3S Modultec client KISCO starts PV module production in Korea in record time

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 20:15 (Solarserver)

With the help of 3S Swiss Solar Systems, a member of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd., the Korean solar photovoltaic (PV) company KISCO has completed the certification of its module production in Korea within a period of just a few weeks. This means that KISCO has not only achieved production start-up but also certification in record time, 3S Swiss Solar Systems emphasizes in a press release. Read more

Suntech expands capacity of Arizona panel production facility

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 15:45 (PV-Tech)

The world?s largest producer of solar panels, Suntech Power, has increased the annual capacity of its new manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona to 50MW. This is the second expansion of the site since it was opened in October 2010 and its new 24/7 operating hours will help raise monthly output to 15,000 panels. Read more

Why PV balance of systems is important in 2011

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:30 (Renewable Energy World)

In a recent report 'uncertainty in long-term photovoltaic yield prediction' by CanmetENERGY it demonstrated why it is vital to prioritise optimisation of PV balance of systems in order to achieve maximum plant efficiency & improved profit margins for plant owners. Read more

KACO new energy opens first North American manufacturing facility in London, Ontario

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 1:02 (Renewable Energy World)

KACO new energy, one of the world's largest inverter manufacturers - with over 3 GW of PV inverters in the field to date has opened its first full scale manufacturing facility in North America. Read more

WMECo begins development of 2.2MW PV power plant

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 22:51 (PV-Tech)

Officials from Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) were joined by local and state officials to commemorate the development of a 2.2MW large-scale solar energy installation at a former foundry site in the Indian Orchard area of Springfield, Massachusetts. The installation will consist of 8,200 solar panels built across the 12-acre site and is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2011. Read more

SMA Solar selects Pierre-Pascal Urbon as new CEO

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 21:50 (PV-Tech)

Pierre-Pascal Urbon has been elected as the new CEO of PV inverter market leader SMA Solar Technology, replacing Günther Cramer. Urbon, who also is the company?s CFO,  was appointed to the additional position at a meeting of the managing board and will assume his new position on May 26, following the firm?s annual general meeting. Read more

Constellation to construct 1.23MW rooftop solar system on GM?s new electric motor plant in Maryland

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 21:45 (PV-Tech)

Constellation Energy will be building a 1.23MW rooftop solar system for General Motors? new electric motor plant in Baltimore, Maryland.  The new US$269.5 million GM plant, which broke ground today and is slated to open in 2013, will house GM?s two-mode hybrid and heavy-duty transmission operations.  Constellation Energy and GM previously worked together on the installation of a 951kW solar system at GM?s Fontana, California service and parts operations warehouse. Read more

Apricus Announces Buy American Act and ARRA Compliant Commercial Collector

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 21:20 (Renewable Energy World)

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Order Focus: Renogy signs LOI for delivery of 10MW of PV modules to SunPods

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 21:08 (PV-Tech)

SunPods and Renogy have signed a letter of intent (LOI), which will see the two companies engage in a two-year supply agreement for 10MW of PV modules. Renogy?s PV modules will be included on select factory-built solar arrays for the US market and in SunPods? Solar Energy Export Kit (SEEK), which is used in international solar projects. Financial terms under the LOI were not disclosed. Read more

Trina Solar revenues, shipments fall, as company feels pain of Italian market uncertainty

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 21:06 (PV-Tech)

Another major photovoltaics manufacturer saw its first-quarter results take a hit, as Trina Solar experienced sequential declines in revenues, module shipments, profits, and margins. Manufacturing costs remained flat during the period, while cell and module production capacity grew to 1.6GW. Despite the weaker-than-expected results, the Chinese company said it did gain in market share in several regions and expects the geographical diversification of its business to continue. Read more

Emerson to provide PV inverters for one of the largest solar energy projects in the U.S.

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 20:17 (Solarserver)

Emerson (St. Louis, Missouri) has been awarded a contract to supply power technology for one of the largest solar energy projects in the United States. Under an agreement with Wind Turbine & Energy Cables Corp. (WTEC), a leader in the innovation of solar and wind engineered systems, Emerson will provide utility-scale power inverters for a 30-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Webberville, Texas. Read more

Scatec Solar completes 4 MW PV plant in Puglia, Italy

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 20:09 (Solarserver)

Scatec Solar (Oslo), a global solar energy provider, has completed and grid connected a 4 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Puglia near San Marzano in Southern Italy . The plant was built under a contract of the Kokusai-Geosol Group. It is the third project the two companies have completed. Read more

First Solar receives notification letters from the U.S. Department of Energy confirming three PV projects moving forward in the loan guarantee process

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 20:07 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2011, the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office provided an update regarding First Solar (Tempe, Ariz.) projects it will continue to evaluate through the final steps required to complete a loan guarantee. Also on May 10th, First Solar received notification letters from the DOE confirming that AV Solar Ranch One, Topaz, and Desert Sunlight, will continue to be evaluated by the DOE Loan Programs Office. Read more

Concentrated Solar Power's question of scale: Why bigger is not better

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 15:38 (Renewable Energy World)

In a bid to identify the tipping point between scale and cost efficiency, the latest report from CSP Today, 'CSP Parabolic Trough Report: Costs and Performance', challenges the conventional wisdom on scale and cost. Read more

What is happening to bring down PV systems costs? Europe's leading solar company Gehrlicher share their perspective

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 15:14 (Renewable Energy World)

Cost reduction in the PV industry has tended to focus on cell technology. But what of materials use, installation and maintenance expense? We look at some alternative ways to improve efficiency across the PV supply chain Read more

Order Focus: Trina agrees 130MW module sales contract with Mohring Energie

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 14:02 (PV-Tech)

Trina Solar has, via its German subsidiary, completed a sales agreement with German engineering, procurement and construction company Mohring Energie that will see Trina deliver 130MW of PV modules in the second and third quarter of 2011. The modules, which will be sold at pre-agreed US$ prices, will be installed in several projects, one of which is said to be one of Europe?s largest PV power plant installations in 2011. Shipments of the modules have already commenced; the value of the deal was not disclosed. Read more

Arise Technologies awarded contract for 250kW Ontario rooftop system

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 13:07 (PV-Tech)

Arise Technologies? Systems Division has been awarded a contract to help install a 250kW solar rooftop system for a major condominium developer in Milton, Ontario. The Del Ridge Homes? development has been designed meet the requirements of the province?s feed-in tariff and will be operational by autumn 2011. Read more

Xcel Energy files RES compliance plan with CPUC to acquire double the amount of electricity from customer-sited solar

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:59 (Solarserver)

On May 13th, 2011, Xcel Energy Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.) filed its Renewable Energy Standard (RES) Compliance Plan with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), including a plan to acquire double the amount of electricity from customer-sited solar as is required by the state's RES policy. Read more

SPI?s first-quarter results show slight dip in earnings as company transitions to developer status

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:54 (PV-Tech)

Solar Power, Inc. (SPI) has released its earning figures for the first three months of 2011, which reflect a slight decrease in sales but a corresponding decrease in operating costs and expenses compared to the same period in 2010. In January, the company sold 70% of its shares to LDK Solar, which assumed total manufacturing control of SPI?s former module manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China. Read more

Ecuador institutes feed-in tariffs; USD 0.4/kWh for solar PV

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:51 (Solarserver)

At its meeting on April 14, 2011, the Directorate of CONELEC, Ecuador's National Electricity Board, approved a series of regulations to create a system of feed-in tariffs for the nation. The program will offer standard 15-year contracts and includes a tariff for solar photovoltaics (PV) of all sizes of USD 0.4/kWh. Read more

News Feature: Australia?s solar industry fights for survival

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:46 (PV-Tech)

Following the recent news that the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, was to reduce the Solar Credits support multiplier from July 1, 2011 effectively ending the support program by July 2013, the New South Wales Government has now permanently closed the solar bonus scheme to new applicants. Adding insult to this injury, all existing feed-in tariff beneficiaries will also stand to lose out as the AUD$0.60/kWh rate is cut. Read more

Canadian Solar to supply German PV systems integrator Saferay with 81MW of PV modules

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:45 (Solarserver)

On May 16th, 2011, Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchener, Canada) announced that it has signed an agreement to sell 81MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to Saferay GmbH (Berlin, Germany) at a fixed priced for projects in Germany. Read more

GCL-Poly begins construction on 5MW solar project at San Diego Unified School District

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 12:33 (Solarserver)

GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited (San Francisco, Calif.) on May 16th, 2011 announced that construction has begun on a solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the 20 schools in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). Read more

Sungevity joins forces with DIY giant to promote residential solar

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 11:42 (PV-Tech)

Sungevity has signed an agreement to work alongside one of the world?s largest DIY stores on the promotion of residential solar in North America. The joint venture will see retail giant Lowe?s incorporate Sungevity?s iQuote system into its in-store service, helping to ease the logistical headache surrounding domestic PV installations. Read more

Time-Saving 'Plug & Play' Solar Hot Water to be showcased at Solar 2011

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 8:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Alpha Thermal Systems and PAW will showcase new "plug & play" Solar Hot Water (SHW) systems to North American renewable energy market at the Solar 2011 ASES National Solar Conference in Raleigh, NC. Read more

OPEL Solar selected by Grape Solar as exclusive solar tracker supplier

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 1:55 (PV-Tech)

OPEL Solar International was designated the exclusive worldwide supplier of solar trackers for Grape Solar. This marks OPEL?s first exclusive supply agreement with a PV panel manufacturer and supplier. Leon Pierhal, OPEL Solar?s CEO, indicated, ?Grape has an impressive product line of high efficiency PV panels from both China and US manufacturing locations, with plans for additional expansion to Ontario, Canada. We expect that Grape?s close alliances with leading solar integrators and engineering firms will greatly enhance OPEL?s sales channels and, that Grape Solar will become a key supplier of PV panels to OPEL?s tracker customers.? Read more

eIQ collaborates with Queen?s University for study on environmental impact to solar panels

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 0:41 (PV-Tech)

Queen?s University in Kingston, Ontario, is spearheading the Open Solar Outdoors Test Field (OSOTF), a study that aims to investigate how diverse weather conditions effect a solar panels performance. eIQ Energy has signed on to help OSOTF by contributing its vBoost DC-to-DC converter modules on a solar array. The project is being conducted at a grid-connected solar panel testing facility that constantly measures the energy output of 95 different types of solar panels while relating their performance to meteorological data. Read more

Order Focus: Emerson chosen to provide inverters for 30MW Texas solar power plant

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 0:09 (PV-Tech)

Wind Turbine & Energy Cables (WTEC), an electrical subcontractor for Renewable Energy Systems Americas (RES Americas), chose Emerson to supply utility-scale power inverters for its 30MW solar power plant in Webberville, Texas. No financial details were released pertaining to the contract between WTEC and Emerson. Read more

Endurance Launches New Website to Serve UK Market

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 19:37 (Renewable Energy World)

Endurance Wind Power, manufacturer of the E-3120 50kW wind turbine for distributed wind applications, announced today the launching of their new United Kingdom website, www.endurancewindpower.co.uk. Read more

US DOE commits US$25 million for the US-India joint clean energy research and development center

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 22:22 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has pledged US$25 million towards the US-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC) over the next five years. The R&D center is part of US President Obama and India Prime Minister Singh?s Partnership to Advance Clean Energy initiative that was revealed in November 2010. Read more

ADVANCED ENERGY CELEBRATES 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 21:59 (Renewable Energy World)

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NasdaqGM: AEIS), a leader in power conversion solutions, today announced it is celebrating 30 years in business. Founded in 1981 as a start-up idea introducing switchmode power technology to the semiconductor processing market, the company has consistently been a leader in power conversion products used in thin-films manufacturing and renewable-energy generation. In the past three decades, the company has shipped more than 1.3 million products to a diverse customer base around the world. Read more

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends Arctic Council

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 20:12 (Solarserver)

On May 12th, the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council was held in Nuuk, Greenland, and included the release of a study on the effects of short-lived "climate forcers" on Arctic global warming. The meeting was attended by representatives of the eight Arctic nations, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and was the first time that a U.S. Secretary of State has attended an Arctic Council Ministerial. Read more

Huhne confirms new carbon budget

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 18:51 (Solarpowerportal)

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has confirmed that the DECC will go ahead with its fourth carbon budget, increasing the emissions target to 80% by 2050. The decision has been made in the wake of the Committee on Climate Change report revealed last week. Read more

DayStar reports improved financial results for Q1?11

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 18:21 (PV-Tech)

After losing out to the tune of US$6.1 million or US$1.61 per share in the first quarter of 2010, DayStar Technologies has reported more positive financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011. Recording net loss of US$0.4 million or US$0.05 per share, the company says it is now well positioned to capitalize on the increasing market opportunities within the renewable energy industry. Read more

Fraunhofer CSE confirms plans for sustainable energy research, building innovation centre in Boston

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 17:15 (PV-Tech)

The Fraunhofer Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) has confirmed that it will develop a sustainable energy research and building innovation facility at 5 Channel Centre in Boston?s Innovation District. The 50,000-square-foot building will house Fraunhofer?s technical R&D labs and the TechBridge start-up accelerator group. Read more

Councils urged to stop fleecing UK homeowners

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 16:26 (Solarpowerportal)

After months of unnecessary planning applications submitted for solar installations, Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has stepped up to ensure UK councils are not giving misleading advice to homeowners. After receiving advice from David Hunt, Director of Darlington-based Eco Environments, Irranca-Davies has pledged to write to his Government counterparts, urging them to take action. Read more

Advanced Energy Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 14:04 (Renewable Energy World)

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Voting has commenced for the CSP Today USA Awards

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 11:06 (Renewable Energy World)

CSP Today is delighted to announce the voting has commenced for the 2nd CSP Today USA Awards, taking place June 28 in Las Vegas. The awards precede the CSP TODAY USA 2011 Conference and Exhibition which takes place on June 29-30, also in Las Vegas. Voting will be open until May 24th at 6pm EST. Read more

What Happens When the Incentives Expire?

Tuesday, 5.17.2011 - 10:27 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind projects, along with other renewable energy technologies, have benefitted in a variety of ways from federal incentive programs. The Section 1603 cash grant program, the Department of Energy Section 1705 Loan Guarantee program and the Bonus Depreciation schedule are among the federal programs that are scheduled to expire by the end of 2012. The Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) are also scheduled to expire for wind projects at the end of 2012. In today's budget-cutting environment, it's possible that none of these incentives will be renewed. Read more