Official: Hanergy buys Solibro and plans CIGS ramp to 100MW capacity

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 16:03 (PV-Tech)

A day after reports claimed Hanergy and Q-Cells were is discussions over the sale of the German PV manufacturers CIGS thin-film subsidiary, Solibro both companies said in a statement that a deal had been signed. Financial terms were not disclosed. Read more

Nova Scotia Feed-in Tariff Progress Report

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:56 (Renewable Energy World)

Last year, Nova Scotia caught the world’s attention with its Renewable Electricity Plan that set a goal of implementing 25 percent renewable energy sources by 2015 and 40 percent by 2025. The plan includes North America’s first ever Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) which, since launching in September 2011, has contributed to just over Read more

Shoals Technologies receives ETL certification for PV harnesses

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:31 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2012, Shoals Technologies Group (Portland, Tennessee, U.S.) announced that it has received ETL certification to UL9703 certification globally for photovoltaic (PV) harnesses utilizing the Shoals Connect Interconnect. "Shoals Technologies Group continues to look at ways to provide innovative solutions that can significantly reduce the cost per watt on BOS Components," Shoals Technologies Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dean Solon stated. Read more

ECM introduces new conductive grid inks for thin-film PV

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 12:27 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2012, Engineered Conductive Materials LLC (ECM, Delaware, Ohio, U.S.) introduced two new conductive grid inks for use in thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. ECM states that its CI-103107 and CI-1031-8 conductive inks have been optimized for high conductivity and low contact resistance on the transparent conductive oxides used in PV applications. Read more

Energy commentator, Japan Times weigh in on Japan's new feed-in tariff

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 9:42 (Solarserver)

On May 27th, 2012 Law Professor and energy commentator Dr. Karl-Friedrich Lenz published his comments on Japan's new feed-in tariff, arguing that current rules disadvantage small solar photovoltaic (PV) plants. The comment period on the new law closed on June 1st, 2012. A day later on May 28th, 2012 Japan Times published an editorial on the policy, stating that additional power industry reforms need to be made in order to greatly expand the generation and use of renewables. Read more

California Assembly passes bill to create feed-in tariffs for disadvantaged communities

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 9:35 (Solarserver)

On May 30th, 2012 the California Assembly passed a bill to create a feed-in tariff (FiT) system specifically for disadvantaged communities in the state. The bill still needs the approval of the California Senate and California Governor Jerry Brown to become law. AB 1990, the "Solar for All" bill, would create a FiT system with a project size cap of 500 kW, minimum 20-year contracts, and program cap of 375 MW by 2020. A number of program details, including rates, will be determined by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and local utilities. Read more

Anti-dumping case heading to the EU

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 23:41 (PV-Tech)

A growing number of reports are suggesting that an anti-dumping case could be brought against Chinese PV manufacturers in the EU within the next month. However, rumours starting circulating that SolarWorld would file a case in the European court as early as next week, in time for the start of the PV industry?s largest annual exhibition, Intersolar Europe. Reports have also noted that the German Government or a government from another EU country could actually file the case over the coming weeks. Read more

Energy City Qatar signs MOU with Qatar Solar to add solar technology to its upcoming developments

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 23:04 (PV-Tech)

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) and Energy City Qatar (ECQ) have signed an MOU, which will see ECQ implement solar panels and technologies into its upcoming developments. Trade Arabia noted that this agreement will help ECQ meet the national building standards, including QSAS and silver and gold LEED certifications. The MOU outlines that QSTec will start by manufacturing high quality, solar grade polysilicon. Read more

RES Canada completes first large-scale solar FiT project in Ontario

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 22:07 (PV-Tech)

Renewable Energy Systems Canada advised that its SunE Rutley, 10MW solar project has been completed. Developed by SunEdison Canada, the project is Ontario?s first large-scale solar FiT project and uses 40,436 solar panels across 100 acres. Electricity generated by the project will feed into the Hydro One Network. Read more

Solaria announces plans for 60MW solar plant in Toledo without help from FiT

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 20:48 (PV-Tech)

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente revealed its plans to build a 60MW solar plant in Calera y Chozas, located in the province of Toledo, Spain. The plant will not have the support of a FiT and plans to deliver its electric output to the local grid, ensuring that it will compete with traditional energy sources. Read more

Solaria announces plans for 60MW solar plant in Toledo without help from a FiT

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 20:48 (PV-Tech)

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente revealed its plans to build a 60MW solar plant in Calera y Chozas, located in the province of Toledo, Spain. The plant will not have the support of a FiT and plans to deliver its electric output to the local grid, ensuring that it will compete with traditional energy sources. Read more

Tucson Electric Power named investor owned utility of the year by SEPA

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 20:38 (PV-Tech)

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) was awarded the 2012 Investor Owned Utility (IOU) of the Year by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) this week for its leadership and investment in solar energy. TEP has over 45MW of solar generating capacity and expects to have more than 240MW of solar generating capacity by the end of 2014. Read more

Solar POWER-GEN Accepting Abstracts Now! Submit Today

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 19:16 (Renewable Energy World)

http://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/pennwell/spg2013/Public/MainHall.aspx?ID=9230 Read more

Neo Solar Power sales in recovery mode

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 16:25 (PV-Tech)

Having reached a trough in December, 2011 sales at Taiwan-based, Neo Solar Power (NSP) have been in a relatively strong recovery, reaching NT $1,338 Million for May, 2012. Although solar cell sales have yet to recover anywhere near the peaks of early 2011, business from Chinese PV manufacturers may be contributing to the sales recovery. Read more

JA solar reports slight loss, shift to high-efficiency products in 1Q 2012

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:52 (Solarserver)

On June 5th, 2012 JA Solar Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) released financial results for the first quarter of 2012, reporting an 18% sequential decrease in revenues to USD 254 million, an operating loss of -9.9% and a net loss of USD 39.8 million. The company also reports an 8.1% sequential decrease in shipments to 366 MW, which was at the high end of its shipment guidance. JA Solar estimates that high-efficiency products represented 60% of shipments during the quarter. Read more

Next Step Living, SolSolution partner to bring solar to Massachusetts and Connecticut

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:27 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2012, Next Step Living (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that it has teamed up with nonprofit corporation SolSolution to bring more solar energy to communities around Massachusetts and Connecticut. Next Step Living, a specialist in residential energy efficiency, is committed to reducing home energy consumption and providing residential solar solutions to help residents live a more sustainable lifestyle. Read more

Real Goods Solar appoints Jeffrey Schmidt as president of RGS Energy

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:21 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2012, Real Goods Solar Inc. (Louisville, Colorado, U.S.) announced that it has appointed Jeffrey Schmidt as president of its RGS Energy division. Prior to joining Real Goods Solar, Schmidt was employed by Quanta Services, a leading specialty contractor. Read more

SunMaxx Solar provides solar thermal system for first self-powered building in Brooklyn, New York

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:16 (Solarserver)

On June 3rd, 2012, SunMaxx Solar (Conklin, New York, U.S.) announced that it has installed a solar thermal system at The Delta House in Brooklyn (New York, U.S.). The system, which was designed by Voltaic Solaire, is the first mixed-use private development in New York City to combine solar and wind energy, meeting 100% of the Delta's energy needs - generating its own electricity, solar hot water and heat. Read more

Virtual Metering: Solar Benefits Without an On-site Solar PV Array

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Are you interested in the benefits of a solar PV array but don't believe you can afford it? Is your home in a heavily-shaded area that would prohibit a good return-on-investment from solar? Do you rent? Maybe you live in a community with a homeowners' association, where you're not permitted a rooftop solar array? Read more

Staying Alive: Could Thin-film Manufacturers Come Out Ahead in the PV Wars? Part 2

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Thin-film solar panels are created through three different manufacturing techniques that use different core components: amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and copper indium sulfur/selenide (CIS). Read more

PV producer Nanosolar raises USD 70 million in new capital

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 12:33 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2012, Nanosolar Inc. (San Jose, California, U.S.) announced that it has raised USD 70 million in new capital. The company intends to use financing to expand production of thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels, support research and development designed to deliver greater efficiency, and drive faster commercialization of the company's solar technology. Read more

Solar in Africa: Siginik signs PPA for 50 MW PV plant to be built in Ghana

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 9:47 (Solarserver)

On June 4th, 2012 Siginik Energy Ltd. (Toronto, Canada) announced that it has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd. (Accra, Ghana) for the output of a 50 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant which it plans to build in the nation. The plant will be larger than any currently operational PV plant in the African continent, and will utilize a tracking system. Siginik expects to break ground on the plant within the next six months. Read more

PV powered airplane Solar Impulse took off to Rabat at 05:22AM (UTC +2)

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 8:14 (Solarserver)

Solar Impulse (HB-SIA) took off on June 5th, 2012 from Madrid Barajas (Spain) at 05:22AM (UTC +2). The plane should land this evening in Rabat-Salé (Morocco) from 11:00PM (UTC+1). The latest cutting-edge technology is incorporated into the airplane, which has the wingspan of a large airliner (63.40 meters) and the weight of a midsize car (1.600 kilograms). Some 12,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) cells cover its surface to run 4 electrical engines and store the solar energy for the night in 400 kilograms of lithium batteries. Read more

Rove, Gibbs and the Politics of Wind's PTC

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 18:44 (Renewable Energy World)

Even with certain high-level Republicans in its corner, the American wind industry has been unable to close the deal on the one issue that continues to define its short-term prospects. Read more

Bringing Wind to the Southeast

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 16:29 (Renewable Energy World)

Thousands of people are employed in the wind industry in the Southeast region of the U.S. However, only a handful of wind projects are actually in operation. The vast majority of Southeast wind employees work at manufacturing hubs. Read more

Sunlogics sells 10% interest in Eco Energy Solutions to DayStar Technologies

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 23:12 (PV-Tech)

Sunlogics Power Management Fund, a subsidiary of Salamon Group, revealed that through the sale of 10% interest in Eco Energy Solutions to DayStar Technologies, it had reduced its debt by nearly US$800,000. The sale marks DayStar?s entrance into the energy projects solutions business and, moreover, its presence in Australia?s and the South Pacific?s renewable energy markets. Read more

Suniva modules powering PV demo site at US Army base, Alabama

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 22:19 (PV-Tech)

Suniva advised that its panels are powering one of the only PV arrays in Alabama, the Redstone Energy PV demonstration area near the main gates of the US Army?s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. The 137kW facility is a demonstration and training site, as well as an energy production project. The PV demo site is unique in being a PPA mechanism set in place by the Tennessee Valley Authority in order to help US military bases install cost-effective PV solutions. Read more

Suniva modules powering PV demonstration at US Army site in Alabama

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 22:19 (PV-Tech)

Suniva advised that its panels are powering one of the only PV arrays in Alabama, the Redstone Energy PV demonstration area near the main gates of the US Army?s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. The 137kW facility is a demonstration and training site, as well as an energy production project. The PV demo site is unique in being a PPA mechanism set in place by the Tennessee Valley Authority in order to help US military bases install cost-effective PV solutions. Read more

Worth the Trouble: New Market Tax Credits

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:52 (Renewable Energy World)

The investment tax credit (ITC), production tax credit (PTC), and 1603 Treasury cash grant get a lot of attention for their importance in spurring renewable energy project development. But they have a less-prominent sister incentive: new markets tax credit (NMTC). Read more

Green Dividend Values (11 Clean Energy Stocks for 2012)

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 15:28 (Renewable Energy World)

Fear of the disintegration of the Euro resurfaced in May, sending all stocks downward. Clean energy stocks once again fell more than the market as a whole. Possible causes are that many clean energy sectors are exposed to further loss of European subsidies, and that clean energy stocks tend to be more volatile than the market as a whole, with both up and down moves being magnified. The Russell 2000 index (which I use as a broad market benchmark in this series) was down 7.1 percent in May, the Powershares Wilderhill Clean Energy ETF (PBW), was down more than twice as much, with a 14.6 percent decline. Read more

Stanford Energy Policy experts advocate new national policy strategies to support renewables

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 12:40 (Solarserver)

In an Op-Ed published in ?The New York Times? on June 1st, 2012, Stanford University (California, U.S.) energy policy experts are asking for more government support to promote renewable energy. Felix Mormann and Dan Reicher from Stanford's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, state that the government is not focusing on some more powerful policies to promote renewables. Read more

U.S. DOE to launch Energy Innovation Hub

Tuesday, 6.5.2012 - 12:21 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to invest USD 120 million over five years to launch a multi-disciplinary effort to develop solutions across the life-cycle of critical materials including rare earth elements. The DOE's Energy Innovation Hub will work to advance U.S. leadership in energy manufacturing, through research aimed at securing a reliable supply of critical materials, or developing alternatives where possible. The program will be funded by up to USD 20 million in fiscal year 2012. Read more