China Government Comes to Suntech's Rescue

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 19:24 (Renewable Energy World)

New reports of a government-sponsored rescue package being assembled for for fast-sinking Suntech (NYSE: STP) and other major solar firms highlight everything that's wrong with China's struggling solar sector, most notably exposing the ridiculous levels of state report it receives. At this point the Chinese seem to no longer care about denying the Read more

Suntech taps UBS to find solution for convertible notes repayment

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 18:17 (PV-Tech)

Lumbered with debt and looming repayments on convertible notes, valued at around US$540 million and due in March 2013, Suntech Power Holdings has employed UBS Investment Bank to find alternative ways to avoid defaulting on the buyback. Read more

Italian PV generation rises to 18.7%

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 18:12 (PV-Tech)

Contrary to concerns over Italian cuts to the FiT, grid operator Terna has released figures showing an 18.7% rise in PV generation in Italy, even though the country experienced a 9.6% decline in energy demand compared to September last year. In September, Italy generated 1,666GWh of PV in contrast with 1,403GWh in 2011. Read more

Suntech supplies 39 MW of modules to EDP Renovaveis, reveals new strategy

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 16:05 (Solarserver)

Suntech Power Holding Company Ltd. (Wuxi, China) has signed a contract to supply 39 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to EDP Renovaveis SA (Oveido, Spain) for PV projects in Romania. EDP plans to commission these four projects between late 2012 and early 2013. The company has also announced a new strategy with the goal of solidifying its market leadership, including "right-sizing" production capacity, reducing production costs and improving its financial position. Read more

Ikea completes 34th U.S. PV plant

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 15:49 (Solarserver)

Ikea (Leiden, The Netherlands), has completed its 34th solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in United States on the roof of its distribution center in Savannah, Georgia. At 1.4 MW, the installation is the state's largest private rooftop PV plant. Ikea now has PV plants at over 75% of its U.S. locations, and upon completion of five more PV plants under development will have 38 MW installed at 89% of its U.S. locations. Read more

Conergy, MGD Energy started construction on two of six planned PV plants in Greece

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 12:10 (Solarserver)

Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany) announced, that it has begun with the construction of two 500 kW solar parks in Greece. The plants with over 4,000 Conergy PowerPlus modules from the company?s factory in Frankfurt (Germany) are located in Ampelonas (Larissa region) and in the town of Philou (prefecture Karditsa) in central Greece. Conergy and long-term Partner MGD Energy (Athens, Greece) are planning further joint projects to follow in autumn 2012. In total, six solar PV power plants are planned with a capacity of 3 MW. Read more

SolarCity Announces Expansion in New York, Files for $200 Million IPO

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 21:41 (Renewable Energy World)

Just days after announcing the launch of major expansions in New York state, the San Mateo-based solar company SolarCity has filed for an IPO in excess of $200 million. Having already received more than $1.5 billion in funding from a variety of high profile companies including Google, PG&E, and U.S. Bancorp, SolarCity is betting on the success of its business model to appeal to stock investors eager to snatch up a slice of the potentially lucrative solar pie. Read more

Indian Energy and Resources Institute launches cross-border solar lighting campaign in Pakistan

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 20:59 (Solarserver)

On October 5th, 2012, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI, New Delhi, India) announced it will launch the "Lighting a Million Lives" (LaML) campaign in Pakistan from October 12th, 2012, through October 13th, 2012. Through the campaign, TERI intends to facilitate the access and use of solar lighting devices among Pakistan's rural communities. Read more

Upsolar, Tigo Energy partner on smart solar PV modules

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 20:55 (Solarserver)

Upsolar America Inc. (San Francisco, California, U.S.) announced that the company offers smart solar PV modules optimized by Tigo Energy, Inc. (Los Gatos, California, U.S.) in the United States. The PV panels with a Tigo Maximizer embedded in the module junction box will reduce cost and installation time, while remaining field serviceable. Upsolar offers the smart modules in two versions with 240 MWp or 290 MWp respectively. Read more

The Question Day 6: What is the Most Difficult Issue Facing the Solar Industry?

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 20:27 (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

Aditya Birla invests US$1.14 billion in Indian solar

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 19:10 (PV-Tech)

On the anniversary of Electrotherm?s abandonment of a 100MW project in India, the company has announced a cash injection from US$40 billion retail-to-telecom conglomerate, Aditya Birla Group. With the Indian government pushing hard to reach its 20GW of solar power target by 2022, the Aditya Birla Group plans to invest Rs. 6,000 crore (US$1.14 billion) and develop a capacity of 100MW over the next 18 months. The group has so far invested approximately Rs. 200 crore for 20MW of capacity, reports The Economic Times. Read more

Solar Venture Funding Falls to Lowest Since '08, Mercom Says

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 18:23 (Renewable Energy World)

Venture-capital funding for the solar-power industry fell 81 percent to $72 million in the third quarter, the lowest since 2008, according to a report by Mercom Capital Group LLC. Read more

Segen agrees new solar thermal partnership

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 16:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Segen, one of the UK?s largest solar distributors has announced a partnership with Dimplex Renewables to supply the Southampton-based company?s range of solar thermal products. Read more

Average Size of Solar in the United States: Small

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

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Canadian Drake Landing community sets world record for solar heating

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

On October 5th, 2012, the Honourable Ted Menzies, Canadian Minister of State (Finance), on behalf of the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, celebrated Drake Landing Solar Community's (DLSC, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada) new world record of covering 97% of its space heating needs through solar thermal energy. This project is coordinated by the Government of Canada. Read more

Chile creates online platform for solar potential assessment

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

At the opening ceremony of a 1.4MW solar power plant in La Huayca in Chile?s Atacama Desert on October 3, Chile?s Ministry of Energy Jorge Bunster announced the creation of Explorador Solar, a public information platform which will be used to assess and evaluate the solar potential in the country. Read more

The End of Abound Solar: What Have We Learned?

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 13:57 (Renewable Energy World)

The sad news on July 2nd 2012 was that 125 employees were being laid off at the Abound Solar factories in Colorado. Abound listed assets at $100 million and liabilities of $500 million in the bankruptcy filing. The final auction of the equipment assets was performed this past week. Read more

9REN surpasses 100MW milestone

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

Italy-based solar energy firm 9REN Group has recently connected three new PV projects in Italy, helping the company to surpass its 100MW milestone. 9REN now has 105MW of directly owned PV plants, of which 89MW are in Italy and 16MW in Spain. Read more

Solar Energy Fee Fuels Debate in Louisiana

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 13:10 (Renewable Energy World)

The road to "America's Energy Independence" ? which both Democratic and GOP candidates have spoken about in this election year's presidential campaigns ? is, much like Louisiana roads, destined to have a few bumps in it. Read more

News Vorlage (copy 2)

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 12:20 (Solarserver)

On October 5th, 2012, the Honourable Ted Menzies, Canadian Minister of State (Finance), on behalf of the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, celebrated Drake Landing Solar Community's (DLSC, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada) new world record of covering 97% of its space heating needs through solar thermal energy. This project is coordinated by the Government of Canada. Read more

First Solar supplies PV modules to Kiran Energy, Mahindra Solar One for 50MW plants in Rajasthan, India

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 10:03 (Solarserver)

First Solar, Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.), Kiran Energy Solar Power Pvt. Ltd. and Mahindra Solar One Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai, India) have completed an agreement for the supply of First Solar?s thin-film solar modules for two solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants totaling 50 megawatts (MW) to be constructed in India?s Rajasthan state. The two adjacent PV projects, which together will be one of India?s largest PV installations upon completion, are part of the second batch of utility-scale solar projects concluded under India?s Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (NSM). Read more

Gamesa to focus more on solar PV, unveils central inverter for U.S. market

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 9:59 (Solarserver)

Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica (Zamudio, Vizcaya, Spain), a global developer and manufacturer of wind turbines, on October 4th, 2012 announced that it is poised for further technological and industrial diversification in solar photovoltaics. Its 1 MW PLUS central inverter, a water-cooled device for utility-scale PV plants, will be launched in the first quarter of 2013. The company reportedly capitalises on its technological and industrial success of recent years and the experience of its subsidiary, Gamesa Electric, in the electric equipment design and manufacturing business. Read more

imec joins European thin-film PV project "Solar Flare Interreg"

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 9:55 (Solarserver)

imec (Leuven, Belgium) and its partners in the Solliance initiative announce that they have launched the "Solar Flare Interreg" Project, together with the Institute of Materials Research of the University of Hasselt (IMO). Solar Flare is co-funded by the European Union and the regional governments and supports regional projects in the Eindhoven-Leuven region that focus on the development of thin-film solar photovoltaics (PV) with higher efficiency and lower cost. Read more

Greenwood Energy, Greek Biosar Energy to develop and operate PV plants in North America

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 20:32 (Solarserver)

On October 4th, 2012, Greenwood Energy (Green Bay, Wisconsin), the North American renewable energy division of the Libra Group, announced a new joint venture with Biosar Energy S.A. (Kifisia, Greece), a developer of medium and large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout Europe. Greenwood Biosar will complement Greenwood?s existing operations and client base while increasing Biosar?s presence in North America. Read more

Connecticut governor unveils energy strategy including increase in Renewable Portfolio Standards

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 20:27 (Solarserver)

On October 5th, 2012, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy has unveiled a draft comprehensive energy strategy that will create jobs, give residents and businesses more choice about the fuels they use for heat and power, lower energy costs and better protect the environment and natural resources. Read more

Guinness Asset Management launches renewable energy EIS scheme

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 18:01 (Solarpowerportal)

Guinness Asset Management has announced the launch of Guinness EIS 4, a discretionary managed service set up to invest in UK sustainable energy companies. The company is specifically targeting British sustainable energy companies with predictable revenues, low technology risk and low correlation with other asset classes. Read more

France adds 10% ?Made in Europe? bonus to FiT

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 17:15 (PV-Tech)

In a surprising turnaround, France?s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy is proposing a 10% bonus for commercial facilities with panels made in Europe. Almost one month ago, the Ministry suggested cutting FiTs based on a report by the Ministry of Productive Recovery. The government is also calling for tenders for large rooftop installations (over 250kW) to be launched later this year in order to promote innovative technologies and local economic development. The annual decline rates will be capped at 20%, states the government. Read more

Greenwood Energy and Biosar Energy set up JV

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 16:52 (PV-Tech)

Greenwood Energy, the North American renewable energy division of Libra Group, and Biosar Energy, the solar division of Ellaktor Group, have set up a joint venture company called Greenwood Biosar. Read more

?A world you like. With a climate you like? campaign launched by Ed Davey

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 16:34 (Solarpowerportal)

The European Union has launched a new environmental campaign to help start a European-wide discussion on what can be done to achieve a climate-friendly future Read more

Blackstone Investing in $3 Billion of Africa Power Projects

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 16:34 (Renewable Energy World)

Blackstone Group LP, the world's biggest buyout firm, plans to start investing in energy projects in Africa worth $3 billion amid increasing demand for power on the continent. Read more

Renewable Energy Investment Falls 20 Percent as Wind Financings Decline

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 14:48 (Renewable Energy World)

Investment in renewable energy fell 20 percent from a year ago in the third quarter as wind farm financings dropped and the pace of spending eased in the U.S. and India, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said. Read more

Why You Need to Worry About How the Media Covers Climate Change

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 12:37 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy developers and advocates often find themselves talking about climate science. And sometimes they run into skepticism and even hostility on the topic. Understanding where bad information about climate change comes from and why some people reject climate science can help us communicate more effectively about climate change as well as the role renewable energy plays in reducing climate-altering emissions. Read more

Ofgem report: UK to lose large portion of electricity production capacity

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 12:04 (Solarserver)

Analysis by the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem, UK) published on October 5th, 2012, for the Department of Energy and Climate Change forecasts a reduction in electricity generation margins in the UK over the next four years. The report shows that electricity margins, the amount of spare generation capacity on the system, could fall from 14% today to 4% in 2015/16. Coal fired-generation is likely to close earlier than expected under EU environmental legislation, and the risk of a shortfall in electricity is highest in 2015/16. Read more

Scottish Marine Renewable Energy: A New Wave of Development

Tuesday, 10.9.2012 - 11:43 (Renewable Energy World)

At the end of August, the Scottish Government announced that five marine energy developers will benefit from a total of £7.9 million in funding to further develop testing of new wave and tidal prototypes in the seas around Scotland. Read more