Suntech launches new PV products for Middle East market at WFES

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:28 (Solarserver)

On January 24th, 2012, Suntech Power (Wuxi, China) announced that it launched two new solar photovoltaic (PV) products for the Middle East market during a workshop at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES 2012) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Superpoly "290 STP-24/Vd" PV module and "Hybrid-in-a-Box". Read more

DECC updates January installation figures

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 18:29 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published the latest solar photovoltaic installation figures for 2012, which show that from January 8–22, 2,711 solar PV installs were registered for the feed-in tariff scheme. Read more

Global PV installations reached 27.7GW in 2011; industry at crossroads says EPIA

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 16:44 (PV-Tech)

PV installations in 2011 reached 27.7GW, a 70% increase from the previous year, according to new figures released by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association?s (EPIA). Accumulated installations reached 67.4 GW at the end of 2011, up from 39.7 GW at the end of 2010. However, the EPIA warned that new markets outside Europe would need to be developed to sustain further growth in the coming decade. Read more

Angela Merkel?s coalition government lock horns on German feed-in tariffs

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 13:06 (PV-Tech)

German environment minister Norbert Röttgen continues his adamant refusal to cap new PV installations. However, perhaps in order to reach some semblance of a compromise and placate his Free Democrat coalition partners, he has suggested bringing forward reductions in the country?s FiTs by three months to April 1. Read more

Survey reveals Chinese PV inverters growing in popularity

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 12:50 (PV-Tech)

A global survey conducted by IMS Research has found that an increasing number of PV inverter customers consider Chinese inverters to be of acceptable quality. Read more

Conergey offers ?globally unique? revamped PowerPlus module warranty

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 12:29 (PV-Tech)

Last summer, Conergy updated its PowerPlus modules with improved warranties. Effective, February 1, Conergy has again refreshed its PowerPlus modules, christening it PremiumPlus. The company has promised ?these represent not an empty but a fair promise made to the customer?. Read more

Conergy estimates 4Q, full year 2011 earnings in line with guidance, reduced EBITDA

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 11:22 (Solarserver)

On September 24th, 2012 Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany) released selected preliminary financial estimates for the fourth quarter and full year 2011, stating that it expects sales of roughly EUR 185 million (USD 242 million) during the fourth quarter and EUR 755 million (USD 989 million) during the full year. The company notes that this is in line with its previously released guidance, however it also expects a EBITDA of EUR -80 to -85 million (USD -105 to -111 million) in 2011, well below its guidance of EUR -50 to -55 million. Conergy states that both falling module prices and restructuring costs negatively impacted its earnings. Read more

Solarwatt PV modules to withstand highest snow loads

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:40 (Solarserver)

On January 23rd, 2012, SOLARWATT AG (Dresden, Germany) announced that its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules have passed snow load tests. The solar modules in the P210, M220, M250, M180, and M200 ranges are ideal for use in areas and mountainous regions with heavy snowfall and can withstand even extreme snow loads, the company emphasizes. Read more

Korean Halla Energy considers 300 MW solar projects in Ghana

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:35 (Solarserver)

On January 24th, 2012, the Ghanaian Energy Commission announced Halla Energy and Environment Company Ltd. (Suwon, Korea) is seeking an investment opportunity backed by the government to develop 300 MW of solar energy in the nation. The announcement came following a meeting between the commission and Halla. The commission expects the company to return to Ghana to conduct a six-month feasibility study on the project, which if implemented could be the largest solar project in the African continent outside of South Africa. Read more

FOVISEE installs 33 solar water heating systems in Buenos Aires social housing

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:34 (Solarserver)

The Social Housing and Energy Efficiency Forum (FOVISEE, Buenos Aires, Argentina) has begun the installation of 33 solar water heating systems in a social housing project in the Moreno district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The solar water heating installations are part of the Project 100 program, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of these social housing units and create the first energy efficient neighborhood in Argentina. Read more

U.S. Department of Defense Takes Forceful Lead as Early Adopters of Solar Energy

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:25 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has a tradition of accelerating technological advancements, serving as early adopters and impacting the broader commercial market in such areas as aviation, computing and GPS. For the past several years, the DoD has been playing this same role in the renewable energy space. Read more

Asian Solar PV Installs Surging, China "Blistering"

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:24 (Renewable Energy World)

Asia-Pacific markets together added 2.8-gigawatts (GW) of solar PV installations in 4Q11 on the way to a total of 6GW for the entire year, an eye-popping 165% growth, thanks in large part to a massive run-up in China's domestic sector, according to calculations from Solarbuzz. Read more

Incentives freeze for large-scale PV plants in Italy puts regional installers in the spotlight

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 17:14 (PV-Tech)

The Italian energy agency GSE (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici) has announced that large-scale PV plants will not be granted any solar subsidies in the second half of 2012 as the incentive volume was exceeded in 2011. This will lead to a shift in the development of market segments and result in the increasing importance of regional installers. Read more

Nur Energie plans 2 GW CSP project in Tunisia, as part of DESERTEC vision

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 16:07 (Solarserver)

On January 24th, 2012 the DESERTEC Foundation (Hamburg, Germany) announced plans for a 2 GW concentrating solar power (CSP) project in Tunisia, which will export electricity to Italy via undersea cables. Project developer Nur Energie Ltd. (London, U.K.) and local partners in Tunisia expect to begin the first phase of the project in 2014, with initial electricity exports in 2016. DESERTEC has endorsed the TuNur project, and states that the project can potentially serve as a blueprint for the development of future wind and solar projects in North Africa's Sahara Desert. Read more

Phoenix Solar completes 800kW rooftop system in Naklo, Slovenia

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 16:00 (PV-Tech)

Capitalizing on the country?s robust feed-in tariff rate, Phoenix Solar has connected its 800kW PV power plant to Slovenia?s grid. The Naklo, Slovenia rooftop-mounted project is classed among the 10 largest PV plants in the country, and was built in cooperation with Gorenjske elektrarne. Read more

German government coalition to decide on overhaul of PV FITs; Solar industry cautions about jobs at risk

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 15:07 (Solarserver)

The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) has stated that a proposal by Germany's Minister of Economics Philipp Rösler (Liberal Party, FDP) to limit solar photovoltaic (PV) subsidies will affect the transition of the energy system and especially the PV sector in Germany, jeopardizing more than 100,000 jobs. Read more

Green Home Company opens Welsh office

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 13:20 (Solarpowerportal)

The Green Home Company has expanded its operations into Wales, opening new facilities in Bridgend. The new office is set to provide up to 100 roles in the solar industry, despite the confusion and uncertainty that engulfs the industry at the moment. Read more

Solarbuzz: China installs 2.9 GW in 2011, leads Asian PV market growth

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 13:14 (Solarserver)

On January 24th, 2012 NPD Solarbuzz Inc. (San Francisco, California, U.S.) announced the results of a report which estimates that China's solar photovoltaic (PV) market grew five-fold to reach 2.9 GW in 2011, as part of a total of 6 GW of PV installed in the Asia Pacific region during the year. The company's "Asia Pacific Major PV Markets Quarterly" states that growth in the nation was driven by China's newly enacted feed-in tariff and falling module prices, estimating that the nation installed 1.7 GW in the fourth quarter of 2011 alone. NPD Solarbuzz also estimates the nation's project pipeline at 20 GW. Read more

Canadian Solar to supply 1.5MW of modules for Abu Dhabi project

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 13:02 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar has entered into a deal with Al Fahad Group, an Abu-Dhabi-based diversified conglomerate, to provide 1.5MW of its CS5A-M PV modules for one of the city?s largest PV plants. The government-funded project was finalized at the recent World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi. Read more

Concentrating solar power in India: Siemens Energy to supply steam turbines for 300 MW Rajasthan plant

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 11:30 (Solarserver)

On January 25th, 2012 Siemens Energy (Erlangen, Germany) announced that it has been awarded contracts by three different customers to supply a total of 300 MW of steam turbines for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The company will supply its SST-700 steam turbines for the Godawari, Abhijeet and Diwakar & KVK CSP plants, all of which use parabolic trough CSP technology. All three plants will participate in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Read more

Quick test for the solar roof: Vario offers PV calculator in English, German and Italian

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 10:44 (Solarserver)

The solar yield calculator app of Vario green energy (Holzgerlingen; Germany) is now available for Android smartphones. An iPhone version already exists. The free app for mobile phones allows House and roof owners to calculate with, which yield a photovoltaic (PV) system would generate and how much CO² they can save. The program is available in English, German and Italian. Read more

Photon Laboratory names REC modules as first in its 2011 module field performance test

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 0:07 (PV-Tech)

Moving up a spot from its second place finish in 2010, REC Solar?s modules have been ranked first in Photon Laboratory?s 2011 module field performance test by generating 6% more energy than competing modules. The yearlong comparative study measured how many kilowatt hours of electricity a module generates throughout one year in real life conditions. Two modules from each supplier were tested at Photon?s Germany location. Read more

Accelerating Geothermal Growth Through DOE Initiatives

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 15:15 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. geothermal power industry is poised for a bit more rapid growth now that the U.S. Department of Energy's geothermal development program is maturing with demonstration-stage pilots. This acceleration of growth also will be spurred on by an increasing number of municipalities and utilities that are turning to geothermal as an alternative energy option for either renewable mandate or investment reasons, industry executives say. While the U.S. geothermal power market is still somewhat tepid in comparison to the international market, U.S. technology exports will help U.S. companies weather the wait for a more rapid domestic market expansion. Read more

Integrating Anaerobic Digestion Into Our Culture Part 1: Language, Visuals and Values

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 21:36 (Renewable Energy World)

North America is at an inflection point in managing organic materials. Just as paper, metal and plastics were the darlings of the recycling industry a few decades ago, our society is defining a new relationship with organic materials ? one that harnesses the full carbon, energy and nutrient potential of organics. In order to help shape that new relationship, industry leaders are cultivating North America's awareness and understanding of anaerobic digestion's features, benefits and potential role in society. This two-part article explores the ways the waste, energy and agricultural industries are integrating this technology into our culture. Read more

University of Cyprus reveals plans for 10MW PV plant

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 19:53 (PV-Tech)

The University of Cyprus campus has been host to a meeting of minds to discuss the feasibility of installing a 10MW PV plant on the grounds of the university. The university?s Rector Konstantinos Christofides initiated the move, which has led to the establishment of a special committee that will be assisted in its task by institutions including the Cyprus Electricity Authority and Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority. Read more

Dark Clouds Threaten German Clean Energy Ambitions

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 16:37 (Renewable Energy World)

During the fourteen years that I've lived in Switzerland, the Germans have been the world's staunchest supporters of green power and alternative energy. Their aggressive development of wind power was breathtaking, as was their warm embrace of photovoltaic power. Read more

Welsh Government studies energy-generating buildings

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 13:23 (Solarpowerportal)

A unique £3 million project to test how building façades could be developed to generate clean electricity has been announced by the Welsh Government in partnership with Cardiff University. Read more

Where to from here? An insider?s view of the legal wranglings

Thursday, 1.26.2012 - 11:13 (Solarpowerportal)

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision that the Department of Energy and Climate Change acted illegally when it tried to reduce tariff rates in December. Read more