Concentrating photovoltaics: Developers choose Soitec's Concentrix systems for 72 MW of CPV in France

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 21:34 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 Soitec SA (Bernin, France) announced that its Concentrix concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology has been chosen by developers in bids for 72 MW of CPV systems in a recent call for tenders by the French Energy Regulatory Commission. The bids for CPV systems were part of a total of 115 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) bids. This call for tenders is part of a program to increase the overall portion of renewable energy in the country's overall energy mix to 23% by 2020, including a target of 5.4 GW of solar generation. Read more

Enphase sells more than 1 million PV micro-inverters in 2011, posts net loss of USD 32.3 million

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 21:28 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 Enphase Energy Inc. (Petaluma, California, U.S.) released 2011 financial information, reporting USD 150,000 million in revenues, a -19% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 32.3 million, in a statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These losses bring Enphase to a total deficit of USD 88.8 million, and the company states that it expects to continue to incur expenses related to business expansion. Enphase also more than doubled the number of solar photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverters that it sold to slightly more than 1 million in 2011, from 414,000 in 2010. Read more

Order Focus: Advanced Energy PV inverters selected on six Ontario projects

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 17:29 (PV-Tech)

Moose Power has chosen Advanced Energy Industries to provide its Solaron 500 utility-scale PV inverters and PVP250kW commercial inverters for six projects in Ontario, Canada. In order to complete the projects, Moose Power collaborated with Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) and Nautilus Solar Energy. Read more

Order Focus: Advanced Energy PV inverters selected on 6 Ontario projects

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 17:29 (PV-Tech)

Moose Power has chosen Advanced Energy Industries has provided its Solaron 500 utility-scale PV inverters and PVP250kW commercial inverters for 6 projects in Ontario, Canada. To complete the projects Moose Power collaborated with Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) and Nautilus Solar Energy. Read more

Gintech Energy producing ?quasi-mono?-based solar cells

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:37 (PV-Tech)

Cell efficiencies of higher than 18% using ?quasi-mono? wafers have been claimed by Taiwan-based cell producer, Gintech Energy. Being displayed at PV EXPO 2012, in Japan in March, Gintech also said that with an optimized pattern design and process recipe it has achieved cell efficiencies of 19% for its ?Douro Series? monocrystalline solar cells and more than17% for its multicrystalline solar cells. Read more

IMS Research: Market for PV balance of system equipment to grow to USD 24 billion in 2016 as tracker use increases

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:28 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 IMS Research announced new research which indicates that the balance of system (BoS) equipment market for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants will increase from USD 17 billion in 2011 to nearly USD 24 billion in 2016. "The World Market for PV Balance of System Equipment" also notes that while inverters will continue to be the largest part of the market, other BoS components will make up a larger share in coming years, with the market for tracker systems growing 30% annually. Read more

Singulus to raise ?60 million to pursue thin film opportunities

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:13 (PV-Tech)

As part of its previously stated aims to become a key supplier of thin film equipment to the PV industry, Singulus Technologies is planning a bond issue to raise ?60 million. The funds were said to be needed to support larger projects in its Solar division, including the expansion of partnerships with thin-film producers and new product offerings. The company also said it would use funds for the next-gen of equipment for Blu-ray disc production. Read more

Suntech retains top spot in IMS Research?s 2011 module rankings

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 11:39 (PV-Tech)

On a shipment basis, Suntech Power has retained its position as the ?Number 1? module manufacturer in the world for 2011, according to the latest report from IMS Research. In retaining the top position, Suntech shipped over 2GW of modules last year, the first in the PV industry to do so. Suntech had also consistently out-shipped rivals in each quarter of 2011. Read more

IMS Research: Suntech tops 2011 PV module rankings as Chinese dominance continues

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 11:13 (Solarserver)

Suntech Power (Wuxi, China) was the largest supplier of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules by shipment volumes for the second consecutive year, according to the latest market rankings released by IMS Research (Wellingborough, UK). For the first time, Suntech was also joined by three other Chinese crystalline PV module manufacturers in the top five as Chinese manufacturers tightened their grip on the market, the analyst firm revealed. Read more

Germany's New Solar Containment Policy

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 19:11 (Renewable Energy World)

Germany has been for two decades a global leader in renewable energy, first creating Feed-in Tariff (FiT) laws in 1991, then in 2000 via the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) establishing different FiTs for different renewables. Read more

Suntech and SMA Solar to supply three new PV power plants in Greece

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 18:00 (PV-Tech)

Greek energy firm Protergia has completed and interconnected three new photovoltaic parks situated in the Marathia/Kambi, Arta, Goureza/Dafni, Tanagra and Vonitsa, Aktion municipalities of Greece, with a total combined capacity of 11.5MW. The investment for the construction of the three parks stands at ?23.5 million. The three PV parks are expected to produce a total of 14,600MWh of electricity annually. Read more

First Solar bagging most of India?s National Solar Mission projects, says Deutsche Bank analyst

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 17:01 (PV-Tech)

Thin-film market leader and number 2 ranked PV module supplier First Solar is said to have almost secured around 80?90% of projects (200MW-plus) under India?s 2012 National Solar Mission projects, according to Deutsche Bank analyst Vishal Shah. Shah was cited in an investor note previewing First Solar?s fourth quarter results to be issued February 28th. Read more

First Solar bagging most of India?s national solar mission projects, says Deutsche Bank analyst

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 17:01 (PV-Tech)

Thin film market leader and number 2 ranked PV module supplier, First Solar is said to have almost secured between 80-90% of projects (200MW ?plus) under India?s 2012 national solar mission projects, according to Deutsche Bank analyst, Vishal Shah in an investor note previewing First Solar?s fourth quarter results to be issued February 28th. Read more

First Solar, Exelon extend timeline for funding of DOE loan guarantee

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 16:23 (Solarserver)

As reported in a regulatory filing, First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) and Exelon Corporation (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) have again extended their deadline for the initial funding of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-backed loan in the sale of the 230 MW Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One (AVSR) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. Funding of the loan is a condition of First Solar's sale of the plant to Exelon. Finalization of a USD 646 million DOE loan guarantee has been delayed due to issues with a construction permit, which First Solar states have been resolved. Read more

SMA Solar targets Japan

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 16:13 (PV-Tech)

Citing an expected strong Japanese market, PV inverter market leader, SMA Solar Technology has officially opened its new sales and service subsidiary in Japan, which will initially support small-scale PV system installations. The company noted that support for larger-scale system installations would come later, without providing timelines. Read more

New Financing Models: Potential to Revolutionize Commercial Solar Water Heating Market

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Last month, SEPA released a new study titled, “Heating Up: The Impact of Third Party Business Models on the US Market for Solar Water and Space Heating.”  The report profiled the emergence of a number of new and existing third-party options for financing solar water heating.  While third party financing has potential to revolu Read more

First Solar and Sonnedix complete 7.5MW PV power plant in Thailand

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 13:24 (PV-Tech)

Billed as one of the largest PV power plants so far built in Thailand, a 7.5MW project, know as the Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm in Khorat region, northeastern Thailand has been completed by project developer Sonnedix using First Solar?s CdTe thin-film modules. The project is also the first in Thailand undertaken by Sonnedix with support of Assyce Fotovoltaica and Ch. Karnchang Group. Read more

Renewable co-operative reinvests £20,000 into local community

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 13:09 (Solarpowerportal)

A Cornwall village that installed solar panels as part of Government’s Low Carbon Community Challenge is set to distribute profits of £20,000 amongst the local community. Read more

MX Group to serve as EPC contractor for 1 GW solar PV park in Serbia

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:42 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 MX Group SpA (Villasanta, Italy) announced that it has been chosen by Securum Equity Partners (Luxembourg) to serve as the exclusive EPC contractor to develop a 1 GW solar photovoltaic (PV) park in Serbia comprised of one hundred 10 MW PV plants. MX Group plans to construct the Onegiga Project, which will cover a total area of 3,000 hectares, between 2013 and 2015. Securum currently holds an agreement with the government of Serbia to develop the project, which will represent a total investment of EUR 1.76 billion (USD 2.37 billion) plus tax. Read more

First Solar, Sonnedix complete 7.5 MW PV plant in Thailand

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:34 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 Sonnedix BV (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona U.S.) announced the completion of a 7.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Thailand's Khorat region. The Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm is one of the largest PV plants in Thailand, comprised of roughly 95,000 First Solar cadmium telluride PV modules and covering roughly 20 hectares. Sonnedix constructed the plant with the support of Assyce Fotovoltaica SL (Padul, Spain) and Ch. Karnachang Group (Bangkok, Thailand). Read more

Singulus to raise ?60 million to pursue thin-film opportunities

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:13 (PV-Tech)

As part of its previously stated aims to become a key supplier of thin film equipment to the PV industry, Singulus Technologies is planning a bond issue to raise ?60 million. The funds were said to be needed to support larger projects in its Solar division, including the expansion of partnerships with thin-film producers and new product offerings. The company also said it would use funds for the next-gen of equipment for Blu-ray disc production. Read more

Odisha 25 MW solar bid invites lowest ever tariffs in India

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 9:34 (Solarserver)

In December of 2011, the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) had released an invitation for Request for Selection (RfS) for 25MW worth of solar projects in the Indian state. The last date for submitting the bids was February 7th 2012. BRIDGE TO INDIA, a solar market consulting firm based out of New Delhi (India), has reported that the results of the reverse bidding process have now been finalized. BRIDGE TO INDIA sources reveal that the winning bid is a record INR7 (USD 0.14) per kWh as a levelized tariff for a period of 25 years. The highest bid was placed at Rs. 8.98/KWh (USD 0.18). Read more

SolarWorld, 2011, financials, revenues, loss, margin

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 9:30 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany) released selected financial figures for the full year 2011, reporting a 19% drop in sales to EUR 1.07 billion (USD 1.44 billion) and a -22% operating margin. SolarWorld notes that its operating results were impacted by EUR 313 million (USD 421 million) in impairment charges, which it says mostly involved outdated production equipment. The company states that its operating results were also impacted by the termination of wafer agreements and impairments to current assets. Read more

Asia Report: China Launches Renewable Energy Think Tank

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 19:21 (Renewable Energy World)

China continues to take aggressive steps to secure itself as the leading manufacturing base for renewable energy. And it's increasingly doing so with an eye on how that base can help it take a lead in project development as well. Read more

Anesco announces the appointment of Steve Shine as Chairman

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 18:29 (Solarpowerportal)

Reading-based renewable energy company, Anesco, has appointed Steve Shine OBE as its Chairman. Shine will be standing down from his current role as Chief Operating Officer at Thames Water at the end of March 2012 and will join Anesco as Chairman from April. Read more

European Energy companies call for binding 2030 renewable energy targets

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 16:15 (Solarserver)

On February 23rd, 2012 a coalition of eight European energy companies sent a letter to the European Commission (EC) calling for binding 2030 targets for renewable energy, in a response to the EC's Energy Roadmap 2050. The companies state that binding targets are among necessary measures to create sustainable and affordable pathways to reach the EU's decarbonization objectives. The letter is signed by the CEOs of Scottish and Southern Energy plc, ACCIONA Energy, DONG Energy A/S, EDP Renewables, Eneco, EWE, Public Power Corporation and Sorgenia. The companies also note the low carbon price under the emissions trading scheme (ETS), and call for greater CO2 reduction and energy Read more

EPA's Green Power Partnership Helps Big Corporations Greenwash

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 15:02 (Renewable Energy World)

While I generally have nothing but praise for the Environmental Protection Agency, their Green Power Partnership program falls short of the agency’s usual standard.  In particular, the program — providing media recognition for participating companies who procure renewable energy — inflates the activities of large Read more

Nigeria, Energy Poverty and Renewable Energy

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Nigeria’s decision to attain 15 percent renewable energy use by 2015 has been tagged to be a very proactive commitment. An important fact to note is that more than 60 percent of the nation’s population is not connected to the national grid and the remaining population can only boast an epileptic power supply.   Apart from th Read more

Obama Administration proposes making renewable energy production tax credit permanent

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 12:51 (Solarserver)

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has released a proposal for business tax reform that includes making permanent tax credits for the production of renewable energy, as well as making this production tax credit refundable. This and other proposals were jointly released by the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury on February 22nd, 2012 in "The President's Framework for Business Tax Reform". Read more

Report calls for tougher EU energy efficiency targets

Monday, 2.27.2012 - 11:43 (Solarpowerportal)

A new report published by Build with CaRe has proposed a new EU target of a 40 percent reduction in primary energy demand by 2050. Read more