, the company is further distancing its products from competitors in the large commercial and utility-scale solar inverter market. Read more

Louis-Philippe Lalonde joins Enecsys as VP of worldwide marketing and product management

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 22:56 (PV-Tech)

As Enecsys prepares to bring its solar PV products to the North American market, it has appointed a twenty-year technology professional to its executive team to help with the transition. Louis-Philippe Lalonde will serve as the company?s new vice president of worldwide marketing and product management, which will see him direct global-based marketing and product management teams for the North American and European markets. Read more

Advanced Energy Sets Industry Record for Solar Inverter Efficiency

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 18:37 (Renewable Energy World)

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UK solar industry continues to make headway

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 18:27 (Solarpowerportal)

As we move steadily through the month of May, it is exciting to see that the solar photovoltaics industry is till ploughing forward, despite the various setbacks thrown in its path since conception back in 2010. In fact, regulator Ofgem recorded over 10MW of new installations in the month of April 2011 alone, up from just 0.982MW for the same... Read more

TROJAN BATTERY EXPANDS AGM LINE TO SUPPORT A WIDER RANGE OF SOLAR APPLICATIONS

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 17:06 (Renewable Energy World)

Trojan Battery adds U1-AGM and 22-AGM battery models expanding its AGM lineup to feature a wider variety of battery sizes to address most any renewable energy application. The new deep-cycle AGM batteries support the power needs of renewable energy off-grid and grid-tied solar home systems, solar lighting, industrial and backup power applications that require daily battery cycling capabilities. Trojan batteries provide the reliability and low maintenance which are key factors contributing to the overall performance and maintenance requirements of a grid-tied or off-grid solar system. Read more

Solar PV blooms at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 14:59 (Solarpowerportal)

Providing a much-needed boost to the UK solar industry, SKYShades, the lightweight, thin-film flexible solar power roofing company, is sponsoring The SKYShades Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. As part of its official launch at the world-renowned exhibition, the company will be showcasing the world’s first retractable photovoltaic awning. Read more

California Department of Corrections announces 20-year agreements for 23MW of PV plants at five prisons

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 13:59 (Solarserver)

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR, Sacramento) on May 10th, 2011 announced five renewable-energy agreements to add nearly 23 megawatts of on-site solar-generated power at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison and Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California, Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, North Kern State Prison in Delano, and California State Prison, Los Angeles County, in Lancaster. Read more

Centrosolar introduces S-Series PV Modules made in Ontario

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 13:52 (Solarserver)

Centrosolar Canada (Markham, Ontario), the Canadian subsidiary of CENTROSOLAR Group AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany announces the release of the S-Series photovoltaic modules, now available to local solar dealers and installers. Engineered in Germany and manufactured in Ontario, Centrosolar Canada?s S-Series is designed for both residential and commercial solar PV applications. Read more

B&W signs MOU to collaborate with Toshiba on solar power generation opportunities

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 13:35 (Solarserver)

The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W, Charlotte, N.C,) on May 10th, 2011 announced that its subsidiary Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W PGG) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) to cooperatively explore strategic, manufacturing, research and other opportunities in advanced supercritical power generation and solar energy technologies around the world. Read more

Trina Solar announces updates to first quarter 2011 guidance; Slightly lower PV module shipments compared to the fourth quarter of 2010

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 13:11 (Solarserver)

Trina Solar Limited (Changzhou, China), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, on May 10th, 2011 announced updates to its previous guidance made for the quarter ended March 31st, 2011. Due to impacts to module demand and order flow linked to Italy's solar regulatory revisions, the Company expects its solar module shipments in the first quarter to be in the range of 320MW to 322MW, compared to the Company's previous guidance of slightly higher than the approximately 351MW shipped in the fourth quarter of 2010. Read more

First Solar & China Power International New Energy announce international cooperation framework agreement to develop PV projects in China

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 13:02 (Solarserver)

First Solar, Inc. (Tempe, Ariz.) and China Power International New Energy Holding Limited (CPINE, Bejing, China), a wholly owned subsidiary of China Power New Energy Development Company Limited, on May 10th, 2011 signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to collaborate on solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China, the United States and other international markets. Read more

TechPrecision receives new order for CIGS manufacturing equipment

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:06 (PV-Tech)

TechPrecision has received an order totalling US$400,000 from a new customer for equipment to manufacture thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar panels. This is the fourth strategic Tier-1 customer TechPrecision has acquired since the start of the 2011 fiscal year and shipment is due to be completed by Q3 2012. Read more

California's Largest Multi-Residential Solar Water Heating Project of State's New Program

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 6:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Thanks to a new solar water heating incentive program from the state of California, The Tradewinds, a community of condominium homes nestled in the heart of San Jose's Blossom Valley, will become the largest solar water heating project in the state. Construction on the project is expected to start this month. Read more

SunPower and Rancho California Water District reteam for tracker, parking canopy solar installations

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 3:22 (PV-Tech)

In 2009, SunPower built the Rancho California Water District (RCWD) a 1.1MW solar system at RCWD?s Santa Rosa Water Reclamation facility and two years later, the two organizations have come back together to develop an additional 1.7MW at two RCWD locations. Read more

ECD sees revenues slide, incurs major losses; CEO Morelli resigns as part of reorganization

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 3:03 (PV-Tech)

Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) is looking to put its third fiscal quarter of 2011 and its rather dreary financial results behind it. The company has decided upon a strategic corporate restructuring process that it hopes will lead it to better future financial results. The company saw its consolidated revenue slide 69% from Q2 2011 and 70% from its Q3 2010 results by only posting US$21.5 million in Q3 2011, pinpointing ?industry-wide disruptions? in key European solar markets as the leading factor in its final Q3 revenue. Read more

SunEdison signs on for 23MW of solar projects at five California prison system sites

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 1:39 (PV-Tech)

SunEdison will be constructing and maintaining five solar installations for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The 23MW agreement will see solar projects built at the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, the Ironwood State Prison, the California Correctional Institution, the North Kern State Prison and the California State Prison.  The CDCR noted that it will not use any General Fund tax dollars for the projects and that the solar installations will utilize incentive dollars from C Read more

Hanwha SolarOne expands North American team

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 1:13 (PV-Tech)

In an effort to better serve its customers in North America, Hanwha SolarOne has added new personnel to support the company?s growth and business in the region. Serving as senior director for the Southwestern region, including Southern California and the Southwest US, John McLaughlin comes to Hanwha SolarOne with over fifteen years of experience with organizations such as United Polychem and Exxon Mobil. Read more

MA Proposes GHG Restrictions on Biomass Power

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:38 (Renewable Energy World)

The Massachusetts governor's office last week said the biomass electricity industry must meet strict emissions standards if wood-fired power plants expect to earn renewable energy credits (RECs). Read more

California grows wind energy market and reaps the benefits, encouraging 20,000 dealmakers to head to Anaheim in 10 days

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 15:33 (Renewable Energy World)

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Natural Power to host free webinar on lidar best practice

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 10:14 (Renewable Energy World)

Natural Power's Technical Director will be hosting a free webinar on the company's recommendations on the use of lidar in field campaigns for wind energy projects. Read more

Japan's Geothermal Resouces Get a Closer Look

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 18:45 (Renewable Energy World)

For centuries, the Japanese have enjoyed relaxing in abundant hot springs, or "onsen," which are heated by the volcanic and tectonic activity that makes East Asia prone to major earthquakes. Read more

GEA Sees Lively Discussion, Strong International Presence at Geothermal Forum in DC

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:18 (Renewable Energy World)

The 2011 Geothermal Energy Technology and International Development Forum was held by the Geothermal Energy Association, in collaboration with The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Energy, on May 4 in Washington DC. High level officials in attendance represented Pakistan, Canada, Dominica, Iceland, Japan, St Kits and Nevis, New Zealand, Hungary, Australia and Indonesia. Read more

Constellation Energy to build 5.38MW rooftop system for Toys R Us

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 18:42 (PV-Tech)

Constellation Energy is to build, own and maintain a 5.38MW solar installation at Toys R Us?s distribution centre in Flanders, New Jersey. The system will be connected to the grid this summer and all the electricity generated will be purchased by the toy store under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Read more

Renewables could make up 77% of globe?s energy supply by 2050, according to IPCC report

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 14:56 (PV-Tech)

By 2050, nearly 80% of the world?s energy could be supplied by renewables, according to a new report from the UN?s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The paper, which has taken more than 120 researchers over three years to produce, also claims that an investment of anywhere between US$2,850 and US$12,280 billion could be required to fund this green energy boom over the next 20 years. Read more

NREL releases assessment of voluntary green power programs

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 14:05 (Solarserver)

On May 9th, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL, Golden, Colorado, U.S.) released its assessment of voluntary utility renewable energy purchase programs in the U.S., noting that Austin Energy (Austin, Texas) sold the largest amount of electricity through its program in 2010 at 86.1 million MWh. Read more

Daqo New Energy revenues grow to USD 87.3 million in 1Q 2011; 1,089 metric tons of polysilicon shipped

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 13:41 (Solarserver)

On May 9th, 2011, Daqo New Energy Corp. (Chongqing, China) announced financial and operational results for the first quarter of 2011, reporting a 6.6% increase in quarter-to-quarter revenues to USD 87.3 million. The company shipped 1,089 metric tons of polysilicon during the quarter. Read more

Energy Conversion Devices revenues collapse in 1Q 2011, announces major restructuring

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:30 (Solarserver)

In what may be the first major fallout from a slump in the global solar photovoltaic (PV) market in 1Q 2011, On May 10th, 2011, Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ECD, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.) reported a 69% quarter-to-quarter decrease in revenues to USD 21.5 million in its quarterly financial results. Read more

Renewables could make up 80% of the world?s energy supply by 2050

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:20 (Solarpowerportal)

A teaser renewables report, which has been published ahead of a more in-depth version expected later in the year, claims that close to 80% of the world’s energy supply could be met by... Read more

Sempra Energy announces USD 258 million in 1Q 2011 earnings

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 12:11 (Solarserver)

On May 9th, 2011, Sempra Energy (San Diego, California, U.S.) announced its first quarter 2011 financial results, including reporting USD 44 million in earnings from subsidiary Sempra Generation (San Diego, California, U.S.) and USD 89 million from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E, San Diego, California, U.S.). Read more

Advanced Energy Storage: What's the Value of Frequency Regulation?

Wednesday, 5.11.2011 - 10:17 (Renewable Energy World)

Advanced energy storage, including solutions based on lithium-ion battery technology, are technically and economically superior to traditional generation-based mechanisms used for supply of ancillary services. Energy storage can also help accelerate the adoption of renewable energy by compensating for the variabilty of wind and solar. Energy storage makes these sources more predictable, allowing them to be more seamlessly integrated with the existing power grid. Read more