Order Focus: SoLayTec installs first two production ALD tools in Asia

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 17:06 (PV-Tech)

In a rare move in the current low of capital spending and meagre signs of a technology buy cycle, PV equipment specialist SoLayTec has installed its first two mass production ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) tools at high-efficiency solar cell manufacturers based in Asia. Names and financial details were not disclosed. Read more

Chinese PV company Powerway to enter Eastern Europe market

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 0:14 (Solarserver)

Despite obstacles in the European solar photovoltaic (PV) market, especially Eastern Europe is attractive for foreign PV enterprises, Powerway Renewable Energy Co. Ltd. (Foshan, China), notes in a press release. In countries such as Poland, Ukraine and Romania an average solar irradiation of 1350 kwh/m²/year is suitable for construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. Coupled with the implementation of the Green Certificate subsidy policy (Green Certificates) this attracts a large number of investors and offers a great potential to become a key emerging market. Read more

JA Solar to build 300 MW of solar PV plants in Hebei Province, China

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 20:09 (Solarserver)

JA Solar Holding Co. Ltd. (Shanghai) has announced that it plans to develop three 100 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in Xingtai City in China's Hebei Province. The Hebei Provincial Development and Reform Commission has approved the development of the first 50 MW phase of the Lincheng County project. Read more

First Solar Desert Sunlight workers die in plane crash

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

Two engineers working on First Solar’s Desert Sunlight Solar Farm were killed yesterday when their plane crashed near the construction site close to Joshua Tree National Park. Read more

DOER Releases Updated SREC-II Proposal: What Does It Mean for the MA Solar Market?

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 18:40 (Renewable Energy World)

After two months of diligently reviewing comments submitted following the June 7th Solar Stakeholder meeting, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released its most recent version of the proposed program design for the next phase of the solar carve-out program (SREC-II) at a meeting held at the Massachusetts State House in Boston Read more

JA Solar steps-up attention to PV project development in China

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 18:35 (PV-Tech)

With previous guidance given on developing between 50MW - 100MW of PV projects in 2013, JA Solar is significantly boosting its plans for next year with agreements from the Hebei Provincial Development to develop three 100MW projects. Read more

Array Technologies finalizes solar tracker shipments for 170 MW Centinela PV plant

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 17:30 (Solarserver)

Array Technologies (Albuquerque, N.M.) has completed shipping the “DuraTrack” HZ solar photovoltaic (PV) tracking system to a 170 MWac solar project near Calexico, CA, delivering the system over 6 months ahead of schedule. Constructed by engineering, procurement and construction company Fluor, the Centinela site is one of the biggest single PV installations in the United States. The project spans approximately three square miles and is located in California's Imperial Valley. Read more

Solon adds solar industry veterans to project finance group

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 17:22 (Solarserver)

Solar PV project developer SOLON Corporation (Tucson, Ariz.) on August 26th, 2013, announced the hiring of two veteran leaders in the solar industry. John Kintz has become managing director of the project finance group, responsible for commercial and utility-scale solar project financings, and Jeff Calabro has taken on the role of senior director of procurement and acquisitions. Read more

Lifeline Data Centers to install 4 MW solar PV array at Indianapolis Colocation Campus

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 17:12 (Solarserver)

Lifeline Data Centers (Indianapolis, Indiana) on Augsut 26th, 2013, announced the planned installation of a 4 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array at the Eastgate data center campus located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The installation will begin in the next few months and will be fully implemented and functional by April 2014. The solar panel installation allows Lifeline Data Centers to replace its power consumption with solar energy, the company emphasizes. Read more

EU Investigation Finds China Solar Manufacturers Got Aid, Tensions Increase

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 16:21 (Renewable Energy World)

Chinese solar-panel makers received subsidies, a European Union investigation showed, increasing the likelihood of EU tariffs on imports of the renewable-energy technology from China to counter trade-distorting state aid. Read more

SolarSuperState: Germany continues to lead the world in per capita solar PV

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 16:03 (Solarserver)

The organization SolarSuperState (Zurich) has published 2013 rankings of the top nations for solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, as measured in installed PV watts per capita. Germany led the list with 403 watts per resident, more than 100 watts more than its nearest competitor, the tiny nation of Liechtenstein. Read more

Head of Czech Republic’s energy regulatory office could be charged with ‘solar fraud’

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 15:54 (PV-Tech)

The head of the Energy Regulatory Office (ERU) for the Czech Republic and nine other people could be charged by Czech police for fraudulently issuing licenses to operate solar power stations, according to local news reports. Read more

LDK's heavy losses drag on in Q2 2013

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 15:31 (Solarserver)

LDK Solar Company Ltd. (Xinyu City, China) reported more heavy losses in its second quarter 2013 results, including a 50% year-over-year fall in revenues to USD 115 million and a -83% operating margin. Read more

Get used to the terms ‘fabless’ and ‘virtual manufacturing’ says NPD Solarbuzz

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 14:39 (PV-Tech)

In an attempt to debunk recent reports from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and IHS over the timing and location of the next wave of PV equipment capital spending, NPD Solarbuzz expects the upturn to be delayed due to PV module manufacturers adopting ‘fabless’ and ‘virtual manufacturing’ strategies through to the second-half of 2014. Read more

Martifer Solar to build and sell 50MW of PV power plants in UK

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 13:47 (Solarpowerportal)

Martifer Solar is almost doubling is current PV project business in the UK with plans to build five solar farms with a total capacity of around 50MW. Read more

Solar farms to have minimal impact on UK food production

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 13:43 (Solarpowerportal)

Developing solar farms across the UK in line with the government’s renewable ambitions will not have a significant impact on food production, according to research undertaken by Lightsource Renewable Energy. Read more

Edisun Power postpones results announcement in wake of Spanish reforms

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 13:24 (PV-Tech)

Solar operator Edisun Power Europe has delayed the announcement of its half-year results that were due to be released on Wednesday of this week. Read more

Solar to be price competitive in western US by 2025: NREL

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 12:24 (PV-Tech)

Solar and wind power could be price competitive with gas-fired plants in the west of the US by 2025, according to a new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Read more

Brightsource to develop first commercial US-China CSP project

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 12:04 (PV-Tech)

US concentrated solar power (CSP) developer, Brightsource is to partner with a number of Chinese energy companies to build a CSP plant and collaborate on technology. Read more

First Solar Won the Race; The Environment Lost

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 12:00 (Renewable Energy World)

In 2011, I wrote about the CdTe Horse Race in which the three U.S. companies making cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) modules, First Solar (FSLR), Abound Solar and General Electric (GE Solar, stock ticker GE) jostled for position. Abound and GE were challenging the reigning champion First Solar to build the largest PV manufacturing facility in the world. Read more

Technology not materials to drive down Chinese solar costs: GTM

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 11:22 (PV-Tech)

Improving technology not the falling cost of materials will be the dominant factor in the ongoing fall in costs of Chinese module manufacturers, according to a report by GTM Research. Read more

Cash levels plummet as LDK Solar reports continued losses and low revenue

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 11:09 (PV-Tech)

LDK Solar reported second quarter 2013 results that continued to produce heavy losses and weak sales, while its cash levels plummeted to only US$85.1 million, down from US$174.1 million in the first quarter. Read more

NREL: Solar PV development still likely in the U.S. West after RPS mandates are met

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 10:59 (Solarserver)

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL, Golden, Colorado, U.S.) has released a report which finds that the U.S. states of California, Arizona and Nevada are likely to have ample opportunities for solar photovoltaic (PV) development at a competitive cost after mandates are met in 2025. “Beyond Renewable Portfolio Standards: An Assessment of Regional Supply and Demand Conditions Affecting the Future of Renewable Energy in the West” looks at the future of wind and PV development after these policies, both in terms of available resources and likely costs following the expiration of federal subsidies. Read more

Followup: Soft Costs Make a Bigger Difference as Solar Gets Cheap

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 10:30 (Renewable Energy World)

Last week’s graphic on the impact of local permitting on the cost of solar power was a big hit, so here’s a follow-up on “soft costs,” the expenses in a solar installation (including permitting) that are not the solar module.  The chart compares the soft costs in the U.S. to Germany (thanks to LBNL’s analysis), where these cost are much lower.  The Read more

Abengoa completes tower structure at South Africa's first concentrating solar power plant

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 9:02 (Solarserver)

Abengoa SA (Seville, Spain) has completed the first solar tower receiver structure at its 50 MW Khi Solar One concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in South Africa's Northern Cape region. The plant is one of two CSP projects that Abengoa is building in the Northern Cape, which will be the nation's first CSP plants. The company marked the occasion with a ceremony including members of the South African government and project partners Industrial Development Corporation and Khi Community Trust. Read more

Goldpoly to acquire 400 MW of Chinese solar PV projects

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 8:51 (Solarserver)

Goldpoly New Energy Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong) has entered into a conditional agreement to purchase 400 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China from DG Solar Co. Ltd. (Yixing, China). Goldpoly will acquire the projects after they have been commissioned and passed inspections. GD Solar will provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the projects, in which it will own 100% equity. Read more

Solar Energy Corporation of India approves 11 MW of rooftop PV projects

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 8:37 (Solarserver)

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has approved bids to build 11 MW of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in six urban areas across the nation, in a second round of solicitations. The 25 winning projects are 250 kW to 1 MW in size, with all but three 500 kW or smaller. Developers were chosen by lowest bid, and will build the plants at INR 58-90 (USD 0.90-1.40) per watt. Read more

Solar thermal still struggling under UK renewable heat programs

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 0:19 (Solarserver)

Solar thermal represents less than 1% of the capacity that has been applied for under the UK's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) programs, according to a government report for July 2013. These numbers illustrate the very low level of deployment of solar thermal under the programs. 207 new applications for renewable heat incentives were filed during the month of July 2013. Read more

Renewable Energy Tops 14% of US Electrical Generation During First Half of 2013

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 15:38 (Renewable Energy World)

According to the latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) "Electric Power Monthly," with preliminary data through to June 30, 2013, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) provided 14.20 percent of the nation's net electric power generation during the first half of the year. For the same period in 2012, renewables accounted for 13.57 percent of net electrical generation. Read more

Renewable Energy Provides 14% of US Electrical Generation During First Half of 2013

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 15:38 (Renewable Energy World)

According to the latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) "Electric Power Monthly," with preliminary data through to June 30, 2013, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) provided 14.20 percent of the nation's net electric power generation during the first half of the year. For the same period in 2012, renewables accounted for 13.57 percent of net electrical generation. Read more

Seeing Deep Green with Low Velocity Tidal Power

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 15:37 (Renewable Energy World)

Resembling an underwater kite and comprised of a carbon-fibre wing with a turbine slung underneath rather like a gondola, the so-called Deep Green device is secured to the seabed with a tether and moves in a figure of eight-shaped path in the tidal or ocean current. Read more

Seeing Deep Green with Low-velocity Tidal Power

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 15:37 (Renewable Energy World)

Resembling an underwater kite and comprised of a carbon-fibre wing with a turbine slung underneath rather like a gondola, the so-called Deep Green device is secured to the seabed with a tether and moves in a figure of eight-shaped path in the tidal or ocean current. Read more

European Investment Bank to loan USD 230 million to support renewable energy development in Central America

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 11:02 (Solarserver)

The European Investment Bank (EIB, Luxembourg) has announced that it will provide USD 230 million to support investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy development in six Central American nations. EIB estimates that the joint program with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration will enable USD 500 million worth of public and private sector investment in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Read more

Tesla Hits Chinese Speed Bump; BYD Hopes for a Turnaround

Tuesday, 8.27.2013 - 16:55 (Renewable Energy World)

A couple of interesting news bits are coming from the new energy vehicle sector, including a potential roadblock into the China market for up-and-coming US player Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) and new results from struggling domestic electric car maker BYD (HKEx: 1211; Shenzhen: 002594) that look encouraging but not too exciting. The main common theme in th Read more