Global Concentrated Photovoltaic Market Growth and Investments

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) is an upcoming renewable market that promises to provide cost-effective power generation at high levels of efficiency. The performance of a CPV system is dependant on the direct normal irradiance (DNI). Because of this major performance parameter, the number of regions ideal for CPV system installations is limited. According to Prof. Humayun Mughal, the potential market destinations based on DNI for the CPV technology are Southwest US, Mexico, Chile, Southern Peru, Southwest Bolivia, Northwest Argentina, and Mediterranean countries, Australia, North Africa, Middle East, Western India and Western China. Read more

Bondholders of Q-Cells to take 95% ownership of the company

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 14:38 (PV-Tech)

A debt-to-equity swap deal between Q-Cells and its bondholders has in principal been agreed that would result in the company being majority owned (95%) by the bondholders. In return, Q-Cells would be virtually debt-free and retain the ?304 million of liquidity the company had at the end of 2011 to continue to restructure and continue operations. Q-Cells will also sell further non-core assets that could raise ?200 million, which would be given-back to the 2012, 2014 and 2015 bondholders on an equal basis. Read more

Fluor Corporation to build 125 MW Arizona PV plant

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 12:30 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012 Fluor Corporation (Irving, Texas) announced that it has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by an LS Power Group (New York, New York, U.S.) company for the construction of a 125 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the U.S. state of Arizona. LS Power has closed project financing and obtained all major permits for the Arlington Valley Solar Energy II (AVSE II) project, as well as securing a power purchase agreement to sell the electricity generated. Flour expects to commission the plant by the end of 2013. Read more

Europe's 2011-2012 PV Installs: Two Tales of Growth

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 21:55 (Renewable Energy World)

Two reports out in the past week examine Europe's solar PV market in 2011, indicating slowing growth in the flagship countries and promise in some smaller regions for 2012 and beyond. Note that the data that follows is preliminary; final 2011 numbers won't be known until later in the first quarter, including some likely revisions thanks to a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter in several key regions (more on that below). Read more

Top ten fasting-growing solar cities in California announced by SunRun, PV Solar Report

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 21:00 (PV-Tech)

San Jose, Bakersfield and Simi Valley rounded out the top three fastest-growing solar cities in California based on a report released by SunRun and PV Solar Report as part of the Q4 and year end solar sales and installation reports from PV Solar Report. The top ten California cities all demonstrated that they had added more home solar systems in 2011 than other California cities. Lancaster, Fresno, Corona, Murrieta, Rocklin, Hemet and Apple Valley completed the top ten list. Read more

DuPont, Suntech sign strategic agreement for supply of PV materials, technologies in solar market

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 20:41 (PV-Tech)

DuPont and Suntech Power Holdings announced that they had entered into a strategic agreement with an overall goal of augmenting the supply of PV materials and technologies in the global solar energy market. The companies agreement will specifically focus on technology advancements, supply chain optimization cost reduction initiatives and DuPont?s Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film supply. Read more

SunEdison and PowerOptions launch new solar program to benefit Massachusetts non-profits

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 20:22 (PV-Tech)

Upon the completion of PowerOptions? RFP process, the company advised that SunEdison had been chosen to help the company develop and launch a new solar energy program for non-profit institutions in Massachusetts, including hospitals, universities, municipalities and other members of PowerOptions. The solar program will be similar to the model PowerOptions? debuted for its electricity and natural gas supply programs, which will see the terms and conditions, as well as a pricing formula for each project, already in place. Read more

Solar Trade Dispute: Behind the Jobs Numbers

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 20:11 (Renewable Energy World)

A recent report has generated lots of buzz by finding that as many as 50,000 jobs could be lost over the next three years if a 100 percent tariff is placed on Chinese solar panels. Yet from where I'm sitting, I see a far different number from the same report: The industry could add 15,000 jobs by 2014. Read more

Areva Solar to develop 5MW CSP system for TEP?s Tucson generating station

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 20:08 (PV-Tech)

Areva Solar advised that it has partnered with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to build a CDP addition to the utility?s H. Wilson Sundt generating station in Tucson, Arizona. The Sundt Solar Boost Project will use Areva?s Solar Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar steam generators to produce 5MW of energy during peak demand periods. Read more

Danfoss Solar inverters to be distributed in Turkey through MimtaSolar

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 19:56 (PV-Tech)

Danfoss Solar Inverters and MimtaSolar have entered an agreement, which will see MimtaSolar distribute Danfoss?s TLX and ULX inverter series throughout Turkey. The company will offer its single phase products in the 1.8kW to 5.4kW range and three phase products in the 6kW to 15kW range. The Danfoss inverter line is slated to be integrated into Mimta?s turnkey PV systems. Read more

TEP chooses AREVA technology for concentrating solar power boost to coal-fired power plant

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 15:32 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012 AREVA Solar Inc. (Mountain View, California, U.S.) announced that it has been selected by Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.) to supply a 5 MW linear fresnel concentrating solar power (CSP) addition to the H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station in the U.S. state of Arizona. AREVA expects to begin construction on the Sundt Solar Boost in spring 2012, with commissioning planned for early 2013. TEP states that the project is part of its plan to expand its solar capacity, and will also be used to evaluate the potential for integrating CSP at other fossil-fuel fired power plants. Read more

SEIA, LSA comment on U.S. federal plans for solar siting on public lands

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 14:48 (Solarserver)

On January 27th, 2012 the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA, Washington D.C., U.S.) and the Large-scale Solar Association (LSA) submitted comments on a key U.S. federal government planning document for the development of solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants on public lands in the Southwest United States. The organizations called for the flexibility to develop solar power plants outside of approved Solar Energy Zones, near-term identification of new zones suitable for project development, and coordination of transmission in areas where solar development is occurring. Read more

CNPV customers qualify for 10% premium on Italian solar FITs; PV producer receives ISO CD14067 certification for mono, polycrystalline modules

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 14:41 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012, CNPV Solar Power SA (Dongying City, Shandong Province, China), an integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products, announced an external confirmation of significant European content within its polycrystalline modules, qualifying for an additional 10% premium on Italian feed in tariffs. The raw material and component testing was completed by the Institute of Industrial Certification for Mechanics (ICIM). Read more

PEPCO buys UMD's award winning solar decathlon home for public display

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 14:29 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012, the University of Maryland announced that Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings Inc. (Washington, D.C.), has purchased international-prize-winning solar house "WaterShed", built by UMD students, faculty and professional partners. The high-tech building will be located it at one of Pepco's facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland. Read more

SolarWorld's solar-powered car begins first leg of round-the-world journey

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 14:13 (Solarserver)

On January 27th, 2012, SolarWorld USA (Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.), a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany), announced that a solar-powered car sponsored by the company has begun the U.S. leg of its 21,000-mile quest to circle the globe. The SolarWorld Gran Turismo (GT) is a collaboration between SolarWorld and Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Read more

Israel is granted 19 new solar licenses, taking the total to 515.5MW

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 13:56 (PV-Tech)

Israel?s energy and water minister, Uzi Landau, has signed a further 19 licenses for 27MW of solar photovoltaic projects, bringing the total number of conditional solar licenses granted for the country?s electricity grid to 515.5MW. Read more

SunPower completes Tenesol acquisition; deploys over 2,500MW of solar worldwide

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 13:07 (PV-Tech)

SunPower has now completed the acquisition of BIPV specialist Tenesol from Total, paying out US$165.4 million in cash. Ownership of Total in SunPower will increase to 66% as part of the transaction as Total purchases 18.6 million shares of SunPower common stock in a private placement at US$8.80 per share. Read more

Thames Water completes 3.7MW of projects in the nick of time

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 12:24 (Solarpowerportal)

Thames Water has announced that all 3.7MW of its solar projects have been signed off by Ofgem at the 30.7p/kWh pre-cut feed-in tariff rates. By completing the installations before the 12.9p rate kicked in, the company will generate a potential income difference of millions of pounds over the lifespan of the feed-in tariff scheme. Read more

PwC: Solar M&A activity booms in 2011, will continue in 2012

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 12:23 (Solarserver)

On January 29th, 2012 Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (PwC, London, U.K.) announced that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the solar industry increased 56% to USD 15.8 billion in 2011, as part of a record USD 53.5 billion in renewable energy M&A activity during the year. The company cites changing attitudes towards nuclear power as a factor in the growth of activity in the renewable energy sector, in an annual analysis of M&A activity. PwC further states that it expects significant deals in 2012 despite both industry and economic uncertainty, leading to more consolidated renewable energy industries. Read more

Advanced Energy solar business revenues grow in 4Q 2011 on utility-scale PV inverter sales

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 12:17 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2012 Advanced Energy Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.) released its fourth quarter 2011 financial results, reporting a 12% quarter-to-quarter increase in Solar Energy Business Unit revenues to USD 58.1 million. The company notes that its strongest growth continues to be in the utility-scale market, citing the sale of its Solaron inverters for large solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. Overall, Advanced Energy reported a 12% decrease in revenues to USD 112 million in fourth quarter of 2011, as well as a net loss of USD 2.6 million, partially due to costs from its restructuring efforts. The company also released its guidance for the first quarter of 2012, predicting Read more

A Low-cost, Low-risk Path to Meeting U.S. Biofuels Targets

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 15:47 (Renewable Energy World)

Nine years from now, in early 2022, the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard will have reached its intended target, 36 billion gallons of biofuel blended into the U.S. domestic auto and truck fuel supply. Read more

MidAmerican Renewables completes acquisition of 550MW PV plant in California

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 16:38 (PV-Tech)

Following the establishment of MidAmerican Renewables in mid-January, it has been announced former Phoenix Solar CEO Paul Caudill has assisted with the acquisition of the Topaz solar farm from First Solar. The 550MW PV power plant is being built in San Luis Obispo County, California and will have the capacity to generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 160,000 average California homes. Read more

Latin America Report: Energy Summit Headed to Rio

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 18:05 (Renewable Energy World)

Twenty years ago, international leaders descended on Brazil to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Kyoto Protocol. This summer, a 20-member United Nations panel will once again head to Rio de Janeiro with an even more ambitious agenda. Read more

China Set to Vigorously Develop Green Economy

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 17:51 (Renewable Energy World)

Due to growing urbanization and resulting environmental threats, China has invested nearly US$50 billion annually into its renewable energy sector since 2009. China's five-year investment in environmental protection is on track to reach 3.1 trillion yuan (US$454 billion). By 2015, its environmental protection industry is expected to top 2 trillion yuan (US$317 billion). Read more

New building regulations could boost Green Deal support

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 17:47 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has launched a set of proposals on changes to the Building Regulations regime, which could boost the uptake of Green Deal measures. Under the new requirements, building owners carrying out extensions or conversions could be forced to add energy efficiency improvements worth 10 percent of the value of the improvements. Read more

Constellation Energy completes 4.29MW Arizona Buckeye Union High School District project

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 17:11 (PV-Tech)

Constellation Energy has announced the completion of an aggregate 4.29MW solar generation installation at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Arizona, US. Constellation Energy will own and maintain the solar systems. In return, the school district will purchase and receive all of the electricity generated by the solar panels at a fixed rate from Constellation Energy under a 25-year solar services agreement. Read more

Worcester Bosch warns of rogue Green Deal assessors

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 17:04 (Solarpowerportal)

In its Green Deal consultation submission, sent to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) before the January 18 deadline, Worcester Bosch warned Government that commission-based assessors might be tempted to inaccurately sell Green Deal finance packages. Read more

Dissent continues in Spain against energy moratorium

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 13:50 (PV-Tech)

The abyss of debt Spain is currently tumbling into has come to the attention of the European Commission. Following the government?s decision to halt renewable energy subsidies due to an overwhelming debt owed to the industry, the European Commission feels that such a seemingly rash judgment could have a devastating impact on investment opportunities and therefore contrary to what the government wants to achieve. Read more

REC to receive USD 37.5 million following termination of wafer contract

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 12:11 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012 Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC, Sandvika, Norway) announced that an unidentified customer has terminated a long-term wafer contract with the company. As compensation, the company will pay REC USD 37.5 million in cash during the first quarter of 2012. This is the latest wafer contract that has been canceled, following a similar announcement on January 13th, 2012, through which REC will receive USD 55.4 million in compensation from an undisclosed customer. Read more

Who will host? Green Investment Bank competition heats up

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 11:25 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has confirmed that Business Secretary Vince Cable will this month reveal the location of Government’s much-anticipated Green Investment Bank (GIB) later this month. Since plans for the £3 billion bank were announced, 32 towns and cities including Edinburgh, Manchester, London and Liverpool have been in the running to host its headquarters. Read more

REAL seeks to clarify current FiT rates

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 10:39 (Solarpowerportal)

One week ago today, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) lost its appeal against the High Court ruling in December that its proposals to change the feed-in tariff rates for solar PV were “unlawful.” However, since then, Government has decided to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court and they have 28 days from... Read more

Co-operative coalition commits to green community energy

Wednesday, 2.1.2012 - 7:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Stepping up the UK’s commitment to community-owned renewable energy, a partnership of civil society leaders will today meet with Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to instigate the ‘vision for community energy.' Read more