Canadian Solar modules receive high ratings in ammonia resistance testing

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 23:15 (PV-Tech)

Canadian Solar?s modules were recently tested in the IEC 62716 draft C ammonia (NH3) corrosion test by TÜV Rheinland and also in the DLG standard test for solar modules in agricultural environments. Testing concluded that the company?s modules passed with the highest possible ratings and included power loss, visual inspection and insulation resistance. Read more

Chinese PV producer Yingli appoints Ledico as exclusive distributor in Israel

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 18:10 (Solarserver)

On August 7th, 2012, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (Baoding, China) announced that it has appointed Ledico Ltd. as its exclusive sales partner in Israel. Under a partnership agreement, Ledico will sell and promote Yingli solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in Israel. Read more

Emcore posts losses in 2Q 2012 results, consolidates terrestrial CPV business into Suncore JV in China

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 9:54 (Solarserver)

Emcore Corporation (Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.) has released results for its most recent financial quarter, reporting a 4% sequential decrease in its photovoltaics segment revenues to USD 15.3 million. The third quarter of the company's fiscal year (FY) 2012 ended June 30th, 2012. Overall, the company reported USD 41.1 million in revenues, a -21% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 9.04 million. Emcore also announced that it will consolidate its terrestrial concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system engineering and development work into joint venture Suncore Photovoltaics (Xiamen, China). Read more

Renewables industry urges Cameron to live up to ?greenest Government? promises

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 9:52 (Solarpowerportal)

In a bid to ensure the UK Government provides clear and consistent leadership on renewable energy a host of signatories, lead by the Renewable Energy Association (REA), have written to the Prime Minister, David Cameron and Deputy PM, Nick Clegg asking that the Treasury actively supports departments charged with meeting the legally-binding renewable energy targets, and delivering green growth and jobs. Read more

SunPower reports financial losses, operational successes in 2Q 2012, receives USD 325 million funding for lease program

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 9:46 (Solarserver)

SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California, U.S.) has released its second quarter 2012 results, reporting a 0.6% increase in revenues to USD 596 million, a -8.5% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 84.2 million. However, the company reported dramatic market success including growth of its solar leasing program, progress on its large solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, and technology and cost improvements. SunPower also announced that it has received USD 325 million in financing for its residential leasing program through Credit Suisse (Zurich, Switzerland) and Citi (New York, New York, U.S.). Read more

TUEV Rheinland develops new PV testing method tests based on DIN EN ISO 11915-2

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 0:13 (Solarserver)

On August 6th, 2012, TUEV Rheinland PTL (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.), announced that it has developed a new testing method with CURRENTA based on DIN EN ISO 11925-2 in response to Germany's plan to include Photovoltaic (PV) modules and solar thermal collectors in the German Building Rules list by the end of 2012. The regulations will affect all PV modules and solar collectors, not just integrated systems in buildings. Read more

NLP Solar Sales Training Live Webinar August 22nd & 23rd

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 23:01 (Renewable Energy World)

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SAG Solarstrom reports 50% sales growth for Q2 2012

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 22:15 (PV-Tech)

SAG Solarstrom released a rather positive report for Q2 2012. Among other achievements, the company noted that it had seen an almost 50% increase in sales for Q2 to ?31.9 million, compared to Q1 2012?s ?21.4 million. In total, the first half of the year saw SAG Solarstrom with ?53.3 million in sales. Read more

Donauer?s flat roof mounting frames achieve sales of 2.5MWp

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 21:15 (PV-Tech)

Donauer Solartechnik announced that its flat roof and flat roof duplex mounting frames, which were tested and certified by the LGA test office for structural analysis, reached 2.5MWp in sales for the first half of 2012. The LGA test confirmed the stability of Donauer?s flat roof systems, which the company states ensures installers a legal basis to back them in insurance claims and offers system owners reliable legal protection. Read more

Solar Gard introduces new solution for protection and durability of PV modules

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 18:19 (Solarserver)

On August 6th, 2012, Solar Gard (San Diego, California, U.S.) announced that it has introduced "PV FC10f" to its line of high-quality solutions for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The new PV backsheet is a cost-effective PV solution that provides increased protection and durability for top quality module manufacturers, the company says. Read more

New York Senator calls for an increase in state's net metering cap

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 18:15 (Solarserver)

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to raise the limit for net metering that allows homeowners to earn credits on their energy bills when they produce excess solar power used by local utilities companies, the major incentive for new solar installations. Read more

SMA Solar demonstrates solid second quarter results

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 18:12 (PV-Tech)

SMA Solar has announced second quarter 2012 results, which analyst Julien Desmaretz of Bryan Garnier has described as a solid overall performance. Read more

Wrexham completes 5MW solar scheme

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 17:10 (Solarpowerportal)

Sharp Solar has completed the installation of 3,000 solar arrays across Wrexham, in one of the largest council-led solar schemes in the UK. The £15 million project will see Wrexham become the country?s top authority for reducing carbon emissions and in the top ten percentile in the UK. Read more

SPI ?12 programme to cover six key topics; sharing expert comments on the industry?s future

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 16:42 (PV-Tech)

With North America?s major business-to-business event for professionals in the solar industry almost upon us, Solar Power International 2012 (SPI ?12) has unveiled an attractive line-up of speakers and topics for the four-day event, covering critical issues concerning the solar industry?s future success. Read more

China increases solar targets to 21 GW of electric, 400 million square meters of solar thermal by 2015

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 15:53 (Solarserver)

China has increased its national goals for solar deployment, with the National Energy Administration (NEA) calling for 21 GW of solar electric capacity and 400 million square meters of solar thermal collector area by the end of 2015. Initial documents did not specify individual targets for solar photovoltaics (PV) versus concentrating solar power (CSP). The NEA announced this and other renewable energy goals as part of the 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for Renewable Energy Development, as released on August 6th, 2012. Read more

Solar installers rush to join Green Deal Finance Company ahead of Green Deal?s launch

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 14:50 (Solarpowerportal)

Following the Department of Energy and Climate Change?s (DECC) awarding of a £7 million loan to the Green deal Finance Company, a host of solar companies have come forward to announce their involvement in the scheme.  Read more

Local Content Rule Thwarts Solar Development in Brazil

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 14:22 (Renewable Energy World)

Brazil's bid to spur solar-energy projects is failing as a ban on state subsidies for foreign-made panel parts hinders sales by the world's biggest producers. Read more

Follow Germany's Lead: Streamlined Permitting

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 13:19 (Renewable Energy World)

Germany, a leader in renewable energy, recently set a world record when it produced 22 GW of power on May 26th, 2012.  At that point in time, half of the country's electricity was generated from solar.  Germany's current capacity for solar energy reaches about 28 GW and the country aims to reach 66GW by 2030. By the end of 2011, Germany had about 2 Read more

Concentrating solar power: Ivanpah project 50% complete

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 12:35 (Solarserver)

BrightSource Energy Inc. (Oakland, California, U.S.) and project partners NRG Energy Inc. (Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.) and Google Inc. (Mountain View, California, U.S.) have reached the halfway mark of construction on the 370 megawatt (MW) Ivanpah concentrating solar power (CSP) project. BrightSource notes that it has reached peak construction workforce levels, with more than 2,100 construction workers and support staff on the site. The company expects to complete the USD 2.2 billion project in California's Mojave Desert in 2013. Read more

California Public Utilities Commission rulings investigate energy storage, increase solar thermal incentives

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 12:32 (Solarserver)

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has voted to adopt a proposed framework for analyzing energy storage needs, which could ultimately result in mandating energy storage for utilities. The agency has also voted to increase incentive levels for both residential and commercial customers under Step 1 of the California Solar Initiative (CSI)-Thermal program, with the goal of increasing early participation. Incentive levels will be increased by 45% of single-family residential customers and 13.33% for commercial and multi-family residential customers under Step 1. Read more

SPI Solar completes 6.4 MW of PV plants in Greece

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 12:21 (Solarserver)

On August 7th, 2012, SPI Solar (Roseville, California, U.S.), a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) project developer, announced it has completed construction and interconnected solar PV plants totaling 6.4 megawatts (MW) in Greece. The PV projects include a 2 MW PV system in Evros and a 4.4 MW solar energy system in Orestiada. The systems will provide power to Greek Public Power Corp. under 20-year power purchase agreements (PPA). Read more

MEMC Solar Energy division shows growth, positive margins in 2Q 2012

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 9:37 (Solarserver)

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (St. Peters, Missouri, U.S.) has released financial results for the second quarter of 2012, reporting a 22% year-over-year increase in revenues in its Solar Energy division to USD 576 million and 4.8% operating margin. The company realized revenue on 144 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects during the quarter, which it states drove higher revenues in the division. Overall, MEMC reported an 8.5% year-over-year increase in revenues to USD 808 million, a 0% operating margin, and a net loss of USD 61.3 million. Read more

SMA Solar Technology AG publishes H1 financial results: PV inverters with a total output of 4 GW sold; international growth, lower end of sales and earnings guidance increased

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 8:25 (Solarserver)

Following a positive start to the fiscal year 2012, SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Germany) continued its growth in the second quarter. During the first half of the year, the company sold solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters with a total output of 4.0 gigawatts (Q1-Q2 2011: 3.1 GW) and increased sales compared to the same period last year by 16.6% to EUR833.7 million (Q1-Q2 2011: EUR715.0 million). Thanks to its international presence in 21 countries, SMA succeeded in further expanding its sales abroad, the company emphasizes. Gross foreign sales rose by 12.1% compared to the same period last year to EUR463.9 million (Q1-Q2 2011: EUR413.8 million). This corresponds to an Read more

JinkoSolar PV modules pass PID test

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 0:06 (Solarserver)

On August 6th, 2012, JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (Shanghai, China) announced that its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules passed potential induced degradation (PID) testing conducted by TUEV-SUED and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). During the testing period, JinkoSolar PV modules were exposed to 1,000 volts of negative socket voltage under the condition of 65 degrees Celsius/85% relative humidity. In order to pass this extreme test, the maximum degradation of power output between initial and final measurement should not exceed 5%, the company states. Read more

PT Contained Energy Indonesia launches solar powered cold storage; 100% independent off-grid refrigeration solution with Zero operating costs

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 0:02 (Solarserver)

It is widely accepted that fishing- (and farming-) communities can substantially increase their income if refrigeration is available. However in remote communities, where no grid power is available, the conventional solution of powering refrigeration with diesel generator sets often fails because of significant operating costs and logistical challenges. Even where grid-power is available, frequent power outages pose a problem and can result in substantial losses. Now PT Contained Energy Indonesia (Jakarta) offers a solution to overcome these problems. Read more

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers opens USD 7 billion RFP for renewables

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 15:55 (Solarserver)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) has issued a request for proposals for USD 7 billion worth of electricity from solar, wind, geothermal and biomass. Through the RFP the ACE will purchase the electricity generated through power purchase agreements for up to 30 years, without acquiring any renewable energy generation assets. The agency states that this process will be an important means to help the U.S. Army reach a federal goal of 1 GW of renewable energy by 2025. Read more

The Wind PTC: A Victim of Politics

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 18:50 (Renewable Energy World)

Jobs and the economy ? these are the messages being heralded of utmost importance during the presidential campaigns. Meanwhile, with the wind energy industry still on pins and needles regarding an extension to the Production Tax Credit (PTC), no orders for wind projects in the U.S. have been placed for 2013. Manufacturers are left with no other cho Read more

REC wins one of 5 grants from CERP program for clean energy development in Singapore

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 22:15 (PV-Tech)

Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) advised that it was one of five solar energy research teams selected for a grant totalling ?6.9 million under the Clean Energy Research Program (CERP). The CERP was created by the Energy Innovation Program Office (EIPO) in 2007 to accelerate the development of the clean energy industry in Singapore. Read more

Punjab, India, to implement revised renewable energy policy

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Energy minister of Punjab, India, Bikram Singh Majithia announced new financial incentives to be incorporated into a revised renewable energy policy for 2012. The government will provide a 50% exemption on electricity duty on power used during the construction period by the investors alongside, a 100% tax exemption to the project developer and VAT exemption on equipment used. Read more

Trendspotting: US States Warming up to Renewable Energy Heating and Cooling, Part 1

Thursday, 8.9.2012 - 13:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Of the fifty U.S. states, four territories and one District of Colombia, almost forty of them have some kind of renewable energy requirement on the books and of those forty, only about fourteen allow some type of thermal renewable energy to meet at least a portion of its renewable portfolio standard. But that might be changing. Read more