News of the year 2012

Date: 26.03.2012



Photovoltaics

FiTs and the Future of European PV Markets

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 20:43 (Renewable Energy World)

As the photovoltaic industry enters its post-feed-in-tariff (FiT) phase, it is important to remember that this incentive along with its ensuing profits was a recent phenomenon and was never intended to be unending. The industry and its stakeholders (including those who design and administer incentives) should have learned valuable lessons about how rapidly a market can overheat, how expensive it can quickly become to support a rapidly ballooning market, and how quickly PV can be deployed. Much innovation came with the FiT era. For every new entrant (many new to solar) that left, many stayed and will continue innovating. Read more

Silfab SpA, ISC Konstanz announce 21% efficiency on IBC monocrystalline silicon cell

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 19:05 (PV-Tech)

The partnership between Silfab SpA and ISC Konstanz has announced the achievement of a 21% energy conversion efficiency for large area monocrystalline silicon solar cells. The news is a result of the companies? research partnership on ?Zebra? interdigitated back-contact (IBC) cells as unveiled by the joint venture last summer. It is believed that efficiency could eventually top 24% for the solar cells. Read more

UK government loses final FiT appeal

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 17:29 (PV-Tech)

The Supreme Court has rejected the UK government?s appeal over cuts to the domestic feed-in tariff scheme Read more

AEG reports increase in revenues across divisions in 2011 results

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 16:13 (Solarserver)

On March 26th, 2012 AEG Power Solutions (Zwanenburg, The Netherlands) released financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011, reporting strong increases in revenues on both a quarterly and annual basis across divisions, as well as positive EBITDA margin. Over the full year 2011 the company reported a 40% increase in revenues to EUR 428 million (USD 570 million), driven by increases in sales into both the solar photovoltaic (PV) and polysilicon industries. However, the company reported a decline in orders in the fourth quarter and expects 2012 revenue to fall below 2011 levels. Read more

GCL-Poly develops high-efficiency multicrystalline wafer

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 16:01 (Solarserver)

On March 21st, 2012 GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong, China) announced that it has developed a high-efficiency multicrystalline silicon wafer which can reach an average conversion efficiency of 17.6%. The company states that the GCL Multi-Wafer S1+ will allow it to produce solar photovoltaic (PV) modules with outputs of 250 watts or greater using existing production lines, and to lower PV generation costs by more than 2%. Read more

PV Briefing and Networking Forum: Problems with financing challenging the residential US PV market

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:37 (Solarserver)

Problems financing photovoltaic systems for end customers will be one of the biggest challenges for the US PV market. This conclusion was reached by industry experts during the 6th PV Briefing and Networking Forum on March 19th in San José, California. According to the participants, 20 to 30 percent of the persons living in the US and potentially interested in a photovoltaic system decide against an installation because they lack the appropriate financial resources. Read more

Wattner acquires Rätzlingen PV plant in Lower Saxony, Germany

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:31 (Solarserver)

On March 22nd, 2012 Wattner AG (Cologne, Germany) announced that it has acquired the 5.6 MW Rätzlingen I solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and will incorporate the plant into its solar fund Wattner SunAsset 3. The Rätzlingen plant is located on a commercial property in Lower Saxony, Germany, and was completed in December 2011. The plant represented an investment of EUR 10.5 million (USD 13.9 million). Read more

IHS acquires IMS Research for USD 46 million

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:22 (Solarserver)

On March 22nd, 2012 IHS Inc. (Englewood, Colorado, U.S.) announced that it has acquired IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) for about USD 46 million. IMS Research is an independent provider of market research and consultancy to the global electronics and solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. ?The acquisition of IMS Research will help us expand our products and services in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) value chain, and better position IHS to deliver a more robust product offering to our customers in the global technology marketplace,? IHS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jerre Stead stated. Read more

Hoku to build 7.2 MW PV plant on Kaua'i

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 12:31 (Solarserver)

On March 22nd, 2012 Hoku Corporation (Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.) announced that it has signed an agreement to design and build a 7.2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant on the island of Kaua'i, Hawaii for a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Inc. (A&B, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.). A&B Chose Hoku Solar and project partner Helix Electric Inc. (San Diego, California, U.S.) to construct the Port Allen Solar Farm through a competitive bidding process. The two companies plan to commission the plant in late 2012. Read more

China Sunergy, CEEG to collaborate with DuPont for PV technologies, materials

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 12:20 (Solarserver)

On March 23rd, 2012 China Sunergy Company Ltd. (Nanjing, China) announced that it and China Electric Equipment Group Company Ltd. (CEEG, Nanjing, China) have signed a letter of intent with DuPont China Holdings Company Ltd. (Beijing, China) for a strategic collaboration in solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies and materials over a three-year period. As part of the agreement, China Sunergy has agreed to increase its purchase of PV materials from DuPont, including DuPont Solamet PV metallization paste and Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) films. The agreement will also cover technologies and materials for other industries including power transformers, insulation and aircraft composite Read more

German PV capacity: Federal Network Agency confirms record annex of 7.5 gigawatts in 2011; EuPD Research expects 5.9 gigawatts growth in 2012

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 9:46 (Solarserver)

The German Federal Network Agency has published the data for the photovoltaic (PV) system sharp annex in the fourth quarter of 2011. Contrary to rumors about double reporting the provisional figure of 7,500 MWp published in January has now been confirmed, market research and public opinion researchers EuPD Research in Bonn reports in a press release. Just in December 2,980 MWp has been reported. 41% of these solar PV plants account for the class size above 1 MWp. Compared to last year, the segment above 1 MWp has grown by a factor of 1.6. However in the mid-size segment, the market has slowed down significantly, EUPD notes. Read more

U.K. Supreme court will not hear DECC FiT cut appeal

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 9:41 (Solarserver)

On March 23rd, 2012, the U.K. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by the nation's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to lower court rulings finding that the timing of its December 12th, 2012 cuts to the nation's feed-in tariff (FiT) for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation was illegal. The decision confirms that PV plants installed between December 12th, 2011 and March 3rd, 2012 will receive earlier, higher FiT rates. Solar advocates including the Solar Trade Association (STA, London, U.K.) objected to the DECC's multiple appeals to lower court rulings on the case, stating that the ongoing legal uncertainty led to PV market instability. Read more


Thermal Power/Heating

Pricing Squeeze Pushes Silicon Suppliers To New Production Process

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 22:56 (Renewable Energy World)

Pricing for solar PV polysilicon and wafers will plunge yet again in 2012, warns NPD Solarbuzz, but that may open up a door for a new breed of silicon material. Read more

One more law firm steps forward to represent First Solar shareholders

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 22:24 (PV-Tech)

Finkelstein Thompson LLP has come forward as an added law firm to represent shareholders of First Solar after a class action lawsuit was filed against the company earlier this month. The lawsuit will look at potential liability after the company reported payments for replacements of defective solar panels. Read more

Construction begins on 20MW Peruvian solar plant

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 21:50 (PV-Tech)

Earlier this year, Peru?s energy regulatory body, Osinergmin, entered into an agreement with Cener to jointly conduct energy analyses and studies, as well as organizing various events, conferences and technical seminars revolving around the promotion and development of renewable energies in the country. Only a few weeks after the official announcement, the SanJose Group has advised that construction on its 20MW solar plant in Alto de la Alianza (Tacan) has begun. Read more

Solarbuzz notes 50% drop in polysilicon, wafer prices in 2011, forecasts revenue decreasing in 2012

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 21:29 (PV-Tech)

The most recent NPD Solarbuzz Polysilicon and Wafer Supply Chain Quarterly highlighted the fact that PV polysilicon and wafer prices dropped nearly 50% in 2011 and with demand for solar systems expected to either stay fixed or drop further, polysilicon and wafer revenues will most likely follow suit. The report predicts that revenues for polysilicon will fall 35%, while wafer revenues decrease by 47%, mostly due to a surplus of polysilicon and wafer production, which has led to some manufacturers slowing or stopping production at factories while reducing utilization. Solarbuzz noted that polysilicon factory utilization is expected to tumble from 76% in 2011 to 66% in 2012, Read more

Eduardo Fernández Camacho scoops prize for solar energy research

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 19:21 (PV-Tech)

The University of Seville, the Social Council and the Focus-Abengoa Foundation have awarded the 9th ?Javier Benjumea Puigcerver? research prize to Eduardo Fernández Camacho for his applied research on the increase in performance of solar-thermal plants through predictive control. The prize was awarded to the university professor on the basis that his submitted work was of ?extraordinary scientific value? to the globally important issue of energy supply. Read more

Italy to reduce PV budget to ?500 million

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 18:39 (PV-Tech)

Drafts of the Italian first energy bill ? Quinto Conto Energia ? have been circulated over the internet. It states the solar PV budget will be reduced to ?500 million and all installations over 3kW would need to be registered with relevant authorities. Priority will be offered to plants built in areas in need of regeneration or those built less intrusively. It is expected to come into force in July 2012. Read more

More Solar Efficiency Marks: SoloPower, Suntech, ISC, Alta Devices, Panasonic

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 18:25 (Renewable Energy World)

'Tis the season for announcements about solar cells with improved conversion efficiencies. Today's solar acronym stew ingredients: Zebra, Pluto, CIGS, GaAs, and HIT. Read more

A Lesson in Solar

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The thick binder sat on the corner of J.W. Postal's desk for more than two weeks ? not a good place to be in the fast-moving world of project finance. For someone whose job it is to review proposals, it was always close enough to keep in mind but far enough away to ensure it wouldn't derail more pressing needs. Besides, at first glance it elicited the same reaction this plan always seemed to receive. Read more

US Department of Energy allocates nearly US$500,000 to improve Connecticut?s solar projects

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:31 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy awarded a US$481,000 grant to the state of Connecticut to upgrade its solar capacity, Connecticut?s Governor Dannel P. Malloy has announced. Read more

US Department of Energy allocates nearly US$500,000 to improve Conneticut?s solar projects

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:31 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy awarded a US$481,000 grant to the state of Conneticut to upgrade its solar capacity, Conneticut?s Governor Dannel P. Malloy has announced. Read more

New York City issues request for proposals for wind, solar development on Long Island

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:16 (Solarserver)

New York City Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) have issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the ownership, design, construction and operation of utility-scale installations of solar and wind energy facilities at the former Fresh Kills landfill in the borough of Staten Island. The RFP, released on behalf of the City of New York, is for the long-term lease of about 75 acres of land. Read more

Lindisfarne Castle looks to solar energy to cut energy bills

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:14 (PV-Tech)

The National Trust has had 48 solar panels installed on the roof of the historic Lindisfarne Castle in an attempt to slash energy bills reports Solar Power Portal. The 12kW PV system was custom built for the 16th Century Northumberland castle, to avoid the roof becoming weight bearing. Read more

Egypt-based Orascom excluded from 500MW Moroccan solar project

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:11 (PV-Tech)

Morocco?s agency of solar energy (Masen) has excluded Egypt-based Orascom from the list of bidders for the first phase of a 500MW solar project in the Quarzazate region, L?Economiste newspaper reported. The three remaining bidders for the project are Abeinsa Ingeniera y Construction, Enel and the International Company for Water and Power (ACWA Power International). The tender?s results are expected in the next couple of weeks. Read more

Renesola appoints president of new China division

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:02 (PV-Tech)

Renesola Ltd, one of the worlds largest solar wafer manufacturers, has appointed Xiaoliang Liang as president of the company?s newly created China division. Mr Liang?s main responsibilities will be to head sales and systems developments for the Chinese market. Read more

Australian Solar Institute offers AUD$2 million to Silex?s delayed 2MW project

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 13:37 (PV-Tech)

The Australian Solar Institute is investing AUD$2 million to develop technology to reduce the cost of solar cell manufacturing in the hope of curbing delays to power plant construction. Following the suspension of SilexSolar?s AUD$400 million solar installation in Mildura, Victoria, Australia, this is welcome news for the company. Read more

Veteran?s memorial cemetery, Arizona, receives 30kW solar array

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 13:03 (PV-Tech)

With the US military?s enthusiasm for solar power, it seems fitting that a solar array be installed providing power for a veterans? memorial cemetery. The 30kWh installation has been erected in Southern Arizona, US. The US$170, 000 project has been built through funds from the federal and state governments, by Phoenix-based Sky Renewable Energy. Read more

LANCO under investigation for fraudulent commissioning certificates under Indian Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 12:43 (Solarserver)

LANCO Infratech Ltd. (Gurgaon, India) and seven "front" companies which it formed are currently under investigation by Indian authorities for allegedly obtaining fraudulent commissioning certificates for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, according to Bridge to India (New Delhi, India). Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd. (RREC, Jaipur, India) granted the seven companies commissioning certificates for meeting a January 9th, 2012 deadline under the nation's Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). However, both Bridge to India and India Today report that the plants are not yet commissioned, and in some cases are still in an early stage of construction. Read more

Australia looks capitalize on China?s renewable future

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 12:34 (PV-Tech)

China may not be residing in everybody?s good books; however, Australia is looking for greater collaboration between the two countries. Chief executive of the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES), John Grimes told his audience at the Sixth China (Jinan) Solar Utilization Convention and Exhibition in Shandong Province this month that Australia?s geographical location and expertise can aid China?s continued growth within the industry. Read more

Australia looks to capitalize on China?s renewable future

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 12:34 (PV-Tech)

China may not be residing in everybody?s good books; however, Australia is looking for greater collaboration between the two countries. Chief executive of the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES), John Grimes told his audience at the Sixth China (Jinan) Solar Utilization Convention and Exhibition in Shandong Province this month that Australia?s geographical location and expertise can aid China?s continued growth within the industry. Read more

Trina Solar launches PV installer program for German-speaking markets, considers U.S. factory

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 12:26 (Solarserver)

Trina Solar Ltd. (Changzhou, China) has announced that it will launch a partner program for solar photovoltaic (PV) installers in German-speaking markets on April 2nd, 2012. The company's Trina Solar Partner Plus program will offer benefits to registered members including exclusive offers, technical service, sales support and information. Trina Solar also told Bloomberg on March 20th, 2012 that it is considering building a factory in the United States. This follows the U.S. Department of Commerce preliminary ruling in favor of tariffs against Chinese-made PV manufacturers, including Trina Solar. Read more

Beijing mandates solar water heating systems on new buildings

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 9:34 (Solarserver)

Beijing has introduced a new law requiring the installation of solar thermal water heating systems on new buildings including residential structures up to 12 floors, hotels, schools and hospitals, as well as swimming pools. An exception will be made for buildings where waste heat is used to cover internal hot water demand. Bärbel Epp of Solrico notes that a number of other local and municipal governments in China have passed similar laws. Document 3/2012 "Beijing Urban Construction Applications Management Approach" also states that for multi-family homes, at least two-thirds of flat owners will have to agree on the installation of a solar water heating system, after which Read more


Biomass/Pellets

There are no news available

 



Wind Energy

Asia Report: India's Wind Potential 30 Times Greater Than Believed?

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 15:53 (Renewable Energy World)

A recent reassessment of the India wind energy market blows the lid off of previous capacity estimates. Read more


Hydropower

There are no news available

 



Hydrogen/Fuel Cell

There are no news available

 



Geo Thermal/Heat Pump

There are no news available

 



Energy Policy/Climate/CO2

Top Six Reasons We Need a Better Definition of Clean Energy

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 22:49 (Renewable Energy World)

Senator Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bingaman (D-NM) has just introduced his clean energy standard legislation, and yes, it has every energy source in it, except energy efficiency. Can a clean energy standard include all energy sources - and should it? Read more

Constellation Energy nabs GSA contract for energy production at federal buildings in California

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 22:13 (PV-Tech)

Constellation Energy advised that it had been granted a new one-year General Services Administration (GSA) electricity supply contract for 17 federal buildings in California, including the Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which will amount to nearly 90,000MWH of electricity. The company noted that the contract renewal supports its federal supply to 2.7 million MWh of electricity per year. Read more

France halts ?made in Europe? bonus

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 16:11 (PV-Tech)

The hope that came with French President Nicolas Sarkozy?s announcement at the beginning of the month to apply a bonus to the existing feed-in tariff has been shattered. The Directorate General for Energy and Climate (DGEC) has announced that due to substantial legal and technical difficulties a timetable for the implementation of this bonus scheme has been postponed. Read more

TÜV Rheinland opens new module test lab in Gyeongsan, South Korea

Monday, 3.26.2012 - 14:14 (PV-Tech)

TÜV Rheinland has furthered its reach across the globe with the establishment of a PV module and component testing and certification facility in Gyeongsan, South Korea. The lab ? TÜV Rheinland?s seventh ? was set up in cooperation with Yeungnam University and is said to be Korea?s first to operate according to the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 standards. Read more


Solar-/Electromobil

There are no news available

 



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