New research: Returns from domestic PV in the UK at near record high thanks to a 62% drop in costs

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 10:46 (Solarserver)

New research released by energy website Green Business Watch (London, UK) analyses domestic solar PV panel costs, savings and returns from the launch of the Feed-in Tariff in 2010 to 2014. The report “UK Domestic Solar Panel Costs and Returns: 2010 – 2014” finds that median installation costs for typical domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have fallen by around 62% since 2010. Read more

First Solar Targets High-Rise Residents with Community Solar Bet

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 22:04 (Renewable Energy World)

Instead of putting solar panels on residential rooftops, First Solar Inc. is investing in a company that develops community solar farms to serve renters and high- rise residents. Read more

Broaching the Baseload Issue: Finding Hybrid Solutions to Stabilize the Grid

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 21:47 (Renewable Energy World)

As increasing amounts of variable renewable energy penetrate the grid, utility operators are scrambling to figure out how to balance power loads. Sources like wind and solar cannot be controlled, so when the sun is out or the wind is blowing, power ramps up and has the potential to overload the grid — when it is cloudy or still, there is a potential lack of power as grid operators struggle to engage other sources. Read more

U.S. Solar Installations Soar in Q3; Total Capacity Hits 17.5 GW

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 16:46 (Renewable Energy World)

Any way you look at it, the sun continues to shine brightly on America’s solar energy industry. Maintaining its vibrant growth, the United States installed 1,354 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics (PV) in Q3 2014, up 41 percent over the same period last year. The numbers come from the latest edition of GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industrie Read more

First Solar enters US community PV market

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 16:31 (PV-Tech)

First Solar has entered the US community solar market after taking an equity interest in Clean Energy Collective (CEC). Read more

‘Tis the Season for Winter Solar Marketing Info, Messaging, and Photos

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 15:49 (Renewable Energy World)

Am I mistaken or is it actually winter? Because you wouldn’t know it judging from websites of solar companies. Seems like it’s summer 365 days of the year, and that’s a serious disconnect and a lost solar marketing opportunity. I discovered this simple yet important solar marketing oversight because I’ve just returned from Solar Canada 2014, and an Read more

Palestine solar helps power Jerusalem

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 15:39 (PV-Tech)

The West Bank city of Jericho is using a 710kW solar power plant to generate renewable energy for Jerusalem’s Palestinian population. Read more

Phovoltaics and Solar Projects: Application period for Intersolar AWARD starts in February

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 13:19 (Solarserver)

New technologies and products from the solar industry are helping to make the energy transition a reality. This year, Intersolar Europe will be presenting the Intersolar AWARD for the eighth time running in honor of innovative solutions in the solar industry. The innovation prize will be awarded in the categories “Photovoltaics” and “Solar Projects in Europe”. Companies wishing to apply for the Intersolar AWARD are invited to submit their applications between February 2 and March 27, 2015. Read more

How Fast Can You Rack?

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 13:16 (Renewable Energy World)

Solar racking companies battled it out on the floor of Solar Power International (SPI) in late October, demonstrating new system improvements to shave critical minutes off installation time and pennies off the per-watt cost. While many basic ground, flat roof and sloped roof mounting systems feature dramatically reduced costs, the competition is still on: exhibitor display signs touting cost per watt were prevalent, and several portended to be easily breaking the single-digit cents range with their offerings. Read more

Primrose Solar connects 41MW Cornwall solar farm

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 12:42 (Solarpowerportal)

London-headquartered solar developer, Primrose Solar has connected a 41MW solar farm near Launceston in Cornwall. Read more

Solar CfD auction faces serious delays due to appeals process

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 11:35 (Solarpowerportal)

Developers interested in submitting bids for the auction-based Contracts for Difference (CfD) might have to wait until February to submit their sealed bids due to the scheme’s appeal process. Read more

Pakistan PM grants repeal of solar import tax

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 11:04 (PV-Tech)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has announced the lifting of a controversial import tax on solar equipment. Read more

‘Explosive growth’ in DG market to take China to 14GW, says GCL chairman

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 10:56 (PV-Tech)

A late burst of distributed solar projects will help ensure China achieves a record PV installation rate of 14GW this year, according to Tang Cheng, chairman of GCL New Energy. Read more

Xcel Colorado solar plan rejected

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 10:54 (PV-Tech)

Proposals by US utility Xcel Energy for a premium solar programme for homeowners in Colorado have been rejected by the state’s regulator. Read more

Orbotech LT Solar announces follow on orders for PV deposition systems totaling USD 15 Million

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 10:40 (Solarserver)

Orbotech Ltd. (Yavne, Israel) on December 9th, 2014 announced that its subsidiary Orbotech LT Solar (San Jose, CA, US) received purchase orders for its thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) deposition systems totaling approximately USD 15 million in value from one of its existing customers, a leading solar panel manufacturer. Deliveries of these systems are expected to take place during the first half of 2015. Read more

Duke Energy announces approval to build three solar PV plants totaling 128 MW in North Carolina

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 10:35 (Solarserver)

Duke Energy (Charlotte, N.C., US) on December 8th, 2014 received regulatory approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to acquire and construct three large solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities in eastern North Carolina. The three projects will total 128 megawatt (MW) of capacity. Construction is scheduled in early 2015, and they are expected to be completed by the end of 2015. More than 750 construction jobs are expected during the peak of construction at the three sites. Read more

New report: U.S. solar industry tops 1 GW of installed capacity for third straight quarter, reaches a total of 16.1 GW

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 7:13 (Solarserver)

The U.S. installed 1,133 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics (PV) in the third quarter of 2014 to total 16.1 gigawatts (GW) installed capacity, enough to power 3.5 million homes, according to a news report published by SEIA and GTM Research. Q3, 2014 was the second largest quarter in history for solar growth, and SEIA and GTM Research predict another record-breaking year for 2014, with total installed capacity reaching three times the size of the market just three years ago. Read more

PV in Japan: Takara Leben, Hitachi Zosen and Solar Frontier start construction on megasolar power plant at former golf course

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 6:55 (Solarserver)

Takara Leben, Hitachi Zosen and Solar Frontier on December 9th, 2014 announced that construction has started on a 15 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located on a former golf course in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The solar power generated by the plant will be sold to the grid. Takara Leben owns the former golf course, Hitachi Zosen is providing EPC services for the project, and Solar Frontier supplied its CIS thin-film modules, which provide high power output in real operating conditions. Read more

North Carolina to add 3 PV projects due to new partnership deal

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 4:48 (PV-Tech)

A partnership agreement between Strata Solar, National Cooperative Bank and solar investment and financing firm Sol Systems will help usher in three new utility-scale solar farms in North Carolina. Read more

North Carolina to add three PV projects through partnership deal

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 4:48 (PV-Tech)

A partnership agreement between Strata Solar, National Cooperative Bank and solar investment and financing firm Sol Systems will help usher in three new utility-scale solar farms in North Carolina. Read more

EDF Renewable Services build up Canadian portfolio

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 4:04 (PV-Tech)

North American operations and maintenance service provider EDF Renewable Services has agreed to contracts for 454MW of wind and 134MWp of solar power that will be added to the company’s portfolio in Canada. Read more

Microgrids Create Energy-Resilient Communities

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 22:28 (Renewable Energy World)

Consumers who need resilient, reliable, “always-on” power that the utility can’t deliver are driving the growth of microgrids in the U.S. In addition, renewable energy and energy storage technologies are becoming essential components of microgrids. These were two of the many issues discussed during Wednesday’s Renewable Energy World Conference, North America session titled Microgrids: Opportunities, Challenges, and Innovative Solutions. Read more

India Plans Renewables Splurge, But Will Not Commit to Carbon Plan

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 22:11 (Renewable Energy World)

India, the world’s third-largest polluter, will spend at least $100 billion on climate-related projects but isn’t ready to follow China and the U.S., the top two emitters, in promising to limit its fossil-fuel emissions. Read more

UN climate negotiations ‘15 years out of date’ on renewables

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 18:05 (PV-Tech)

World leaders negotiating global climate change policies are “10 to 15 years out of date” when discussing renewable energy technology. Read more

S-Energy America teams on 3.33MW of US school projects

Wednesday, 12.10.2014 - 9:54 (PV-Tech)

South Korean PV module manufacturer, S-Energy, via its US subsidiary, has contracted Gehrlicher Solar America to design and install 7,000 S-Energy PC8 72-cell modules at 12 school facilities within the Lynwood Unified School District in Los Angeles County, California. Read more