News of the year 2011
Date: 29.09.2011
Large 78MW PV system activated in Germany; said to be part of world?s largest PV power plant complex
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 23:34 (PV-Tech)
The 78MW portion of a 148MW PV plant in Berlin was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Brandenburg. Developed by EPC contractor Saferay, the Senftenberg plants are located on a former open-pit mining area in Eastern Germany. The plant, which is part of what is being called the largest PV power plant complex in the world, was completed in three months and uses 330,000 crystalline solar modules and 62 central inverter stations. Read moreSilicon Ink Is Spot On, NREL Experiments Show
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 18:38 (Renewable Energy World)
Ink can cause a mess, but the Silicon Ink developed by Innovalight behaves itself so well that when it is added to a solar cell it doesn't clump or spill, instead it boosts the cell's power by a startling, profit-boosting five to seven percent. Read morePower-One opens inverter R&D and testing facility in Italy
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 18:23 (PV-Tech)
Power management firm, Power-One has opened a 1,600 m² Center of Excellence and Development facility in Terranova Bracciolini, Italy, designed to handle a complete suite of testing and certification for inverter products up to 2MW. Power-One?s Terranova Bracciolini facility already employs over 1,000 employees and includes aGW production plant for photovoltaic and wind inverters. Read moreSuntech modules used on 8.05MW Athens International Airport project
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 18:04 (PV-Tech)
Billed as the largest airport project worldwide, Suntech modules have been used on an 8.05MW Athens International Airport PV project, which is designed to provide approximately 20% of the airport authority electricity needs and 9% of airport community needs. The project was built by Biosar using approximately 28,750 of Suntech?s STP 280-24/Vd modules. Read moreInvestor ForVEI acquires three PV plants from the OPDE Group in Italy for EUR 55 million
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 14:41 (Solarserver)
The British clean-technology investor ForVEI investment company has acquired three solar photovoltaic (PV) farms promoted and built by the OPDE Group in the Italian region of Piedmont, with a total capacity of 13.2 megawatts (MW) of power, OPDE reports in a press release. The solar farms, which are connected and 100% operational, are located in Tortona (7 MW) and Alessandria (two farms, with 5 and 1.2 MW, respectively). Read moreHonduran local government approves 18.5 MW PV plant for island
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 14:35 (Solarserver)
On September 27th, 2011, Onyx Service & Solutions Inc. (Greenwood Village, Colorado, U.S.) announced that local authorities in Honduras have approved an 18.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant that the company plans to build on an island off the coast of Honduras. According to the company, Roatan Governor Shawn Hyde, Julio Galindo, the mayor of the municipality of Roatan, and Roatan Municipal Council members approved the USD 84 million project, following a presentation on September 21st, 2011. Read moreTrichlorosilane producer SunSi files for NASDAQ capital market listing
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 14:25 (Solarserver)
SunSi Energies Inc. (Wendeng, Shandong, China and Brooklyn, New York, U.S.), a provider of the specialty chemical trichlorosilane (TCS) to the solar industry, on September 28th, 2011 announced that it has filed an application to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market. TCS is the first product in the solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain before polysilicon, and is also a principal source of ultrapure silicon in the semiconductor industry. Read moreSolar market research: High-efficiency solar cells set for rapid growth, propping up PV industry profits
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 13:52 (Solarserver)
In a development that could slow the downward spiral of prices and profit margins in the solar industry, the market share of high-efficiency crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) cells is expected to more than double by 2015, according to the latest "IHS iSuppli PV Perspectives Market Brief" from information and analysis provider IHS (El Segundo, Calif.). High-efficiency units in 2015 due to IHS are expected to account for 31 percent of global c-Si solar cell shipments, up from just 14 percent in 2011. The remaining shipments will consist of standard-efficiency cells utilizing older technology. Read morePV technology: Manz AG to display 14% efficient CIGS module at PV Taiwan 2011 trade show
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 13:25 (Solarserver)
Manz AG (Reutlingen, Germany) has announced that it will unveil its world record thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar photovoltaic (PV) module with an aperture area efficiency of 15.1% at the PV Taiwan 2011 trade show in Taipei, Taiwan, from October 5th to 7th, 2011. The module was manufactured on mass production equipment in cooperation with Würth Solar GmbH & Co. KG (Schwäbisch Hall, Germany). Manz will display the module as part of a showcase of its CIGSfab integrated thin-film module production line. Read moreREC considers permanent closure of portions of Norwegian wafer and solar cell manufacturing
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 12:35 (Solarserver)
Citing weak market conditions and "prospects of significant negative cash flow", on September 28th, 2011, Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC, Sandvika, Norway) announced that its Board of Directors is assessing the permanent closure of parts of three manufacturing facilities in Norway. The company states that it is considering closing its oldest multicrystalline wafer plant at Herøya, the multicrystalline wafer plant in Glomfjord and the solar photovoltaic (PV) cell plant in Narvik. REC announced the suspension of production at these facilities in May 2011, and extended this shutdown in August 2011. Read moreSusan Greene named president of American Solar Energy Society
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 23:16 (PV-Tech)
As Shaun McGrath, former executive director of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), stepped down to pursue an opportunity in the public policy sector the organization announced that Susan Greene has accepted the position of president for ASES. Greene joins ASES after recently serving as senior vice president at The Cable Center. Read moreReneSola sees 27.5MW of its modules used in Enerparc?s German solar power plant
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 22:59 (PV-Tech)
EPC company Enerparc recently completed a new large-scale solar power plant in Gahro, Germany utilizing 27.5MW of ReneSola?s standard Multi and Virtus high-efficiency modules. ReneSola shipped 16.23MW of its 230W, 235W and 240W Multi modules in June and followed the shipment with an 11.23MW delivery of its 235W, 240W and 245W Virtus modules in August. Read morePanelClaw adds top-tier PV module companies to UL solar-mounting system certification listing
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 22:40 (PV-Tech)
Solar mounting systems company PanelClaw revealed the addition of Suntech, Yingli Solar, Trina Solar and Kyocera PV modules to its UL 2703 listing. The UL 2703 listing focuses on the evaluation of solar PV mounting systems and is said to help installers diminish grounding costs with modules from the listed manufacturers. Read moreSolarwatt sees sales fall 51.3% on sluggish project business
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 21:28 (PV-Tech)
Ever the optimists, Dresden-based Solarwatt expects a better second-half to the year after posting sales were down 51.3%, compared with the same period a year ago, due to a ?sluggish? project business, according to the company. The optimism for the second-half of the year is based on what the company said was ?attractive? project business in Italy, France and the UK and partnerships arising from the transition towards renewable energy sources in Germany. Read moreBluesky urges public to watch out for cowboy solar installers
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 16:22 (Solarpowerportal)
Aerial mapping company Bluesky is urging property owners to seek independent advice before installing solar panels following recent exposés into rogue traders in the national press. The consumer watchdog Which? found that three-quarters of installers overestimated the production capacity of panels, with many more underestimating the time required to recoup the initial investment. Read moreThe Question Day 13: How Can the U.S. Solar Industry Meet Expectations?
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 15:42 (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 moreRenewables Bounced Back in 2010, Finds REN21 Global Report
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)
In the last year, the world has seen many significant developments that have had an impact ? both direct and indirect ? on renewable energy. The global economic recession entered a new phase in 2010, marked by massive public finance crises ? felt most acutely in Europe ? that led several governments to announce incentive cuts for solar energy. Natural gas prices remained low, temporarily reducing the competitiveness of renewable energy. At the same time, worldwide developments highlighted the security, economic and human costs of relying so heavily on fossil and nuclear energy. Read moreAmerican Solar Energy Society names Susan Greene President
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 14:30 (Solarserver)
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES, Boulder, Colo.) on September 27th, 2011 announced that Susan Greene has taken the reins as ASES president. Greene brings to the job a long record of accomplishment in the nonprofit, private and government sectors. Read moreChinese PV producer JinkoSolar announces supply agreement on 38 MW of modules for domestic projects in Gansu Province and Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 12:50 (Solarserver)
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China) on September 28th, 2011 announced that it has won a bid to supply China Guangdong Nuclear Solar Energy Development Co., Ltd. (CGN-SEDC, Beijing, China) with 38 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for two grid-connected PV power plant projects. The PV plants are planned in Dunhuang city, Gansu Province and Qinghe County in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China. JinkoSolar is the only solar module supplier for the two projects, the company emphasizes. Read moreU.S. DOE completes USD 1.47 billion in loan guarantees for solar projects
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 12:44 (Solarserver)
On September 28th, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it has finalized loan guarantees totaling USD 1.47 billion to support two solar power projects, two days before the current program expires. The DOE will provide a USD 737 million loan guarantee for SolarReserve LLC's (Santa Monica, California, U.S.) 110 MW Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, a concentrating solar power (CSP) project, as well as a USD 337 million loan for Sempra Energy's (San Diego, California, U.S.) 150 MW-AC Mesquite Solar 1 solar photovoltaic (PV) project. Read moreLDK reaches mechanical completion of third polysilicon train at Mahong plant
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 12:28 (Solarserver)
On September 28th, 2011, LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu City, China) announced that it has achieved mechanical completion of the third 5,000 metric ton polysilicon train at its Mahong polysilicon plant. The company expects the third train to reach full production by the end of 2011. When this third train is operational, the Mahong plant will have an output capacity of 15,000 metric tons per year (MTY). Read moreWorld Economic Forum recognizes PV producer Suntech as a New Sustainability Champion; Only solar company to shine in terms of environment, social initiatives
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 12:11 (Solarserver)
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (WUXI, China), the world's largest producer of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a New Sustainability Champion in their recent report entitled "Redefining the Future Growth: The New Sustainability Champions". Suntech was the only solar company to be named New Sustainability Champion, underscoring its commitment and achievement to continually lead the renewable energy industry in terms of sustainability and innovation. Read morePermitted Development Rights: UK solar industry seeks further clarification
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 10:55 (Solarpowerportal)
Recent changes to the UK’s permitted development rights (PDR), which remove the requirement for planning permission to be sought for development which meets certain criteria, are expected to bring further clarity to the rules around installing solar systems in the UK. Read moreSolar Manufacturing Dilemma: Location, Location, Location
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 10:21 (Renewable Energy World)
Must solar innovation and manufacturing take place in the same region? That was a question posed by a moderator at a clean power conference this week and one that is topical at a time when several manufacturers have shuttered or curtailed production in the United States. Read moreLoan guarantee countdown: DOE finalizes $337M for Mesquite Solar 1 PV project in Arizona
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 6:25 (PV-Tech)
As the Sept. 30 deadline for closing loan guarantees approaches, the US Department of Energy has finalized another one, this time for $337 million for the 150MW (AC) Mesquite Solar 1 power plant in Arizona. The project is owned by Sempra Energy, which has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to sell the electricity generated to Pacific Gas & Electric. Read morePremier Power plans to build 16.2MW of solar PV plants in Bulgaria
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 1:50 (PV-Tech)
Premier Power will be adding to its installed capacity portfolio with a recent deal that will see the company build four PV power plants, which will total 16.2MW, in Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria. The projects stem from a joint venture with European EPC firm Plaan Czech and will see Premier Power construct plants ranging in size from 3MW to 5MW. Although the value of the deal was not disclosed, the company advised that the installations are funded through a private investment company based in the Czech Republic. Read moreSolar Frontier, Belectric complete 340kW installation at German supermarket parking lot
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 1:32 (PV-Tech)
Belectric and Solar Frontier advised that they had completed the 340kW installation at the Edeka Krawczyk supermarket rooftop in Schwabach, Germany. The installation used 2,500 thin-film CIS modules and was connected to the grid in July. The city of Schwabach has nominated the solar project for its biennial environment award. Read moreTonopah Solar secures US$737 million loan guarantee from US DOE for its Crescent Dunes CSP project
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 1:20 (PV-Tech)
The US Department of Energy (DOE) advised that it had awarded a US$737 million loan guarantee to Tonopah Solar Energy for its 110MW Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project. Sponsored by SolarReserve, the 100MW CSP solar power tower is said to be the first of its kind in the US and the tallest molten salt tower in the world. The project will be built on land leased from the Bureau of Land Management in Tonopah, Nevada. Read moreSolarTech awards contract to SolarNexus to implement Web-based ?solar energy estimate? report
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 1:02 (PV-Tech)
SolarTech advised that it had awarded a development contract to SolarNexus, which will allow the organization to integrate SolarTech?s Solar Energy Estimate (SEE) report into an open web service on SolarHub.com. SolarHub, which was developed between SolarNexus, SolarTech and SolarPro Magazine, is a free web-based data source for product specifications on thousands of solar products. Funding for the SEE project was supplied by Pacific Gas & Electric and the California Energy Commission?s PIER grant program. Read moreSolon commemorates its new 12.3MW multi-rooftop PV system in Italy
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 0:31 (PV-Tech)
Solon revealed that its 12.3MW distributed solar project in Italy has been successfully completed with installations having been developed on 18 buildings and 7 carparks for Interporto di Padova. The ?50 million project is said to be the largest of its kind in Italy and received financial support from several institutions including, BIIS and Banca Popolare di Verona. Read moreThere are no news available
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Constellation Energy begins development of 16.1MW PV power plant in Maryland
Thursday, 9.29.2011 - 22:19 (PV-Tech)
Constellation Energy has started to construct a 16.1MW solar installation in Emmitsburg, Maryland as part of the state?s Generating Clean Horizon?s initiative. The US$60 million facility will be financed, owned and operated by Constellation Energy with Maryland?s Department of General Services and the University System of Maryland purchasing the produced electricity under a 20-year PPA. Read moreThere are no news available