SunPower introduces world?s most powerful solar module at Intersolar EU 2011

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 23:02 (PV-Tech)

At the solar industry?s largest event, Intersolar Europe, 2011 SunPower launched its new 96-cell E20 modules, which are the industry?s first commercially-available solar panels to achieve total area efficiencies of 20% and above. Jorn Jugens, SunPower?s managing director, Germany had the honour of discussing with PV-Tech the key characteristics of the module, which includes SunPower?s 22.4% efficient ?Maxeon? cell technology. Read more

centrotherm SiTec draws first 450 kilogram ingot for customer

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 21:44 (PV-Tech)

centrotherm SiTec has claimed a new milstone with ?first ingot out? using its newly designed multi-crystalline ingot furnace at Chinese state-owned polysilicon company in Shaanxi Province, China. centrotherm SiTec claimed the ingot exceeded market standards. Read more

MEMC to fabricate solar cells in JV

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 16:38 (PV-Tech)

MEMC is filling-in a missing link in its polysilicon to solar projects manufacturing portfolio with the establishment of monocrystalline cell production through a joint venture with equipment supplier Jusung Engineering. At a cost of US$32 million, shared equally between the new partners, an initial 100MW of capacity is expected to begin production in the first half of 2012. The deal was signed by MEMC Singapore, though it was unclear whether the location of the cell plant would be in Singpaore or Korea, where Junsung is headquartered. The cells will used in modules for MEMC?s project arm, SunEdison. Read more

BIPV revenues to hit US$11 billion by 2016, according to NanoMarkets report

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 15:56 (PV-Tech)

Industry analyst NanoMarkets has published a new report claiming that revenues in the building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) product market will surpass US$11 billion by 2016. In addition to this fivefold increase in revenue, the paper, titled ?Building Integrated Photovoltaics Markets, 2011? states that capacity within the sector will also rise from 343MW to 3.6GW during the same time period. Read more

Centrosolar America receives Intertek certification for pre-packaged Centropack PV kits; First photovoltaic system in the U.S. to be Intertek-listed for Sale as a complete installation system

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:33 (Solarserver)

Centrosolar America (Scottsdale, Arizona), the U.S. subsidiary of CENTROSOLAR Group AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany, on July 6th, 2011announced that their CentroPack line of pre-packaged solar photovoltaic (PV) installation kits is now approved and listed by Intertek as a complete system. Read more

Q-Cells cited by Jeffries as having massive inventory levels

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:27 (PV-Tech)

Investment bank Jeffries International expects significant inventory write-offs at Q-Cells in its second quarter financial report due to massive inventory levels, said to reach ?585 million or about half of Q-Cells? expected revenue for the full year. The significant inventory build is due to the weak market demand seen in the first half of the year and average selling prices falling by as much as 40% since the beginning of 2011. Read more

Q-Cells cited by Jeffries with massive inventory levels

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:27 (PV-Tech)

Investment bank, Jeffries International expects significant inventory write-offs at Q-Cells in its second quarter financial report due to massive inventory levels, said to reach ?585 million or about half of Q-Cells expected revenue for the full-year. The significant inventory build is due to the weak market demand seen in the first-half of the year and average selling prices falling by as much as 40% since the beginning of 2011. Read more

Solar cell production: Korean Jusung Engineering and MEMC announce strategic partnership for high efficiency

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:07 (Solarserver)

Jusung Engineering Co., Ltd. (Geyonggi-Do, Korea), a supplier of advanced technology and tools for high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) cell production, and MEMC Singapore Pte. Ltd., an affiliate of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (St. Peters, Missouri, U.S.), on July 6th, 2011 announced a strategic partnership agreement to build and operate a high-efficiency solar cell production facility. Read more

IMS Research: Global PV inverter market to fall to below USD 6 billion in 2011

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 12:59 (Solarserver)

On July 6th, 2011 IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) announced the release of a report which estimates that the global solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter market will fall more than 10% to below USD 6 billion in revenues in 2011, citing inventory overhang from 2010 and price pressures. The fourth edition of "The World Market for PV Inverters" states that suppliers of inverters have faced intense price pressure in the first half of 2011, with like-for-like prices falling 10-15%. Read more

PV inverter producer Advanced Energy downgrades 2Q 2011 revenue projections by USD 15.5 million

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 12:37 (Solarserver)

On July 5th, 2011, Advanced Energy Industries Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.) provided a revised financial outlook for the second quarter of 2011, stating that it now expects to earn between USD 137 and 140 million in quarterly revenue. This is significantly less than the range of USD 148 to 160 million the company predicted in a previous guidance issued on May 2nd, 2011. Read more

PV production technology: centrotherm SiTec achieves important milestone at Chinese state company with "First Ingot Out"

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 12:29 (Solarserver)

With "First Ingot Out", centrotherm SiTec GmbH (Blaubeuren, Germany), a wholly-owned subsidiary of centrotherm photovoltaics AG, has achieved an important production milestone at large Chinese polysilicon manufacturer expanding to ingot at Shaanxi Province. The first 450 kilogram ingot was produced in less than 60 hours in the multi-crystalline ingot furnace developed by centrotherm SiTec, and has already achieved high quality standards, the company reports in a press release. Read more

Should California Simply Adopt German Solar Tariffs?

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 22:49 (Renewable Energy World)

Newly installed solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Californian were paid an average of approximately $0.34/kWh last year, according to a privately commissioned study. Germans paid substantially less, taking into consideration the amount of solar energy their country receives. Read more

Cleantech Group: Investments in solar firms decline in 2Q

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 21:34 (PV-Tech)

After a strong investment round in the first quarter of 2011 for solar firms that included a US$201 million funding round for BrightSource Energy and a US$106 million round investment in Miasole alone, new figures from Cleantech Group regarding second quarter funding for solar firms is significantly down, quarter-on-quarter. Read more

Schneider Electric to supply largest North American solar inverter order in its history

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 20:28 (Renewable Energy World)

Schneider Electric's Renewable Energies Business has been selected by a major global Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company to supply photovoltaic inverters throughout 2011. Representing more than 100 MW in total, this is the largest order in Schneider Electric's history in North America and one of the largest ever in the North American market. Read more

ENN Mojave Energy planning to build 720MW solar system and manufacturing plant in Nevada

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 19:07 (PV-Tech)

ENN Mojave Energy, a subsidiary of China?s ENN Group, is planning to build a 720MW solar system and thin-film manufacturing facility in southern Nevada. Read more

Ricoh unveils Europe?s first eco board

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 18:02 (Solarpowerportal)

Revolutionising the world of roadside advertising UK-based electronics firm Ricoh has unveiled what they are calling the ‘eco board’. Powered solely by wind and solar energy the electronic billboard can be seen on the side of the M4 approaching London near Heathrow airport. Read more

Mitsui to build new solar systems in northeast Japan

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 17:33 (PV-Tech)

Less than four months after being struck by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, the T?hoku region of Japan is in line to receive ¥10 billion (US$123.7 million) in solar investment. The funds will be used to build at least 10 solar systems, which are all likely to have capacities ranging from 1-2MW and help to meet the electricity shortfall that has hit the region in the aftermath of March?s disaster. Read more

SolarWorld floats EUR 150 million bond, adds Chief Human Resources and Brand Officer to management board

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:30 (Solarserver)

Against the background of the growth and the increasing internationalization, PV producer SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany) has expanded its management board. Also with a view to financing its further growth SolarWorld AG has strengthened its position and has issued a bond with a volume of EUR 150 million. Read more

Kyocera expands solar array at Fukushima PV plant to 230kW

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:16 (Solarserver)

On July 5th, 2011, Kyocera Corporation (Kyoto, Japan) announced that it has increased the size of a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant at its manufacturing facility in Fukushima, Japan from 194kW to 230kW. The full installation began operation at June 30th, and this will be the largest PV plant at any domestic Kyocera Group facility. Read more

Solarbuzz: US PV project pipeline soars to 17GW; California accounts for 62%

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 12:58 (Solarserver)

Following reductions in feed-in-tariffs across Europe, the rapid rise in the photovoltaic (PV) project pipeline in the US market now represents one of the most compelling PV market growth opportunities anywhere in the world, Solarbuzz (San Francisco, Calif), reports in a press release. According to the July 2011 edition of the "United States Deal Tracker" database released by Solarbuzz on July 6th, 2011, the US non-residential photovoltaic (PV) pipeline now exceeds 17 gigawatts (GW). This total comprises 601 PV projects ranging from 50 kilowatts (kW) to 500 megawatts (MW) in size, with planned installation dates from 2H?11 to 2015. Read more

EST revises solar savings estimate

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 11:47 (Solarpowerportal)

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has this week published a revised estimate for how much money a typical household can save by installing solar panels. By assuming that most UK homeowners are out of the house during the day the EST claims that solar systems will now save just £70 a year. Read more

Pyron Solar?s ground-breaking CPV system outperforms rivals during prototype testing

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 11:30 (PV-Tech)

Pyron Solar has made a major breakthrough in the field of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), after a prototype for its floating power system posted output figures nearly 20% higher than its commercial rivals. Read more

RevoluSun Unveils "Green" Headquarters

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 9:15 (Renewable Energy World)

www.RevoluSun.com ? Hawaii's leading solar energy firm, RevoluSun, today unveiled its extensively renovated 5,304-square-foot corporate headquarters, modernized with a sustainable design and recycled construction elements. The Hawaii-based firm, located at 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1700 in Honolulu invested $160,000 to create the refreshed space. Read more

Scatec Solar begins construction on 2.5MW Utscheid solar plant

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 2:18 (PV-Tech)

Scatec Solar revealed that it has started construction on its 2.5MW PV plant in Utscheid, Germany and plans to complete and connect the project to the grid in August. Once operational, the plant will generate 2.3 million kWh of renewable energy per year with 10,600 REC solar modules and SMA inverters. Developed by Copcon, Scatec Solar will design, build and commission the plant, which will be operated by the municipality of Utscheid. Read more

Ground-breaking solar park trumps previous record

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 1:02 (Solarpowerportal)

UK-based solar developer Lightsource Renewable Energy has today connected the UK’s largest solar installation to the national grid. At 1.4MW the project is also the first to be completed in the South West of the country, where the majority of large-scale plants are set to go ahead. Read more

Another ground-breaking solar park completed in Lincolnshire

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 1:01 (Solarpowerportal)

Ecotricity has today completed its ground-breaking 1MW solar parkin Lincolnshire, which is expected to be among only a handful of large-scale projects completed in the UK. The huge installation of solar panels has been constructed on Fen Farm on land next to the Conisholme 20-turbine wind farm and is expected to generate enough electricity for nearly 300 average homes each year for the next 25 years. Read more

Another large-scale solar park completed in Lincolnshire

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 1:01 (Solarpowerportal)

Ecotricity has today completed its ground-breaking 1MW solar parkin Lincolnshire, which is expected to be among only a handful of large-scale projects completed in the UK. The huge installation of solar panels has been constructed on Fen Farm on land next to the Conisholme 20-turbine wind farm and is expected to generate enough electricity for nearly 300 average homes each year for the next 25 years. Read more

Conergy launches SunTop IV pitched-roof solar power mounting system

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 1:00 (Renewable Energy World)

? Code-compliant software for simple, fast and comprehensive installation planning ? Designed to reduce learning curve, installation time and inventory ? Only four rail profiles needed to meet all design requirements ? Locally manufactured in Sacramento, CA USA Read more

AEP Ohio, Turning Point Solar endorse participation agreement for 49.9MW solar facility in Ohio

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 0:27 (PV-Tech)

Following an October 2010 MOU between AEP Ohio, a division of American Electric Power, and Turning Point Solar to develop a 49.9MW commercial solar facility in Noble County, Ohio, the two companies, along with New Harvest Ventures, have signed a participation agreement to continue work towards the new solar site. Plans call for the solar project to be built across 750 acres of land, which used to be a strip-mining site with construction and commercial operation completed in phases over the next three years. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2012 and finish by 2015. Read more

Arista Power enters into strategic partnership with PV module manufacturer Helios Solar Works

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 0:08 (PV-Tech)

Under a newly executed strategic partnership between Arista Power and Helios Solar Works, Helios will manufacture and supply its monocrystalline solar panels to Arista for use in its products and resale. Helios has additionally agreed to consult with Arista on opportunities for solar projects that include an energy storage component while Arista Power distributes Helios? product and solar modules, which are manufactured at its Milwaukee facility, to the US military. Read more

Biofuels May be Harvested from the Sea

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 15:40 (Renewable Energy World)

The use of kelp (Laminaria digitata) could provide an important alternative to terrestrial grown biofuels, but the suitability of its chemical composition varies on a seasonal basis. Harvesting the kelp in July when carbohydrate levels are at their highest would ensure optimal sugar release for biofuel production. Read more

POET receives offer for a conditional commitment for $105 million cellulosic ethanol loan guarantee

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 15:09 (Renewable Energy World)

POET has received an offer for a conditional commitment for a $105 million U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantee to construct a cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa that will produce 25 million-gallon-per-year from corn cobs, leaves, husks and some stalks. Read more

21 CEOs to attend Advanced Biofuels Markets

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 11:55 (Renewable Energy World)

21 Chief Executive Officers have confirmed their attendance at the annual Advanced Biofuels Markets Congress and Exhibition which takes place in the heart of San Francisco at the luxurious Parc 55 Wyndham Union Square Hotel on November 8th and 9th. Read more

PROKON chooses The Switch Drive? direct drive generator and full-power converter package

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 15:58 (Renewable Energy World)

In a move to gain independence in manufacturing wind turbines, Germany-based PROKON selected The Switch as its partner for its key permanent magnet generators and full-power converters. This marks a significant start to cooperation for both companies. For The Switch, this is the second contract with a German customer for a direct drive PMG in the power range of 3 MW. For PROKON, this opens up new market opportunities and strengthens the company's single-source wind power park portfolio. Read more

Fort Felker: Driving Innovation in Wind Power

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 15:01 (Renewable Energy World)

Talking with wind energy engineer Fort Felker about turbine manufacturing is like taking a breath of fresh air. A hearty fellow with a big voice and a slight southern drawl, he doesn't come across as someone who holds a patent in winglet technology, a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and was instrumental in the design of the modern wind turbine. He comes across as someone who believes in the power that renewable energy has to change the world ? and the important role that solid mechanical design and analysis tools play in order to make that happen. Read more

$350bn Nuclear Projects Attract KEPCO, EDF, Rosatom and Shaw to International Meeting

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 10:41 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind turbine technology is constantly progressing in tower design and component technology. These modifications create an ongoing responsibility from the wind industry to ensure that the technicians and engineers who carry out routine operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures on their equipment do so under the safest possible conditions. Read more

Solon, TEP and University of Arizona partner on PV energy storage research

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 23:28 (PV-Tech)

Solon has partnered with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and the Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy (AzRISE) at the University of Arizona for the development of an energy storage management research and testing (SMRT) site. Together, the three organizations will study the reliability and applicability of combining different energy storage technologies with PV onto the grid. Read more

Inexpensive Grid Stability Solutions

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 20:00 (Renewable Energy World)

With all the discussion of grid based energy storage for renewable energy integration, the two cheapest and most mature solutions are overlooked. They are also the solutions most often overlooked by investors captivated by the story of clean technology. Read more

Confused by green energy programmes? Let E.ON shed some light on the matter

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 18:37 (Solarpowerportal)

In a bid to stop the confusion surrounding some of the UK’s energy initiatives, E.ON has reinforced its commitment to help UK customers understand and take advantage of programmes such as the Green Deal and smart metering. The move comes after reports from the Committee on Climate Change and the National Audit Office which echoed E.ON’s concern that customers remain bewildered by measures designed to help them reduce energy consumption. Read more

U.S. renewable energy production exceeds nuclear power in first three months of 2011

Thursday, 7.7.2011 - 13:41 (Solarserver)

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) on June 28th, 2011, the U.S. produced more energy from renewable energy sources in the first three months of 2011 than from nuclear power. The EIA's "June 2011 Monthly Energy Review" states that renewable energy production from all sources totaled 2.24 quadrillion Btus, or 11.7% of total production, compared to nuclear generation which yielded 2.12 quadrillion Btus, or 11.1%. Read more