Solutia to hike price of PVB solar module encapsulants

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 20:44 (PV-Tech)

Citing increased raw material costs, PV module encapsulant supplier Solutia said that its Saflex polyvinyl butyral (PVB) product portfolio will be subject to a 5% price increase, effective July 1. Prices for currently contracted business will be adjusted as individual contracts allow, according to the company. Read more

PV Micro Inverters and Optimizers: Not Just for Lazy Designers

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 15:47 (Renewable Energy World)

More and more solar electric installations are using AC micro inverters and DC to DC optimizer electrical balance of systems (BOS) components. This BOS gear goes directly on the back sides of PV modules providing higher valued electricity than output from the PV cells alone. Read more

Siemens receives order for 3MW New Jersey PV plant

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 15:05 (Solarserver)

Siemens Energy, Inc. has been selected by Syncarpha Capital to provide engineering, procurement and construction services for a 3-megawatt-peak (MWp), ground-based solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Eastampton, New Jersey. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2011 and the plant is scheduled to go online in September 2011. Syncarpha Capital, an investment company launched to capitalize on opportunities in the alternative energy sector, will finance the solar power plant. Utilizing proven Siemens technology and plant performance guarantees, the solar facility will help to satisfy New Jersey's rapidly growing demand for renewable power. Read more

IMS predicts 21GW of PV will be installed world-wide in 2011

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 12:42 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2011, IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) increased its predictions for the 2011 global solar photovoltaic (PV) market, stating that it expects more than 21 gigawatts (GW) of new PV capacity to be installed during the year. The company attributes this increased projection to new information on lower prices throughout supply chains, which it says will help stimulate demand in major markets. IMS also estimates that Europe's share of total installations will fall in coming years. Read more

T-Solar, Astonfield partner on PV projects in India; first 5MW plant under construction

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 23:20 (PV-Tech)

Grupo T-Solar and Astonfield Renewable Resources have signed a long-term strategic partnership deal to develop solar PV power plants in India. Site construction is under way on the first project of the collaboration, a 5MW site in Osiyan, Rajasthan, India, which is expected to be commissioned by October. Read more

ICIS launches weekly Asia region solar-grade polysilicon price watch

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 22:44 (PV-Tech)

ICIS pricing, a price reporting service for the chemical industry, has introduced its new coverage in the solar sector with weekly assessments for the Asia region solar-grade polysilicon grades 6N through 9N. The weekly report includes commentary on production updates, including polysilicon and downstream plant maintenance and shutdowns, capacity expansions, operating rates, cargo movements and transactions and key market trends. The reports will focus on operations in Northeast Asia and China. Read more

Germany?s latest EEG draft includes further solar subsidy cuts

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Germany?s solar industry is to be subjected to four subsidy cuts over the next 12 months, according to the revised draft of the country?s Renewable Energy Act [EEG]. The final two of these reductions had not been included in the original amendment to the bill and their addition is a major blow to the country?s solar industry. Read more

Centrosolar launches new mounting system for flat roofs

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 18:21 (Solarpowerportal)

At the upcoming Intersolar Europe trade fair in Munich, Centrosolar will present its aerodynamic flat roof mounting system for photovoltaic modules. Providing an alternative residential solution for customers in the UK, the new Ceniq system enables photovoltaic systems to be installed on flat roofs with minimum weight load and without damaging the roof cladding. Read more

Solarbuzz PV Book-to-Bill to fall: polysilicon fab expansions fuel Q4 rise again

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 17:55 (PV-Tech)

A period of equipment digestion or whats known as a reset could be at play after aggressive capacity expansions across the PV supply-chain in 2010, according to the PV Book-to-Bill analysis featured in the forthcoming Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report. According to Finlay Colville, Senior Analyst at Solarbuzz, the PV Book-to-Bill is forecast to dip sharply below parity before rebounding in Q4?11. Read more

Solarbuzz PV book-to-bill to fall: polysilicon fab expansions fuel Q4 rise again

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 17:55 (PV-Tech)

A period of equipment digestion or what?s known as a reset could be at play after aggressive capacity expansions across the PV supply chain in 2010, according to the PV book-to-bill analysis featured in the forthcoming ?Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly? report. According to Finlay Colville, senior analyst at Solarbuzz, the PV book-to-bill is forecast to dip sharply below parity before rebounding in Q4?11. Read more

Suzhou city to share in Canadian Solar?s 600MW cell plant

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 14:59 (PV-Tech)

As part of well publicised plans to keep capital expenditure at low levels while still being able to aggressively ramp capacity, Canadian Solar is partnering with Suzhou New District Economic Development Group (SND) and Suzhou Science and Technology City Development Co (SST) in building a new 600MW solar cell plant in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Under the terms of the agreement, Canadian Solar will contribute 61% of the registered equity. Read more

German PV company Colexon AG to restructure following disappointing 1Q 2011 results

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 14:56 (Solarserver)

The Hamburg-based COLEXON Energy AG has issued its report for the first quarter of 2011. On March 31st, 2011, the turnover of COLEXON totaled EUR 25.4 million, following EUR 45.6 million in the equivalent quarter of 2010. From the sales revenue, the trade sector reached EUR 17.8 million, 70 percent of the total revenue. With EUR 5.0 million, 20 percent was attributed to the PV projects sector, while revenue generated by the solar power plant operation and service & works management totaled EUR 2.0 million (8 percent) and EUR 0.6 million EUR (1 percent) respectively. Altogether, the Hamburg-based companies recorded a loss before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 1.5 million. Read more

Canadian Solar, GCL to build 600MW wafer plant

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2011, Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchener, Canada) and Suzhou GCL Photovoltaic Technology Company, Ltd. (Suzhou, China) announced that they will build a solar wafer production facility in Suzhou, China with an annual capacity of 600MW, through a joint venture. Capital expenditure for the first phase of the plant will be USD 77 million, and the companies expect to finance the plant 33.3% through registered capital and 66.7% through debt. Read more

Global Solar Energy module awarded IEC and UL certifications

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 13:25 (PV-Tech)

Global Solar Energy?s PowerFLEX BIPV module has been certified by two of the PV industry?s leading testing bodies, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The award of UL?s 1703 and IEC?s 61730 and 61646 certifications enable Global Solar to guarantee safe operation of its CIGS thin-film modules for the duration of their nameplate lifespan. Read more

Intersolar EU: Q-Cells ups ?Q.ANTUM? cell efficiency to record-setting 19.5%

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 13:20 (PV-Tech)

Q-Cells has been nominated for the Intersolar Award 2011 for its ?Q.ANTUM? cell concept that earlier this year achieved a record efficiency rating of 18.45%. However, in the days leading-up to the largest PV event in an overcrowded event calendar, Q-Cells has reported its ?Q.ANTUM? cell has been verified by the Fraunhofer ISE institute as reaching cell efficiencies of 19.5%. Read more

Conergy to unveil home-scale lithium-ion solar PV storage solution at Intersolar Europe

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 12:40 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2011, Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany) announced that it will present a new solar photovoltaic (PV) storage solution, consisting of an integrated string inverter and intelligent energy management system, at the Intersolar Europe exhibition in Munich from June 8th to 10th, 2011. The energy management system will be based on lithium-ion technology, and will possess a nominal power of 5.5kW and a storage capacity of 13.2kWh. Read more

Order Focus: Oerlikon Solar sells first complete ThinFab line

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 12:31 (PV-Tech)

Having launched its 120MW ?Micromorph? technology-based turnkey ?ThinFab? line at EU PVSEC last year, Oerlikon Solar has secured its first complete line order from an unidentified customer, based in Asia. Claimed to target production costs of ?0.50/Wp and module roadmap efficiencies of 11.9%, the ThinFab line has an annual production capacity of around 850,000 solar modules. According to Oerlikon Solar the line will be operational in early 2012. Financial details were not disclosed Read more

Upsolar commissions first European module manufacturing facility

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 12:22 (PV-Tech)

Upsolar has commissioned a new 30MW module manufacturing facility in Braga, Portugal. The site is being designed and installed by a leading European automatic line producer and will help Upsolar meet rising demand for its modules across the continent. Read more

Asian Development Bank says Asia should increase solar to 3% to 5% of total generation

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 12:16 (Solarserver)

On May 30th, 2011, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Operations 1 Xiaoyu Zhao told participants at the 3rd meeting of the Asia Solar Energy Forum that the region must expand its solar energy generation if it is to continue strong economic growth and reduce carbon emissions. Vice President Zhao also stated that Asia should have a goal of increasing solar generation to 3% to 5% of total electricity production "in the near future", from current production levels at less than 0.25%. Read more

SEC, Showa Shell Sekiyu bring solar power to Saudi Arabian island

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 11:22 (PV-Tech)

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and Showa Shell Sekiyu have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a 500kW PV plant on Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia. The pilot system, located at the Farasan Diesel Power Generation Plant of SEC, will be the first remotely installed plant in the country to be grid connected when it comes online in July. Annual electrical output is estimated at 864,000kWh. Read more

PV production technology: First 120 MW-ThinFab order for Oerlikon Solar

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 10:16 (Solarserver)

Oerlikon Solar (Trübbach, Switzerland) on June 1st,2011 announced the first order of a turnkey 120 MW-"Micromorph" production line (ThinFab) for manufacturing thin film silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules. The order came from a new customer in Asia that is already active in the renewable energy sector and has decided to enter the thin film silicon technology in a large capacity, Oerlikon Solar reports in a press release. Read more

GridPoint tapped to design and install 15 solar arrays for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 0:04 (PV-Tech)

GridPoint will be designing, engineering and installing 15 solar arrays, which total 436kW, for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The solar arrays will be installed at various TPWD state parks, fish hatcheries and the Department?s headquarters in Austin, Texas. Installations are set to begin in June with completion reached by August. Read more

Data shows responsible biomass harvesting is part of good soil management

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 16:16 (Renewable Energy World)

POET's contracted biomass removal rates with area farmers are conservative and consistent with good soil management, updated site data gathered by Iowa State University and USDA researchers indicate. Read more

Wind energy leaders testify to House panel on need for workable rules to develop wind and protect wildlife

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 20:57 (Renewable Energy World)

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Concepts NREC Advancing Clean and Efficient Turbine Technology at ASME Turbo Expo

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 14:21 (Renewable Energy World)

Concepts NREC, a world leader in turbomachinery-focused design and development, CAE/CAM software and manufacturing services, will have significant presence at the ASME 2011 Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition (ASME 2011 Turbo Expo) June 6-10 at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre in Vancouver, B.C. The theme for the show is Advancing Clean and Efficient Turbine Technology, and Concepts NREC will exemplify this theme with two technology sessions as well as a next-generation turbomachinery design system demonstration for engineers, designers, and manufacturers. Read more

BrightSource Energy?s John Bryson nominated by President Obama as Secretary of Commerce

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 23:42 (PV-Tech)

John Bryson, BrightSource Energy?s chairman of the board, stood next to President Obama, and current Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, as the Commander in Chief announced Bryson as his nominee to become the next Secretary of Commerce. Bryson has a storied background in the energy and environmental realm. He was chairman and CEO of electric utility Edison International for almost twenty years and in addition to serving on the board for BrightSource, he sits on the boards of Boeing, Disney and clean technology startup Coda Automotive. Read more

Capital Returns to the Energy Sector

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 20:50 (Renewable Energy World)

It's widely recognized that the market for clean and renewable energy has been in a down cycle over the last several quarters. While capital investments were not actively pouring into the space, other factors played out to slowly create momentum in the market including the maturation of technologies, particularly in the waste to energy, biofuel and solar sectors. Read more

AltaTerra Briefing Provides Renewable Energy Credit Guide for Developers

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 18:18 (Renewable Energy World)

AltaTerra Research and REC/SREC experts to demystify many of the most common questions surrounding renewable energy credits and solar renewable energy credits on June 22. Read more

Germany Cuts Off Nuclear; Guns for Renewables

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 16:10 (Renewable Energy World)

Germany is poised to become the world's largest testing grounds for renewable energies, following the government's landmark decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2020. Read more

SunEnergy Europe celebrates commissioning of an 8.3MW PV plant in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 15:11 (Solarserver)

On May 27th, 2011, SunEnergy Europe GmbH (Hamburg, Germany) and Solar-Energie Andresen GmbH (Sparkebuell, Germany) celebrated that commissioning of an 8.3MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the village of Achtrup, in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany. The companies worked as mutual engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partners on the Achtrup plant, which produces nearly 8GWh annually, more than four times the annual demand of the Achtrup population. Read more

SolConTec International AG: Servigliano PV plant successfully connected to the grid of Italian electricity supplier ENEL

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 15:00 (Solarserver)

Munich (Germany) based photovoltaic (PV) system integrator SolConTec International AG successfully connected a 994kW solar PV plant at Servigliano, Marche region in Italy, to the grid of local Italian electricity supplier ENEL on May 26th, 2011. The technical acceptance test, required to confirm the feed-in capability, was passed effectually. Due to the successful grid connection, the Servigliano project will still receive the lucrative feed-in tariff according to Conto Energia III as of May 2011. Read more

News Feature: Carbon emissions climbed to a record high in 2010

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 13:31 (Solarpowerportal)

Further fueling fears that the world is not going to meet the emissions targets set for 2020, the latest research conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) discloses that energy... Read more

Cross-industry Project Management Practices

Wednesday, 6.1.2011 - 11:18 (Renewable Energy World)

Growth in power generation from renewable energy sources is being driven by climate change concerns and the resulting public agenda. With the United States importing around 60 percent of the oil it consumes, energy independence is also a potent force driving the need for homegrown sustainable energy. However, with the current uncertainty around future energy policy-including the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Summit at the end of 2009 and slim chances of a major Obama Energy Bill passing through Congress-the rapid growth of and positive sentiment for renewable energy has suffered some setbacks. Some industry observers have even started to talk about a "green energy bubble." Read more