?14 million SUNFLOWER initiative to boost OPV in Europe

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 17:05 (PV-Tech)

An EU-funded project has been launched to encourage the development of new organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. With a budget of ?14.2 million, the four-year initiative is to be led by the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM). Read more

Ecoprogetti?s LED light sourced sun simulator receives triple class A rating

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 13:07 (PV-Tech)

Ecoprogetti?s sun simulator, ECOSUN10L which employs LED?s as the light source has received a triple class ?A? rating under EN60904-9 and IEC 60904-09 specifications, undertaken by T?V intercert. The specialist equipment manufacturer said the system was the first module LED simulator to work in triple class A and it?s suitable both for testing standard crystalline modules as well as thin film and back contact solar cell modules. Read more

Ecoprogetti?s LED light sourced sun simulator receives Triple class A rating

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 13:07 (PV-Tech)

Ecoprogetti?s sun simulator, ECOSUN10L which employs LED?s as the light source has received a triple class ?A? rating under EN60904-9 and IEC 60904-09 specifications, undertaken by T?V intercert. The specialist equipment manufacturer said the system was the first module LED simulator to work in triple class A and it?s suitable both for testing standard crystalline modules as well as thin film and back contact solar cell modules. Read more

Concentrating photovoltaics: Skyline Solar receives certifications, patents for its X14 CPV system

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 12:11 (Solarserver)

On February 22nd, 2012 Skyline Solar Inc. (Mountain View, California, U.S.) announced that it has received key certifications and two patents for its X14 concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system. Skyline notes that the two patents from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office bring its total U.S. patents to 11. Additionally, TÜV SÜD (Munich, Germany) has also awarded the Skyline X14 with CPV design certification IEC 62108, as well as PV safety standards IEC 62688 and 61730. Read more

PV in Ukraine: French Helios Strategia plans 7 MW of rooftop arrays in 2012

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 12:07 (Solarserver)

Stating that it expects a boom in the Ukrainian solar photovoltaic (PV) market, on February 22nd, 2012 Helios Strategia (Paris, France) announced plans to develop 7 MW of rooftop PV plants in Ukraine during 2012. The company specializes in renting rooftop space for the installation of PV plants. Helios Strategia Director of Sales Elena Skrypnyk states that Ukraine's ground-mounted PV sector should also expect a sharp increase in installations in the next two years. Read more

Photovoltaics and concentrating solar power in the United Arab Emirates: DEWA awards M/S ILF engineering consulting contract for MbRAM Solar Park project

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 10:47 (Solarserver)

On February 22nd, 2012 the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA, Dubai, U.A.E.) announced that it has awarded a contract to M/S ILF for engineering consulting services in the overall development of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MbRAM) Solar Park, and the construction of a 10 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Dubai. DEWA states that it received six bids from engineering consultants from multiple nations in response to its tender, issued on November 10th, 2011. DEWA will manage development of the MbRAM Solar Park as part of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030. Read more

PV powered airplane Solar Impulse: 72-hour flight simulation completed

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 22:25 (Solarserver)

On February 24th, 2012, at 08:06 André Borschberg completed the three days and three nights of flight simulation that began in Dübendorf (Switzerland) on Tuesday 21st February. During those 72 hours the Solar Impulse team was able to test the human challenge posed by long flights and gain valuable insights for the round-the-world solar energy flight scheduled for 2014. Read more

BioSolar reports sales progress with large PV manufacturers

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 22:19 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012, BioSolar Inc. (Santa Clarita, California, U.S.), which develops a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, announced that it has made considerable sales progress with large solar manufacturers. Read more

SolarCity opens new operations center in New Jersey

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 22:03 (PV-Tech)

Local and national government officials were on hand with representatives of SolarCity as the company celebrated the official opening of its new operations center in New Jersey. The company advised that it hopes that its expanded presence in the state will not only engage more homeowners and businesses to install solar panels, but will bring new jobs and cleaner energy to the community. Read more

Main Street Power closes financing for 9MW of Toronto-based solar roof projects

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 21:35 (PV-Tech)

Financing was recently closed for 9MW of solar rooftop projects for the Toronto area by MOM Solar, a limited partnership owned by Main Street Power and MS Solar Solutions with universal bank NORD/LB. The projects are located on large retail stores and have 20-year contracts with Ontario Power Authority. The credit facility is for CAN$35.4 million, which will finance the purchase of the completed projects from affiliates of MOM Solar. Read more

China's Solar Master Plan Sets Production, Efficiency and Price Goals

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 18:13 (Renewable Energy World)

China has made it clear that it wants to add solar energy generation at a fast pace, so it's not surprising that the government also has big plans to boost solar manufacturing. In fact, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology posted a plan Friday that calls for certain polysilicon producers to reach 50,000 tons of annual production capacity by 2015; it also wants solar cell makers to reach 5 gigawatts of annual capacity by the same time frame. Read more

UK solar market breaks 1GW barrier

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 17:47 (Solarpowerportal)

The latest solar installation figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change show that the UK is slowly recovering from the shock of the fast-track December 12 deadline and the subsequent lowering of the feed-in tariff. Read more

COLEXON continues with efforts to streamline business

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 16:54 (PV-Tech)

Following a disappointing financial performance in 2011, COLEXON Energy to streamline its business continues. The company has sold two further solar project companies in southern Germany and Italy. Read more

PV capacity in Ukraine could reach 500MW by the end of 2012

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 16:28 (PV-Tech)

Solar PV capacity in the Ukraine is set to double in 2012, as a result of generous renewable incentives. Read more

SPI continues European expansion with 1MW fixed-ground-mount solar facility in Greece

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 16:21 (PV-Tech)

SPI Solar, US-based EPC services provider, has announced its third Greek venture, having acquired the necessary paperwork. Working alongside local partners SDL Solar and Global Energy Services, the installation is expected to be a 1MW fixed-ground-mount solar facility, located in Rhodope Prefecture, north-eastern Greece. The electricity will be purchased by Greek Public Power Corporation through a 20-year PPA. Read more

Premier Power and Viasol enter agreement to provide 5MW to Scandinavian solar projects

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 16:00 (PV-Tech)

Scandinavia is to receive 5MWp in equipment for solar projects from Premier Power Renewable Energy. The plants will be funded through an agreement with Danish firm, Viasol. Equipment will be shipped out this month, with all systems scheduled for completion by the end of 2012. Read more

Thermal Storage Gets More Solar on the Grid

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

It's 4:45 on a sweltering August afternoon, and the rooftop solar panels are starting to lose juice. The sun's lower angles and that huge cottonwood tree are interfering with the efficient photon-to-electricity transfer. Read more

Boston Consulting and Pike Research estimate 30% increase in use of battery technologies

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 14:02 (PV-Tech)

Market research firms Boston Consulting and Pike Research, have estimated a growth of more than US$10 billion over the next five years for the stationary energy storage market. An increased use of advanced battery technologies and new smart-grid technologies to enable the wide-scale use of wind and solar energy has could lead to as much as a 30% increase. Read more

NLP Solar Sales Training Live Webinar March 7th & 8th

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 14:01 (Renewable Energy World)

Read more

New community solar scheme kicks off in West Midlands

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 12:27 (Solarpowerportal)

Ramping up its solar activity in the West Midlands, Caplor Energy has this month launched a new solar scheme. By providing a community fund of £100,000 to build solar projects within Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the Fownhope-based company hopes to support local groups interested in installing solar energy systems on community buildings. Read more

SPI Solar estimates 2011 revenues of USD 100 million, will build 1 MW PV plant in Greece

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 12:16 (Solarserver)

On February 22nd, 2012 SPI Solar Inc. (Roseville, California, U.S.) announced that it expects annual revenues of roughly USD 100 million in 2011, exceeding its previous outlook of USD 95 million. The company also states that it expects to double its annual revenue in 2012 based on its current project pipeline. A day later on February 23rd, 2012 the company announced that it will develop a 1 MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Rhodope Prefecture, Greece, after receiving the necessary contracts and permits. Read more

Solyndra?s manufacturing plant for sale

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 12:06 (PV-Tech)

The Bankruptcy Court overseeing Solyndra?s insolvency has assigned Jones Lang LaSalle to undertake the sale of its manufacturing plant in Fremont, California. The 450,000-square-foot manufacturing facility was said to be designed to exceed California seismic standards and can be operating immediately following a seismic event, though not at the levels created by the current solar industry shakeout. Read more

Indian PV producer Vikram Solar announces positive power output commitments, higher efficiency PV modules

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 12:03 (Solarserver)

On June 6th, 2012, Vikram Solar Pvt Ltd. (Kolkata, India), a photovoltaic (PV) system turnkey solution provider and manufacturer of PV products, announced commitment for positive module power output and increase in efficiency. Read more

Mars Chocolate launches 1.258MW solar garden in North America

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 11:47 (PV-Tech)

Mars Chocolate, North America, has announced the installation of a solar garden at its Henderson chocolate factory, providing 100% of the factory?s electrical energy. The solar garden features 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres. Mars claims its installation as the largest by a food manufacturer in Nevada. Read more

Borrego Solar awarded U.S. federal government contract

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 10:42 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 Borrego Solar Systems Inc. (San Diego, California, U.S.) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. federal government's General Services Administration (GSA). The contract does not specify any particular projects, but allows Borrego Solar to provide its solar photovoltaic (PV) installation services to U.S. federal agencies. Borrego Solar says will allow it to expand its presence in the growing federal and military PV installation market. Read more

GT Advanced Technologies, REC Silicon join Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 10:37 (Solarserver)

On February 22nd, 2012 the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) announced that GT Advanced Technologies (Merrimack, New Hampshire, U.S.) and REC Silicon Inc. (Sugar Land, Texas, U.S.) have joined the organization in opposition to the trade cases investigating Chinese support for solar photovoltaic (PV) exports to the United States. The CEOs of both companies were among signatories to a February 13th, 2012 letter to U.S. President Barack Obama warning him of the dangers of a trade war and urging positive collaboration with China for the advance of the global solar industry. However, until recently the two companies had not committed to joining CASE. Read more

SolarWorld hit with ?313 million write-off of production equipment

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 10:15 (PV-Tech)

SolarWorld has released preliminary 2011 financial results that include significant impairment charges of ?313 million, primarily attributed to the write-off of out-dated production equipment. The company had also previously announced the closure of its wafering operations. Total losses for 2011 were reported at ?233 million, due partially to declining prices on the back of industry-wide module overcapacity and dumping, as well as cancellation of wafer supply contracts, according to the company. Read more

Exelon and First Solar defer change of ownership of AVSR PV project

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 9:14 (PV-Tech)

Exelon and First Solar have extended their deadline for initial funding of the DOE loan for the 230MW Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One (AVSR) project, in northern Los Angeles County, California. A revised construction permit has been approved but the delay could have meant First Solar repurchase the project from customer, Exelon today, February 24, 2012 as federal loan and loan guarantee would not be released in time of contract clauses kicking-in. Read more

Chinese Distributed Wind Projects Required to Meet Grid Requirements

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

China is on track to have approximately 100 GW of installed wind power capacity connected to its power grid by 2015, including 23 GW installed capacity of distributed wind power projects, according to its five-year development plan for 2011 to 2015. Distributed wind power projects typically use small turbines that offset on-site energy consumption. Read more

EuPD: German FiT cuts unnecessary, damaging to PV industry

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 9:01 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 EuPD Research (Bonn, Germany) released a statement declaring that the cuts to Germany's feed-in tariff (FiT) for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation announced earlier in the day are both unnecessary and potentially highly damaging to the German and global solar photovoltaic (PV) industries. Additionally, EuPD Research has published information on the level of the FiT cuts, which range from a 20% cut to EUR 0.195/kWh (USD 0.261/kWh) on systems up to 10 kW to an elimination of subsidies for systems over 10 MW. Read more

UNEP releases report on finance and policy for renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 22:33 (Solarserver)

On February 21st, 2012 the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) announced the release of a report on finance and policy in developing Africa's renewable energy potential, "Financing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Drivers and Barriers for Private Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa". The report notes that nations in the region are in a poor position to supply the USD 41 billion annually that is needed to meet increasing electricity demand and support economic growth, but stresses the role that governments can play in creating policy supports for renewable energy development. Read more

Heartland Institute: Keep Climate Denial out of Our Schools

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 17:57 (Renewable Energy World)

Do you think schools should teach our children that climate change isn’t real? Of course not. But the Heartland Institute, an organization well-known for giving a microphone to climate science deniers, now wants to bring this false message into America’s classrooms. As their President and CEO just admitted, they are writing a &ld Read more

RGGI Repeal ? Twice Is Not the Charm

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Once again, a few shortsighted souls in the New Hampshire House of Representatives have mounted an effort to repeal the state's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The difference this year is that fortunately, they appear to be alone. Read more

Wringing More Energy out of Everyday Motions

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Randomness and chaos in nature, as it turns out, can be a good thing ? especially if you are trying to harvest energy from the movements of everyday activities like walking. Read more

Scottish renewable energy specialist sees 17-fold increase in earnings

Friday, 2.24.2012 - 13:05 (Solarpowerportal)

Despite the recent, somewhat turbulent, UK solar market conditions; Solar Electricity Systems has seen a sharp rise in sales. Read more