Investment guide “Photovoltaics in Chile” published

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:39 (Solarserver)

Solarpraxis AG (Berlin, Germany) has published the new investment guide “Photovoltaics in Chile” in cooperation with Eclareon and law firm Dominguez, Ossa, Lon (DOLM). The publication provides country-specific information on legal and political frameworks, permitting procedures, site acquisition and project finance, as well as purchasing and disposing of rights of ownership for project or fully completed parks. It also offers practical advice on business development in Chile. Further investment guides for France and Mexico will be presented at the associated Investment Workshops on June 6th and 7th, 2013, in Berlin. Read more

Hanergy acquires Engensa

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 8:35 (Solarserver)

Hanergy Holding Group (Beijing, China) has acquired Engensa Ltd. (London, UK) for an undisclosed sum. Engensa states that this is the first time that a vertically integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer has moved directly into the UK's residential PV market. This follows on Hanergy's 2012 acquisitions of thin-film PV manufacturers Solibro (Thalheim, Germany) and MiaSole (Santa Clara, California, US). Engensa CEO Toby Darbyshire will remain as co-CEO of Hanergy Solar UK Ltd (London, UK), along with co-CEO Dr. Toby Ferenczi. Read more

New US utility solar PV more than doubles in first four months of 2013

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 21:57 (Solarserver)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reports that the United States has commissioned 56 utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 845 MW between January 1st and April 31st, 2013. Read more

REC Solar completes first community solar project in Colorado

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 21:41 (PV-Tech)

REC Solar has completed the first of four community solar projects in Colorado under the state’s legislation Community Solar Gardens Act implemented last year. Read more

LDK to supply 500 MW of silicon wafers to Realforce

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 14:46 (Solarserver)

LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu City, China) has signed a contract to supply 500 MW of wafers to Realforce Power Company Ltd. (Jining, China) through December 2014. Read more

Fracking and Solar: Friends, Foes or the Bridge to Clean Energy Adoption?

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 14:17 (Renewable Energy World)

Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has been widely criticized by environmentalists who cite concerns with water pollution and methane leakage from this high-volume method of extracting natural gas. However, the burning of natural gas is undoubtedly better for the planet than the burning of coal. Some experts are now saying that—toxic chemicals and Read more

Solar Under Assault Again in Louisiana

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

A slew of bills introduced in Louisiana’s legislature this year were challenging the state’s solar incentives. At least one of which, House Bill 705 to gradually phase out the state’s solar and wind tax credits by 2020, has moved forward. While that bill might make some sense, other bills, like a bill to eliminate tax credits immediately, seem to b Read more

Intersolar India 2013 presents the latest technologies for a dynamic solar market; focus on energy storage

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:53 (Solarserver)

The Indian solar market is on its way to becoming one of the most important markets worldwide. While the country's total installed capacity stood at only 17.8 MW at the start of 2010, it surpassed the gigawatt (GW) mark last year and is expected to continue increasing rapidly over the years to come. In this context, around 300 exhibitors from around the world present the solar industry's new products, solutions and services at Intersolar India, which takes place from November 12th –14th, 2013 in the Bombay Exhibition Center (BEC) in Mumbai. Around 700 experts discuss the latest industry developments at the accompanying Intersolar India Conference running from November 11th Read more

China warns EU against negative impact of import duties on solar PV panels; Market in turmoil due to punitive protectionist measures

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:46 (Solarserver)

The Chinese Government has warned the European Union against the potential negative impact of imposing import duties on solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The European Commission intends to tax Chinese panels with anti-dumping duties ranging from 37 to 68 per cent. According to China, the commission could open a Pandora's box that would derail Europe's solar energy efforts and damage China-EU trade relations, Solarplaza, Organizer of the Solar Future: NL ’13 conference, reports. Read more

US installs 845MW in Q2 2013

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:45 (PV-Tech)

The US increased its installed solar capacity by 142.8% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year, according to figures provided by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Read more

US installs 845MW in Q1 2013

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:45 (PV-Tech)

The US increased its installed solar capacity by 142.8% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year, according to figures provided by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Read more

ISRA dips toes into PV sector; acquires GP Solar and GP Inspect

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:22 (PV-Tech)

Intelligent Systems Robotics and Automation (ISRA) is expanding its range of production automation and quality inspection technology through the acquisition of PV inspection companies GP Solar and GP Inspect. Read more

SGI-Mitabu agrees megawatt-scale solar deal in Indonesia

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:10 (PV-Tech)

SGI-Mitabu, a company formed by two Australian firms The Solar Guys International and Mitabu Australia, has entered into a partnership with the government of South Sumatra, Indonesia to develop megawatt-scale solar power projects. Read more

Gehrlicher Solar receives €85 million to expand operations

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 11:48 (PV-Tech)

A syndicate of banks led by BayernLB has provided Gehrlicher Solar with a loan of €85 million (US$109 million) to expand its international project business. Read more

Scatec Solar green-lighted for 115MW of PV plants in South Africa

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 11:24 (PV-Tech)

PV provider Scatec Solar has inked an agreement with South Africa’s Department of Energy to construct two PV plants with a combined capacity of 115MW under the second round of the nation’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement (REIPPP) programme. Read more

Scatec Solar green-lighted for two 115MW PV plants in South Africa

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 11:24 (PV-Tech)

PV provider Scatec Solar has inked an agreement with South Africa’s Department of Energy to construct two PV plants with a combined capacity of 115MW under the second round of the nation’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement (REIPPP) programme. Read more

Schneider Electric supplies inverters, electrical balance of system for 85 MW of solar PV plants

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 8:31 (Solarserver)

Schneider Electric SA (Rueil Malmaison, France) reports that it has supplied power conversion solutions to Solairedirect (Paris, France) to accompany 85 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation at 10 French PV plants. The company supplied 57 PV Box power substations, including 111 Conext Core XC 680 inverters, monitoring and control systems, and 10 grid connection substations. Schneider Electric was involved in all phases of the projects from planning to delivery and assembly of its solutions on-site. Read more

Deutsche Bank to supply interim financing for Wymeswold solar PV plant

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 8:27 (Solarserver)

Deutsche Bank AG (Frankfurt, Germany) will supply a loan to April 2014 to SAG Solarstrom AG (Freiburg, Germany) for the financing of its Wymeswold solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Leicestershire, England. SAG Solarstrom built and commissioned the 33 MW PV plant by March 31st, 2013. Owner Hazel Capital Solar 2 LLP (London, UK) and SAG Solarstrom are currently in discussions with investors for sale of the plant for an expected sum in the “mid-double-digit” million range. Read more

No Easy Fix for Broken Wind Turbine at US High School

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

It's status quo for the Portsmouth High School wind turbine. On Monday night, town planner Gary Crosby informed the Town Council that negotiations ceased with two possible developers interested in fixing or replacing the 336-foot-high turbine, which has been broken since June 2012. Read more

Brazil Auction Rules May Boost Price of Wind Power 15%

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Prices for wind energy in Brazil, currently the lowest in the world, may rise at least 15 percent due to government policies designed to make the nation's power grid more reliable. Read more

Senate Committee Passes Geothermal Leasing Measure

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 16:28 (Renewable Energy World)

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met Thursday, May 16th, to vote on a series of measures that included S. 363, The Geothermal Expansion and Production Act. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Wyden (D-OR), and co-sponsored by Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Begich (D-AK), Crapo (R-ID), Risch (R-ID) and Merkley (D-OR). Read more

EU Should Scrap Energy Subsidies to Fight Warming, Poland Says

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 17:36 (Renewable Energy World)

The European Union should scrap fossil fuel and renewable energy subsidies and set a target to cut oil imports to remain the leader in the fight against global warming, according to Poland's environment minister. Read more

Breakdown: Penetration of Renewable Energy in Selected Markets

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The penetration of renewable energy into the electricity supply mix has been much in the news recently. During the first quarter, Portugal generated three-quarters of its electricity with renewable energy. Meanwhile, in Germany, one-fifth of all electricity was generated with renewables, most of that from new sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar. And recently, at a conference in San Francisco, attendees heard calls for generating not just 100 percent of electricity supply with renewable energy, but far more — 200 percent to 300 percent of generation — in order to meet the need for heating, cooling, and transportation as well. Read more

Empower Energies installs four PV arrays for General Motors

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 13:00 (PV-Tech)

Empower Energies, a renewable energy company, has completed the installation of four PV arrays at the General Motors Warren Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, US. Read more

Moniz confirmed as new US energy secretary

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 12:07 (PV-Tech)

Ernest Moniz has won bi-partisan approval from the US Senate to become president Barack Obama’s new energy secretary. Read more

Japan Asia Group reveals 500MW PV pipeline

Friday, 5.17.2013 - 11:30 (PV-Tech)

Renewable energy developer Japan Asia Group is reportedly readying a pipeline of 500MW of PV projects in Japan as it considers reducing its European operations. Read more