Chinese company Powerway announces 500 MW of PV mounting, tracking factories in South Africa

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 21:46 (Solarserver)

Powerway Renewable Energy Company Ltd. (Foshan City, China) has announced that it will invest ZAR 10 million (approx. USD 5 million) to build six new production facilities in South Africa to manufacture its Powerfit, PowerScrew and PowerTracker products. The company estimates that these facilities will have a total capacity to produce products to accompany 500 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. Powerway's investments will include a combination of self-financing and bank financing, the company reports. Read more

LanzaTech Raises $58 Million in Series C Round; Petronas Becomes Strategic Investor

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 15:22 (Renewable Energy World)

In Illinois, LanzaTech announced that it has closed its Series C round with new investment totaling US $55.8 million led by the Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund. Read more

Moser Baer touts move to 21% cell efficiencies and technology lead player

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 14:55 (PV-Tech)

Harnessing its R&D into both c-Si and a-Si thin film technologies, Moser Baer Solar said that it would upgrade its solar cell processes using Metal and Intrinsic layer Semiconductor Technology (MIST) to achieve average cell conversion efficiencies of 21% and join the few cell producers at the top table above 20%. Read more

Moser Baer touts move to 21% cell efficiencies and role of technology lead player

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 14:55 (PV-Tech)

Harnessing its R&D into both c-Si and a-Si thin-film technologies, Moser Baer Solar said that it would upgrade its solar cell processes using metal and intrinsic layer semiconductor technology (MIST) to achieve average cell conversion efficiencies of 21% and join the few cell producers at the top table above 20%. Read more

OPV production: Eight19 launches roll-to-roll printing at Cambridge HQ

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 12:57 (Solarserver)

On January 17th, 2012 Eight19 (Cambridge, U.K.) announced that it has commissioned a new development and roll-to-roll printing facility for producing organic solar photovoltaic (OPV) modules at its headquarters in Cambridge. The announcement was made at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Eight19 estimates that the facility is the largest of its kind in Europe, and includes a multi-station roll-to-roll fabrication machine which can produce PV modules at an estimated peak speed of over 3.6 km/hour. Read more

Great American Group to auction Solon Corporation's PV production assets on January 23rd, 2012

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 12:45 (Solarserver)

Great American Group LLC (Woodland Hills, California, U.S.) has announced that it will hold an online auction of solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing equipment and PV modules previously owned by Solon Corporation (Tucson, Arizona, U.S.) on January 23rd, 2012. The PV modules up for auction were manufactured between 2008 and 2009. Additionally, the company will auction two 2009 Swiss Solar Systems Model 3S laminators, each with an annual production capacity of up to 100 MW, a 2008 REIS Robotics Automated Framing Module, three REIS Axis Robots and a REIS Framing Station. Read more

U.S. Secretary Chu: America must continue to invest in renewables

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 12:39 (Solarserver)

On January 18th, 2012 U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu authored an op-ed in U.S. News and World Report, promoting U.S. government investments in "clean energy" industries and arguing that the nation has historically supported similar investments. The secretary prominently mentioned solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which has been emphasized at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under his leadership. The op-ed also featured nationalistic arguments, framing support for clean energy as part of a global competition for economic dominance in the 21st century. Read more

GCube underwriting 10MW Australian PV power plant using First Solar modules

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 12:19 (PV-Tech)

Insurance services provider, GCube has added its name to the team building Australia?s first large-scale (10MW) PV power plant, using First Solar CdTe thin film modules. GCube said it had underwritten the Greenough River Solar Farm, near Geraldton, Western Australia, which included marine transit, liability and construction insurance for the project.  The project is owned by Western Australian electricity generator, Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services. Read more

Lux Research reveals top 10 solar cell manufacturers ranking; European companies not included in 3Q?11, despite high demand in Europe

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 10:50 (Solarserver)

While PV demand in Europe is on the rise, European manufacturers are having trouble remaining cost competitive by producing in Europe, according to Lux Research?s (Boston, MA) latest Solar Supply Tracker. The top 10 companies, lead by First Solar and Suntech, each with a global market share of 6%, make up 44% of global production. They include some of the Chinese crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing giants, such as Suntech, Yingli and Trina. Neo Solar Power, which is a Taiwanese cell manufacturer, entered the top 10 for the first time with 3% of global production. Read more

Massachusetts opens block 9 of Commonwealth Solar II rebate program; USD 1.5 million in funding available

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 21:41 (Solarserver)

Commonwealth Solar II provides rebates for homeowners and businesses in Massachusetts who install solar photovoltaics (PV). Rebates are granted through a non-competitive application process for the installation of photovoltaic (PV) projects by professional, licensed contractors at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public facilities, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) reports. Read more

Thin-film PV producer NanoSolar names Eugene Corrales as CEO

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 21:23 (Solarserver)

On January 19th, 2012, Nanosolar Inc. (San Jose, California, U.S.) announced that it named Eugenia Corrales as chief executive officer (CEO). Corrales will succeed Geoff Tate, current CEO, who is retiring after two years at the company. Read more

EnterSolar completes 228kW rooftop PV system in New Jersey

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 20:18 (PV-Tech)

EnterSolar has finished a 228kW solar PV system for Ontel Productions New Jersey headquarters. The rooftop system was officially placed into service in December 2011 and takes advantage of several renewable energy incentives, including the Section 48 Investment Tax Credit, the PSE&G Solar Loan Program and the Bonus Depreciation benefits for solar projects. Read more

Deutsche Bank installs PV system on its 745 foot tall Manhattan skyscraper

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

Deutsche Bank?s 50 floor, 745 foot tall skyscraper at 60 Wall Street, Manhattan, New York now features a 122.4 kW solar system. Though claimed to be tallest PV system installed in the world to date, several installations in the Alps over the last few years, including ?Mountain Crystal,? designed and built by at Swiss Federal Technical University in Zurich (ETH) is located 2,883 meters above sea level. Read more

Deutsche Bank installs PV system on its 745-foot-tall Manhattan skyscraper

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

Deutsche Bank?s 50-floor, 745-foot-tall skyscraper at 60 Wall Street, Manhattan, New York now features a 122.4kW solar system. Though claimed to be tallest PV system installed in the world to date, several installations in the Alps from the last few years lay a similar claim, including ?Mountain Crystal,? designed and built by the Swiss Federal Technical University in Zurich (ETH), which is located 2,883m above sea level. Read more

Liverpool Council axes solar scheme

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 17:05 (Solarpowerportal)

Liverpool Council has pulled the plug on plans to install 4,000 solar PV systems on council-owned properties across the city. Read more

Donauer Solartechnik initiates sales and service branch in Oman

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 16:33 (PV-Tech)

Solar distributor Donauer Solartechnik is, like several others in the industry, aiming to capitalize on emerging markets by opening a branch in Muscat, Oman. This branch will be the first step in the establishment of a sales and service network and will be directed by investor Saleh Ahmed Al Badi, chairman and president at NAS Oman international LLC, with whom Donauer has a joint-venture agreement. Read more

UK-based Sundog first to install ?Trinamount system? in Europe

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 16:17 (PV-Tech)

Having launched its fast-track module mounting system in Europe and the US last year, Trina Solar has said that the first European project to use the innovative system was recently completed in Cumbria, UK. Read more

UK-based Sundog first to install Trinamount system in Europe

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 16:17 (PV-Tech)

Having launched its fast-track module mounting system in Europe and the US last year, Trina Solar has said that the first European project to use the innovative system was recently completed in Cumbria, UK. Read more

Asia Report: China Has Strong Words Over U.S. Wind Trade Investigation

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 16:03 (Renewable Energy World)

So far, the complaint by American wind tower manufacturers against their competition from Asia has mirrored the solar industry petition filed in October. Read more

Proposed FiT reductions will delay UK solar grid-parity

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 13:13 (Solarpowerportal)

A report published by Cambridge Modelling, which examined the impact of Governmental plans to reduce the level of subsidy afforded to solar PV technology in the UK, has warned that proposed cuts to the solar FiT rate will significantly delay grid parity. Read more

Aleo Solar predicts USD 597 million in 2011 revenues, net loss

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 12:52 (Solarserver)

Aleo Solar AG (Prenzlau, Germany) has released preliminary financial estimates for 2011, reporting that it expects EUR 462 million (USD 597 million) in revenues for the year, a decline of 17% from EUR 554 million (USD 714 million) in 2010. The company also predicts negative earnings of EUR 25 to 30 million (USD 32 to 39 million). Aleo cites both rapidly declining module prices and the settlement of delivery contracts with a cell supplier dating from 2005 to 2008 for its negative earnings in 2011. Read more

KIUC, REC solar launch 12 MW PV project in Hawaii

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 12:25 (Solarserver)

On January 19th, 2012 the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC, Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.) and REC Solar Inc. (San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.) announced the launch of a 12 MW-AC (14.5 MW-DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) project on the island of Kauai, as the largest such project in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The two companies have met with Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC) to coordinate the next steps of the project, which will be located on Native Hawaiian land. The project will bring KIUC's integrated PV capacity to nearly 20 MW, which the utility estimates will give it the highest concentration of PV of any utility in the nation. Read more

Conergy finalizes 1MW solar park in Volos, Greece

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 11:50 (PV-Tech)

Despite the ongoing troubles in the country arising from the global economic crisis, Greece?s solar industry is still active as evidenced by the addition of a new 1MW solar power plant in the north-eastern city of Volos. Conergy Greece has continued its drive in the country, having been a major project developer in the country since 2004. Read more

Vermont Company's Biomass System Outperforms Expectations

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 15:30 (Renewable Energy World)

To find out if a biomass heating system works smoothly or not, ask the people who really run it ? day by day. Read more

Gambling on Iraq's Oil

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's recent efforts to arrest Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi on terrorism charges have elevated the risk of renewed sectarian violence in the wake of the 18 December U.S. military withdrawal. Read more

PV production: Yingli Green Energy obtains carbon footprint verification from TUEV Rheinland

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 21:17 (Solarserver)

On January 19th, 2012, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (Baoding, China) announced that it has accomplished the carbon footprint lifecycle assessment of its multi-crystalline and mono-crystalline PV modules. The assessment was controlled and verified by TUEV Rheinland Group. Read more

Court of Appeal decision set for January 25

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 13:56 (Solarpowerportal)

The Court will rule on whether to grant the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) a hearing for its appeal against the High Court’s December ruling on UK solar feed-in tariffs. The Court of Appeal is expected to deliver its verdict at 10:30am on Wednesday, January 25. Read more

DuPont and Yingli Green disclose N-type ?Panda? technology collaboration

Monday, 1.23.2012 - 11:45 (PV-Tech)

An RD&E collaboration between DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions and Yingli Green Energy has been disclosed. Although the companies reiterated previous collaboration on Yingli Green?s first generation ?Panda? cell technology now entering volume production, the companies are also working together to customize metallization materials for the Panda series modules, made with an (N-type) cell design, which is claimed to achieve a conversion efficiency of over 19%, based on current lab testing, the companies said. Read more