Suntech, Propmech install 571kW rooftop installation at ADB?s Manila headquarters

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:27 (PV-Tech)

Suntech Power Holdings and Propmech advised that they had completed the installation of a 571kW rooftop solar project on Asian Development Bank?s (ADB) headquarters in Manila, Philippines. Using Suntech solar modules, and installed and integrated by Propmech, the solar array will produce over 600MWh of solar electricity per year. The companies note that this is the largest rooftop solar installation in the Philippines. Read more

HelioVolt completes final round of testing for CIGS thin-film modules

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 16:00 (PV-Tech)

HelioVolt has announced the completion of testing for its next generation high-efficiency CIGS thin-film solar modules. This new series features frameless glass-glass construction and monolithic integration. The company claims its customers will benefit from increased energy yield and reliability and reduced cost. Read more

Panasonic begins mass production of lithium-ion battery system for European domestic market

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 12:16 (Solarserver)

Panasonic Corporation (Osaka, Japan) has announced that it will mass produce a compact lithium-ion battery system to accompany solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in European homes, starting in June 2012. Panasonic notes that reductions in feed-in tariffs in Germany and other nations have caused consumers to move more towards a self-consumption model. The company states that this is its first volume production of these systems for the European market, following field tests of another lithium-ion household energy storage system in Germany. Read more

PV Industry Outsourcing is a Secret No More

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 11:41 (Renewable Energy World)

Shocking though it may be, outsourcing is commonplace in the PV industry. Basically, with outsourcing Manufacturer A buys cells or modules from Manufacturer B and both report the outsourced product as in-house production. Outsourcing, which, pardon the cliché, is as old as the hills, has led to a systematic oversizing of the photovoltaic industry. The practice of oversizing also includes module assembler production ? referring to module assemblers who do not develop or manufacturer photovoltaic technology in-house. Again, outsourcing is common to all industries that manufacture widgets of any type, and has been practiced by the photovoltaic industry for its entire kilowatt-to-gigawatt Read more

Thin-film PV: Hanergy to acquire Q-Cells subsidiary Solibro

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 9:54 (Solarserver)

On June 5th, 2012 Hanergy Holding Group Ltd. (Beijing, China) and Q-Cells SE (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) signed an agreement at Hanergy headquarters for the company to acquire Q-Cells subsidiary Solibro GmbH (Thalheim, Germany). Hanergy states that it has explored various thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) investment opportunities before deciding on Solibro's co-evaporation copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) technology. Hanergy plans to increase Solibro's CIGS PV module production in Thalheim, Germany to 100 MW annually to supply its European customers. Read more

Conergy, Ensunt to build 50 MW PV plant in Pakistan

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 9:47 (Solarserver)

On June 4th, 2012 Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany) announced that it will partner with Ensunt to build a 50 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Pakistan for DACC Power Generation Company Ltd. (DPGC, Boise, Idaho, U.S.) and the Pakistani Government. The companies will build the plant in Bahawalpur, in the nation's Cholistan region. Conergy will provide planning, engineering and design of the PV plant, as well as its German-made PV modules and inverters, with Ensunt providing local implementation and construction work on site. Read more

SEPA recognizes TEP as Investor Owned Utility of the Year

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 22:50 (Solarserver)

On June 4th, 2012 the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA, Washington D.C., U.S.) recognized Tucson Electric Power (TEP, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.) as its 2012 Investor Owned Utility (IOU) of the Year for its investments in solar energy. SEPA notes that TEP currently has more than 45 MW of PV generation capacity, and that by the end of 2014, the utility expects to exceed 240 MW of PV generation. Read more

San Diego solar incentives enter second phase

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 22:34 (Solarserver)

On June 1st, 2012, Sullivan Solar Power (San Diego, California, U.S.) announced that its countywide solar incentive program has entered into the second phase. The San Diego Solar Program allows eligible homeowners to go solar for no upfront cost and receive a substantial cash payment for their involvement. The program successfully closed the first phase of the program with 500 kilowatts (kW) of solar power to be deployed as a result of the initiative. Read more

Talesun signs cooperation agreement with government of Qinghai, China

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:51 (PV-Tech)

Zhongli Talesun advised that it had signed a cooperation agreement with the government of Qinghai, China, the country?s largest province, for the development of solar farms in the region. The deal has a six year term, committing Talesun to develop solar projects in Qinghai at an annual volume of 150MW, for a total of 900MW. Read more

Enfinity completes 1.1MW solar project for Macy?s distribution center in New Jersey

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:17 (PV-Tech)

Retail giant, Macy?s, has added a new solar array to the rooftop of its Edison, New Jersey distribution center. The 1.1MW project, completed by Enfinity America is operational and expected to generate nearly 1.3 million kWh of energy per year. Enfinity owns the solar plant and, under a 20-year PPA, will sell the electricity produced to Macy?s at a fixed rate. Co-developed by SunConnect,  the project received longer-term financing through PSE&G?s SREC-based solar loan program. Read more

Enfinity completes 1.1MW solar project for Macy?s distribution centre in New Jersey

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:17 (PV-Tech)

Retail giant, Macy?s, has added a new solar array to the rooftop of its Edison, New Jersey distribution centre. The 1.1MW project, completed by Enfinity America is operational and expected to generate nearly 1.3 million kWh of energy per year. Enfinity owns the solar plant and under a 20-year PPA, will sell the electricity produced to Macy?s at a fixed rate. Co-developed by SunConnect, the project received longer-term financing through PSE&G?s SREC-based solar loan program. Read more

Building a Little Solar-powered House on the Prairie: Off-the-grid or Grid-tied?

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 20:02 (Renewable Energy World)

A year ago, Mike Larsen and Linda Nelson left their beloved urban Minneapolis home and moved to the prairie in southeast Minnesota near Altura to live in a way more connected to the land. In this story, Mike writes about how they came to the decision to build their off-the-grid home. Off-grid or not off-grid?that is the question. Indeed, that was a Read more

Lead generation sites: do they actually work?

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 18:51 (Solarpowerportal)

It?s really no surprise that the popularity of solar technology in the UK has increased in recent years. Government introduced an incentive mechanism to drive uptake just as component costs took a sharp dive. As word began to spread across the country UK consumers flocked in their thousands to find out how they could get their hands on solar panels and how, most importantly, they could reduce their energy bills. Read more

CASE calls on CASM to avert solar trade war

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 18:10 (PV-Tech)

Amidst news reports that China and India-based companies are seeking anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations against companies entering their markets from the US and other countries, the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) released a statement today calling for the US and Chinese governments to engage in a constructive dialogue to avert a destructive global trade war in the solar industry. Read more

Intersolar EU: Bisol to reveal second generation of EasyMount mounting system range

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 17:58 (PV-Tech)

Bisol?s latest generation of EasyMount high density polyethylene (HDPE) mounting systems will be launched at Intersolar Europe next week. This second generation of mounting systems are said to be lighter than their predecessor; made specifically for Bisol?s module range, the mounting systems are claimed to allow more efficient cooling of the PV modules they support. Read more

AQT Solar develops 60-watt CZTS module

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 16:08 (Solarserver)

On June 6th, 2012 AQT Solar Inc. (Sunnyvale, California, U.S.) announced that it has developed a prototype copper zinc tin sulfur (CZTS) solar photovoltaic (PV) module with a power output of 60 watts, which it describes as a power-density milestone for the technology. AQT has had CZTS modules testing "under-sun" since early in 2012. CZTS is seen as a potential low-cost alternative to copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) technology, and unlike CIGS utilizes more readily available materials. Read more

Mecasolar launches new single-axis horizontal tracker

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 16:02 (Solarserver)

One June 5th, 2012 Mecasolar (Fustiñana, Spain) announced the launch of a new 140 kW horizontal single-axis tracker for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, which it designed and supplies. Mecasolar's MS-1EH tracker includes a modular, low height structure, which it says results in an easier and faster assembly that does not require cranes or lifting equipment. The trackers can move up to 140 kW of PV modules with a single motor. Read more

JA Solar exceeds shipments guidance but headwinds appear

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 15:50 (PV-Tech)

As the largest merchant solar cell producer, JA Solar continues to be impacted by rapidly declining prices as overcapacity continues thought the supply chain. Emphasis has therefore shifted to module production and shipments, though a return to profitability remains a distant goal. First quarter shipments which included cells and modules that exceeded guidance at 366MW, while revenue reached US$254.4 million, down 17.7% from the prior quarter and 56%, year-on-year. Net loss for the quarter was US$39.8 million. Read more

Intersolar EU: SolarEdge to display new smart modules from leading manufacturers

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 14:32 (PV-Tech)

SolarEdge Technologies has entered into a cooperative manufacturing arrangement with several module manufacturers who have integrated the company?s next-generation power optimizer ? including its new IndOP technology ? into their modules. The company will present these smart modules with embedded power optimization, safety and PV monitoring capabilities at Intersolar Europe in Munich next week. Read more

EU Commission dismisses Italian Conto Energia V

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 14:31 (PV-Tech)

European Union energy commissioner Günter Oettinger reportedly sent a sternly-worded letter to the Italian government criticizing its new Energy Bill, lifting the spirits of the Italian solar industry. According to Il Mundo, the letter, obtained by TMNews, expressed its concern that the Conto Energia V has the aptitude to ?make it difficult, if not impossible, for independent manufacturers to gain any access to funding.? Read more

Colin Firth?s solar thermal application left in hot water

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 13:06 (Solarpowerportal)

Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth has been refused planning permission to fit his Grade II listed mansion with a solar thermal module. Hounslow Council initially rejected the appeal, stating that the ?inappropriate size and positing [of the solar module] would not preserve the architectural and historic significance of the listed building.? Read more

BLM releases draft environmental impact statement for SunZia transmission project

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 12:22 (Solarserver)

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for a major transmission project in the U.S. Southwest which will connect areas of prime wind and solar generation to the interstate power grid. The SunZia Southwest Transmission Line Project will comprise two overhead 500 kV transmission lines, extending between 740 and 800 kilometers through the southern parts of the U.S. states of Arizona and New Mexico. Read more

Azur Solar?s Independa battery solution wins Plus X Award

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 11:30 (Solarpowerportal)

German solar manufacturer, Azur Solar?s independent electricity system, Azur Independa, has been awarded the prestigious Plus X Award for ?Best Product of the Year 2012? and ?Most Innovative Brand of Year 2012.? Read more

Crossing Frontiers: PV powered airplane Solar Impulse successfully lands in Morocco

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 10:52 (Solarserver)

Under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI and upon invitation of the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen), the Solar Impulse aircraft of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg has completed its flight to Morocco. The prototype landed successfully in Rabat-Salé airport on June 5th, 2012 at 11:30PM local time. Solar Impulse notes that this is a symbolic victory as it is the first time the HB-SIA lands on another continent and the first time Bertrand Piccard has piloted during a mission flight. Read more

Solaria begins development of 60 MW PV plant in Toledo, Spain

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 9:40 (Solarserver)

On June 5th, 2012 Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente SA (Madrid, Spain) announced that it has begun development of a 60 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Spain, without the support of a feed-in tariff. Solaria will be responsible for development, engineering and management of the project and will also supply its PV modules. The EUR 60 million (USD 75 million) project will be located in Calera y Chozas, in the province of Toledo. Read more

Siginik Energy to develop 50MW solar installation in Ghana

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 0:12 (PV-Tech)

Episolar?s subsidiary, Siginik Energy, advised that it had signed a definitive PPA with the Electricity Company of Ghana for the construction of a 50MW ground-mounted tracking solar installation. The energy produced by the project will be bought by ECG for 25 years. The companies advised that this would be the largest solar installation in West Africa and one of the largest on the continent. Read more

Military Biofuels Ban Moves Forward, Ignites Criticism, Backlash

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 20:07 (Renewable Energy World)

As a proposed ban on military investment and use of biofuels inches closer to fruition in Washington, several groups are speaking out against the bill. Read more

CNPV celebrates Enel Green Power?s solar geothermal hybrid project completion in Nevada

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:41 (PV-Tech)

CNPV Solar Power executives were on hand May 2 at Enel Green Power?s inauguration ceremony for its solar geothermal hybrid project in Stillwater, Nevada. CNPV supplied its PV modules for the project, which has 33MW of geothermal capacity and 26MW of solar capacity. Initiated and owned by Enel Green Power, the project is said to be the world?s first and only geothermal hybrid project. Read more

MOU Signed with Iceland for Geothermal Advancement; Geo Could Meet 20% of UK Power Needs

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:04 (Renewable Energy World)

Energy Minister Charles Hendry of the United Kingdom and Iceland's Finance Minister Oddny Haroardottir signed a memorandum of understanding in late May to explore options in bilateral energy affairs, including an electricity connection as well as information-sharing on deep geothermal development. Read more

Geothermal Heat Pumps: The Next Generation

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 15:16 (Renewable Energy World)

Climatemaster, a division of LSB Industries (NYSE:LXU), recently announced that their new Trilogy 40 geothermal heat pump (GHP) had been certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to exceed 40 Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) under ground loop conditions. Read more

Salamon sells 10% of Eco Energy Solutions Australia to DayStar

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 22:42 (Solarserver)

On June 4th, 2012, Salamon Group (Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.) announced that its Sunlogics Power Management Fund has sold 10% interest in Eco Energy Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd. to DayStar Technologies Inc. (Santa Clara, California, U.S.), a developer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products based on Copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film deposition technology. Read more

REC ends long-term wafer sales contract, receive US$35 million in compensation

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:57 (PV-Tech)

The Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) stated that in its agreement to end a long-term wafer sales contract, it has received US$35 million in cash compensation. Between 2006 and 2008, the company entered into various long-term take-or-pay wafer sales contracts, which were mostly supported by bank guarantees. REC chose to terminate one of these contracts, thereby receiving the cash reparation. Income from this cancellation will be recognized in Q2 2012. Read more

REC ends long-term wafer sales contract, receives US$35 million in compensation

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 21:57 (PV-Tech)

The Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) stated that in its agreement to end a long-term wafer sales contract, it has received US$35 million in cash compensation. Between 2006 and 2008, the company entered into various long-term take-or-pay wafer sales contracts, which were mostly supported by bank guarantees. REC chose to terminate one of these contracts, thereby receiving the cash reparation. Income from this cancellation will be recognized in Q2 2012. Read more

EvoEnergy launches interactive energy consumption guide

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 18:19 (Solarpowerportal)

Solar photovoltaic specialist EvoEnergy has launched an interactive Energy Consumption Guide in an attempt to help the British public better understand how the UK?s energy consumption has changed since 1970. Read more

Yorkshire tops UK?s £6.9 billion renewable investment league

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 16:15 (Solarpowerportal)

Yorkshire has topped the UK renewable investment league for the period between April 1, 2011 to 31 March 2012. The UK?s largest county invested almost two billion pounds in renewable energy, creating over 5,400 in the process.  Read more

Upbeat Energy completes Cambridgeshire bulk purchase project

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 16:12 (Solarpowerportal)

Upbeat Energy has completed a bulk purchase project in Cambridgeshire, involving the installation of solar PV on more than 75 local buildings. Read more

Advanced Energy expands global reach with expanded product profile

Wednesday, 6.6.2012 - 13:55 (PV-Tech)

Advanced Energy (AE) has expanded its commercial site monitoring software system to include AlsoEnergy and meteocontrol features, thereby initializing the company?s first global monitoring partnership. The AlsoEnergy and meteocontrol programs have been integrated into AE?s performance monitoring software to increase the company?s software reporting accuracy for commercial PV applications. Read more