Shunfeng completes issue of USD 460 million in convertible bonds

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 20:48 (Solarserver)

Shunfeng Photovoltaic International Ltd. (Changzhou, China) has completed the private issue of USD 460 million in 10-year convertible bonds. USD 280 million of these convertible bonds went to shareholder Cheng Kin Ming and his company Peace Link Services Ltd. (British Virgin Islands) to repay his down payment on Wuxi Suntech (Wuxi, China). Read more

No solar module panic buying expected with US anti-dumping case: IHS

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 18:15 (PV-Tech)

According to new analysis from market research firm IHS sufficient PV module supply outside China and Taiwan exists to meet expected demand in the US in 2014, dampening panic buying before a US anti-dumping judgement due later this year. Read more

United PV securing US$1.6 billion in PV project funding

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 14:47 (PV-Tech)

United Photovoltaics Group is close to signing a deal with China Financial Leasing Company (Sinolease) to provide at least US$1.6 billion in PV project funding. Read more

EPIA to release Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018 at Intersolar Europe

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 14:47 (Solarserver)

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA, Brussels) has announced that it will release its annual report on the global market for solar photovoltaics (PV) on June 2nd, 2014 at the Intersolar Europe trade fair in Munich. “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018” will feature a comprehensive look of the development of European and global PV market, detailed five-year forecasts, an analysis of the role of PV in the European energy sector, and insights into industry trends. Read more

Enphase establishes Asia-Pacific headquarters

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 7:47 (Solarserver)

Enphase Energy Inc. (Petaluma, California, U.S.) has established a regional headquarters for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in Melbourne, Australia, and has additionally appointed Nathan Dunn as managing director for APAC. Enphase entered the Australian PV market in the fourth quarter of 2013. While the large majority of the company's microinverter sales remain concentrated in the United States, Enphase's share of international sales increased to 15% during the quarter. Read more

US government announces boost for commercial-scale solar

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 19:15 (PV-Tech)

The US government has announced plans to smooth the path for the development of commercial-scale solar with US$15 million being set aside for community-lead projects. Read more

Trina Solar completes two UK projects in downstream move

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 18:04 (Solarpowerportal)

PV manufacturer Trina Solar has revealed that it has successfully connected two solar farms in the UK. Read more

LDK Solar reports unaudited fourth quarter loss of US$104.1 million

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 16:54 (PV-Tech)

LDK Solar has claimed through its Cayman Island liquidators that unaudited accounts indicate the company had revenue of US$273.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, up from US$156.6 million in the previous quarter. Read more

China Solar: New Yingli Fund Evokes Shades of Suntech Failings

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 15:52 (Renewable Energy World)

I wrote earlier this week about troublesome signs for the solar panel sector’s fledgling recovery after a revenue warning from Trina (NYSE: TSL), and now we’re seeing another worrisome signal with news that Yingli (NYSE: YGE) is launching a new fund to build solar power plants. This kind of scheme looks eerily similar to one that kicked off the dow Read more

Sinolease plans to provide over USD 1.6 billion in lease financing to United PV for solar PV projects

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 14:14 (Solarserver)

China Financial Leasing Company Ltd. (Sinolease, Hong Kong) has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with United Photovoltaics Group Ltd. (Hong Kong). This includes plans to provide at least USD 1.6 billion in lease financing to United PV for its solar photovoltaic (PV) project business over the next five years, subject to further definitive agreements. United PV will use these funds to acquire, develop, construct, operate and maintain PV projects. Sinolease will also provide financial consultation for the company and develop financial products and services. Read more

Building-Integrated Solar Air Heating Systems Proving Popular

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 14:12 (Renewable Energy World)

For some parts of the United States, such as Upper Michigan, the winter of 2013-14 was the coldest in recorded history. In Marquette, for example, the average temperature was a tundra-like 7.5 degrees. Well, what if I told you that it’s possible to cut your building’s energy use (in some cases by up to half), while protecting the environment, too? Read more

Solargiga more than doubles revenues in Q1 2014

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 14:11 (Solarserver)

Solargiga Energy Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong) has released selected unaudited results for the first quarter of 2014, reporting a 131% year-over-year growth in revenue to USD 130 million. The company also reports a 75% year-over-year increase in solar photovoltaic (PV) product shipments to 261 MW. Read more

JA Solar secures 13.2MW deal with FLS Energy

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:58 (PV-Tech)

US solar energy provider FLS Energy has confirmed a 13.2MW module order with JA Solar. Read more

SolarCity Resumes Storage Applications After California Decision

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:55 (Renewable Energy World)

SolarCity Corp., the largest U.S. solar-power provider by market value, will resume applications to connect energy-storage systems in California after regulators said they’re exempt from utility fees. Read more

Rutland cement works powered by 9MW solar farm

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:48 (Solarpowerportal)

Solar developer Lark Energy has partnered with Armstrong Energy to complete a 9MW solar farm at Hanson Cement’s Ketton works in Rutland. Read more

Examining the Challenges Faced by the CSP Industry

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:41 (Renewable Energy World)

Pragmatic discussions about the financial viability of concentrated solar power (CSP) abound. The oft-dismissed redheaded step child of the solar industry, CSP’s relegation to the recycle heap of history is seen by many to be a foregone conclusion due to its inherently high cost. But is CSP destined to play Betamax to PV’s VHS? Or will foreign countries like Spain — which presently boasts one of the highest numbers of CSP plants in the world — demonstrate that CSP’s ability to be coupled with storage makes it an alternative energy worth pursuing? Let’s examine some of the inherent challenges faced by the proverbial underdog of the renewable energy world. Read more

US mid-scale solar market to get US$100 million finance boost

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:07 (PV-Tech)

A new US$100 million project finance fund for distributed solar in the US is to be set up by Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure (HASI) and clean energy finance firm Sol Systems. Read more

Crowdfunding Solar with a Twist — A Revolving Fund to Serve Communities

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 12:49 (Renewable Energy World)

  According to Bloomberg News last week, crowdfunding solar could become a $5 billion investment vehicle in the next 5 years. This exciting development will connect people who want to invest their money responsibly with solar projects that need financing. SolarCity, the biggest U.S. solar power provider by market value, is getting into the space pr Read more

BayWa r.e. commissions fourth UK solar farm

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 12:33 (Solarpowerportal)

German developer BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH has completed an 18MW solar farm in south west Wales. Read more

SPG Solar completes 50MW tracker project in Arizona

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 12:21 (PV-Tech)

Tracking manufacturer SPG Solar has completed the install of a 50MW system for a project in Arizona. Read more

China Financial Leasing Company plans to provide over USD 1.6 billion in lease financing to United PV for solar PV projects

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 7:56 (Solarserver)

China Financial Leasing Company Ltd. (Sinolease, Hong Kong) has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with United Photovoltaics Group Ltd. (Hong Kong). This includes plans to provide at least USD 1.6 billion in lease financing to United PV for its solar photovoltaic (PV) project business over the next five years, subject to further definitive agreements. United PV will use these funds to acquire, develop, construct, operate and maintain PV projects. Sinolease will also provide financial consultation for the company and develop financial products and services. Read more

Google acquires solar-powered drone maker Titan Aerospace

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 7:51 (Solarserver)

Google Inc. (Mountain View, California, U.S.) has acquired solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (“drone”) maker Titan Aerospace (Moriarty, New Mexico, U.S.). Google notes that the company's technology is still in a relatively early stage of development, but says that possible applications include using the drones to provide internet access to unserved areas across the world. Read more

SPG Solar supplies trackers for 50 MW-DC solar PV project in Arizona

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 7:42 (Solarserver)

SPG Solar (Petaluma, California, U.S.) reports that it has delivered its SunSeeker trackers to Black & Veatch (Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.) for a 50 MW-DC solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the U.S. state of Arizona. The PV project occupies over 1,000 hectares, and is expected to be commissioned during spring 2014. SPG Solar notes that the plant will generate more electricity with the use of its tracking system. Read more

Run-of-River Hydropower Market Could Be Worth Billions, Says Expert

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 14:11 (Renewable Energy World)

Tocardo International BV, a Dutch maker of turbines that generate power from water, said the market for installing its devices in rivers may be worth as much as 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in 10 years’ time. Read more

Greenbacker to finance up to 126MW of Hanergy projects in the US

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:48 (PV-Tech)

Hanergy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with renewable energy asset management firm Greenbacker Renewable Energy Corporation for the funding of up to 126MW of PV projects in the US. Read more

Monocrystalline PV modules becoming more competitive says EnergyTrend

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 13:15 (PV-Tech)

The price gap between monocrystalline silicon modules and multicrystalline is closing as rooftop markets continue to expand, according to market research firm, EnergyTrend. Read more

Grid stabilising batteries edge closer to standardisation

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 12:46 (PV-Tech)

The International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) will begin a programme of standardisation for redox flow batteries – which can be used for large-scale energy storage applications – following discussions which were initiated in Japan in October 2013. Read more

Grid stabalising batteries edge closer to standardisation

Thursday, 4.17.2014 - 12:46 (PV-Tech)

The International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) will begin a programme of standardisation for redox flow batteries – which can be used for large-scale energy storage applications – following discussions which were initiated in Japan in October 2013. Read more