SMA launches new power conversion platform for utility-scale PV plants

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 18:26 (Solarserver)

SMA (Rocklin, California, US) has introduced an improved, re-engineered version of its medium-voltage Power Platform. The new Compact MV Power Platform is an integrated power conversion solution for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in the North American market. It maximizes energy production while minimizing risk to EPCs, utilities and investors, SMA reports in a press release. Read more

Group Says EU Anti-dumping Duties Based on Faulty Evidence

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 15:50 (Renewable Energy World)

Representatives of over 30 European solar photovoltaic (PV) companies travelled to Brussels yesterday to give evidence to the European Commission (EC) on the impact of preliminary and proposed definitive anti-dumping duties against China’s solar panel makers. Read more

New York to get PV research centre

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 15:42 (PV-Tech)

State University in New York is to open a new solar manufacturing and technology development centre for crystalline silicon photovoltaics, using a former Kodak building in New York. Read more

How Do Storage Systems in Photovoltaic Installations Work?

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 14:59 (Renewable Energy World)

Those who equip photovoltaic installations with a storage system are mostly interested in increasing the on-site consumption of generated solar power. However, people often forget to consider that these kinds of battery systems only reveal their full potential through their multiple uses. In addition to allowing operators of photovoltaic installations to significantly increase on-site consumption, a storage system also enables them to reduce their dependency on utility companies and ensures that power will continue to be supplied without interruption should the public power grid temporarily fail. Read more

Silex inaugurates Australia's largest CPV plant

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 9:02 (Solarserver)

Silex Systems Ltd. (Melbourne) inaugurated a 1.5 MW concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) plant in the state of Victoria, Australia on July 17th, 2013, as the largest CPV plant in the nation. The Mildura Solar Demonstration Facility utilizes the company's “Dense Array” dish Sterling CPV technology. The state of Victoria and the Australian federal government supported the project in Mildura, and the opening ceremony was attended by Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Nicholas Kotsiras. Read more

Plugging In to Military Solar

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 22:21 (Renewable Energy World)

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is historically one of the greatest catalysts of technological innovation. Through its procurement power alone it has the ability to transform markets. In recent years, the Navy, Army, and Air Force each implemented clean energy targets that will drive 3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy installations by 2025. Read more

SolarWorld sales slump to €89 million in Q2

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 19:27 (PV-Tech)

Beleaguered SolarWorld reported preliminary first-half year results of €201 million, just €89 million for the second quarter of 2013, down from €112 million in the previous quarter. Read more

Solarcentury and Momentous Energy form African joint venture

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 19:25 (Solarpowerportal)

Solarcentury has formed a joint venture with South African firm Momentous Energy to form Solarcentury Africa. Read more

Power REIT acquires land for 20MW PV project in California

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 19:08 (PV-Tech)

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) are beginning to gain traction in the solar industry with the close last week of a transaction for approximately 100 acres of land that supports over 20MW of utility-scale projects located near Fresno, California. Read more

China Levies Tariffs on US, South Korean Polysilicon

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 18:28 (Renewable Energy World)

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has formally decided to levy antidumping duties on imported solar-grade polysilicon from U.S. and Korean suppliers, turning up the heat yet again in the broader trade disputes simmering between several key markets for solar energy. Read more

meeco sells first solar PV water pumping kits to ranchers in Paraguay

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 18:24 (Solarserver)

The meeco Group (Zug, Switzerland) now offers its solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumping solutions as pre-assembled kits. Subsidiary meeco América Latina S.A. has sold the first 490 Wp “sun2flow” kits to ranchers in Paraguay, the company reports in a press release. These ready-to-use kits contain water pumping technology combined with an off-grid solar PV system and can reportedly be installed by the client himself. Read more

UL certification given to ReneSola’s PV modules for Japanese market

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 18:23 (PV-Tech)

ReneSola has obtained Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification for the booming Japanese solar market. Read more

Trina Solar pays off convertible notes

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 18:16 (Solarserver)

Trina Solar Limited (Changzhou, China), on July 17th, 2013 announced that it completed the redemption of its outstanding convertible senior notes due 2013 on July 15th, 2013. With the completion of this redemption, Trina Solar has no outstanding convertible debt, the company emphasizes. Read more

SolarWorld announces preliminary financial results for first half of 2013; shipments declined; reduced losses

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 18:02 (Solarserver)

As expected, SolarWorld AG (Bonn, Germany) sold fewer solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV kits in the first half of 2013 than in the same period last year. According to preliminary calculations, group-wide shipments including the solar wafer business reached 233 MW in the first half of 2013 (H1 2012: 334 MW). Read more

Solarcentury and Momentous Energy form African joint venture

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 17:45 (PV-Tech)

UK based EPC Solarcentury has a formed a joint venture with South African firm Momentous Energy to form Solarcentury Africa. Read more

Bright News Lifts Weary China Solar Market

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 17:24 (Renewable Energy World)

More good news is coming from the battered solar panel sector, with mid-sized player ReneSola(NYSE: SOL) sharply boosting its revenue and margin forecasts for the current quarter in the latest sign of a sector rebound. ReneSola isn’t forecasting a return to profitability just yet, but the latest signs do seem to indicate the sector’s strongest play Read more

Masdar PV builds 11.7MW solar park in Germany with Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden financing deal

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 17:05 (PV-Tech)

Silicon micromorph (a-Si/μc-Si) thin-film module manufacturer, Masdar PV, has secured a 17-year loan to finance an 11.7MW PV power plant in Thuringia, Germany. Read more

Masdar PV build 11.7MW solar park in Germany with Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden led financing deal

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 17:05 (PV-Tech)

Silicon micromorph (a-Si/μc-Si) thin-film module manufacturer, Masdar PV has secured a 17-year loan to finance an 11.7MW PV power plant in Thuringia, Germany. Read more

PV Durability Initiative Tests First Modules

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 16:50 (Renewable Energy World)

A joint programme from the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE in Boston, U.S., and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany, has published the first report from their PV Durability Initiative (PVDI). Read more

Myriad Solar and Econic secure NHS solar contract

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 16:14 (Solarpowerportal)

Myriad Solar and Econic have won contracts to install solar PV and heat pumps respectively at St Bernard’s Hospital in Ealing, London. Read more

Anesco secures £7 million RBS solar fund

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 16:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Anesco has signed a £7 million finance agreement with RBS to fund its solar farm projects. Read more

REC to separate silicon, solar businesses, reports improved results in Q2 2013

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 15:48 (Solarserver)

Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC, Sandvika, Norway) will separate its silicon and solar businesses into two independent, listed companies, through a financial transaction whereby REC offers 100% of the shares in REC Solar to existing shareholders. REC Silicon will remain under REC ASA. Read more

Fiera Axium acquires 42 MW of solar PV projects in Ontario

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 14:57 (Solarserver)

Fiera Axium Infrastructure Canada II LP (Toronto) has acquired a 100% equity interest in four solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totaling 42 MW in Ontario, Canada from a joint venture of Q-Cells SE (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) and Photowatt (Bourgoin Jallieu, France). Read more

Solar Shakeout: Spain’s Cel Celis begins insolvency proceedings

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 13:37 (PV-Tech)

Spanish solar manufacturer Cel Celis has opened insolvency proceedings at the commercial court of Leon, in northern Spain, amid reports that the company is in €30 million ($39.3 million) of debt. Read more

Philippines government approves 20MW solar project

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 13:10 (PV-Tech)

The Philippines Department of Energy (DOE) has approved a 20MW plant proposed by South Korea-based renewable energy company, Mirae Asia. Read more

Eastern Bank provides US$42 million for five solar farms

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 13:05 (PV-Tech)

Eastern Bank is to provide U$S42 million in financing for five East Coast US solar farms. Read more

China slaps duties on US and South Korean polysilicon imports

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 12:26 (PV-Tech)

The Chinese government is to introduce from next week provisional anti-dumping duties against solar-grade polysilicon imports from the United States and South Korea. Read more

As Solar Panel Quality Trumps Price, Will China Be Forced to Fold?

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 12:03 (Renewable Energy World)

The cost of solar panels continues to plummet, but as concerns with panel quality begin to surface, more consumers are seeking efficiency and reliability over low panel prices. As panel prices have dropped about 80 percent over the past six years, the solar panel manufacturing industry is in the midst of a “fight for survival” with operating margin Read more

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust launches community solar farm share offer

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 11:08 (Solarpowerportal)

Initially set up in 1962 to help protect a colony of Purple Emperor butterflies, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is now ensuring a sustainable future for locals by setting up its own solar farm. Read more

Phoenix Solar to build 1.8 MW extension for 1.7 MW PV plant in Saudi Arabia

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 9:59 (Solarserver)

Phoenix Solar AG, (Sulzemoos, Germany) on July 17th, 2013 announced that its Oman and Singapore based subsidiaries are jointly constructing a 1.8 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant on the grounds of KAPSARC (King Abdullah Petroleum studies and Research Center) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, home to the world's largest oil research facility. The KAPSARC II PV project is contracted by Saudi Aramco, and will extend the existing PV plant from 3.5 MWp to 5.3 MWp - also built by Phoenix Solar -, making it the largest ground mounted PV system in the Kingdom. Read more

Solar Trade Association expresses concern over UK electricity market reform

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 9:52 (Solarserver)

The UK Government has published a draft consultation on Electricity Market Reform (EMR), which includes details of the pending Contracts for Difference (CfD) support mechanism for renewable energy, which will replace the current Renewables Obligation. The Solar Trade Association (STA, Milton Keynes, UK) has expressed concern over the plans, warning of the danger to the market for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants smaller than 5 MW if the relationship between feed-in tariffs and CfDs is not resolved. Read more

UK feed-in tariff supported 354,000 solar PV plants by the end of 2012

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 8:43 (Solarserver)

354,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) systems totaling roughly 1.5 GW were installed in the UK through the nation's feed-in tariff (FIT) by the end of 2012, according to a report released by the nation's Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). PV represents 90% of installed capacity installed under the program, the majority of which are domestic installations. Matching the report to DECC weekly installation data shows that 89% of UK PV plants smaller than 50 kW were installed through the FIT. Read more

Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Ready for the Mainstream?

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 15:41 (Renewable Energy World)

Geothermal heat pumps have long been on the fringes of modern day HVAC equipment. The latest estimates put market penetration at less than 1% of the overall housing market. This was easily explained twenty years ago. Oil was cheap, geothermal technology was still working out its kinks, and a wide ranging and professional installer network was just Read more

US Senate confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 23:41 (Solarserver)

On July 18th, 2013 the US Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a 59-40 vote, following 136 days of delays by the opposition Republican Party and an intervention by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada). Read more

Time is Running Out! Enter Your Project to Win a Project of the Year Award

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 20:22 (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/awards/2013/2/nominate Read more

Time is Running Out! Enter Your Project to Win a Project of the Year Award. Deadline for Nominations is July 31

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 20:22 (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/awards/2013/2/nominate Read more

The Case for Distributed Energy Storage

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 15:23 (Renewable Energy World)

There's a fundamental dichotomy in U.S. energy infrastructure. Power is mostly produced from resources inland, but most of the consumption is in the major population centers along the east and west coasts. Thus, we have a spiderweb of transmission and distribution (T&D) systems to get power from where it's generated to where it's consumed. As those load centers increasingly demand more energy, significant investments in transmission infrastructure are needed - but building out addition transmission creates congestion at the load centers, according to experts. Creating enough T&D to satisfy peak demand and avoid congestion would be like building a 32-lane highway to combat Read more

EU Investigating German Renewable Energy Waivers

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 14:52 (Renewable Energy World)

Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), Bayer AG (BAYN) and Linde AG (LIN) are among companies at risk of having to repay billions of euros in German aid as Chancellor Angela Merkel clashes with Europe’s antitrust regulator over renewable energy rebates to companies that use the most energy. Read more

REC turns profitable as PV module plant at full capacity

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 14:35 (PV-Tech)

Aside from Renewable Energy Corporation’s (REC) announced split of its polysilicon and module manufacturing operations, the company also posted a positive EBITDA due to rising ASPs and running its Singapore-based PV module plant at full capacity. Read more

Eight sites to receive benefits for hosting nuclear

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 11:15 (Solarpowerportal)

Eight sites across England and Wales are in the pipeline to receive compensation for hosting new nuclear power plants. Read more

Green Deal backed by industry experts

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 10:31 (Solarpowerportal)

The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) and Easy Green Deal have both urged industry to hold faith in the Green Deal. Read more

REC plans to split company

Thursday, 7.18.2013 - 9:47 (PV-Tech)

Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) said it plans to split polysilicon and module production operations into two separate companies, ending its fully-integrated business model. Read more