PROINSO enters Japanese PV market, opens office in Tokyo

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 16:26 (Solarserver)

On February 14th, 2013, PROINSO (Fustiñana, Spain) announced that it has opened a new branch in Tokyo, Japan. The company states that it will start operations in Japan's solar photovoltaic (PV) market as the nation has a huge growth potential. In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan implemented feed-in tariffs to promote renewable energy. Read more

Fluor to move forward with EPC services on phase 2 of Centinela PV plant

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 16:20 (Solarserver)

On February 14th, 2013, Fluor Corp. (Irving, Texas, US) announced that it has received a notice-to-proceed from Centinela Solar Energy LLC for phase two of the 170-megawatt (MW) Centinela solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Southern California. Fluor is providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the Centinela plant. Read more

The FERC SGIP: Time for a Tune-up

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 16:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The average size of distributed photovoltaic systems is on the rise.  In fact, the average size of all PV systems installed in 2011 grew by 64% over 2010. In addition to larger system sizes, penetration of solar on the grid is increasing in many states. In Hawaii, for example, 20 percent of the distribution circuits are already above 15 percent of Read more

China GoGreen to build 60 MW of rooftop PV in Henan Province

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 15:35 (Solarserver)

On February 16th, 2013, a subsidiary of China Gogreen Assets Investment Ltd. (Hong Kong, China) entered into an agreement with the government of Xuchang to build 60 MW of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the city. The plants will comprise an investment of USD 115 million, which will be funded by China GoGreen with internal resources and bank borrowings, as well as subsidies through the nation's Golden Sun Program. Read more

Japan, EU file cross-appeals in WTO case on Ontario's feed-in tariff

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:37 (Solarserver)

On February 11th, 2013 Japan and the EU both filed cross appeals to Canada's appeal of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against Ontario's domestic content requirement in its feed-in tariff. Canada filed its appeal on February 5th, 2013. On December 19th, 2012 a WTO panel agreed with Japan and the EU that the policy violated Global Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) and Agreement on Trade Related Investment Measures rules. Read more

LADWP feed-in tariff receives applications for more capacity than total program in first round

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:21 (Solarserver)

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP, Los Angeles, California, US) reported on February 12th, 2013 that it has received applications for 107 MW of potential solar photovoltaic (PV) projects through the first round of its new feed-in tariff program. This initial 20 MW allocation for the 100 MW program opened on February 1st, 2013. Applications received on the first five business days were given a position on a priority list through a public lottery on Friday, February 8th, 2013. Applications submitted after that date will be added to the list in the order received. Read more

Asia Report: As PV Demand Surges, Local Issues Drive Supplier Strategies

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 19:27 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar PV demand in the Asia-Pacific region will increase 50 percent to 13.5 gigawatts (GW) in 2013, with China, Japan, India, and Australia continuing to dominate the solar spectrum in the region, accounting for 90 percent of demand for this year, according to analysis from NPD Solarbuzz. But each country is evolving with its own set of criteria and market drivers, selecting PV suppliers and technologies based on factors including domestic manufacturing, policies, import duties, and customer preferences. Read more

Fluor says bigger projects to come as final phase of Centinela gets underway

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 18:33 (PV-Tech)

EPC company Fluor has announced that it will break ground in the next couple of weeks on the remaining 45MW of the 170MW Centinela Solar Energy Facility in southern California that will be hooked up to the controversial Sunrise Powerlink transmission line from 2014. Read more

Environmental groups file legal challenge on solar energy zones

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 16:17 (Solarserver)

On February 12th, 2013, Western Lands Project (Seattle, Washington, U.S.), Desert Protective Council (San Diego, California, U.S.) and Western Watersheds Project announced that they have filed a legal challenge against U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's decision to keep millions of acres of public land available for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants. In the complaint, three public-interest environmental organizations cited the government's failure to consider alternatives that would focus solar development on degraded lands and in the already-built environment. Read more

REC modules undergo enhanced testing at SERIS

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 16:15 (PV-Tech)

The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) has certified Renewable Energy Corporation?s (REC) modules for potential-induced degradation (PID) resistance. Read more

Solar Frontier posts first positive quarterly results; sales hit US$833 million in 2012

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 15:43 (PV-Tech)

Solar Frontier strengthened its position as the closest thin-film PV module manufacturer competitor to First Solar in 2012, posting record revenue of US$833 million (JPY78.2 billion). Read more

KKR buys 69 MW of solar PV projects in Ontario from Starwood Energy

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 15:32 (Solarserver)

KKR & Co. LP (New York, New York, US) has purchased 69 MW-DC (60 MW-AC) of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, Canada from affiliates of Starwood Energy Group Global LLC (Greenwich, Connecticut, US). The three SSM Solar plants currently have 20-year contracts with the Ontario Power Authority through its Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP). The companies did not disclose terms of the transaction. Read more

Argentina Prepping for Solar Energy Surge With Incentives, Domestic Credit

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 15:23 (Renewable Energy World)

Argentina, which along with Venezuela has the least renewable energy in Latin America, is set to expand solar capacity as much as 35-fold as the government plans its first incentives for individual projects. Read more

TiSUN installs its first solar thermal project in Albania

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 14:14 (PV-Tech)

TiSUN, an Austria-based solar thermal specialist, has installed its first solar thermal project in Albania. Read more

First Solar appoints VP to lead Middle East expansion

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 13:28 (PV-Tech)

PV manufacturer First Solar has strengthened its presence in the Middle East by appointing its first Vice President of Business Development for the region. Read more

Franco-Indian cooperation brings floating solar to Eastern India

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

EPC company Ciel et Terre has developed the Hydrelio system claimed to save valuable land by converting water area into a solar power plant from 1 to 50MW in size. Read more

Solar Shakeout: Iatso files for insolvency

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 13:02 (PV-Tech)

Spanish PV panels producer Innovacion en Alta Tecnologia Solar (Iatso) has filed for insolvency. Read more

Diehl Controls sells PV business to mutares Solar

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 12:10 (PV-Tech)

Diehl Controls, a subgroup of Germany?s Diehl Group, has sold its photovoltaics business unit to mutares Solar, a subsidiary of Munichs investment company mutares. Read more

Baxter appointed General Manager at Myriad Solar PV

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 11:35 (Solarpowerportal)

Melton Mowbray-based renewable energy firm, Myriad Solar PV, has appointed Lee Baxter with the role of General Manager to oversee the company?s UK expansion plans. Read more

WWF calls for 45% wind and solar in EU electricity mix by 2030

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:41 (Solarserver)

The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) has released a report which finds that the EU can and must meet 35% of its heating needs and 65% of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030 in order to reach a society powered 100% by renewable energy in 2050. "Re-energising Europe: Putting the EU on Track for 100% Renewable Energy" caps the contribution of wind and solar at 45% of electricity supply at that date. The report also states that on-going effort and strong political will are needed to reach these goals. Read more

Azure Power commissions second phase of 40 MW solar PV plant in Rajasthan

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:25 (Solarserver)

On February 12th, 2013 Azure Power (New Delhi, India) commissioned the final 35 MW phase of a 40 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Indian state of Rajasthan. This second phase of the Nagaur PV plant makes it the largest single-location PV plant commissioned through India's National Solar Mission. The project was awarded under Phase 1 Batch 2 of the program, and utilizes First Solar thin film cadmium telluride PV modules. Read more

Low bid under Rajasthan solar PV solicitation comes in at USD 0.119/kWh

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:12 (Solarserver)

ReSolve Energy Consultants (Chennai, India) reports that bids in the Indian state of Rajasthan's latest 100 MW solicitation have come in between INR 6.45/kWh (USD 0.119/kWh) and INR 8.25/kWh (USD 0.152/kWh) for 10 MW projects. Under Rajasthan's process, this lowest bid will be the final price offered for all projects. 25 project developers, including Azure Power India Pvt. Ltd. (New Delhi, India) and Waaree Energies Pvt Ltd. (Mumbai, India), submitted bids for a total of 185 MW of projects through the solicitation. Read more

Advances in Met-Tower Technology Brings Advantages to Wind Energy

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 17:13 (Renewable Energy World)

Many industrial-scale wind energy projects have several 60-meter meteorological towers, with perhaps one hub-height tower used to gather wind data to determine if a project is financially viable during the pre-construction phase. Although the wind industry is maturing and turbine technology is advancing quickly, there have been relatively few advances in meteorological towers, however an emerging technology may bring about a major shift. Read more

Advances in Met-Tower Technology Bring Advantages to Wind Energy

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 17:13 (Renewable Energy World)

Many industrial-scale wind energy projects have several 60-meter meteorological towers, with perhaps one hub-height tower used to gather wind data to determine if a project is financially viable during the pre-construction phase. Although the wind industry is maturing and turbine technology is advancing quickly, there have been relatively few advances in meteorological towers, however an emerging technology may bring about a major shift. Read more

Two Bills Promoting Geothermal Energy Reintroduced in the Senate

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 16:49 (Renewable Energy World)

This week two bills promoting geothermal energy development in the U.S. were reintroduced in the Senate. Both bills were approved by the Energy Committee in the last Congress but never saw action on the Senate floor. Read more

Freewatt continues UK expansion with Loughborough office

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 17:28 (Solarpowerportal)

Stow-based renewable energy installer, Freewatt, is continuing to expand its operation with the opening of a new branch in Loughborough. Read more

The Future of Electricity Markets

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 15:00 (Renewable Energy World)

British philosopher and mathematician Alfred North Whitehead once wrote "fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas." Read more

Changing Perspectives on Climate Change

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 13:00 (Renewable Energy World)

For most of his career, my middle school art teacher had the letters ?POV? written on the classroom ceiling. From time to time, confused eleven-year-olds would inquire about the meaning behind the acronym permanently overhead. ?Well,? he?d respond, ?that depends upon your point of view.? So it is with climate change. We hear numerical evidence ever Read more

Indian state lender cuts renewables interest rates

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 12:03 (PV-Tech)

India-based Power Finance Corporation, a state lender to electricity utilities, has reduced its interest rates for renewables projects by 50 basis points, equating to a 0.50% cut. Read more

IFC issues US$1 billion bond for ?climate-friendly? projects

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 11:59 (PV-Tech)

IFC, a global development institution for the private sector and a member of the World Bank Group, has issued a US$1 billion green bond which will be used to support IFC ?climate-friendly? projects in developing countries. Read more

CPUC mandates 50 MW of new energy storage in Southern California

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:34 (Solarserver)

On February 13th, 2013 the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ruled that Southern California Edison (SCE, Rosemead, California, US) must procure 50 MW of energy storage among new capacity. This requirement is expected to pave the way for greater penetration of variable renewable energy, including wind and solar, on the SCE grid. Additionally, CPUC ruled that SCE must procure 150 MW through "preferred resources", including energy efficiency, demand response and distributed generation. Read more

Desertec to shift focus to integrating EU, MENA energy markets

Monday, 2.18.2013 - 9:16 (Solarserver)

In its annual report, the Desertec Industrial Initiative GmbH (Dii) reports that it will shift its focus towards integration of EU and Middle East and North African (MENA) energy markets, citing the difficulties in bringing investment to the MENA region. The Desertec project has seen multiple challenges in recent years, including the departure of Bosch and Siemens from the coalition in 2012, as well as ongoing political instability in the MENA region. Read more