Equipment from Solon?s closed US module line up for grabs

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:13 (PV-Tech)

An online auction is taking place to off-load module manufacturing equipment once used at Solon?s Tucson, Arizona plant, closed last year. Organized by Great American Group, the auction is set from 9 a.m. (MST) Monday, January 23, 2012 until noon January 26. Read more

Kyocera offering US market its highest output multicrystalline module

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 18:19 (PV-Tech)

Though no ?spring chicken? in the in the weight department (80lbs), Kyocera has launched its highest output multicrystalline module in the US market. The 80 high efficiency 156mm x 156mm solar cell KD 315 comes with a 315 watt performance (+5% / -3%) tolerance. Being the US, the KD 315 comes with an aesthetically pleasing black anodized frame. Read more

IMS Research: PV module prices climbed 7% in December 2011; 4% decrease expected in January 2012

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:56 (Solarserver)

On January 19th, 2012 IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) released an estimate that global solar photovoltaic (PV) module prices increased 7% in December 2011. The firm also reports that distributors expect a 4% decrease in January 2012, citing data from its monthly pricing report. IMS Research credits the December price improvement to a sharp increase in demand in advance of feed-in tariff reductions in prime markets, stating that during this time many installers purchased PV modules from distributors at inflated prices, particularly in Germany. Read more

Suniva names Sunetric Hawaii?s elite dealer of Optimus solar modules

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:30 (PV-Tech)

US crystalline silicon solar cells and modules, Suniva, has announced that Sunetric has been named as Hawaii?s first elite dealer of the Optimus line of Suniva?s solar modules. Read more

18 MW PV plant using JinkoSolar modules commissioned in Gansu Province, China

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 12:56 (Solarserver)

On January 18th, 2012 JinkoSolar Holding Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) announced the commissioning of an 18 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant comprised of 76,000 JinkoSolar PV modules in China's Gansu Province. China Guangdong Nuclear Solar Energy Development Company Ltd. (CGN-SEDC, Shenzhen, China) developed the 400,000 square meter PV plant in Dunhuang. Read more

Chinese companies CTDC, GCL-Poly, China Merchants Group partner to build PV plants in the U.S., China

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 12:49 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012 China Technology Development Group Corporation (CTDC, Hong Kong, China) announced the signing of a three-year cooperation agreement to develop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the U.S. and China between its subsidiary Sinofield Group Ltd., a subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong, China), and a subsidiary of China Merchants Group (CMNE, Hong Kong, China). As part of the agreement, Sinofield will develop at least 500 MW of rooftop PV plants in China, including all phases of development, construction and operation. Additionally, GCL-Poly and CTDC will jointly develop and invest in utility-scale PV projects in the United States, with Read more

DEGERenergie increases turnover by 20% in 2011

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 12:47 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012 DEGERenergie GmbH (Horb am Neckar, Germany) announced that it increased its turnover by 20% in 2011 compared to 2010. The company particularly notes a sharp increase in demand for its MLD tracking systems in Canada and Greece. DEGERenergie states that it will strengthen its capacities in German-speaking nations in 2012, and will hire new employees to support customers and projects in these markets. The company set up production facilities in the U.S. and Australia in 2011, and will open a distribution office in Australia in 2012. Read more

Optomec expands Aerosol Jet advanced applications lab and product development facility

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 11:44 (PV-Tech)

Optomec, performance additive systems manufacturer, has announced it is expanding its advanced applications lab and product development facility in St. Paul, Minn, US. The facility houses its Aerosol Jet deposition system that enables the production of higher efficiency solar cells than is possible through traditional screen-printing techniques. Read more

Solar Getting Cheaper, But Not Equally

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 21:20 (Renewable Energy World)

In January 2011, I plotted the size of state solar markets against their average installed cost and found surprisingly little correlation.  When Lawrence Berkeley Labs put out their 2011 version of Tracking the Sun (IV), it was possible to update the chart, which I did in two stages. The first chart simply overlays the 2010 average insta Read more

GeoModel Solar launches online tool for solar PV site prospecting and yield assessment

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:01 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012, GeoModel Solar (Bratislava, Slovak Republic) announced that it has launched new generation software for solar photovoltaic site prospecting and yield assessment at Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The iMaps and pvPlanner tools are part of SolarGIS online system. The state-of-the-art software suite allows solar project developers to quickly and easily identify sites with high insulation to maximize electricity production and economic profitability of solar energy projects, the company emphasizes. Read more

Sunbelt to build cold-weather wind turbine and solar PV panel test facility in Northern Canada

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:01 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012, Sunbelt International (Beijing, China) announced that it is close to start contraction on its first test facility in Northern Canada. The company will test its wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for the most extreme weather conditions. As part of a joint venture, Sunbelt will construct the test facility in a remote part of northern Canada. Read more

Upsolar completes PV module life cycle assessment study

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:00 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012, Upsolar (Shanghai, China) announced that it has completed the initial life cycle assessment (LCA) study of the production of its two best-selling UP-M185M and UP-M230P photovoltaic modules. The study analyzes the environmental impact of the company?s modules from the raw materials stage through the fabrication process, installation, operation, and end-of-life procedures. Read more

VDE certifies Centrosolar?s management system

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:00 (PV-Tech)

The German Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE) has certified PV systems manufacturer, Centrosolar?s, management system. The internationally recognized, VDE, confirmed that the company?s management system, Centrosolar Production System, meets the criteria of the internationally recognised standard DIN ISO 9001:2008. Read more

Solar Power Incorporated to develop 2 MW utility-scale PV plant in Evros, Greece

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:00 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012, Solar Power Incorporated (SPI Solar, Roseville, California, US), a vertically integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services provider, announced that it will develop a 2-MW fixed-tilt ground-mount utility-scale facility in Greece. Read more

Coalition of BLT, SPI and Pacific Edison to construct 400kW Solar Project at Volkswagen lab

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 18:44 (PV-Tech)

BLT Enterprises, SPI Solar and Pacific Edison will be partnering up to develop a 400kW DC distributed generation PV solar energy facility at Volkswagen?s US test centre in California. Construction, by an undisclosed affiliate of BLT Enterprises, is due to commence at the later in the year and is 63,500 square foot. BLT claims this will be one of the automobile industry?s most advanced emissions testing and power train development facilities. The centre will be used by various brands within the Volkswagen Group, including Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti. Read more

Powerway to invest over US$1 million in South Africa

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 18:04 (PV-Tech)

Powerway has announced it will be investing (US$1,265,328.63) Ran10M$ (partly self-financing, partly bank financing) for production facilities in South Africa, with the intention of supplying mounting structures for over 500MW of solar farms per year. Working in conjunction with the South African government?s BBBEE program, the company will be installing its mounting structures for utility scale PV power plants: Powerfit, PowerScrew, and PowerTracker. Read more

UK government proposes March FiT rates

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 16:21 (PV-Tech)

The UK government has laid before parliament its proposals to reduce feed-in tariff rates for new PV installations with an eligibility date on or after March 3, 2012. The move is an attempt by Westminster to provide some certainty to the world?s eighth largest solar market, which has been left stranded by a legal battle surrounding the premature lowering of the solar PV feed-in tariff rate. Read more

Solar certainty: DECC confirms future FiT rates

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:56 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has now published a ministerial statement confirming the new feed-in tariff rates for solar photovoltaics installations completed between December 12 and April 1, 2012. In a bid to provide certainty to the somewhat frustrated industry, Government has now set out its ‘Plan B’... Read more

Concentrating solar power in Spain: Torresol commissions two 50 MW plants with energy storage

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:52 (Solarserver)

On January 18th, 2012 Torresol Energy Investments SA (Getxo, Spain) announced that it has commissioned two 50 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in Southern Spain, both of which include 7.5 hours of thermal energy storage. Torresol made this announcement at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Valle 1 and 2 plants utilize a parabolic trough design and follow on Torresol's successful commissioning of its landmark Gemasolar CSP plant in May 2011. Read more

US DOD releases study positing generation of 7,000MW of solar energy on 4 military bases in CA

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:39 (PV-Tech)

A new study released by the US Department of Defense?s (DOD) Office of Installations and Environment has found that the DOD has the potential to generate 7,000MW of solar energy across four military bases in California?s Mojave Desert. The study, conducted by consultancy ICF International, took place over one year and looked at seven military bases in California and two in Nevada. Read more

Martifer Solar USA, Inc. Closes US$7.15M Credit Facility

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:37 (PV-Tech)

Martifer Solar USA has received US$7.15 million in credit facilities from California Bank & Trust to provide full construction period financing for over 10MW of additional solar projects. With a current project pipeline of 100MW, the company is poised to win a significant share of the United States commercial solar market in the coming year. Read more

Joachim Nell leaves Manz for SolarEdge

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 13:18 (PV-Tech)

PV industry veteran, Joachim Nell has joined power optimization specialist SolarEdge Technologies as its Central European, General Manager. Most recently, Nell was a VP of Manz, responsible for its turnkey CIGS thin film technology. Prior to joining Manz, Nell was senior VP and COO of Masdar PV. Read more

MEMC preliminary 4Q 2011 results beat guidance but show significant losses from restructuring; company responds to downturn in the semiconductor industry and disruption in the solar market through restructuring

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 13:02 (Solarserver)

On January 18th, 2012 MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (St. Peters, Missouri, U.S.) released preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011, estimating revenues in the range of USD 698 to 733 million, significantly higher than its December 2011 estimate of USD 523 to 585 million. The company estimates its net loss for the quarter at between USD 1.33 billion and 1.50 billion. On December 8th, 2011 MEMC announced a restructuring plan that included laying off 20% of its workforce, merging business units and the temporary closure of a polysilicon plant. Read more

Phoenix Solar expands into Turkey in exclusive partnership with leading installer

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 12:39 (PV-Tech)

Having bucked plans to aggressively pursue potential new markets in the Middle-East, Phoenix Solar has found the eastern-edge of Europe as a better bet, signing an exclusive partnership with Turkey?s leading installer, iRES Enerji. Read more

Solland Solar cuts 100 jobs as business conditions remain tough

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 12:23 (PV-Tech)

Struggling Dutch module manufacturer, Solland Solar said it was forced to drastically reduce its remaining operations after the successful sale of its solar cell production facility, due to tough market conditions. Both its commercial and module assembly operations are being curtailed, without providing details, affecting approximately 100 employees. Read more

There is "No Evidence" that Wind Turbine Syndrome Exists, Concludes Expert Panel

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 20:17 (Renewable Energy World)

If we want wind to continue growing, more turbines will need to be placed in our communities and close to our backyards. And that will inevitably cause more social friction. Read more

Construction to Move Forward on NaturEner Project in Montana with Unique Financing

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 18:16 (Renewable Energy World)

In news that clears the way for construction to start immediately, California-based NaturEner USA, LLC, secured a $320 million construction loan with Morgan Stanley for the189-MW Rim Rock wind power project in Montana. Read more

Making Way for a Bigger Turbine

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 15:30 (Renewable Energy World)

They stand as looming testaments to innovation, growing ever more prominent and powerful. Yet for much of 2011, wind installations remained somewhat obscured, eclipsed by the media storm surrounding the solar industry. Read more

Bank of England must review UK?s exposure to high carbon investments

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 13:57 (Solarpowerportal)

A coalition of over 20 leading experts, investors, NGOs and Universities have urged the Bank of England to investigate how Britain’s exposure to high carbon investments could jeopardise the UK financial system and damage long-term economic growth. Read more

DECC answers industry questions

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 19:33 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has announced that it is tabling proposals before Government to provide certainty over feed-in tariff rates from March 3. A DECC representative has explained to Solar Power Portal why the department has taken the decision to table the proposals. Read more

Win or lose: industry insiders confirm future FiT rates

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 12:54 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will this morning lay before parliament its proposals for the future of the UK solar feed-in tariff (FiT). Our industry sources state that 21p will be locked in from March 3 if DECC loses the current court case and from December 12 if it wins. Read more

Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates 26.5-29.3 GW of PV installed in 2011

Thursday, 1.19.2012 - 8:41 (Solarserver)

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF, New York, New York, U.S.) has revealed preliminary estimates for 2011 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, calculating that a global aggregate capacity of between 26.5 and 29.3 GW of PV was installed during the year. BNEF notes that it has not yet released official 2011 estimates. However, its unofficial numbers contain some surprises, including an estimated 7.5 to 7.7 MW of installed PV in Italy in 2011, a greater capacity than is reported from Germany for the year. Read more