Teamwork in the Solar Photovoltaic Industry

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 19:17 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar photovoltaic industry in Ontario and around the world is growing at an unprecedented rate, creating the jobs that underpin a green economy and a sustainable power grid. With this growth came an increased demand from industry for high-quality research in solar systems design and optimization in realistic (and sometimes extreme) Canadian outdoor environments. To answer this need, a partnership has formed the Open Solar Outdoors Test Field (OSOTF). The OSOTF was originally developed with a strong partnership between the Applied Sustainability Research Group run by Dr. Joshua Pearce at Queen's University and the Sustainable Energy Applied Research Centre (SEARC) at Read more

Meyer Burger ploughs ahead with Roth & Rau takeover

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 17:48 (PV-Tech)

Roth & Rau?s management and supervisory boards have published a statement that publicises the company?s agreement with the proposed ?22.00 per Roth & Rau share. This approval, required in order for the takeover by Meyer Burger to go ahead, signifies the support on the part of Roth & Rau?s management and supervisory boards of the takeover and their recommendation for other shareholders to accept the offer also. Read more

Ecuador Adopts Feed-in Tariffs

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 17:08 (Renewable Energy World)

The electricity authority of Ecuador adopted a system of feed-in tariffs for the development of renewable energy on April 14, 2011. The regulations cover both continental Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Read more

Order Focus: Canadian Solar to ship 81MW of solar modules to Saferay

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 14:59 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar has signed a sales agreement that will see the company supply 81MW of solar modules to Saferay, Berlin-based developer, owner and operator of large-scale PV power plants, at a fixed price for projects based in Germany. With delivery of the modules already underway, the entire 81MW is expected to be delivered to Saferay before the end of the third quarter 2011. The cost of the transaction was not revealed. Read more

PV production technology: BTU International wins EM Asia Innovation Award for TRITAN metallization firing furnace

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:17 (Solarserver)

BTU International, Inc. (North Billerica, Mass), a supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment and processes for the alternative, solar photovoltaic (PV) and electronics manufacturing markets, announces that it has been awarded a 2011 EM Asia Innovation Award in the category of Alternative Energy - Production Equipment for its "TRITAN" Metallization Firing System. The award was presented to the company during a May 12th, 2011 ceremony that took place at the Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center during NEPCON China 2011. Read more

Enfinity completes two French PV plants totaling 18.2 MW

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:12 (Solarserver)

On May 12th, 2011, Enfinity (Waragem, Belgium) announced the completion of two solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 18.2 MW in Le Mées, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France. The 12 MW and 6.2 MW plants were constructed on Puimichel plateau at a height of 800 meters, in an area that Enfinity describes as having among the best solar irradiation in the nation. Read more

Q-Cells revenues collapse 67.7% in 1Q 2011

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:09 (Solarserver)

On May 12th, 2011, Q-Cells SE (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) announced first quarter 2011 financial results, reporting a 67.7% drop in revenues to EUR 125.1 million (USD 176 million) from the fourth quarter of 2010. The photovoltaics (PV) company also reported an EBIT loss of EUR 10.6 million (USD 14.9 million) and a net loss of EUR 41.1 million (USD 57.9 million). Read more

PV production technology: Mobius unveils new laser system

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:05 (Solarserver)

On May 11th, 2011, Mobius Photonics Inc. (Mountain View, California, U.S.) announced the availability of its G1R3 laser source, intended for precision materials processing applications including solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing. The G1R3 is a fiber-based, short-pulse, high-repetition-rate system that can generate ultraviolet, green or infrared output. Read more

Regional sales diversification helps Conergy?s sales but pricing pressure hits profits

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 7:28 (PV-Tech)

Mixed results were seen by Conergy for the first quarter as international sales took the sting out of very weak demand in Germany. Conergy reported sales of ?163.3 million in the first quarter 2011, up 8.6% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. However, sales were down significantly from the fourth-quarter 2010, when sales reached ?248.5 million. Read more

Order Focus: GT Solar lands US$84 million in orders for multicrystalline growth furnaces

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 22:52 (PV-Tech)

GT Solar International has received orders for its DSS multicrystalline growth furnaces totaling US$84.3 million. Orders were place by both existing and new customers including Nantong Zongyi New Material and Inner Mongolia Zhong Huan Solar Material. The orders will be included in GT?s backlog for the quarter, which ends on July 2. Read more

GCL-Poly and Amsolar commence construction of 5MW solar project for San Diego school district

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 22:33 (PV-Tech)

Construction on a 5MW project across 20 of San Diego Unified School District?s (SDUSD) schools has begun thanks to GCL-Poly Energy Holdings and their partner on this project, Amsolar. The solar project will use 23,000 PV panels, which will be incorporated onto the school?s rooftops and parking structures. SDUSD approximates that the 5MW installation will offset 64% of the sites and 11% of the district?s energy power needs. Completion of the installations is scheduled for October and is lauded as one of the largest school solar systems in the state once complete. Read more

Canadian Solar Announces 81 MW Sales Agreement with Saferay

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 19:33 (Renewable Energy World)

Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company", "we" or "Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar companies, today announced that the Company has signed an agreement to sell 81 MW of solar modules to Saferay GmbH (www.safe-ray.com) at a fixed price for projects in Germany. Canadian Solar is expected to deliver the full 81 MW before the end of the third quarter 2011. Delivery has already commenced. Read more

Queen's Leads Development of Cutting-edge Solar Panel Testing Facility

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 19:17 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar photovoltaic industry in Ontario and around the world is growing at an unprecedented rate, creating the jobs that underpin a green economy and a sustainable power grid. With this growth came an increased demand from industry for high-quality research in solar systems design and optimization in realistic (and sometimes extreme) Canadian outdoor environments. To answer this need, a partnership has formed the Open Solar Outdoors Test Field (OSOTF). Read more

OPEL Solar, Inc. Named 'Exclusive' Supplier by Grape Solar, Inc.

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 17:42 (Renewable Energy World)

OPEL Solar International Inc. (TSX VENTURE:OPL) ("OPEL Solar," or "the Company") a leading developer and supplier of ground-based and rooftop solar tracker systems and high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels announced today that Grape Solar, Inc. ("Grape") has selected OPEL Solar as its exclusive, worldwide supplier of solar trackers for its solar projects. This is OPEL's first exclusive supply agreement with a major photovoltaic ("PV") panel manufacturer and supplier, and it establishes recognition that OPEL Solar's tracking systems are a preferred industry choice. This announcement follows just days after the recent OPEL Solar announcement of receiving the Read more

Sir Terry Pratchett will open SKYShades? garden at the Chelsea Flower Show

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 14:58 (Solarpowerportal)

Showcased at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the ‘SKYShades Garden – Powered by Light,’ which features an integrated solar roof, is to be officially opened by Sir Terry Pratchett and Ashley Leiman OBE, Trustees of the Orangutan Foundation with Dr Robert Carpenter, Managing Director of SKYShades UK. Read more

Community Energy signs PPA with Exelon for largest solar PV project to date in Pennsylvania

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:23 (Solarserver)

Community Energy Solar, LLC (Radnor, Pqa.) and Exelon Generation (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.), announced the close of a 15-year agreement for the purchase of power and renewable energy credits from a 6 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project that Community Energy is building in Lancaster County, PA. The agreement will support the construction of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in the state, consisting of approximately 25,000 solar panels installed on approximately 30 acres. Read more

Scheuten Solar obtains certification of building integrated PV systems in France

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:21 (Solarserver)

Scheuten Solar (Venlo, The Netherlands), an international producer and distributor of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels was awarded the official PASS?INNOVATION for its "Multisol" Integra PV system by the French certification body CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment). The PV system had already previously been approved by the German TÜV. In the French solar market, integrated PV systems obtain the highest feed-in tariff. Read more

PV systems integrator Etrion posts net loss of USD 1.5 million in 1Q 2011

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:19 (Solarserver)

On May 11th, 2011, Etrion Corporation (Geneva, Switzerland) released interim financial statements for the first quarter of 2011, reporting USD 7.3 million in revenues from the sale of solar-generated electricity, and a net loss of USD 1.5 million. The company's solar projects have produced more than 12 GWh (12 million kWh) of electricity. Read more

Polysilicon production technology: GT Solar announces productivity enhancement to DSS650 multicrystalline ingot growth system

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:14 (Solarserver)

GT Solar International, Inc. (Merrimack, N.H.), a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems and materials for the solar, LED and other specialty markets, on May 13th, 2011 announced a productivity improvement to its latest generation multicrystalline ingot growth system, the "DSS" 650, which was first announced in January. Read more

Georgia increases solar tax credit cap to USD 5 million annually to offset the cost of installing PV systems

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 13:07 (Solarserver)

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has signed into law an increase in the U.S. state's cap on its tax credit for solar installations to USD 5 million annually from 2012-2014 from the current limit of USD 2.5 million. Under the law, businesses are eligible to receive up to USD 500,000 in tax credits to offset the cost of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and homeowners are eligible to receive up to USD 10,500. Read more

Biomass CHP, District Energy Focus of New BTEC Webinar

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 20:15 (Renewable Energy World)

Register now and attend, "Large-Scale Biomass Thermal: District Energy and CHP," a free webinar on Wednesday, May 25 at 2PM ET, by the Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC), and hear from three distinguished panelists on their experiences implementing biomass-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) and district energy systems. This is the fifth webinar in a series funded in part by the USDA's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC). Read more

Best for Batteries: Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 17:17 (Renewable Energy World)

With average U.S. gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon, drivers and automakers are thinking electric. Previously steered in this direction by concerns about pollution and dependence on foreign oil, consumer interest in electric-drive cars continues to surge. But before Americans are able to flip the switch from gasoline to electricity, automakers need batteries for the next generation of electric vehicles that can deliver the range, performance, reliability and safety drivers expect. Read more

Seeds of a Biomass Coalition Taking Hold

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 12:59 (Renewable Energy World)

The recent Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass conference showed signs the biomass industry is reaching maturity. Read more

100 Percent Renewables: The Resources are There, Says UN Report

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 17:42 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy sources are expected to contribute up to 80 percent of global energy supply by 2050, according to a new report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Read more

British Gas improves social housing energy services with PH Jones acquisition

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 17:17 (Solarpowerportal)

British Gas Community Energy has acquired PH Jones Group, the provider of central heating services to the social housing market, for £30 million in cash. This deal marks a major step in the company’s strategy to build its social housing energy services business and help social housing providers across the UK to cut their residents’ energy use, carbon emissions and fuel bills. Read more

Cameron extends carbon budget to 2027

Monday, 5.16.2011 - 14:12 (Solarpowerportal)

Prime Minister David Cameron has made an agreement on emissions that extends past the 2020 boundary, it has been reported. Expected to be announced in full tomorrow, the decision will extend the UK’s carbon budget beyond the existing 2020 deadline up to 2027, and call for a shake-up in the way the country’s energy... Read more