Meyer Burger raises USD 121 million through bond issue

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 15:57 (Solarserver)

On April 27th, 2012 Meyer Burger Technology Ltd. (Baar, Switzerland) announced that it has raised CHF 110 million (USD 121 million) through the issuance of a CHF-denominated 5-year bond. Meyer Burger states that the proceeds of the bond will be primarily used to fund research and development, as well as for investments related to the integration of Roth & Rau AG (Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany), which it acquired in 2011. Read more

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick inaugurates MW PV plant

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 14:19 (Solarserver)

On April 25th, 2012, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has inaugurated a new megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) array in Westford, Mass. The PV project, which features 14,000 solar panels, is a collaboration between Cathartes Private Investments (Boston, Mass.), Nexamp Inc. (Boston, Mass.) and National Grid. The PV plant situated near Route 3 in Westford, will provide power to the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Read more

PV production equipment: Spire ships 250th Spi-Sun simulator

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 14:18 (Solarserver)

On April 26th, 2012, Spire Corp. (Bedford, Mass., U.S.), a provider of solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment and systems, announced that it has completed and shipped its 250th Spi-Sun Simulator 4600SLP. The 4600SLP provides a light source that closely matches the solar spectrum to measure electrical characteristics and output power ratings of PV modules. Read more

Michigan State University discovers use of graphene to boost PV cell efficiencies

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 13:53 (Solarserver)

Michigan State University, grapheme, PV cell efficiencies, carbon atoms, solar photovoltaic panels, Yun Hang Hu, professor of materials science, electrical conductivity, dye-sensitized solar cells Read more

Heliatek reaches 10.7% efficiency with OPV cell

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 9:19 (Solarserver)

On April 27th, 2012 Heliatek GmbH (Dresden, Germany) announced that it has achieved a new world record organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell conversion efficiency of 10.7% with a 1.1 square centimeter cell, as confirmed by SGS SA (Geneva, Switzerland). Heliatek states that the SGS measurements also confirmed the superior low light and high temperature performance characteristics of OPV compared to traditional PV technologies. Heliatek credits the use of oligomers developed and synthesized at its laboratory in Ulm, Germany for these achievements. Read more

Report: Angola to invest in 130 solar projects

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 22:50 (PV-Tech)

According to a report by Bloomberg, Angola has revealed its plans to invest in around 130 solar projects. The solar installations will help power schools and health centres as reported by Agencia Angola Press. Energy Minister Joao Baptista Borges noted that solar power equipment suppliers may benefit from tax incentives. Read more

Laid off SolarWorld employees granted aid by US Department of Labour

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 22:09 (PV-Tech)

Considered to be one of the first major ruling for the trade case filed against Chinese trade practices by SolarWorld last year, the US Department of Labour has granted all manufacturing employees that were laid off from SolarWorld Industries? Camarillo, California plant as being eligible for federal trade-adjustment assistance, including grants for education that will lead to re-educating them for new work. Read more

SolarCity to organise initial public offering of its stock

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 21:51 (PV-Tech)

SolarCity advised that it is planning to organise a registered initial public offering of its common stock. The company anticipates beginning the offering after the SEC completes the review process initiated by SolarCity?s confidential submission on April 26 of its draft registration statement. Read more

Haiti?s Mirebalais Hospital receives shipment of 1,800 solar panels

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 21:45 (PV-Tech)

Since 2010, Haiti has been struggling to recover from the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on January 12. A part of the country?s rehabilitation is the construction of the Mirebalais Hospital, a soon to be finished 320-bed hospital, which is slated to offer a new level of care not previously available at a public facility. The hospital?s roof is being outfitted with 1,800 solar panels, delivered by Solectria Renewables, which will provide 400kVA of electricity. Read more

Report: Germany installed 650MW of solar panels during first two months of 2012

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 21:11 (PV-Tech)

Germany?s Federal Network Agency announced that during January and February the country collectively installed around 650MW of solar panels; almost double the amount installed for the same period in 2011. Bloomberg reports that installations rose nearly 450MW in January and about 200MW in February. Read more

Global Woes Continue With LDK Solar's Quarterly Earnings

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 21:07 (Renewable Energy World)

China's LDK Solar became the latest company to detail symptoms of the drag caused by oversupply and falling subsidies as it reported mounting losses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Read more

Global Woes Continue with LDK Solar's Quarterly Earnings

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 21:07 (Renewable Energy World)

China's LDK Solar became the latest company to detail symptoms of the drag caused by oversupply and falling subsidies as it reported mounting losses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Read more

BOS Series: Unlocking Solar Secrets of Current and Voltage Fluctuations

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 19:00 (Renewable Energy World)

In the previous article in this series, we discussed the many factors that impact energy output from solar arrays and why it's important to improve the insight into array performance if lifetime energy yield is to match expectations. Read more

New appointments at NPD Solarbuzz

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 18:47 (PV-Tech)

NPD Solarbuzz has announced the promotion of Finlay Colville, Ph.D. to vice president and the appointment of Wolfgang Schlichting as research director, Downstream Markets. Read more

IRECO hopes to unify global microgeneration accreditation

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 18:14 (Solarpowerportal)

A new international certification scheme for small scale renewable energy has been proposed by prominent UK solar industry players. The International Renewable Energy Certification Organisation (IRECO) was introduced to energy ministers who attended the Clean Energy Ministerial last week in London. Read more

Solar Policy Can Advance (or Delay) Grid Parity by a Decade

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 17:22 (Renewable Energy World)

In their interactive graphic, Bloomberg Energy Finance calls solar grid parity (when electricity from solar costs less than grid power) the "golden goal."  It's an excellent illustration of how the right energy policy can help a nation go gold on solar or wallow in metallurgical obscurity.  In the case of the U.S., it may mean delaying Read more

LDK Solar reports heavy losses in 4Q 2011

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 16:12 (Solarserver)

On April 30th, 2012 LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu City, China) released long-awaited unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011, reporting net sales of USD 420 million, an operating loss of USD 531 million, and a net loss of USD 589 million. These quarterly results represent an 11% decline in revenues and a near seven-fold increase in operating loss from the third quarter of 2011. The company also expects a heavy decline in shipments with revenue falling to between USD 190 to 230 million in the first quarter of 2012, but predicts that shipments will recover in the following quarters and that revenues will reach USD 2.0 to 2.7 billion over the full year 2012. Read more

Asia Report: U.S., India Strike $125 Million Investment Deal

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 15:57 (Renewable Energy World)

Days after the United States Department of Energy announced a partnership with the U.K. on offshore wind, the DOE moved toward a $125 million partnership with India that could boost international biofuels production and further development of solar technology and energy efficiency. Read more

The Making of a 'Living Lab' for Solar and Efficiency

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 15:09 (Renewable Energy World)

Along the waterfront of the Charles River Basin, where rooftop access is scarce, solar panels rarely see the light of day. Read more

Trina Solar launches partner programme for installers in UK

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 15:08 (Solarpowerportal)

Trina Solar Limited has today announced that it will launch a new partner programme for installers in the UK on May 1, 2012. The programme is called Trina Solar Partner Plus and offers a number of benefits to registered members including personalised technical service, active sales support, exclusive offers and first hand information. Read more

PG&E Seeks Approval to Invest in Solar Manufacturing

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

A Silicon Valley company's plan to start a solar equipment prototyping service is running up against a June deadline to secure a critical funding from the Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which is seeking regulatory approval to use ratepayers' money for the plan. Read more

TRA-MAGE announces new solar tile mounts

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 14:45 (Solarserver)

TRA-Mage Inc. (American Fork, Utah, U.S.) announced that it has introduced solar tile mount, a new method of attaching solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to tile roofs. The solar tile mount was designed to secure PV panels to the rook deck without replacing or penetrating the tile. The adjustability of TRA-Mage?s solar tile mount allows for three different heights and adjustable placement. Read more

Solarpack constructs 20MW Peruvian PV plants

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 13:46 (PV-Tech)

Solarpack has begun building two solar power plants in Peru, Solarpack?s CEO Pablo Burgos told Photon. Once completed, each of the projects will have a capacity of 20MW. The company was awarded the contract for the projects, located in Tacna and Moquegua, southern Peru, in 2010. The projects are expected to commence production in October and December 2012. Read more

U.S. NRDC releases report on Indian solar industry

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 13:42 (Solarserver)

On April 24th, 2012, U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council has released a new report on India's solar industry. According to the report, installed solar capacity in India reached 506.9 megawatts (MW) at the end of March 2012, and increased about 489 MW compared to the installed capacity in 2010 of 17.8 MW. Read more

Japan proposes rates for new feed-in tariff; USD 0.52/kWh for solar systems with 10 kW and larger; Kyocera announces 70 MW PV plant in Southern Japan

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 13:18 (Solarserver)

On April 25th, 2012 a Japanese Government panel issued recommended rates of JPY 42/kWh (USD 0.52/kWh) for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with 10 kW and larger through the nation's new feed-in tariff. The feed-in tariff program will begin on July 1st, 2012. Kyocera Corporation President Tetsuo Kuba issued a statement the same day applauding the rates. Read more

Adler to manage First Solar European warranties

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 12:40 (PV-Tech)

Following reports on First Solar shutting down production in Germany, it has contracted German PV services provider Adler Solar to take over responsibility for European warranties. Read more

Jefferies report: Japanese FiT announcement ?positive? for industry growth

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 12:21 (PV-Tech)

On April 25, chairperson of the Purchase Price Calculation Committee, Professor Kazhiro Ueda, announced proposals for the new FiT program expected to start in July. Jefferies, global securities and investment banking group, has released a report in support of the government?s proposals to develop solar PV on a grander scale. However, the report also highlights that many manufacturers, too much involved with Europe, may lose out on investment opportunities in the emerging market in Asia. Read more

Sales plummet at LDK Solar as losses soar

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 11:44 (PV-Tech)

Delayed fourth quarter and full-year results at LDK Solar show the full extent of the challenges facing the integrated PV manufacturer. Having already revised downwards fourth quarter figures, the company missed revenue guidance and guided first quarter revenue to levels not seen since the second quarter of 2009. Loss from operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was US$531.4 million on the back of heavy write downs across the company, leading to a net loss of US$588.7 million. Revenue reached US$2.15 billion in 2011, compared to US$2.5 billion in 2010. Read more

Rio de Janeiro state announced as the site for new US$1 billion solar production facility

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 11:33 (PV-Tech)

Brazil?s richest man, Eike Batista, looks set to develop a solar panel manufacturing complex in Rio state, in alliance with Taiwanese electronics provider Foxconn. Read more

National Grid looks at new power interconnector between UK and Denmark

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 19:06 (Solarpowerportal)

The UK might be set to install a new electricity power connection that will see the country share renewable energy resources with Denmark. Read more

Feature: how to become a Green Deal assessor

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 15:59 (Solarpowerportal)

As someone working in the UK solar industry you will be aware that Government?s flagship energy policy, the Green Deal, will be encroaching on your territory soon. And, since this is yet another new area of business many are, understandably, concerned about the impact this mechanism will have on their current work ? but fear not. If you?re a qualified energy assessor or home inspector, or if you know someone who is, you could easily add a Green Deal string to your bow. Read more

Greentech Media awards top utilities for energy innovation

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 14:41 (Solarserver)

GreenTech Media and GTM Research announced awards for top 10 electric utilities in North America for energy innovation. Arizona Public Service Co. (Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.), among others utilities, has received the award, The Networked Grid: Top Ten Utility Smart Grid Deployments in North America, for energy innovation. Read more

FirstEnergy purchases 1,000 SRECs for Ohio utilities

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 13:38 (Solarserver)

On April 26th, 2012 FirstEnergy Corporation (Akron, Ohio, U.S.) announced that its three utilities in the U.S. state of Ohio have met 2012 requirements for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, through a successful request for proposals (RFP) to secure 10-year solar renewable energy credits (SRECs). These utilities include Ohio Edison Company (Akron, Ohio, U.S.), Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (Akron, Ohio, U.S.) and Toledo Edison Company (Akron, Ohio, U.S.). The RFP allowed these utilities to acquire 1,000 SRECs associated with PV plants within Ohio. Read more

Eco2Solar helps local teen kick-start charity challenge

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 13:29 (Solarpowerportal)

Midlands-based renewable energy specialist Eco2Solar is backing a Kidderminster school pupil in her quest to travel to Thailand and Cambodia to help local people living in deprived villages. Read more

Miwel Construction builds 60MW of PV plants in Ontario

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 12:28 (PV-Tech)

Northland Power and the Aecon Group have announced a collaboration to construct PV plants generating 60MW of energy. Miwel Construction, a subsidiary of Aecon, is currently building the six PV plants across Ontario, Canada. The projects are located in Smith Falls, Belleville as well as Burke?s Falls and, once completed, each will generate 10MW of energy. The plants are each equipped with more than 40,000 PV modules, on sites of nearly 85 acres. Read more

Doncaster firm offers to match energy grant scheme pound for pound

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 11:23 (Solarpowerportal)

Yorkshire-based Greenbury Energy has announced a new scheme that could see local residents benefit from huge savings on their energy bills. Read more

Report: UK consumers continue to suffer under ?big six? stranglehold

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 9:33 (Solarpowerportal)

UK consumers? energy bills have risen dramatically in recent years, with an average increase from £605 in 2004 to £1,060 in 2010. These ever-increasing bills are continuing to put pressure on UK living standards, and can be attributed to a lack of both supplier competition and production efficiency. Read more

AEG RES revenues fall, orders increase in 1Q 2012

Monday, 4.30.2012 - 9:17 (Solarserver)

On April 26th, 2012 AEG Power Solutions BV (Zwanenburg, The Netherlands) released first quarter 2012 results, reporting EUR 33.0 million (USD 43.7 million) in revenues in its Renewable Energy Solutions (RES) business, a 14% decrease over the first quarter of 2011. The company reports that orders in this segment increased 15% year-over-year, which it credits largely to orders for its Thyrobox M power supply systems for polysilicon plants in multiple continents. The company reported a 15% sequential increase in overall quarterly revenues to EUR 83.5 million (USD 111 million) and an EBITDA margin of -3.4%. Read more