Boosting the efficiency of solar cells: SolarWorld awards prize for young PV scientists to a woman for the first time

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 21:59 (Solarserver)

Dr. Bianca Lim from the Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH) in Hamelin, Germany is the winner of the SolarWorld Junior Einstein Award 2012. The 30-year-old physicist won over the jury with her work on boron-silicon compounds in silicon solar cells. The compounds are the main reason for the efficiency limit of highly efficient solar cells. Although the phenomenon has been known for a few years, the causes were not yet fully explained. Read more

Honeywell introduces new cool film to help PV modules resist heat

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 21:48 (Solarserver)

On September 25th, 2012, Honeywell (Morris Township, New Jersey, U.S.) announced that it has unveiled PowerShield Cool Black, a new black laminate film designed for cooler and more efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The PowerShield backsheet due to the producer reduces solar panel operating temperature by using an innovative and proprietary technology that reflects solar radiation. Read more

IMS Research predicts continued growth for CPV

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 21:07 (PV-Tech)

Despite several start-up firm failures and a over-hyped sector the concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) market is forecast to grow significantly over the next four-years, according to the latest report from IMS Research, part of IHS. Read more

Old fashioned bartering between Conergy and MEMC untangles wafer supply agreement

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 16:15 (PV-Tech)

Financially constraint PV manufacturers are advised to look at alternative ways than relinquishing hard to find cash amounts to end wafer supply deals with suppliers after a long-standing standoff between Conergy and MEMC was partially resolved via old fashioned bartering. Read more

Georgia Power proposes new RFP program to acquire 210 MW of PV

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:54 (Solarserver)

Georgia Power Company (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.) has filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) to create a solar program to acquire 210 MW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity over a three-year period. The Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative would include a utility-scale competitive solicitation program as well as sub-programs for small and medium scale PV. Such a move may indicate a strategy shift by Georgia Power parent company Southern Company (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.), which has resisted adoption of solar in the service area of its subsidiaries. Read more

IMS predicts CPV market to grow to 1.2 GW by 2016

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:46 (Solarserver)

IMS Research (Wellingborough, U.K.) has released a report on the global concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) market which predicts 1.2 GW of installations in 2016. "The World Market for Concentrated PV (CPV) - 2012" notes that despite strong competition from conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, the CPV market in target regions is attractive. The company estimates the 2012 CPV market at 90 MW and USD 325 million in revenues, a 60% increase over 2011. Read more

SPUK: Power-One to present micro-inverters and utility-scale inverters for the UK market

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:17 (Solarpowerportal)

Power-One will be introducing both its largest and smallest PV inverters to the UK market at this year?s Solar Power UK: the AURORA ULTRA and the AURORA MICRO. Read more

Dow Corning and LG Electronics Team Up for PV System Installation, Efficiency Testing

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

South Korea's Seowon University is going solar, and you'll never guess who's lending their considerable assistance to help bring that about ? Dow Corning and LG Electronics. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the silicon tech giant and the electronics megalith, Dow Corning and LG are joining forces and technologies to install a photovoltaic (PV) array on the roof of Seowon University's campus in Chung-ju. Read more

SPUK: Alternergy announces REC Platinum Partner and Suntech Official Partner distinctions

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 12:08 (Solarpowerportal)

Chiswick-based solar distributor, Alternergy has announced that it has recently been awarded Platinum Partner status from REC as well as being named a Suntech Official Partner. Read more

EPIA: Large-scale integration of PV in Europe technically feasible

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 9:11 (Solarserver)

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA, Brussels, Belgium) has released a new report on the implications of integrating increasing amounts of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation into the electricity grid in Europe. "Connecting the sun: Solar photovoltaics on the road to large-scale grid integration" reports that PV is already an active part of the power system in Europe, and can be integrated without creating operational issues or affecting supply security. The report also finds that developing PV in dense consumption areas is more cost-effective than concentrating it in areas of high solar radiation. Read more

Largest PV plant in SE Asia commissioned at 44 MW

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 9:07 (Solarserver)

Solartron Public Company Ltd. (Bangkok, Thailand) has commissioned a 44 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant near Bangkok, Thailand for Bangchak Public Petroleum Company Ltd. (BCP, Bangkok, Thailand). The Sunny Bangchak plant in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya is comprised of Suntech PV modules, and is the largest PV plant in Southeast Asia. The plant is open to the public and contains an on-site exhibition center. Read more

MEMC, Conergy terminate long-term wafer supply contract

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 9:01 (Solarserver)

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (St. Peters, Missouri, U.S.) has agreed to end its long-term wafer supply agreement with Conergy AG (Hamburg, Germany), which dates from 2007. As part of the deal to resolve the contract, Conergy will make payments on USD 5.5 million of outstanding payables, and will transfer a portfolio of operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts for 175 MW of PV plants in Germany, Italy and Spain. Read more

LDK Solar PV modules pass PID test

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 21:53 (Solarserver)

On September 24th, 2012, LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (Xinyu City, China) announced that its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules have passed the potential-induced degradation (PID) tests performed at TUEV Rheinland's and PV Lab's laboratories. In both tests, LDK's solar modules demonstrated a reduction in performance under test conditions of less than one percent, earning LDK modules a "Class A" rating, according to the company. Read more

Vivint Solar enters into Southern California market

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 21:24 (Solarserver)

On September 25th, 2012, Vivint Solar (Provo, Utah, U.S.) announced that it has expanded into Southern California and is currently offering solar services to residents in the greater San Diego area. Vivint Solar is offering a money-saving, clean and renewable alternative to power their homes, the company says. Priced at 15 cents per kilowatt (kW), Vivint Solar provides customers solar energy at five cents less per kilowatt hour (kWh) than the next closest competitor. Read more

JinkoSolar supplying modules for 50MW solar power project in Kenya

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

Efforts by the Chinese Government to provide support to its struggling PV manufacturing sector have surfaced in Kenya, Africa in the form of a government approved business, known for municipal public works, Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic & Technical Co, Ltd. (CJIC), which is planning to build a 50MW solar power project near the country?s northwest located city of Garissa. Read more

Solar Power International 2012: The Best Place to be an Installer?

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:17 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar Power International may be the best place in the country to be a solar installer. Hundreds of companies spent tens of thousands of dollars on booths, presentations, parties, and message crafting, all to get a consumer to use their product. The conference was an international product and service showcase, and installers were some of the most popular people there. Read more

First Solar to provide EPC services on projects in New Mexico totalling 20MW

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:15 (PV-Tech)

Having completed five projects totalling 22MW for PNM Resources in New Mexico in 2011, First Solar has been awarded a new engineering, procurement and construction services (EPC) contract with the utility for an additional four solar power plants totalling 20MW (AC). Read more

The Question Day 1: What is the Most Difficult Issue Facing the Solar Industry?

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

It's been a year of both continued expansion and mounting challenges for the global solar industry. RenewableEnergyWorld asked solar industry executives to share their thoughts and insights on one burning question: Read more

Three Take-Away Solar Messages from Hamm, Resch, and Clinton at SPI

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar Power International 2012 has ended, yet there are still three core marketing-related messages that have stayed with me almost three weeks later from SPI?s keynote speakers, Julia Hamm, Rhone Resch, and former President Bill Clinton. Of course, all of these insights apply to other positions in our industry, especially those in leadership rolls Read more

First Solar Policy in Andhra Pradesh, India Cuts Taxes, Waives Fees

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 14:16 (Renewable Energy World)

India's Andhra Pradesh state introduced its first solar-energy policy, offering tax benefits to projects and exemptions from power-transmission fees as the local government seeks investment to curb electricity shortages. Read more

Update: European Commission receives official complaint from EU ProSun

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 13:21 (PV-Tech)

EU ProSun has announced it has filed an official complaint with the European Commission over alleged illegal subsidies to Chinese solar manufacturers. EU ProSun claims to represent the majority of EU solar industrial production. Read more

European Commission receives official complaint from EU ProSun

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

EU ProSun has announced it has filed an official complaint with the European Commission over alleged illegal subsidies to Chinese solar manufacturers. EU ProSun claims to represent the majority of EU solar industrial production. Read more

SPUK: Wind & Sun presents solar, wind and hydro-powered mini-grid system

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 13:13 (Solarpowerportal)

Steve Wade, Managing Director of Herefordshire-based renewable specialist, Wind & Sun, recently presented a paper on a pioneering renewable off-grid energy system at the 2012 Symposium on Micro-grids in Evora, Portugal. Read more

JA Solar begins PV module shipments to CGN, CPI under 160 MW of supply contracts

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 12:17 (Solarserver)

JA Solar Holdings Company Ltd. (Shanghai, China) has begun shipments to China Guangdong Nuclear Solar Energy Development Company Ltd. (CGN, Shenzhen, China) and China Power Investment Corporation (CPI, Beijing, China) through contracts totaling 160 megawatts (MW). The company is currently fulfilling initial supply agreements with CGN for 30 MW of modules and with CPI for 40 MW of modules, both of which it expects to complete by the end of 2012. JA Solar notes that it was the single largest bid winner in a 200 MW tender offer by CPI and a 150 MW offer by CGN. Read more

EU PVSEC: larger module-to-rooftop distance improves PV system performance in tropical regions

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

According to André Nobre, project manager of Solar Energy Systems at Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), one of the most important points to consider when developing a rooftop PV system for tropical regions is the distance between the module and the rooftop. Read more

EU PVSEC: Innovative research and development key to solving PV financial crisis

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 10:15 (PV-Tech)

R & D spending will help investors regain confidence in the PV industry, opined Eric Peeters, recently appointed VP of Dow Corning?s electronic solutions business. Peeters stated that people used to buy panels to show their neighbours how good a citizen they were. Now, due to the in-fighting in the industry and cheap modules lacking in quality, investors ? private and public ? believe the industry is too big a risk to invest in. He believes that the attitudes of the electorate towards solar energy need to be changed before attempting to meet policymakers. Read more

U.K. Seeks to Use Climate Funds to Spur Kenyan Geothermal

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 16:55 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.K. government plans to spur use of Britain's green technology and financial expertise for geothermal and wind power projects in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania by tapping billions of pounds of state funds. Read more

View: Renewable Energy Too Important to be Dismissed

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 19:07 (Renewable Energy World)

The LA Times article "Taxpayers, Ratepayers will Fund California Solar Plants" took on the world of solar policy in a totally irresponsible way and got it all wrong. Renewable energy and distributed generation are too important to LA, the U.S. and the world to be dismissed so flippantly. Read more

Renewable U: College Campuses Invest in Renewable Energy

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Over the summer, crews at Rutgers University's Livingston Campus began transforming a 32-acre, 3,500-spot parking lot into one of the largest solar canopy arrays in the nation. The array will have a capacity of 8 megawatts, enough to power 1,000 homes. Read more

Yingli responds to EU Prosun subsidy charges

Thursday, 9.27.2012 - 12:38 (Solarserver)

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. (Baoding, China) has issued a statement renouncing accusations of illegal subsidization in a complaint before the European Commission (EC) filed by the EU Prosun trade group. EU Prosun submitted the complaint to the EC on September 25th, 2012. This follows the filing of its anti-dumping complaint on July 24th, 2012, which has led to a formal EC investigation. Read more