AUO starts EU project with solar module factory located in Czech Republic

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 21:10 (PV-Tech)

AU Optronics advised that it has officially launched its EU project, which aims to be the first ?made-in Europe? solar integrated service alliance in the PV industry. The company?s Czech Republic solar module factory will act as its manufacturing centre and allow it to provide made-in-Europe solar modules. AUO noted that it is in talks with strategic partners and expects to start the project by the end of this year. Read more

Suntech founder relinquishes chairman and CEO roles

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 16:58 (PV-Tech)

In a sudden an unexpected move, Dr. Zhengrong Shi the founder, chairman and CEO of the largest global PV manufacturer, Suntech Power Holdings has relinquished his two key roles. The role of CEO has been taken by David King, Suntech?s current CFO who joined the company in that role in May, 2011. Dr. Shi will serve in two newly created roles as Executive Chairman of the Board and as the Chief Strategy Officer of the company. Read more

Suntech freezes assets of GSF Capital, appoints David King as CEO

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 15:37 (Solarserver)

Suntech Power Holdings Company Ltd. (Wuxi, China) has obtained court orders to freeze the global assets of GSF Capital and Javier Romero. A court-appointed manager will oversee these assets, and additionally will replace Romero as the manager of the general partner of Global Solar Fund SCA (Luxembourg). Additionally, Suntech announced that it has appointed former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) David King as chief executive officer (CEO), with former CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi assuming the position of chief strategy officer (CSO). Suntech America CFO Anlin Ting-Mason will assume the role of interim Suntech CFO. Read more

centrotherm gains ?50 million in bank loans: Taiwanese cell producers place new orders

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 14:17 (PV-Tech)

Major equipment supplier to the PV industry, centrotherm photovoltaics has received loans from an unidentified number of banks amounting to approximately ?50 million. Currently in insolvency proceedings, the cash injection was said to result in the company having around ?90 million of liquidity, supporting ongoing operations such as equipment shipments, spare parts deliveries and general services. Read more

centrotherm gains ?50 million in bank loans: Taiwainese cell producers place new orders

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

Major equipment supplier to the PV industry, centrotherm photovoltaics has received loans from an unidentified number of banks amounting to approximately ?50 million. Currently in insolvency proceedings, the cash injection was said to result in the company having around ?90 million of liquidity, supporting ongoing operations such as equipment shipments, spare parts deliveries and general services. Read more

CPS commissions 10.6 MW PV plant in Texas

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 9:30 (Solarserver)

CPS Energy (San Antonio, Texas, U.S.) has announced the commissioning of a 10.6 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Somerset, Texas, as part of a 30 MW solar project through its New Energy Economy Program. SunEdison LLC (Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.) constructed the Somerset Solar Farm, which comprises 44,280 modules mounted on a single-axis tracking system. In June 2012, CPS and SunEdison celebrated the completion of another two PV plants totaling 19.8 MW. Read more

Pike Research: Renewable distributed generation market to reach 63.5 GW annually, 210 GW of new PV to be added by 2017

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 9:18 (Solarserver)

Pike Research LLC (Boulder, Colorado, U.S.) has released a new report which predicts that the renewable distributed energy generation (RDEG) market will nearly triple by 2017, with solar photovoltaics (PV) representing 210 GW of the 232 GW of new RDEG that will be added by 2017. "Renewable Distributed Energy Generation" predicts that the larger RDEG market will reach 63.5 GW annually by 2017. Pike Research describes this as part of a shift away from the centralized model of electricity generation, transmission and distribution, which it notes is becoming increasingly costly to maintain at current levels. Read more

Dyesol?s DSC technology excels in performance testing

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Dyesol announced that its biomimetic Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DCS) has been doing exceedingly well in external performance, leading the company to begin plans for the next phase of the technology?s commercial development. Read more

Australia?s solar flagship programme selects two universities for receipt of AUD$40.7M solar grant

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 22:17 (PV-Tech)

The University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland will be indirectly partnering with AGL Energy and First Solar under a new grant from the Australian government. Using the government?s solar flagships programme, AGL Energy and First Solar will construct and operate two solar power plants in western NSW over the next three years. The universities, with the help of an AUD$40.7 million grant from the Education Investment Fund Research Infrastructure Program will establish corresponding research projects. Read more

Australia?s solar flagship program selects two universities for receipt of AUD$40.7M solar grant

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 22:15 (PV-Tech)

The University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland will be indirectly partnering with AGL Energy and First Solar under a new grant from the Australian government. Using the government?s solar flagships program, AGL Energy and First Solar will construct and operate two solar power plants in western NSW over the next three years. The universities, with the help of an AUD$40.7 million grant from the Education Investment Fund Research Infrastructure Program will establish corresponding research projects. Read more

BYD Solar receives A class certification from Inmetro

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 22:05 (PV-Tech)

BYD Solar announced that the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology of Brazil had awarded its PV module products with A class certification. Read more

JinkoSolar establishes Solar Club, plans to offer members training and priority service

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

JinkoSolar Holding?s will debut its new JinkoSolar Priority Solar Club, for which qualified partners can register for here, free of charge, sometime this month. The Solar Club plans to be an exclusive partner program for its strategic customers and offer various benefits to its members. Read more

JCM to partly finance the development of a 50MW solar project in South America

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

JCM Capital has announced that it will co-develop and finance a 50MW ground-mounted solar project in South America up until the construction start date, after which it will be responsible for arranging long-term financing for the project. Read more

Engensa launches SolarLoan for businesses

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 18:14 (Solarpowerportal)

Engensa has extended its new SolarLoan scheme to cover commercial-scale solar installations. The London-based renewable energy company will be offering a low-interest loan of up to £1 million to help commercial building owners and facility managers easily invest in a solar PV system. Read more

First Solar sets up Thai subsidiary

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 17:54 (PV-Tech)

Looking for a way to further stamp its mark in one of South East Asia?s growing solar markets, First Solar has established a subsidiary in Thailand called First Solar (Thailand). The company has also set up an office in the country?s capital city Bangkok. Read more

GoodWe signs UK and Ireland logistics agreement with DSV

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 17:23 (Solarpowerportal)

Chinese inverter manufacturer, GoodWe, has signed an agreement with international logistics company, DSV, to rebuild the solar company?s logistics system throughout the UK and Ireland. Read more

Made in Britain: Romag and Mosscliff Environmental announce PV partnership

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 16:35 (Solarpowerportal)

Durham-based solar panel manufacturer, Romag, has joined forces with Suffolk-based renewable energy company, Mosscliff Environmental Ltd, in order to offer a unique, British manufactured solar array to the renewables sector. Read more

Canadian Solar releases financial results for 2Q 2012; decline in revenues, increase in PV module shipments

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 15:34 (Solarserver)

Canadian Solar Inc. (Guelph, Canada) has released financial results for the second quarter of 2012, reporting a 28% year-over year decline in revenues to USD 348 million, despite a 44% increase in module shipments to 412 MW. The company also reported a -0.9% operating margin and a net loss of USD 25.5 million, reporting a USD 15.1 million interest expense and a USD 7.2 million foreign exchange loss. Canadian Solar notes that it consistently posts better margins than most competing solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers. Read more

Solar sales at Manz sink to 12% of total revenues; diversified markets limit sales decline

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 15:15 (PV-Tech)

Supporting the need to have a diversified market approach, equipment supplier Manz reported first-half 2012 sales of ?113.5 million and an operating profit of ?1.1 million, despite solar equipment sales declining to only 12% of total revenues. Manz said that strong sales and orders in its Display segment and entry into the battery market were key reasons for overall sales in the period only falling around 16%. Read more

Ascent Solar launches solar-powered charger for Samsung Galaxy S III

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 14:34 (Solarserver)

On August 13th, 2012, Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (Thornton, Colorado, U.S.), a developer of flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced that it has launched a charger for the Samsung Galaxy S III smart phone featuring the company's ultra-light CIGS technology. The new charger is branded under Ascent Solar's EnerPlex line of consumer products. It incorporates the company's solar cells into a Galaxy S III case, along with an ultra-thin battery. Read more

ReneSola, PowerGuard team up to offer specialty solar PV product insurance

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 14:30 (Solarserver)

On August 10th, 2012, PV producer ReneSola Ltd. (Jiashan, China) announced that it has entered into an agreement with PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services to provide a range of long-term insurance and warranty-related coverage for the company's solar photovoltaic (PV) products. Read more

meeco Group to showcase solar products at Paraguay's Expo Rodeo Trébol 2012

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 13:58 (Solarserver)

On August 13th, 2012, meeco Group announced that its subsidiary meeco América Latina S.A. will participate in the Expo Rodeo Trébol, a five-day agricultural and livestock exhibition to be held in Loma Plata, Chaco, Paraguay, from August 15th, 2012, to August 19th, 2012. During the exhibition, meeco América Latina will show the latest renewable energy products and solutions to the visitors. The company will showcase renewable energy options to answer the needs from small to large-scale for private and industrial clients. Read more

Brandenburg?s 40.5MW Jännersdorf solar park officially opens

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

Representatives from Brandenburg?s state government in Germany have gathered to cut the ribbon to mark the inauguration of the 40.5MW Jännersdorf solar park, which commenced operation on June 30, 2012. Read more

SolarWorld reports continued losses despite increased shipment volume in 1H 2012

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 12:31 (Solarserver)

SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany) has released financial results for the first half of 2012, reporting a 36% year-over-year decline in revenues to EUR 340 million (USD 419 million), despite a 17% increase in solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments to 316 MW. The company also reported a -42% operating margin and a net loss of EUR 159 million (USD 196 million). SolarWorld has announced that it will invest an additional EUR 50 million (USD 62 million) in new products for the self-consumption market, as well as implementing research to improve PV cell production. Read more

Aviva buys 23MW of UK-based Homesun?s solar PV systems

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Aviva Investors recently completed its acquisition of nearly 7,000 solar PV systems from London-based free solar supplier HomeSun. The deal totals around 23MW and, according to the Financial Times, is said to be worth nearly £100 million. Read more

Vestas To Lay Off 20 Percent of Pueblo Workforce

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 17:27 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind manufacturer Vestas said on Aug. 13 that it plans to lay off 20 percent of the 450 workers at a tower factory in Pueblo, Colo. The company blames a weak market caused by the looming expiration of the production tax credit (PTC). Read more

California's Geothermal Market In Flux, Part 2

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

California is a geothermal industry leader in both capacity and innovation, but its resources are still largely untapped. What needs to be done to ensure long-term, sustainable growth? Key policy decisions are in the industry's future that will play a major role in its outcome. Read more

Tigo Energy receives positive bankability report from BEW Engineering

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 21:55 (PV-Tech)

Independent, bank-approved engineering firm BEW recently gave Tigo Energy a positive bankability report, which casts Tigo Energy?s PV optimizer as suitable for deployment in commercial and utility-scale bank-owned solar systems. Read more

Obama Spars With Romney on Energy in Swing State Pitches

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 17:06 (Renewable Energy World)

President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney put their differences on energy in stark relief with competing speeches from a center of wind power development and from coal country. At a rally today in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Obama criticized Romney for calling the benefits of alternative energy "imaginary" and his running mate, Representative Paul Ryan, for labeling wind power a "fad." Read more

Energy monitoring turns Leicestershire village onto savings

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 13:19 (Solarpowerportal)

An innovative energy efficiency scheme in the small Leicestershire village of North Kilworth has had a dramatic effect on local resident?s consumption patterns and behaviour according to a recent survey. Read more

Sunrise Energy Ventures wins contract for three 10MW projects

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 1:48 (PV-Tech)

Sunrise Energy Ventures (SEV) has landed a contract to build solar projects at three 10MW sites by Indianapolis Power and Light Company (IPL). The power produced will be sold to IPL under a 15 year PPA. SEV noted that upon completion, the combined installations would be the largest in the Midwest to date. Read more

Pike reports global installations of renewable distributed energy to reach 63.5GW per year by 2017

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

In its new research report, ?Renewable Distributed Energy Generation,? Pike Research has estimated that annual worldwide installations of renewable distributed energy generation will almost triple between 2012 and 2017. Pike speculates that by 2017, 63.5GW per year will be reached, with almost 232GW of distributed renewable energy added over the five-year period. Read more

Sunrise Energy Ventures wins contract for three, 10MW projects

Wednesday, 8.15.2012 - 1:15 (PV-Tech)

Sunrise Energy Ventures (SEV) has landed a contract to build solar projects at three, 10MW sites by Indianapolis Power and Light Company (IPL). The power produced will be sold to IPL under a 15 year PPA. SEV noted that upon completion, the combined installations would be the largest in the Midwest to date. Read more