Meyer Burger to reduce staff at technology and product center in Germany

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 8:54 (Solarserver)

Meyer Burger Technology Ltd. (Thun, Switzerland) is continuing the consolidation of its research and development activities, including eliminating an estimated 120 positions at its product and technology center in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. The center focuses on heterojunction and passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) processes for solar photovoltaic (PV) cell production, as well as semiconductor technologies. The company says the goal of these measures is to keep the operation costs at the Hohenstein-Ernstthal production center to around USD 13 million annually. Read more

German Federal Council weighs in on proposed changes to feed-in tariff

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 8:50 (Solarserver)

Germany's Federal Council (Bundesrat) has proposed over 100 changes to Energy and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel's (SPD) legislation to overhaul the nation's system of feed-in tariffs. While the Federal Council's proposals are not binding, they do show a level of political resistance to the CDU-SPD coalition government's attempts to re-write the rules of the system. Also, the final legislation will have to be approved by the Federal Council after approval by the nation's Parliament (Bundestag). Read more

SolarReserve puts online 150 MW-DC of solar PV plants in South Africa

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 19:40 (Solarserver)

SolarReserve LLC (Santa Monica, California, U.S.) has completed construction on and commissioned two 75 MW-DC solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in South Africa. The Lesedi and Letsatsi projects tie with Scatec Solar AS' (Oslo) Kalkbult plant as the three largest PV plants in the nation and African continent. Read more

Solar Roadways Video Goes Viral; Features Microinverter Technology

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 17:42 (Renewable Energy World)

The future of solar energy is upon us, and the viral YouTube video Solar Freakin’ Roadways proves the power of solar has no boundaries. Engineering couple Julie and Scott Brusaw have revolutionized solar power and designed an innovative roadmap for clean energy independence—Solar Roadways. The idea is simple, and brilliant—replace all roadways, par Read more

Two-thirds of Europe’s planned PV projects are in the UK, says IHS

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 17:15 (Solarpowerportal)

Two-thirds of Europe’s planned solar PV projects are in the UK, according to research firm IHS. Read more

Chinese Solar Manufacturer Wants To Become Solar Power Plant Developer, Too

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 16:50 (Renewable Energy World)

Shunfeng Photovoltaic International Ltd., the new owner of what was once the world’s biggest solar manufacturer, is seeking to issue HK$6 billion ($774 million) of shares to buildsolar-power plants. Read more

Barclays cites solar threat as it downgrades entire US utility bond market

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 16:15 (Solarpowerportal)

Barclays downgraded the entire high grade corporate bond market for the US electric sector last week in a strong indication that solar PV-generated power coupled with storage presents a long term disruptive risk to utilities. Read more

SunRise Power, Cosma International, Hanwha SolarOne to build solar PV plants in Mexico

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 14:21 (Solarserver)

Engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance (EPCM) contractor SunRise Power (Toronto) has announced that it will cooperate with metal forming supplier Cosma International (Brampton, Canada) and Hanwha SolarOne (Shanghai) to deliver solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Mexico. Read more

Tata Power Solar to expand capacity following ‘supportive’ dumping duties

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 14:15 (PV-Tech)

Indian module manufacturer Tata Solar is to expand its module manufacturing facility in Bangalore from 125MW to 200MW citing potential new anti-dumping duties as one reason behind its decision. Read more

Pickles backs council’s decision to refuse planning permission for 25MW Suffolk solar farm

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 13:50 (Solarpowerportal)

The secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, has refused planning permission on appeal for a 25MW solar farm project located in Suffolk. Read more

Belltown Alpha Renewables gains third solar power plant

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 13:15 (Solarpowerportal)

Belltown Alpha Renewables has gained a third solar power plant to add to its portfolio. Read more

Barclays cites solar threat as it downgrades entire US utility bond market

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 13:01 (PV-Tech)

Barclays downgraded the entire high grade corporate bond market for the US electric sector last week in a strong indication that solar PV-generated power coupled with storage presents a long term disruptive risk to utilities. Read more

Xcel and SunPower to build 50MW solar power plant in Colorado

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 12:44 (PV-Tech)

US electricity and natural gas supplier, Xcel Energy has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with solar panel manufacturer and project developer SunPower. Read more

South Korea looks to install 1MW in North Korea

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 12:44 (PV-Tech)

South Korea is hoping to install a 1MW solar array in North Korea, according to a government official. Read more

SunPower secures PPA for 50 MW-AC solar PV project in Colorado

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 9:11 (Solarserver)

Utility Xcel Energy (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with SunPower Corp. (San Jose, California, U.S.) for the output of a 50 MW-AC solar photovoltaic (PV) plant that the company plans to build in Colorado. SunPower must still secure permits, interconnection rights and financing for the project. The company plans to begin construction in 2015, and to achieve full commercial operation by the end of 2016. Read more

First Solar completes sale of Silver State South solar PV project to NextEra Energy

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 8:58 (Solarserver)

First Solar Inc. (Tempe, Arizona, U.S.) has completed the sale of its 250 MW-AC Silver State South solar photovoltaic (PV) project to a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources (Juno Beach, Florida, U.S.). The companies have not disclosed the terms of the transaction. First Solar developed and designed the project, and will supply engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services. Pre-construction activity has begun on the site, and First Solar expects to complete the project in late 2016. Read more

Martifer Solar and Citelum to develop 1.46MW PV plant in Izamel, Mexico

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 6:39 (PV-Tech)

Portuguese PV developer Martifer Solar, a subsidiary of Martifer SGPS, has formed a partnership with French urban developer Citelum to develop a 1.46MW PV facility in Izamal, a municipality in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Read more

US States Should Study the Northeast for EPA Compliance Answers

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 18:47 (Renewable Energy World)

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to release draft regulations for greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector on June 2nd, this week ENE released a report describing how the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) provides a proven, effective model for reducing power plant emissions. Read more

Are we suffering from ‘Green Fatigue’? Green Energy News Review 28 May

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 17:46 (Solarpowerportal)

Reports are coming in from around the world: consensus is that people don’t want to talk about climate change. With results ranging from amusing to flabbergasting, Wednesday’s GENR discusses the ‘green fatigue’ issue Read more

Are we suffering from ‘Green Fatigue’?: Green Energy News Review 28 May

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 17:46 (PV-Tech)

Reports are coming in from around the world: consensus is that people don’t want to talk about climate change. With results ranging from amusing to flabbergasting, Wednesday’s GENR discusses the ‘green fatigue’ issue. Read more

PV Tech unveils new energy storage site

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 17:15 (PV-Tech)

Today sees the launch of PV Tech Storage, a new sister site to PV Tech covering the burgeoning energy storage industry. Read more

PV storage safety flaws present fire hazard, scientists warn

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 14:53 (PV-Tech)

Some home energy storage systems, such as those increasingly used with PV, have potential safety flaws that could lead to an increased risk of fire, according to a study by German researchers. Read more

Harnessing the Power of the Tides

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 14:36 (Renewable Energy World)

Tidal power remains one of the great engineering challenges yet to be fully exploited in the modern world and yet it was first mooted more than a century ago. The oceans hold enormous quantities of potential energy that can be developed with very low greenhouse gas emissions. Read more

Climate Change and the American Economy

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 13:03 (Renewable Energy World)

The 3rd National Climate Assessment (NCA) was released earlier this month, painting a frightening picture of the spiraling costs of climate disruption to America and highlighting the need to price carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. While President Obama has pledged action and the electricity industry nervously awaits new EPA regulations for power plant emissions, the most appropriate action remains politically impossible: carbon taxes, cap and trade and carbon pricing are all consistently used as divisive issues to excite the conservative base of the GOP. Read more

Bill to freeze Ohio's Alternative Energy Portfolio policy advances

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 9:16 (Solarserver)

A legislative committee in the U.S. state of Ohio has advanced a bill to freeze the state's renewable energy requirements for two years. SB 310 has passed the House Public Utilities Committee, and will now move to the full House of Representatives for approval. The bill has already passed the Ohio Senate, so if passed by the House it will go to Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) for approval. Governor Kasich is expected to sign the bill, which will halt the increase of targets under Ohio's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard for two years. Read more

Yingli Green Energy considers bid for Dubai PV project

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 0:41 (PV-Tech)

Leading PV energy provider, Yingli Green Energy is mulling over the opportunity to help take part in developing a solar project in Dubai. Read more

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. considers bid for Dubai PV project

Wednesday, 5.28.2014 - 0:15 (PV-Tech)

Leading PV energy provider, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., is mulling over the opportunity to help take part in developing a solar project in Dubai. Read more