NREL, German researchers sign MOU for advancement of solar cells, fuels

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 22:46 (PV-Tech)

American researchers from the US Department of Energy?s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with German researchers aiming to make new developments in solar cells and solar fuel production. The MOU will also see the two teams working to improve the performance of concentrating solar thermal power systems. Read more

Solar Frontier to supply juwi solar with 3.8MW of CIS solar modules for new US project

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 20:55 (PV-Tech)

Solar Frontier has won a contract with juwi solar to provide 3.8MW of its thin-film solar modules for a solar project in the northeast US. The solar installation is set to be completed by the end of the year and will be operated by a regulated northeast utility. Solar Frontier?s new Kunitomi plant in Miyazaki, Japan will manufacture the CIS modules for the solar project. Read more

Suntech BIPV Just-Roof modules certified by France?s CEIAB

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 18:21 (PV-Tech)

Suntech Power?s Just-Roof building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solution has been approved by French certification body CEIAB (Comité d?Evaluation de l?Intégration au Bâti). CEIAB is France?s official evaluation committee for all BIPV products, and its endorsement sees Just Roof gain eligibility for the country?s highest available feed-in-tariff. Read more

Fronius Announces Plans for New US Headquarters in Portage, IN

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 16:23 (Renewable Energy World)

Fronius, one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics has announced plans to launch its US headquarters in Portage, IN in the third quarter of 2012. Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels and Portage Mayor Olga G. Velazquez joined Fronius executives, employees and other dignitar Read more

Renewable Integration: Solving the Volatility of a Smart Grid

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 16:13 (Renewable Energy World)

With Storage Week 2011 just around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the challenges of renewable integration and provide some insight on the opportunities currently on the horizon. Read more

China Sunergy to invest US$277 million in 1GW cell manufacturing expansion

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 15:57 (PV-Tech)

Two China Sunergy subsidiaries are investing RMB1.8 billion (US$277 million) in a new 1GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Yangzhou, China. The joint venture will concentrate on the production of China Sunergy?s newly-developed Quasar cells, with the first 500MW batch set to be delivered in the first half of 2012. Read more

UCSD team develops software to model variability of output from PV modules

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 14:56 (Solarserver)

On June 21st, 2011, the University of California at San Diego's (UCSD, San Diego, California, U.S.) Jacobs School of Engineering announced that a team of its researchers has developed software to predict fluctuations in the output of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants caused by cloud cover. The team has also presented a paper to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL, Golden, Colorado, U.S.) on its work on variability which led to the software. Read more

Magnolia Solar to demonstrate record high voltage performance solar cells at PV Specialist Conference

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 13:21 (Solarserver)

Magnolia Solar Corporation (Wobrun, MA and Albay, NY) , in June 2011 announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Magnolia Solar, Inc., has demonstrated InGaAs quantum well solar cells that operate at record high voltages. These ground-breaking technical results were presented by Magnolia Solar, Inc.'s Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Roger E. Welser, at the 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) in Seattle, WA on June 23, 2011. Read more

Meyer Burger now owns over 75% of Roth & Rau shares as part of friendly takeover

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:43 (PV-Tech)

After an extended offer period, Meyer Burger now owns over 75% of Roth & Rau shares. Shares representing more than 33% of the share capital and voting rights of Roth & Rau had been tendered within the latest acceptance period. Read more

Conergy?s chief sales officer to resign; internal replacement appointed

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:22 (PV-Tech)

Conergy?s chief sales officer, Andreas Wilsdorf, has resigned his position for ?personal reasons,? according to the company.  Wilsdorf will leave Conergy, effective 31 July 2011, which coincides with expected completion of the company?s refinancing efforts to reduce debt and interest payments. Read more

Conergy?s Chief Sales Officer to resign; internal replacement appointed

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:22 (PV-Tech)

Conergy?s Chief Sales Officer, Andreas Wilsdorf has resigned his position at the company for ?personal reasons,? according to the company.  Wilsdorf will leave Conergy, effective 31 July 2011, which coincides with expected completion of Conergy?s refinancing efforts to reduce debt and interest payments. Read more

American Electric Technologies Announces Solar Industry's First 1 MW 1000 Volt UL 1741-Tested Inverter System

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 23:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Houston-based American Electric Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AETI) the leading global provider of power delivery solutions for the traditional and renewable energy industries, today announced that the company has received notification from TUV Rheinland that its 1 MW 1000 Volt Integrated Solar Inversion Station (ISIS?) has successfully passed the solar inverter tests as outlined in UL 1741-2010. UL1741-2010 is the UL Standard for Solar Inverter equipment and other solar products for use with Distributed Energy resources. Read more

NJ Solar Power completes Kyocera-equipped 1.16MW PV system on historic New Jersey site

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 21:16 (PV-Tech)

The Masonic Home of New Jersey has been owned by the Masons since the mid-1800?s and as its members have progressed society, the building itself has now been updated with a 1.16MW solar installation. Designed by NJ Solar Power, the solar array uses 5,656 Kyocera Solar KD205 modules for a yearly power production of 1,547,412kWh of solar energy. Read more

Solar Competitive Market Analysis: Residential & Small Commercial

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 19:42 (Renewable Energy World)

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Yash Birla to build manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, India

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 17:33 (PV-Tech)

Industrial conglomerate Yash Birla will make its first venture into the solar industry by building a new cell and wafer production facility in the state of Maharashtra in central India. The total cost for the project will be INR54 billion (US$1.2 billion) and, when completed, it will be one of the largest PV manufacturing sites in the region. Read more

GE to invest USD 63 million in home energy technology companies; SunRun and Pythagoras Solar chosen in the second round of funding through "Ecomagination Challenge"

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 14:58 (Solarserver)

On June 23th, 2011, General Electric Company (GE, Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.) and its venture capital partners announced that they will invest USD 63 million in 10 home energy technology companies. SunRun (San Francisco, California, U.S.) and Pythagoras Solar Inc. (San Mateo, California, U.S.) are among the 10 companies chosen by GE, in the second round of funding through its "GE Ecomagination Challenge". Read more

PV equipment provider STR Holdings downgrades 2Q 2011 earnings due to declining solar sales

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 14:57 (Solarserver)

On June 23rd, 2011, STR Holdings Inc. (Enfield, Connecticut, U.S.), producer of solar photovoltaic (PV) panel encapsulation and quality assurance services, released updated financial guidance for the second quarter of 2011, stating that it expects its solar division to generate between USD 68 and 69 million. This is a decrease from the company's previous estimate of USD 74 to 78 million, and the company has likewise decreased its overall guidance by a similar amount, to USD 98 to 101 million. Read more

PVN enters into lease option agreement to develop a landfill solar PV plant in Southern California

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 14:56 (Solarserver)

On June 22nd, 2011, Project Navigator Ltd. (PVN, Brea, California, U.S.) announced that it has entered into a lease option agreement with the County of San Bernadino to consider the development of a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at a landfill near Barstow, California. Project Navigator is considering a plant between 10 and 20 MW-AC for the site, and expects to sell the electricity generated to Southern California Edison (Rosemead, California, U.S.). Read more

Major executive changes at Hanwha SolarOne as CEO and CFO step-down

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 14:27 (PV-Tech)

A major reshuffling of executive positions has been made at Hanwha SolarOne, which said the move was designed to strengthen the management team as it continued to build-out the company into a major player within the solar industry. Stepping aside is Dr. Peter Xie, CEO and Gareth Kung, CFO, both former Solarfun executives, replaced by Hanwha Group executives, Ki-Joon Hong and Jung Pyo Seo, respectively. Hong is currently the Chairman of the Board of SolarOne and CEO of Hanwha Chemical Corporation, which acquired a majority stake in the former Solarfun. Read more

Major executive changes at Hanwha SolarOne as CEO and CFO step down

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 14:27 (PV-Tech)

A major reshuffling of executive positions has been made at Hanwha SolarOne, which said the move was designed to strengthen the management team as it continued to build-out the company to become a major player within the solar industry. Stepping aside is Dr. Peter Xie, CEO and Gareth Kung, CFO, both former Solarfun executives, who are being replaced by Hanwha Group executives, Ki-Joon Hong and Jung Pyo Seo, respectively. Hong is currently the chairman of the Board of SolarOne and CEO of Hanwha Chemical Corporation, which acquired a majority stake in the former Solarfun. Read more

Solarcentury connects UK?s largest PV system to national grid

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 13:34 (Solarpowerportal)

Solarcentury has broken new ground in the UK solar industry by connecting the nation’s largest solar system to the grid. The 748kW system is comprised of over 3,000 panels and will produce enough electricity to power one-quarter of the Oxfordshire business park in which it is located. Read more

Solarcentury connects UK?s largest ground-mounted PV system to national grid

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 13:34 (Solarpowerportal)

Solarcentury has broken new ground in the UK solar industry by connecting the nation’s largest solar system to the grid. The 748kW system is comprised of over 3,000 panels and will produce enough electricity to power one-quarter of the Oxfordshire business park in which it is located. Read more

Boston launches pilot residential solar PV incentive program; rebates expected to be between USD 1,000 and 3,000.

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 13:20 (Solarserver)

On June 25th, 2011, the city of Boston announced the launch of a pilot solar photovoltaic (PV) incentive program for homeowners, which could include residential power purchase agreement or lease options. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's office states that while final program design parameters and incentive levels are still under development, average residential rebates through the program are expected to be between USD 1,000 and 3,000. Read more

Solarcentury connects UK?s largest solar system to national grid

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:59 (PV-Tech)

Solarcentury has broken new ground in the UK solar industry by connecting the nation?s largest solar system to the grid. The 748kW system is comprised of over 3,000 panels and will generate enough electricity to power one-quarter of the Oxfordshire business park in which it is located. Read more

Ivanpah: Design & integration of the world's largest solar thermal plant

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:22 (Renewable Energy World)

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Payom Solar forms Italian subsidiary

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 11:37 (PV-Tech)

Payom Solar has formed a new subsidiary in Turbigo, Milan to help manage the company?s rapidly-expanding Italian client base. The subsidiary, which has been named Solar Energy Italia SAS, has already secured its first major order ? a 4MW roof system for a Danish investment group valued at ?13 million. Read more

S.A.G. Solarstrom raising ?25 million to finance further growth

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 11:23 (PV-Tech)

A corporate bond with a volume of up to ?25 million is being issued by S.A.G. Solarstrom to finance further growth. The company noted that it still expects to produce growth for the year as it has benefited from falling prices that are contributing to renewed PV project interest. Read more

Industry Experts See German Nuclear Phaseout as a Wind Fall

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 15:29 (Renewable Energy World)

Angela Merkel's coalition government may not have looked at the nuclear power question for anything more than a "cover your behind" solution. Nonetheless, the wind industry sees last month's decision to phase out Germany's nuclear power generation industry by 2022 as - no pun intended - a windfall. Policy makers say as much as half of the deficit left by the shutdown of nuclear power plants will need to be made up from other power sources, principally wind power. Read more

Wind Energy Update: European and Asian wind turbine OEMs commit to collaborate on competing component sourcing strategies

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:44 (Renewable Energy World)

As manufacturers try to balance in-house manufacturing and outsourcing supply, shortages in previous years have forced OEM's to pay closer attention to their relationships with component manufacturers. Read more

Wind Energy Update: Wind energy component manufacturers seize opportunity to connect with OEM's moving into emerging markets

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 12:35 (Renewable Energy World)

While the wind industry has been through several challenging years in terms of numbers of orders and installations, the rise of emerging windpower markets such as China, India, Eastern Europe and Brazil has arguably reinvigorated the turbine manufacturing industry, with leading manufacturers establishing new centres to capitalise on new opportunities. Read more

Eclipsall Energy opens new manufacturing facility in Toronto

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 22:08 (PV-Tech)

Ontario?s Minister of Energy, Brad Duguid, was on site as Eclipsall Energy opened the doors of its solar PV panel manufacturing facility in Toronto, Canada. Full production is expected to occur later this summer at the 120,000 square foot facility, which accommodates all of Eclipsall?s operations and has room for expansion. Read more

Applied Energy Technologies expands its Rayport mounting system production at Ontario facility

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 21:54 (PV-Tech)

Applied Energy Technologies (AET) revealed that it will be manufacturing its Rayport solar mounting system at its Ontario, Canada facility, which will allow the company to meet Ontario?s FiT and MicroFit domestic content requirements. The company did not reveal its current or planned manufacturing capacity, or the amount of orders it has scheduled. Read more

Driving Ocean Energy Innovation in Scotland

Monday, 6.27.2011 - 11:49 (Renewable Energy World)

Partnerships between various Scottish organizations and agencies have provided multiple opportunities for developers to advance their technology. One example is Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of Scotland's economic development agency Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish government. SDI was established to encourage investment in the country and to support expansion of Scottish companies overseas. SDI has been actively sourcing technology developers to test devices at EMEC. Read more