AEG Power Solutions to be acquired in friendly takeover

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 18:55 (PV-Tech)

Industrial power supplies and PV inverter specialist, AEG Power Solutions is to acquired by Andrem Power, which is itself wholly owned by Nordic Capital Fund VII. Andrem Power said it had started a voluntary public takeover offer for all outstanding shares of 3W Power, AEG?s parent company for ?4.35 in cash per share, a 40% premium to its average share price over the last 3 months. Read more

Start-up company Nines Photovoltaics raises ?750,000 to build processing tool

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 18:31 (PV-Tech)

PV equipment start-up, Nines Photovoltaics, has raised ?750,000 to further develop and build its dry etching silicon wafer tool. The Dublin, Ireland-based firm started operations in 2010 and has been collaborating with the Fraunhofer ISE, with plans for the tool to be validated at its pilot production line. The company has raised to date to over ?2.5 million, including ?1.2 million through FP7 European Funding, which was announced in June 2011. The new funding will also be used to recruit additional staff, according to the company. Read more

MIT Technology Review recognizes PV producer Suntech as one of world's 50 most innovative companies

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 12:54 (Solarserver)

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Wuxi, China), the world's largest producer of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, has been included in the 2012 TR50, Technology Review's annual list of the world's 50 most innovative technology companies, for its success in developing and commercializing advanced solar technology. Read more

Eight19 deploys IndiGo off-grid PV systems in South Sudan

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 12:48 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 Eight19 Ltd. (Cambridge, U.K.) announced that it has begun deploying its pay-as-you-go IndiGo off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) solution in South Sudan, in partnership with NGO WorldVenture (Littleton, Colorado, U.S.). The company expects that it will deploy 1000 units in the first half of 2012 in the nation's Nimule region. South Sudan is the fourth African nation where Eight19 has deployed its IndiGo system. Read more

MIT launches online tool to predict PV cell efficiencies

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 12:33 (Solarserver)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.) has launched an online tool which analyzes solar photovoltaic (PV) cell materials and processing steps, offering estimates of efficiencies for the resulting cells. "Impurities to Efficiency (I2E)" uses basic physics and a detailed computer simulation to predict how electricity-blocking iron particles will behave during the wafer-manufacturing process. The I2E website has been online since July 2011, and MIT estimates that users have already carried out roughly 2,000 simulations. Read more

MIT Technology Review nominates Suntech as one of the world?s 50 most innovative companies

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 12:28 (PV-Tech)

The last 12 months for Suntech have been quite successful, even amid the chaos surrounding Suntech?s response to accusations by US companies of impeding US growth. Technology Review?s annual list comprises 50 of the world?s most innovative companies and Suntech has been nominated in the energy and materials category. Editors look for companies that have demonstrated original, valuable technology to market and significantly influencing their competitors. Read more

U.K. DECC appeals to Supreme Court over FIT ruling

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 9:24 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 the U.K.'s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced that it has applied to the U.K. Supreme Court to appeal a series of rulings which found the timing of its cuts to the nation's feed-in tariff (FIT) for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation to be illegal. Both the Solar Trade Association (STA) and the Renewable Energy Association expressed disappointment with the Conservative-led DECC's decision to appeal the rulings, stating that this will prolong the uncertainty for the solar industry as to FIT levels for the period between December 12th, 2011 and March 3rd, 2012. Read more

Sunways preliminary 4Q results: revenues fall year-to-year amid record module sales volume

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 8:55 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 Sunways AG (Konstanz, Germany) released preliminary financial information for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011, estimating fourth quarter revenues of EUR 31.2 million (USD 41.3 million) and an EBIT roughly at third quarter 2011 levels, which stood at EUR -11.8 million (USD -15.6 million). Despite these losses, Sunways increased its module sales during the fourth quarter to a new record of 22.1 MW, as well as reaching an annual PV module sales record of 66.8 MW in 2011. The company estimates sales of EUR 115 million (USD 152 million) over the full year 2011, roughly half its 2010 sales of EUR 223 million. Read more

SunPower supplies Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 5.4MW of E20 panels

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 17:47 (PV-Tech)

SunPower has installed 5.4MW of SunPower E20 solar panels on three rooftop locations at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport. The system is expected to generate the equivalent of 51% of the electricity demand at the airport?s rental car centre, two East Economy parking garages and toll plaza, saving US$4.7 million over the next 20 years. The installation was constructed in two months. Read more

GTAT and REC join Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 17:19 (PV-Tech)

The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) announced GT Advanced Technologies and REC Silicon have been welcomed into the fold. The US-based companies will be joining the cause against the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) who claims Chinese manufacturers are trading unfairly. Read more

Borrego Solar awarded contract to supply US Department of Defence

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 16:56 (PV-Tech)

The American General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded Borrego Solar Systems a contract that allows it to provide its solar installation services to federal agencies. Read more

Canadian Solar estimates 430 - 440 MW of module shipments in 4Q 2011

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 16:08 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchener, Canada) released an updated shipment guidance for the fourth quarter of 2011, estimating that it shipped between 430 MW and 440 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules during the quarter. This represents a 24% increase from its earlier guidance and a 23% increase from the 355 MW the company shipped in the third quarter of 2011. Canadian Solar maintains its earlier gross margin guidance of between 5% and 8% for the quarter. Read more

PanelClaw systems are now ETL listed

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 15:17 (PV-Tech)

PanelClaw has announced the ETL listing of all its products to UL Subject 2703, which establishes safety and performance requirements for PV mounting systems. PanelClaw?s ETL listing includes modules from Canadian Solar, Chaori Solar, ET Solar, Gloria Solar, Helios Solar Works, LDK Solar, Mitsubishi Electric, Motech, MX Solar and Suniva. Read more

ET Solar announces global roadshow to promote new PV products

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 14:10 (Solarserver)

On February 20th, 2012, ET Solar Group Corp. (Nanjing, China) announced a global roadshow to promote the company's new solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The roadshow is scheduled to consist of various conferences between February and July 2012 in 13 countries across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Read more

Texas Instruments publishes white paper on energy storage to accompany solar generation

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 14:06 (Solarserver)

On February 16th, 2012, Texas Instruments Inc. (TI, Dallas, Texas, U.S.) announced that it will participate in the prestigious International Solid State Technology Conference (ISSCC), which will be held in San Francisco, California, next week. The company plans to present several papers and participate in presentations to outline accomplishments and opportunities in areas of low power, energy management and improved energy efficiency. Read more

Canadian Solar shipments soar

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 13:06 (PV-Tech)

Better than expected market demand, across multiple regions in the fourth quarter of 2011 has led to Canadian Solar to significantly increase its module shipment guidance ahead of releasing Q4 and full-year results on March 7th. Previously, the company guided fourth quarter shipments to be in the range of 340MW - 360MW, inline with third quarter shipment levels and in contrast to many of its tier 1 rivals. However, the company expects shipments to be in the range of 430MW - 440 MW. Read more

SolarABCS issues report on measuring rate impacts of net metering

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 12:24 (Solarserver)

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (SolarABCS, Cocoa, Florida, U.S.) has issued a report which examines the rate impacts of net metering policies on utility rates for non-participating customers. "A Generalized Approach to Assessing the Rate Impacts of Net Energy Metering" puts forth a methodology for the valuation of net-metering which it says is focused on best practices. SolarABCS specifically argues that assessments should include all the benefits of distributed generation, including long-term benefits from the deferral of utility generation on transmission and distribution facilities. Read more

Future of Geothermal Bright for Indonesia, Philippines ? Finance and Regulatory Stability Critical

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Ahead of the GeoPower Indonesia & Philippines conference in Jakarta, I caught up with Edward McCartin, Senior Development Advisor at Alterra Power, a speaker at the June meeting that will host the key stakeholders in the Asian geothermal industry. Alterra Power Corp is a leading renewable energy developer, whose portfolio includes two geotherm Read more

Edinburgh ?best possible? location for Green Bank

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 17:21 (Solarpowerportal)

Edinburgh has stepped up its campaign to be chosen as the base for the coalition’s proposed new Green Investment Bank. Read more

Yingli releases preliminary 4Q and full year 2011 results; estimates a near 30% quarter-to-quarter decline in module shipments

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 16:13 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. (Baoding, China) released selected preliminary results for its fourth quarter and full year 2011, estimating a near 30% quarter-to-quarter decline in module shipments and a gross margin of 3% during the fourth quarter. Yingli had expected a "low to middle 20's percent" decrease in module shipments in the fourth quarter, and a gross margin of roughly 10%. The company has re-affirmed its full year 2011 PV module shipment guidance of 1.58 GW to 1.63 GW. Read more

Bunge to acquire Climate Change Capital

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 16:08 (Solarpowerportal)

Bunge, a leading global agribusiness and food company, has announced that it will acquire Climate Change Capital Group (CCCG), a UK-based sustainable asset manager and advisor. Read more

Ofgem releases Big Six stranglehold over UK energy market

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 15:47 (Solarpowerportal)

In a bid to reduce the monopoly the Big Six currently holds over the UK’s energy market, Ofgem has today revealed a three-stage plan to make the electricity market more open and transparent. The announcement is most significant for the smaller energy players, who have previously found it difficult to break the strong hold of the Big Six. Read more

Renewable Energy Financing Mechanisms and Incentives: What Can We Expect?

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

While much attention has rightly been given to the expiration of the Section 1603 cash grant program at the end of 2011, there are other tax incentives for renewable energy that are also set to expire in the upcoming years. The decisions as to whether to renew these incentives will have a major impact on the future of renewable energy in the U.S. as these existing and new programs have been instrumental in sustaining investor and lender interest in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the wind and solar markets. Read more

Community Choice Aggregation Lets Cities Buy (Cleaner and Local) Electricity in Bulk

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

In 30 states, citizens have just one choice for their electricity service.  It's like the old communist truism: "You can have any color car you want, as long as it's red."  What if citizens could collectively shop around for electricity in bulk to get lower prices and cleaner, local power? In six states they can with community choice agg Read more

Africa could alleviate poverty through renewable energy, says UN report

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 13:49 (PV-Tech)

Sub-Saharan Africa could still be without electricity in 2030, if the continent does not take advantage of its wealth of untapped, domestic renewable energy, said a United Nations report released today. Government policies that facilitate private sector investment in energy markets are crucial to reducing poverty and encouraging sustainable development. Read more

Yingli Green hit by polysilicon write downs: Q4 module shipments guided lower

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 13:47 (PV-Tech)

Polysilicon price declines on the spot market have finally taken their toll on Yingli Green and its polysilicon operations, Fine Silicon. An asset write down of US$361 million has been made on Fine Silicon assets of which a US$43 million impairment of goodwill is to be made in its fourth quarter financial statements. However, Yingli also said it would make a provision of approximately US$135 million on its polysilicon inventory as a result of the continuing decline in the purchase price. Read more

NREL announces Ken Powers new deputy director, COO

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 13:09 (Solarserver)

On February 17th, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced that it has appointed Ken Powers as its new deputy laboratory director and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Powers will assume his official duties at NREL on March 5th. He replaces William Glover, who is retiring. Read more

TGC Renewables gears up for growth in 2012

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 12:34 (Solarpowerportal)

TCG Renewables has announced plans to scale up its operations over the coming year in anticipation of realising plans to develop over 25MW of renewable energy initiatives. Read more

Eden Project unveils UK?s first employee-owned renewable installation

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 11:51 (Solarpowerportal)

The Eden Project has become home to yet another ground-breaking project, installing the UK’s first employee-owned renewable energy installation. Read more

Spanish Firms Gain Edge in Nascent African Renewables Market

Wednesday, 2.22.2012 - 11:26 (Renewable Energy World)

A number of Spanish firms have been awarded 510 MW worth of renewable-energy projects in South Africa and are set to compete in future auctions as the continent hastens plans to develop its green energy sector. Read more