SEIA announces new partnerships with KOPIA and BCSE

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 21:01 (PV-Tech)

This week the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) announced that it had signed new formal partnerships with the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). The partnerships will see SEIA work with both organizations to promote and sustain a healthy growth of solar energy markets at home and abroad. They plan to work on communications, events, policy initiatives and market research to promote the adoption of solar energy. Read more

Emcore tapped to provide solar cells for AMOS-6 satellite by ATK

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

Emcore announced that ATK had awarded it with a contract to supply its ZTJ triple-junction solar cells for use in the AMOS-6 commercial telecommunications satellite mission. The satellite has plans to be launched in early 2015 and will see Emcore?s products used to power the AMOS-6 spacecraft manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Read more

MOFCOM seeks Sino-American cooperation

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has issued a statement expressing its strong dissatisfaction with the ruling. Shen Danyang, spokesman for MOFCOM, has provoked a trade war hindering the development of green energy. He stated that this sends a negative message to the rest of the world. Read more

Kyocera supplies PV modules to medical facilities in Tajikistan

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 16:24 (Solarserver)

On October 10th, 2012, Kyocera Corp. (Kyoto, Japan) announced that it has supplied its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for a 160 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system to be installed at the Diakov Hospital and Research Institution of Obstetrics Gynecology and Perinatology in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Read more

6.4 MW PV plant using JinkoSolar modules completed in North Carolina

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 16:16 (Solarserver)

JinkoSolar Holding Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) has announced that a 6.4 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant utilizing its modules has been completed in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Strata Solar LLC (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.) developed the Watts farm PV plant in Robeson County, North Carolina. The plant comprises 20,700 JinkoSolar 240-watt polycrystalline silicon PV modules installed over 22 hectares. Read more

Official: Bankrupt Solyndra files anti-trust law suit against Suntech and others

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

In a new twist to both the saga?s over Solyndra?s demise and the trade war between the US and China over dumping of solar modules, the bankrupt firm has filed an anti-trust case against the largest PV module manufacturer, Suntech Power Holdings in the US District Court, Northern District of California. Read more

Soitec delivers 5 MW of CPV systems to Italian customers

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 12:13 (Solarserver)

Soitec SA (Bernin, France) has completed delivery of 5 megawatt (MW) of its Concentrix concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems to multiple customers for plants in seven locations throughout Italy. Soitec states that these deliveries to multiple customers bring the company's system installations to more than 10 MW globally. This also follows Soitec's completion of construction on a solar PV plant in Sicily in June 2012. Read more

Wells Fargo provides project financing for 11.3 MW PV plant in New Mexico

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 12:05 (Solarserver)

Wells Fargo & Company (San Francisco, California, U.S.) has announced that it has provided project financing for an 11.3 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant developed by Sun Edison LLC (Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.) in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The El Chaparral Solar Farm comprises 40,300 solar photovoltaic (PV) modules located on more than 55 hectares of land near the city of El Paso, Texas. This is the sixth utility-scale PV plant funded by Wells Fargo in the last year. Read more

IMS Research: Global inverter shipments to reach record levels in 4Q 2012

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 9:44 (Solarserver)

IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) has released a report which finds that global solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter shipments are set to increase 18% year-over-year to reach a record of 8.6 GW in the fourth quarter of 2012, following a decline in the third quarter. The latest quarterly update to "World Market for PV Inverters" predicts that Asian markets will account for nearly 50% of global shipments during the quarter, as shipments to EU markets fall 20% due to feed-in tariff cuts. IMS Research also notes a fall in average prices for inverters in recent quarters. Read more

Bisol to build 2W PV plant in Kazakhstan

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 9:28 (Solarserver)

Bisol Group (Prebold, Slovenia) has signed a contract with investor Samruk-Energo (Astana, Kazakhstan) to build a 2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Kazakhstan. A subsidiary of Samruk-Energo will own the PV plant, which will be located in the city of Kapchagay in Almaty Province, when complete. The plant will be divided into two parts, with 1.4 MW mounted on a fixed structure and 600 kW mounted on 61 trackers. Read more

Soitec delivers 5MW of CPV systems to seven Italian solar plants

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

Soitec advised that it has completed the delivery of 5MW of its Concentrix CPV systems to seven solar plants in Italy. The deliveries, sent to various customers, bring the company?s solar system installations to 10MW worldwide. Read more

SolarBridge to start US roadshow kick-off on November 1

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 21:13 (PV-Tech)

SolarBridge Technologies is taking its products on the road with the induction of its first US ACPV Revolution Roadshow. The event will offer free NABCEP-accredited ACPV technology training, viewing of AC module installation processes and hands-on experience for installers. Read more

Bisol to install 2MW solar plant in Kazakhstan

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

Bisol Group advised that, along with investor Samruk-Energo, it will construct a 2MW turnkey solar plant in Kazakhstan. The ground-mounted PV system will be built in the city of Kapchagay in the Almaty Province. Once completed, it will be operated and owned by Samruk-Green Energy. Read more

Monarch Power to provide CSP technology to Maasai tribe in Tanzania

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 16:32 (Solarserver)

On October 9th, 2012, Monarch Power (Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.) announced that it will deliver its concentrating solar power (CSP) technology to a Maasai tribe in Tanzania to provide renewable energy and life sustaining applications. Monarch Power will provide its new technology, Lotus Aqua, to the tribe through the company's charitable arm MPower Foundation. The shipment will be made next summer. Read more

Abengoa Solar leads Spanish company ranking of international patent applicants

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 16:28 (Solarserver)

On October 10th, 2012, Abengoa Solar (Seville, Spain) announced that it has been recognized as one of the leading intellectual property companies for new solar technologies. Abengoa Solar is the number one Spanish company in the ranking of international patent applicants, issued by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (SPTO) for 2011, and third among all institutions, after the Spanish Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the University of Seville. Read more

Solyndra Sues Suntech Over Claims of Solar Antitrust Conspiracy

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 16:06 (Renewable Energy World)

Solyndra LLC, the bankrupt solar- panel maker that received a $535 million U.S. government loan guarantee, accused Suntech Power Holdings Co. and other Chinese companies of destroying it by running an illegal cartel. Read more

Conergy builds roof-integrated solar power system for metal roof manufacturer

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:15 (PV-Tech)

German solar firm Conergy has installed a 544kW roof-integrated solar power system at metal roof and wall cladding manufacturer Alubel?s premises in Bagnalo in Piano, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Read more

Green party: 47MW solar farm is ?Britain?s future?

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:04 (Solarpowerportal)

The newly-elected leader of the Green Party, Natalie Bennett, has told Portsmouth News that ib vogt?s planned 47MW solar park is ?Britain?s future? during a recent site visit. Read more

How Grid Parity (Among Other Fallacies) Almost Killed The Solar Industry...

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 13:44 (Renewable Energy World)

The photovoltaic industry is currently in a state of extreme contraction brought about by overbuilding, which was brought about by the belief that the feed-in tariff incentive model would continue expanding from region to region and which was exacerbated by decades of fighting for profits and incentives in a world that largely considered the PV industry either a science experiment or the lifestyle choice of hippies. The current infighting has made enemies of colleagues. Artificially low prices have encouraged governments to believe that enough progress has been made, and that incentives are no longer required. Read more

SolarWorld will seek additional U.S. trade investigation into imports of Chinese PV modules

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 12:18 (Solarserver)

SolarWorld Industries Americas Inc. (Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.) has stated that if the International Trade Commission (ITC) rules in favor of tariffs on Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) cell exports to the United States, it will immediately seek a separate enforcement action to include PV modules manufactured in China. SolarWorld made this declaration both in a statement following the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) ruling and in an interview with Solar Server. In the Solar Server interview, SolarWorld Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability Ben Santarris referenced both potential action in the U.S. congress and planned future legal action. Read more

Worldwatch report: Global investments in solar reach USD 147 billion in 2011

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 9:39 (Solarserver)

The Worldwatch Institute (Washington D.C., U.S.) has released a new report which finds that solar technologies accounted for the largest single share of global renewable energy investments in 2011 at USD 147 billion. "Continued growth in renewable energy investments" finds that global investments in all forms of renewables grew 17% to USD 257 billion in 2011. The report found 65% of this investment in industrialized nations and growth in distributed generation investments to USD 75.8 billion. Read more

The Pine Beetle Problem: Making Renewable Energy Lemonade from Biomass Lemons

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

At least one University of Washington chemical engineer is working on a thermo-chemical conversion technology that should make renewable energy "lemonade" from a particularly problematic batch of biomass "lemons." Read more

Vestas Cuts U.S. Jobs by 20 Percent Awaiting Tax Credit Decision

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:56 (Renewable Energy World)

Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's biggest maker of wind turbines, has cut about a fifth of its U.S. jobs as it waits for lawmakers to decide whether to extend a tax credit for the industry. Read more

Wind Power Adds Jobs and Increases Wealth in Rural Communities

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The first study to use detailed econometric methods to measure the economic development impacts of wind power installations in a 12-state region between 2000 and 2008 shows a positive net annual increase on county-level personal income and jobs. Read more

ATMI announces plans for new manufacturing facility in South Korea

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

ATMI is expanding its focus in the Asia-Pacific microelectronics market, specifically for its South Korean customers. The company, which is known to work closely with Applied Materials ion implant divisions, is building an 118,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the JangAn, Gyeonggi province. Read more

British Gas turns up the heat on domestic energy bills

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 17:52 (Solarpowerportal)

British Gas, the UK?s largest energy supplier has confirmed that it will be rising its domestic gas and electricity prices by an average of 6 percent as of November 16. The price rise will translate to an £80 hike for the average dual fuel user. Read more

SunPower acquires 42% stake in Australia-based energy project developer Diamond Energy

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 16:12 (Solarserver)

On October 9th, 2012, SunPower Corp. (San Jose, California, U.S.) announced that it has invested in Diamond Energy Pvt. Ltd. (Melbourne, Australia). Under the terms of an agreement, SunPower acquired about 42% stake in Diamond Energy. The company has an option to increase its ownership percentage over time. Read more

Will Higher Heat Content in Trash Help Waste-to-Energy Stocks?

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently published an article describing an increase in the energy content of municipal solid waste (MSW). The reason for this increase is an increase in the percentage of waste from "non-biogenic" sources (i.e. plastics) as compared to biogenic sources (paper, cardboard, wood, food and yard waste, etc.) Biogenic waste has an average heat content of 11 MMBtu/ton, as compared to 23 MMBtu/ton for non-biogenic waste. Read more

Top Ten U.S. States for Renewable Energy Installed Capacity

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The figures, the most current from the EIA, paint a picture of a grid in transition. Hydroelectric power represents almost 8 percent of the nation's overall capacity and is a mainstay, particular in Northern and Western states. But wind is creeping onto the grid in states like Texas and Iowa and now represents almost 4 percent. Solar is still less than 1 percent of the capacity but it too is gaining steadily. Read more

Sydney to London on Plastic Fuel: Pilot to Power Flight with Household Trash

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Move over Flight of the Bumblebee. Hello Flight of the Butter Tubs. That's what you could call the daring 12,000 mile journey that Australian pilot Jeremy Rowsell is planning for early next year, when he will fly a single engine plane from Sydney to London on fuel that's neither gasoline, kerosene nor any other traditional aircraft propellant. Read more

Debate Continues in Germany over Cost to Ratepayers for Renewable Energy Incentives

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 14:45 (Renewable Energy World)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to cap taxpayer subsidies for renewable energy is aimed at limiting the political fallout among voters from a surge in electricity bills due next week. Read more

German renewable surcharge revealed to rise by 47% in 2013

Friday, 10.12.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

Ahead of the official release from the four leading German high voltage network operators (TSOs) next week, Reuters has released information that the push towards green power could cause the country?s renewable energy surcharge to rocket by almost 47% by next year. The article states that this is a reflection of the increasing amount of electricity from renewable sources, bought from producers at guaranteed prices above market rates. Read more