UL certifies BYD inverter and enters strategic agreement to offer UL certification

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 18:42 (PV-Tech)

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has entered a strategic agreement with BYD, the company has announced. The official ceremony inducting the agreement was attended by BYD Chairman and president Chuanfu Wang as well as UL vice president and general manager of the company?s global energy and industrial system department, Jeff Smidt. Under the agreement, BYD New Energy Monitoring Center will become a UL certified testing center. Read more

Suntech doesn?t expect industry profitability for another 6 to 12 months

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 18:22 (PV-Tech)

Profitability remains tantalizingly elusive at Suntech Power Holdings, having reported a first quarter GAAP loss of US$133 million on the back of certain one-time issues, 27% lower quarterly shipments and 10% price declines. Although management stuck to previous guidance for the year, indicating strong shipments in the second-half of the year, analysts raised concerns over Suntech?s ability to repay a US$540 million convertible note due next year. A challenge for Suntech and the industry as a whole was that the entire supply chain was at best near breakeven and at worse loss making, something Suntech?s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Zhengrong Shi said would last Read more

DelSolar receives carbon footprint verification of solar cell and module products

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 17:30 (PV-Tech)

DelSolar today announced it has completed carbon footprint verification of its high performance solar cell (D6PL) and solar module (D6P_A3A series) products. The assessment met British Standard Institution?s ?PAS 2050:2011 Product Carbon Footprint? specifications and the verification received the Reasonable Level of Assurance, the highest level for this certification. Read more

Conergy to supply 700 kW of PV modules for schools in Slovakia

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:55 (Solarserver)

On May 22nd, 2012, Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany) announced that it will supply 700 kilowatts (kW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for installation at 14 schools and municipal buildings in Slovakia. Conergy states that it will supply 2,500 PV modules, which will produce over 750,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power a year. The company, which did not disclose financial details, will also supply 40 Conergy IPG T inverters. Read more

IFC, ADM Capital launch financing program for mid-sized Asian companies, including PV producers

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:49 (Solarserver)

On May 22nd, 2012, International Finance Corp. (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced that it has teamed up with ADM Capital to launch an innovative lending facility for mid-sized Asian companies, including solar photovoltaic (PV) panel manufacturers. The Asia Secured Lending Facility provides a safety net for sound, but financially stressed, Asian midsize companies to save jobs as financing from European banks has dried up in the wake of the sovereign debt crisis, reads the press release. Read more

Sunways and SEA enter distribution agreement for Australia

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:06 (PV-Tech)

Sunways has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Solar Energy Australia (SEA) to distribute Sunways inverters in Australia. In the partnership, SEA is the exclusive distributer of Sunways inverters in Australia as well as provider of customer service. Read more

SunPower starts up 44 MW PV module factory in France

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:04 (Solarserver)

On May 24th, 2012 SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California, U.S.) announced the commissioning of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and module manufacturing facility in Porcelette, France, with an annual output of 44 MW. At the facility SunPower will produce PV modules based on its Maxeon solar cells, which it says will deliver a median efficiency of 20%, to serve the European residential and commercial rooftop markets. Read more

Q-Cells and CCC complete first UEA off-grid 368kW PV system

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 14:59 (PV-Tech)

Q-Cells and the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) have completed an off-grid PV installation in the Abu Dhabi desert, in the United Arab Emirates, the company has announced. This rooftop installation is the first off-grid installation in UAE and generates 368kW. It is equipped with 1,536 Q-Cells multicrystalline PV modules. Read more

Module plant in France to assemble SunPower?s Maxeon solar cells into modules

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 13:39 (PV-Tech)

A new 44MWp module assembly plant in the De Vernejoul industrial park in Porcelette, Eastern France will assemble SunPower?s Maxeon solar cells into modules to meet demand in France, Italy, Germany and Belgian. Total and SunPower said that the 3,300-square-meter plant is equipped production line would produce approximately 150,000 high efficiency (20% conversion efficiency) modules per year. This is the first such plant SunPower will operate in Europe, having the majority of its production in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more

Sunlight Capital, Mercer County to build 8 MW PV plant on college campus in New Jersey

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 12:39 (Solarserver)

The Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.) and Sunlight General Capital LLC (New York, New York, U.S.) have announced that they are preparing to begin construction on an 8 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant on a campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC) in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Sunlight Capital has chosen Mastec Renewables Construction Company Inc. (Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.) to build the plant, which will be the largest on a college campus in the United States. Mastec expects to begin construction of the plant in June 2012. Read more

Japan surpasses 1 million residential PV plants, PV production doubles to 2.69 GW in 2011

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 9:24 (Solarserver)

The Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) has released statements on both the nation's solar photovoltaic (PV) market and domestic production of PV products, reporting that Japan surpassed 1 million residential PV systems by the end of April 2012. The JPEA cites the role of national policies in reaching this figure. The organization also issued a report stating that Japanese production of PV more than doubled to 2.69 GW in fiscal year (FY) 2011, which lasted from April 2011 to March 2012, including 554 MW in the first three months of 2012. Read more

Global Solar Energy installs three BIPV projects in Italy

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 19:04 (PV-Tech)

Global Solar Energy has announced the installation of three building-integrated PV projects across Italy. The company collaborated with Mapei Alubel and B.A. Energy to construct the rooftop projects using thin-film modules. Read more

SunPower VP to head Hanwha SolarOne USA operations

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 19:03 (PV-Tech)

Hanwha SolarOne has lured Mark A. Bronez from SunPower to head-up its US operations. Bronez has been appointed as President of Hanwha SolarOne USA and will oversee general management of the US, Canadian and Mexican businesses. Bronez joins worked at SunPower, where he most recently served as Vice President and General Manager for the North America Commercial Business Unit. Read more

GlobalData publishes report on ?Grid Parity for Wind and Solar Power?

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 18:10 (PV-Tech)

According to a report published by market intelligence company GlobalData, cost of solar energy is steadily coming closer to that of traditional energies. The report ?Grid Parity for Wind and Solar Power - Future Outlook and Impact Analysis? describes that the increase in installed solar capacity will continue growing, as the US and China reach grid parity by 2017. Read more

Innotech Solar supplies 3.1MW German PV plant

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 17:45 (PV-Tech)

Norwegian manufacturer Innotech Solar has supplied a 3.1MW PV plant, located on a site of 80,000 square metres in Nauen nearby Berlin, with more than 13,000 solar modules, the company has announced. The modules that Innotech Solar provided have a special feature: they are sourced from modules that have been sorted out for defects and that have been restored by Innotech using laser technology. Read more

Kronos Solar applies for 13MW solar park development in Pembrokeshire

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 17:15 (Solarpowerportal)

German solar developer and installer, Kronos Solar has applied for permission to install a 13MW solar park at West Farm, Cosheston in Pembrokeshire. Read more

DEGERenergie ships solar PV trackers for four 200 kW plants in Tennessee

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:36 (Solarserver)

On May 22nd, 2012, DEGERenergie GmbH (Horb am Neckar, Germany) announced that it has shipped 112 DEGERtrakers for four 200 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in Tennessee. The trackers, featuring MLD technology, were supplied to Apex Construction Services LLC. Read more

DECC reveals solar FiT cuts: industry?s comments

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:29 (Solarpowerportal)

Earlier this afternoon the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced the results of the latest consultation on feed-in tariffs. This news has been much anticipated by the UK solar industry, which has seen decreased installation figures since the last cuts were introduced. Many industry players have contacted Solar Power Portal with their comments on today?s announcement; a selection of these thoughts can be read below. Read more

New 16p solar FiT will go ahead from August 1

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 14:00 (Solarpowerportal)

After weeks of anticipation the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has today published the results of the latest solar feed-in tariff consultation. From August 1 the new rate for 4kW systems will be 16p/kWh, set in line with current installation figures. Read more

Moncada wins 94.5MWp project in South African round two of bidding

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 13:57 (PV-Tech)

Solar Capital Dear 3 (PTY), owned by the JV Moncada Energy Group, has been announced as the second tender for the state incentives under the IPP Procurement Program. The company has been awarded the incentive rate with a solar power project of 94.5MWp gross (75MW net) requiring an investment of ?200 million. The South African incentive rate has a duration of twenty years and the irradiation rate of the selected areas is about 2000 hours per year. Read more

Maryland passes bill to accelerate solar targets

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 12:45 (Solarserver)

On May 22nd, 2012 Martin O'Malley, governor of the U.S. state of Maryland, signed into law a bill which accelerates the timeline for achieving the state's solar targets under its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policy by two years. Maryland, like many other states in the East Coast of the United States, has met solar targets ahead of schedule. Solar industry officials state that SB 791/HB 1187 will assure that the state's solar industry is able to avoid a boom and bust cycle. Read more

What to expect from today?s solar feed-in tariff announcement

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 12:42 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is to announce the results of the latest consultation on feed-in tariffs later today, mapping out the rates for solar installations in the UK. In anticipation of this news we?ve put together a list of what to expect. Read more

Solar Junction receives 5-MW CPV order from SolFocus

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 12:34 (Solarserver)

Solar Junction (San Jose, California, U.S.), a developer of high efficiency multi-junction solar cells for the concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) market, announced that it has received a 5-megawatt (MW) order from SolFocus Inc. (San Jose, California, U.S.). The company did not disclose financial and contract details. Read more

SMA Solar Technology AG approves payout of EUR 1.30 per share

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 12:31 (Solarserver)

On May 21st, 2012, SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Kassel, Germany) announced that its managing and supervisory board has approved a dividend of EUR 1.30 per share for the 2011 fiscal year at the company's 2012 annual general meeting. Read more

Conergy builds Saarland?s largest solar park on historic estate

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 11:37 (PV-Tech)

Conergy has announced the construction of a 10.5MW solar power plant ? the largest of its kind in the Saarland region. To be built near the French border, the historic Linslerhof estate is owned by the von Boch investor family celebrated for its environmentally-friendly way of life. The recent drastic cuts to the feed-in tariff will require the project to be completed by the end of June. Conergy will act as main contractor and will be responsible for the installation of the park as well as the supply of Conergy components. Read more

Solar Frontier supplies 36.4kW to Abu Dhabi pilot project

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 11:05 (PV-Tech)

Solar Frontier and Showa Shell Sekiyu have announced a pilot project between Japan Cooporation Center, Petroleum (JCCP) and Takreer (an Abu Dhabi oil refining company). Takreer will be installaing PV systems at its facilities. The installations will generate a total of 36.4kW and they will be equipped with Solar Frontier thin-film modules and installed in four locations, including a rooftop. Read more

Longest flight for manned solar-powered plane: Solar Impulse took off heading Africa

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 9:55 (Solarserver)

Solar Impulse, the innovative solar-powered airplane, is to attempt its longest flight, from Switzerland to Africa. The aircraft, powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) cells uses technical expertise, high-tech polymer materials and energy-saving lightweight materials from Bayer MaterialScience, an Official Partner to the visionary Swiss bid to fly night and day around the world without fuel. The testing 48-hour journey of over 2,500 km, which will cross the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean and end in Morocco, follows successful test flights including Solar Impulse?s first international flight, from Switzerland to France and Belgium, in 2011. Read more

Trina Solar reports increase in U.S. sales, losses in 1Q 2012

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 9:37 (Solarserver)

On May 23rd, 2012 Trina Solar Ltd. (Changzhou, China) released financial results for the first quarter of 2012, reporting a 20% sequential decrease in revenues to USD 350 million, a -11% operating margin and a net loss of USD 29.8 million. Trina Solar reports 380 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments during the quarter, less than its previous guidance of between 400 MW and 430 MW. The company also notes that its total production costs declined to USD 0.79 per watt during the quarter, not including a U.S. tariff impact of USD 0.07 per watt. Read more

AMSC's 100-MW Wind Deal: New Life After Sinovel

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 21:47 (Renewable Energy World)

Massachusetts-based American Superconductor, which is embroiled in a bitter dispute with Chinese wind manufacturer Sinovel, has reached a 100-megawatt (MW) deal with growing Indian turbine maker Inox in a move that may spur renewed interest from investors. Read more

Latin America Report: Brazil's Earth Summit Gathering to Address Key Energy Issues

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 18:54 (Renewable Energy World)

The timing couldn't be better as Rio de Janeiro puts the finishing touches on Earth Summit 2012, dubbed "Rio+20" because it marks two decades since the city hosted the inaugural event that was credited with breakthrough agreements. Read more

MiaSolé sets flexible PV efficiency world record at 15.5%

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 18:35 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy?s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed a 15.5% aperture area efficiency on commercial size flexible PV module (total area 1.68m2) from thin-film manufacturer MiaSolé. MiaSolé?s record represents over 2 points of improvement compared to the previous world record for flexible PV of 13.4% set earlier this year by SoloPower. Read more

Another Volley as US-China Trade Battle Intensifies

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 16:40 (Renewable Energy World)

China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said that after a months-long investigation it has ruled that the United States government broke World Trade Organization rules by supporting six renewable energy projects through unfair grants. Read more

S&P Opines on Securitizing Distributed Generation

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 15:32 (Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy-related asset securitization has been gaining a lot of traction lately as a number of key stakeholders from both the private and public sectors have been stepping up their collaborative efforts. To help frame the discussion and facilitate the creation of ratings-quality renewable energy asset pools, Standard and Poor's (S&P) rating agency has recently produced high-level guidance on various possible risk factors in the potential securitization of renewable energy assets, cash flows, or loans. Read more

UK proposes FiT of £0.16 for 4kW systems

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 15:10 (PV-Tech)

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published the results of its latest feed-in tariff comprehensive review, effective August 1. Due to low deployment levels since April the government decided to push back the implementation of the tariffs by a month. The new rates for 4kW systems will be £0.16/kWh and the tariff reduced from 25 to 20 years. Read more

Utility Success: Interview with Thierry Vandal, President and CEO of Hydro-Quebec

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Thierry Vandal, president and chief executive officer of Hydro-Quebec, discusses methods his company uses to provide energy to customers, the differences between operating in Canada vs the U.S. and the future of hydro and its integration into other energy strategies. Read more

Are IT Data Centers Emerging as a 'Killer App' for Green Power? Part 2

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 14:48 (Renewable Energy World)

IT companies are increasingly exploring a wide range of green power solutions in response to growing energy use at their data centers and increased scrutiny from industry watchdogs.  In part one of this article, we described utility-provided and offsite green power options available to IT companies.  In this post, we will discuss the onsi Read more

DECC publishes draft Energy Bill, FiT cut date pushed back to August 1st

Thursday, 5.24.2012 - 9:17 (Solarserver)

On May 22nd, 2012 the U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a draft Energy Bill which includes electricity market reform measures. The Renewable Energy Association (REA, London, U.K.) welcomed a call for evidence for power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the bill, but notes favoritism towards nuclear power. The publication of the bill follows reports that the Solar Trade Association (STA, London, U.K.) has advised its members that the new date for the next round of cuts to the nation's feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation will be August 1st, 2012. Read more