Sungrow’s PV inverter sales soar on China installation growth

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 17:49 (PV-Tech)

Sungrow Power Supply reported more than a doubling of PV inverter sales and shipments in 2013, supported by its first move advantage and leadership position in the rapidly growing Chinese market. Read more

Meyer Burger reports heavy losses but strong order intake in 2013 results

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 9:07 (Solarserver)

Like all major solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment makers, the Meyer Burger Group (Thun, Switzerland) had a difficult year in 2013, which is reflected in its annual results. The company's revenues fell 69% to USD 230 million during the year, with a -97% EBITDA margin and a net loss of USD 185 million. However, Meyer Burger's orders rose 29% over the year to USD 330 million, reflecting a book-to-bill ratio of 1.42, its first above parity since PV equipment orders collapsed. The company states that 70% of these orders came in the second half of 2014, and included equipment for capacity expansions, technology upgrades and entire production lines for new PV markets, as well as Read more

Three solar PV plants come online in Chile, installed capacity reaches 150 MW-AC

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 20:58 (Solarserver)

Chile's Center for Renewable Energy (CER) reports that three utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants were completed in the nation in January and February 2014, representing 144-AC MW of new capacity. This brings Chile to 150 MW-AC of installed PV capacity. Read more

Mercom: Global solar PV market to grow 24% to 46 GW in 2014

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 20:56 (Solarserver)

Mercom Capital LLC (Austin, Texas, U.S.) has increased its 2014 global solar photovoltaic (PV) market forecast 7% to 46 GW. This would represent a 24% growth on 2013 levels. The company credits its higher prediction mostly to China's new goal to deploy 14 GW during the year. Read more

Solar Fred’s 7 Golden Rules of Solar Marketing

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 17:07 (Renewable Energy World)

While sitting at a coffee shop the other day, I saw a young mother try to explain the Golden Rule to her 4-year-old daughter, and it struck me that solar marketing has its own set of commonsense golden rules that we should all keep in mind. You might have a few more, but here are my top seven to get you started: 1. Thou shalt give before getting. S Read more

Budget 2014: Solar sites benefiting from ROCs no longer eligible for EIS

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 16:49 (Solarpowerportal)

Solar farm sites which claim Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) will no longer be able to benefit from Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). Read more

Three solar PV plants come online in Chile, installed capacity reaches 150 MW

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 16:25 (Solarserver)

Chile's Center for Renewable Energy (CER) reports that three utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants were completed in the nation in January and February 2014, representing 144 MW of new capacity. This brings Chile to 150 MW of installed PV capacity. Read more

SolarCity Freezes Energy Storage Program as Utilities Resist Grid Connections

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 15:16 (Renewable Energy World)

SolarCity Corp., the biggest developer of U.S. rooftop solar panels, halted efforts to install and connect systems that include batteries for power storage because California’s utilities are reluctant to link them to the electric grid. Read more

First Solar releases 2014 guidance, will expand manufacturing capacities beginning in 2015

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 15:11 (Solarserver)

First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) has released its full year 2014 guidance, predicting a 16% increase in revenues to USD 3.7-4.0 billion. The company also expects an operating cash flow of USD 250-400 million during the year. While First Solar plans USD 300-350 million in capital expenditures during 2014, it does not expect to expand its cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing capacity until 2015, when it plans to add 800 MW of capacity, with more in 2016 and 2017. Read more

NPD Solarbuzz: Global solar PV market to reach up to 100 GW by 2018

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 14:07 (Solarserver)

NPD Solarbuzz Inc. (Santa Clara, California, U.S.) has released a new report which predicts that the global solar photovoltaic (PV) market will grow rapidly over the next five years, to reach up to 100 GW of annual deployments in 2018. Read more

Hanwha SolarOne signs MoU to expand China downstream business

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 13:28 (PV-Tech)

Tier one manufacturer Hanwha SolarOne has begun establishing a “long-term strategic partnership to develop downstream PV projects” with the Wuxi New District Administrative Committee in China. Read more

Egypt’s new ministers call for solar research and development

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 11:46 (PV-Tech)

Egypt’s new prime minister, Ibrahim Melheb has stressed the need for solar energy development in the country, according to a report on Egypt’s state information service (SIS). Read more

Belectric solar OPV to be incorporated into DAW construction materials

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 9:01 (Solarserver)

Belectric OPV GmbH (Nuremberg, Germany) and construction paint and insulation system manufacturer DAW SE (Ober-Ramstadt, Germany) have collaborated to integrate organic photovoltaics (OPV) into various DAW product lines and their components, including facade insulation systems. Belectric says that these products will break new ground for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), by incorporating solar photovoltaics (PV) into construction projects without increasing complexity or workload. It also notes that the products will allow for new functionality in building materials, without sacrificing a uniform appearance. Read more

Hanergy renews lease agreements for thin film silicon, CIGS solar PV R&D efforts

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 8:55 (Solarserver)

Hanergy Solar Group Ltd. (Hong Kong) has renewed leases for its Fujian Apollo and MiaSolé Hi-Tech subsidiaries in China and the United States, respectively. This will include supply of up to 2,600 plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) reactors for Fujian Apollo's use. Subsidiary Sichuan Hanergy will supply the PECVD reactors to Fujian Apollo upon request for research and development (R&D) use at USD 1,900 each, as part of an ongoing lease of its facilities in Sichuan Province to the company. Fujian Apollo has utilized Hanergy Sichuan's R&D facilities since 2012. Read more

TÜV Rheinland, Rackam develop platform to test high-temperature solar thermal, solar CSP collectors

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 8:49 (Solarserver)

TÜV Rheinland PTL (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) and Rackam (Canada) have jointly developed a test bench for measuring the performance and efficiency of collectors for solar thermal and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, which will be located at TÜV Rheinland's facilities in Tempe. The bench consists of a pumping circuit equipped with electric heating elements and measuring and control instruments. This enables the circulation of mineral oil-based heat transfer fluids up to 240 degrees Celsius through devices including solar collectors, thermal storage banks and small steam turbine generators. Read more

AMSC Consolidates US Wind Operations, Focuses on Europe

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 21:12 (Renewable Energy World)

Massachusetts-based American Superconductor (AMSC), which supplies power electronics for wind turbines, said yesterday that it would be consolidating its U.S.-based operations and focus on expansion in Europe. Read more

Navigating the Winding Road of Geothermal Project Financing, Part II

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 12:08 (Renewable Energy World)

In Part I, we discussed proven financing strategies for the drilling and construction phases of geothermal energy projects. The next stage of financing a geothermal project is the “permanent financing” phase, which is generally attempted once the project has achieved Commercial Operations (COD). Read more

BP Scraps Renewable Energy Goal After Investing $8.3 Billion

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 15:08 (Renewable Energy World)

BP Plc, recovering from an oil spill that may cost it as much as $42 billion, said it hasn’t set a new target for investing in renewable energy after investing $8.3 billion in the business. Read more

Will the US Choose the Right Road to a New Energy Future?

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 14:49 (Renewable Energy World)

The United States is currently facing a very unique situation — the first of its kind — as we decide how to upgrade and expand our energy infrastructure. Many are afraid that investing in a new energy system is too expensive and would cost trillions of dollars. The truth is that the investment choices we make today will determine whether we build a resilient, reliable energy system. What we need is a modern system that will maximize economic benefits, put the consumer in control, and utilize innovation and technology all while attaining steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Read more

EU expected to set October deadline on 2030 clean energy target

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 13:48 (Solarpowerportal)

The European Council is expected to approve an October deadline to decide its 2030 climate change and energy policy, according to a leaked draft of the meeting’s conclusion. Read more

EU expected to set October deadline on 2030 clean energy target

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 12:15 (PV-Tech)

The European Council is expected to approve an October deadline to decide its 2030 climate change and energy policy, according to a leaked draft of the meeting’s conclusion. Read more

IEA: R&D, not ‘silver bullet’ hype required on energy storage

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 11:20 (PV-Tech)

Energy storage technologies are not the “silver bullet” they have sometimes been hyped as, but nonetheless have a crucial role to play in a decarbonised electricity system, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Read more

India renewables budget takes big hit

Thursday, 3.20.2014 - 6:00 (PV-Tech)

India’s Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is to have its budget for the coming year slashed. Read more