News of the year 2012

Date: 30.01.2012



Photovoltaics

Lux Research: U.S. PV innovation shifts downstream

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 23:12 (Solarserver)

On January 26th, 2012 Lux Research (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) issued a new report which states that the focus on innovation and investment in the U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) industry has shifted from manufacturing to installation. "Swimming Downstream: Evaluating Up-and-Coming Solar Installers and Developers" states that a large amount of merger and acquisition activity and venture capital to solar service providers has led to innovation in the installation sector, focused on creating new, lean business models. The report identifies SolarCity Corporation (San Mateo, California, U.S.) as a leader in the sector. Read more

EDF Canada commissions 11.8 MW PV plant in Ontario

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 22:58 (Solarserver)

EDF Canada (Toronto, Canada) has announced that it commissioned the 11.8 MW St Isidore B solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, as part of its St Isidore Solar Project, in December 2011. The St Isidore project consists of two PV plants six kilometers apart in the municipality of the Nation, Ontario, Canada. EDF commissioned the first PV plant, the 11.5 MW St Isidore A PV plant, in December 2010. Read more

Kyocera to add energy storage with PV modules in Japan

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 15:56 (PV-Tech)

Kyocera and Nichicon have completed an agreement for Kyocera to begin domestic sales this summer of a new energy management system (EMS) which combines Kyocera?s highly reliable solar power generating systems with Nichicon?s long-lasting, high-capacity lithium-ion battery storage units. Designed for the Japan market, the new system responds to the growing demand for residential energy storage equipment following the March 11 disasters. Kyocera will begin sales in Japan this summer. Read more

Kyocera fails to see improvement in solar module business environment

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 14:26 (PV-Tech)

Kyocera has reported that consolidated net sales for the nine-month period ending December 31, 2011 had declined 7.5% compared to the prior period, to US$11,351 million. Profit from operations decreased by 26.2% to US$1,133 million. Sales and profits were reported to be down within its Components Business segment which includes its PV module operations, citing continued stagnation in the solar energy market with consistent erosion of prices as overcapacity continued. Kyocera noted that it has seen no sign of an improvement in a supply/demand balance. Read more

IMS Research identifies trends in PV inverter purchases, Chinese inverters gain popularity

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:32 (Solarserver)

On January 25th, 2012 IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) released the results of a survey of PV inverter customers which found that while there is a strong brand preference for European- and North American-made inverters, 30% of respondents felt that Chinese inverters were of acceptable quality. The company's "PV Inverter Customer Opinions & Requirements Survey" report reveals that market leader SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Germany) remains the clear brand leader. The survey also found that PV inverter customers seek increased reliability, functionality and yields, with more than half willing to pay a premium for a 1% increase in yield. Read more

GTM Research: Financing challenges to limit U.S. PV, CSP projects

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:20 (Solarserver)

GTM Research (Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.) and Mintz Levin Law Firm (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) have published an analysis of project financing trends for utility-scale renewable energy power projects in the United States, stating that with the expiration of key subsidies the expected supply of project financing will not be able to meet demand. "Renewable Energy Finance in the U.S.: 2010-2013 Overview and Future Outlook" anticipates 22 GW of utility-scale U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) projects will seek USD 76.6 billion in project financing through 2013, but that only 15.7 GW of these projects will actually achieve USD 54 billion in Read more

Surana Ventures completes 5MW module plant in Hyderabad; second 5MW fab planned for Gujarat

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:12 (PV-Tech)

Hyderabad, India-based Surana Ventures has completed construction of its 5MW solar module manufacturing facility in the Fab City, approximately 40km from Hyderabad. The company has also announced that it is seeking the necessary permission to commission a second 5MW module manufacturing plant in Gujarat. Read more

Solarcentury resigns from British Photovoltaic Association

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:12 (Solarserver)

Solarcentury Holdings Ltd. (London) on January 27th, 2012, confirmed its resignation from the BPVA (British Photovoltaic Association). "This followed the BPVA Chairman's attempts to intervene on the side of DECC (The Department of Energy and Climate Change) in the Appeal Court regarding solar PV feed-in tariffs, an intervention which he failed to discuss first with Solarcentury," the company explains in a press release. In national media interviews and House of Commons exchanges, both the Secretary of State and the Energy Minister praised BPVA for its support in the Appeal. Read more

Emcore to action one-for-four reverse stock split

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:08 (PV-Tech)

Loss-making CPV solar cell manufacturer Emcore has approved a one-for-four reverse stock split. The move, expected to take action February 15, 2012, means that the number of issued and outstanding shares in the company would be reduced by approximately 94 million to approximately 23.5 million. The market value of the total number of shares would remain the same. Read more

Solon hands control of five Spanish PV plants to MEP Asset Management

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 11:29 (PV-Tech)

MEP Asset Management has stepped in to the Solon insolvency issue to take over the running of five of the company?s PV plants. The ?trusted partner? will oversee the sites? operation in response to unsettled warranty claims filed by banks and investors in relation to the five unnamed plants. Read more

Spanish government halts PV, CSP feed-in tariffs

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 9:59 (Solarserver)

On January 27th, 2012 Spain's Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade (MITyC) announced that it has temporarily closed the nation's feed-in tariff (FiT) program, including FiTs for solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) generation, to new applicants. The suspension will not affect plants that are already receiving payments or those in a registry of systems for pre-allocation. Spain's ruling center-right Popular Party had promised an overhaul of the electricity system, and a think tank aligned with the party had suggested that it would cut FiTs. The Popular Party replaced the Socialist Party as Spain's ruling party in November 20th, 2011 elections. Read more


Thermal Power/Heating

KDC Solar commissions 4.88 MW rooftop PV plant in New Jersey

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 23:04 (Solarserver)

On January 25th, 2012 KDC Solar LLC (Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S.) celebrated the commissioning of a 4.88 MW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Solar Power Inc. (Roseville, California, U.S.) installed the PV plant, which is comprised of over 22,000 LDK Solar PV modules, on the roof of the White Rose Foods warehouse in Cartert, New Jersey. KDC Solar developed the plant through its subsidiary KDC Solar WR, a joint venture with NuGen Capital Management LLC (Rhode Island, U.S.). Read more

SolarCity appoints Toby Corey as Chief Revenue Officer

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 22:51 (Solarserver)

On January 26th, 2012, SolarCity (San Mateo, California, U.S.) announced that it has appointed Toby Corey as Chief Revenue Officer. Corey is former co-founder, president and Chief Operating Officer of USWeb Inc. CRO Corey will focus on transforming the ways in which consumers, businesses and government organizations can switch to cleaner energy at a lower cost, through a range of integrated solutions, the company said. Read more

U.S. Department of Energy announces new teams, location for Solar Decathlon 2013, Secretary Chu tours nation

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 22:41 (Solarserver)

On January 26th, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the DOE?s Solar Decathlon 2013. The DOE also unveiled the competition?s new location: the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. The Solar Decathlon was previously held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Read more

PV Cycle announces expanded collection points, increase in new members

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 22:22 (PV-Tech)

Europe?s end-of-life PV module recycling program, PV Cycle, advised of its significant growth since beginning operations in 2010. PV Cycle?s collection network has expanded to over 205 collection points, which allows the association to provide module owners in every EU27 and EFTA country with its services. Additionally, the company noted that in January, it had reached over 240 members from across the world and PV value chain, representing nearly 90% of the European solar market. Read more

Gujarat Electricity Commission rules against time extension for solar project completions

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 21:27 (PV-Tech)

According to The Hindu Business Line, the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has decided against extending the January 29 extension, which solar developers were petitioning for in order to avoid coming under a lower tariff regime. Developers such as Tata, GMR, Lanco, Moser Baer and Surana Telecom had all come forward as petitioners for an extension of the project completion deadline. Read more

Kyocera to Launch Solar With Li-Ion Battery Storage for Homes in Japan

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 19:13 (Renewable Energy World)

A big energy-related disaster doesn't just leave horrible marks on people's lives; it also can propel better and quicker policy and technology adoption. Kyocera on Monday said it plans to start selling a system that pairs solar panels with lithium-ion batteries for the residential market in Japan starting this summer. Read more

Yingli to supply German IBC Solar AG with up to 200 MW of PV modules

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 15:35 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012 Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. (Baoding, China) announced that it will supply IBC Solar AG (Bad Staffelstein, Germany) with 180 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules during 2012, including both its multi-crystalline modules and mono-crystalline PANDA modules. Under an agreement between the two companies, IBC has an option to purchase an additional 20 MW of modules in 2012. IBC plans to install these PV modules globally, including in Germany and other European nations. Read more

Sorting Out Solar PV Downstream M&A

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 15:30 (Renewable Energy World)

The volatile swings seen in the upstream part of the solar PV supply chain, from silicon to cell/module pricing, have been well documented. End-market demand and associated policies supporting it is also a roller coaster, with many key regions currently embroiled in what to do for 2012 and beyond. Read more

Asia Report: DOC Extends Solar Trade Case Deadline to March 2

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 14:43 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar players on both sides of the Pacific have been warily anticipating the Feb. 13 deadline when the Department of Commerce was set to announce whether it would impose duties on solar cells and modules coming in from China. Read more

Solar scheme takes PV back to the classroom

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 14:40 (Solarpowerportal)

The Solar Schools project, launched by carbon cutting organisation 10:10 in conjunction with Mumsnet, has now enlisted nine schools. Read more

PV demand in Europe set to rise in first quarter, says NPD Solarbuzz

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 14:04 (PV-Tech)

A fourth-quarter boom in European PV installations is set to continue into the first quarter of 2012, according to the latest ?European PV Markets Quarterly? report from NPD Solarbuzz. The European market increased 23% quarter-on-quarter driven by the boom in installations in Germany but also in Belgium and the UK. Though incentive cuts dampen established markets, continued module price declines are generating emerging markets out of East and Southeast Europe. Overall, the European market in 2011 grew 18% year-on-year, according to the market research firm. Read more

CASM secures 18-day extension for ITC decision

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Commerce has agreed to postpone the date for its preliminary decision on the CASM-led US versus China trade dispute to March 2, 2012. The original date of February 13 was deemed to soon by SolarWorld, the leader of the CASM movement, and the 18-day extension will delay the decision by the Department of Commerce. Read more

Spain backtracks on solar subsidies as ?24 billion debt looms

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:52 (PV-Tech)

Spain has made the controversial decision to cease renewables subsidies for new solar, wind, co-generation and waste incineration plants in the face of an ever-growing government budget deficit of ?24 billion. The power-system borrowings have been backed by the state but it appears that revenue generated by state-controlled energy prices has not been covering the high costs associated with delivering power, including the payment of renewables subsidies that have been put in place. Read more

GERC holds firm on January 28th deadline, issues new solar FIT levels for Gujarat

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 12:42 (Solarserver)

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has dismissed petitions to extend 2011 feed-in tariff (FIT) levels past January 28th, 2012, as well as issuing new tariff levels for systems commissioned from January 29th, 2012 through March 31st, 2015, according to the Natural Group. The order on January 27th, 2012 offers levelized tariffs for PV between INR 9.28/kWh (USD 0.188/kWh) and INR 12.44/kWh (USD 0.252/kWh) for PV plants commissioned through March 31st, 2013. The commission has also set a rate of INR 11.55 (USD 0.234/kWh) and INR 12.91 (USD 0.262/kWh) for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants with and without an accelerated depreciation benefit. Read more

House of Commons issues solar FiT note to members

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 11:51 (Solarpowerportal)

The House of Commons has published a Commons Library Standard Note that aims to summarise the entire solar feed-in tariff fiasco to date. Read more


Biomass/Pellets

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs ? From Community Fuels

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 16:13 (Renewable Energy World)

In New York, the expected release dates for the Obama Administration's Bioeconomy Blueprint came and went, leaving Novozymes and Bloomberg New Energy Finance's "Moving Towards a Next-generation Ethanol Economy" report, released this month, as the most intriguing assessment of the job-creating potential of an expanded bioeconomy. In this case of this report, BNEF focused on the potential for ethanol production from agricultural residue. Read more


Wind Energy

Wind Power Posts Strong Q4 Results, but PTC Uncertainty Looms

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 16:58 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. wind industry posted strong fourth quarter results, AWEA reported on Thursday during a webinar for members and press. Read more


Hydropower

There are no news available

 



Hydrogen/Fuel Cell

There are no news available

 



Geo Thermal/Heat Pump

There are no news available

 



Energy Policy/Climate/CO2

CNPV modules granted ISOCD14067 certification, receive ?Made in EU? title

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 22:03 (PV-Tech)

CNPV Solar Power has advised that its mono- and polycrystalline modules have been confirmed by TÜV Rheinland as meeting ISOCD14067 specifications, which incorporates ISO14040:2006, ISO14044:2006 and PAS2050:2011 standards. The module evaluation gives a numerical value to the amount of CO2 generated from manufacturing through the module?s life cycle over a period of 100 years by studying its raw materials, conversion process, manufacturing burdens, in-use variations and final degradation. Read more

Operation Sustainability: U.S. Military Sets Ambitious Environmental Goals

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 18:36 (Renewable Energy World)

With personnel nearly the population of Chicago and a fleet of over 500,000 aircrafts, vessels, and vehicles, the U.S. Department of Defense is a massive and energy-hungry institution. Read more

Governor Brown streamlines CEQA to allow for faster energy project approval

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 15:29 (Solarserver)

On January 25th, 2012 California Governor Edmund "Jerry" Brown released a package of reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which his office says will simplify and speed the approval process for energy and infrastructure projects in the state. CEQA is modeled on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and is considered to be more strict than NEPA. It has also served as the basis for a number of lawsuits to challenge energy projects, including solar projects, in California. Read more

Global renewables deals rose 40 percent in 2011

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 11:55 (Solarpowerportal)

Despite turbulent economic times, global renewable energy mergers and acquisitions rose 40 percent in value last year, according to a new report from consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Read more

Order Focus: IBC and Yingli Green sign new 180MW module supply deal

Monday, 1.30.2012 - 11:47 (PV-Tech)

Yingli Green is to supply project developer, IBC Solar with 180MW of multi-crystalline and mono-crystalline (Panda) PV modules in 2012 under a new supply agreement. IBC has an option for a further 20MW under the new agreement. IBC is expected to use the module in projects within Germany, Europe and other regions during the year. Read more


Solar-/Electromobil

There are no news available

 



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