HCPV to attain 31% compound annual growth rate until 2017 according to Lux Research

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

Lux Research?s ?Putting High-Concentration Photovoltaics into Focus? report is expecting for high-concentrating PV (HCPV) to start making a bigger footprint in the solar industry. The research company?s new report expects for HCPV to have a 31% compound annual growth rate until 2017, growing to 697MW in five years. Lux Research anticipates the growth in the HCPV technology to create a system market worth US$1.6 billion and a module market worth US$700 million with a system price of US$2.33/W. Read more

Q-Cells completes two PV plants totaling 30 MW-AC in California

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 15:35 (Solarserver)

On June 25th, 2012 Q-Cells SE's (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) North American subsidiary announced that it has completed two solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 30 MW-AC for utility Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E, San Francisco, California, U.S.) in California's Central Valley. Q-Cells North America has completed the 20 MW-AC Cantua project and the 10 MW-AC Giffen project, both in Cantua Creek, California. PG&E chose Q-Cells North America as the preferred partner for its 250 MW utility-owned generation (UOG) program in 2011, which will cover the construction of 250 MW of utility-owned PV to be developed over a five-year period. Read more

U.S. Interior Department approves 350 MW PV plant on Native American lands

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 9:14 (Solarserver)

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has approved a 350 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to be built on tribal trust land of the Paiute Indian Tribe in the U.S. state of Nevada, as the first utility-scale solar project to be approved for tribal lands. The K Road Moapa Solar plant as proposed by K Road Power LLC (New York, New York, U.S.) will be built in three phases of 100-150 MW each, and the project will include a 500 kV transmission line. This is the 31st utility-scale renewable energy project approved by the DOI since 2009, including 17 solar projects. Read more

Soladigm Raises $55M To Get Ready for Mass Producing Smart Glass

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 9:05 (Renewable Energy World)

Smart window developer Soladigm said Monday it has raised a $55 million equity round to bring its energy-saving nanotechnology to market. Read more

PHOTON Consulting launches inverter industry information subscription service

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 8:57 (Solarserver)

PHOTON Consulting has launched a solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter and controls database subscription service, powered by its online data platform. The company states that the new platform provides insights into volume, price cost, revenue pools and profit pools for inverter and control suppliers. The platform includes current information and future projections by sector, company and market, as well as product and technology penetration rates by market, segment and year to 2016. Read more

South Africa extends deadline for power funding arrangement by two weeks

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

Bloomberg has reported that South Africa extended its June 30 deadline for wind and solar plant developers to conclude funding arrangements by two weeks.  ?It?s mainly because of some logistical issues on the government side,? Ompi Aphane, a deputy director general in the Department of Energy, told Bloomberg by mobile phone from Pretoria. ?One of those would be the regulatory approvals.? Read more

Cupertino Electric builds solar evaluation laboratory, featuring 18 technologies, at CA headquarters

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

Cupertino Electric advised that its San Jose, California, headquarters will soon sport a solar technology evaluation laboratory featuring 18 technologies installed in a construction site-type of environment. The lab will generate data on performance, price, installation technique, longevity and quality. Read more

Christie Expected to Sign Bill To Boost Solar in N.J.

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 19:44 (Renewable Energy World)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose administration has called solar power an economic "albatross," is expected to sign legislation that would increase the amount of solar energy state utilities must buy. Read more

Sky Solar plans to enter Chilean PV market with 300MW project

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Chinese PV company Sky Solar is planning to invest in a 300MW PV project in Chile, according to a report by Reuters. Sky Solar, in collaboration with Chilean Sigdo Koppers and the Chinese Development Bank, has announced the signing of an agreement on Tuesday, under which Sky Solar is looking to invest US$900 million to construct the 300MW solar power park over three years. Read more

Hafod Housing Association installs 1,000 solar panels

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 18:51 (Solarpowerportal)

Strategic Energy is set to install 1,000 PV panels on Hafod Housing Association properties under a newly signed agreement. The South Wales-based association has commissioned the work as part of its drive to bring social benefits to its communities. Read more

LDK Posts Steep Loss Amid Mounting Industry Pressure

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 18:30 (Renewable Energy World)

China's LDK Solar, a producer of polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules, has reported a steep quarterly loss that underscores the dramatic industry-wide shift that has occurred in the past year. Read more

Schneider Electric launches EnR-Pool project to monitor energy use of industrial customers, integrate wind and solar

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 18:06 (Solarserver)

On June 24th, 2012, Schneider Electric SA (Rueil Malmaison, France) announced that it has launched the EnR-Pool project in a partnership with Energy Pool, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. The EnR-Pool project will modulate the energy capacity of large industrial consumers to promote renewable energy development. Read more

MAGE Solar introduces AC PV module at Intersolar North America

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 17:59 (Solarserver)

On June 22nd, 2012, Mage Solar (Dublin, Georgia, U.S.), part of the globally operating Mage Group, announced that it will introduce high-performance Mage Powertec Plus AC modules at Intersolar North America in San Francisco (California, U.S.). The new AC modules are equipped with Mage Solar's signature positive 5-W tolerance, 10-year product warranty and 12-year 90% power guarantee. The modules also feature the company's distinctive 30-year 80% power guarantee. Read more

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Fraunhofer sign research agreement

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 17:53 (Solarserver)

The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) and the Fraunhofer Society (Munich, Germany) have signed a multi-layers agreement to mutually develop advanced technologies in several fields, including solar energy technologies. The agreement was signed on June 22nd, 2012, by SABIC Executive VP Dr. Ernesto Occhiello, and Fraunhofer Society Senior VP of Research Planning Professor Ulrich Buller. Read more

New Hampshire Sets Thermal Renewable Energy Carve Out

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 17:35 (Renewable Energy World)

Yesterday Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire signed a new bill into law that adds thermal renewable energy to the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) currently set at 23.8 percent by 2025. The RPS requires that utilities incorporate at least 23.8 percent of renewable energy into their energy mixes by 2025. Read more

Minister Vaizy launches investment opportunity at Westmill Solar Farm Cooperative

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 17:28 (Solarpowerportal)

Twelve months on since operations began at Westmill Solar Farm Cooperative, near Swindon, Government Minister for Culture, Communication and Creative Industries Ed Vaizy officially launched a share offer to invest in the development. Hundreds of people from across the UK attended the launch as part of an energy and sustainability fair held at the site of the solar farm at Watchfield, just outside Swindon. The aim of the farm was always to turn it into a cooperative similar to the Westmill Wind Farm Cooperative which has five wind turbines on the same site. Read more

First Solar installs 10 millionth PV module

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 15:18 (Solarserver)

On June 25th, 2012 First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) announced that its engineering, procurement and construction team has installed its 10 millionth solar photovoltaic (PV) module in the 550 MW-AC Desert Sunlight Solar Farm. First Solar is constructing the Desert Sunlight plant for NextEra Energy Resources LLC (West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.) and GE Energy Financial Services Inc. (Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.). First Solar is the largest PV plant construction firm in the world, and was recently recognized by Engineering News-Record as the fifth largest construction company in the power sector. Read more

IBC SOLAR internal management system certified by TÜV Rheinland

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

TÜV Rheinland has certified the internal management system for IBC SOLAR. Having teamed up with the technical services provider to establish a training course, IBS has received certification per DIN EN ISO 9001 for quality management, DIN EN ISO 14001 for environmental management and BS OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety. Read more

Global Solar Energy Deutschland applies for insolvency

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 13:14 (PV-Tech)

Global Solar Energy Deutschland has begun insolvency proceedings at a German court, the company has announced. Global Solar Energy Inc., based in Tucson, Arizona, announced the news that the German executive team?s decision will not influence its Tucson production line. The company will cease operation of its 35MW German facility in Berlin, though. Read more

LDK Solar slashes polysilicon production and 2012 revenue guidance

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 12:54 (PV-Tech)

Business conditions at LDK Solar have worsened considerably since reporting fourth quarter financial results at the end of April, 2012. The integrated PV manufacturer has slashed both polysilicon production and full-year revenue guidance, while meeting the low mark of guided sales in its first quarter 2012 results. Read more

CPUC approves SDG&E substation project to accommodate renewable resources

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 12:52 (Solarserver)

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a project proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E, San Diego, California, U.S.) involving two substations along the utility's Southwest Powerlink transmission line. SDG&E says that its USD 435 million East County (ECO) Substation Project will help to bring 1.7 GW of proposed renewable energy projects, including solar projects, as well as 1.1 GW of fully deliverable renewable resources to interconnect at the two new substations. Construction on the project is expected to begin later in 2012. Read more

U.S. PV producer Global Solar Energy addresses challenging EU market conditions; German subsidiary files for insolvency

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 12:47 (Solarserver)

Global Solar Energy, Inc. (Tucson, Arizona) is consolidating operations and focusing on growth segments through its 40 Megawatt (MW) Tucson factory; as a consequence, its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Solar Energy Deutschland GmbH (Berlin), is applying for German insolvency proceedings, the company reports in a press release. Read more

US panel manufacturer MX Solar USA stops production

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

New Jersey-based panel manufacturer MX Solar USA has stopped its production, the company has announced. Company representatives blamed the cessation of production on the low-cost competition from China. Most of the company?s employees have already been made redundant in March but a small number had continued the manufacture until recently. MX Solar USA was among the group of seven manufacturers who filed the complaint against Chinese dumping practices last year. Read more

SCS Renewables debuts online brokerage platform for project investors and banks

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 10:00 (PV-Tech)

Solar finance broker SCS Renewables has officially transitioned out of stealth mode with the release of its new online brokerage platform for project investors and banks. The platform is said to be the first of its kind to use key investor measures to stimulate the solar development and financing process. It is designed to escalate the sector?s closure rates while multiplying the pool of capital available to finance commercial and utility scale solar projects. Read more

What's Wrong With RIN Markets?

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 18:22 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable fuel producers have benefited from a variety of different federal incentives over the years. While Congress debates extending biofuel tax credits, one market-based mechanism has stepped onto center stage: Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs. Read more

'Sunset Credits' Could Mark End of Day for Oil Subsidies

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

There may be little reason to hope the Rio+20 meeting in Brazil this week will lead to major global action against climate change. World leaders have skipped it. The draft agreement the delegates from 190 countries have written is rightly criticized as weak. Read more

China's First Wind-farm Lull Limits Outlook for Sinovel

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 17:49 (Renewable Energy World)

China, the world's biggest builder of wind farms, is set for its first year of slower growth in almost a decade as plans flounder for expanding offshore, hurting domestic turbine makers such as Sinovel Wind Group Co. Read more

The Growing State of Wind Power in Latin America

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind power is poised to play a greater role in meeting Latin America's growing demand for electricity. Brazil, Chile and Mexico are expected to have added more than 3.7 GW of wind power from 2010 through the end of 2012, according to a study from IHS Emerging Energy Research (EER). Brazil comprises 70 percent of the Latin America wind market, but has tapped just a fraction of its wind power potential. Read more

REA announces 7th annual British Renewable Energy Awards

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 18:12 (Solarserver)

The Renewable Energy Association (REA, London, U.K.) announced that the 7th annual British Renewable Energy Awards ceremony was held on June 21st, 2012. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd. has received the Flagship Project Award, while Norfolk Solar was runner up in the Installer Award competition, among others. Read more

Slough households can save up to £310 on their energy bills

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 16:55 (Solarpowerportal)

Every household in the Slough district will get the chance of receiving free cavity wall and loft installation. Read more

Renewables Make German Power Market Design Defunct, Utility Says

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 16:25 (Renewable Energy World)

Electricity generation from renewable energy in Germany is reducing power prices and has left the country with a market whose design no longer works, according to Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH. Read more

Freewatt works to provide blueprint for ?green? period properties

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 14:14 (Solarpowerportal)

The owner of renewable energy company Freewatt is on a mission to transform a 300-year-old Georgian home into an energy efficient blueprint for the future. Read more

Work begins on the UK?s first zero energy-cost business park

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 13:50 (Solarpowerportal)

Eco Environments has been selected by Wigan-based Armstrong Point to install a range of renewable energy technologies at the UK?s first zero energy-cost business park. The £2.7 million development will include the installation of 90kWp of solar PV, a 6kW wind turbine, nine solar thermal hot water systems and nine heat pumps. Read more

Cupertino finishes 20MW PV plant in California

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

Cupertino Electric has finished construction of a 20MW PV project for Pacific Gas and electric in California, the company has announced. Cupertino?s Energy Alternatives division constructed the Huron project in eight months under PG&E?s clean energy initiative. The PV plant is expected to commence commercial operation on June 29, 2012. Read more

Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes elected new president of the European Renewable Energy Council

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 13:00 (Solarserver)

During its Board Meeting on June 22nd, 2012, the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) elected a new President, Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes, who replaces Arthouros Zervos, EREC?s founding President. ?After years of stable growth, renewables are now facing some difficulties in the current political and economic context. But Europe needs renewables and significant further growth of the sector, even more so in the current crisis. I am honoured to have the trust and backing of the renewable energy industry, trade and research associations members of EREC in order to ensure the transformation of the energy system that we need to see happen,? stated Hinrichs-Rahlwes. Read more

Over 65 percent of UK homeowners say energy efficiency is very important

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 12:45 (Solarpowerportal)

UK homeowners are more forward-thinking than house builders when it comes to energy efficiency and renewables. These are the findings of the NHBC Trust?s latest report, Today?s attitudes to low and zero carbon homes, which states that there is a significant gap between what the customer wants and what is actually being constructed. Read more

Q-Cells finishes two PV plants totaling 30MW for PG&E in California

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 11:50 (PV-Tech)

Q-Cells North America has finished the construction of two PV projects in Central Valley, California, for Pacific Gas and Electric, the company has announced. The projects generate a total of 30MW, the Cantua project generating 20MW of energy and the Giffen PV plant, generating 10MW.  PG and E has chosen Q-Cells as a partner for the 250MW utility-owned generation (UOG) program, under which 250MW of energy are developed over a period of five years. Read more

Consumer concern: only one in five will sign up for the Green Deal

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 11:20 (Solarpowerportal)

According to the latest research from the British Standards Institute (BSI) only one in five homeowners is likely to sign up for the Green Deal. The majority of the 1,200 respondents admitted that they knew too little about the scheme to take part. Read more

REC initiates financial restructuring, announces heavy expenses in 2Q 2012

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 9:04 (Solarserver)

The board of directors of Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC, Sandvika, Norway) has approved a financial restructuring of the company including a series of bond measures which will allow the company to separate its finances from its failed wafer subsidiary. REC's board has proposed a private placement of 867 million new shares at USD 0.25 per share, as well as a restructuring of its current bank debt facilities into a new USD 330 million bank debt facility to mature in May 2015. Read more

One, Two, Three Uses for A123's New Batteries

Tuesday, 6.26.2012 - 15:40 (Renewable Energy World)

A123 Systems? (NASD:AONE) announcement of a new battery technology able to operate at both extremely high and low temperatures has the headline writers dreaming of cheaper electric cars. Read more