News of the year 2012

Date: 23.04.2012



Photovoltaics

SMA unveils new disconnect unit for large-scale PV systems

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 22:27 (Solarserver)

On April 17th, 2012, SMA America LLC (Rocklin, California, U.S.) announced that it has introduced a new disconnect unit, which provides additional safety and increased serviceability to any large-scale photovoltaic (PV) system. The company?s Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-certified disconnect unit is compatible with Sunny Central inverters in 600V to 1000V arrays. Read more

UC Berkeley unveils LED-type PV cell

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 22:22 (Solarserver)

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), have found that solar cells should be designed to be similar to light-emitting devices (LEDs) to produce the maximum amount of energy. ?What we demonstrated is that the better a solar cell is at emitting photons, the higher its voltage and the greater the efficiency it can produce,? stated Eli Yablonovitch, principal researcher and UC Berkeley professor of electrical engineering. Read more

Japan?s government likely to cave to sector pressure, says report

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 18:36 (PV-Tech)

A Japanese government panel is said to be on its way to setting a feed-in tariff of ¥42 per kilowatt hour (approximately US$0.51), according to a Reuters report that in turn cited the Nikkei business daily. The new subsidy scheme is to come into play from July and is a response to the global disapproval of the country?s handling of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March 2011. Read more

SPI to build at least 30 MW of PV plants for Greek VC funds

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 16:17 (Solarserver)

On April 19th, 2012 SPI Solar (SPI, Roseville, California, U.S.) announced that it has been chosen by Thermi-Taneo Venture Capital Fund to serve as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the construction of three solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 7.4 MW in Greece. The same day, SPI announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thermi-Taneo and AIMS-Taneo Fund serve as EPC contractor on an additional set of PV plants, for a minimum of 23 MW and a maximum of 100 MW of PV plants across the nation. Read more

Gehrlicher partners with Kennedy/Jenks to develop PV at water facilities in U.S., begins work on Perleberg PV plant in Brandenburg, Germany

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:39 (Solarserver)

On April 19th, 2012 Gehrlicher Solar AG (Munich, Germany) announced that its U.S. subsidiary has entered an agreement with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants (San Francisco, California, U.S.) to build solar photovoltaic (PV) plants on water and wastewater treatment facilities in the U.S. states of Arizona, California and Nevada. The company sees 10-15 MW of potential annually in this market segment. Gehrlicher Solar has also announced that it began construction on the 35 MW Perleberg Airport PV plant in Brandenburg, Germany on April 10th, 2012. Read more

ANEEL approves net metering, incentives for PV plants in Brazil

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 9:35 (Solarserver)

On April 17th, 2012 Brazilian energy regulator Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL) approved both net metering for renewable energy generation systems up to 1 MW in size, and an incentive system for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants up to 30 MW in size. Citing Associacao Brasileira de Distribuidores de Energia Eletrica (Brasilia, Brazil), Bloomberg estimates that the nation may install as many as 300,000 rooftop PV plants by 2030, for a total value of USD 3 billion. The organization also noted that Brazil represented a 4 MW PV market in 2011. Read more

SEMI: PV Equipment book-to-bill ratio recovers slightly in 4Q 2011

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 9:30 (Solarserver)

SEMI has released its latest report on the solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing industry, noting that the sector's book-to-bill ratio improved slightly to 0.53 in the fourth quarter of 2011, up from a record low of 0.35 in the previous quarter. The organization's "4Q 2011 Worldwide Photovoltaic Equipment Market Statistics Report" does note that this book-to-bill ratio is still lower than any since the beginning of 2010. Worldwide billings fell 44% during the quarter, and bookings fell 14%, after a 70% decline in the previous quarter. Read more


Thermal Power/Heating

Concentrating solar power: SkyFuel offers insurance-backed warranty

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 22:16 (Solarserver)

On April 19th, 2012, SkyFuel Inc. (Arvada, Colorado, U.S.), a parabolic trough solar collector producer, announced that it is now offering insurance to support the company's warranty. SkyFuel is the first company in the concentrating solar power (CSP) industry to do offer this insurance-backed warranty, the company states. Read more

Turkish HITTITE Solar Energy joins U.S. SolarTAC

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 22:12 (Solarserver)

In April 2012, the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC, Aurora, Colorado, U.S.) announced the addition of HITTITE Solar Energy (Istanbul, Turkey) as a sponsoring member. As a member of SolarTAC, HITTITE Solar Energy will have access to the 74-acre SolarTAC site, allowing the renewable energy developer to participate in solar research, development and utilizing SolarTAC's available infrastructure. Read more

US DOE to offer US$9 million to help utilities, grid operators improve solar power forecasting

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 21:41 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy (DOE) advised that as part of its SunShot Initiative, it will be making US$9 million available in 2012 so that utilities and grid operators can better forecast where, when and how much solar power will be generated at US solar energy plants. Read more

Solarhybrid subsidiary sells project right to Summit Energy

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 21:12 (PV-Tech)

Solarhybrid Israel, subsidiary of Solarhybrid, recently sold 201MWp of project rights, which it originally bought in January for US$ 2,391,705.00, to Summit Energy of Israel. Under the agreement, current liabilities of Solarhybrid Israel amounted to US$398,617.50, while earn-out-payments in connection with the acquisition of the project rights totaled US$5,580,645.00. Read more

Welspun, Sunborne to build a combined 17MW of solar plants in Karnataka, India

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 20:48 (PV-Tech)

During the latest round of auctions by state-run Karnataka Renewable Energy Development (KREDL), Welspun Group and Sunborne Energy Holdings were awarded contracts to build solar PV plants in Karnataka, India. According to Bloomberg, Welspun plans to build a 7MW PV project while Sunborne will develop a 10MW solar thermal project. Read more

Asia Report: Japan Solar FiT Likely In Line With Industry Request

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 20:45 (Renewable Energy World)

It's been a year of slow, deliberate debate as Japan plots its future without nuclear power. That future will gain some clarity later this month when a panel charged with recommending Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) for solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropower sends those rate proposals for approval. Read more

Proinso announce opening of new PV centre in Thailand

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 18:54 (PV-Tech)

PV module and inverter manufacturer, Proinso, have announced that it has established a base in Bangkok, Thailand to serve Southeast Asia?s fastest growing solar market. From here the company intends to extend its reach in Asia even further, with possible development into Vietnam, Laos, The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia by the end of next year. Read more

Intersolar Europe presents latest technologies and hottest trends in the solar PV and solar thermal industries; varied accompanying program with special exhibit E-Mobility

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 18:17 (Solarserver)

Intersolar Europe, the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry, is opening its doors at the Messe München from June 13?15, 2012. This year, visitors from all over the world can once again expect the hottest trends and products from across the solar industry. The Innovation Exchange sees exhibitors present the solar industry's most innovative technologies and solutions. The Job & Career Forum offers applicants and companies an excellent platform to meet face to face. The Joint Forces for Solar Intelligence and Networking Forum and the Installation Systems experts' forum provide the perfect opportunity for players from industry and trade to share experiences. Special Read more

Santander invests USD 125 million in Solana CSP plant

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 16:09 (Solarserver)

On April 20th, 2012 Abengoa SA (Seville, Spain) announced that it will collaborate with a subsidiary of Banco Santander SA (Madrid, Spain) to develop the 280 MW Solana concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in the U.S. state of Arizona. Capital Riesgo Global (Boadilla Del Monte, Spain) will invest USD 125 million in exchange for an equity stake in the project. Abengoa estimates the total cost of the Solana project at roughly USD 2 billion, and the company obtained a U.S. federal loan guarantee for roughly USD 1.45 billion in December 2012. Read more

Gujarat?s 214MW solar park named as Asia?s largest single PV plant

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 16:00 (PV-Tech)

Forming over one third of the 604.89MW of PV power dedicated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at last week?s India Solar Investment & Technology Summit (ISIT) event in Gujarat, the state?s 214MW Charanka PV park was also opened at the event and now represents Asia?s largest PV power plant. Read more

Solar shakeout: foreign and domestic buyer interest shown in Q-Cells

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 14:39 (PV-Tech)

The provisional liquidator of Q-Cells, Henning Shor from insolvency firm, HWW Wienberg Wilhelm said that there had already been both foreign and domestic interest shown in acquiring the bankrupt PV manufacturer. With aim to sell the majority of Q-Cells operations as going concerns, the liquidator said in a statement that it had appointed the Frankfurt office of M & A advisory firm, Deloitte to handle the search and selection of potential buyers. Read more

Warwickshire man wins right to retain solar panels on listed property

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:55 (Solarpowerportal)

A Warwickshire resident has won the right to keep solar panels installed no his listed building after submitting a retrospective planning application. Read more

Eight developers provide 60MW of PV projects to Karnataka Solar Mission

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:39 (PV-Tech)

According to a Hindu Business Line report, eight PV developers have been selected to install a total of 60MW in the Indian state of Karnataka. In total the state will see the installation of 80MW of solar energy, of which 20MW will be solar thermal and 60MW PV energy. The Karnataka Solar Mission aims to install and connect 350MW by the year 2016. The developers were selected in a reverse bidding process. A second set of auctions is scheduled for October. Read more

TÜV Rheinland grants health and safety certification to Canadian Solar

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:33 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar has passed the required tests for compliance with the OHSAS 18001 international standard for occupational health and safety as set out by TÜV Rheinland. This standard certifies that the Canada-based solar wafer, cell and module manufacturer has an efficient occupational health and safety procedure and management system in place for its employees. Read more

Emirates Solar Industry Association elects board at first-ever annual general meeting

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:31 (Solarserver)

On April 17th, 2012, Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates) announced that it has elected an executive board at its first-ever annual general meeting (AGM) held March 26th. The association elected Abdul Aziz Al Midfa as chairman; Vahid Fotuhi as president; Erik Voldner as vice-president; Michael Kraemer as legal counsel; Kiomars Dabbagh as treasurer; Karel de Winter as membership director; Steve Griffiths as research director; and Adrian Wood as marketing and communications director. Read more

SolarWorld AG supplies 10.6 MW of modules for multi-megawatt PV plant in Gujarat, India

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:26 (Solarserver)

On April 19th, 2012, SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany) announced that it has supplied its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for a 10 megawatt (MW) solar power plant located in Gujarat, India. The PV plant was connected to the grid on April 19th, 2012. It is part of the Gujarat Solar Park scheduled on completion with 600 MW. Read more

Solar in India: Waaree Energies commissions 5 MW PV plant in Rajasthan

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:23 (Solarserver)

On April 18th, 2012, Waaree Energies Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai, India) announced that it has commissioned a 5 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) power plant for Greentech Power Pvt. Ltd. at Kolayat in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India. Waaree Energies supplied its crystalline PV modules for the plant, which is operating at full capacity. Read more

Jurasolar?s 60MW module facility in Deagu, South Korea to open in May

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:14 (PV-Tech)

Situated in Deagu, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province of South Korea, Jurasolar?s new 60MW module manufacturing facility is nearing completion and will be opened in May, according to the company. Equipped with tools including a fully automated PV module manufacturing line from German company JvG Thoma, the factory will produce the company?s ?JvG Desert Modules?, named to reflect their ability to perform in extremely high temperatures of over 125°C. Read more

Developers eye Chilean solar market with 2500MW of proposed projects

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 12:04 (PV-Tech)

Chile?s Renewable Energy Center has announced that there are currently over 2500MW of PV and solar thermal projects in the pipeline for the country. The report suggests that projects amounting to 685MW are awaiting the start of construction after receiving environmental permits and a further 1903MW are awaiting permits. Read more

Solar shakeout: Timminco to be sold at auction

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 11:51 (PV-Tech)

More than one bidder has led to an auction to be held on Tuesday, April 24 for silicon metal specialist, Timminco and its UMG-silicon subsidiary Bécancour Silicon. Previously, QSI Partners had been identified as a ?Stalking Horse? bidder and had provided funds to Timminco for the short term. Read more

Solar Shakeout: Timminco to be sold at auction

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 11:51 (PV-Tech)

More than one bidder has led to an auction to be held on Tuesday, April 24 for silicon metal specialist, Timminco and its UMG-silicon subsidiary Bécancour Silicon. Previously, QSI Partners had been identified as a ?Stalking Horse? bidder and had provided funds to Timminco for the short-term. Read more


Biomass/Pellets

NREL Catalyst Brings Drop-in Fuels Closer

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

We live in a petroleum-based society, and the oil we use comes from plants that were buried eons ago and changed under pressure and high temperatures. As countries across the globe face dwindling oil supplies and the environmental impacts of tapping hard-to-process shale oil, the question arises: is there a greener way to replicate Mother Nature? Read more


Wind Energy

U.S., UK in floating turbine pact

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 18:35 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. and the UK are to sign a pact to collaborate on developing floating wind turbines for deep waters far offshore. Read more

US, UK in Floating Turbine Pact

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 18:35 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. and the UK are to sign a pact to collaborate on developing floating wind turbines for deep waters far offshore. 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

World Bank allocates US$1.8 billion to Pakistan for energy and water projects

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 21:55 (PV-Tech)

The Express Tribune has reported that World Bank recently allocated US$1.8 billion for Pakistan in order for the country to develop projects in the energy and water sectors. The announcement was made by Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh after a meeting with Isabel Guerrero, president of World Bank. Read more

Wells Fargo underlines environmental commitment with pledge to invest US$30 billion

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 18:25 (PV-Tech)

Wells Fargo & Company has declared that it will loan and invest US$30 billion by 2020 as part of its plan to become a leader in environmental sustainability. The plan will also include US$100 million in grants for the growth of green initiatives and an increase in the company?s energy efficiency of 40%. Read more

How Do We Create an Ethical Grid?

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 15:54 (Renewable Energy World)

Written by Housley Carr, a guest blogger for Energy Efficiency Markets So much of what’s discussed in offices these days – and forever really – focuses on this: What’s best for the company? How do we increase profits? That’s totally understandable, given that a primary responsibility of any for-profit enterprise is t Read more

Iceland Attracts New Business with Clean Energy

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Fishing has long been a vital industry in Iceland. It's so imprinted on the national psyche that it's hard to find anyone untouched by it among the tiny population of 320,000. Even Foreign Minister Össur Skarpherdinsson likes to say, "I consider myself to be an old fisherman." Read more

REA: UK renewables industry supports 110,000 jobs

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 14:45 (Solarpowerportal)

New research published by the Renewable Energy Association and Innovas reveals that the UK?s 12.5 billion renewables industry supports 110,000 jobs across the supply chain and could support as much as 400,000 jobs by 2020. Read more

Siliken receives EQA Carbon Footprint Certificate

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 13:02 (PV-Tech)

Siliken has taken another step towards environmental sustainability after being awarded the Carbon Footprint Certificate for its SLK60P6L modules. The presentation of the award is based on a calculation of indirect and direct greenhouse gas emissions throughout the manufacture and distribution process, until delivery to the client. Siliken?s SLK60P6L modules emit 213.83kg of CO2 per manufactured panel, meeting the satisfactory PAS 2050:2011 standard. Read more

Broadway Electrical installs 49MW of energy throughout Martha?s Vineyard and Cape Cod

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 11:47 (PV-Tech)

Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) has contracted Broadway Electrical Company with a Round II PV agreement to supply a total of 49.4MW energy for projects in Massachusetts. The company will develop, install and operate 44 PV projects in varying sizes, located in the areas of Martha?s Vineyard and Cape Cod. Broadway Electrical will sell the energy through a number of 20-year PPAs. Read more

Poll: 85 percent of public support British renewable energy

Monday, 4.23.2012 - 11:24 (Solarpowerportal)

A new poll from Friends of Earth reveals that 85 percent of Brits want to see Government increase the use of renewables and reduce its consumption of overseas gas. Read more


Solar-/Electromobil

There are no news available

 



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