Report: 75 percent of Brits are ignoring the benefits of smart meters

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 18:43 (Solarpowerportal)

According to the latest research from E.ON, 75 percent of Britons are currently ignoring the benefits of smart meters. The UK energy provider found that by disregarding this technology, UK consumers are missing out on energy bill savings of up to 4 percent. Read more

Satcon to supply 22.5 MW of inverters to GCL

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 16:01 (Solarserver)

On May 14th, 2012 Satcon Technology Corporation (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that it has been chosen by GCL Solar Energy to supply 22.5 MW of its 500 kW Equinox inverters and other power electronics for a 76 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Caribbean. The company will also supply 1900 of its Solstice Subcombiners, 680 SSC Smart Subcombiners and 64 medium-voltage transformers. Read more

Hans-Josef Fell, Father of the Feed-in Tariff

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

I dropped by the Bundestag office of Germany’s Green MP Hans-Josef Fell the other day. Fell is a fascinating character and is one of the figures hailed as “the father of the feed-in tariff (FiT)” — Germany’s law that guarantees private producers of renewable energy a fixed, higher-than-market rate for their e Read more

Heliene to supply 1 MW of PV modules for Moose Power rooftop PV projects in Ontario

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 13:09 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012, rooftop solar developer Moose Power Inc. (Ontario, Canada) announced that it has selected Heliene Inc. (Ontario, Canada) to supply 1 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for installations in Ontario, Canada. Heliene will supply its 60 cell 260 W mono-crystalline PV modules, which will be installed on four buildings under Ontario's Feed-In-Tariff (FiT) program. Read more

PV production: Heraeus exhibits SOL9600 metallization paste series at SNEC Shanghai

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 12:45 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012, Heraeus (Hanau, Germany), a developer and manufacturer of metallization pastes for the photovoltaic (PV) industry, announced that it will debut its new SOL9600 series of front-side metallization pastes at this year?s 6th annual International Solar Industry and Photovoltaic Exhibition and Conference in Shanghai (China). The event will be held from May 16th, 2012, through 18th, 2012. Read more

Motech Americas expands PV product offerings

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 12:28 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012, Motech Americas LLC (Newark, Delaware, U.S.) announced enhancements to the company's product offerings, including new solar photovoltaic (PV) cell designs, higher-power PV modules and a 25-year progressive linear warranty. Motech states that it is now offering 60-cell, 255 watt mono-crystalline silicon PV modules, 72-cell, 310 watt mono-crystalline modules and new frame profiles, as well as expanded mounting configurations and grounding improvements. Read more

REC earns Top Brand PV seal, announces production of 5 millionth solar module

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 12:18 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012, Renewable Energy Corp. (REC, Sandvika, Norway) announced that it has received the ?TOP BRAND PV? seal from solar market research firm EuPD Research (Bonn, Germany). Also, REC has been named the number one European supplier of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules by IMS Research. REC received the highly regarded seal for France, Germany and Italy. The seal is based on independent analyses, including surveys of solar installers and end customers on criteria such as brand awareness, distribution, and installer recommendation. Read more

Suntrix completes first HCPV project in Italy

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 12:18 (PV-Tech)

Suntrix has completed its first High Concentration Photovoltaics (HCPV) project in the Italian region of Apulia in May 2012. This is the first overseas project with a Chinese company holding the intellectual property rights and it is equipped with a Suntrix T-48 system as well as 48 HCPV panels and a tracker system. Read more

PV production: BTi unveils new suite of wafer, cell tools

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 12:10 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012, BT Imaging Pty Ltd. (BTi, Sydney, Australia) unveiled a suite of tools which it says will allow silicon wafer and solar photovoltaic (PV) cell makers to communicate and collaborate on achieving higher cell efficiencies. This suite of tools includes a new photoluminescence inspection station, a new iS-G1 for inline cast mono grain inspection, a new automation unit and a fully integrated inspection tool to automatically sort wafers. The company notes that these machines can be integrated or retrofitted into existing production lines, and will be available to ship beginning in July 2012. Read more

German bill for reduction of PV subsidies goes to the Mediation Committee

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 9:45 (Solarserver)

At its 896th plenary session on May 11th, 2012 the German Federal Council chose to activate the Mediation Committee regarding the proposed reduction of solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs (FiT). This will force federal and state governments to find a compromise regarding the changes in the Renewable Energies Act (EEG). If they do not achieve this, the Federal Council could lodge an appeal against the bill. The Parliament could override this appeal with an absolute majority, as the EEG is not subject to the Federal Council's approval. Read more

Solar manufacturing equipment to be sold off at global online auction by Heritage Global Partners

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 21:35 (PV-Tech)

Heritage Global Partners has announced an online auction from June 5th -7th for solar and cell manufacturing equipment. OEM, NPC, Centrotherm, RENA, Komax and Rofin are just some of the companies whose equipment will be auctioned off. The sale is conducted on behalf of SilexSolar, an Australian PV panel manufacturer, who recently suspended production at its Sydney manufacture. The sale begins at 7:00am PST on the 5th and ends at 7:00pm PST on June 7th. A preview is held on June 4th from 9:00am to 4:00pm in Sydney. Read more

Europe Braces for a Summer of Hot Solar Debate

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 19:19 (Renewable Energy World)

As several debt-addled European Union nations continue to push forward with austerity measures, recent developments show that the political pendulum may be shifting away from drastic spending cuts. If nothing else, those cuts aren't coming easily and the fallout could have drastic implications for renewable energy generation across much of the region. Read more

Solar Bankruptcy Streak Continues with Sovello

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 18:55 (Renewable Energy World)

Sovello has joined a growing roster of solar companies that have filed for bankruptcy over the past year, the German company said Monday. The announcement came after another German solar manufacturer, Soltecture, filed for bankruptcy last Wednesday. Read more

Solar Woes Continue with Sovello's Bankruptcy Filing

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 18:55 (Renewable Energy World)

Sovello has joined a growing roster of solar companies that have filed for bankruptcy over the past year, the German company said Monday. The announcement came after another German solar manufacturer, Soltecture, filed for bankruptcy last Wednesday. Read more

Hanwha SolarOne passes demanding TÜV Rheinland test with its SF260-36-1PxxxL module

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 18:53 (PV-Tech)

Hanwha SolarOne has announced that the company?s SF260-36-1PxxxL module has passed TÜV Rheinland?s long-term Sequential Test (LST). The LST is used to establish quality and performance of PV modules based on four category tests: thermal cycling, humidity freeze, damp heat and bypass diode tests. Different to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) testing system, which evaluates every criterion on its own, TÜV Rheinland tests under more realistic conditions. Part of the test is measurement of the power output through 2,000 hours of damp heat and four 10-cycle test blocks of humidity freeze. Read more

GCL Solar Energy chooses Satcon Equinox to supply inverters and combiners for 76MW PV plant

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 17:44 (PV-Tech)

GCL Solar Energy has announced that it has ordered a total of 22.5MW of Satcon Equinox 500kW inverters as well as 44MW of SSB Solstice combiners to equip a 76MW PV plant in the Caribbean. Satcon will provide 55 inverters and 1,900 Solstice sub combiners, as well as 680 of its SSC Smart sub combiners. Further, the company will supply 64 medium voltage transformers. Read more

eSolar collaborates with Sanmina-SCI to optimize CSP components production

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 17:24 (PV-Tech)

eSolar has announced a collaboration with manufacturing services provider Sanmina-SCI to optimize the production of eSolar?s solar collector products. The two companies are combining their expertise to develop, manufacture and design solutions in solar thermal energy and CSP components. Sanmina-SCI will provide its supply chain expertise to enhance eSolar?s production of CSP tracking equipment. Read more

Lots of Solar Power May Reduce, Not Increase, Electricity Prices

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 16:38 (Renewable Energy World)

Whether German feed-in tariffs or U.S. tax incentives, opponents of solar rail at its perceived high cost. But a story making rounds this week, "why power generators are terrified of solar," presents a powerful image that may flip this conventional wisdom on its head. Building lots of solar power can actually reduce electricity prices, to the disma Read more

REFUsol obtains safety certificate for South Carolina-built solar inverters

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 16:21 (PV-Tech)

Solar inverter manufacturer REFUsol has obtained safety certificates to distribute inverters from its sister company, Prettl Electronics, at its plant in Greenville County, South Carolina. Read more

S.A.G. Solarstrom closed the first quarter of 2012 with sales of ?21.4 million

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 16:10 (PV-Tech)

S.A.G. Solarstrom has announced a significant increase in sales volume with a positive EBIT.  The company closed the first quarter of 2012 with sales of ?21.4 million (Q1 2011: ?78.9 million) and an EBIT of -?2.8 million (Q1 2011: ?5.1 million), claiming these results are in line with its schedule for 2012. The company states that in the previous year?s quarter, sales and EBIT had been influenced to a very great extent by the large-scale Serenissima project. Read more

PV equipment manufacturing: Amtech subsidiaries to unveil new products at SNEC trade show, reports 2Q 2012 results

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 16:10 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012 Amtech Systems Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) announced that its subsidiaries will introduce an ion implant system and a tube-type batch plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) product at the SNEC trade show May 16th-18th, 2012 in Shanghai, China. The company also released results for its most recent financial quarter, reporting a 13% decline in revenues to USD 21.6 million, a -28% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 5.1 million. The company states that its decline in revenues was largely due to lower shipments to solar industry customers. Read more

5 Ways to Act Like a Solar Leader ? or Become One

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

  I read a bucket of press releases about solar companies every week, and if I’m to literally believe their words, then there are thousands of “leading” solar manufacturers and services in the world. In fact, the word “leading,” “leader,” etc has become so common and overused in press releases, that i Read more

Feature: Fed up of rising energy bills? Solar has the answer

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 14:56 (Solarpowerportal)

As the UK solar industry moves closer towards the announcement of the latest feed-in tariff consultation, many installers are becoming increasingly concerned that consumers have lost interest in the technology. With energy bills continuing on an upwards trend, and the recession going back for another dip, is there hope for UK consumers out there? Read more

BIPV Inc. appoints Oliver Koehler as VP of sales and marketing

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 14:30 (PV-Tech)

BIPV Inc., a manufacturer of roof-integrated solar shingles and tiles, has announce the appointment of Oliver Koehler as vice president of sales and marketing. He has been tasked with the job of leading the company?s growing sales and marketing efforts. Read more

Amtech to introduce new ion implant and PECVD products at SNEC

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 13:59 (PV-Tech)

Amtech Systems? Chinese subsidiary, Kingstone Semiconductor, will introduce its ion implant system at the SNEC Exhibition, in Shanghai this week. This ion implant system has been developed from the ground up to specifically serve the needs of the solar industry. Also at the SNEC Exhibition, Tempress Systems will introduce its new tube-type batch PECVD product. Read more

Four UK trade associations unite in support of solar

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 13:53 (Solarpowerportal)

In a bid to fight for the survival of the UK solar industry all four major trade associations have today come together for the first time. The British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA), the Micropower Council (MPC), the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Solar Trade Association (STA) have this morning revealed their affiliation in a bid to form a united front against the feed-in tariff fiasco. Read more

Martifer Solar and Hanwha SolarEnergy to develop 6MWp project in Lisbon

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 13:38 (PV-Tech)

Hanwha SolarEnergy has acquired Martifer Solar?s 6MWp solar PV project, located in the Lisbon area, Portugal. This project is being developed based on the mutual cooperation between Hanwha SolarEnergy, Hanwha SolarOne and Martifer Solar. Read more

Silverback Solar deploys new frame design for 200 kW North Carolina PV project

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 13:13 (Solarserver)

On May 9th, 2012, Silverback Solar (Arden, North Carolina, U.S.) announced that it has designed a unique and cost-effective racking system for a 200 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project in North Carolina. Read more

Canadian Solar renews 25-year warranty insurance policy for solar panels

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 13:04 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar has announced the completion of the annual renewal of its 25-year product warranty insurance policy for solar panels. The company is one of the first solar companies to introduce a product and performance warranty. Read more

Canadian Solar reports losses, increased diversification in Q1 2012 results

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 9:50 (Solarserver)

On May 10th, 2012 Canadian Solar Inc. (Kitchener, Canada) released financial results from the first quarter of 2012, reporting a 31% sequential decrease in revenues to USD 326 million, a -4.1% operating margin and a net loss of USD 21.3 million. Canadian Solar also reported a 21% decline in module sales to 343 MW during the quarter. The company has continued to diversify its sales, with the United States for the first time representing a larger market at 45% of sales than Europe, which represented 43% of sales. Read more

Offshore Wind: Making an American Industry, Part 2

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 9:48 (Renewable Energy World)

In the choppy seas of American offshore wind development, calm waters are often followed by stormy skies. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Mid-Atlantic waters off Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. All three states have made some strides in the growing industry, but the path has been anything but clear. Read more

One million UK properties can benefit from solid wall insulation under the Green Deal

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 18:22 (Solarpowerportal)

Research has revealed that 12 percent of homes in England and Wales could benefit from Solid Wall Insulation (SWI) under the Green Deal?s ?golden rule?. Read more

Science academies call on Governments to solve global challenges

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 14:48 (Solarpowerportal)

National science academies of 15 countries ? including the Royal Society, the UK?s national academy of science- issued joint statements warning Governments about the need to address the planet?s most pressing challenges, namely: Climate change, energy and water security and natural disasters. Read more

Caroline Lucas to step down as leader of the Green Party

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 11:36 (Solarpowerportal)

Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party has announced that she will not be seeking re-election after the end of her second term. Read more

Electricity Market Reform is Cameron?s last chance to lead ?greenest Government ever?

Monday, 5.14.2012 - 9:42 (Solarpowerportal)

Friends of the Earth has warned that the upcoming Electricity Market Reform (EMR) is David Cameron?s last chance to keep his promise to lead the ?greenest Government ever?. Read more