EPIA calls for dialogue to avoid future trade conflicts

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 17:51 (Solarserver)

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA, Brussels) has issued a statement regarding the June 4th, 2013 ruling by the European Commission imposing provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese PV products, calling for dialogue to avoid future trade conflicts. Read more

GE to supply 1,500-VDC central inverters to PV project developer BELECTRIC

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 11:55 (Solarserver)

Less than one year after developing and delivering the first 1,500-VDC “ProSolar” central inverter technology to solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant system integrator BELECTRIC, GE’s Power Conversion business has signed an agreement with the aim to install more than 100 of this innovative PV inverters by the end of the year. The agreement represents the first step by the companies to join forces in developing innovative solutions for the utility solar market. Read more

Italy's feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaics coming to an end

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 8:58 (Solarserver)

In an analysis on its blog, NPD Solarbuzz (Santa Clara, California, US) notes that Italy's feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaics (PV) through the Conto Energia is approaching an EUR 6.7 billion (USD 8.73 billion) cap on annual expenses. Annual costs through the program reached EUR 6.697 billion on May 28th, 2013, including the program's two registers, which are not yet full. NPD Solarbuzz predicts that after the Conto Energia Italy's PV market will be based on net metering in combination of tax rebates and increasingly on power purchase agreements. Read more

Centrotherm photovoltaics emerges from insolvency following restructuring

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 8:43 (Solarserver)

On May 31st, 2013, the district court in Ulm, Germany approved the insolvency plan and terminated the insolvency proceedings of Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG (Blaubeuren, Germany) and two subsidiaries, following the group's successful reorganization. These insolvency proceedings had been running since October 2012, and the company's insolvency plan was approved by creditors and shareholders on January 29th, 2013. The company notes that the plan retains assets, the company's stock market listing, rights of creditors and the current 900 jobs in the group. Read more

US Interior Department approves 450 MW of PV, CSP projects

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 0:42 (Solarserver)

On June 3rd, 2013 recently confirmed US Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced the approval of a 350 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) and a 100 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) project, as well as a geothermal project. Read more

Addressing Solar Panel Quality Concerns and Learning through Experience

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 21:51 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar industry colleagues may be interested to learn more about solar technical due diligence, especially in the wake of the recent New York Times’ story Solar Industry Anxious Over Defective Panels (May 29, 2013).  I was interviewed by the author of this article.  As the CEO of a solar technical due diligence firm, I am fortunate to have a unique Read more

EU Imposes Duties on Chinese Solar Panels, But Keeps Door Ajar for Talks

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 19:09 (Renewable Energy World)

The European Commission has formally ruled to impose antidumping duties on Chinese solar panels, cells, and wafers, but is offering a short grace period of lower duties in the hopes of finding a resolution in broader trade relations. Read more

Former Suntech executive joins Innotech Solar as CEO

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 18:50 (PV-Tech)

Jerry Stokes, the former president of Suntech Europe has joined Norwegian PV manufacturer, Innotech Solar AS as CEO. Read more

Mitsubishi completes first of many agricultural rooftop projects in Japan

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 18:35 (PV-Tech)

The first of a planned 80 rooftop projects on agricultural facilities in Japan has been started by JAMC Solar Energy, a joint venture firm between Mitsubishi Corporation and the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations. Read more

Can Italy Keep Its Renewables Investors?

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 18:25 (Renewable Energy World)

Fuelled by generous incentives, growth in the Italian renewable energy industry – especially solar PV – has been astonishing. But as the debt crisis ripples through the economy, will investment trends maintain historical levels while shifting to other renewable energies or flow away from Italy to emerging markets? Read more

Exclusive: Solar Trade Association warns duties could bring UK solar industry to a ‘grinding halt’

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 18:01 (Solarpowerportal)

The CEO of the Solar Trade Association (STA) Paul Barwell was left “feeling flat” after the European Commission (EC) announced that it will be imposing duties of 11.8% on Chinese-manufactured solar products. Read more

EC imposes preliminary anti-dumping duties on Chinese silicon wafers, solar PV cells and modules

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 16:53 (Solarserver)

On June 4th, 2013 the European Commission issued a ruling imposing provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of silicon wafers and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules from China, following a nine-month investigation. Read more

EC to impose 11.8% duties on Chinese manufacturers

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 16:37 (PV-Tech)

The European Commission has announced preliminary duties of 11.8% will be applied to Chinese solar manufacturers’ modules and cells from 6 June, a lower rate than initially expected. Read more

Breaking news: EC to impose 11.8% duties on Chinese manufacturers

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 16:37 (PV-Tech)

The European Commission has announced preliminary duties of 11.8% will be applied to Chinese solar manufacturers’ modules and cells from 6 June, a lower rate than initially expected. Read more

EV Group working with Fraunhofer ISE on next-gen solar wafer bonding

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 16:28 (PV-Tech)

Multi-junction solar cells with conversion efficiencies of almost 50% could become cost effective as a result of a collaboration between equipment supplier EV Group and Fraunhofer ISE. Read more

EC to impose solar duties of 11.8% on Chinese solar products from 6 June

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 16:27 (Solarpowerportal)

European trade commissioner, Karel de Gucht, has announced that the European Commission will impose solar duties on Chinese-manufactured solar products. Read more

As Europe's Dominance Wanes, Others Pick Up Solar PV

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 15:44 (Renewable Energy World)

Europe's role as the main driver for the global solar photovoltaics (PV) market is coming to an end, concludes the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) in its latest report. Read more

PVA TePla to cut workforce on continued weak demand from solar industry

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 15:27 (PV-Tech)

Crystal-growing systems specialist, PVA TePla said it would take a €6 million impairment charge as part of restructuring efforts and the loss of approximately 80 jobs. Read more

Solar Impulse lands in St. Louis

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 15:14 (Solarserver)

The Solar Impulse solar-powered plane has landed in an inflatable hanger in the Lambert – St. Louis International Airport in the U.S. State of Missouri, completing the third leg of its mission across America. Read more

STA supports a phased introduction of duties on Chinese solar PV

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 14:36 (Solarserver)

The Solar Trade Association (STA, Milton Keynes, UK) has issued a statement in support of a phased introduction of EU tariffs on Chinese solar photovoltaic (PV) products, which the European Commission may be considering. Read more

Uruguay opens 200MW tender

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

The government of Uruguay has opened a tender to purchase 200MW of solar PV. Read more

Mid-Size Solar PV Installations Accounting for over 60% of US Project Pipeline

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

The trend for U.S. solar PV projects in the mid-size range (100 kW to 2 MW) has been changing considerably, from individual installations (on municipal or school buildings, for example) to multi-site projects. As opposed to previous single-site developments, project master plans now embrace the bigger picture, outlining the needs of an entire town, county, or school district. Typically, contracts cover everything from development to operations and maintenance of the system for up to 25 years, often with no cost to the host for installation. Read more

Habitat for Humanity Starts First Solar Project for Japan Tsunami Recovery

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Two years after the tsunami and subsequent Fukishima nuclear disaster Japan is still recovering. Now, as part of the recovery efforts, Habitat for Humanity Japan is installing its first solar array on a home there. It’s also the first non-profit there to help individual households harness benefits of the country’s new solar feed-in-tariff. Last Fri Read more

India: Eversun Energy awarded 5MW contract; JinkoSolar completes 5MW project

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 13:27 (PV-Tech)

Indian EPC Eversun Energy has been awarded a 5MW contract by India’s largest state-owned utility, NTPC, for solar PV projects in Faridabad, in the Indian state of Haryana . Read more

Prosolia Energía announces two large-scale UK solar projects

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 13:01 (Solarpowerportal)

Prosolia Energía has announced two large-scale projects in the UK totalling 10.5MW of new capacity. Read more

Queensland government accused of ‘discriminating’ against solar consumers

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 12:33 (PV-Tech)

An Australian advocacy group has accused Queensland’s premier, Campbell Newman, and energy minister, Mark McArdle, of unfairly charging new penalties on solar homes Read more

Ford to buy solar power from a 20 MW PV plant in Northern Mexico

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 12:07 (Solarserver)

Mexican project developer Sonora80M Group has signed an agreement with Ford Motor Company of Mexico, on the sale of solar power, from a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to be built in Hermosillo, Mexico. "One of the main concerns in business is to safeguard the environment. That's why, in addition to producing hybrid and electric vehicles in our Hermosillo plant from the first quarter of 2014, we will be using solar power for our operations," says Ford of Mexico’s Manufacturing Director Jose Islas. Read more

ET Solar supplies 3.3 MW of PV modules to Chilean solar plant

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 12:02 (Solarserver)

ET Solar Group Corp. (Nanjing, China) on June 3rd, 2013 announced that it has supplied 3.3 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to the third largest commercial PV project undertaken by Perihelio y Afelio, a local EPC company in Chile. Located in En La Huayca, Pozo Almonte, the ground-mounted PV plant “Parque Solar Los Puquios” is under construction with ET Solar as the exclusive PV module supplier. As the first PV plant applying fixed mounts, it's also the first one with an installation capacity of over 3 MW to be connected to grid across Chile, ET Solar emphasizes. Read more

Tritec completes first phase of ‘largest’ Swiss plant

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 11:59 (PV-Tech)

Switzerland-based solar company Tritec has announced the completion of the first stage of what is said to be the largest solar power plant in the country. Read more

Secretary Jewell approves 450MW of solar in Arizona and Nevada

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 11:38 (PV-Tech)

US secretary of the interior Sally Jewell has approved two new mega-solar energy projects in the south-western states totalling 450MW as part of president Obama’s ‘all of the above’ energy strategy. Read more

Top 12 Ways to Transform Biofuels Using Materials Already Around Us

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 17:33 (Renewable Energy World)

Great ideas abound for new feedstocks and novel infrastructure. We admire so many of them: jatropha, carinata, switchgrass, sweet sorghum, blender pumps, systems-at-sea, and so much more. Read more

Heating with Wood Biomass Making Inroads Across Northeast, Gaining Policy Support

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

A quiet revolution is taking place across the northeast, as heating with wood finds broad new acceptance in applications from residential wood pellet stoves and boilers, to institutional and industrial pellet and chip heating of schools and factories, to district heating of downtown centers and college campuses. Read more

U.S. to Hold First Offshore Wind Farm Lease Auction

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 18:44 (Renewable Energy World)

Off-shore wind energy generation isn't new in places like Europe, but it presents a new frontier in the United States. The U.S. Department of Interior announced Tuesday that it will hold the first-ever competitive lease sale for renewable energy development on the outer continental shelf. Read more

Energy Bill decarbonisation amendment fails to pass by 23 votes

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 18:46 (Solarpowerportal)

An amendment to the Energy Bill that would have introduced a decarbonisation target for 2030 has been voted down by 290 votes to 267. Read more

Grupotec increases share capital to build PV project business

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 17:48 (PV-Tech)

Spanish EPC firm Grupotec has completed a capital increase to support renewable energy projects in new and emerging markets. Read more

GRUPOTEC increases share capital to build PV project business

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 17:48 (PV-Tech)

GRUPOTEC has completed a capital increase to support renewable energy projects in new and emerging markets. Read more

Recurrent Energy opens six PV plants in Ontario

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 17:31 (PV-Tech)

Having previously acquired PV project portfolio from Mitsubishi Corporation and Osaka Gas, PV project developer, Recurrent Energy said commercial operation had started at six PV plants in Ontario, Canada with a total of 70MWp. Read more

Green Deal giant Enact goes into administration

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 15:03 (Solarpowerportal)

Enact Energy Renewables has gone into administration only a few months after being awarded Green Deal provider status. Read more

US Renewable Energy Action Is Brewing in Cities and States

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 14:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Viewing the progress of clean tech in the U.S. through the lens of national politics can get pretty depressing. Continual gridlock on Capitol Hill, the federal budget sequester, key leadership positions (like administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) being held hostage by partisan politics – it all makes fertile ground for breeding cynicism and despondency. Read more

California leads clean-tech index for fourth year

Tuesday, 6.4.2013 - 8:00 (PV-Tech)

California continues to dominate the development of renewable energy based on key indicators such as technology, policy and capital, according to the CleanEdge US Clean Tech Leadership Index published today. Read more