Fraunhofer CSP testing confirms Kyocera PV modules as PID resistant

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 23:21 (Solarserver)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules by Kyocera Corporation (Kyoto, Japan) have passed the potential induced degradation (PID) test by the non-profit Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP, Halle, Germany). The panels did not show any degradation after being subjected to high voltage stress testing. Potential induced degradation (PID) is a phenomenon where the power output of a solar module is reduced when exposed to high negative voltage bias between the cells and ground. PID can potentially affect the performance of individual modules as well as the overall power output and efficiency of an entire solar power generating system. The resistance to, or intensity of, power Read more

Solectria Renewables unveils SGI 500xt PV inverter

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 22:52 (Solarserver)

On July 9th, 2012, Solectria Renewables LLC (Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that it has introduced the SGI 500XT, a 500 kilowatt (kW), 600 VDC inverter. The SGI 500XT is a 208 VAC transformerless, direct to medium voltage, utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter. Read more

Centrotherm?s file for bankruptcy protection accepted by Ulm district court

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 18:00 (PV-Tech)

Blaubeuren, Germany-based Centrotherm has filed for Chapter 11-type bankruptcy protection in Ulm?s district court to start insolvency proceedings. Centrotherm has a three-month window to restructure before creditors come knocking on its door. The company named insolvency lawyer Tobias Hoefer to the board in a bid to oversee the restructuring. Last month, Hans Autenrieth, member of the management board and co-CEO stepped down from his board position. Jan von Schuckmann replaced him and was appointed chief restructuring officer. Read more

Centrotherm files for bankruptcy protection

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 17:15 (PV-Tech)

Blaubeuren, Germany-based Centrotherm has filed for Chapter 11-type bankruptcy protection in Ulm?s district court to start insolvency proceedings. Centrotherm has a three-month window to restructure before creditors come knocking on its door. The company named insolvency lawyer Tobias Hoefer to the board in a bid to oversee the restructuring. Last month, Hans Autenrieth, member of the management board and co-CEO stepped down from his board position. Jan von Schuckmann replaced him and was appointed chief restructuring officer. Read more

Kyocera modules pass Fraunhofer PID test

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

Kyocera?s PV modules have passed the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP?s PID test, the company has announced. The potential induced degradation (PID) test subjects the modules to high voltage stress to test the performance of individual modules, which can be negatively affected by PID, consequently affecting the power output of the entire system. Fraunhofer CSP has anonymously tested PV modules and Kyocera was among four types that passed the test, not showing degradation. Read more

Fiera Axium completes acquisition of 47 MW PV portfolio from EDF EN Canada

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:54 (Solarserver)

Fiera Axium Infrastructure Canada L.P. (Toronto, Canada) on July 10th, 2012, announced that it has completed the acquisition of a 100% equity interest in four operational solar photovoltaic (PV) projects from EDF EN Canada Inc.. The projects sell power to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) under the terms of the Ontario government's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program. Read more

Satcon to supply power electronics for 52.5 MW PV plant, remains largest inverter supplier in North America in 2011

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:48 (Solarserver)

On July 10th, 2012, Satcon Technology Corporation (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that it has been selected to supply 51 MW of its Equinox Prism Platform solution, as well as 1.5 MW of its Equinox inverter systems for a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Southern California. Satcon also announced that it has retained the number one position in the North American PV inverter market for a second consecutive year, based on research from IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.). Finally, the company's board of directors has approved an 1-for-8 reverse stock split of Satcon common stock, effective July 19th, 2012. Read more

PV manufacturing: SCHMID Group specifies production line for PERC cells with an efficiency of over 20%

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 9:47 (Solarserver)

With the license for SCHOTT Solar's PERC technology, SCHMID (Freudenstadt, Germany) has rounded off its production-ready technology portfolio and now supplies systems and processes for solar photovoltaic (PV) cells with an efficiency potential of over 20%, available as an individual upgrade or complete turnkey production line. Read more

Saudi Arabian ACWA Power acquires 42% stake in 60 MW PV plant in Bulgaria

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 9:41 (Solarserver)

ACWA Power (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) has announced that it has partnered with an affiliate of First Reserve Energy Infrastructure Fund and Clean Energy Transition Fund to acquire a 60 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Bulgaria. When complete, ACWA Power will hold a 42% stake in the plant in Karadzhalovo, Bulgaria. The plant was build by SunEdison LLC (Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.) and has been operational since March 2012, and is currently supplying power to the National Electricity Company of Bulgaria. Read more

PV equipment provider centrotherm photovoltaics AG files for Chapter 11-type insolvency protection proceedings under its own administration

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 8:31 (Solarserver)

centrotherm photovoltaics AG (Blaubeuren, Germany) on July 10th, 2012 has submitted an application to the relevant District Court of Ulm for the launching of insolvency protection proceedings (pursuant to the German Act Relating to the Further Simplification of the Reorganization of Companies [ESUG], and Section 270b of the German Insolvency Directive [InsO]), and for the opening of insolvency proceedings under its own administration in connection with this application. With the help of these proceedings, the company aims to consistently pursue the reorganization path that it has already adopted. The application includes the subsidiaries centrotherm thermal solutions GmbH Read more

Fraunhofer FEP and CTF Solar start project to develop manufacturing technologies for thin-film PV modules

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 23:31 (Solarserver)

On July 6th, 2012 the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP) and CTF Solar GmbH (both Dresden, Germany) signed a project agreement to jointly develop high-productivity technologies for manufacturing efficient thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The project has an annual funding of more than EUR 1 million (USD 1.2 million). Read more

ReneSola unveils new generation of "Virtus" solar wafers, PV modules at ISNA

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 23:27 (Solarserver)

ReneSola Ltd. (Jiashan, China) introduces its next-generation "Virtus" V-grade wafers and PV modules during Intersolar North America 2012 at booth #7523. Virtus modules and wafers are now available in both North and South America, ReneSola announced. ReneSola?s Virtus modules convert photons to electrons at cell efficiencies greater than 18 percent, surpassing conventional 16.5 percent cell efficiencies for multi-crystalline PV modules, the company emphasizes. Read more

Intersolar NA: NREL joins Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

During Intersolar North America?s opening session in San Francisco this week, The US Department of Energy?s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced its membership of the newly-formed Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes. Read more

Standard Solar?s Worton solar project dedicated in Maryland

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

Community and educational leaders from Kent County were on hand to celebrate the dedication of Standard Solar?s Worton solar project in Maryland. The project, owned and operated by Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES), is the first public sector solar system to use the state?s new aggregate, net-metering law that allows one solar system to serve facilities at different locations. Read more

Intersolar NA: Suniva, Soligent announce distribution agreement

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

This week during Intersolar North America in San Francisco Suniva and Soligent announced they had entered into a new distribution agreement. Soligent, which was recently formed after the merge of DC Power Systems and Solar Depot, will help Suniva provide small to mid-tier ECP firms and local residential installers with the US-made modules. Read more

Saudi company ACWA Power buys 42% stake in Karadzhalovo, Bulgaria solar plant

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 20:58 (PV-Tech)

Earlier this week, SunEdison advised that it had sold 98MW of European PV projects, including the 60MW Karadzhalovo, Bulgaria plant, which became operational in March. Today, it?s been reported that Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power advised that it had partnered with an associate of First Reserve Energy Infrastructure Fund and Clean Energy Transition Fund to buy the 60MW Bulgarian plant. Read more

Intersolar NA: Enerworks, Vanir Energy and ESA Renewables win first annual Intersolar AWARD

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

At the July 10 kick-off of Intersolar North American in San Francisco, Enerworks, Vanir Energy and ESA Renewables were celebrated as the first winners of the first annual Intersolar AWARD for solar projects in North America. The Intersolar AWARD recognizes large and small projects that use advanced technology, incorporate aesthetic and architectural concepts and exemplify outstanding services and products. Read more

Into Thin Air: The Disappearance of Dozens of Chinese Solar Companies

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 19:19 (Renewable Energy World)

The bankruptcies of roughly two dozen U.S. and European photovoltaic manufacturers have framed much of the story about an oversupply of solar panels and crashing prices over the past year. What's less known is the impact on the PV manufacturing industry in China, where over 50 companies also have closed, said John Lefebvre, president of Suntech Power's American operations, during Intersolar in San Francisco on Wednesday. Read more

Activ Solar completes 42.95MW PV plant in the Ukraine

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Austria-based Activ Solar has completed its Ukrainian PV plant, the company has announced. The Starokozache PV plant has a total capacity of 42.95MW and Active Solar has just completed the second phase, adding the last 21.77MW to the project. Read more

Valos Solar and Gehrlicher enter JV to develop 235MW

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 17:36 (PV-Tech)

Valos Solar Ventures and Gehrlicher Solar have entered a joint-development agreement, the company has announced. Under the agreement, the companies are developing solar power sites for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and other municipal utilities for RFO, RAM and RFPs. Altogether, 235MW of projects are being developed with Gehrlicher offering EPC services for the large-scale PV plants. Read more

Valos Solar and Gehrlicher enter joint-development agreement to develop 235MW

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 17:15 (PV-Tech)

Valos Solar Ventures and Gehrlicher Solar have entered a joint-development agreement, the company has announced. Under the agreement, the companies are developing solar power sites for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and other municipal utilities for RFO, RAM and RFPs. Altogether, 235MW of projects are being developed with Gehrlicher offering EPC services for the large-scale PV plants. Read more

IKEA installs 21st PV system in Virginia

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

Swedish retailer IKEA has connected the 21st solar system at its store in Woodbridge, Virginia, the company has announced. Gehrlicher Solar developed and installed the 504kW PV system, equipped with 2,100 PV panels, on 63,000ft² of IKEA?s rooftop. IKEA has 18 more systems to install at US stores to reach its goal of installing a total of 38MW of systems. Read more

Trina Solar expands into Canada, opens Ontario operations, partners with Silfab on locally-manufactured modules

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:59 (Solarserver)

Trina Solar Limited (Changzhou, China), an integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from ingots to modules, on July 10th, 2012, announced a new Ontario sales and business development office as the Company also announces a partnership with Silfab Ontario (Canada), enabling Trina Solar to offer world-class modules that are locally-manufactured for the Canadian market. Read more

Fred Morse receives 2012 IEA solar heating and cooling award

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:39 (Solarserver)

Dr. Frederick H. Morse is this year?s winner of the SHC SOLAR AWARD of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. He received the award on July 9th, 2012, at the SHC 2012 conference in San Francisco (California, U.S.). For many years, Dr. Morse has been an outstanding promoter of solar energy and served the IEA SHC between 1976 and 2007 in various roles ? amongst others, as its first chairman. Read more

Solar accounts for more than half of all clean energy investments in Q2 2012

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:09 (Solarpowerportal)

The clean energy sector has continued to perform strongly despite continued global economic hardship, with new investment totaling £38.4 billion in the second quarter of 2012. Read more

Feature: REAL ? ?enforcing the code doesn?t make you popular?

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 9:59 (Solarpowerportal)

In light of the recent legal action being brought against the REA and REAL, Solar Power Portal took some time to speak to Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL), to explore the role that the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and REAL play in the solar sector as well as the wider renewables market. Read more

Perth Zoo is new home of region?s largest solar installation using SunPower panels

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 0:02 (PV-Tech)

Perth Zoo is sporting a new 146.5kW solar array, becoming Perth?s largest solar installation. The PV array is built on a 334 foot long canopy and uses 452 SunPower panels. Funding for the project was jointly received from the Western Australian Government and the Australian Government through the Perth Solar City program. Read more

Seafaring Biofuels: Finding the Right Fuel for the Fleet

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

As the largest user of diesel in the U.S., the Navy is vulnerable to disruptions in fuel supply. To help in the search for alternative fuels, the Navy has awarded a $2 million grant to a University of Wisconsin engineering professor to find the right fuel for the fleet. Read more

Wind Power in Colorado: Has It Reached Its Peak?

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 15:29 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind power has grown slowly but steadily in Colorado over the last decade. But now, with wind farms frequently coming online and manufacturing facilities buzzing with activity, the state faces the possibility of the wind energy industry screeching to an abrupt halt. Colorado currently receives 9.2 percent of its generation capacity from wind power, Read more

Satcon receives US$2 million grant from California?s Energy Commission

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

Satcon has been awarded a US$2 million development grand, the company has announced. The company that has just supplied a PV project in California with 52.5MW of inverters, along with A123 Systems, Renewable Energy Services (RES) and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), has received the grant as part of the Energy Commission?s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) initiative to generate more renewable energies into the electric grid. The grant will be utilized to develop methods that will reduce renewable power intermittency. The 500kW PV plant project is led by Satcon and the project team will conduct its tests at SMUD?s headquarters in Sacramento, California. Read more

China is star of the show: 92% surge in clean energy investments in Q2, 2012

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 13:55 (PV-Tech)

Research company Bloomberg New Energy Finance has published figures demonstrating China?s dominance in both solar and wind sectors, each securing hundreds of millions in dollars in financing. In the second quarter of 2012, China saw a surge in investment to US$18.3bn, up 92% from the previous quarter. The largest Chinese solar project financed was the Shanlu & Shengyu Bayannur Wuyuan PV plant, at US$316m. Read more

Swinerton Renewable Energy to build and manage operations for over 120 MW of PV generation in 2012

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:44 (Solarserver)

San Diego (California, U.S.) based solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company Swinerton Renewable Energy on July 10th, 2012, announced that it has been selected to design and build over 120 MW generation capacity at multiple solar photovoltaic (PV) utility-scale plants in 2012. The plants, ranging from 5 MW to 30 MW, will be constructed both domestically and internationally, Swinerton notes. Read more

Fiera Axium acquires 47.1MW of Canadian PV projects

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

Fiera Axium Infrastructure has purchased a Canadian portfolio of 47.1MW, the company has announced. The portfolio consists of four operational PV plants, developed by EDF EN Canada, located in Ontario. EDF En subsidiary enXco Service Canada will provide operation and maintenance of the projects after the acquisition. All four plants sell energy to the Ontario Power Authority under a 20-year PPA. Read more

?Eco Park? solar car port given green light

Wednesday, 7.11.2012 - 13:18 (Solarpowerportal)

Poole-based renewables specialist, H2Eco, has launched an all-new solar car port system designed and manufactured in Dorset. The ?Eco Park? is an integrated parking solution which combines an architectural car parking canopy with a solar photovoltaic system. Read more