GE, Fraunhofer IZM collaborate to predict lifetime of PV power electronics

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 23:44 (Solarserver)

On June 11th, 2012 General Electric Company (GE, Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.) announced that it will work with the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microgeneration IZM (Berlin, Germany) on forecasts of the lifetime of power electronics used in solar photovoltaic (PV) plants. The Condition Monitoring for Power Electronics in Photovoltaics (CoMoLeFo) project has already identified and detected aging mechanisms of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power modules. The organizations plan to unveil the first prototype of a measurement system in September 2012 in Berlin. Read more

PVMC selects three executives to guide its US CIGS PV Roadmap initiative

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 17:30 (PV-Tech)

The US Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) has welcomed three solar industry executives, who will guide the development of the Consortium?s US CIGS PV Roadmap. Drs. Larry Kazmerski, Joseph Laia and Richard Swanson will serve as co-chairs for the initiative, which aims to have participation and support from all sectors of the PV industry to help further develop and expand the solar PV-related manufacturing processes in the US. Read more

SEIA, GTM: U.S. PV market reaches 506 MW in 1Q 2012

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 16:01 (Solarserver)

On June 13th, 2012 the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA, Washington D.C., U.S.) and GTM Research (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) released an estimate that the U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) market grew 85% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2012 to reach 506 MW. In a preview of SEIA and GTM's "Solar Market Insight: Q1 2012" report, the organizations state that New Jersey surpassed California during the quarter to become the largest state market with 174 MW new PV. SEIA and GTM also predict that the U.S. PV market will grow 75% in 2012 to reach 3.2 GW, but express concern over the 2013 market. Read more

Plansee and TU Bergakademie Freiberg identify molybdenum?s key conductivity factors

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 13:01 (PV-Tech)

Molybdenum, commonly used as the back-contact material in CIGS solar cells, has been the subject of an in-depth study by sputtering target manufacturer Plansee, working in collaboration with TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Plansee?s results, presented at the ICMCTF Conference, identified the process errors and defect types present in molybdenum thin films that can have a detrimental effect on electrical conductivity. Read more

Chinese producer CNPV gets certification for its PV modules in Brazil

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 12:29 (Solarserver)

On June 11th, 2012, CNPV Solar Power SA (Dongying, China) announced that it has received the highest approval certification from the Brazil's National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) for photovoltaic (PV) systems. Inmetro was created in December 1973 to support Brazilian enterprises by increasing their productivity and improving the quality of goods and services. Read more

Abengoa to build 200 MW PV plant in California's Imperial Valley

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 11:55 (Solarserver)

On June 12th, 2012 Abengoa SA (Seville, Spain) announced that it has been selected to provide engineering, construction and commissioning services for a 200 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in California's Imperial Valley. Abengoa expects that it will complete the USD 360 million contract in 18 months, commissioning the plant in phases during the second half of 2013. The company expects to employ roughly 150 persons during the design and development phase, as well as hiring local subcontractors. Read more

UNEP, REN21: PV, CSP investments reach USD 147 billion in 2011, PV single largest source of new power

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 9:28 (Solarserver)

On June 11th, 2012 the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) released two reports which find that global investments in solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) increased 52% to USD 147 billion in 2011. The reports find that PV and CSP represented the majority of the new investment in renewables and PV the single largest source of new electricity generation globally in 2011. The reports also note that policy continues to be the driving force behind market growth, with a total of 30 GW of new PV and 49 GW-thermal of new solar thermal capacity added in 2011. Read more

Astronergy commissions 50 MW PV plant in Bulgaria

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 9:24 (Solarserver)

On June 12th, 2012 Astronergy (Hangzhou, China) commissioned a 50 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Bulgaria, which incorporates its multicrystalline PV modules. The plant, which was completed in three months' time, will participate in Bulgaria's feed-in tariff (FiT). Astronergy notes that it hired local staff and workers for the project. Read more

Magnolia Solar demonstrates high performance coated glass for thin-film PV applications

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 23:48 (Solarserver)

On June 11th, 2012, Magnolia Solar Corp. (Woburn, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that its Magnolia Solar Inc. subsidiary has demonstrated ultra-high, omnidirectional transmittance through a coated glass window over the entire accessible portion of the solar spectrum in its testing. Read more

First Solar, Intermolecular team up to accelerate PV roadmap

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 23:41 (Solarserver)

On June 11th, 2012, First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) announced that it has signed a collaboration and licensing agreement with Intermolecular Inc. (San Jose, California, U.S.) to accelerate the efficiency roadmap for First Solar's cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) technology. Read more

DEGERenergie presents MLD tracking system, battery management at Intersolar Europe

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 23:34 (Solarserver)

DEGERenergie GmbH (Horb am Neckar, Germany) announced that it has developed a new system that combines its maximum-light-detection (MLD) solar photovoltaic (PV) tracking technology with a battery management system called Maximum Solarpower Storage (MSS). About 6,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) can be generated each year by combining the MLD and MSS technology, according to the company. Read more

SPI Solar plans to develop 29MW of solar facilities in Hawaii

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 20:04 (PV-Tech)

SPI Solar has obtained the rights to co-develop and construct 68 solar sites in Hawaii, which will total around 29MW and be developed across the islands of Oahu, Kona and Maui. The facilities will mostly be ground-mounted fixtures with some rooftop and shade structures built as well. All of the solar projects will feed into Hawaii?s utility power grids. Read more

GTM Research, SEIA report concludes strong growth in US solar PV market for 2012

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 19:14 (PV-Tech)

Tomorrow, GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) will release their ?US Solar Market Insight: Q1 2012? report, which has found that the US solar industry continues to expand at the rapid pace that was seen in 2011. During Q1, the US installed 506MW, more than any other Q1 on record. The stellar growth seen over the first three months of the year is attributed to the strong expansion in the commercial market segment. Read more

SolarCity and US Bancorp establish US$250 million fund for residential and commercial PV projects

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 19:05 (PV-Tech)

SolarCity and US Bancorp have announced a US$250 million fund to finance residential and commercial PV projects. The renewable energy tax equity fund is intended for homeowners as well as businesses, administrative, school and county buildings. The fund will be used to finance the solar panels and installations, while customers pay a discounted amount for the electricity. In the three years that SolarCity and US Bancorp have been collaborating, this is the sixth and largest fund, designed to make PV systems more accessible and affordable. Read more

Masdar PV provides thin-film modules for 1MW Indian solar park

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 18:29 (PV-Tech)

Thin-film manufacturer Masdar PV has supplied a 1MW ground mounted PV plant in Roorkee, India, with 11,000 thin-film modules, the company has announced. The solar park, located approximately 180km from New Dehli, is operated by Metro Frozen Pvt. Read more

Work begins on York Social Homes solar scheme

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 18:06 (Solarpowerportal)

Nearly 800 City of York Council homes will be fitted with free solar arrays as Empower Community and Nationwide Solar have begun fitting the first homes with solar. Read more

EFC activates 625kW solar installation in San Antonio

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 18:03 (PV-Tech)

Energy Finance Company (EFC), using the Funding Solar Energy (FUSE) fund, activated its 625kW solar installation in San Antonio, Texas early last month. The rooftop project is located on a warehouse complex and uses over 2,700 solar panels. It will sell 100% of the power produced to CPS Energy under a 20-year PPA and is expected to generate nearly one million kWh of electricity in its first year of operation. Read more

Solar shakeout: Solarwatt files for insolvency with loss of 480 jobs

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 17:51 (PV-Tech)

The feeling of doom within the German solar industry is prevailing. Solarwatt from Dresden is the next company in line, faced with over capacity, low-price competitors and subsidy cuts that will go bust. On Wednesday, the company filed for insolvency with a local court, stricken by Illiquidity and debt overload; 480 jobs are on the line. The court?s agreement means that the company is now able to begin the reorganization process. ?This gives us the necessary flexibility for a sustainable reconstruction?? said Solarwatt CEO Detlef Neuhaus. Until further notice, business will continue as usual. Solarwatt benefits from the so-called insolvency protection shield, which protects Read more

Intersolar EU: TE presents new generation of connectivity solutions

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 16:33 (PV-Tech)

TE will be showcasing its new connectivity solutions for PV installations at Intersolar Europe, the company has announced. The new connectivity solution allows monitoring of temperature, power and voltage at either panel or system level. The solution also offers the shutdown of individual, faulty panels. Read more

Karnataka plans solar park with up to 500 MW of capacity

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 15:53 (Solarserver)

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL, Bangalore, India) has entered into a public-private partnership to develop a solar park with up to 500 MW of generation in the Indian state of Karnataka, according to Natural Group. KREDL is currently seeking Karnataka state government approval for the 10 square kilometer park at Mannur village, Bijapur district, Karnataka. The company has already taken steps to support 80 MW of solar generation in the districts of Bijapur and Gulbarga, and plans to increase this generation by 40 MW annually. Read more

Prevent a Major Solar Workforce Deficit: Think Like a New Product Manager

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar industry is expanding rapidly, but support for workforce development has not kept pace with market growth. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, in the next few years the U.S. solar industry will grow from an $8 billion to $15 billion per year business, which will require robust workforce development to meet market demand fo Read more

U.S. Solar Industry Posts Solid Q1 With 506 MW Installed

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 14:57 (Renewable Energy World)

For all the turmoil surrounding the American solar industry, the U.S. followed up its record fourth quarter of 2011 with its second-strongest quarter yet. Read more

Intersolar EU: Eltek showcases extended THEIA solar inverter line and launches monitoring interface

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 14:02 (PV-Tech)

Eltek is showcasing its extended line of THEIA solar inverters at Intersolar Europe, the company has announced. The company will be exhibiting the new THEIA 4.6 HE-t inverter with an output of 4.6kWp. Further, the THEIA TL 3R will be on display, a transformerless solar inverter with an output of up to 15kW. Read more

Croeso i Gymru: Sharp Solar?s head office relocates to Wrexham

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 12:21 (Solarpowerportal)

Sharp Solar has revealed that it will be moving its entire solar photovoltaic operation to the UK, expanding on the company?s existing Welsh manufacturing facility. Read more

BrightSource to bid for 484 MW Palen CSP project

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 12:13 (Solarserver)

Solar Trust of America LLC (Oakland, California, U.S.) has asked a bankruptcy court to approve BrightSource Energy Inc. (Oakland, California, U.S.) as a stalking horse bidder in the sale of its 484 MW Palen concentrating solar power (CSP) project in Southern California. If approved by the court, BrightSource will be eligible for a USD 250,000 expense reimbursement and a USD 300,000 breakup fee if it is out-bid for the project. BrightSource will be required to make a minimum floor bid for the Palen project before a June 21st, 2012, auction of Solar Trust's assets. Read more

Intersolar EU: SoloPower introduces new installation systems and thin-film modules

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 11:43 (PV-Tech)

Thin-film producer SoloPower has launched its new generation of PV solutions at Intersolar Europe: the SoloSaddle, SoloBridge and SoloWedge. All three are non-penetrating rooftop installation kits that aim to increase application possibilities and optimize module performance for commercial and industrial rooftop installations. Besides the installation kits, the company also introduced new solar panels, SoloPanels SF1 and SP1, designed for metal roof integration as well as the SoloPanels SP3L and SP3S, large format panels for low-slope commercial building applications. Read more

TÜV Rheinland and IBC Solar join forces to offer PV service technician certification course

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 11:35 (PV-Tech)

IBC Solar has teamed up with TÜV Rheinland to establish a training course that will allow for the qualification of IBC?s premium partners as TÜV-accredited technical reviewers for PV systems. Participants take part in four practical seminar blocks ? to be completed within 12 months ? that will qualify experts in the technical aspects of PV installations and will also equip them to deal with queries on the systems from customers. Read more

Intersolar EU: DEGERenergie debuts new battery management system in Munich

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 11:03 (PV-Tech)

DEGERenergie has said that it is offering energy customers the chance to be grid-independent with its new battery management storage solution. The system combines solar modules, DEGERenergie?s MLD (maximum light detection) tracking technology, and a battery storage management system that is capable of generating around 6,000kWh per annum. Read more

Canadian Solar offers Authorized Reseller Program for EMEA region EPCs and PV installers

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 11:01 (PV-Tech)

After launching the Authorized Reseller Program in April, Canadian Solar now offers a partner program for EMEA region EPC companies and PV installers. Participating companies receive extensive technical consulting and support for PV installations, product training and support for their marketing. Authorized resellers will also obtain support for project financing, which will include finding investors for projects. Canadian Solar offers either the Gold Partner or Silver Partner level. Read more

SCHOTT Solar announces new products including electricity storage solution for PV generation

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 9:21 (Solarserver)

On June 11th, 2012 SCHOTT Solar AG (Mainz, Germany) announced that it will begin offering complete solar photovoltaic (PV) systems which feature SCHOTT ADVANCE InDaX building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules. On the same day SCHOTT announced that it will unveil an electricity storage concept to accompany solar photovoltaic (PV) generation for the internal consumption market, the SCHOTT STOREIT, at the Intersolar Europe Trade Show in Munich, June 13th-15th, 2012. Read more

Phono Solar unveils new Enercube energy storage and inverter solution

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 9:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Phono Solar, one of the largest manufactures of solar modules, has today introduced its new residential energy storage and management solution, Enercube. Read more

LS9 Opens Its Innovative Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Plant in Florida

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 21:26 (Renewable Energy World)

One of biofuels' hottest companies transitions from research phase to operating phase with opening of demo plant in Okeechobee ? what's next, and where? Read more

Two Geothermal Bills Move Forward on Big Island

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 21:59 (Renewable Energy World)

This week, a pair of geothermal bills proposed by council Chairman Dominic Yagong received the first of two required approvals from the Hawai'i County Council. One bill would affect how the Big Island spends geothermal royalties. The second bill would mandate evacuation plans for current and future facilities. The two bills passed by votes of 5-4 and 8-1, respectively. Read more

Barker lambasted for ?breathtaking arrogance? during radio interview

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 19:06 (Solarpowerportal)

The Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker has been accused of ?breathtaking arrogance? after the minister labeled a report into the domestic solar PV market by BBC Radio 4?s You and Yours programme as a ?travesty?. Read more

Tesco responds to FiT cut delay by extending summer promotion

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 13:50 (Solarpowerportal)

Tesco has announced that it is extending its ?Summer Solar Sale? following the Department of Energy and Climate Change?s decision to maintain the current feed-in tariff (FiT) of 21p until August 1. Read more

Trina scores top spot on 2012 Green Scorecard

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) has awarded the No.1 spot on its 2012 Solar Scorecard to Trina Solar, the company has announced. In its third year, the SVTC Scorecard system is aimed at improving PV manufacturer?s social performance and environmental awareness for the impact of their manufacturing processes and practices. Read more

TÜV Rheinland inaugurates Japanese laboratory testing facilities

Wednesday, 6.13.2012 - 12:23 (PV-Tech)

TÜV Rheinland has inaugurated its new PV and energy storage testing facility in Japan, the company has announced. The ?5 million Kansai Technology Assessment Center (KTAC) is located in Osaka on 2,500m² of office and floor space and will focus on the assessment and testing of rechargeable energy storage systems. Read more