Los Angeles Mayoral candidate calls for 1,200 PV installations

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:49 (Solarserver)

Los Angeles (California, US) Mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti announced that he would install 1,200 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop systems in Los Angeles as mayor. Current capacity of the city's solar rooftop pilot program is 100 MW. Data collected and positive feedback from customers and businesses suggests that the city can expand the program to 1,200 MW. Read more

EMCORE supplies 1 millionth solar cell to Space Systems/LORAL

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:45 (Solarserver)

On January 29th, 2013, EMCORE Corp. (Albuquerque, New Mexico, US) announced that it has delivered its 1 millionth high-efficiency, multi-junction solar photovoltaic (PV) cell to Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), which will ultimately represent more than one megawatt (MW) of solar power generation capacity delivered into space. Read more

Decentralized large-scale photovoltaics: SMA cluster controller monitors and controls up to 75 string inverters

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:40 (Solarserver)

On January 29th, 2013, SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Germany) announced that it has introduced the new SMA Cluster Controller to monitor and control of decentralized large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants. The SMA Cluster Controller offers reliable monitoring and control of up to 75 string inverters using an Ethernet-based Speedwire fieldbus and a high-performance dual-core processor. Read more

Kaco new energy introduces its blueplanet M inverters in North America

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 17:50 (PV-Tech)

Inverter manufacturer Kaco new energy has started to ship its blueplanet M series of inverters to the North American market. Read more

Germany installs 330 MW of PV in December 2012, total generation capacity reaches 32.4 GW

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 16:26 (Solarserver)

On January 1st, 2013, the German Federal Network Agency released new figures for the installed solar photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity in Germany: 11,434 new PV systems with a cumulative generation capacity of 330 MW were connected to the grid in December 2012. Read more

Enel commissions 57 MW of PV in Greece

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 16:14 (Solarserver)

Enel Green Power (Rome, Italy) has commissioned 25 solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 57 MW across Greece, including four plants totaling 15 MW through its ESSE joint venture with Sharp Corporation (Osaka, Japan). Enel states that these are the last of those that it has planned for the nation through its 2012-2016 business plan, and bring it to a total installed capacity of 290 MW in Greece. The plants range in size between 920 kW and 6.4 MW, and are located in seven different Greek regions. Read more

Gestamp to use Trina Solar modules for 30 MW of South Africa PV projects

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:21 (Solarserver)

Trina Solar Ltd. (Changzhou, China) will supply 30 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to Gestamp Solar SL (Madrid, Spain) for two projects in South Africa. The 20 MW and 10 MW PV projects will be located in Prieska and De Aar, respectively. Trina will deliver its PC05 series PV modules, its most popular model, in the third quarter of 2013. Read more

Suntech completes Saudi Arabia?s largest PV system

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 11:56 (PV-Tech)

Suntech Power Holdings, an international PV project developer, has announced the completion of what it claims to be the largest PV system in Saudi Arabia. Read more

Polysilicon makers cut back on production in last six months of 2012

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 8:45 (Solarserver)

A new quarterly report by NPD Solarbuzz (Santa Clara, California, US) finds that polysilicon suppliers have been lowering their plant utilization rates during the last six months, with average quarterly utilization rates falling below 70%. NPD Solarbuzz's fourth quarter 2012 "Polysilicon and Wafer Supply Chain Quarterly Report" states that this contrasts with historic tier 1 plant utilization rates of above 90%. The company notes the role of excess polysilicon supply to China's solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. Read more

Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG: Insolvency plan approved by creditors, shareholders

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 8:32 (Solarserver)

On January 29th, 2013 a meeting of the creditors and shareholders of Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG (Blaubeuren, Germany) approved the company's insolvency plan, through which an administration company will hold 80% of the company's share capital on behalf of creditors. The plan will also involve the retention of the roughly 1,000 jobs in the Centrotherm Group, a refocus on core activities in solar photovoltaic (PV) surface treatment, and management board changes. If the plan is confirmed by the court in Ulm, Germany, and final conditions are achieved, insolvency proceedings can be terminated. Read more

An Interview with Scott Wiater, President of Standard Solar: What Now, Solar?

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 19:01 (Renewable Energy World)

I always enjoy sitting down with solar industry leaders and discussing their perspectives on where solar is headed. Last fall, I had the opportunity to sit down with Scott Wiater, President of Standard Solar. Standard Solar has seen a lot of change in the solar industry?and for itself. Founded in 2004 before the 2007 solar boom, Standard has?well? Read more

Mage Solar and Paradise Energy install 1.1MW PV array for concrete manufacturer

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:42 (PV-Tech)

Mage Solar and Paradise Energy have completed the installation of a 1.1MW PV system for concrete manufacturer Martin Limestone. Read more

Rexel hopes to shine a light on UK commercial solar capabilities

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:37 (Solarpowerportal)

Rexel has been announced as the sponsor of the ?Commercial Solar Hub? at this year?s Ecobuild exhibition. Read more

Greece Sees Impressive Solar PV Growth Despite Banking Crisis

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:07 (Renewable Energy World)

Despite on the ongoing financial tragedy that has gripped Greece for the past three years, the country has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes to become one of the world's largest markets for solar photovoltaics (solar PV). Read more

Trina Solar to sponsor Solar Power UK Roadshow; predicts 2GW of UK solar in 2013

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 18:02 (Solarpowerportal)

Trina Solar, the world?s fourth largest solar manufacturer, has been named a sponsor for the upcoming Solar Power UK Roadshows: Restarting the Market. Read more

Rexel wins three year British Gas solar contract

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 17:02 (Solarpowerportal)

Rexel has been chosen as British Gas?s solar supplier for its domestic and commercial solar PV business for UK and Ireland. Read more

Solar Bankers and Apollon plan 300MW production line for new low-cost CPV module

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 16:59 (PV-Tech)

Arizona-based Solar Bankers and its German affiliate Apollon have developed a new CPV module which, the companies claim, has low production costs and a 28% conversion rate. Read more

How Chinese Import Duties Could Help Polysilicon Suppliers ? and Hurt Everyone Else

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 16:43 (Renewable Energy World)

Polysilicon used in solar panels is set to extend its rebound from a decade low as China moves to impose duties on importers such as Germany's Wacker Chemie AG. Spot prices will jump as much as 39 percent this year to $22 a kilogram ($9.98 a pound), according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of seven analysts. The commodity hit a low $15.83 in December, the cheapest price since at least 2000, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Read more

Solar wafer start-up 1366 Technologies opens new production-scale factory

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 16:37 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2013 start-up 1366 Technologies (Bedford, Massachusetts, US) opened a new production facility based on its Direct Wafer technology in the US state of Massachusetts, with the ability to reach up to 25 MW of annual production capacity. The Direct Wafer process forms ultra-thin multicrystalline silicon wafers directly from molten silicon, removing several steps in conventional production processes. The factory also contains 1366's research and development operations. Read more

First Solar acquires 50 MW PV project in New Mexico

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 16:18 (Solarserver)

First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, US) has acquired the Macho Springs solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the US state of New Mexico from Element Power Solar (Portland, Oregon, US). First Solar plans to complete the 50 MW-AC project in 2014, at which time it will be the state's largest PV plant. The plant will also use First Solar's cadmium telluride thin-film PV modules. Read more

Credit Suisse approves US$40 million loan to Canadian Solar

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 15:46 (PV-Tech)

Credit Suisse has approved a US$40 million one-year loan to Canadian Solar to finance project acquisitions. Read more

1366 Technologies opens 25MW wafer factory

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 15:17 (PV-Tech)

US solar manufacturer 1366 Technologies has opened its new 25MW wafer manufacturing plant in Bedford, Massachusetts. Read more

IKEA connects its 35th US solar project

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 14:42 (PV-Tech)

Swedish furniture store IKEA has completed its 35th solar project in the US at its store in store in the city of Sunrise in southern Florida. Read more

Solar Shakeout: Siliken SA files for insolvency

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 14:36 (PV-Tech)

Spanish PV company Siliken has announced it started insolvency proceedings. Read more

DoE funds data projects to accelarate US solar deployment

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 13:47 (PV-Tech)

The US Department of Energy (DoE) is to fund seven research projects to identify opportunities for reducing the costs of solar deployment as part of its SunShot Initiative. Read more

Solar Shakeout: Asola Quantum Solarpower files for insolvency

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 13:12 (PV-Tech)

Module manufacturer Asola Quantum Solarpower has filed for insolvency at the German District Court of Erfurt, Thuringia, on 23 January 2013. Read more

German PV producer asola Solarpower uses insolvency plan proceedings in self-administration for restructuring

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:31 (Solarserver)

On January 23rd, 2013, asola Solarpower GmbH (Erfurt, Germany) applied to Erfurt Local Court for the institution of insolvency plan proceedings in order to prepare and implement the restructuring of the company. This is possible under the law for further facilitation of the restructuring of businesses (ESUG), asola notes. The court has already ruled the stay of execution for the company. This gives the manufacturer of crystalline PV modules time to draw up a restructuring plan, the company reports in a press release. Read more

LDK secures loan for silcon plant upgrades

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:30 (PV-Tech)

PV manufacturer LDK Solar has secured a RMB440,000,000 (US$70,700,000) loan from the China Development Bank (CDB) to finance technology upgrades at its Mahong polysilicon plant. Read more

LDK secures loan for silicon plant upgrades

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:30 (PV-Tech)

PV manufacturer LDK Solar has secured a RMB440,000,000 (US$70,700,000) loan from the China Development Bank (CDB) to finance technology upgrades at its Mahong polysilicon plant. Read more

ERCOT finds 10-13 GW of solar PV competitive in Texas, solar and wind can lower power prices

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:17 (Solarserver)

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas' (ERCOT) biennial report on the transmission and generation needs of the state has found that the addition of large amounts of wind and utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) generation is competitive under most scenarios for the next 20 years. The 2012 "ERCOT Long-Term System Assessment" found that adding 10-13 GW of PV is "economic" under these scenarios in Texas, in part due to the state's high need for generation during "peak" hours when PV is most productive. The study also found that the addition of PV and wind can lower market prices. Read more

Phoenix Solar completes Saudi Arabia?s largest PV system

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 11:56 (PV-Tech)

Phoenix Solar, an international PV project developer, has completed what it claims to be the largest PV system in Saudi Arabia. Read more

Ultra-thin solar wafer start-up 1366 Technologies opens new production-scale factory

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 8:51 (Solarserver)

On January 30th, 2013 start-up 1366 Technologies (Bedford, Massachusetts, US) opened a new production facility based on its Direct Wafer technology in the US state of Massachusetts, with the ability to reach up to 25 MW of annual production capacity. The Direct Wafer process forms ultra-thin multicrystalline silicon wafers directly from molten silicon, removing several steps in conventional production processes. The factory also contains 1366's research and development operations. Read more

Argentina Suspends WTO Complaint After Spain Ends Biofuels Curbs

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 17:38 (Renewable Energy World)

Argentina suspended a trade complaint against the European Union over Spanish biofuel curbs after Spain dropped its plan. Read more

Giant Wind Turbines Installed off the U.K. Coast

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 10:42 (Renewable Energy World)

Construction on DONG Energy's Gunfleet Sands demonstration project, 8.5 km off the English coast in 13-metre waters, is now complete following the installation of two 6-MW Siemens wind turbines, the company has announced. Read more

Siemens' 6-MW direct drive wind turbine begins offshore trials

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 10:42 (Renewable Energy World)

Construction on DONG Energy's Gunfleet Sands demonstration project, 8.5 km off the English coast in 13-metre waters, is now complete following the installation of two 6-MW Siemens wind turbines, the company has announced. Read more

6-MW direct drive wind turbine begins offshore trials

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 10:42 (Renewable Energy World)

Construction on DONG Energy's Gunfleet Sands demonstration project, 8.5 km off the English coast in 13-metre waters, is now complete following the installation of two 6-MW Siemens wind turbines, the company has announced. Read more

6-MW Direct Drive Wind Turbine Begins Offshore Trials

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 10:42 (Renewable Energy World)

Construction on DONG Energy's Gunfleet Sands demonstration project, 8.5 km off the English coast in 13-metre waters, is now complete following the installation of two 6-MW Siemens wind turbines, the company has announced. Read more

U.S. Wind Market Boomed in 2012

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 7:27 (Renewable Energy World)

Wind power remains the king of renewable energy generation in the United States. Project developers installed 13.1 GW of wind turbines in 2012, a 28 percent growth from the year before, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Read more

Dyesol and Singapore?s NTU sign energy research agreement

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 15:46 (PV-Tech)

Australian renewable energy firm, Dyesol Limited, and the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have signed a research agreement which both sides see as another step towards advancing their international research collaboration plans. Read more

Inti Pacific 2 and Etrion to boost Chile?s PV capacity with proposed projects

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 15:42 (PV-Tech)

Inti Pacific 2, an affiliate of Spanish renewable energy developer Nexer, is seeking approval for its proposed 54MW PV project in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile and has submitted plans to the Chilean environmental authority, Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental (SEA). Read more

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company enters strategic partnership with SAP

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:26 (PV-Tech)

Yingli Green, the world?s largest vertically PV manufacturer, has entered a strategic partnership agreement with German software company, SAP. Read more

Yingli Green to implement major ERP software system

Thursday, 1.31.2013 - 12:26 (PV-Tech)

Yingli Green, the world?s largest vertically PV manufacturer, has entered a strategic partnership agreement with German software company, SAP. Read more