PV research: Northwestern University transfers Blu-Ray disc data storage pattern to solar cells to increase light absorption

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 14:32 (Solarserver)

An interdisciplinary research team at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL, US) has discovered that the pattern of information written on a Blu-ray disc works very well for improving light absorption across the solar spectrum. According to new research from Northwestern University Blu-ray discs can improve the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, suggesting a second use for unwanted discs. Read more

Italy’s MegaCell to team on 120MW n-type mono cell plant in Egypt

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 10:21 (PV-Tech)

Italian specialist solar cell manufacturer, MegaCell, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Egyptian investment firm, Misr Asset Management, to seek investors to build and operate a 120MW solar cell and module assembly plant in Egypt using its n-type monocrystalline bi-facial cell technology. Read more

Algonquin Power announces additional 10 MW PV project in Kern County, California

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 6:50 (Solarserver)

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (APUC, Oakville, ON, US) on November 24th, 2014 announced that it intends to proceed with a 10 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project adjacent to its 20 MW Bakersfield I Solar project in Kern County, California, which is currently under construction. The 10 MW Bakersfield II Solar project executed a 20 year power purchase agreement on September 22nd, 2014 with a large California based electric utility, the company notes. Read more

IHS comments on Swiss PV inverter maker Sputnik Engineering AG (Solarmax) to file for insolvency on November 28th, 2014

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 14:37 (Solarserver)

Sputnik Engineering AG, parent company of the Swiss PV inverter producer Solarmax, announced to file for insolvency on November 28th, 2014. Solarmax is latest victim of the decline of the European solar inverter Market, comments Cormac Gilligan, PV Inverters analyst at IHS Technology (London, UK). Read more

Mexico’s first PV façade generates solar power and reduces cooling needs

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 14:23 (Solarserver)

Onyx Solar, (Greenwood Village, Colorado) installed its solar photovoltaic (PV) glasses through retrofitting onto the façade of Femsa’s headquarter in Monterrey (state of Nuevo León, Mexico) the largest bottle manufacturer for Coca-Cola in the world. After installation of Onyx Solar’s photovoltaic glass, the building has been beneficing with over 5,500 kWh of solar power while also eliminating CO2 emission by 2.7 tons. The building integrated solar PV (BIPV) façade consists of a double layer of PV glass, being the first of its kind in Latin America. Read more

Solarmax parent company to file for insolvency

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 12:34 (PV-Tech)

Sputnik Engineering, the parent company of Swiss inverter manufacturer Solarmax, will file for insolvency this week PV Tech has learned. Read more

SMA Solar gains approval for Chile net metering scheme

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 12:00 (PV-Tech)

Germany’s SMA Solar claims to have become the first inverter supplier to be accredited under Chile’s new net metering programme. Read more

Vikram Solar mulls module capacity expansion and cell production partnership in India

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 12:00 (PV-Tech)

India-based PV module manufacturer, Vikram Solar, has said it is evaluating its next module capacity expansion plans as well as a new joint venture to establish solar cell production with a major existing producer. Read more

Panasonic to build 26MW in Kern County, California

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 11:37 (PV-Tech)

Panasonic Enterprise Solutions plans to add to California’s Kern County solar complex with the development of a 26MW project near Lost Hills. Read more

Solarcentury: Biodiversity is vital for solar developers

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 11:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Tim Rose from Solarcentury discusses the enormous agricultural benefits of responsible solar development. Read more

SolarCentury: Biodiversity is vital for solar developers

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 11:00 (Solarpowerportal)

Tim Rose from SolarCentury discusses the enormous agricultural benefits of responsible solar development. Read more

MegaCell and Misr Asset Management announce plans to build a 120 MW/year production plant for bi-facial solar PV cells and modules in Egypt

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 10:44 (Solarserver)

The Italian photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer MegaCell and Misr Asset Management, a Cairo-based Investment Bank on November 25th, 2014 announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a production plant for bi-facial high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules in Egypt in 2015 with a scheduled annual capacity of 120 MW. Read more

OneRoof Energy Group announces Q3, 2014 results: Core operating solar PV lease revenue up 9%

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 10:44 (Solarserver)

Residential solar PV services provider OneRoof Energy Group, Inc. (San Diego, Calif., US) on November 26th, 2014 announced financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30th, 2014. The company deployed 0.74 megawatt (MW) during the third quarter; cumulative for the nine months ending September 30th, was 2.4 MW. OneRoof Energy installed solar equipment on 119 rooftops in the third quarter. Cumulative installations for the previous nine months was 378, total installations reached 10 MW. Read more

First solar PV plant in Europe to provide operating reserve at the high-voltage level through energy storage facility by BELECTRIC

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 10:43 (Solarserver)

BELECTRIC GmbH (Kolitzheim, Germany) connected its battery storage system, the Energy Buffer Unit, at the solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant Alt Daber, Brandenburg. Thus it became the first solar PV plant in Europe capable of providing operating reserve at high-voltage level comparable to conventional plants. The innovative lead-acid storage device with a capacity of 2,000 kWh is intended for use in both renewable energy and conventional power plants. The storage device lends greater flexibility to the plant’s service provision and actively stabilizes the energy grid. Read more

SMA Solar Technology AG is the first PV inverter supplier to receive authorization for net metering in Chile

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 7:10 (Solarserver)

With their comprehensive technical functions, two SMA solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter types now have received the authorization of the "Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles" (SEC) to participate according to law 20.571 in Net Metering. The SMA Sunny Boy TL and the SMA Sunny Tripower TL are the first inverters to meet the net metering requirements for inverters in PV installations with up to 100 kWp capacity. With these products, SMA is able to offer clients in Chile a comprehensive portfolio from 1 to 25 kW per inverter. Read more

Solar thermal certification fund launches 6th call for proposals

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 6:55 (Solarserver)

The Solar Certification Fund launches its 6th call for project proposals. Since its first call in 2011, this fund has contributed over EUR half a million to 50 projects related to the support of certification and standardisation as well as to the development of quality assurance for the advancement of the solar thermal technology. Read more

SESEA 2014: Opportunities arise in the Philippines as solar undercuts diesel

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 5:42 (PV-Tech)

At this year’s South East Asia Solar Energy event, held in Bangkok, multiple speakers hailed solar energy as it reaches parity with the current dominant fuel source, diesel. Read more

SESEA 2014: Opportunity abounds in the Philippines as solar undercuts diesel

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 5:42 (PV-Tech)

On the second day of Solar Energy Southeast Asia in Bangkok this week, multiple speakers hailed solar’s growing competitiveness with the current dominant fuel source, diesel, paving the way for deployment of hybrid solar systems. Read more

Can Biofuels Make a Comeback?

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 13:00 (Renewable Energy World)

Len Rand, CEO of xF Technologies, says his company has come up with a material that can dramatically reduce the particulate matter in diesel emissions. It also fights corrosion. And it can be used as a food additive. “It can smell like almonds…anise,” he said. The magic material is furoate ester, a multipurpose industrial chemical that the Albuquer Read more

EPA's Plan to Curb Carbon Pollution Can Save Billions

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 13:24 (Renewable Energy World)

The news about the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants just got even better: the proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) can save the power industry and its customers — us — as much as $2 to $4 billion in 2020 and $6 to 9 billion in 2030, while cleaning our air and modernizing the electricity sector. Read more

Order Focus: Clenergy mounting selected for 24.8MW project in Japan

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 11:20 (PV-Tech)

Clenergy will provide mounting for a 24.8MW project in Japan, which it claims to be one of the largest in the country. Read more

Clenergy provides mounting systems for a 24.8 MW PV plant in Nasushiobara, Japan

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 10:44 (Solarserver)

Clenergy (Xiamen, China) on November 26th, 2014 announced that the company is supplying mounting systems for one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Japan. The PV project covers 370,000 square meters of land, with a total installation of 24.8 MW and an estimated solar power generation of 26.1 million kWh per year according to Clenergy. Read more

What a Thoughtful Idea! Renewable Energy Gift-giving for the Holidays

Thursday, 11.27.2014 - 9:00 (Renewable Energy World)

It’s that time of year again. Are you prepared for the gift giving season?  In case you need some extra help, we here at RenewableEnergyWorld.com (REW) wanted to give you some ideas for holiday gifts that you might not have thought of yourself. Below please find some ideas to inspire you to give the gift of renewables. Disclaimer: Part of this list Read more