The Hunt Is On for Next-Generation Battery Storage Technology

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 15:44 (Renewable Energy World)

Researchers are on the lookout for new materials to be used in the next generation of batteries that may one day replace current lithium ion batteries. Today, the latter are commonplace and provide a reliable power source for smartphones, laptops and many other portable electrical devices. Read more

China Singyes begins development of first 300 MW phase of 1.1 GW project in Western China

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 15:37 (Solarserver)

China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong) reports that it has begun development of a 300 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Western China's Gansu Province, as the first phase of a 1.1 GW project. China Singyes expects to complete the initial 300 MW phase by the end of 2014. Read more

Yingli reports ongoing losses despite record shipments in Q4 2013

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 14:37 (Solarserver)

Yingli has retained its position as the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) maker during 2013, but continues to report losses, with a -16% operating margin and a net loss of USD 133 million during the fourth quarter of 2013. The company grew revenues 28% year-over-year to USD 613 million and reported its highest level of shipments to date, but did not provide exact shipment numbers for the fourth quarter. Read more

Materials still critical cost reduction driver in latest ITRPV

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 14:08 (PV-Tech)

The fifth edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) released today, continues to emphasise the critical need to reduce material costs from wafers to modules, but also highlights the need for increased cell efficiencies and higher throughput fabrication equipment as material cost reductions get harder to implement. Read more

Kyocera aims to get 22% efficiency modules onto Japanese rooftops

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 13:37 (PV-Tech)

Japanese solar module maker Kyocera has announced that it will begin supplying a monocrystalline panel to the Japanese residential rooftop solar market. Read more

Suntech Singapore fails to pay US$263.9 million debt

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 12:16 (PV-Tech)

Suntech Singapore has failed to pay the US$263.9 million awarded to Suntech Power Holdings subsidiary Power Solar System (PSS). Read more

Jinko UK sales manager to be UK director at Suntech

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 12:03 (Solarpowerportal)

Module manufacturer, Jinko Solar’s UK manager, Steve Gladman is stepping down as of 1 April. Read more

Trinasmart PV modules receive IEC certification from TÜV Rheinland

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 8:45 (Solarserver)

TÜV Rheinland (Cologne, Germany) has awarded IEC 61215/61730 certification to Trina Solar Ltd.'s (Changzhou, China) Trinasmart solar photovoltaic (PV) modules with embedded power optimizers. This makes Trinasmart the first Chinese-made “smart” module to receive IEC certification. Trina Solar says that this gives its modules a competitive advantage through strengthening its performance and reliability assurances. Read more

Ontario regulator sets out plans for large solar procurement

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 18:58 (PV-Tech)

Energy regulator, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), has submitted proposals for a new procurement process for large-scale renewables projects in the Canadian province. Read more

Minnesota Paves the Way for Solar Advocates Nationwide

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 18:37 (Renewable Energy World)

The solar battle between utilities, stakeholders, solar customers and other rate payers is coming to an end—at least in Minnesota. Last Wednesday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted in favor of the nation’s first statewide formula for calculating the value of customer-generated solar power. Minnesota is the first state to calcula Read more

First Solar Seeking Growth as Desert Power Plant Market Dries Up

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 15:01 (Renewable Energy World)

The biggest U.S. solar panel maker is preparing to set out its strategy for growth as sales lag for its large-scale power projects in the deserts of the southwest. Read more

Ukraine: Energy agency predicts Crimean solar to continue to receive tariff

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 14:43 (PV-Tech)

All Ukraine’s solar plants will continue to receive the tariff promised by the country’s former government, even after Crimea voted to join Russia, lobby group the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency (EUEA) has predicted. Read more

Solarsense installs 80kWp rooftop installation at UK shopping outlet centre

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 13:54 (Solarpowerportal)

British renewable energy company Solarsense has finished installing an 80kWp solar array on the roof of the UK’s first shopping outlet centre, Clarks Village, in Somerset. Read more

Former landfill site to be turned into 2.4MW community solar farm

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 13:10 (Solarpowerportal)

Proposals to install a 2.4MW solar farm on a gravel pit field close to the New Forest National Park have been approved by planning officials. Read more

Creditors shun Centrosolar rescue plan

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 12:51 (PV-Tech)

Insolvent German PV supplier Centrosolar has failed to secure sufficient creditor backing for a rescue plan for the stricken company. Read more

Intersolar China presents technologies, products and solutions lighting the way to China’s solar-powered future

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 9:25 (Solarserver)

On March 26th, 2014 the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC), Beijing, opens its doors for the launch of Intersolar China, which is accompanied for the first time by the CIPV Expo China and the Clean Energy Expo China. Up until March 28th, the exhibitions feature around 300 exhibitors showcasing technologies, products and services along the solar industry’s entire value-added chain (solar photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies, PV production technology) as well as exhibits on wind energy, biomass, energy storage systems and grid technology. Read more

First Solar completes its first utility-scale PV plant in Japan

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 8:51 (Solarserver)

Obayashi Corp. (Tokyo) and Yaskawa Electric Corp. (Kitakyushu, Japan) have completed a 1.3 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Japan for First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.), as the company's first utility-scale project in the nation. The plant at Kitakyushu-shi in Fukuoka Prefecture also incorporates First Solar's FS Series 3 Black PV modules, with glass provided by Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. (Tokyo). First Solar holds 100% equity in the project. Read more

Gestamp, 8minutenergy sign PPA for Midway Solar Farm project

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 8:41 (Solarserver)

Gestamp Solar SL (Madrid) and a subsidiary of 8minutenergy Renewables LLC (Folsom, California, U.S.) have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to sell electricity from their Midway Solar Farm project in Southern California to Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E, San Francisco, California, U.S.). The contract must now be approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The companies plan to begin construction of the 50 MW-AC solar photovoltaic (PV) project in 2015, and to commission the plant in 2016. Read more

Wind Energy Investment: Where Should the Effort Go?

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 12:39 (Renewable Energy World)

The global economy may be growing but, when it comes to wind, we are increasingly operating in a two-speed economy. Read more

Yingli Green targeting over 4GW of shipments in 2014

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 15:51 (PV-Tech)

Yingli Green Energy has reported fourth quarter results in line with its recently revised guidance, while targeting shipments in 2014 of between 4-4.2GW. Read more

Growing the Green Bond Market to Finance a Cleaner, Resilient World

Tuesday, 3.18.2014 - 12:01 (Renewable Energy World)

The growing risks brought on by climate change are raising development costs for the world’s fast-growing cities and developing countries. Government funds alone will never be enough to build resilience to extreme weather and deal with the threats to energy, water, and food supplies — the private sector and institutional investors must be involved. Read more