Pike Research: Remote microgrids to reach 1.1 GW in 2017, USD 10.2 billion market

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 14:53 (Solarserver)

On January 4th, 2012 Pike Research LLC (Boulder, Colorado, U.S.) released a report stating that the primary driver for remote microgrids over the next six years will be the integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to replace diesel-fired generation in many of these microgrids. Pike Research's Remote Microgrid report states that the top prospective markets for remote microgrids will be in developing nations, and forecasts that global remote microgrids will expand to 1.1 GW in 2017 from 349 MW in 2011. The company estimates that this will translate into a USD 10.2 billion market by 2017. Read more

SPI secures USD 64 million in financing for PV projects in California, New Jersey

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 14:48 (Solarserver)

On January 5th, 2012 Solar Power Inc. (SPI, Roseville, California, U.S.) announced that it has secured finance facilities totaling USD 44 million from the China Development Bank (Beijing, China) for the construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Additionally, the company announced that parent company LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu, China) has secured facilities of USD 20 million to fund construction of PV plants it is developing with SPI in California. Read more

DECC appeals U.K. High Court ruling on FIT cuts

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 13:22 (Solarserver)

On January 4th, 2012 the U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change announced that it has requested to appeal a High Court ruling which found the timing of its cuts to the nation's feed-in tariff (FIT) for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation to be illegal. The move was immediately condemned by Friends of the Earth UK (FOE, London, U.K.), one of three organizations which launched legal challenges to the FIT cuts. FOE states that ministers should instead focus on stabilizing the solar industry, following a market collapse in the wake of the the cuts on December 12th, 2011. Read more

Predictions for Solar Infrastructure in 2012: No Longer the Ugly Stepchild

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 20:10 (Renewable Energy World)

2011 was a unique year in the solar power industry, with spectacular flameouts in spite of continued growth in global demand. Much of the Sturm und Drang centered on the panels and their components ? polysilicon, wafers, cells and the modules themselves ? while ignoring the importance of racking and mounting systems. Although solar infrastructure accounts for only a small percentage of the average project cost, proper mounting is crucial to the success and long-term stability of any installation. Improperly mounted installations can severely compromise the integrity of a system. Read more

REA warns that ?legal wrangles must not jeopardise future of the FiTs scheme?

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 17:07 (Solarpowerportal)

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has expressed concerns about the implementations of the ongoing solar feed-in tariff legal battle. Read more

Solar powers bright future for unemployed

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 16:58 (Solarpowerportal)

More than 50 unemployed people are building sustainable careers in North Tyneside thanks to training delivered by Gateshead College and renewable energy specialist Group Horizon. Read more

Neo Solar Power sales tumble in December: 2011 revenue below 2010

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 16:44 (PV-Tech)

Taiwan-based crystalline solar cell producer, Neo Solar Power (NSP) has reported December, 2011 revenue of approximately US$21.94 million (NT $663 million), down significantly from the previous quarter and year-on-year. Total revenue for 2011 reached approximately US$600.2 million, down from US$634.4 million in 2010. Read more

Nuclear scientist selected to head up India?s solar programme

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 16:07 (PV-Tech)

India?s Prime Minister has appointed Anil Kakodkar as the new head of his government?s solar programme. Kakodkar, who is also a member of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and previously led India?s nuclear programme, was unveiled as chairman of the recently launched Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s speech at the Indian Science Congress. Read more

VC, corporate investments in solar reach USD 1.81 billion in 2011

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 14:40 (Solarserver)

On January 5th, 2012 Cleantech Group (San Francisco, California, U.S.) released preliminary 2011 results for clean technology venture and corporate investments globally, identifying solar as the leading sector with USD 1.81 billion invested in 111 deals. The company estimates that total clean technology investments reached USD 8.99 billion in 2011, a 13% increase over 2010, with cleantech mergers & acquisitions reaching USD 41.2 billion during the year, as the highest amount yet. Cleantech Group states that final numbers will be released in its Quarterly Investment Monitor Report on February 16th, 2012. Read more

Hanwha SolarOne extends materials and workmanship warranty for PV modules to 12 years

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 14:36 (Solarserver)

On January 4th, 2012 Hanwha SolarOne Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) announced that it will extend its materials and workmanship warranty to 12 years for its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules made in China. The company states that this is the longest warranty protection in the global PV industry. Hanwha SolarOne will also replace its existing warranty for power generation capacity with an improved 25-year linear warranty. The improved warranties will apply to PV modules sold after January 1st, 2012. Read more

Court of Appeal set to hear Government?s challenge on January 13

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 13:38 (Solarpowerportal)

The Court of Appeal will hear the Government’s challenge to last month’s High Court ruling that its proposed solar cuts were illegal on January 13. Read more

Canadian Solar, Ningxia Electric commission first 10 MW phase of 50 MW PV plant in Ningxia Province

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 13:13 (Solarserver)

On January 5th, 2012 Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchener, Canada) and the Ningxia Electric Power Group (Yinchuan, China) announced the commissioning of a 10 MW phase of a 50 MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Hongsibao, Ningxia Province, China. The 10 MW comprises an 8 MW fixed tilt system and a 2 MW tracking system. Ningxia Power Group funded and built the project, with Canadian Solar joint venture Gaochuangte New Energy serving as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. Read more

HECO proposes solar water heating program to HPUC

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 13:08 (Solarserver)

On January 3rd, 2012 the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.) announced that it has proposed a program to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) to support the installation of solar water heating systems on residential properties, which it hopes to implement in early 2012. Under the "Simply Solar" program, utilities will fund the installation of solar water heating systems, with a portion of customer savings on monthly utility bills dedicated to paying for the costs of installation. HECO notes that savings and repayment would attach to properties, not customers, which would allow renters and landlords to participate in the program. Read more

UK solar industry must collaborate not confront

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 12:35 (Solarpowerportal)

Ben Cosh, Managing Director of TGC Renewables, has called on the UK solar industry to embrace Government collaboration rather than continue with confrontation. Read more

25MW of Power-One?s Aurora inverters installed in one of India?s largest solar projects

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 12:30 (PV-Tech)

Inverter manufacturer Power-One has installed 25MW of solar inverters on 50 hectares of land, located in Gujarat, India and covered by more than 100,000 polycrystalline solar panels. 73 units of Aurora PVI-330.0-TL indoor inverters have been fitted along with medium voltage switch gears and transformers. Read more

BrightSource appoints Richard Kelly chair

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 14:30 (Solarserver)

On January 4th, 2012 BrightSource Energy Inc. (Oakland, California, U.S.) announced that it has named Richard Kelly as chairman of the company's Board of Directors. Kelly has served as chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.) from 2005 until September 2011, and BrightSource notes that he brings more than four decades of experience in electricity generation and the utility industry. Read more

GT Advanced Technologies secures USD 66.5 million in orders for polysilicon equipment

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 13:00 (Solarserver)

On January 5th, 2012 GT Advanced Technologies (Merrimack, New Hampshire, U.S.) announced that it has received an order for silane gas production equipment and technology from SMP Ltd., a joint venture of Samsung Fine Chemicals Company Ltd. (Ulsan, South Korea, U.S.) and MEMC Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Singapore). Separately, GT has also received an order for its trichlorosilane technology and equipment from an un-named, new polysilicon customer. These two orders total USD 66.5 million. Read more

New ?green? office tool helps to reduce UK energy bills

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 11:37 (Solarpowerportal)

The Carbon Trust has launched a new online tool designed to increase the awareness and importance of efficient energy use within UK businesses and public bodies. By becoming more energy conscious, the Carbon Trust argues UK employees could save £500 million a year. Read more

Tackling the Renewable Energy Transmission Tiger - Is There Hope? Is There Help?

Friday, 1.6.2012 - 11:36 (Renewable Energy World)

Building transmission to accommodate utility-scale renewable energy generation in the U.S. is seen as essential by much of the renewable energy industry. But can it be justified? Doing so will necessarily involve constructing some of the longest stretches of wire ever undertaken in this country. Much of the best wind and solar resource is located quite distant from the load. Ultimately, thousands of miles of huge power lines will have to be built. It is not illogical to ask whether investment in such massive infrastructure "costs too much and provides too little." It is also not illogical to answer "no," not if the value proposition is laid out appropriately and a well crafted Read more