Solectria inverters to be used for 1.65-MW rooftop PV plant in Utah

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 23:37 (Solarserver)

On February 7th, 2012, Solectria Renewables LLC (Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that it will supply its SMARTGRID inverters (SGI) for the 1.65 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array to be installed at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the largest rooftop installation in Utah as well as the largest convention center installation in North America. Read more

MiaSole names Richard Hossfeld as vice president of global business development & sales

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 23:30 (Solarserver)

On February 6th, 2012, MiaSole (Santa Clara, California, U.S.), a manufacturer of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, announced that it has appointed Richard Hossfeld as vice president of global business development and sales. Hossfeld will also be part of the company's executive management team. Read more

Solar Panels From Grass Clippings: Researchers Make Progress on "Biophotovoltaics"

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 16:57 (Renewable Energy World)

It's chore day. You've raked the leaves, taken out the recycling, and emptied out the old junk in your garage. But wait ? don't toss it all out! You have all the ingredients for your very own homemade solar system. Read more

Ontario Post Election: Is the Financing Market Ready?

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 16:36 (Renewable Energy World)

On October 6, 2011 the Ontario Liberals were re-elected paving the way for a continuation of the Green Energy Act. Shortly after that several announcements were made indicating that banks would be financing Feed-in Tariff (FIT) projects in Ontario. Read more

University of Cambridge develops hybrid PV cell with up to 44% efficiency

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 16:21 (Solarserver)

On February 8th, 2012 the University of Cambridge (Cambridge, U.K.) announced that researchers at its Cavendish Laboratory have developed a "hybrid" solar photovoltaic (PV) cell which can reach up to 44% efficiency by utilizing a greater portion of the spectrum of sunlight. The new cells not only absorb both red and blue light, but by adding the organic semiconductor pentacene the cells are able to generate two electrons for every photon from the blue light spectrum. Cambridge University Professors Neil Greenham and Sir Richard Friend led the team, which published its research in the journal NanoLetters concurrent with the announcement. Read more

New business strategy for Italian Solon SpA

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 13:14 (PV-Tech)

The Italian subsidiary of Solon, SpA, has announced it has suspended module production at its plant in Carmignano del Brenta, in the northern Italian region of Veneto. Read more

42.4 MW of PV installed in California in January 2012 through CSI; largest capacity growth in any month to date

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 12:21 (Solarserver)

Data released by the California Solar Initiative (CSI) shows that California installed 42.4 MW of behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in January 2012 through the program, the largest capacity in any month to date. The program also received 49.5 MW of incentive applications during the month. In comments on these results, the Vote Solar Initiative (San Francisco, California, U.S.) notes that this is despite incentives falling to USD 0.25 per watt for most residential installations. Read more

IMS Research estimates the global 2011 PV inverter market at 26 GW

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 12:15 (Solarserver)

On February 6th, 2012 IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) released a new report which estimates that the global solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter market grew more than 10% to reach a new shipment record of 26 GW in 2011, while revenues have remained flat or declined. IMS Research's latest "PV Inverter Supply and Demand Report" also found significant regional variations in markets, with some major European markets declining as Chinese and U.S. markets grew substantially. Read more

Satcon enters PV inverter sales, marketing, and manufacturing agreements with Chinese Great Wall Computer Company

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 12:05 (Solarserver)

On February 7th, 2012 Satcon Technology Corporation (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced a five-year sales, marketing and distribution partnership with Great Wall Computer Company Ltd. (Shenzhen, China). The agreement includes the delivery of roughly 60 MW of Satcon PowerGate Plus solutions by April 2012 for Great Wall solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China. Additionally, the companies have entered into a contract manufacturing agreement whereby Great Wall will support efforts by Satcon and contract manufacturer Excelstor Technology Ltd. (Shenzhen, China) to reduce costs through design and supply chain improvements. Read more

Iowa Senate introduces bill to create limited feed-in tariffs

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 8:47 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012 a Senate committee in the U.S. state of Iowa will hold a hearing on a bill to introduce limited feed-in tariffs in the state, including for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. SF 225 includes a program cap of 50% of utility retail electricity sales growth, a 20 MW project cap, 20-year contracts and a review every two years. The tariffs will also apply to wind and biomass technologies, and include a local ownership requirement. Read more

Concentrating solar power: Novatec Solar, ABB to enter South African CSP market

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 23:44 (Solarserver)

Novatec Solar (Karlsruhe, Germany) has joined ABB (Zurich, Switzerland) in entering the South African CSP market. ABB has signed an agreement with FG Emvelo, an independent solar power plant company, to develop high-efficiency concentrating solar power (CSP) plants at Karoshoek Solar Valley in Northern Cape province, South Africa. The plants will use the highly efficient and cost-effective ABB-Novatec Solar turnkey concept for CSP plants. Read more

Bright Power selected to receive funds for New York City/Westchester County solar projects

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 23:33 (Solarserver)

On February 6th, 2012, Bright Power (New York, U.S.), a provider of renewable energy, energy efficiency and green building solutions, announced that it has been selected to receive grants from a USD 30 million fund provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to help fund large-scale solar projects in New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. Read more

SolarWorld modules used at US SPAWAR military complex

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 22:24 (PV-Tech)

A 1.3MW PV power system has been installed at the US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) complex, a headquarters for high-tech military command, communications and surveillance in San Diego, California. Read more

Multi-installation tariffs set at 80 percent of standard tariff

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 20:00 (Solarpowerportal)

In its response to the consultation on the comprehensive review for solar feed-in tariff rates, DECC has published its intention to introduce a multi-installation tariff rate for aggregated projects. Read more

Inside story: Industry?s reaction to roundtable with DECC

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 18:06 (Solarpowerportal)

In the wake of industry-changing announcements from DECC today, solar industry insiders were invited to a roundtable discussion with Greg Barker at the Department’s offices. The meeting was called to gauge industry’s reaction and explain DECC’s ambitions for solar in the UK. Read more

Optimizing Solar Projects to Maximize Return on Investment (ROI)

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 17:45 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar industry is facing new realities as the economics of solar are changing. Predicting photovoltaic (PV) panel pricing is 'iffy' at best. The US Treasury 1603 cash grants are history. Optimizing the energy produced and making the most of available land have become increasingly important as investors and project developers look for a viable economic model to maximize ROI. With fossil fuel energy prices on the rise, government incentives for solar wavering, and a solar trade war being waged over the price of Chinese solar panels ? delivering innovative, high-performing solar power solutions is more critical now than ever before. Read more

aleo solar sees growth potential of Israeli market

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 17:27 (PV-Tech)

With search on for new and attractive PV markets, aleo solar believes Israel holds promise for the module manufacturer. The company it had tripled its turnover in Israel in 2011, compared to the previous year, supplying 1.2MW to the country. Read more

IQE invests over £10.5 million into Solar Junction

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 16:29 (PV-Tech)

UK-based semiconductor wafer supplier IQE has raised £10.5 million through issuing nearly 44 million new shares at 24p each. IQE will use this to invest in solar cell manufacturer, Solar Junction. Read more

U.K. DECC announces changes to solar FIT; linking of subsidy levels to PV industry cost reductions

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 16:15 (Solarserver)

On February 9th, 2012 the U.K.'s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced modifications to the nation's feed-in tariff (FIT) program, including a requiring an energy performance rating for properties installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, reduced tariff rates for owners of more than 25 systems and a linking of subsidy levels to PV industry cost reductions. The changes come at the close of the first phase of a FIT consultation. The DECC also announced that it will transfer some unused funds allotted for large-scale renewable programs to assure full funding for the FIT program through the end of the current spending period. Read more

Karnataka increases solar allocation to 350MW

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 15:51 (PV-Tech)

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development (KREDL) will be allocating 350MW having received more proposals than originally expected, reports the Hindu Business Line. Read more

Enel Green Power and Sharp solar could be penalised for Altomonte acquisition

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 15:22 (PV-Tech)

The Italian antitrust authority, AGCM, has opened proceedings against Enel Green Power and Sharp solar. It claims they failed to inform the authorities prior to closing a deal for the acquisition of Altomonte FV. Read more

NLP Solar Sales Training Live Webinar February 22nd & 23rd

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 2:01 (Renewable Energy World)

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Aviation and Military Biofuels: New Thinking on Finance, Fuels

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

While most of the United States was focused on the 2012 Super Bowl, the CSPAN television network snuck a revealing interview from Brian Lamb with Secretary of the Navy, former Mississippi governor (and ambassador to Saudi Arabia) Ray Mabus, onto the airwaves last Sunday night. Read more

Wind Historian Says: Build New Wind Farms Farther From Neighbors

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Windfall: Wind Energy in America Today, by historian Robert Righter, was recently published by University of Oklahoma Press; it's a follow-up to his 1996 book, a history of the industry through its first commercial boom. As a hearty advocate of wind energy and continued rapid growth of the industry, Righter may surprise some with his strong call for more sensitivity to quality of life concerns of rural residents. He spends chunks of three chapters addressing the increasing problems caused by wind farm noise in rural communities, chides developers for not building farther from unwilling neighbors, and says that new development should be focused on the remote high plains, Read more

3Power to acquire 100MW Italian PV plant portfolio

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 22:09 (PV-Tech)

An undisclosed Chinese investment company that is said to own a portfolio of PV power plants in Italy is planning to recoup the investment in a frame agreement signed with 3Power Energy Group. Read more

DECC links FiT rates to Energy Performance Certificate level D

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 18:20 (Solarpowerportal)

In its response to the consultation on recent feed-in tariff cuts, DECC announced its intention to make energy efficiency measures part of the requirement when installing a photovoltaic system in the UK. Read more

Lark Energy plans 30 MW PV project on former U.K. airfield

Thursday, 2.9.2012 - 12:09 (Solarserver)

Lark Energy Ltd. (Bourne, U.K.) has announced plans for a 30 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project on a former World War II airfield in Leicestershire, England, as the largest PV project in the United Kingdom. The plant would consist of 125,000 PV modules situated on the land between the former runways at the Wynmeswold Airfield, and would occupy 60 hectares. Lark Energy has held discussions with local government bodies, and states that if planning approval is granted it will start construction on the project later in 2012. Read more