Arkansas University researchers get USD 1 million grant to develop solar cells for spacecraft

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 18:46 (Solarserver)

On September 22nd, 2011, the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University announced that more than USD 1 million in grant funding, partly from NASA with matching funds from each institution, will help researchers investigate the use of semiconductor materials in photovoltaic (PV) devices that power satellites and other instruments in space. Read more

SolMarket unveils group purchase program for PV modules

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 18:46 (Solarserver)

On September 22nd, 2011, SolMarket announced a group purchasing program for solar photovoltaic (PV) products, which it says can reduce equipment costs and simplify the procurement process. The company's SolPurchase program is currently operational for purchases of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Through October 27th, installers and developers can purchase Q-Cells Q.BASE 230 watt PV modules at a discount. Read more

Xcel, SunEdison commission three PV plants totaling 32.3 MW in New Mexico

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:23 (Solarserver)

On September 22nd, 2011 Xcel Energy (Minneapolis Minnesota, U.S.) and SunEdison LLC (Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.) announced the commissioning of three solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 32.3 MW in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The three plants are part of a 53.5 MW PV project comprised of five PV plants. Wells Fargo and Company (San Francisco, California, U.S.) served as construction lender for the project, providing more than USD 200 million to finance the installation phase. Read more

PV in the UK: Isolux Corsán builds three plants with a total installed capacity of 15 MW

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 10:34 (Solarserver)

Isolux Corsán (Madrid, Spain) has finished building and commissioning of three solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants on a budget of approximately EUR 40 million, the project developer reports in a press release. The PV plants are currently considered to be the largest in the United Kingdom, with a total installed capacity of 15 megawatt (MW). The three solar power plants are located in Langform, Churchtown and Manor (Cornwall), where 22,000 crystalline PV modules are set on fixed arrays, each plant with 5 MW installed capacity. The company delivered them after completing their engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). Development and investment was arranged by Banco Read more

OneRoof Energy nabs $50 million in financing, debuts new leasing program for solar rooftops

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 23:46 (PV-Tech)

OneRoof Energy simultaneously revealed that it had obtained US$50 million in financing and has launched its new residential solar leasing program, the SolarSelect Lease. Customers who take part in the new solar lease program will be able to install solar on their homes with no upfront costs and make a monthly lease payment for the system, which is stated by OneRoof Energy as being typically lower than a customer?s existing electric bill. Read more

National Solar Power selects Gadsden County, Florida for ?largest? solar farm in US southeast

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 23:16 (PV-Tech)

Earlier this year, National Solar Power announced that it had narrowed its list of potential sites for its 400MW solar project to seven counties in the US southeast. After months of deliberation the company made its final decision with plans to build what is being called the largest solar farm in the US southeast in Gadsden County, Florida. While its final decision has been made, National Solar Power does note that the six other counties in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina will continue to be considered for future solar farm projects. Read more

Florida County Selected for 400-MW Solar Project

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 21:34 (Renewable Energy World)

National Solar Power has selected Gadsden County in northern Florida as the site for a 400-megawatt photovoltaic solar farm that will use 4,000 acres. Read more

Canadian Solar to install 2.1 MW PV system at New Jersey Hospital

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 18:45 (Solarserver)

In September 2011, Canadian Solar Inc. (San Ramon, Calif.) announced that it received a contract to provide solar panels for a new 2.1 MW solar power installation at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The project will cost USD 9 million and is scheduled to begin construction in October 2011. Economic benefits from the project include revenue from New Jersey's unique solar renewable energy credit program, a federal tax credit and substantially reduced electricity costs. Read more

Six Solar Decathlon teams selected SunPower solar panels

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 18:44 (Solarserver)

On September 21st, 2011, SunPower Corp. (San Jose, Calif.), a manufacturer of world-leading, high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced that six of the 19 university teams competing in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 have designed their solar homes using SunPower's high performance solar panels. The teams include Team Florida International University, Team Illinois, Team Massachusetts, Team Middlebury College, Team New York and Team Purdue. Read more

Ordering made easy with new solar web shop

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 18:06 (Solarpowerportal)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) company Azur Solar has just launched its new solar web shop for installers. Read more

Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente signs US$30 million credit line with China?s DEC

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:54 (PV-Tech)

In a move likely to expand the module manufacturer?s reach in Asian markets, Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente has signed a cooperative agreement with Chengdu, China-based Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), and has secured a purchasing credit line worth US$30 million from DEC for the purchase of cells and project components. Read more

SolarCity US DOE loan approval fails

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:48 (PV-Tech)

According to news reports, US-based solar installation firm, SolarCity will not be able to complete and comply with documentation deadlines of September 30th to be considered for a US Department of Energy loan, previously announced. Read more

Trina Solar?s new mounting system unveiled

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:31 (Solarpowerportal)

During the recent Elex 2011, Trina Solar unveiled it’s new mounting system, an innovative solution to mounting Trina Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Read more

Media witch hunt blamed for Hannes Kuhn resignation from Solar Millennium

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:04 (PV-Tech)

Despite boardroom spats, technology deviation, and financial concerns, Solar Millennium said that Hannes Kuhn has resigned from company?s Supervisory Board with immediate effect. Read more

The Question Day 10: How Can the U.S. Solar Industry Meet Expectations?

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:00 (Renewable Energy World)

RenewableEnergyWorld asked solar executives and our social media community to lend their voices and define what three strategies they think will lead to a thriving solar industry. Answers were varied, and many valid opinions were brought to light. Responses will be updated here daily, and feel free to look at previous insights by clicking on the page links below. Read more

SolarCity exec leaves to become president of Suntech?s US operations

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 15:29 (PV-Tech)

Former, VP of sales and business development at SolarCity, John Lefebvre has been appointed as President of Suntech America, responsible for boosting Suntech?s market position throughout North and South America. The US is a key market for Suntech, having been the market leader in 2011 and expects to benefit from further the US market doubling this year. Read more

More space for solar as Proinso extends its UK market presence

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 13:36 (Solarpowerportal)

Proinso, a company specialising in distribution of modules, inverters, trackers and fixed structures for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, has just opened a new office and logistics warehouse just outside London.  Read more

Solaria, Dongfang Electric partner to invest in up to 100 MW of PV in Asia annually

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:23 (Solarserver)

On September 23rd, 2011 Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente SA (Madrid, Spain) announced that it has signed an agreement with Dongfang Electric Corporation Ltd. (DEC, Chengdu, China) for commercial cooperation and development in Asia, with a goal to jointly invest in 100 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants annually. Additionally, DEC has supplied Solaria with a USD 30 million line of credit to purchase solar cells and turnkey project components. Read more

California Governor Brown signs three bills to support solar development into law

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:22 (Solarserver)

On September 22nd, 2011 California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law three bills to support the expansion of solar and other renewable energies in the state, including SB 585, which will authorize an additional USD 200 million for the California Solar Initiative. The Governor also signed AB 1150, which authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission to collect funds for its Self-Generation Incentive Program, and SB 16, which requires expedited environmental permitting processes for renewable energy projects. Read more

Canadian Solar supplies 5.1 MW of PV modules for EOSOL' solar power plant in the South West of France

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:22 (Solarserver)

Canadian Solar Inc. on September 23rd, 2011 announced that the company has supplied solar modules to EOSOL Energies Nouvelles' new ground-mounted solar plant. Canadian Solar provided a total of 21,560 solar modules for an installed capacity of 5.1 MW. EOSOL EN's new power plant called "Le Petit Chataignier" has been built in La Genetouze in the South West of France on an area of 89,300 m². The new solar power plant was inaugurated on September 22nd, 2011. Read more

JinkoSolar offers explanation, remediation for alleged toxic release at Haining PV cell factory

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:22 (Solarserver)

On September 22nd, 2011, JinkoSolar Holding Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) issued a statement offering an explanation for the cause of the "possible" discharge of fluoride waste from its Haining, China solar photovoltaic (PV) cell factory. The company also outlined steps taken for remediation and to prevent future discharges of toxic material. Read more

Clean energy and efficient building design: DOE Solar Decathlon 2011 started on Sept. 22nd, 2011

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:21 (Solarserver)

On September 22nd, 2011, a ceremony has opened the solar village of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 at the National Mall's West Potomac Park. "The Solar Decathlon collegiate teams are showing how clean energy products and efficient building design can help families and businesses reduce energy use and save money," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Read more

Module prices to continue collapse into 2012, warns Solarbuzz

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 12:14 (PV-Tech)

Overcapacity is continuing to take its toll on PV module prices, according to the latest ?Solarbuzz Quarterly? report. Factory gate prices are claimed to be down 33% year-on-year and will fall a further 18% in the fourth quarter of 2011. Solarbuzz warns that module inventory levels could reached almost 22GW by the end of next year if production is not cut drastically. The backdrop for the supply and demand imbalance is installation levels that are proving to be weaker than expected. Read more

Global Solar Energy enters BIPV product supply agreement with Iscom, Energyka and B.A. Energie

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 11:46 (PV-Tech)

Global Solar Energy has entered into module supply agreements with Iscom, Energyka and B.A. Energie, three Italian roof specialist companies. Although specific volume details were not disclosed, Global Solar will supply a significant portion of the modules it produces at its Berlin-Adlershof site to the three new partners. Read more

Offshore Wind Targets Cheaper O&M

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Operations and maintenance (O&M) make up 25 percent of the cost of an offshore wind farm ? almost as much as the wind turbines themselves, and about as much as construction and installation Read more

EIA Energy Outlook 2011: Renewables to remain the fastest growing source of energy

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 18:45 (Solarserver)

On September 19th, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its annual report on energy consumption and production. The report predicts that renewable energy will remain the fastest growing source of energy over the next 25 years, but will not replace fossil fuels as the dominant form of energy production. The EIA's "International Energy Outlook 2011" also states that energy growth will vary greatly between developed and developing nations. The report estimates that China and India together will consume 31% of the world's energy in 2035, up from 21% in 2008. Read more

Two High Yield Energy Efficiency Stocks with a Free Call Option on Housing

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:14 (Renewable Energy World)

It's no secret that the housing market is in the doldrums. New housing starts in August fell to an annual rate of 571,000, and fewer homes were under construction since record keeping began in 1970. This has taken a toll on energy efficiency stocks in the housing sector, leading to some very attractive pricing in two of my favorites. Read more

Two High-yield Energy Efficiency Stocks with a Free Call Option on Housing

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 16:14 (Renewable Energy World)

It's no secret that the housing market is in the doldrums. New housing starts in August fell to an annual rate of 571,000, and fewer homes were under construction since record keeping began in 1970. This has taken a toll on energy efficiency stocks in the housing sector, leading to some very attractive pricing in two of my favorites. Read more

Asia Report: Subtle Signs of Energy Shift

Monday, 9.26.2011 - 15:39 (Renewable Energy World)

Viewed from afar, it was a week of contradictions. But perhaps, it was a sign that renewable energy could gain a growing foothold in developing nations like China and India. The two nations are expected to lead a 53 percent growth in energy consumption by 2035, according to a international report released by the United States Energy Information Administration. Much of that growth is projected to come from fossil fuels. Read more