Suncore Photovoltaics completes phase I construction, starts production of CPV modules

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 21:03 (PV-Tech)

Suncore Photovoltaics, a joint venture between Emcore and San?an Optoelectronics, completed phase I of its construction and has begun producing CPV modules at its new facility in Huainan, China. Suncore was founded in July 2010 and broke ground on its Huainan facility in February 2011. The production facility will now move on to working on completing its phase 2 and 3 construction and business growth plan. Read more

SmartestEnergy tops major energy users? customer satisfaction table

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 16:53 (Solarpowerportal)

A new survey by Datatmonitor, has placed independent supplier, SmartestEnergy, at the top of the table for customer satisfaction in an industry benchmark survey. Read more

Tandem solar cell sets new efficiency record for polymer devices

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 16:18 (PV-Tech)

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have achieved a new record of 10.6% for the power-conversion efficiency of an organic polymer solar cell. Certified by the United States? National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the record was achieved using a tandem device to harvest a wider range of the solar spectrum. Read more

France endorses ?Made in Europe? FiT bonus

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 15:50 (PV-Tech)

Previously announced in February, the French government has confirmed PV power plants will be eligible to receive a 10% bonus on top of the feed-in tariff if at least 60% of the installation?s modules are made in Europe. The law will come into effect shortly before the first round of presidential elections in April. Read more

Solon saved as insolvency proceedings begin

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 12:23 (PV-Tech)

Microsol International, a UAE based module manufacturer has agreed to acquire the majority of operations of insolvent Solon that could secure most of the 471 jobs at the firm. Insolvency administrator, Ruediger Wienberg announced the deal on the March 1, as insolvency proceedings started. Solon had filed for insolvency in the German courts on December 13, 2011. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed or whether Microsol would be responsible for Solon?s debts or whether the acquisition was primarily asset-based. Read more

German government to delay cuts to feed-in tariff

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 12:00 (PV-Tech)

According to Bloomberg, a spokesman for the Christian Social Union, Georg Nuesslein, announced there is a possibility the German government could delay its proposition to cut solar subsidies. The government is considering pushing back the deadline by three weeks to allow developers to complete projects. Nuesslein said that the government plans to adjust the feed-in tariff before a draft bill goes to parliament. Read more

IHS iSuppli: Some PV plants can still achieve positive ROI after German FiT cuts

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 10:06 (Solarserver)

On March 1st, 2012 IHS iSuppli (El Segundo, California, U.S.) released a statement declaring that despite the German government's plans to slash solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs (FiTs), returns on investment (ROI) will remain sufficient to attract financial support for residential systems, and even some large-scale systems. IHS iSuppli estimates that residential systems in Germany will still generate an ROI of 10% on equity capital if system prices are at EUR 1,850/kW (USD 2,460/kW), even though self-consumption bonus will be eliminated. The firm notes that the proposal crafted by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economics to sharply reduce FiT levels Read more

Satcon posts heavy losses in 4Q 2011, launches new inverter line for the light commercial PV market

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 9:02 (Solarserver)

On March 1st, 2012 Satcon Technology Corporation (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) released financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011, reporting a 20% sequential decrease in revenues to USD 36.0 million, a steep operating loss of USD 42.9 million and a net loss of USD 48.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Over the course of 2011, Satcon revenues grew 9% to USD 189 million, however the company also saw a -44% operating margin and a net loss of USD 83.4 million. Also on March 1st, Satcon announced the launch of its Equinox LC inverter line for the light commercial solar market, with UL certified power ratings between 8 kW and 24 kW and CE certified power Read more

How to Survive Solar's Unhealthy Consolidation

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 22:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar sector is once again entering a period of increased activity, but not the good kind, as several firms have announced losses and cutbacks, temporary shutdowns, and closing down entirely. As the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry plows through the current consolidation ? and eventually out of it ? here are six things to consider and remember: Read more

Skyline to install solar water heating systems at public housing developments in Maryland

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 21:24 (Solarserver)

On February 28th, 2012 Skyline Innovations LLC (Washington D.C., U.S.) and WGL Holdings Inc. (Washington D.C., U.S.) announced plans to finance and install solar water heating systems on 11 public housing buildings in the U.S. state of Maryland. Skyline will own and operate the systems, and sell the hot water to the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) through a 10-year contract which will allow HACA to save 30% on water heating costs. The company plans begin construction on the systems, which comprise 571 square meters of collector space, in march 2012, with commissioning expected by early June 2012. Read more

SunUp installs solar water heating system at Aqua Soleil hotel in California

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 21:21 (Solarserver)

On February 28th, 2012, SunUp Energy (Coachella Valley, California, U.S.) announced that it has installed a new solar thermal hot water and pool heating system at Aqua Soleil Hotel in Desert Hot Springs, California. The system is designed to supply 80% of the hotel's annual hot water demand. The system features Austrian made Kioto flat plate solar collectors supplied through California Solar Thermal Inc. Two separate solar systems are utilized: a 32 solar collector array heats 1550 gallons of water daily for domestic hot water usage and 32 4' X 12' panels that heat a 1200 square foot mineral pool. Read more

APS opens RFP for 14MW power plant construction

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 21:14 (PV-Tech)

Arizona Public Service (APS) has begun the call for proposals from solar developers and installers for the construction of a 14MW PV plant in Arizona. The solar power project will be financed by APS through its AZ Sun Program. Bids will be accepted by APS from March 15 to April 30, with the company holding a stipulation that the plant must be completed by 2013 and will be owned and operated by APS. Read more

GE Energy Financial ups solar power investments during last year to almost US$5 billion in projects

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 20:07 (PV-Tech)

GE Energy Financial Services announced that over the past year, the company has more than doubled its global solar power investment commitments to US$1.4 billion, leading to nearly US$ 5 billion in projects. The company notes that its 1GW portfolio spans 48 solar power plants in six countries, including Australia, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the US. Read more

CASM claims that report finds solar industry trade surplus with China took hard hit in 2011

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 19:49 (PV-Tech)

The Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) has released a report in which it claims that the solar industry trade surplus with China ?disappeared between 2010 and 2011.? According to CASM, the US solar industry had nearly a US$1.6 billion trade deficit with China in 2011, after an estimated US$250 to US$540 million surplus in 2010. The report?s findings are based on data from the US Department of Commerce, the US International Trade Commission and a prior study by GTM Research. Read more

Solar shakeout: Oerlikon Solar to be sold to Tokyo Electron

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 18:13 (PV-Tech)

Oerlikon Group?s loss-making Oerlikon Solar, the originator of the turnkey thin film business model with a-Si and tandem-junction thin film technology is being sold to Japan?s leading semiconductor equipment supplier, Tokyo Electron (TEL). Oerlikon is focusing on its other engineering divisions as part of revenue growth avenues. The deal is expected to be concluded over the next few months with more details to be provided on Monday when quarterly results are reported. Financial details were not disclosed. TEL had been a sales representative in Asia for the thin film technology. Read more

Mounting Systems GmbH to open Milton Keynes office

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 17:23 (Solarpowerportal)

Mounting Systems GmbH, a global manufacturer of solar mounting systems, is set to open a new UK-based office in Milton Keynes. The new office will open its doors to the public on March 5, 2012. The Milton Keynes office will join similar offices operating in Sacremento, USA and Lyon, France. Read more

P2 Solar signs up to construct 4.95MW solar project in Vrasta, Bulgaria

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 16:42 (PV-Tech)

Vancouver, Canada-based P2 Solar has revealed that it has signed a binding agreement for the construction and ownership of a 4.95MW solar farm in the Vratsa Province of north-west Bulgaria. The company has assigned a 20-year gross revenue of ?31 million to the project with a net cash flow of ?13.6 million. Read more

ReneSola hires former Trina Solar director Kevin Chen

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 16:41 (PV-Tech)

Former director of project development at Trina Solar has been appointed as ReneSola?s president of Americas. Kevin Chen will be head of sales and systems developments throughout the North and South American regions. Read more

Arizona Public Service issues RFP for 14MW PV plant

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 16:12 (PV-Tech)

Arizona Public Service (APS) has made a Request for Proposal (RFP) to come into play on March 15, which will be followed by a bidder?s webinar on March 22. The RFP will invite proposals from solar developers and installers for the construction of a 14MW solar park in the state, which will be funded by APS through the company?s AZ Sun Program. Read more

China's Solar Markets Also Catch Chill

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

With the solar bubble apparently bursting around the industry's ears in late 2011, as 2012 opens its doors for business much attention has been focused on the sector. The markets are certainly wise to be cautious given the impact of the downturn, regulatory instability and an increasingly price-competitive and oversupplied market. Read more

Further postponement of US solar import duties

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 12:57 (PV-Tech)

The US Commerce Department has yet again postponed a ruling on tariffs to be imposed on imported PV modules from China. An announcement was expected today, after a previous postponement due to the complexity of the case. The new proposed date for tariff details is expected on March 19, 2012. Read more

Another German solar supplier files for bankruptcy

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 12:14 (PV-Tech)

Small solar firm, Ralos New Energies has become another German company that has succumbed to bankruptcy as the industry battles overcapacity and plunging prices, squeezing margins. Subsidiaries of the holding company, Ralos Projects and Ralos Solar are included in insolvency proceedings at the district court in Darmstadt, Germany. Read more

United Solar provides 3.45 MW of thin-film laminate PV modules for plants in South Korea

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 10:35 (Solarserver)

On February 29th, 2012 United Solar Ovonic LLC (Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.) announced that it has shipped 3.45 MW of its UNI-SOLAR thin-film laminate solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for installation at two PV plants in South Korea. The plants include a 2.1 MW PV plant at Gwangyang Port Distribution Complex in Gwangyang, and a 1.35 MW PV plant at the Dang Jin Waste Management Facility. The two plants were developed by Korea East West Power Company (Seoul, Korea) in cooperation with KC Energia Company Ltd., and will comprise a total of 24,000 UNI-SOLAR modules. Read more

SolarCity raises USD 81 million in equity financing

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 10:27 (Solarserver)

On February 29th, 2012 SolarCity Corporation (San Mateo, California, U.S.) announced that it has raised USD 81 million in equity financing in its most recent funding round, which it says will allow an expansion of sales, marketing and operations, technology development and potential acquisitions. This round of funding was led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk (Cupertino, California, U.S.) and Valor Equity Partners LLC (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.), and included investments from Nicholas J. Pritzker, Shea Ventures (Walnut, California, U.S.), SolarCity Chairman Elon Musk and DBL investors (San Francisco, California, U.S.). Read more

Neo Solar Power launches "NeoMono" PV cell at PV Expo, offering up to 18.5% efficiency

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 10:20 (Solarserver)

On February 29th, 2012 Neo Solar Power Corporation (Hsinchu, Taiwan) unveiled its new "NeoMono" high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) cell, which can reach 18.5% efficiency, at the PV Expo in Tokyo. Neo Solar Power states that its 152 mm NeoMono PV cell yields average efficiencies above 18%, as well as lower cell to module loss and light induced degradation than conventional monocrystalline cells. 60-cell modules made with the NeoMono cell can offer 250-260 watt output, and 72-cell modules 300-310 watt output. Read more

P2 Solar to develop 4.95 MW PV plant in Bulgaria

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 10:06 (Solarserver)

On February 29th, 2012 P2 Solar Inc. (Surrey, Canada) announced that it has signed agreements to acquire and develop a 4.95 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Vratsa Province, Bulgaria. P2 Solar states that the project already has a signed 20-year power purchase agreement, as well as all required approvals for grid interconnection and a secured site. The company notes that Bulgaria has emerged as a lucrative PV market due to the government feed-in tariff program and the nation's strong natural solar potential. Read more

Robust Geothermal Growth Expected Even if Tax Credits Expire, EIA Reports

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 18:47 (Renewable Energy World)

The Energy Information Agency (EIA) issued its report this week, Annual Energy Outlook 2012, which projects U.S. renewable power production more than doubling by 2035, even with the expiration of federal tax credits The report projects robust growth for geothermal, which is expects to triple its production by 2035 outpacing the overall trend. Read more

Energy efficiency: Student teams prepare for Shell's Eco-Marathon Americas

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 21:12 (Solarserver)

On February 29th, 2012, Shell Oil Co., an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, announced sixth annual Shell Eco-Marathon Americas in Houston, Texas. Shell Eco-Marathon challenges students to build, design and compete with their high-mileage vehicles in competitions held annually in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Read more

On Algae Fuels, Energy Innovation and Obama's Failed Climate Messaging

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 18:16 (Renewable Energy World)

When did "innovation" become a dirty word in American politics? Read more

Will Cyber-sensitives Reveal the Future of Energy Efficiency?

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 17:16 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. economy is three times larger than China’s, yet when it comes to developing a clean energy industry, China keeps besting us. The U.S. came in second — again — to China this quarter in Ernst & Young’s much-watched renewable energy ranking released February 28. But there is one clean Read more

Army Issues Draft RFP for $7 Billion in Renewable Energy Contracts

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

On Friday February 24, 2012, the U.S. Army Engineering & Support Center in Huntsville, Alabama issued a draft request for proposals (Solicitation No. W912DY-11-R-0036, the “Draft RFP”) titled “Large Scale Renewable Energy Production for Federal Installations.”  The objective of the solicitation, in its current form Read more

Greenbury Energy launches to give South Yorkshire an energy boost

Friday, 3.2.2012 - 12:23 (Solarpowerportal)

A new renewable energy company which aims to help customers understand green technology and make it affordable and accessible, is being launched across South Yorkshire. Read more