Next-gen inverters key to PV inverter growth, says GTM Research

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 21:44 (PV-Tech)

Recent reports that indicated PV inverters are responsible for 59% of total PV project failure costs - a startling statistic ? which supports a new in-depth assessment of the PV inverter market and technologies by GTM Research. However, the good news is that GTM?s analysis suggests that a new wave of next-generation inverter technologies (both for large-scale and residential markets) are expected to offer a significant improvement and importantly providing greater adoption of utility-scale PV at the right time better returns for the residential customer as feed-in tariffs decline. Read more

Sharp guides higher solar module sales in FY2012

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 14:20 (PV-Tech)

Despite the severe revenue impact the Great East Japan earthquake had on Sharp Corp, operations and uncertainty over providing full-year financial forecasts, the electronics firm has provided a business forecast for its FY2012. Sharp said at a press conference, held in Japan that its operating profit may increase to 97 billion yen (US$1.2 billion), an increase over last years results of 78.9 billion yen. Read more

Schott, Solland, to produce "Sunweb" metal wrap through PV modules

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:40 (Solarserver)

One June 1st, 2011, Schott Solar AG (Mainz, Germany) announced that it will begin production of a new metal wrap through (MWT) solar photovoltaic (PV) module with Solland Solar Cells B.V. (Heerlen, the Netherlands) in August 2011. Schott and Solland estimate that the first modules will be available in the fourth quarter of 2011, and the companies state that selected customers will be offered the first pilot production modules. Read more

Kyocera receives TÜV Service tested certificate for PV modules, services

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:40 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2011, Kyocera Corporation (Kyoto, Japan) announced that it is the first company in the solar energy sector in Germany to receive the TÜV Service tested certificate. TÜV awards the certificate based on results of a representative customer questionnaire, and Kyocera reports that it received a 94.9% recommendation rate from a survey of 1,548 solar industry professionals. Read more

Order Focus: Reis Robotics ships 100th assembly line

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:14 (PV-Tech)

Reis Robotics has reached a major landmark by shipping and installing its 100th solar module assembly line. This latest sale has consolidated Reis? position as the world?s leading turnkey automation systems supplier, and with several new orders already in the pipeline the German firm is showing now signs of resting on its laurels. Read more

DuPont film used in EMPA's record-efficiency flexible CdTe cells

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:05 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2011, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions announced that the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Research (EMPA, Dübendorf, Switzerland) has reached a new world record of 13.8% conversion efficiency with a flexible cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar photovoltaic (PV) cell that incorporates DuPont's Kapton colorless polyimide film. The new record is much higher than EMPA's previous record of 12.6% for flexible CdTe cells, and DuPont notes that these cells offer advantages over glass-based PV cells. Read more

PV manufacturing: Lux Research says cost reduction of top importance in adoption of new non-active materials technologies

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:02 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2011, Lux Research Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced the release of a new report which states that solar photovoltaic (PV) module-makers' adoption of new non-active materials technologies will largely be driven by the ability to reduce costs, instead of increasing performance. Read more

Ritek Solar modules meet the MCS standard

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 12:49 (Solarpowerportal)

Taiwan-based module manufacturer Ritek Solar has today announced that its polycrystalline solar panels are now certified for use in the UK. Having received Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation, the photovoltaic specialist is able to expand into the country’s escalating market. Read more

TRINA SOLAR ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH ACTOR PATRICK DEMPSEY, PATRICK DEMPSEY RACING

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 23:03 (Renewable Energy World)

Industry leading, global solar panel manufacturer Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) has become a sponsor of actor/racer Patrick Dempsey's Dempsey Racing Team. Together, the two organizations have establish a solar charity initiative. The initiative will increase Trina Solar´s brand awareness in the United States through the sponsorship and promotion of Patrick and the other Dempsey Racing drivers as solar ambassadors who will appear at different events, including last week's Indianapolis 500 ("Indy 500"), America's premier and most viewed automobile race. Read more

The roadmap for CSP plant development hangs in the balance of plants

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 19:03 (Renewable Energy World)

Albert Fong, Managing Director of Albiasa Solar lifts the lid on what could happen to the CSP industry if crucial planning and design is not seen as a priority Read more

National Grid grant given to University of Albany for solar monitoring centre

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 18:02 (PV-Tech)

National Grid has given a US$225,000 Renewable Energy and Economic Development grant to the University of Albany?s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) to help fund a photovoltaic control and monitoring centre (PVCMC). The monitoring centre, located in the Albany NanoTech Complex, will facilitate the collection of real-time research data to help with the installation of roof-mounted PV systems. Read more

Intersolar EU: vogt to showcase energy efficiency technology at Munich exhibition

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 17:10 (PV-Tech)

Next week?s Intersolar Europe 2011 exhibition in Munich will see vogt group showcase its range of energy efficiency technology for solar production facilities. The German company?s Cleaner Production Services focuses on improving on-site energy efficiency, building efficiency, power management, water and gas recycling, heat recovery and the treatment of contaminated exhausts fumes. Read more

Lack of Government support harming future of UK solar industry, claims STA report

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 16:19 (PV-Tech)

The UK Government is not providing enough support for its rapidly growing solar industry, according to a new report from the country?s Solar Trade Association (STA). According to the STA?s findings, inadequate backing from Whitehall is clipping the sectors wings in its infancy and preventing it from realising its full potential. Read more

Westinghouse Solar brings plug-and-play AC module to Europe

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 16:12 (PV-Tech)

Westinghouse Solar will be exhibiting its latest plug-and-play AC module as well as their DC system for commercial systems at Intersolar Europe 2011, at booth number A3-220. The latest plug-and-play AC module is claimed to be the industry?s first fully integrated AC solar panel to be made available in Europe. Read more

Westinghouse Solar brings Plug-and-Play AC module to Europe

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 16:12 (PV-Tech)

Westinghouse Solar will be exhibiting its latest Plug-and-Play AC module as well as their DC system for commercial systems at Intersolar Europe 2011, at booth number A3-220. The latest Plug-and-Play AC module is claimed to be the industry?s first fully integrated AC solar panel to be made available in Europe. Read more

Solar FlexRack Chosen for Sunquake Energy's 3.7mW Installation in Eastern Ontario

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 15:51 (Renewable Energy World)

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO ? Another Canadian solar project has taken advantage of the many benefits of the Solar FlexRack, a patent-pending product of Northern States Metals. Construction has begun on the Whitewater Solar Farm facility, which is located in the Township of Whitewater, County of Renfrew, about 100 km west of Ottawa in Eastern Ontario. Read more

Intersolar EU: Solland Solar launching MWT-based modules with 16% efficiency

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 15:06 (PV-Tech)

Solland Solar is planning to start commercial sales of its ?Sunweb? modules, using ?Metal Wrap Through? (MWT) solar cells in the fourth quarter of 2011. The company noted that it had already delivered and had installed modules to reference projects in both the UK the Netherlands with further projects in the pipeline for the target markets of Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. Read more

DOE announces USD 27 million in funding to reduce "soft" costs of solar, including permitting

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:40 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has made available over USD 27 million in new funding to address non-hardware cost reduction for solar energy projects. The funding will include USD 12.5 million for a competition between U.S. cities and counties to streamline and digitize permitting processes, and USD 15 million to advance innovations in information technology systems, local zoning and building codes and regulations. Read more

Gestamp Solar to develop 60 MW of PV plants at six Renault facilities in France

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:39 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2011, Renault S.A. (Boulogne-Billancourt, France) announced that it has partnered with Gestamp Solar (Madrid, Spain) to develop a total of 60 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants at six sites in France. Rooftop PV plants will be installed at delivery and shipping centers in Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly and Sandouville, and carport PV plants will be built at facilities in Maubeuge and Cléon. The plants will cover a total area of 450,000 square meters. Read more

Key buildings of historic Pearl Harbor naval base host 2.4 MW of SolarWorld PV panels

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:39 (Solarserver)

A combined 2.4 megawatts (MW) in arrays of high-performance SolarWorld solar photovoltaic (PV) panels cover the roofs of five important buildings at the historic U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, now known as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Read more

Secretary Chu, Senator Reid, Rep. Berkley announce conditional commitment for loan guarantee to Fotowatio solar PV project near Las Vegas, Nevada

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:03 (Solarserver)

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley on June 2nd, 2011 announced the offer of a conditional commitment for a USD 45.6 million loan guarantee by the Department of Energy to support a 20 megawatt AC photovoltaic (PV) solar generating facility. The project, sponsored by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc., is being supported by DOE with funding from the 2009 Recovery Act. It will be developed approximately 25 miles northeast of Las Vegas, and the project's sponsor estimates it will create 250 jobs at peak construction. Read more

GTM Research: Market and technology competition increases as PV inverter demand peaks; USD 6.9 billion solar inverter market expected for 2011

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:03 (Solarserver)

The time is now for new solar PV inverter technologies, GTM Research (Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.) emphasizes in a press release. With inverter losses accounting for 59 % of total PV project failure costs, developers, owners and financiers are beginning to focus on reliable and augmented power delivery as a key factor in improving the economics of their solar projects. This focus comes as global incentive programs begin to tighten and a new suite of next-gen inverters is offering improved power quality, unprecedented operability with the grid and module-based products that are shifting the industry?s competitive trajectory. Read more

Solarbuzz: PV equipment book-to-bill ratio falls to 1.01 in 1Q 2011

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 13:03 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2011, Solarbuzz Inc. (San Francisco, California) released an estimate of 1.01 for the book-to-bill ratio in the solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing equipment industry in the first quarter of 2011. The company provided this information from the upcoming edition of its "PV Equipment Quarterly" report, also predicting that the industry's book-to-bill ratio will fall well below parity during the second half of 2011, to recover somewhat in the fourth quarter of the year. Read more

Enphase Microinverter-Based Solar Systems 45 to 70 Times More Reliable

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 2:43 (Renewable Energy World)

Enphase Energy today released field data demonstrating the reliability of its microinverter technology. The data, collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison over a two-year period from 2008 ? 2010, show the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters. This level of field-proven reliability allows installers and system owners to benefit from the exceptional system uptime that the Enphase Microinverter System provides. Read more

UK solar potential is not being recognised, claims STA report

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 1:01 (Solarpowerportal)

After months of uncertainty surrounding the UK’s solar market, the Solar Trade Association has today launched an in-depth report that claims Government could do more to support the burgeoning industry. According to the STA’s findings, the real potential for solar in the UK is simply not being recognised. Read more

U.K. Government to Fund Offshore Wind Innovation Center

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind energy will benefit from two completely separate initiatives that the U.K. government has agreed to help fund: an innovation center for offshore energy and a "green" bank. Read more

Changes in Wind Power Safety Regulations Could Rock the Industry

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 14:43 (Renewable Energy World)

Next year wind farm owners, operators, manufacturers and contractors can expect at step up in enforcement of employee safety regulations that will not only impact the design of wind turbines, but also the operation and maintenance (O&M) practices. Read more

Achieving the 20 MW Wind Turbine

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 14:12 (Renewable Energy World)

Significant additional research efforts in wind energy are needed if the European Commission's goals for wind power are to be achieved. It will mean delivering EWEA's 'high' scenario: 265 GW of wind power capacity, including 55 GW offshore, by 2020; 400 GW, of which 150 GW is to come from offshore, by 2030; and 600 GW, with 350 GW offshore, by 2050, meeting 50% of the EU's electricity demand. Going offshore implies not only new technologies but also an upscaling of wind turbine dimensions and wind farm capacities as well as new electrical infrastructure. Underlying all research activities is a focus on reducing the cost of energy. Read more

Breaking news from offshore wind industry focus group on health and safety

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 11:54 (Renewable Energy World)

With an estimated 40GW of offshore wind set to be installed by the end of the decade in Europe alone, the potential for employee accidents and projects put at risk due to a poor culture of HSE is great. Read more

Texans "Taking it to the Streets" Over Energy Prices

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 21:18 (Renewable Energy World)

The 15th Annual Cool House Tour, a self-guided open house tour featuring 16 of Austin's coolest five-star quality homes utilizing the latest renewable energy and energy efficiency technology to help them stay cool and save on energy costs. At the Cool House Tour you can see how people have taken something ordinary and made it extraordinary ? its an adventure of discovery in your own hometown. Read more

Energy and Agribusiness Attorney Leah Hurtgen Ziemba Joins Michael Best

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 16:30 (Renewable Energy World)

The law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is pleased to announce Leah Hurtgen Ziemba has joined the firm as an associate in its Madison office, effective May 31, 2011. Ms. Ziemba will join the firm's Energy and Sustainability Industry Team, focusing her practice on the siting and permitting of new development projects, including agricultural and energy projects, and counseling clients on environmental matters. Read more

Project Finance Attorney Mary Ann Christopher Joins Michael Best

Friday, 6.3.2011 - 16:25 (Renewable Energy World)

The law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is pleased to announce Mary Ann Christopher has joined the firm as a Partner in its Milwaukee office, effective May 9th. Ms. Christopher will join the Firm's Energy and Sustainability Industry Team as well as the Transactional Practice Group where she will focus on project finance, complex business transactions and mergers and acquisitions. Read more