Photovoltaics cause prices to drop on the European Electricity Exchange; on July 16th the price of solar electricity on the EEX dropped to off-peak night levels in the middle of the day

Sunday, 7.24.2011 - 23:28 (Solarserver)

Saturday, July 16th, 2011, is a date that will be remembered in the history of the German electricity sector. On that Saturday afternoon, electricity prices on the spot market of the European Electricity Exchange due to Germany's high installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity collapsed to the low level of electricity rates that are available at night. Buyers paid only 2.5 euro cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity delivered between 2 and 3 pm. Electricity rates are usually twice as high as the (low) night rate at this time of day on weekends in Germany. PHOTON had already predicted this decline, which resulted from strong growth in German photovoltaic installations, as early Read more

New Bosch Solar competence center for photovoltaics opens in Arnstadt; Total investment of EUR 530 million, 1,000 new jobs to be created by 2012

Sunday, 7.24.2011 - 23:27 (Solarserver)

At a ceremony in Arnstadt (Germany) the Bosch Group has inaugurated its new photovoltaics (PV) center. Overall, the company on own account has invested more than EUR half a billion in this facility. In addition to the Solar Energy division's headquarters, this facility brings together research and development departments, the production of solar cells and PV modules, and a training center under one roof. Read more

150 MW Moree Solar Farm to participate in Australia's Solar Flagships Program

Sunday, 7.24.2011 - 23:27 (Solarserver)

On July 18th, 2011, the Australian Government announced that it has selected a proposal by BP Solar Pty Ltd. (Sydney Olympic Park, Australia) and Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd. (Melbourne, Australia) to build a 150 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant as part of its Solar Flagships program. Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Inc. (FRV, San Francisco, California, U.S.) is a third member of the team which plans to build the Moree Solar Farm, to be located in Moree, in the Tablelands region of New South Wales. Read more

Legislation to restore PACE programs introduced in U.S. Congress

Sunday, 7.24.2011 - 23:27 (Solarserver)

On July 20th, 2011, three members of the U.S. congress introduced legislation to resurrect the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, which allows homeowners to finance solar installations and energy efficiency improvements through an assessment on their property. If passed, the PACE Protection Act of 2011 will over-ride actions taken by semi-public federal mortgage lenders, which effectively killed the program in July 2010. Read more