U.S. PV mounting systems producer PanelClaw receives ETL certification

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 21:53 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012, PanelClaw (North Andover, Massachusetts, U.S.), a manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) mounting systems, 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

President's Budget Maintains "Green" Commitment but Has Several Unanticipated Surprises

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 15:54 (Renewable Energy World)

On January 25, 2011, the President in his State of Union Address declared, "This is our generation's Sputnik moment. Two years ago, I said that we needed to reach a level of research and development we haven't seen since the height of the Space Race. And in a few weeks, I will be sending a budget to Congress that helps us meet that goal. We'll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology -? (applause) -? an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people." Read more

SunPower dedicates 5.4 MW PV plant at Arizona airport

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 15:32 (Solarserver)

On February 22nd, 2012 SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California, U.S.) dedicated a 5.4 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project comprised of three rooftop PV plants at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the U.S. state of Arizona. SunPower designed and built the plants, and will provide electricity to the airport through a solar services agreement. Arizona Public Service Company (Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.) supported the project through its Renewable Energy Incentive Program, and will receive the renewable energy credits associated with the electricity produced. Read more

IMS Research: Smarter use of BOS products to help push market to US$24 billion in 2016

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 13:10 (PV-Tech)

Although PV inverters make up a significant percentage of the balance of system (BOS) equipment cost structure, monitoring hardware, smarter mounting structures and tracker systems are expected to help boost the PV BOS market towards US$24 billion in 2016, according to a new market report from IMS Research. Read more

German Government to cut PV feed-in tariffs by up to 30 percent

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 10:21 (Solarserver)

Germany's Minister of Economics Philipp Rösler (Liberal Party) and the German Minister for the Environment, Norbert Röttgen (Christian Democratic Party) , according to media reports and information from government and industry sources plan to reduce the solar PV feed-in tariff by 20 to 30%. According to the new plans the originally scheduled tariff cut in July will be pre-drawn to April 1st, 2012. In addition the new feed-in tariff is intended to be limited to a maximum of 90 percent. The ministers announced to present details in a joint press conference on February 23rd, 2012. Read more

EuPD awards Sharp ?Top Brand PV? honour for Germany

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 1:16 (PV-Tech)

Sharp was awarded the ?Top Brand PV? by EuPD Research for its presence in Germany.. The award was granted after EuPD examined several factors, including brand awareness and distribution depth, with brand perception among customers one of the leading factors for determining the seal. Read more

Report: Silex Systems restarts production at its Sydney solar module facility

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 1:06 (PV-Tech)

According to RenewEconomy, Silex Systems has restarted production at its solar module facility in Sydney, Australia. The company announced in November that it would be halting production as it was hard hit by the rooftop solar market and was looking for ways to restructure its business. The report states that Silex decided to start operation again, upon Tindo Solar?s plans to begin commercial production were publicized. Plans to continue ramping up capacity at the company?s Sydney site are being considered. Read more

Renewable Energy World names Agua Caliente PV plant Solar Project of the Year

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 22:07 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 NRG Energy Inc. (Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.) and MidAmerican Renewables (Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.) announced that their Agua Caliente solar photovoltaic (PV) project has been named Solar Project of the Year by Renewable Energy World magazine. First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) is currently constructing the plant in Yuma, in the U.S. state of Arizona. First Solar commissioned the first 30 MW phase of the 290 MW plant in January 2012, and when completed in 2014 Agua Caliente is expected to be the largest PV plant in the world. Read more

JinkoSolar opens PV module testing lab in Jiangxi, China

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 22:02 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012, JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (Shanghai, China) announced that it has opened a photovoltaic (PV) module testing laboratory in Jiangxi, China. The factory is furnished with cutting edge equipment to conduct tests in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) test standards and procedures, the company reports. The Jiangxi facility can conduct over 16 different kinds of tests, ranging from basic pressure and impact tests to challenging hot spot, pre-decay and UV aging tests. Read more

Germany Slashes FIT Subsidies in an Effort to Rein in Solar Power Installations

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 19:30 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar power has grown so massively in Germany that the government now plans to rein in the boom in photovoltaic installations by cutting generous subsidiaries. Read more

Solar PV balance of system market to reach $24 Billion in 2016

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 18:28 (Solarpowerportal)

Solar PV balance of system (BoS) equipment revenues are projected to increase from $17 billion in 2011 to almost $24 billion in 2016, according to a new report published by IMS research. The paper shows that monitoring hardware, mounting structures and tracker systems will capture an increasing share of the market. Read more

Trina Solar revenues, profits fall while module shipments increase in 4Q 2011

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 15:40 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 Trina Solar Ltd. (Changzhou, China) released financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011, reporting a 9.6% quarter-to-quarter decrease in revenues to USD 436 million and a -14% operating margin in the fourth quarter. The company also reported a net loss of USD 65.8 million during the fourth quarter. However, while profitability suffered, solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments increased 15% during the quarter to 425 MW, 27% higher than the company's guidance. Read more

Trina Solar?s module shipments increase in Q4 but revenue and margins down

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 13:48 (PV-Tech)

Stronger than anticipated demand in the fourth quarter of 2011 helped Trina Solar exceed PV module shipment guidance, but revenue and gross margins declined compared to the previous quarter. The company posted a 4Q?11 loss from operations of US$62.9 million, compared to an operating loss of US$23.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. Read more

Canadian Solar?s modules used on Denmark?s largest rooftop installation

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 12:50 (PV-Tech)

According to Canadian Solar, a 605kW rooftop system in the Danish city of Virum, which employed 2,800 modules, is currently Demark?s largest rooftop installation. German firm, SRU Solar, constructed the system on two roofs of an office complex located in collaboration with Danish energy company Greengo Energy. The rooftop system was connected in January, 2012. Read more

Scottish solar company creates 30 new jobs amid FiT uncertainty

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 12:05 (Solarpowerportal)

Despite the uncertainty caused by the recent feed-in tariff cuts, Absolute Solar and Wind has announced the employment of 30 new staff members as the company expands across Scotland. Headquartered in Glasgow, the solar PV, thermal and wind energy provider is now set to open three new offices in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. Read more

JinkoSolar opens PV module testing lab in China, receives UL WTDP certificate

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 1:44 (PV-Tech)

JinkoSolar Holdings has opened a PV module testing lab in Jiangxi, China, which was awarded the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Witness Testing Data Program (WTDP) certificate. The company worked with UL to obtain certification and will now be able to offer customers and third party?s testing facilities, under the supervision of UL personnel, with an aim to ensure high quality and expedite the time to market. Read more

SPI releases preliminary Q4 revenues of US$100 million

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 1:30 (PV-Tech)

SPI Solar has released its preliminary financial results for Q4 2011. The company expects for annual revenues to result in US$100 million, better than its November business outlook. Additionally, SPI is forecasting that its net sales in 2012 will double 2011 levels as it furthers its domestic and international developments. The full financial report will be disclosed in March. Read more

UK?s green credentials at stake as EU members vote on tar sands oil

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 7:03 (Solarpowerportal)

Friends of the Earth has today warned that if Government attempts to block EU moves to ban highly polluting Canadian tar sands oil from Europe, it will seriously damage the UK’s green credentials. Read more

IEA Review: Denmark is leader in implementing energy policy

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 21:57 (Solarserver)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a review on Danish energy policies, which states that Denmark is a leader in implementing well-designed policies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change. The review applauded Denmark?s long-term vision for a low-carbon future ? all Danish energy supply is to come from renewable sources by 2050 ? and its achievements to date, but also sounded some notes of caution regarding the implementation of such an ambitious strategy. Read more

Obama Proposes Tax Reform, Making Renewables Credits Permanent

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 19:39 (Renewable Energy World)

The US Federal Government is making another pitch for business-tax reform, and within that thrust it is underscoring its support for renewable energy. Read more

Waxman Energy partners with leading PV manufacturers

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 16:15 (Solarpowerportal)

UK solar photovoltaic systems distributor, Waxman Energy, has strengthened its position with the announcement of four major new supplier partnerships. Read more

Top Three Reasons Cheap Natural Gas Won't Kill Renewable Energy

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

I'll be the first to admit that cheap natural gas prices are one of the biggest short-term threats to deployment of renewable energy in the U.S. today. With a glut of gas dropping prices to historic lows, the competitiveness of technologies like wind, solar PV, and solar hot water are facing significant challenges. Read more

The Big Question: What Can We Hope for in the Next 12 Months?

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

For its first Big Question feature of 2012, REW asked its readers to share their hopes and fears, opinions and predictions for the year ahead given the outcomes (or lack thereof) of the climate negotiations in Durban, ongoing shakeouts in major renewable energy sectors and the challenging global economic climate. Read more

Centrica defends rising energy bills despite £2.4 billion profit

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 14:42 (Solarpowerportal)

Centrica has reported adjusted operating profits of £2.4 billion, up 1 percent on 2010’s levels. Centrica’s annual results also reveal that British Gas’s profits fell by 30 percent, following an unexpectedly mild winter. Read more

UK energy production falls by record amount

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 12:25 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has released its December energy statistics for 2011. The figures show a record drop in primary energy production by 14 percent on 2010 levels to 136.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent. Read more

Ceres Technologies purchases CIGS technology assets from Veeco

Thursday, 2.23.2012 - 0:51 (PV-Tech)

Ceres Technologies advised that it had bought technology and product assets from the CIGS system business that was operated by Veeco Instruments. The CIGS product line is expected to add to Ceres? products and services for the renewable energy sector with production-ready CIGS deposition tool sets, including machines for Molybdenum back contact, CIGS absorber layer and transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers. Read more