CASE Companies Rail Against China "Trade War"

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 21:22 (Renewable Energy World)

Members of the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) railed against the impending "trade war," arguing that the steep price drop in imported Chinese photovoltaic modules was good for "98 percent" of U.S. solar industry jobs. "We are growing U.S. solar jobs and this trade case will undermine all the advances we have made in the U.S. solar industry," said one CASE member. Read more

U.S. Interior Department approves transmission projects

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 19:46 (Solarserver)

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has approved two transmission projects, including the transmission line for First Solar Inc.'s (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) Campo Verde solar photovoltaic (PV) project, which will cross public lands in California's Imperial Valley. In addition to this project, the DOI has approved construction of the portion of the 235 km Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line in the U.S. states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey that crosses federal lands. Read more

Sumitomo invests in 550-MW Desert Sunlight PV project in California

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 19:33 (Solarserver)

On October 2nd, 2012, Sumitomo Corp. of America (New York, U.S.), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp. (Tokyo, Japan), announced investments in the 550-megawatt (MW) Desert Sunlight solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant being constructed in Riverside County, California. The investment, which is Sumitomo's first in U.S. solar projects, will expand the company's renewable energy portfolio, which already includes over 1,800 MW in projects across the United States. Read more

SMA to supply inverters for Japan's largest PV plant

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 16:21 (Solarserver)

SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Germany) has been chosen by a development consortium as the sole supplier of inverters for the 70 MW Kagoshima solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Southern Japan. The company will supply 140 Sunny Central 500CP-JP inverters, which have been customized for the requirements of Japanese markets. SMA has begun shipping the inverters, and will also deliver 1,260 Sunny String Monitors. Read more

SPUK: Samil power showcases Dual MPPT string invers and smart mounting systems

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 15:48 (Solarpowerportal)

Samil Power has brought its SolarRiver, SolarLake and SolarOceanseries inverters to Solar Power UK in Birmingham this week. The company is also displaying its Dual MPPT string inverters and smart mounting systems. Read more

SPUK: JA Solar partners with Zenex Solar show off Cypress Solar Cells

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 12:46 (Solarpowerportal)

JA Solar has partnered with UK distributor Zenex Solar at Solar Power UK, being held this week in Birmingham, to showcase its new Cypress Solar Cells. Read more

U.K. DECC backs off of removing mid-sized PV from the Renewables Obligation

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 11:33 (Solarserver)

The U.K. government has withdrawn a proposal to remove solar photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy plants between 50 kW and 5 MW from the Renewables Obligation (RO). The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) had proposed eliminating support for this class of renewables in July 2012, as part of its banding review, but states that now is not the time to make further changes to renewable energy incentives. This move was welcomed by the nation's Solar Trade Association (STA, Milton Keynes, U.K.). Read more

France to issue new RFP for large-scale PV, selectively increase PV FiT rates

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 8:34 (Solarserver)

The government of France has announced that it will increase feed-in tariff (FiT) rates for non-residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installations with a generation capacity of 100 kW and smaller, as well as launching a new request for proposals (RFP) for PV plants larger than 250 kW by the end of 2012. France's Ministry of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development says that the new RFP for PV plants larger than 250 kW will focus on large rooftop installations to avoid overuse of agricultural lands. The government plans to continue issuing quarterly tenders for PV plants 100 kW to 250 kW in size. Read more

Spanish PV project developer 3S Soluciones declares bankruptcy

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 8:22 (Solarserver)

According to the official register in the state of Navarre, Spain, 3S Solutions & Energy Services SL (Spain), a provider of turnkey solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, has filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy notice mentions a resolution agreeing to the intervention or suspension of administration activities and disposition of the court. Judge Silvia Oldrini will rule over bankruptcy proceedings in the district of Pamplona. Read more

Florida Power & Light opens 2013 solar rebate program

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 19:40 (Solarserver)

On October 2nd, 2012, Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL, Juno Beach, Florida, U.S.) announced that it is seeking applications from residential and business customers for solar rebates. Under its solar rebate program, FPL offers rebates for residential and business customers who install solar water heating or solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as part of a pilot program approved by the Florida Public Service Commission to help reduce energy consumption and peak demand. Read more

Poll: Strong support for solar among voters in the U.S.

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 19:21 (Solarserver)

Independent polling ?rm Hart Research Associates (Washington, D.C.) has conducted a national survey examining American attitudes towards solar energy. The results showed for the ?fth consecutive year that Americans maintain a very favorable view of solar and government e?orts to encourage the industry's growth. Read more

The Question Day 3: What is the Most Difficult Issue Facing the Solar Industry?

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 18:15 (Renewable Energy World)

It's been a year of both continued expansion and mounting challenges for the global solar industry. RenewableEnergyWorld asked solar industry executives to share their thoughts and insights on one burning question: Read more

SolarWorld Says Unfair China Policies Rate Import Penalties

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 17:05 (Renewable Energy World)

U.S. solar-energy manufacturers led by SolarWorld AG said they were forced to close plants and lay off workers because of unfair Chinese government policies, as they tried to persuade regulators that the U.S. should continue to impose penalties on imports from the Asian nation. Read more

SPUK: Energeno introduces Opti-Range of products

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 16:57 (Solarpowerportal)

Energeno, a developer and supplier of energy monitoring systems including the Wattson Solar Plus energy monitor, has launched its new Opti-Range of products at Solar Power UK 2012 which is being held this week in Birmingham at the NEC. Read more

SPUK: SunPower signs up Sungift Solar to two partnership programmes

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 16:28 (Solarpowerportal)

SunPower Corporation has signed up Sungift Solar to two of its partnership programmes at Solar Power UK 2012, a trade show being held in Birmingham at the NEC this week. Read more

SPUK: Romag eyes BIPV-led growth in the UK

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 16:10 (Solarpowerportal)

Romag, like the majority of the UK solar market, has had an interesting year. The speed and severity of the feed-in tariff cuts has seen the domestic market stutter and caught the company somewhat off-guard. However, despite market externalities Romag has had a successful year, from iconic installations to innovative technological developments. Read more

SPUK: Di-Log launches MPrime modules at Solar Power UK

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 12:46 (Solarpowerportal)

Di-Log Group launched MPrime photovoltaic modules and other components at Solar Power UK in Birmingham this week. The companies state that the modules, kits (plug and play solutions) and other PV components are adaptable, easy to install and maintain. Read more

SPUK: SolarMax demonstrates new P series

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 12:37 (Solarpowerportal)

Sputnik Engineering is showcasing its new SolarMax P series of inverters for solar plants up to 6kWp at Solar Power UK in Birmingham. The Swiss company?s P-series offers efficiencies of up to 98 percent and SolarMax believes that its solution offers maximum reliability, comfort and flexibility for all small-scale solar arrays in the UK market. Read more

XsunX to complete CIGSolar deposition system by end of October 2012

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 11:25 (Solarserver)

XsunX Inc. (Aliso Viejo, California, U.S.) has announced that it will complete its novel copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) deposition system in its new facility in Irvine, California by the end of October 2012. The company states that it has implemented a fast-track schedule to expedite technology demonstration and marketing efforts. XsunX credits the receipt of equity financing through Ironridge Energy Co. (Los Angeles, California, U.S.) with its ability to focus on assembling and configuring a demonstration of its CIGSolar thin film PV cell evaporation system. Read more

California Governor Brown signs multiple bills to advance solar policies

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 8:27 (Solarserver)

California Governor "Jerry" Brown has recently approved a number of bills to support the adoption of more solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and other sources of renewable energy, including a bill to require the state's large private utilities to implement feed-in tariff programs by July 1st, 2013. The other bills include limiting residential permitting fees for PV, expanding eligibility for the state's net metering law to sites with multiple meters, and directing the state to coordinate implementation energy security policies with the U.S. military. SB 1332, SB 1222, SB 594 and SB 1409 were all signed on September 27th, 2012. Read more

Geothermal Solutions: How Hot Rock Helped Keep the Peppermill Afloat

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 14:55 (Renewable Energy World)

The Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada boasts more than 2,200 hotel rooms and suites, convention space, a spa, two pools, more than 25 restaurants and lounges, a fitness center, and more ? in all, more than 2 million sq. ft. of operations. But the most interesting aspect of the resort, at least to its guests this week, may be that everywhere they walk or swim is heated by geothermal energy. This makes the Peppermill the perfect spot for this year's GRC Annual Meeting and Geothermal Energy Expo. Read more

Renewable Energy Gets Brief Mention During 2012 Presidential Debate

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 22:25 (Renewable Energy World)

Wednesday night was a dry one for those playing renewable energy-themed drinking games during the first debate between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. In the course of the entire 90-minute debate, which focused specifically on domestic issues with the economy and health care taking front and center, not a single mention was made of global warming or climate change by either candidate. Read more

Power Engineering and RenewableEnergyWorld.com Name Projects of the Year Awards Finalists

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 19:53 (Renewable Energy World)

The editors of Power Engineering magazine, RenewableEnergyWorld.com and PennWell Corp. have announced 15 finalists for the annual Projects of the Year Awards program. Read more

German Coal-Fired Generation of Electricity Falls While Renewable Generation Rises

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 18:10 (Renewable Energy World)

German use of coal to generate electricity has declined steadily from 1990 to 2011, according to readily available statistics on the German electricity system. The percentage of coal-fired electricity in German electricity generation has fallen from 56.7% in 1990 to 43.5% last year ? a decrease of more than 10% despite a increase in total electricity generation during the same period of about 10%. At the same time the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix has increased from 3.6% to 19.9%, mostly due to the rapid development of wind energy and biomass. Read more

SPUK: Rexel debuts ?Measure My Energy? monitoring portal

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 17:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Electrical distributor, Rexel, is debuting a brand new energy monitoring solution at Solar Power UK in the NEC, Birmingham. Nick Smith, Rexel UK?s Development Director and Alan Hector, Rexel UK?s Business Development Manager were on hand to talk me through the new ?Measure My Energy? service the company will be offering over the coming months. Read more

Altairnano to supply energy storage system for San Fermin PV plant in Puerto Rico

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 16:18 (Solarserver)

Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Reno, Nevada, U.S.) has been chosen by Uriel Renewables (Mequon, Wisconsin, U.S.) and Coqui Power LLC to supply a battery-based energy storage system for the 26 MW San Fermin solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the island territory of Puerto Rico. Altairnano will provide its 2 MW ALTI-ESS Advantage system, which will provide frequency regulation and ramp-rate control to satisfy the technical requirements of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The company plans to deliver, install and commission the system by the end of 2012. Read more

GCL-Poly successfully produces silane gas in China

Thursday, 10.4.2012 - 11:51 (Solarserver)

A subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong, China) has successfully produced high-purity silane gas in a trial run of its first phase polysilicon silane system. The company states that the commissioning of this system marks both an achievement in silane manufacturing and the technology of the fluidized bed reactor (FBR) method. Read more