Concentrating photovoltaics: Circadian Solar readies for pilot production

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 23:24 (Solarserver)

Circadian Solar (Coventry, UK), a concentrating photovoltaic systems supplier (CPV), has taken on additional premises in the UK in preparation for pilot production of its CPV systems. Circadian Solar has acquired more than 2,000sqft of space at the Viscount Centre on the University of Warwick Science Park. Read more

Day4 Energy to provide tools and equipment for Solar Modules Netherlands production facility upgrade

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 22:00 (PV-Tech)

As Day4 Energy delivered some rather gloomy financial news for its first quarter 2011, the company announced that it would be supplying Solar Modules Netherlands (SMD) with the necessary components to upgrade its 25MW production facility. Seeing that Day 4 Energy?s revenues, sales and gross margins all took a dip from the prior quarter, news of SMN preparing for the manufacturing of the 60MC-I solar module with Day4 DNA technologies was a welcomed look to the future. Read more

ADVANCED ENERGY® ANNOUNCES STAINLESS STEEL PV INVERTERS FOR CORROSIVE MARINE APPLICATIONS

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 17:36 (Renewable Energy World)

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS), today introduced its stainless steel PV Powered commercial PV inverter line and announced that it has been selected to power a 787-kilowatt project at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kekaha, Hawaii. The project was awarded to Advanced Energy (AE) by Maui Solar Energy Systems, a leading solar integrator, who will construct the project. Read more

Advanced Energy deploys stainless steel PV inverters for U.S. Navy project in Hawaii

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 16:22 (PV-Tech)

The U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kekaha, Hawaii is employing stainless steel racking and PV inverters, due to the tropical marine environment on the island that generates sea-salt moisture. Advanced Energy developed a stainless steel PV inverter range that is being used for the 787-kilowatt project. Maui Solar is developing the projects. Read more

Kings Cross Station in London first for new solar PV test technology

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 23:24 (Solarserver)

New hand held solar photovoltaic (PV) test instrumentation has been used for the first time as part of the installation of one of the UK?s largest solar panel systems. Cumbria-based Sundog Energy, a UK provider of solar PV systems, became the first installer to use the new Seaward Solar Installation PV100 tester as part of its contract with Network Rail to provide a huge solar PV system on the roof of Kings Cross Station in London. Read more

SCE to redesign grid to accommodate more solar

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 23:23 (Solarserver)

On June 13th, 2011, Southern California Edison (SCE, Rosemead, California, U.S.) announced that it is redesigning its power distribution system to accommodate larger amounts of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. The utility also announced that it has connected four new 7 MW-AC solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to its Inland Empire grid, enlarging the utility's community solar network to 15 stations. Read more

Solon, UniSource Energy Services plan 1.22MW solar plant at elementary school in Kingman, Arizona

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 23:13 (PV-Tech)

Solon and UniSource Energy Services (UES) have agreed to develop a 1.22MW solar PV system on six acres of land owned by the Kingman Unified School District (KUSD) and located behind La Senita Elementary School in Arizona. The companies state that this will be the largest single physical PV system on school property in the state with UES owning and operating the system while Solon takes the lead on the engineering, procurement and construction services. Read more

SolarWorld offers prolonged workmanship warranty for PV modules at 10 years

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 22:27 (PV-Tech)

SolarWorld?s extended workmanship warranty, which insures the workmanship of its solar panels, has been increased from five years to 10 years with a retroactive activation for all panels delivered since January 1, 2011. The company revealed the warranty extension as it launched its Sunmodule Plus solar panels, which feature mono- and poly-crystalline panels. Read more

Kyocera Solar offers pre-engineered solar kits for the US market

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 20:42 (PV-Tech)

Kyocera Solar?s new MyGen US-made solar kits are now available for residential and light-commercial solar energy installations being developed by new and veteran solar professionals alike. The domestically produced pre-engineered kits include modules, inverters, racking, monitoring, grounding, manual, drawings and all the marginal components needed to complete a solar installation. Read more

Google invests $280 million in partnership with SolarCity

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 19:50 (Renewable Energy World)

When Google throws its considerable influence into a new arena, people tend to notice. When that influence comes with $280 million, well, people may start to act. Read more

Google Invests $280 Million in Partnership with SolarCity

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 19:50 (Renewable Energy World)

When Google throws its considerable influence into a new arena, people tend to notice. When that influence comes with $280 million, well, people may start to act. Read more

SMA Solar Technology AG Solidifies Position as Technology Leader with Acquisition of dtw Sp.z o.o.

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 19:05 (Renewable Energy World)

SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA/FWB: S92) signed a purchase agreement to acquire dtw Sp.z o.o., one of Poland's largest manufacturers of electromagnetic components, in Krakow today. The transaction is expected to be closed in July 2011 under the usual reserves. In acquiring one of its longtime suppliers, SMA is securing its position as a technology leader in the area of solar inverters. dtw specializes in making technologically innovative core components for manufacturing inverters, such as inductors, coils and toroidal transformers. Read more

Wagner Solar plans solar thermal space heating division

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 18:33 (Solarpowerportal)

Wagner Solar UK has revealed plans to set up a solar thermal space heating division in the UK. Headed up by Dan Oliver, who was a member of Wagner Solar’s PV sales team, the division will offer the same quality service but for solar thermal products. Read more

GE thin-film modules used in 1MW PV power plant project in Germany

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 18:24 (PV-Tech)

A PV power plant project, planned and built by Gehrlicher Solar, is using thin-film modules from GE. The 1MW plant is under construction in Aschheim, Germany and was touted as the first of many such projects the companies are partnering on. GE uses CdTe (cadmium telluride) modules originally developed by PrimeStar, which was acquired by GE. Read more

NLP Solar Sales Training Webinar June 15 & 16

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 18:01 (Renewable Energy World)

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NLP Solar Sales Training Webinar July 6 & 7

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 18:01 (Renewable Energy World)

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Google invests US$280 million in SolarCity solar rooftop fund

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 17:59 (PV-Tech)

Google has made its biggest investment in renewable energy to date by creating a US$280 million fund with SolarCity. The money will be dedicated to projects in the residential solar market and takes the internet giant?s green spending to US$680 million. Read more

CSP Parabolic trough innovations you can take to the bank

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 17:43 (Renewable Energy World)

In today's aggressive solar market, CSP parabolic trough innovations that increase parabolic trough plants' operating efficiency are vital. Some innovations already promise to cut costs by up to 65%, according to the latest CSP Parabolic Trough Report: Cost and Performance now available is Spanish. Read more

Timminco shifting solar grade silicon again

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 17:09 (PV-Tech)

In reporting first quarter financial results, metals specialist Timminco, noted that it had rebranded its solar grade silicon operations as ?Timminco Solar? and was executing a strategic marketing effort to communicate to PV manufacturers its ?value proposition? for the product. Timminco management said that the firm had shipped 135MT of solar grade silicon from inventory in the first four months of the year with 63MT alone shipped in April, 2011. Read more

SMA Solar tightening control of its supply chain; acquires Polish electromagnetic components firm

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 16:52 (PV-Tech)

In an attempt to close the gap between design and manufacturing new PV inverter technology, SMA Solar Technology is acquiring dtw Sp.z o.o., one of Poland?s largest electromagnetic components manufacturers. SMA said that dtw had been a supplier to the inverter firm for 10 years. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, though dtw was said to have annual revenue of ?74 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and scheduled to be completed in July 2011. Read more

Mitsubishi plans to build Japanese solar portfolio

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 16:35 (PV-Tech)

Mitsubishi is planning to take advantage of Japan?s proposed new feed-in tariff (FiT) by building several large-scale solar power plants in the country, according to financial newspaper Nikkei. Read more

Phoenix Solar to build two solar parks in Thailand using Schott modules and SMA inverters

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 15:47 (PV-Tech)

Weaning itself away from European dependence may take time for Phoenix Solar but signing contracts to build two solar parks in Thailand is a step in that direction. Phoenix Solar Singapore is partnering with the Thai company, Process Engineering Services Co Ltd (PESCO) to build the two power plants, which will have a peak power of 9.7MW and 6.2MW, respectively in the north-west region of the country. Read more

HelioSage and MTC Logistics Power Baltimore Facility With Solar

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 15:33 (Renewable Energy World)

MTC Logistics, Inc., the oldest and largest temperature controlled logistics company in the state of Maryland, has "gone solar." Adding to an existing track record of environmentally sustainable operations, MTC Logistics now owns one of the largest roof mounted solar installations in the state, located at the company's Port of Baltimore distribution facility. HelioSage, a Charlottesville, VA based solar energy services provider, was retained by MTC Logistics as owner's advisor for the project. HelioSage handled procurement, SREC contracting, and project oversight. Read more

Canadian Solar scores home run at the New York Yankees

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 14:19 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar has become an official sponsor of the New York Yankees, enhancing the baseball team?s environmental commitments while increasing the photovoltaic product manufacturer?s presence in the US. Read more

Solar Plane Takes Flight with First International Trip

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 14:15 (Renewable Energy World)

The speed -- 50 kilometers per hour -- may not have been impressive, but the amount of emissions -- zero -- was historic. Read more

Czech Government facing up to US$2.4 billion in solar lawsuits

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:58 (PV-Tech)

The Czech Republic could face legal claims totaling nearly CZK40 billion (US$2.4 billion) if investors follow through with threats to challenge the country?s recently-passed solar tax, reports financial newspaper Hospodarske Noviny. Read more

China Technology Development Group Corporation announces strategic cooperation agreement with Tebian and Goldpoly on European solar PV project development

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:38 (Solarserver)

China Technology Development Group Corporation (CTDC, Hong Kong), a clean energy group that provides solar energy products and solutions with headquarters in Hong Kong, sales offices in Milan and Munich, announced during Intersolar Europe 2011 in Munich, that CTDC has entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement with two other listed companies from China and Hong Kong, namely TBEA SunOasis Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Co., Ltd., and Goldpoly New Energy Holdings Limited. Read more

Italian electorate rejects nuclear revival

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:33 (PV-Tech)

Italy?s solar industry received a major shot in the arm on Monday when voters comprehensively rejected the government?s plans for a return to nuclear power generation. Despite Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi?s attempt to influence the outcome by discouraging the population from going to the polls ? the referendum needed a turnout of at least 50% to be binding ? over 94% of the electorate voted against the nuclear revival. Read more

Italian electorate rules out nuclear revival

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:33 (PV-Tech)

Italy?s solar industry received a major shot in the arm on Monday when voters comprehensively rejected the Government?s plans for a return to nuclear power generation. Despite Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi?s attempt to influence the outcome by discouraging the population from going to the polls ? the referendum needed a turnout of at least 50% to be binding ? over 94% of the electorate voted against the nuclear revival. Read more

KDC, LDK, SPI enter agreement to develop up to 300MW of PV in New York and New Jersey

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:30 (Solarserver)

On June 13th, 2011 KDC Solar LLC (Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S.) announced an agreement with Solar Power Inc. (SPI, Roseville, California, U.S.) and LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu City, China), regarding module supply, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, and operations and maintenance (O&M) services. The 3-year agreement establishes a minimum commitment of 150MW and sets a goal for KDC, SPI and LDK to reach 300MW of PV projects in New Jersey and New York. Read more

Georgia Public Service Commission member calls for expansion of large-scale solar

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:22 (Solarserver)

On June 7th, 2011, Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) Member Lauren "Bubba" McDonald called on utility Georgia Power Company (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.) and the staff of the GPSC to present options to expand large-scale solar energy projects in the U.S. state within 30 days. Commissioner McDonald added that one option would be to carve out additional capacity for solar energy from the Georgia Power 2015 Request for Proposal seeking additional generation capacity. Read more

LCAB issues Ontario local content certificate for solar PV modules to Heliene

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:13 (Solarserver)

On June 10th, 2011, the Local Content Assurance Bureau Inc. (LCAB) announced that it has issued a CORE certificate to Heliene Inc. (Sault Ste Marie, Canada), which supports the use of Heliene modules in solar photovoltaic (PV) plants participating in Ontario's feed-in tariff (FIT). The Contributor to Ontario Renewable Energy Program (CORE) is a voluntary certification process that assures manufacturers meet local content requirements set out in the province's FIT. Read more

MyGen U.S.-Made solar PV kits by KYOCERA offer expanded domestically produced content

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 12:05 (Solarserver)

Kyocera Solar, Inc. (Scottsdale, Ariz.) announced that MyGen U.S.-Made Kits - domestically produced, all-inclusive kits for residential and light commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) installations - are available now. ?MyGen U.S.-Made Kits are comprehensive and convenient clean energy solutions for home and business owners who want the cost benefits and energy-efficiency of solar electricity,? stated Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. Read more

GT Solar?s backlog balloons: raises current quarter revenue guidance

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 11:14 (PV-Tech)

Several large sapphire furnace orders have helped GT Solar to almost double its equipment order backlog guidance from approximately US$1 billion to US$1.6 billion. However, technical upgrades offered to existing customers of DSS650 furnaces are tracking ahead of schedule, enabling GT Solar to raise revenue guidance for the current quarter to approximately, US$225 million, up from previous guidance of between US$140 million - US$150 million. Read more

CA Town Intent on Becoming Renewables Capital

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 11:07 (Renewable Energy World)

The City of Lancaster is a thriving community of more than 156,000 located in northern Los Angeles County. Clean air, attainable housing, wide open spaces, and a close-knit community make Lancaster an ideal place for families. A low cost of doing business, endless potential for growth, and a strong commitment to economic development have recently earned Lancaster the Eddy Award for "Most Business-Friendly City" from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. Additionally, Lancaster boasts more than 350 days of sunshine per year, making it the ideal place to pioneer new solar energy technologies. Read more

NJR to build 14.1MW solar system at McGraw-Hill?s New Jersey campus

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 2:13 (PV-Tech)

NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NJR) will be installing a 14.1MW ground-mounted solar PV system at McGraw-Hill?s East Windsor, New Jersey campus, which will produce 18 million kWh of energy per year. Set to be built on a 50-acre parcel next to McGraw-Hill?s two office buildings, the system will be built in two phases. Half of the system?s capacity is expected to become operational by December, with the remaining half running by March 2012. Read more

Springs Utilities, SunPower accomplish 6MW PV system at Colorado?s US Air Force Academy

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 1:48 (PV-Tech)

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado ?switched-on? its new 6MW solar PV power system built by Colorado Springs Utilities and SunPower. Funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the plant uses SunPower solar panels and the company?s T0 Tracker system. Read more

SunPower completes 4.1MW solar installation for Dow Jones

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 0:52 (PV-Tech)

SunPower and Dow Jones & Co. have completed a 4.1MW solar power plant on the 200-acre Dow Jones campus in South Brunswick, New Jersey. At its peak production, the solar plant will supply half the power Dow Jones needs to support its largest campus. Read more

Antaris Solar opens US branch to service central northeast corridor

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 0:25 (PV-Tech)

Antaris Solar has unveiled its US branch in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, which joins several international solar operations owned by Antaris CEO and founder Dr. Michael Goede. Read more

Geothermal developers to meet in San Jose to discuss geothermal operations and plant optimization

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 15:20 (Renewable Energy World)

The leading geothermal figures including Alterra, LandsVirkjun and RamPower will be meeting leading vendors at the Geothermal Operations and Plant Optimization Conference in September to discuss the latest technologies which are available in the industry which will enable geothermal plants to operate efficiently in a cost effective manner. Read more

McGraw Hill and NJR Clean Energy Ventures announce plans for 14.1 MW PV plant

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 23:23 (Solarserver)

The McGraw-Hill Companies (New York) and NJR Clean Energy Ventures (Wall, N.J.), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources announced plans to build on McGraw-Hill's East Windsor, N.J., campus one of the largest privately-owned, net-metered solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the Western Hemisphere. The 14.1 megawatt solar PV system will significantly offset the need for other energy sources to run McGraw-Hill's offices in East Windsor, including the Corporation's growing data center. Read more

Ocean Energy Experts Working to Place Best Systems in the Water

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 23:03 (Renewable Energy World)

On the first day of EnergyOcean International 2011, it seems the prevailing theme was that while ocean energy holds many promising possibilities, cost is still a main concern among industry experts. Dr. Christopher G. Hart, Offshore Wind Manager at the Department of Energy, delivered a hopeful keynote to conference attendees. “We are excited at the DOE to find cost optimum systems and possibilities that deepwater offshore presents,” he said. In order to achieve success, Hart believes that small developments in the industry will transition to larger international utilities, which will then attract long-term investors. The key to this process is educating financiers Read more

What GOP debate tells us about energy policy

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 17:19 (Renewable Energy World)

New Hampshire politics have always been tough to pin down. But this much is for sure: more than any other state, it is a political arena where presidential aspirations gain legitimacy and where national agendas are set. So it was with that political reality that New Hampshire -- and the rest of America -- welcomed the unofficial start of the 2012 presidential race with a Republican primary debate that was conspicuously devoid of any discussion on energy policy or the emerging green jobs market. So does this mean that any meaningful dialogue about our energy future isn’t on the table for the 2012 elections? Well, yes and no. It’s hard to imagine that the Republican Read more

What GOP Debate Tells Us About Energy Policy

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 17:19 (Renewable Energy World)

New Hampshire politics have always been tough to pin down. But this much is for sure: more than any other state, it is a political arena where presidential aspirations gain legitimacy and where national agendas are set. So it was with that political reality that New Hampshire -- and the rest of America -- welcomed the unofficial start of the 2012 presidential race with a Republican primary debate that was conspicuously devoid of any discussion on energy policy or the emerging green jobs market. So does this mean that any meaningful dialogue about our energy future isn’t on the table for the 2012 elections? Well, yes and no. It’s hard to imagine that the Republican Read more

Can the Utility and Consumer Collaborate To Solve the Peak Problem?

Tuesday, 6.14.2011 - 15:02 (Renewable Energy World)

For years, experts have warned that our current grid network will not be able to withstand the demand of our expanding digital culture and growing renewable technology. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), since 1982, peak demand for electricity has exceeded transmission growth by almost 25 percent each year. Read more