Suniva to power 500-kW rooftop PV array in North Carolina

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 20:28 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012, Suniva Inc. (Norcross, Georgia, U.S.), a manufacturer of crystalline silicon solar cells and photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced that it has supplied solar panels for the 500 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar array at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The solar array is projected to reduce Raleigh?s energy use by as much as 725,000 kWh annually. Read more

Leadcom commissions three off-grid PV systems for telecom operator in Chile's Atacama Desert

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 20:18 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012, Leadcom Integrated Solutions (Tel-Aviv, Israel) announced that it has designed and implemented three large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems in Chile's Atacama Desert. The solar projects were developed for one of the world's largest telecom operators. Read more

China Sunergy to provide Austrian Bull PowerTech with 50 MW of PV modules

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 15:34 (Solarserver)

On February 14th, 2012 China Sunergy Company Ltd. (Nanjing, China) announced that it has signed a contract to deliver 50 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to Bull PowerTech GmbH (Lenzing, Austria) for PV projects in Europe. China Sunergy expects to ship all modules by the end of 2012. The company notes that in addition to building utility-scale PV plants, Bull PowerTech works with suppliers to create turn-key solar kits with individually coordinated components. Read more

Inverter Market Update: China Makes Progress on Perceptions of Quality

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Is the German utility business model dead or dying? This outcome would at least appear credible given the conclusions emerging from the 2nd Inverter and PV System Technology Forum 2012, held recently in Berlin. Read more

Suntech is first Chinese module producer to qualify as ?TOP BRAND PV? says EuPD Research

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:33 (PV-Tech)

EuPD Research has given Suntech Power Holdings its ?TOP BRAND PV? label after an independent survey of installers and end-customers, making it the first Chinese module manufacturer to be given the title. The first company to receive the label was Dutch company, Scheuten Solar in June 2011. Since then, two Japanese firms, Sanyo Solar (Panasonic) and Sharp Corporation have joined the list, while Q-Cells is currently the only German-based manufacturer to have been accredited. Read more

Suntech first Chinese module producer to qualify as ?TOP BRAND PV? says EuPD Research

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:33 (PV-Tech)

EuPD Research has given Suntech Power Holding?s its ?TOP BRAND PV? label after an independent survey of installers and end-customers, making it the first Chinese module manufacturer to be given the title. The first company to receive the label was Dutch company, Scheuten Solar in June 2011. Since then, two Japanese firms, Sanyo Solar (Panasonic) and Sharp Corporation have joined the list, while Q-Cells is currently the only German-based manufacturer to have been accredited. Read more

Konarka passes accelerated lifetime testing protocol via TÜV Rheinland

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:19 (PV-Tech)

Organic PV thin films may hold a significant promise of low cost electricity generation but longevity has been a key weakness of the technology. However, Konarka Technologies has become the first OPV manufacturer to become certified in compliance with IEC 61646, an accelerated lifetime testing protocol by TÜV Rheinland. Read more

Konarka passes accelerated lifetime testing protocol via TUV Rheinland

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:19 (PV-Tech)

Organic PV thin films may hold a significant promise of low cost electricity generation but longevity has been a key weakness of the technology. However, Konarka Technologies has become the first OPV manufacturer to become certified in compliance with IEC 61646, an accelerated lifetime testing protocol by TUV Rheinland. Read more

China Sunergy signs 50MW contract with Bull PowerTech

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:05 (PV-Tech)

China Sunergy has been selected by Bull PowerTech to provide 50MW of solar modules for projects in Europe. The shipment is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2012, although exact details are yet to be disclosed. Read more

Moser Baer to complete 100 MW of PV plants by April 2012

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:43 (Solarserver)

Moser Baer Solar Systems (New Delhi, India) announced that it plans to commission 100 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in three Indian states during the current financial quarter, in a statement accompany parent company Moser Baer India Ltd.'s (New Delhi, India) quarterly financial results. The company commissioned a 5 MW PV plant in Jodhpur, Rajasthan during the third quarter of its fiscal year 2012, which ended on December 31st, 2011, as well as providing project integration services for third-party projects. In the statement, Moser Baer also provided updates on its PV cell and module manufacturing progress. Read more

Smart grid project set to receive six grid battery systems

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:36 (Solarpowerportal)

A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced batteries and systems, is set to supply six Grid Battery Systems (GBSs) to Northern Powergrid, an electricity distribution network operator that delivers power to more than 3.8 million customers in the U.K. Read more

GreenVolts commissions 496-kW PV system in California

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:23 (Solarserver)

On February 8th, 2012, GreenVolts Inc. (Fremont, California, U.S.) announced that it has commissioned a 496 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the McKinley Children Center in San Dimas, California. The solar energy system will offset up to 100% of the campus? annual electricity use. Read more

Trina Solar?s multicrystalline solar modules receive ?Made in EU? certification

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 1:35 (PV-Tech)

Trina Solar advised that ICIM, an independent Italian institute, has certified its multicrystalline solar modules, manufactured with European-sourced silicon wafers, as fulfilling GSE requirements and therefore eligible for a 10% FiT premium in Italy. Read more

GeoModel Solar releases detailed solar resources maps for South Africa

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 20:36 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012, GeoModel Solar (Bratislava, Slovakia), a provider of solar resource data, online site assessment tools and expert consultancy, announced that it has released a new set of solar maps for South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. The new maps will support the development of photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) in the countries, GeoModel Solar emphasizes. Read more

Sustainable Energy, Lightway enter sales and marketing agreement for U.S. solar market

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 20:24 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012, Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd. (Calgary, Canada) and Lightway Solar America Inc. (Iselin, New Jersey, U.S.) have entered into a cooperation agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Sustainable Energy PARALEX inverters will be bundled with Lightway's solar panels in a pre-packaged kit that will offer specific benefits to the growing residential/small commercial market of the Northeast U.S. Read more

SunPower Sues SolarCity, Former Employees Over Data Theft

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 20:15 (Renewable Energy World)

Corporate espionage always makes for a tantalizing read, and here is a new script that pits a veteran solar company against an upstart: SunPower is suing five former employees and SolarCity over what it says a misappropriation and use of confidential data. Read more

Borrego Solar secures US$47 million from US Bank and East West Bank

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 18:45 (PV-Tech)

Borrego Solar has again secured funding for US$47 million from US Bank and East West Bank for solar energy projects in California, US. The fund will be used to build 6MW of installations for three school districts and two plants in Massachusetts ? the largest of which is expected to be 4.7MW. The company said these projects are expected to create 400 local jobs and generate enough electricity to power nearly 2,000 homes. Read more

Clearing Up the Record on Solar Energy on Public Lands

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 17:48 (Renewable Energy World)

This week, Los Angeles Times published the first article of a long-awaited series about the impacts of large scale-solar projects on the Mojave Desert. Unfortunately, the first story failed to provide a fully accurate picture of the reality and efforts underway to ensure we have a robust and successful national solar program. As I have d Read more

JinkoSolar expands Australian territory

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 16:08 (PV-Tech)

JikoSolar has revealed details of its new office based in Queensland, Australia. The newly opened office will serve as a sales and delivery centre, housing approximately 4-5MW of modules for the region. Read more

First Solar to reduce hours for 1,200 workers at Frankfurt (Oder) PV factory

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 15:37 (Solarserver)

First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) has applied to a German government program for support of 1,200 workers at its Frankfurt (Oder) solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility whom it plans to move to a part-time work schedule. The company states that the reduction in hours at its German plant is part of a global restriction of production to 2 GW of its 2.5 GW global aggregate capacity in 2012, first announced on a December 14th, 2011 conference call. First Solar has not announced reductions in hours or staffing at other locations at this time. Read more

Forecasting Solar Demand: European Solar in Good Shape, Says Lux Analyst

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Europe's solar market is in good shape despite the global financial crisis, a new study by Lux Research shows. Small European markets will show favorable returns in the near term, the study predicts, while Asian markets will rise over the next few years. Portugal's market is currently the hottest ? for solar investors able to undertake projects under the nation's installations cap. The Portuguese internal rate of return (IRR) remained high in 2011 and is projected to push the annual market to nearly 400 MW in 2016. At number two is the solar market in Cyprus, followed by Hawaii, Greece and Israel. Read more

German Federal Cartel Office approves LDK Solar?s majority ownership of Sunways

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:47 (PV-Tech)

LDK Solar?s bid to acquire Sunways has passed approval by the German Federal Cartel Office and Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). LDK Solar had previously supplied wafers to Sunways and later in 2010 had secured production for branded Sunways modules. LDK gains access to Sunways range of PV inverters as part of the takeover. Read more

Increased PV project financing costs to dent S.A.G. Solarstrom?s 2011 profits

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:53 (PV-Tech)

Although S.A.G. Solarstrom reiterated 2011 sales were expected to be in the region of ?260-280 million, previously guided EBIT of ?16 to ?18 million would not be met due to increased PV project financing costs as interest rates and refinancing costs were higher than expected. Read more

Amendments to law continues on subsidies for installations on agricultural land

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:29 (PV-Tech)

The Italian government has made almost 70 amendments to the draft of Article 65, applicable to solar installations on land that could be used for agriculture. Read more

Vote Solar survey finds support for utility-scale solar in Southern California desert counties

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:26 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012 Vote Solar (San Francisco, California, U.S.) announced the results of a survey of residents of five Southern California desert counties, finding significant support for new solar development in the region. Probolsky Research LLC (Newport Beach, California, U.S.) conducted the survey, finding that the majority of respondents are also concerned about Global Warming. Two out of three respondents also agreed that the government should supply financial support and tax incentives for renewable energy projects. Read more

Solar Frontier saw thin-film module prices decline 40% in 2011; demand in Japan to increase

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:26 (PV-Tech)

In releasing full-year 2011 results, Showa Shell highlighted the successful roll-out of subsidiary, Solar Frontier?s CIS thin film modules in key markets such as Germany, US, Asia, Middle-East and Japan. The company noted a string of commercial and utility-scale project wins having started production at its 900MW plant in February, 2011. However, price decline of 40% were reported for the year with further price declines expected in 2012, due to oversupply, though current price declines were said to have slowed. Read more

Solar CEOs urge U.S., Chinese cooperation in letter to U.S. President Obama

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 9:17 (Solarserver)

On February 13th, 2012 the CEOs of 45 solar industry companies sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama urging him to discuss possibilities for collaboration to advance the wider adoption of solar technologies at an upcoming meeting with Chinese Vice President Xi jinping. The CEOs cast the meeting as an opportunity to avoid what they warn is a "mutually destructive" trade war which could result from the countervailing duty and anti-dumping investigations underway at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Read more

Solar Junction closes Series D financing round with US$19.2 million

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 2:18 (PV-Tech)

Solar Junction advised that it has closed its Series D financing round with US$19.2 million, accumulated by investments from current investors and an additional strategic investment and partnership from IQE. This latest financing round aims to ramp up the company?s manufacturing of its cell efficiency. Read more

Phoenix Solar, Silicon Ranch developing 200kW solar project on Tennessee food bank roof

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 2:06 (PV-Tech)

Hoping to help the non-profit sector better understand how to reap the benefits of a solar power, Phoenix Solar and Silicon Ranch Corporation are building a 200kW solar system on the rooftop of the Second Harvest Food Bank in Middle Tennessee. Construction on the project has already begun with scheduled completion set for Q2 2012. Read more

Mercury Solar installs 3.6MW solar system in Manalapan, New Jersey

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 1:54 (PV-Tech)

Mercury Solar Systems recently completed a 3.6MW ground-mounted, grid-interconnected solar system in Manalapan, New Jersey. Working with NJR Clean Energy, the owner of the system, and Span Partners, the land and project developer, the US$17.2 million solar project uses more than 12,000 solar panels. Read more

Bardawil Group to distribute Dow Corning technology throughout Middle East solar market

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 1:22 (PV-Tech)

Dow Corning announced that it had contracted Bardawil Group to distribute its silicon-based solar solutions for the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Bardawil will market and support Dow Corning?s solar products while additionally representing the company at strategic conferences and exhibitions in the specified region. Read more

Coal Plants Switch to Bioenergy in the UK

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

To describe the British town of Tilbury as a green beacon would require a stretch of the imagination. Home to London's main container port and an unsightly 1960s concrete-slab power plant, with a curious smell emanating from the nearby sewage works, Tilbury epitomises twentieth century grit, clank, smoke and soot. Read more

U.S. President Stands Firm on Clean Energy Agenda

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 17:08 (Renewable Energy World)

Yesterday, President Obama released his 2013 Energy budget, which, according to Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, makes critical investments in innovation, clean energy and national security, while emphasizing the President's commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Read more

Energy Conversion Devices and subsidiaries file for bankruptcy

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 16:44 (PV-Tech)

Few should be surprised that Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) and wholly owned subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic (USO) have entered Chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Separately, ECD announced the sale of another subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company to BASF for US$58 million in cash. ECD said that it would also sell USO, which had produced Uni-Solar branded flexible silicon thin film substrates. Solar Integrated Technologies, ECD?s previously acquired EPC and BIPV construction firm also filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 rules, in separate proceedings. Read more

Leading UK companies come out in support of Ed Davey

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 16:29 (Solarpowerportal)

A coalition of businesses have published an open letter praising the newly-appointed Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey. Read more

Housing association calls for Green Deal policy change

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 15:44 (Solarpowerportal)

Hertford-based Riversmead Housing Association has called for “considerable changes” to Government’s Green Deal scheme, to help it support the poorest of its tenants. Read more

Opportunities for Energy Innovators

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 14:30 (Renewable Energy World)

For a long time "clean" and  "green" marked the forward trend in the energy industry. Then came the quest for "smart" energy.  And now "innovation" is the buzzword. It’s easy to see why.  As Americans, we believe our ability to innovate sets us apart in today’s international market.  Sure China can manufacture compu Read more

?Energy for a Green Society? implemented to advance Europe?s global renewables presence

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 14:19 (PV-Tech)

Researchers, universities and solar manufacturers from all over Europe, have teamed up alongside ENIAC Joint Undertaking to create a multinational/multidisciplinary program, ?Energy for a Green Society? (ERG). This is a three-year project looking into topics from sustainable harvesting to smart distribution. These advances include pushing solar-cell efficiency towards 25% and reducing power conversion losses by 20%. Read more

E.ON launches nationwide hunt for bright new energy ideas

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 13:56 (Solarpowerportal)

E.ON has launched a nationwide search for the next generation of energy products and services. Read more

New JRC reports: EU PV installations to reach 84.4 GW by 2020; Micro-grid PV systems are a viable solution for much of Africa

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 12:35 (Solarserver)

On February 7th, 2012 the EU's Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced the release of a report which states that the 27 EU member nations are on track to get 34% of their electricity from renewable energy by 2020. The JRC's "Technical Assessment of the Renewable Energy Action Plans" also estimates that installed PV will reach 84.4 GW by that time, or 2.3% of total renewables. A day later on February 8th, 2012 the JRC published a study mapping the potential of renewable energy sources on the continent of Africa, comparing these sources to current consumption. "Renewable energies in Africa" notes that in many parts of the continent PV modules can produce twice as much electricity Read more

U.S. President Obama's 2013 budget includes TGP extension, increased clean energy R&D funding

Tuesday, 2.14.2012 - 9:31 (Solarserver)

In a move lauded by the U.S. solar industry, on February 13th, 2012 U.S. President Barack Obama sent to the nation's congress a proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 which includes an extension of the Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program (TGP). The budget also provides USD 310 million for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) SunShot Initiative, as part of a 3.2% increase to the DOE's budget. However, it is unknown how much of the proposed budget will survive the bitter partisan battles which have characterized the U.S. federal budget process over the last two years. Read more