Suntech?s Chief Commercial Officer to leave: regional heads to report to CEO

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 16:15 (PV-Tech)

Andrew Beebe, Suntech Power Holding?s Chief Commercial Officer, has resigned for personal reasons, according to the company.  Regional senior management within Europe, Americas and APMEA will report directly to newly appointed CEO, David King. Read more

MKS Instruments buys South Korean RF plasma systems supplier Plasmart

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 16:15 (PV-Tech)

Boosting its presence in the South Korean markets for RF generation and monitoring systems for the solar photovoltaic, semiconductor, flat panel display and AMOLED industry sectors, MKS Instruments has acquired Plasmart, Inc, based in Daejeon, South Korea, in a cash transaction that wasn?t disclosed. Read more

STMicroelectronics unveils new bypass devices for PV panels

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 15:11 (Solarserver)

STMicroelectronics (Geneva, Switzerland) announced that it has introduced its latest-generation high-efficiency cool bypass switches for photovoltaic (PV) modules. The new SPV1512 and SPV1520 cool bypass switches due to the producer enable an even higher percentage of harvested energy and further reducing the cost per watt of solar power. Read more

Concentrating photovoltaics: ABB to unveil smart grid interface at SPI

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 15:06 (Solarserver)

On September 4th, 2012, ABB (Zurich, Switzerland) announced that it will introduce a fully-integrated solar power generation plant controller and smart grid interface as part of its concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system at the Solar Power International (SPI) conference in United States. The CPV plant with the new smart grid capabilities is a result of an investment in and strategic partnership with GreenVolts (Fremont, California, U.S.). Read more

QBotix unveils robot tracking system for PV plants

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 14:57 (Solarserver)

On September 4th, 2012, QBotix (Menlo Park, California, U.S.) announced that it has unveiled the QBotix Tracking System (QTS), a dual-axis tracking system that employs rugged, intelligent and mobile robots to dynamically operate solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants and maximize energy output. Read more

Spire receives master UL listing for PV module design and bill of materials

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 14:50 (Solarserver)

On September 4th, 2012, Spire Corp. (Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.) announced that its latest photovoltaic (PV) module design and bill of materials (BOM) have achieved the Master UL Listing by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). Spire worked closely with FLEXcon for back sheet material, and Arkema for encapsulation materials to design the latest approved module. Read more

TrendForce: Chinese policies stimulate increase in PV demand

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 12:13 (Solarserver)

TrendForce (Taipei City, Taiwan) reports that Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) demand is increasing, as provinces enact subsidy policies in an effort to stimulate demand. According to TrendForce this increased demand is in line with Chinese government strategy, and has become increasingly important now that the European Commission is beginning an anti-dumping investigation. The company gave a glimpse into system costs, offering an average system price of USD 1.35 per watt for 20 megawatt (MW) projects in Xinjiang. Read more

TÜV Rheinland develops test programs for electronic systems in PV modules

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 12:10 (Solarserver)

TÜV Rheinland (Cologne, Germany) is currently developing new test programs for electronic systems accompanying solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, with the goal of ensuring safe and reliable function of these components. The company will test electronics in junction boxes used for monitoring, data transmission, anti-theft protection and fire protection. TÜV Rheinland also states that specific requirements for micro-inverters arising from the European EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive will need to be adapted for these technologies. Read more

Chinese PV manufacturers respond to EU dumping investigation

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 8:43 (Solarserver)

Three of the largest Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers have responded to the anti-dumping investigation announced by the European Commission (EC) on September 6th, 2012. Suntech Power Holdings Company Ltd. (Wuxi, China), Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Ltd. (Baoding, China) and Trina Solar Ltd. (Changzhou, China) have all released statements regarding the move. Read more

SunPower, PG&E sign PPA for 100MW Henrietta Solar Project in California

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

SunPower advised that it had signed a PPA with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which will see the company deploy its SunPower Oasis power plant for the 100MW Henrietta Solar Project in Kings County, California. The SunPower Oasis system will utilize 435W SunPower solar panels and the SunPower T0 Tracker. Read more

SolarWorld begins construction of its 25MW Desert Star Solar project

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 20:15 (PV-Tech)

Situated in California?s Mojave Desert, and located on 164 acres between Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree, SolarWorld?s 25MW (DC) Desert Star Solar project is now under construction. The company?s EPC division, which owns the land and projects near Twentynine Palms, will oversee all phases of the project, including design, engineering, procurement, permitting and construction. Read more

Order Focus: Senersun partners with Poland?s Solar-Bau for 23MW of PV modules

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 20:13 (PV-Tech)

Senersun has struck a deal with Poland?s Solar-Bau, which will see the company supply 23MW of its PV modules to Solar-Bau. Solar-Bau, an EPC company, will now be Senersun?s official partner in Poland. Alexandre Minuzzo, CEO of Senersun, noted, ?We are proud to welcome Solar-Bau to Senersun?s network of official partners. With their impressive portfolio of projects and a much promising pipeline, Solar-Bau is clearly a high-profile solar company in Poland. We trust that this agreement with them will create synergies between our two companies, which will benefit our end-users in the country.? Read more

SPI 2012: K2 Systems debuts new US division, Everest Solar Systems, will debut 4 products at SPI

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Germany?s K2 Systems has launched its newest global arm; a US division known as Everest Solar Systems, which is based in Oceanside, California. K2 noted that its expansion stems from its confidence that the commercial and residential solar markets will grow and, therefore, require its racking technology. Read more

IBC Solar to include inverters from Sungrow Power Supply

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

IBC Solar announced that it has added Sungrow Power Supply?s PV inverters to its porftfolio. IBC Solar expects for the collaboration to allow it to offer its domestic and international clients a wider product range of PV inverter products that better meet their needs. Read more

More Solar Outrage Over EU Probe

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 15:06 (Renewable Energy World)

The headlines are filled this morning with chatter on the latest news that the European Union is launching an anti-dumping probe into Chinese solar panel makers, following a similar investigation by the US that is likely to result in punitive tariffs by the end of this year. In addition to news of the probe itself, most of the major Chinese panel m Read more

Eltek inverter wins design excellence award for solar inverter

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 15:02 (Solarserver)

On September 4th, 2012, Eltek (Richardson, Texas, U.S.) announced its "THEIA HE-t" solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter has won the award for design excellence for demonstrating innovative industrial product design. The company states that its THEIA HE-t inverter received the industrial design award, one of nine categories in the award for design excellence competition. The jury selected THEIA HE-t as a design excellence award winner for standing out in a "design-conservative" industry, and specifically for the THEIA's graphical display with its intuitive user interface and compact and rugged exterior. Read more

China Price War Draining Jobs in Germany's Solar Valley

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

When Thomas Behling returned to his home state of Saxony-Anhalt in 2006, he was drawn by a job in the solar industry and the chance to participate in Germany's renewable energy boom. He was fired in July. Read more

Danny Kennedy unveils book on "solar rooftop revolution"

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

Award-winning clean-tech entrepreneur Danny Kennedy has unveiled a book titled "Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy ? and Our Planet ? from Dirty Energy". He aims at exposing the many myths surrounding solar industry and unveiling simple ways for the public and policymakers alike to engage in generating positive change. Read more

juwi expands international solar footprint

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

In a bid to increase its international footprint, Germany-based PV project developer juwi has announced that its subsidiary, juwi Energías Renovables ? Centro América y el Caribe, based in San José, Costa Rica, will expand its product portfolio to include the development of solar projects as well as bioenergy plants. Read more

REC Solar installs 5MW of PV capacity in Florida

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

REC Solar, a specialist in designing and installing PV systems, has been making a name for itself in Florida?s solar industry with the installation of five PV systems on IKEA and US Department of Veteran?s Affairs (VA) Medical Center locations across the US state. The installations add a total PV capacity of 5MW. Read more

Cornwall Council to develop its own 5MW solar park

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 13:10 (Solarpowerportal)

Cornwall Council is set to become the first local authority in the UK to begin construction of its own solar farm in the UK. The council has green lit plans for a 5MW solar park in Kernow, near Newquay Airport. Read more

Canadian Solar, Suntech, Trina Solar and Yingli to co-operate with EU anti-dumping investigation

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 10:28 (PV-Tech)

Response to the European Commission?s anti-dumping investigation of solar modules and products imported into the EU from key Chinese producers was rapid and unanimous in condemnation of the action but also conciliatory in confirming their willingness to co-operate fully with the investigation. Read more

Candian Solar, Suntech, Trina Solar and Yingli to co-operate with EU anti-dumping investigation

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 10:15 (PV-Tech)

Response to the European Commission?s anti-dumping investigation of solar modules and products imported into the EU from key Chinese producers was rapid and unanimous in condemnation of the action but also conciliatory in confirming their willingness to co-operate fully with the investigation. Read more

CIGS hits back: TSMC Solar and Manz both tout module efficiency gains

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 8:15 (PV-Tech)

After several years of rapid price declines for conventional crystalline silicon solar modules, CIGS (copper indium gallium selenium) thin-film technology hasn?t been immune from the ?solar shakout,? despite its inherent capabilities to provide high conversion efficiency and low-cost production.  Solyndra, Odersun, Soltecture, Global Solar Energy, Solibro and MiaSolé are companies that pioneered CIGS adoption but have either failed or now seek new partners to continue operations. Read more

South Australia hits wind power milestone

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 12:51 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind power in South Australia provided more than half of the state's power on Wednesday, September 5, according to the Clean Energy Council (CEC). And in the past year wind in the state has for the first time ever provided more energy than coal. Read more

South Australia Hits Wind Power Milestone

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 12:51 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind power in South Australia provided more than half of the state's power on Wednesday, September 5, according to the Clean Energy Council (CEC). And in the past year wind in the state has for the first time ever provided more energy than coal. Read more

Merrimack Village Dam: The Impact of Removing a Dam in New Hampshire

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Post-dam removal monitoring is ongoing to identify the impacts of removing Merrimack Village Dam in New Hampshire. The dam was removed to restore diadromous fish habitat, improve water quality, restore natural sediment transport and avoid high maintenance costs associated with the aged structure. Read more

Obama Re-pledges Renewables Commitment as E&Y Reports US Falling Behind

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 21:51 (Renewable Energy World)

When he stepped up to the podium on Thursday night to accept his party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention, President Barack Obama had quite a few things on his mind. One of those things was renewable energy. Another was climate change. In a speech that touched on issues ranging in scope from health care to job creation, Obama took time to restate his commitment to the improvement of fuel standards and continued investment in renewables. Read more

Seminole Financial Services closes 7MW of renewable energy projects in California

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Seminole Financial Services advised that so far this year it has already financed more renewable installations than it did in the full 2011 year. The company recently closed financing on three renewable energy projects, all in California, this past week, including a solar ground-mounted project at a waste water reclamation plant. Together the one solar and two wind projects represent 7MW of renewable power. Read more

Australia's NSW Pledges Streamlined Renewables Planning Process

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 16:21 (Renewable Energy World)

New South Wales, Australia's most-populous state, promised to streamline planning and improve network connections to attract renewable energy investment. Read more

RO banding: DECC consults on 1.5 ROCs

Friday, 9.7.2012 - 16:14 (Solarpowerportal)

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has released its much-anticipated consultation over the ongoing level of support for solar PV technology under the Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme. Read more