SunPower Tops in Mono C-Si Solar Cell Efficiency

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 20:49 (Renewable Energy World)

SunPower's Maxeon solar cells are currently the highest-efficiency monocrystalline silicon (c-Si) solar photovoltaic (PV) available, according to Solarplaza's updated rankings. Read more

Semprius closes US$7.5 million funding

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 18:23 (PV-Tech)

Semprius? existing investors including Siemens Venture Capital, ARCH Venture Partners and Intersouth Partners, contributed to an addition US$7.5 million in funding. The proceeds will be used to further accelerate construction and ramp-up of Semprius? pilot production facility to produce high-efficiency, low-cost solar modules. Read more

SMA revenues, margins decline in 2011, strong market share maintained

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:57 (Solarserver)

On March 29th, 2012 SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Germany) released financial results for 2011, reporting a 12% decline in revenues to EUR 1.68 billion (USD 2.23 billion) in revenues, a 14% operating margin and EUR 166 million (USD 220 million) in consolidated profit. The company's managing board also confirmed the company previously issued annual sales forecast, estimating a drop in revenues to between EUR 1.2 and 1.5 billion (USD 1.6 to 2.0 billion) in 2012, with an operating margin between 5% and 10%. SMA expects revenues to grow again in 2013. Read more

Bergamo installs PV demonstration systems in Pakistan

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:19 (Solarserver)

On March 27th, 2012, Bergamo Acquisition Corp. (Henderson, Nevada, U.S.) announced that it will install solar demonstration systems in Karachi, Pakistan. Bergamo Acquisition, through its joint venture subsidiary BB Solar Inc., is developing solar tube well pumping systems, a solar energy generator and a solar cellular phone tower at 56 Jam Deh Chakro Northern Bypass in Karachi. Installation commenced on March 19th, 2012. Read more

Thin Film: A Competitive Option in a Changing Landscape

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The PV industry is moving through a dynamic and challenging period of change. A combination of increased global manufacturing capacity and slowing growth in feed-in-tariff markets is creating margin pressure for the entire industry and throughout the value chain. However, for those companies that can survive this trying period and emerge with viable low-cost technologies and business strategies, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. The rapid drop in PV module prices to $1 a watt or below will accelerate adoption in the years ahead, including emerging markets which will comprise a greater share of PV market growth in the decades ahead. Read more

An audience with the WTO: Canada responds to allegations from Japan and the EU

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 13:50 (PV-Tech)

The World Trade Organization in Geneva was the setting for the landmark case against Canada. Brought to the stage last year by Japan, with the EU joining the fracas later in the year, the three-person dispute panel heard the arguments against Ontario?s contentious domestic content requirements as set out in its feed-in tariff. Read more

SolFocus Snags Mega CPV Project in Mexico

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 10:52 (Renewable Energy World)

Mexico hardly registers as a must-tackle solar market, yet it may well be where concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology will bloom. SolFocus said Thursday it's clinched a deal to supply its CPV equipment to a project that will be built in 50-megawatt phases and is planned to eventually reach 450 megawatts. Read more

SolFocus Snags Mega Concentrating PV Project in Mexico

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 10:52 (Renewable Energy World)

Mexico hardly registers as a must-tackle solar market, yet it may well be where concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology will bloom. SolFocus said Thursday it's clinched a deal to supply its CPV equipment to a project that will be built in 50-megawatt phases and is planned to eventually reach 450 megawatts. Read more

Photon PV cell survey shows slowing growth, Asian dominance

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 10:48 (Solarserver)

On March 26th, 2012 the PHOTON Group (Aachen, Germany) released the results of an annual survey which estimates that solar photovoltaic (PV) cell production grew to 37.2 GW in 2011, a 36% increase over 2010 levels. PHOTON notes that this growth is significantly less than the 120% increase from 2010 to 2011, and is the industry's lowest rate of growth since 2003. The survey also showed six Chinese PV manufacturers in the global top 10, two from Taiwan, and none from either Europe or Japan. Read more

India commissions 37.8 MW under small-scale PV program

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 10:17 (Solarserver)

On March 26th, 2012, India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced that 37.8 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants have been commissioned in the first batch and phase of its Rooftop PV and Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP). The state of Rajasthan has the largest amount of commissioned projects at 6 MW, followed by Maharashtra at 5 MW and Haryana at 4.8 MW. All of these plants have been connected to the grid since June 2011. Read more

Planning permission no longer required for non-domestic solar installations

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 19:09 (Solarpowerportal)

In news that will make life easier for many UK solar installers, from April 6 this year planning permission will no-longer be required to install solar PV or solar thermal on non-domestic buildings. The new rules will also mean that ground-mounted systems up to 9m2 will be able to go ahead without a planning application. Read more

Solar PV Materials Demand Doubling in Five Years

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 18:58 (Renewable Energy World)

Materials used in crystalline silicon and thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) modules will surge over the next five years to nearly $42 billion worth of sales, according to AEI Consulting. That's even assuming this year is flat due to the impact of policy changes in major PV markets in Europe. Read more

Japanese FiT proposals boost Solar Frontier?s potential in Asia

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 16:46 (PV-Tech)

Japan?s new feed-in tariff, implementation is anticipated to be July, is set to generate highly attractive returns, according to clean energy market research provider, Bloomberg Energy Finance. As long as the proposed scheme is able to off-set the expensive price of solar, it could lead to a surge in project proposals. Read more

SAG Solarstrom?s 48MW Serenissima plant nears completion of sale

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 16:38 (PV-Tech)

SAG Solarstrom?s sale of the 48MW Serenissima PV plant in Italy to an unnamed European investor will be concluded shortly, the company has announced. The completion of the sale was delayed by contingent high administrative efforts. Read more

juwi confirms UK presence, reveals large-scale solar plans

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 16:37 (Solarpowerportal)

juwi Renewable Energies Limited has confirmed its commitment to the UK solar market by opening a new, larger office at Blythe Valley Park, near Birmingham. Read more

Siemens receives order for receivers for CSP plant in Andhra Pradesh, India

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 16:11 (Solarserver)

On March 28th, 2012 Siemens Energy (Erlangen, Germany) announced that it has received an order to supply its universal vacuum air collector (UVAC) 2010 solar receivers for a second 50 MW concentrating solar power plant (CSP) in India. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (Hyderabad, India) will use roughly 17,000 Siemens UVAC 2010 receivers at its Megha parabolic trough CSP plant near Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Megha Engineering expects to commission the plant in the spring of 2013. Read more

Solar Trade Association welcomes new Chairman

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:37 (Solarpowerportal)

The current Managing Director of Riomay, Alan Aldridge, has been named as the new Chairman of the Solar Trade Association (STA). Aldridge succeeds Howard Johns, who stepped down earlier this month. Read more

PV in Greece: SCHOTT Solar and ENVIRON realize solar parks with 17 megawatts of output

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:26 (Solarserver)

SCHOTT Solar (Mainz, Germany) and ENVIRON currently building solar parks with a secured total output of 17 megawatts. Leading Greek and European banks are financing the pipeline. Several systems with 10 megawatts in total have already been connected to the grid and refinanced and additional parks are already under construction, SCHOTT Solar emphasizes in a press release. Read more

Another Perspective on Solar at Data Centers

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

In February, word leaked that Apple will install a 20-megawatt solar farm — the largest customer-sited solar array in the U.S — at its data center in Maiden, North Carolina, dubbed by some as the "iDataCenter."  The project has reinvigorated the debate on the potential role of solar at data centers. Can solar make a meaningful Read more

Cogenra to install a 60 kW hybrid PV solar water heating system at Maui Brewing Co., Hawaii

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 14:34 (Solarserver)

On March 27th, 2012, Cogenra Solar (Mountain View, California, U.S.) announced that it will install a 60-kilowatt (kW) solar cogeneration project at Maui Brewing Co. in the State of Hawaii. The solar cogeneration array will provide Maui Brewing with solar hot water and electricity, enhancing the brewery?s sustainability leadership while reducing energy costs. Read more

Upsolar, Plan-net Solar to install 1.2 MW rooftop PV plant in Slovenia

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 14:08 (Solarserver)

On March 27th, 2012, Upsolar (Shanghai, China) announced that it has teamed up with Plan-net Solar, a provider of construction services, to install a 1.2 megawatt (MW) rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Slovenia. The project?s 783 kilowatt (kW) first phase has recently been completed by Plan-net Solar. The entire system is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2012. Read more

Powerway and Dow Corning announce collaboration

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 13:48 (PV-Tech)

Powerway Renewable Energy has announced its collaboration with Dow Corning. Solar plant developer Powerway will co-operate with Dow Corning and use its silicone bonding technology in its PV mounting systems. Read more

The Solar Building Company expands UK distribution network

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 13:08 (Solarpowerportal)

The Solar Building Company has recently secured new distribution and support partnerships with Data Design System (DDS) and Sungrow Power Supply. Read more

Seminole Financial Services funds O2 energies? 1.5MW PV project in Elm City, Colorado

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 11:36 (PV-Tech)

North Carolina-based PV developer O2 energies has commenced construction of the Sandy Cross Solar project, a 1.5MW PV project in Elm City, Colorado. Seminole Financial Services granted a loan of US$2.5 million to O2 energies for the construction of the plant on the site of an already existing, three-phase power line. The installation is expected to be completed by late spring 2012. Read more

SolarReserve receives permits for 200 MW Saguache CSP project

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 9:41 (Solarserver)

On March 27th, 2012 SolarReserve LLC (Santa Monica, California, U.S.) announced that it has received final permits from a local government body in the U.S. state of Colorado for two 100 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. The Saguache County Board of Commissioners has approved a final 1041 permit for the company's Saguache CSP project. The two plants will utilize a solar power tower design with molten salt technology, which will allow 15 hours of thermal energy storage. Read more

FLS to commission 7,760 square meter solar thermal system in North Carolina

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 9:37 (Solarserver)

FLS Energy Inc. (Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.) will commission the largest solar thermal system in the United States at a poultry processing facility in North Carolina on April 3rd, 2012. The solar thermal plant at the Prestage Foods (St. Pauls, North Carolina, U.S.) facility features 2,100 AET-40 solar thermal collectors for a total of 7,760 square meters of collector area. The system will provide roughly 380,000 liters of hot water per day, with an annual output of over 21 million BTUs. Read more

Virginia Offshore Wind Turbine Positioned to be First in U.S.

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 18:41 (Renewable Energy World)

The American offshore wind market, which has yet to install a turbine anywhere in coastal waters, took a big step forward this week with state approval of a single 5-megawatt (MW) prototype off the coast of Virginia. Read more

Hot topic: Government plans to cut UK emissions with new Heat Strategy

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 18:18 (Solarpowerportal)

Government has today revealed plans for how to cut emissions from heating homes, businesses and industry in the UK. This news comes just days after the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) revealed an extension of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme and a delayed rollout to the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Read more

DECC statistics reveal record renewable generation in 2011

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 18:02 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published its Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices publications, which provide an outlook over 2011. Read more

REA appoints first President and new Chair of the Board

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 17:36 (Solarpowerportal)

Tim Yeo, MP for South Suffolk, has been named as the first ever President of the Renewable Energy Association (REA). Yeo joins the Association after serving in Government positions in trade and industry, transport, the environment and agriculture. He is also the current Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee. Read more

A True 'All of the Above' Energy Policy: Denmark Affirms Commitment to 100% Renewable Energy by 2050

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Denmark is known for being a world leader in wind electricity. But there's so much more to the country's renewable energy sector that deserves attention. Read more

E.ON, RWE npower abandon new nuclear plans

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 13:48 (Solarpowerportal)

In an interesting turn of events for the UK energy market, E.ON and RWE npower have today pulled out of their 50-50 joint-venture: Horizon Nuclear Power. The companies say they do not plan to go ahead with the new nuclear plants, and will instead ?focus on other strategic projects that will deliver earlier benefit for customers and the company.? Read more

SunPower starts commercial production of 24%-efficient Maxeon Gen 3 cell

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 12:40 (PV-Tech)

SunPower?s third-generation Maxeon solar cell, which claims world-record efficiencies of up to 24%, has entered commercial production. The all-back contact cell is 160mm2 in size and features low reverse-bias breakdown voltage and better temperature coefficient, claiming an increase in energy yield in high-temperature environments and in shady, dusty conditions. Read more

Fifth Conto Energia disputed as nothing more than a proposal

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 11:36 (PV-Tech)

The Italian PV association, Gruppo Imprese Fotovoltaiche Italiane (GIFI), had previously demanded the government provide verification for the drafts of the new energy bill to replace Conto Energia four floating around the internet. However, market research company Jefferies, following its attendance at a photon conference has advised caution to its investors to not believe a fifth energy bill has already been released. The government is to announce its decision either late spring or early summer. Read more

Bloomberg New Energy Finance: Solar will be the biggest beneficiary of Japan's new clean energy policy

Thursday, 3.29.2012 - 10:41 (Solarserver)

The development of wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Japan will generate highly attractive returns under the feed-in-tariffs recently proposed by the Japanese government, according to clean energy market research provider Bloomberg New Energy Finance. This is despite much higher costs for solar in Japan than elsewhere in the world. Read more