EU PVSEC program released with over 1,500 presentations scheduled at the conference

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 22:43 (PV-Tech)

The 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) has released its program for the event taking place September 5 through September 9 at the Congress Center and International Fair in Hamburg. Conference General Chairman Dr. Heinz Ossenbrink and Technical Program Chairman Dr. Amulf Jäger-Waldau, both from the European Commission, DG Joint Research Center, helped the International Scientific Committee sort the 1,728 abstracts that applied to present at the conference. This year?s EU PVSEC will feature 82 sessions with 28 plenary, 326 oral and over 1,200 visual poster presentations. Read more

PSE AG constructs combined sun simulator for TÜV Rheinland

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 22:06 (Solarserver)

TÜV Rheinland (Cologne, Germany) has commissioned a new steady state solar simulator provided by Freiburg-based PSE AG in the Cologne Solar Testing Centre. The test bench is to be used for measuring photovoltaic modules, thermal solar collectors and combinations of both technologies ? known as PVT modules ? for the first time in a sun simulator. Read more

SEMI PV Group and VDMA release global PV manufacturing equipment book-to-bill Report: Q4 2010 ratio of 1.13 indicates expanding sales opportunities

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 22:06 (Solarserver)

SEMI (San Jose, Calif.), the global trade association for the nano and microelectronics manufacturing, and VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau), the German Engineering Federation, released their new quarterly Worldwide Photovoltaics (PV) Equipment Market Statistics report. The new report revealed that both bookings and billings have increased in all quarters of 2010. ?Sales in Q4 were twice as high as in Q1. Newly received orders have been well above sales throughout the year,? assessed Dr. Eric Maiser, managing director of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment. Read more

Panasonic to create PV-powered "sustainable smart town" in Japan

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 12:21 (Solarserver)

On May 26th, 2011, Panasonic Corporation (Kadoma, Japan) announced that it will work with eight other companies to create a model of a fully sustainable city in Fujisawa, Japan. The Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town (SST) will include solar photovoltaic (PV) modules accompanied by battery storage in every household. Read more

GrowGreen Power, Inc. poised to bring 300+ jobs to North Carolina; Combining a hydroponic greenhouse with a solar thermal and biomass power plant

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 22:05 (Solarserver)

GrowGreen Power, Inc. (Raleigh, N.C.), an integrator of renewable energy and greenhouse growing systems, on May 31st, 2011 announced, following an intensive nationwide evaluation, it has narrowed the scope of possible locations for its first project to the Piedmont area of North Carolina. ?North Carolina is an ideal spot for us,? said Bradley Nixon, Principal and CEO of GrowGreen Power. Read more

Alfa Laval to supply heat exchangers for CSP plant

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 22:05 (Solarserver)

On May 30th, 2011, Alfa Laval AB (Lund, Sweden) announced that it has received an order from an un-named American company to provide heat exchangers for a very large concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. The company will supply Alfa Laval Packinox heat exchangers which have been developed for molten salt thermal storage systems. Read more

Vermont enacts new law that streamlines solar PV registration process to help ease permitting costs

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 21:31 (PV-Tech)

In January, SunRun released a report that detailed how the permitting process of local governments in the US was adding an additional US$2,500 price tag to each solar installation, making the process of installing a solar system more cumbersome for installers and customers. In a response to the potential US$1 billion savings that a more streamlined process could save local governments, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed H.56 into law; a supposedly easier registration process for solar systems at and below 5kW. Read more

IMS Research: German PV installations to exceed 2010 level on declining prices

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 18:43 (PV-Tech)

A glut of modules and PV inverters are to revitalise the German solar market this year as prices are falling to a degree that the makes investing in solar financially attractive again. However, despite a very weak first quarter, installations are set to show strong growth through the rest of the year, peaking in the fourth quarter and exceeding installation figures of 7GW in 2010, according to the latest forecast from IMS Research. Read more

GCL-Poly to be Canadian Solar?s partner in 600MW wafer plant as demand remains strong

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

Despite a swathe of competitors experiencing a significant fall in demand for modules in the first quarter, Canadian Solar would seem to have bucked the trend and guided robust sales in the second quarter resulting in sell-out shipments during its recent first quarter analyst call. In that call, Dr. Shawn Qu, Canadian Solar?s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer highlighted plans for a new 600MW solar wafer plant that would that would be run as a joint venture operation to reduce capital outlay. Read more

SunEnergy, Solar-Energie open 8.3MW German system

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 17:37 (PV-Tech)

SunEnergy and Solar-Energie Andresen have officially opened their 8.3MW PV plant in Achtrup, Germany. The plant, which was connected to the grid in October 2010, covers 19.3 hectares of reclaimed farmland and will generate enough electricity to power Achtrup four times over. Read more

Principal Solar's "Unique Roll-Up Strategy"

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 15:55 (Renewable Energy World)

Last week, the announcement that Principal Solar, Inc. was now available for public trading landed in my inbox. It's currently trading under the symbol PSWWD.PK but will transition to PSWW.PK on June 23rd. I went ahead and used the latter in our Solar Stocks list. Read more

Principal Solar's "Unique Roll-up Strategy"

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 15:55 (Renewable Energy World)

Last week, the announcement that Principal Solar, Inc. was now available for public trading landed in my inbox. It's currently trading under the symbol PSWWD.PK but will transition to PSWW.PK on June 23rd. I went ahead and used the latter in our Solar Stocks list. Read more

New Online Roof Azimuth Tool provides "remote compass"

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 15:15 (Renewable Energy World)

The new online Roof Azimuth Tool from Solmetric simplifies solar site assessment using aerial pictures and Google Maps? to measure roof azimuth from any computer connected to the Internet. Users locate the roof by entering an address, and then determine azimuth by drawing a compass onto the roof. Read more

US Integrators Challenge German Dominance

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Thirteen of the top 30 system integrators last year were German and, although Germany's dominance in newly added PV capacity is set to fall in coming years, it appears clear that German system integrators will still be highly prominent. They have become increasingly active abroad while maintaining a stranglehold on their domestic market. German firms made up 19 of the top 20 integrators in their domestic market last year and also gained a strong foothold in other strong European solar markets such as France, Italy and the Czech Republic. Read more

Trina Solar gears up to sponsor the Dempsey Racing Team

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 14:17 (PV-Tech)

Continuing its brand-awareness operation, Trina Solar has become a sponsor of the Dempsey Racing Team. The two organizations will work together through the sponsorship and promotion of actor Patrick Dempsey and the other drivers as solar ambassadors, who make event appearances, including the Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500). Trina?s logo branding will appear on the engine cover of the Dallara/Honda. Read more

Cleaner Air Solutions partners with SolarEdge for UK installations

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 13:38 (Solarpowerportal)

Increasing its activities in the UK SolarEdge Technologies, the global provider of end-to-end solar power optimization systems, has formed a new distribution partnership with Cleaner Air Solutions. The company has already ordered 3MW of SolarEdge power optimizers and solar inverters in the first quarter of this year. Read more

QSolar Ltd. introduces two new lines of semi-transparent BIPV modules

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 13:12 (Solarserver)

On May 25th, 2011, QSolar Ltd. (Calgary, Canada) announced that it has introduced two new lines of semi-transparent and colored semi-transparent building integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The Kristal and Kristal Rainbow range consist of rigid, frameless PV modules, to be used in applications to replace windows, roofs and walls. Read more

Asian solar sector set to receive US$6.75 billion investment

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 12:28 (PV-Tech)

Asia needs to develop its solar industry if economic growth in the region is to be maintained, according to the vice president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Xiaoyu Zhao. To instigate this growth, the ADB is planning to invest up to US$2.25 billion itself, and attract a further US$6.75 billion in private funding, that will be spent on a number of PV developments over the next two years. Read more

Switzerland to phase out nuclear power; "Vast potential" exists in wind, solar energy and biomass

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 11:38 (Solarserver)

On May 25th, 2011, the Swiss Federal Council announced that it plans to phase out nuclear energy by decommissioning existing nuclear power plants at the end of their lifespan without replacing them. The governing body's new Energy Strategy 2050 will instead place an emphasis on energy efficiency, the expansion of hydropower and other renewable energy technologies, and, if necessary, cogeneration and gas-fired combined cycle natural gas plants. Read more

Southwest Windpower Introduces Unique, Web-based Wind Energy Assessment Tool and Website Redesign

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 18:14 (Renewable Energy World)

Southwest Windpower, the world's leading manufacturer of personal wind generators, announced today it will launch a proprietary wind energy assessment tool, Sitelook, along with a redesign of its website, windenergy.com. The site will also feature a blog providing industry information and encouraging engagement. Read more

SeaRoc appointed as CDM Coordinator on Mainstream Renewable Power's 420MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 14:29 (Renewable Energy World)

Marine and engineering company SeaRoc, part of the Natural Power group, has recently been appointed as Construction Design and Management (CDM) coordinator for wind farm developer Mainstream Renewable Power on the Neart na Gaoithe offshore site. The development is located 15km off Scotland's Fife coast and covers an area of approximately 105 square km. It is set to boast between 75 x 6MW and 125 x 3.6MW turbines, representing a total capacity of 420MW, defined by the Neart Na Gaoithe grid offer. Read more

What High Gas Prices Mean for Renewable Energy

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 22:47 (Renewable Energy World)

Gasoline prices have been falling in the last few weeks, but ? for most U.S. drivers ? they remain painfully high. With regular unleaded costing a national average of $3.78 per gallon Tuesday, and more than $4 a gallon in six states and the District of Columbia, prices are more than $1 higher than they were a year ago. "When you fill your tank and you're putting $60, $70 or $80 into your vehicle at a shot, you start to wonder if there's an alternative to this madness," said Scott Doggett, associate editor for Edmunds.com. Read more

Making the Case for Spinning Reserve on the Grid

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 19:55 (Renewable Energy World)

Advanced energy storage technology, including lithium ion battery systems, has a number of commercially viable use cases. Read more

The Good News: Climate Change Doesn't Matter Anymore

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 19:16 (Renewable Energy World)

My provocative title represents the increasing awareness that we don't need to believe in climate change to do the right thing when it comes to energy. Of course, climate change is a real threat to us and our environment. But there are many highly valid reasons to become more energy efficient, conserve energy through behavior change, and transition to renewables ? entirely independent of climate change concerns. Read more

Premier Power completes 1.9MW rooftop system for Puma North America

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 18:28 (PV-Tech)

Puma North America and Premier Power Renewable Energy (PPRW) have completed a 1.9MW PV plant in greater Los Angeles. The array is comprised of 8,500 panels and covers 340,000 square feet of rooftop on Puma?s distribution facilities in Carson and Torrance. Read more

British Gas introduces a new green energy tariff

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 17:59 (Solarpowerportal)

British Gas, in partnership with River Cottage, has today launched the energyshare tariff, which will both promote renewable energy projects and provide households with the opportunity to have a say in where their energy comes from. By bringing its customers together both online and in person, the initiative will help... Read more

Natural Power publishes tidal resource maps for Scottish west coast sites

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 16:47 (Renewable Energy World)

Natural Power's marine renewables team have developed high resolution hydrodynamic tidal energy resource models for the west coast of Scotland. The tidal potential of the Mull of Galloway, Mull of Kintyre, Kyle Rhea and the Rhinns of Islay have long been recognised by industry and public bodies as areas of high tidal energy potential. Situated away from the Pentland Firth, these locations have been the target of the recent Further Scottish Leasing Round carried out by The Crown Estate. The high resolution maps, which will be made publicly available, aim to refine the industry wide understanding of the potential resource. Read more

Switzerland to abolish nuclear energy programme

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 16:11 (PV-Tech)

Switzerland looks set to become the latest country to abolish its nuclear energy programme after its Government announced last week that it would be nuclear free by 2034. The news is a boon to solar, which will look to fill the void left by an industry that currently accounts for 39.9% of the land-locked country?s electricity production. Read more

Colexon to shift strategy to rooftop markets: closes sales offices to restructure after 1Q loss

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 13:20 (PV-Tech)

Quarterly revenue declined 44% at Colexon Energy on the back of large-scale projects halted in key markets such as Italy and overall weak demand in Germany. The company reported a loss of ?1.5 million for the first quarter of 2011 and announced cost reduction programs that will include offices in Australia, USA and the Czech Republic. Read more

Colexon to shift strategy to rooftop markets; closes sales offices to restructure after Q1 loss

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 13:20 (PV-Tech)

Quarterly revenue declined 44% at Colexon Energy on the back of large-scale projects halted in key markets such as Italy and overall weak demand in Germany. The company reported a loss of ?1.5 million for the first quarter of 2011 and announced cost reduction programs that will include offices in Australia, USA and the Czech Republic. Read more

New report: Good progress on the road to 100 percent renewable electricity

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 12:36 (Solarserver)

Progress towards achieving one hundred percent renewable electricity in Europe and North Africa by 2050 is largely good, according to a report released on May 31st, 2011 in Brussels. The report ? a collaboration of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA) and the advisory firm PwC ? is building a bridge between science and the business and investment community to investigate the transformation of the power sector. Read more

EneR Event 2011 in Casablanca featuring Hosted Buyers' Program

Tuesday, 5.31.2011 - 9:32 (Renewable Energy World)

Morocco's 1st International Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Trade Fair EneR Event 2011 will be organised by Fenelec-the Moroccan Federation of Electricity, Electronics and Renewable Energies, in close cooperation with the German trade fair specialists fairtrade and their Moroccan partners Forum 7. The trade show enjoys the benefits of a Hosted Buyers' Program, which Fenelec will realize in cooperation with CAFELEC and Maroc Export. EneR Event is scheduled for 22-26 November 2011 at the International Fairgrounds?OFEC in Casablanca, Morocco. Read more