BHEL commissions 13 MW of PV plants in India

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 15:59 (Solarserver)

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL, New Delhi, India) reports that it has commissioned 13 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants across India in its current financial year, a record for the company. These PV plants include a 5 MW PV plant in the state of Rajasthan, a 3 MW PV plant in Karnataka, two 2 MW PV plants in Maharashtra and 1.1 MW in the Lakshadweep Islands. BHEL served as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for these plants. Read more

MiaSolé raises further US$55 million to support commercial performance

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 15:38 (PV-Tech)

Having claimed over 55MW of its GIGS thin film product offerings have been installed to data, MiaSolé has secured further funding to the tune of US$55 million from investors to support a focus on what it described as ?commercial performance.? Read more

MiaSole raises further US$55 million to support focus on commercial performance

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 15:38 (PV-Tech)

Having claimed over 55MW of its GIGS thin film product offerings have been installed to data, MiaSole has secured further funding to the tune of US$55 million from investors to support a focus on what it described as ?commercial performance.? Read more

New Approach Aims to Slash Cost of Solar Cells

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar-powered electricity prices could soon approach those of power from coal or natural gas thanks to collaborative research with solar start-up Ampulse Corporation at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Read more

centrotherm photovoltaics restructures after posting loss in 2011

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:49 (PV-Tech)

Despite an 11.9% increase in revenue for 2011, centrotherm photovoltaics reported a preliminary operating loss of ?19.8 million on sales of ?698.5 million. Its Silicon & Wafer segment and its Thin Film Module segment took the brunt of the losses, leading to a major restructuring operation that will include job losses. Read more

Kyocera, SB Energy to build 4.2 MW PV project in Japan

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:36 (Solarserver)

On March 5th, 2012 the Kyocera Group (Kyoto, Japan) and SB Energy Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) announced that they have been selected by the City of Kyoto, Japan to build and operate a 4.2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project on two sites, as the largest PV project in the prefecture of Kyoto. Kyocera will supply 17,000 of its PV modules for two 2.1 MW PV plants in city's Fushimi-ku district, as well as providing system design, procurement and construction through various subsidiaries. The companies plan to commission the first plant by the start of Japan's new feed-in tariff on July 1st, 2012, and the second facility by September 1st, 2012. Read more

Key Equipment Finance provides financing of more than 40,000 PV modules for canopy project at Rutgers University, New Jersey

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:26 (Solarserver)

On March 5th, 2012, Key Equipment Finance (Superior, Colorado, U.S.), an affiliate of KeyCorp, announced that it finances a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installation at Rutgers University, New Jersey. SunDurance Energy (Edison, New Jersey, U.S.) is the solar integrator for the project, which will use more than 40,000 high-efficiency solar panels mounted on canopy structures over two large surface parking areas on the Livingston Campus in Piscataway Township, New Jersey. Read more

Premier Power begins construction on 16.2 MW PV plant in Bulgaria

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 12:34 (Solarserver)

On March 6th, 2012 Premier Power Renewable Energy Inc. (El Dorado Hills, California, U.S.) announced that it has begun construction on a 16.2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Bulgaria, which it is developing through a joint venture with Plaan Czech sro (Kromeriz, Czech Republic). Premier Power is building the Zdravetz PV plant on the site of a former coal mine, and expects to complete the plant during the second quarter of 2012. The news follows Premier Power's February 23rd, 2012 announcement that it will provide 5 MW of equipment for PV plants in Scandinavia. Read more

Palo Alto passes feed-in tariff for PV generation

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 12:20 (Solarserver)

The City of Palo Alto, California has approved a feed-in tariff (FIT) for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation through its municipal utility. The program will pay USD 0.14/kWh over 20-year contracts with an annual cap of 4 MW and a minimum project size of 100 kW in the first year. The Palo Alto City Council passed the measure, which it calls a CLEAN (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) program, unanimously on March 5th, 2012. The city will begin accepting applications through the program on April 2nd, 2012 and will award the first contracts on May 1st, 2012. Read more

PV in the U.K.: Green Electrician announces installation of solar modules worth GBP 1.25 million on port buildings in South Wales

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 12:11 (Solarserver)

On March 1st, 2012, Green Electrician (Cheshire, England) announced that it has teamed up Milford Haven Port Authority in Pembrokeshire to expand into South Wales, England. Green Electrician South Wales will install more than GBP 1.25 million of photovoltaic (PV) panels on port and port tenant buildings across Milford Docks, Pembroke Port and Cedar Court in Milford Haven. The installation will reduce the port?s carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking over 57,000 cars off the road. Read more

SMA to supply Sunny Central CP inverters to 290 MW Agua Caliente PV plant

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 9:41 (Solarserver)

On March 6th, 2012 SMA America (Rocklin, California, U.S.) announced that it will supply more than 400 of SMA Sunny Central 720CP inverters for the 290 MW Agua Caliente solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the U.S. state of Arizona. First Solar is currently constructing the 9.7 square kilometer plant near Dateland, Arizona, and plans to complete the project in 2014. Read more

Q-Cells reports another quarter of heavy losses in 4Q 2011, begins work on 28 MW German PV plant

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 9:31 (Solarserver)

One-time financial adjustments have led to significant losses in Q-Cells SE's (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) most recent quarterly results, despite a growth in revenues. The company released preliminary unaudited fourth quarter 2011 results on March 6th, 2012, reporting a 54% sequential increase in quarterly revenues to EUR 353 (USD 463 million), an EBIT of -355 million (USD 466 million) and a net loss of EUR 393 million (USD 516 million). Read more

Report: Italy to add up to 4,000MW of solar power capacity this year

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 22:14 (PV-Tech)

According to a report published by Reuters, Enel Green Power advised that it foresees new solar power generation capacity in Italy reaching only between 3,000 to 4,000MW in 2012. In 2011, the country installed 9,000MW of new solar power, making it one of the fastest growing solar markets in the world. Read more

Tioga installs 249kW solar system on BJ?s Wholesale Club in New York

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 22:04 (PV-Tech)

Tioga Energy advised that it had completed the installation of a 249kW solar system at BJ Wholesale Club?s Deer park, New York location. This is the first of two projects Tioga is developing through an incentive from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Combined, the two projects will provide 850kW of renewable energy. Read more

SunPower, GRID Alternatives install solar panels on low-income home in San Francisco

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 21:48 (PV-Tech)

SunPower and GRID Alternatives have worked together for the past six years helping low-income families through volunteer hours, philanthropic gifts, equipment donations and sales. Recently, the two companies installed a rooftop solar system on a low-income home in San Francisco, a feat that both organizations note is just one of the many ventures they plan to complete together under their continued 2012 partnership. Read more

SMA tapped to deliver more than 400 inverters for Agua Caliente solar project

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 21:34 (PV-Tech)

The 290MW Agua Caliente solar project in Arizona, being built by First Solar, will be utilizing over 400 SMA Sunny Central 720CP inverters. SMA American advised that its technology had been chosen for the plant, which is expected to reach operation in 2014. The company notes that its Sunny Central CP inverters were designed for use in large, open-field PV plants and are able to withstand ambient temperatures up to 50?C. Read more

Iwanuma, Japan to construct solar plant on farmland devastated by 2011 earthquake and tsunami

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 21:05 (PV-Tech)

The Daily Yomiuri has reported that the Iwanuma city government plans to build a solar plant on farmland damaged beyond feasible repair by salt water and subsidence from last year?s earthquake and tsunami.  According to the report, the plant will generate 15,000kW of electricity, with an annual power generation of 18 million kWh. Read more

Viridian completes year 2 of global sustainability project with solar projects in Ghana

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 20:37 (PV-Tech)

In the second year of its ?7 Continents in 7 Years? sustainability initiative, Viridian Energy went to Ghana where it provided solar installations for residents in the Atiwa District, specifically in the villages of Asonafo, Abrenya and Wekpeti. Partnering with World Joy and Empower Playgrounds, Viridian sent 34 independent sales associates and corporate team members to install the solar panels on schools, health clinics and community libraries. Read more

Update: More Details on Apple's NC Solar Farm

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 20:35 (Renewable Energy World)

One month after revealing plans for a big solar project at its new data farm in North Carolina, Apple has opened the kimono a bit more to show the project's planned output, ready date, and one of the key partners. Read more

Order Focus: SPI Solar selects ExelGroup to aid break into Greek market

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 18:59 (PV-Tech)

SPI Solar is to partner with local manufacturer ExelGroup in order to enter into the Greek market. ExelGroup has agreed to supply SPI Solar with its Exel G2 mounting structures for three installations in Thrace. Read more

PsomasFMG and NRG Solar announce plans to build 11MW of PV projects in California

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 17:19 (PV-Tech)

PsomasFMG and NRG Solar announced a plan to combine forces and develop a joint portfolio of solar projects totalling over 11MW. Of the five initial projects, the two largest will be a 7.3MW project at William S. Hart School District in Santa Clarita and a with 3.3MW installation in Orange County, California. Read more

Order Focus: Unity Electric selects Satcon to provide 16MW of inverters for solar farm in NJ

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 17:10 (PV-Tech)

Satcon has announced that Unity Electric has commissioned them to supply 16MW of their PowerGate Plus solutions to power a utility-scale solar farm in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Read more

Order Focus: Unity Electric selects Satcon to provide 16MW of inverters for solar farm in New Jersey

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 17:10 (PV-Tech)

Satcon has announced that Unity Electric has commissioned them to supply 16MW of their PowerGate Plus solutions to power a utility-scale solar farm in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Read more

Phono Solar awarded TÜV Rheinland?s IEC 62716 certification

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 16:49 (PV-Tech)

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar modules manufacturer, Phono Solar, has passed TÜV Rheinland?s ammonia corrosion test. The IEC 62716 standard certification proves the modules? quality and reliability on land near livestock. Read more

SAG Solarstrom concludes ?118 million project financing for 48MW Serenissima plant

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 16:19 (PV-Tech)

Following on from the sale of the 48MW Serenissima PV plant in Italy to an unnamed investor at the end of December 2011, SAG Solarstrom has revealed the conclusion of an ?118 million loan agreement for long-term project financing of the plant. Read more

Concentrating Solar Power Alliance formed to promote CSP in the US

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 16:08 (PV-Tech)

Concentrating solar power companies, Abengoa, BrightSource Energy, and Torresol Energy announced the formation of the Concentrating Solar Power Alliance (CSPA). Market research group SBI Energy predicts a rise in the CSP market for 2012 and with the PV industry in such turmoil, there is a hole just waiting to be filled. Read more

Abengoa, BrightSource, Torresol form CSP Alliance

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 16:06 (Solarserver)

On March 6th, 2012 Abengoa SA (Seville, Spain), BrightSource Energy Inc. (Oakland, California, U.S.) and Torresol Energy SA (Getxo, Spain) announced the formation of an organization to promote the expansion of concentrating solar power (CSP) technology in the United States, including through policy advocacy. The CSP Alliance will also inform regulators, utilities and grid operators in the United States about the unique benefits of concentrating solar power (CSP) and thermal energy storage. Read more

U.S. Solar Trade Surplus With China Turns Into Gaping Deficit, Says Coalition of Manufacturers

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 15:49 (Renewable Energy World)

Last summer, we wrote about a trade report from GTM Research showing that the U.S. had a $247 million solar trade surplus with China in 2010 ? an unexpected tip of the scales that came mostly from exporting polysilicon and manufacturing equipment. Read more

Canadian Solar cites market share gains as shipments grew 65% in 2011

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 14:39 (PV-Tech)

As previously guided, Canadian Solar increased sales and shipments in the difficult fourth quarter of 2011, enabling the module manufacturer to post full-year revenue of US$1.9 billion, compared to net revenue of US$1.5 billion for fiscal year 2010. Fourth quarter shipments were 436MW, an increase of 23% from 355MW in the third quarter 2011. However, declining margins due to falling module ASPs resulted in an annual loss of US$US$43.9 million. The company expects to ship approximately 1,800 MW to 2,000 MW of solar products in 2012, supporting market share gains achieved in 2011. Read more

Ashalim Group to construct 30MW PV plant in Negev desert, Israel

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:38 (PV-Tech)

The Ashalim Sun PV consortium has successfully bid for the construction and development of a 30MW PV plant to be located in the Negev desert, southern Israel, according to a Reuters report. Scheduled to commence operation in early 2015, the plant will be constructed adjacent to two solar thermal plants in Ashalim, each of which will generate 110MW. Read more

solarhybrid estimates loss of ?4 million due to German FiT cuts

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:23 (PV-Tech)

Germany-based solarhybrid is predicting a gloomy outlook due to the amendments to the EEG bill for proposed cuts to the country?s feed-in tariff. The company has announced that these cuts will jeopardize the completion of its projects in Neuhardenberg, Fürstenwalde and Allstadt Read more

Uni-Solar, Baraclit form strategic partnership for BIPV rooftops in Italy

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:20 (Solarserver)

On March 5th, 2012, United Solar (Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.), manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR lightweight, flexible solar photovoltaic (PV) products, announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with Baraclit SpA (Villafranca, Italy), a large company with experience in the industrial prefabricated building sector. Baraclit's b.Power division will integrate UNI-SOLAR solar photovoltaic (PV) laminates into its "flat roof" system. The addressable opportunity is estimated to be 10 million square meters of Baraclit's industrial rooftop portfolio. Read more

Element Power Solar sells 6 MW of U.K. PV plants to funds

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:09 (Solarserver)

On March 1st, 2012, Element Power Solar (London, United Kingdom) announced that it has completed the sale of two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with a total generation capacity of 6 megawatts (MW) to funds managed by alternative asset manager Foresight Group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Read more

German solar thermal industry shows slight growth in 2011

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 12:28 (Solarserver)

The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) has released figures for the nation's 2011 solar thermal market, estimating a 10% growth in installations by volume to 1.27 million square meters, in a total of 149,000 new systems. However, despite this increase 2011 installations are still 40% below peak levels in 2008, as well as below 2006 and 2009 levels. Industry observers also note that sales picked up strongly only at the end of 2011, after many companies had already laid off employees due to the sluggish market. Read more

Martifer Solar USA awarded USD 3 million in NYSERDA funding

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 12:05 (Solarserver)

On March 5th, 2012, Martifer Solar USA Inc. (New York, U.S.) announced that it has received nearly USD 3 million funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of its Solar Electric Incentive Program. The company plans to leverage the funds to enter the increasingly active New York solar market. Read more

Solar Power UK roadshow: Coping with the Cuts continues its journey

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 7:00 (Solarpowerportal)

After successfully completing its first three stops along the Solar Power UK roadshow, the tour is set to continue today in London. Read more

Offshore Wind Gets $180 Million Boost from DOE

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 15:25 (Renewable Energy World)

DOE announced on March 1 the start of an initiative to capture wind energy off U.S. coasts. As part of a planned six-year, $180 million initiative, an initial $20 million will be available this year as the first step in supporting up to four innovative offshore wind energy installations. These offshore wind projects will accelerate the deployment of breakthrough wind power technologies that will help diversify the U.S. energy portfolio. Offshore wind resources in the United States are estimated at more than 4,000 gigawatts. Read more

KLNE secures US$7.9 million of funding from Shenergy Group

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 17:03 (PV-Tech)

KLNE?s plans for growth and expansion will come to fruition by securing additional funding from Shanghai-based Shenergy Group in early February. A state-owned enterprise and one of China?s top 500 companies, Shenergy has a long history of involvement in traditional energy businesses such as oil and gas and has a growing interest in renewable energy. Read more

Southern California Public Power Authority issues request for proposals for 5,000 GWh of renewable energy projects

Wednesday, 3.7.2012 - 13:31 (Solarserver)

The Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for renewable energy projects to total 2,000 GWh annually starting in 2014 and another 3,000 GWh annually in 2017, on behalf of its member utilities. The RFP is open to solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) as well as other renewable energy technologies, with a response deadline of November 30th, 2012. SCPPA states that bids for solar technologies, including those with storage capacity, should start at less than USD 110 per MWh. Read more