Miasolé Claims 17 Percent Efficient CIGS Device, 14 Percent In Production

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 21:23 (Renewable Energy World)

Miasolé says it has created a 17.3 percent "champion" thin-film copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) solar photovoltaic device, results obtained in its own labs and not (yet) independently verified. Read more

TÜV Rheinland certifies Centrosolar modules are PID free

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 18:08 (PV-Tech)

Testing for PID (potential induced degradation) of Centrosolar?s modules at TÜV Rheinland have confirmed that its modules experienced less than 1% reduction in performance, easily passing the tests which stipulate less than a 5% voltage-related reduction in performance as being non-PID affected. Read more

BIPV in France: Conergy, Soligest build 6 MW of plants on warehouse roofs

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:55 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012, Conergy France (Brignoles, France), a subsidiary of Conergy AG (Hamburg Germany), announced that it has completed three rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations with a total power rating of 6.1 MW. The company teamed up with local company Soligest to develop the building integrated PV (BIPV) projects, which will produce 6.5 GWh of clean electricity per year. Read more

Indo-Spanish Solsys Engineering installs 75 MW of PV systems worldwide in 2011

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:45 (Solarserver)

On January 19th, 2012, Indo-Spanish company Solsys Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Gurgaon, Haryana, India) announced that it finished 2011 with a strong growth in the number of megawatts (MW) installed worldwide and the start of a production plant in India. In 2012, Solsys intends to increase solar photovoltaic (PV) sales up to 100 MW in India, and production capacity in Spain and India. Read more

Q-Cells announces restructuring deal with bondholders

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 15:54 (Solarserver)

On February 1st, 2012 Q-Cells SE (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) announced that following "extensive talks" it has reached an agreement on the restructuring of all three of its outstanding convertible bonds into a single comprehensive transaction, which will leave the company largely free of debt. Payments to bondholders will involve a mixture of fixed cash payments, payments on principal and interest, and debt-to-equity swaps, which will leave bondholders in possession of at least 95% of Q-Cells' issued share capital. The implementation of this plan is still subject to the approval of bondholders, Q-Cells shareholders, and regulatory authorities. Read more

Fraunhofer ISE developed MWT/PERC solar cell used special Heraeus metallization paste

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 14:28 (PV-Tech)

Work undertaken on a conventional but advanced solar cell employing ?Metal Wrap Through (MWT) and ?Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology exceeded 20% efficiencies that were supported by a specially developed and formulated metallization paste from Heraeus metallization paste, according to the company. In 2011, Heraeus introduced a new series of pastes for low temperature processing. Read more

Fraunhofer ISE develops MWT/PERC solar cell using special Heraeus metallization paste

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 14:28 (PV-Tech)

Work undertaken on a conventional but advanced solar cell employing ?Metal Wrap Through (MWT) and ?Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology exceeded 20% efficiencies that were supported by a specially developed and formulated metallization paste from Heraeus metallization paste, according to the company. In 2011, Heraeus introduced a new series of pastes for low temperature processing. Read more

Swiss Feed-in tariffs cut by further 10%

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 13:44 (PV-Tech)

In addition to the 8% FiT cuts made in January, effective March 1 the Swiss Federal Department of Energy (DETEC) will further reduce the FiTs for PV power plants by 10% for new facilities. Read more

Greece announces new feed-in tariffs for PV

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 13:27 (PV-Tech)

Following consultations with stake holders and environmental organisations, the Greek Ministry of Environment has published new FiTs for PV installations, effective February 1. The tariff for PV systems up to 100kW and for systems installed on non-interconnected islands has been reduced by 12.5% compared to the previous rate introduced in 2009. The new tariff will be further reduced by 7% every six months until August 2014. Read more

PV production: Manz provides update on CIGSfab, increases efficiency under mass production conditions, and cuts capex by nearly one fifth

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 13:22 (Solarserver)

German high-tech engineering firm Manz AG (Reutlingen) presented the latest advances to its integrated production line for the manufacture of CIGS thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, the Manz CIGSfab, at the fourth Thin-Film Conference held by the solar industry magazine PHOTON. This includes achieving the previously attained increases to module efficiency under mass production conditions, cutting the capital expenditures (capex) required for the Manz CIGSfab by nearly one fifth, and reducing the cost of manufacturing modules by 25 percent since 2010. Read more

New report reveals PV inverter buyer trends

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 13:16 (Solarpowerportal)

The results of a new survey, conducted by IMS Research, reveal that there is a growing approval of Chinese solar inverters worldwide, with the UK ranked as one of the most accepting markets. The results also highlight an increase in the use of three-phase string and microinverters. Read more

SMA announces ARRA-compliant central PV inverters

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 11:41 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012 SMA Solar Technology America LLC (Rocklin, California, U.S.) announced that select U.S.-manufactured Sunny Central inverters are available for immediate order, including its Sunny Central Compact Power (CP) line and Sunny Central 500HE-US inverters. These inverters are assembled in SMA's Denver, Colorado, U.S. manufacturing facility, and meet the guidelines of the "Buy American" provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for projects which receive federal financial assistance. Read more

PV inverter producer Fronius to establish Chinese subsidiary

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 11:35 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012, inverter manufacturer Fronius international (Pettenbach, Austria) announced to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in Shanghai, China, in March 2012. The company plans to launch its subsidiary with a total of 12 employees working in sales, after-sales (technical support, repair center) and marketing. Read more

CPUC approves PPA for Silver State South PV plant

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 10:42 (Solarserver)

On February 1st, 2012 the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) between developer First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) and Southern California Edison Company (SCE, Rosemead, California, U.S.) for electricity generated by the Silver State South solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. The 250 MW PV plant will interconnect to the California Independent System Operator grid at the proposed Ivanpah Substation, which will be built as part of the Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project. The Silver State South PV plant is scheduled to begin delivering electricity through the PPA on May 31st, 2017. Read more

Order Focus: Singulus to provide turnkey c-Si cell line to Lithuanian firm

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 9:37 (PV-Tech)

Lithuania-based CD and DVD disc manufacturer BOD Group is entering the c-Si solar cell manufacturing market, using a complete line of equipment being provided by Singulus Technologies. Singulus has been a supplier of CD and DVD processing equipment to the Lithuanian firm. The delivery of the line is scheduled to take place in early 2013. Read more

SunPower installs 2.1MW solar parking canopy in San José, California

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 19:09 (PV-Tech)

SunPower, Joint Venture Silicon Valley and Wells Fargo have teamed-up to construct three solar parking canopy systems for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), totalling 2.1MW. Using a Power Purchase Agreement to finance the systems, it is anticipated that VTA will save US$2.7 million in electricity costs over the next 20 years. Read more

US Army commissionsMW PV system at White Sands Missile Range

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 18:55 (PV-Tech)

The US Army Engineering and Support Center has revealed its plans to install its largest PV array so far at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico with the help of Siemens Government Technologies. The US$16.8 million deal will see Siemens implement a 4.465MW solar PV system that will form the primary component of the energy savings performance contract (ESPC) to be implemented by the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry. Read more

Suniva powers 1MW solar farm at Chattanooga Airport, Tennessee

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 18:37 (PV-Tech)

Suniva has announced its high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells have been installed at a 1MW, acre, solar farm at Chattanooga Airport, Tennessee, US. Implemented by Inman Solar, this installation is the first phase of a 3MW project by Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority (CMAA), designed to reduce pollution, waste and energy consumption. Since December, the solar farm has generated nearly 90,000kWh of electricity with no pollution. Read more

JinkoSolar chosen as chief sponsor for Valencia Club de Futbol

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 18:27 (PV-Tech)

JinkoSolar?s branding will be visible across European television screens as the company has secured a sponsorship of Valencia Club de Futbol (CF), one of the top three Spanish teams. The sponsorship, the amount of which was not disclosed, will kick off at the Copa del Rey semi-final match against FC Barcelona, to be held in Valencia CF?s home stadium, Estadio Mestalla. Read more

MWH donates USD 50,000 for solar lighting program in rural India

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:39 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012, MWH Global (Broomfield, Colorado, U.S.) announced that it donated USD 50,000 to The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to help bring solar lighting to rural areas in India. TERI is a non-profit research organization that focuses on finding solutions for critical energy, environmental and sustainable development issues. Read more

Visual Percept Solar commissions 25-MW PV plant in Gujarat, India

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:34 (Solarserver)

Visual Percept Solar Projects Private Ltd. (Surendranagar, Gujarat, India) announced that it has commissioned a 25-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Surel Village in the Surendranagar district of Gujarat, India. The project is implemented under the second phase of Gujarat State Solar Power Policy 2009. The PV plant will supply electricity to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Read more

If Solar is Contagious, Can Utilities Help Spread the Bug?

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:00 (Renewable Energy World)

You may have heard it before, but it is worth mentioning again: In residential communities, solar is contagious. But a recent study, "Peer Effects in the Diffusion of Solar Photovoltaic Panels," conducted by Bryan Bollinger of the NYU Stern School of Business and Kenneth Gillingham of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, published in December sheds some new light on the phenomenon. Read more

Executive Roundtable: The Future of Utility-Scale Renewables

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 15:37 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy in the United States is at a crossroads. With several federal tax grants set to expire by the end of 2012, utilities are trying to decide if the falling prices of solar and wind technology makes renewable energy competitive enough to invest in despite vanishing federal aid. Read more

EPIA lists UK solar market as No.8 in the world

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 15:36 (Solarpowerportal)

The UK solar market is the eighth-largest market in the world, according to new figures released by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Read more

DECC to propose a cost control mechanism for solar PV

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 14:04 (Solarpowerportal)

Back in November last year the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, met with members of the UK solar industry to discuss the future of feed-in tariffs. At the time, the Minister announced plans to follow the German tariff degression model as part of the second consultation on reforms to the scheme.... Read more

China cuts solar subsidies by up to 22% for PV projects

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 12:05 (PV-Tech)

With the intention of speeding up domestic large-scale application of PV power generation and to promote sustained and steady development of the PV industry, the Chinese Ministry of Finance has announced that it has cut the FiTs for grid-connected PV installations. In 2012, owners of PV installations relying on crystalline silicon modules and silicon thin-film modules will receive a tariff of CNY 7 (?0.84) per watt. Read more

Update: China cuts solar subsidies by up to 22% for PV projects

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 12:05 (PV-Tech)

The Chinese Ministry of Finance has announced that it has changed certain FiT regulations, claiming this will speed up domestic large-scale applications of PV power generation and promote sustained and steady development of the PV industry. This will apply to grid-connected PV installations. Read more

PV manufacturing equipment provider GT reports falling revenues, solar industry orders in quarterly results

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 11:55 (Solarserver)

On February 1st, 2012 GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (Merrimack, New Hampshire, U.S.) released results for its most recent financial quarter, reporting a 30% decrease in revenues to USD 153 million and a sharp decline in new orders for solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing equipment. Despite these declines the company earned a net profit of USD 66 million during the quarter. GT's third quarter of its fiscal year 2012 ended on December 31st, 2011. On January 31st, 2012 GT entered into a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.), RBS Citizens (Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.) and other lenders which includes a USD 75 million loan facility and Read more

Portugese Solar Power Institute formed

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 11:46 (Solarserver)

On January 28th, 2012 officials at the University of Évora (Évora, Portugal) and a number of solar companies signed agreements to create the Portugese Solar Power Institute (IPES), during the "High Solar Concentration and Electricity Generation" symposium at the university. University of Évora Professor Manuel Collares Pereira has been chosen as the director of IPES. The Institute will be supported by Portugal's Ministry of the Economy, Innovation and Development. Read more

Offshore Wind One Step Closer to Reality in the Mid-Atlantic

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 20:11 (Renewable Energy World)

Today the Obama administration moved forward with plans to develop the enormous offshore wind energy resources along the Mid-Atlantic coast, using a "Smart for the Start" approach designed to expedite the siting process while incorporating strong environmental protections. Read more

Understanding Wind Farm Exposures and Managing Risk

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind energy is becoming one of the most widely used sources of renewable energy. In fact, according to the American Wind Energy Association, the wind energy industry has added more than 35 percent of all the new power generating capacity since 2007. As the industry grows in popularity, new developers continue to enter the market, and existing developers may likely expand their investments in wind farms. Read more

MidAmerican completes acquisition of Topaz PV project from First Solar

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 10:49 (Solarserver)

On January 31st, 2012 MidAmerican Renewables LLC (Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.) announced that it has completed the acquisition of the 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm from First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) for an undisclosed sum. First Solar began construction on the solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Tempe, Arizona in December 2011 and expects to complete the plant by early 2015. The plant is comprised of First Solar cadmium telluride PV modules, and the company will operate and maintain the plant when complete. Read more

British Gas, Thames Water help customers conserve energy

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 17:30 (Solarpowerportal)

British Gas and Thames Water have combined to help their customers save money by encouraging them to use water and energy more wisely. Read more

New report shows an increase in spending on energy, environment and sustainability initiatives

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:32 (Solarpowerportal)

According to new research, conducted by independent analyst firm Verdantix, large UK businesses will increase spending on energy, environment and sustainability initiatives in the next four year. The market sizing and forecasting study, which analyses spending by 421 firms with UK revenues greater than £750 million, estimates that expenditure will grow at an average of 16 percent a year between 2012 and 2015. Read more

Experts Predict End of Month for Ontario FIT Review Update

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 16:02 (Renewable Energy World)

By late February the renewable energy industry should have direction from the Ontario government on some of the major changes ahead for the province’s landmark feed-in tariff program. “I am hoping we will have an announcement then with the megawatt (MW) targets and pricing, then new rules and contracts in March, and application processi Read more

Does DECC?s failure in the Court of Appeal open the door for further legal wrangling?

Thursday, 2.2.2012 - 11:56 (Solarpowerportal)

Government’s decision to appeal to the Supreme Court has been roundly criticised by the solar industry, who had hoped for a modicum of certainty following a Court of Appeal decision which upheld the High Court’s decision that the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) had acted illegally when it slashed feed-in tariff (FiT) rates before the consultation closed. Read more