Semprius sets world record for HCPV module efficiency

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 18:43 (PV-Tech)

Instituto de Energía Solar at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid has certified that Semprius? HCPV modules have set a new world record with an efficiency level of 33.9%. The module was tested indoors at Standard Test Conditions (850 W/m2, 25°C cell temperature, and a spectrum matched to AM1.5D) and corroborated by outdoor measurements made at the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) in Puertollano, Spain. The HCPV modules significantly exceed the previous claim of 32.0%. Read more

Tariffs charges will start from December 3, 2011, US Department of Commerce tells China

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:50 (PV-Tech)

For the first time, the US Department of Commerce has issued a finding, ahead of the preliminary determination on duties, scheduled for March 2. It believes, in order to prevent ?a massive, evasive surge of Chinese solar cell and panel imports?, the department has proposed that countervailing duties will apply to all imports of cells and modules from Chinese exporters that were brought into the United States starting December 3, 2011. Read more

Tariff charges to be back-dated to December, US Department of Commerce tells China

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:50 (PV-Tech)

For the first time, the US Department of Commerce has issued a finding, ahead of the preliminary determination on duties, scheduled for March 2. In order to prevent ?a massive, evasive surge of Chinese solar cell and panel imports?, the department has proposed that countervailing duties will apply to all imports of cells and modules from Chinese exporters that were brought into the United States starting December 3, 2011. Read more

Tariff charges to be back-dated from December, US Department of Commerce tells China

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:50 (PV-Tech)

For the first time, the US Department of Commerce has issued a finding, ahead of the preliminary determination on duties, scheduled for March 2. In order to prevent ?a massive, evasive surge of Chinese solar cell and panel imports?, the department has proposed that countervailing duties will apply to all imports of cells and modules from Chinese exporters that were brought into the United States starting December 3, 2011. Read more

Cambrios Technologies gains new CEO and US$5 million investment from Samsung

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:04 (PV-Tech)

Nanotechnology-based thin-film materials specialist, Cambrios Technologies has received a US$5 million, Series D-3 financing round from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation as part of a prelude to further business collaborations on coating materials, which could include transparent electrodes for touch screens, liquid crystal displays, e-paper, OLED devices, OLED lighting and thin film photovoltaics. Read more

Concentrating photovoltaics: Semprius achieves 33.9% active area module efficiency

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:01 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012 Semprius Inc. (Durham, North Carolina, U.S.) announced that it has reached a new world record of 33.9% active area solar photovoltaic (PV) module efficiency using its concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules. The company notes that this efficiency well exceeds the previous record of 32.0%. The Technical University of Madrid's Institute of Solar Energy (Madrid, Spain) tested the module indoors under standard test conditions at 850 watts/m2 and 25 degrees Celsius cell temperature. The measurement was confirmed by outdoor tests performed by the Institute of Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems (Puertollano, Spain). Read more

Advanced Energy PV inverter sales reach record level in Q411

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 13:35 (PV-Tech)

Advanced Energy Industries benefited from strong PV inverter sales in the fourth quarter of 2011, generating record revenue of US$58.1 million. AE noted that its utility-scale PV Inverter platform, ?Solaron? had been employed on some of the largest projects in North America in the period. PV inverter sales increased 12.3% compared to the previous quarter, when sales reached US$51.7 million, a prior tied sales record with the fourth quarter of 2010. Overall, AE generated fourth quarter revenue of US$112.5 million and a loss of US$2.6 million. Read more

South Australia issues PV FIT rates through 2014

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:37 (Solarserver)

On January 27th, 2012 the state of South Australia released final rates for its feed-in tariff (FIT) program for residential and small business solar photovoltaic (PV) units through June 30th, 2014, offering minimum premium rates of AUD 0.071/kWh (USD 0.075/kWh) for 2012-2013, and gradually increasing them to AUD 0.112/kWh (USD 0.119/kWh) for 2013-2014. These rates are in addition to the FIT through distributor ETSA Utilities (Keswick, South Australia) of AUD 0.16/kWh, which will result in a total rate of AUD 0.231/kWh starting on January 27th, 2012. Prior to October 1st, 2011 solar customers received a much higher distributor FIT rate of AUD 0.44/kWh (USD 0.47/kWh), and Read more

CASE: Imposition of tariffs on imports of Chinese PV could cost 50,000 net U.S. jobs

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:31 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012 the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) released an economic analysis which finds that a 100% tariff on imported solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules from China could result in as many at 50,000 net lost jobs in the U.S. over the next three years. The report by the Brattle Group (Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.) further estimates that retaliatory tariffs placed on U.S. exports of polysilicon to China would threaten an additional 11,000 U.S. jobs. The study also examined the impacts of a 50% tariff, which CASE says is much less than the up to 250% tariffs sought by SolarWorld Industries Americas Inc. (Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.). Read more

U.S. DOC rules that any duties against imports of Chinese PV products will be retroactive

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:24 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012 the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has found "critical circumstances" in its investigation of China's support for its solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, meaning that any duties imposed by the agency will be retroactive for 90 days. Under this ruling, the DOC can apply countervailing duties to all imports of PV cells and modules dating back to December 3rd, 2011. The agency is expected to rule on countervailing duties on March 2nd, 2012, as well as on anti-dumping duties on March 27th, 2012, which could trigger another critical circumstances ruling. Read more

Eight19 launches £5 million ?Series B? funding round

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:21 (Solarpowerportal)

Eight19, the Cambridge-based developers of printed plastic technology, has announced the launch of a £5 million “Series B” funding round. The Cambridge University spin-off, which recently commissioned an organic solar cell printing facility at its headquarters, is looking to use the funds to further develop the company’s low cost printed plastic solar film. The finance raised will also be used to help the development of Eight19’s IndiGo pay-as-you-go solar products for emerging markets. Read more

Fronius to expand into China in March 2012

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:14 (PV-Tech)

Inverter manufacturer Fronius is to take advantage of the flourishing Chinese PV market by establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary in Shanghai in March. Already employing 3,250 employees, this new office will have a total of 12 employees working in sales, after-sales (technical support, repair centre) and marketing. Read more

British Photovoltaic Association responds Solarcentury's statement on feed-in tariffs: "Retrospective changes to law through secondary legislation are illegal."

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:07 (Solarserver)

"In response to a statement published by Solarcentury we feel that it is necessary for the BPVA to respond stating the facts," the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) emphasizes on its website. "The position of the BPVA with regards to the court case has always been: We believe that the reference date of 12th December and the retrospective changes to law through secondary legislation are illegal." Read more

Conergy and Soligest complete three 6MW installations in France

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 11:41 (PV-Tech)

Conergy France collaborated with Soligest to complete three rooftop solar establishments, with a total power rating of 6.1MW. More than 80,000 thin-film modules have been installed on 67,000 square metres of roof surface. Conergy was responsible for both the design and technical planning of the installation. Read more

Fluor to provide EPC and O&M services to AVSE II 125MW solar facility, Arizona

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 18:21 (PV-Tech)

Fluor Corporation announced it had been selected last year for its EPC services to contribute towards Arlington Valley Solar Energy II?s (AVSE II) 125MW solar facility in Maricopa County, Arizona. Fluor has also acquired a contract for ongoing operations and maintenance services. In 2002, Fluor designed and constructed the Arlington Valley Combined Cycle Facility nearby. Read more

Portuguese Institute for Solar Energy founded

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:55 (PV-Tech)

Portugal?s University of Évora and a number of renewable energy companies and organizations have founded the Portuguese Institute for Solar Energy (IPES). Read more

SunMaxx commissions solar thermal system at U.S. Air Force Base in Georgia

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:03 (Solarserver)

On January 28th, 2012 SunMaxx Solar Inc. (Conklin, New York, U.S.) announced the commissioning of a 39 square meter solar water heating system at Moody Air Force Base in the U.S. state of Georgia. The system is comprised of 20 TitanPowerPlus SU2 series flat plat collectors, under a drain-back design with a non-pressurized storage tank. Hot water generated by the system will be used for a dining hall to feed residents on the base. Read more

Solar Community expands to seven U.S. East Coast states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:55 (Solarserver)

On January 26th, 2012, Solar Community (Austin, Texas, US), a provider of solar power solutions, announced that it is expanding to seven East Coast states, including Pennsylvania. The company has completed development of sales teams for each state. Read more

PV in India: BSES introduces new solar-powered pump

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:42 (Solarserver)

On January 20th, 2012, BSES (Delhi, India) announced that its BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. subsidiary in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) developed a new pump powered by a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel. The Renewable Energy Assisted Pump (REAP) System due to BSES is capable of pumping 25,000 liters per day with 7 hours of sunlight. Read more

University of Maryland sells Solar Decathlon 2011?s winning entry to Pepco

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:39 (PV-Tech)

Following its win at the 2011 Solar Decathlon event, the University of Maryland has found a buyer for its winning entry, WaterShed. Pepco, the electric service provider, has purchased the solar-powered house and will transport the building to one of its facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland where it will act as a ?living classroom? to illustrate the clean energy possibilities. Read more

NPD Solarbuzz: European PV markets to diversify as incentives fall

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:07 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012 NPD Solarbuzz (San Francisco, California, U.S.) released a report which states that the strong fourth quarter of 2011 in European solar photovoltaic (PV) markets will result in the reduction of PV incentives in 2012, and that European markets will also diversify. The company's "European PV Markets Quarterly" predicts that the German and Italian PV markets will together decline a total of 37% in 2012, but the company expects strong growth in smaller markets in Central and Eastern Europe. NPD Solarbuzz also states that falling module prices contributed to strong market growth in 2011, noting that these prices have shown recent evidence of stabilization. Read more

Eight19 announces launch of £5m funding round for pay-as-you-go solar power products

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 15:59 (PV-Tech)

Clean-tech developer, Eight19, has announced the launch of a £5 million Series B funding round. The funding will be used for further development of the company?s low cost printed plastic solar film and for accelerating the deployment of Eight19?s IndiGo pay as you go solar power products. The Carbon Trust Rhodia SA gave the company £4.5 million in September 2010 and expects the new round will be taken up by a combination of existing and new investors. Read more

Hourly Electricity Pricing Boosts Value of Distributed Solar by 33 Percent

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

What if electricity cost more when the sun was shining?  Many utilities are using new electronic "smart meters" to adjust the price of electricity as often as every hour, to reflect supply and demand.  And charging more when electricity is in short supply can be good news, increasing the value of solar by 33 percent or more. Time- Read more

Italian PV associations call for stop to government FiT amendments

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 13:38 (PV-Tech)

In recent days amendments to the FiT in Italy come come thick and fast. Italian press agency Agi has reported that pro-solar associations in Italy are contesting the recent proposals to change the FiT, particularly in relation to PV greenhouses. Read more

Lord Marland: FiT scheme is ?one of the most ridiculous schemes that has ever been dreamed up?

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:37 (Solarpowerportal)

At the beginning of yet another tense week in the UK solar... Read more

Welspun Group to install 500MW in India by 2014

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 11:14 (PV-Tech)

Welspun Group, having won the auction in December 2010; being implicated in a group of companies that may have missed this month?s construction deadline. At the same time winning another NSM auction securing 20MW. Now, India?s The Economic Times, states the company is planning to develop 500MW of solar energy projects in India by 2014. Read more

Report: India?s government establishing new solar company

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 0:23 (PV-Tech)

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the Indian government has decided to establish a new solar company with an initial capital of US$405.6 million, which will go towards the development of federal solar projects in order to reach the country?s 20GW solar energy capacity target by 2022. Read more

PwC report: Investment in renewables jumped by 40% in 2011

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 13:54 (PV-Tech)

A new global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has revealed a massive 40% increase in renewable investment from 2010 to 2011. Investment in ?new generation? technologies ? including solar, wind and biomass ? leapt from US$38.2 billion in 2010 to a record US$53.5 billion in 2011, according to the report. The massive increase is due to a variety of factors, the most noteworthy of which are falling solar prices and the change in attitude towards nuclear power following the Fukushima crisis in March 2011. Read more

CASE study finds SolarWorld?s fight against China will damage solar industry ? not save it

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:44 (PV-Tech)

The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) has commissioned an economic analysis to counter the petitions to the US Commerce Department and the US International Trade Commission by SolarWorld, demanding 250% tariffs on Chinese imports. The Brattle Group has found that a 100% tariff on imported solar PV cells and modules from China would result in as many as 50,000 net lost jobs in the US over the next three years. Furthermore, retaliatory tariffs placed on US exports of polysilicon to China would put nearly 11,000 more American jobs at risk in the first year following tariff imposition. Read more

Run-of-the-River Hydropower Goes With the Flow

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 15:35 (Renewable Energy World)

In recent years, run-of-the-river hydropower projects have emerged as a viable, low-impact alternative to existing large-scale projects. Run-of-the-river facilities use conventional hydropower technology to produce electricity by diverting river flow through turbines that spin generators - before returning water back to the river downstream. Read more

Evaluating Institutional On-site Clean Energy

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 18:07 (Renewable Energy World)

Earlier this month, I attended EUCI’s Utilizing Clean Power Development Conference in Philadelphia.  The conference attracted a variety of large institutions (hospitals, municipalities, universities, etc.), developers, and financers to discuss the opportunity and challenges surrounding deployment of on-site renewable energy.  Instit Read more

Integrating Anaerobic Digestion Into Our Culture Part 2: Stats, Reality and the Future

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 17:37 (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 couple 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. Read more

Daqo New Energy appoints Bing Sun new CFO

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:58 (Solarserver)

On January 27th, 2012, polysilicon manufacturer and PV producer Daqo New Energy Corp. (Chongqing, China) announced that it appointed Bing Sun as chief financial officer (CFO), effective February 1st, 2012. Read more

Clenergy appoints new UK Sales Manager

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 16:10 (Solarpowerportal)

China-based photovoltaics designer, manufacturer, and distributor Clenergy has welcomed a new member to its growing UK team. Michael Middlemast, who joined the company on January 1, has been appointed UK Sales Manager. Read more

WTO to hear EU, Japanese cases over Ontario's domestic content requirement together

Tuesday, 1.31.2012 - 12:14 (Solarserver)

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body will establish a dispute panel to hear the European Union's (EU) complaint over Ontario's domestic content requirement in its feed-in tariff, and will merge this complaint with Japan's complaint over the same subject. Both Japan and the EU claim that Ontario's feed-in tariff policy unfairly discriminates against foreign companies by mandating the use of a certain percentage of domestic products in renewable energy installations that qualify for the program. Read more