News for November 2010

News Archive

Oerlikon makes changes to Drive Systems and Solar segments

Oerlikon has initiated fundamental changes in its Drive Systems and Solar Segments as part of its strategy to further optimise business and management structures for profitable growth.

Lufthansa begins flights with renewable fuel Lufthansa begins flights with renewable fuel

Neste Oil and Lufthansa have signed a cooperative arrangement that will see Lufthansa begin commercial flights using Neste Oil's NExBTL renewable jet fuel next spring.

Online tool for clean energy technologies patents

The European Patent Office (EPO) has created a free online search tool providing unrestricted access to all patent documents related to clean energy technologies (CETs) worldwide.

REpower supplies 43.05 MW of wind turbines to Energiekontor UK REpower supplies 43.05 MW of wind turbines to Energiekontor UK

REpower is supplying a total of 43.05 MW of its 2.05 MW, MM82 wind turbine to Energiekontor UK Construction Ltd.

UK awards £62m to smart grid projects

The UK energy regulator Ofgem has awarded £62 million to four smart grid projects as part of the low-carbon networks fund competition.

DNV certifies offshore wind converter station

Risk management company Det Norske Veritas (DNV) will certify an offshore wind high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter station being built by grid operator TenneT in the German sector of the North Sea.

TwentyNinety supplies solar module management and control solutions

TwentyNinety Ltd will supply their wireless solar module level management and control solution, Active Array, to Schüco International KG.

LIMPET wave power plant 10 years

Voith Hydro Wavegen’s LIMPET wave power plant has been grid connected and operating for 10 years.

Sharp Solar to become RoHS compliant by 2012

Sharp Solar says its crystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) products will be in compliance by the EU Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical Equipment (RoHS) Directive by the beginning of 2012.

Natural Power coordinates EIA for Narec’s Offshore Wind Demonstrator Scheme

Natural Power will be the coordinator for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the offshore elements of the Narec Offshore Wind Demonstrator Scheme in the UK.

LDK Solar reaches capacity at polysilicon plant

LDK Solar Co Ltd has reached the designed capacity of its second 5000 MT polysilicon train in its Mahong polysilicon plant in China.

LM delivers 61.5 m blades for Thornton Bank Offshore Wind Farm II and III

LM Wind Power Blades will deliver its 61.5 m wind turbine blades for the 48 REpower 6M offshore wind turbines which will be installed as part of phase II and III of the Thornton Bank Offshore Wind Farm.

Simulation programme for solar thin-film

German software developer doppelintegral GmbH has launched version 8.0.1 of its software INSEL (Integrated Simulation Environment Language) for solar thin-film modules.

Gamesa et al plan 15 MW offshore wind turbine

Gamesa together with other companies and research institutions are looking at developing a 15 MW offshore wind turbine by 2020.

SCHOTT Solar expands in Greece SCHOTT Solar expands in Greece

SCHOTT Solar AG is opening a new sales office in Thessaloniki, Greece, as the company continues its expansion initiative in Southern Europe.

REpower turbines to Thornton Bank offshore wind farm expansion REpower turbines to Thornton Bank offshore wind farm expansion

REpower will supply 48 of its 6M offshore wind turbines for expansion phases 2 and 3 totalling 295 MW of the Belgian offshore wind farm Thornton Bank.

Solar inverter shipments hit 7.3 GW in Q3 2010 Solar inverter shipments hit 7.3 GW in Q3 2010

Solar inverter shipments grew by 50% in the third quarter (Q3) 2010 to reach 7.3 GW, another record quarter for the industry, says IMS Research.

UK museum generates income with solar PV

The National Trust's carriage museum at Arlington Court is now generating its own income following the installation of one of the UK's largest solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on a historic building.

UK urban wind turbine launched in Germany UK urban wind turbine launched in Germany

quietrevolution has signed an exclusive agreement with RWE Innogy for the sale of its small wind turbines specifically designed for populated areas.

SMart Wind scoping report for Hornsea offshore wind farms

SMart Wind has submitted a Scoping Report to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) detailing the proposed approach to the development of the first offshore wind farm projects in the 4 GW Hornsea Zone, UK.

Solyndra and Sika cooperate on solar PV rooftops Solyndra and Sika cooperate on solar PV rooftops

Solyndra Inc and Sika Services AG, a manufacturer of roofing materials, have reached a multi-year sales agreement for Solyndra’s cylindrical solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for large rooftops.

Draka Offshore provides cable for Baltic 2 offshore wind farm

Draka Offshore will provide the array cabling for the Baltic 2 offshore wind farm in Germany from Visser & Smit Marine Contracting.

RWE and RAG build wind farms with pumped storage RWE and RAG build wind farms with pumped storage

RAG Montan Immobilien and RWE Innogy plan to turn a waste heap into a power plant combining wind power with pumped storage.

Solar CPV reaches commercialisation

The end of this year will see approximately 20 MW of solar concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) systems connected to the grid with expectations of rising to GW level in the next five years, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) says.

Vestas preferred supplier for Galician wind projects

Vestas says it has been selected as the preferred technology partner for 1655 MW of wind turbine projects in Galacia, Spain.

RES acquires solar thermal company

RES is acquiring the remaining share capital of UK company Future Heating Ltd, a provider of commercial and large-scale solar thermal systems.

Floating tidal power plant opened in Norway Floating tidal power plant opened in Norway

Hydra Tidal’s floating tidal power plant, Morild II, has been officially opened in Gimsøystraumen in Lofoten, Northern Norway.

Aquamarine Power raises £11m Aquamarine Power raises £11m

Wave energy developer Aquamarine Power has raised £11 million, taking its Oyster wave device one step closer to commercialisation.

Tenesol solar BIPV module

Tenesol, the solar power provider owned by TOTAL and EDF, has launched a new dual-glass building integrated solar photovoltaic (BIPV) module in Europe.

Platina buys 10 MW of solar PV in Italy

Private equity fund manager Platina Partners LLP has acquired 10 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects from the Degennaro Group, an Italian construction firm.

Bavaria builds 10 MW geothermal power plant

A 10 MW geothermal power plant is being built in Kirchweidach, Bavaria, Germany, by GEOenergie Kirchweidach GmbH.

Solar-Fabrik opens French solar PV branch

Solar-Fabrik AG has opened its French branch in Lyon, increasing its presence in one of the largest European growth markets for solar photovoltaics (PV).

Samsung wind turbine gets GL certification

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has received a Type Certificate from GL Renewables Certification (GL) for their wind turbine SHI 2.5 MW, load class IEC 2A.

Tata invests €806.7m in wind

Indian Tata Power is investing €806.7 million win wind power, as it aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its portfolio.

Vestas sells 77.4 MW of wind turbines to Argentina Vestas sells 77.4 MW of wind turbines to Argentina

Vestas will deliver 34 of its V90-1.8 MW wind turbines to Emgasud S.A. for its Rawson I-II wind farms in the Chubert Province, Argentina.

African feed-in tariffs in the spotlight

Since South Africa introduced a feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme last year the question of how to extend similar renewable energy schemes throughout the content is on the table.

Frost & Sullivan prize to Sputnik Engineering

Sputnik Engineering has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Global Price Performance Value Leadership of the Year Award 2010.

Statkraft sells solar project subsidiary to Innotech Solar

Statkraft is selling its solar project company RA 2 S.r.l. to ITS Power AG, a daughter company of Norwegian solar company Innotech Solar AS.

Risø DTU produces polymer solar cell test method platform Risø DTU produces polymer solar cell test method platform

Risø DTU is going to put a newly developed test platform for polymer solar cells into production.

Silfab buys 10% of hydropower developer Silfab buys 10% of hydropower developer

Silfab SpA is acquiring 10% of the share capital of Idrofin Srl, an Italian developer of hydropower plants in Eastern Europe with a core business in Romania.

PNE WIND completes 12 MW Oldendorf wind farm PNE WIND completes 12 MW Oldendorf wind farm

Wind farm developer PNE WIND AG has completed the 12 MW Oldendorf wind farm in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Vestas revises 2010 forecast

In connection with a change in its accounting policies, Vestas has revised its forecast for 2010 to revenues of €6.8 billion.

University receives grant for small wind technologies

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has received almost £1.1 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to aid in the development and uptake of small wind turbine technologies.

EU ahead on CO2 schedule – behind on renewable energy

Capgemini says the EU is ahead of its 2020 targets for CO2 emissions, but that it lags behind on the expansion of renewable energy, in its twelfth edition of the European Energy Markets Observatory (EEMO) report.

Scotland publishes Low Carbon Economic Strategy

The new strategy outlines the Scottish Government’s plans to utilise Scotland’s natural resources with the aim of ensuring economic growth, securing an estimated 60,000 new green jobs and cutting emissions.

Counting down to the Zayed Future Energy Prize

The top 40 contestants for the 2011 Zayed Future Energy Prize will be announced next week.

juwi Group plans 60 MW solar PV in Birmingham, UK

German juwi Group plans constructing solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants totalling over 60 MW over the next two years in Birmingham, UK, as it establishes an office in the city.

Dow Corning and WACKER open Chinese silicone manufacturing site

Dow Corning Corporation and Wacker Chemie AG have inaugurated their US$1.8 billion, joint integrated silicone manufacturing site in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, China.

Brazilian 200 MW solar PV project proposed Brazilian 200 MW solar PV project proposed

OSolar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Taubaté, Brazil, for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

Chinese expansion for wind turbine gear manufacturer

Finland's Moventas is due to expand its Chinese operations into manufacturing in line with the growing Asia Pacific market for industrial and wind turbine gear business.

Global offshore wind market to spend €38bn

Energy business analysts Douglas-Westwood expects to see offshore wind expenditure of €38 billion over the next five years.

Renewed UK Government business plan clarifies renewable energy scheme

As part of coalition changes, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published a business plan confirming and clarifying commitments for the period up until 2015.

Etrion and SunPower build 10 MW of Italian solar PV plants

Etrion Corporation and SunPower Corp are building two solar power photovoltaic (PV) plants, totalling 10 MW, in the Puglia region of Italy.

Gamesa prizes for wind turbine innovation patents

Gamesa has held its inaugural 2010 Patents and Inventors Contest recognising two patent for wind turbine innovations among its employees.

Low-carbon energy can meet needs by 2050 Low-carbon energy can meet needs by 2050

Taken as a whole, energy sources with low or no carbon emissions could easily cover the global energy supply in 2050, according to Risø Energy Report 9.

Centrotherm subsidiary wins major solar PV coatings order

FHR Anlagenbau, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centrotherm Photovoltaics, has won a major order to supply Solarion with several roll-to-roll solar photovoltaic (PV) coating systems.

Kyocera supplies solar PV electric bicycle charging in Japan Kyocera supplies solar PV electric bicycle charging in Japan

Kyocera Corporation has developed a Solar Cycle Station, a solar photovoltaic (PV) powered recharging station for electric-assisted bicycles in Japan.

Suntech’s Q3 2010 net income up 10% - acquires wafer capacity

Suntech reported a net income of US$33.2 million in the third quarter (Q3) of 2010, a 10% increase on the same period last year.

Mott MacDonald completes EIA for geothermal in Indonesia

Mott MacDonald has conducted three environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) for three geothermal power plant projects for Pertamina Geothermal Energy in Indonesia.

KMT Robotic Solutions receives Energetx turbine blade automation order

KMT Robotic Solutions Inc and Stiles Machinery Inc have announced the sale of a wind turbine blade root end cut and drill system to Energetx Composites LLC.

Cost is king in solar power

With a clear edge in both efficiency and profit margin, crystalline silicon solar modules threaten to steal market share from thin-film solar technologies, says analyst Lux Research.

Langlee Wave Power builds wave energy plants in Turkey Langlee Wave Power builds wave energy plants in Turkey

Langlee Wave Power AS and Turksih Ünmaksan have agreed to build five wave power systems totalling 600 kW in Turkey.

Further commitment to geothermal needed in Australia

Australia could become a world geothermal leader if the nation makes further long-term commitment to building the geothermal energy industry, says Australian Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA) Chairman Terry Kallis.

£1.9bn tender for transmission links to UK offshore wind farms £1.9bn tender for transmission links to UK offshore wind farms

UK’s Ofgem has announced a £1.9 billion tender round for transmission links to 2.8 GW of offshore wind farms.

Statkraft builds second hydropower plant in Turkey

Statkraft is constructing a 102 MW hydropower plant, Kargi, in Turkey, representing an investment of around €250 million.

Solar PV needs a stable framework, EPIA

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) says all necessary national support instruments for renewable energy including solar photovoltaics (PV) must be preserved.

Vattenfall gets green light for Ray Wind Farm

Vattenfall has received planning permission for a 56 MW wind farm in Northumberland, UK.

Canadian Fundy tidal project gets funding Canadian Fundy tidal project gets funding

The Government of Canada is contributing CA$20 million for the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) tidal project in the Bay of Fundy.

India and UK collaborate on low-carbon technologies

Business leaders from the UK and India have called for closer trade ties on low-carbon technologies with the aim of boosting economic growth at the same time as cutting carbon emissions.

SolarWorld submits offer for Solarparc AG

SolarWorld AG is submitting a voluntary public takeover offer to the shareholders of Solarparc AG.

Vestas deliver 100 MW of wind turbines to Europe

Vestas will deliver 100 MW of wind turbines to a number of wind power projects around Europe in the second half of 2011.

Glastonbury goes solar

The home of the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, Worthy Farm, has installed a 200 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system, making it the largest commercial solar PV installation in the UK.

Access to offshore wind turbines competition gets 600 registrations

The UK Carbon Trust’s competition for safe access to offshore wind turbines, has seen more than 600 organisations from all over the world registering.

A$9bn renewable energy windfall at stake in Victoria, Australia A$9bn renewable energy windfall at stake in Victoria, Australia

Victoria, Australia, could benefit by up to A$9 billion in renewable energy investment under current State Government policies, according to a Clean Energy Council report.

Gamesa hit by uncertain markets – wind energy cushions fall

Gamesa has been hit by the financial and a difficult regulatory backdrop in the first 9 months of 2010, with its net profit tumbling 71% to €25 million.

Q-Cells loss narrows further in Q3 2010 – ups FY forecast

Q-Cells’ net loss has narrowed from €227 million in the third quarter (Q3) of 2009, to €20m in Q3 2010, as the restructuring efforts take effect.

REpower’s H1 2010 net profit up 24.6% despite revenue fall

REpower Systems AG recorded a 24.6% increase in its net result to €21.8 million in the first half (H1) of the financial year 2010/2011.

Solar racing team reaches Canada Solar racing team reaches Canada

The teams competing in the Zero Emissions Race around the world will arrive in Vancouver, Canada, on 12 November, heading towards the UNCCC in Cancun, Mexico.

Nordex reduces 2010 revenue target

Nordex has reduced its 2010 revenue target to €1 billion, compared to the previous €1.2bn, as sales fall due to “weak market conditions”.

Conergy continues recovery in Q3 2010

Conergy is continuing its recovery in the third quarter (Q3) 2010 with its net loss narrowing 82% to €5.1 million.

DONG Energy: revenues from wind and hydropower up 54%

DONG Energy’s 9 months report for 2010 shows a 54% increase in revenue from wind and hydropower.

SolarWorld’s net profit up 13% in Q3 2010 SolarWorld’s net profit up 13% in Q3 2010

SolarWorld AG has reported a net profit of €18.1 million in the third quarter (Q3) 2010, up 13% on the same period last year.

Solar PV module costs pressure from Asia Solar PV module costs pressure from Asia

Pricing pressure for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules will result in a growing share of production taking place in Asia as suppliers seek to drive down solar PV module manufacturing costs according to ongoing analysis from IMS Research.

EU: Up to €5bn for renewable energy and CCS EU: Up to €5bn for renewable energy and CCS

The European Commission has announced its first call under the New Entrants Reserve (NER300) for subsiding installations of renewable energy technology and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

NHEOLIS and Kehua set up small wind turbine JV NHEOLIS and Kehua set up small wind turbine JV

French wind turbine technology provider NHEOLIS and Chinese UPS manufacturer Xiamen Kehua Hengsheng Co Ltd have set up a small wind turbine joint venture (JV).

Solar PV storage system that lasts Solar PV storage system that lasts

Dispatch Energy and Fraunhofer ISE and ISIT have developed a 5 kWh storage system for solar photovoltaics (PV) with a cycle life matching that of most solar panels.

REpower puts wind turbine at Hamburg energy hill REpower puts wind turbine at Hamburg energy hill

REpower Systems AG will supply a 3.4 MW REpower 3.4M104 wind turbine to Hamburg Energie for the Georgswerder Energieberg.

Floating 20 MW offshore wind turbines Floating 20 MW offshore wind turbines

Floating offshore wind turbines with a rating of 20 MW could be possible, according to the DeepWind project lead by Risø DTU.

Kyocera supplies 305 kW of solar power to Mongolia Kyocera supplies 305 kW of solar power to Mongolia

Kyocera Corporation has installed a total of 305.1 kW of solar power systems to two villages in Mongolia through the World Bank’s Renewable Energy for Rural Access Project.

LDK Solar’s net income doubles in Q3 2010

LDK Solar has reported a net income of US$93.4 million in the third quarter (Q3) of 2010, up 107% on the same period last year.

G20 countries urged to spur green jobs – by Vestas…

A working group for creating green jobs, lead by Vestas’ President and CEO Ditlev Engel, is calling on G20 heads of states to facilitate green job creation.

Making wind turbines 'invisible' to radar Making wind turbines 'invisible' to radar

Plans for wind farms are often opposed by air traffic control services and defence organisations on the grounds that they interfere with radar. UK technology organisation QinetiQ and turbine manufacturer Vestas are developing a 'stealth' technology for wind turbine blades.

Gurit blade repair system gets GL certification

Gurit has announced that its new wind turbine blade repair system, RENUVO™, has received Germanischer Lloyd (GL) certification.

Siemens increases offshore wind services Siemens increases offshore wind services

Siemens will provide maintenance for the offshore wind farm grid connections HelWin1 and BorWin2 in the North Sea for an initial period of five years.

Royal Haskoning advises on Dogger Bank offshore wind farm

Royal Haskoning will co-ordinate the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for project one of the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm zone in the UK.

Alstom supplies hydropower turbines and opens plant in China

Alstom will supply five 40 MW bulb turbine and generators for the Xiajiang hydropower station under construction in Jiangxi China.

EU biofuels policy could create “major environmental pressure”

EU biofuels policy does not adequately protect the environment against negative consequences, according to a study reviewing the indirect land use change (ILUC) impact of the EU’s planned increase in biofuels use up to 2020.

OPT and Mitsui to develop wave power technology in Japan

Ocean Power Technologies Inc (OPT) has expanded its relationship with Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd (MES) with the signing of a new contract to develop OPT's PowerBuoy wave power technology for its application in Japanese sea conditions.

PNE Wind’s Q3 2010 loss halves

PNE Wind AG’s third quarter (Q3) 2010 consolidated loss halved to €1.7 million as revenues soared nearly 280% to €15m.

Difficult times for solar inverters – Supply exceeds demand Difficult times for solar inverters – Supply exceeds demand

Solar inverter capacity will be ramped past 30 GW this year and production could thereby exceed demand by more than 2 GW in the fourth quarter, warns IMS Research.

Tidal stream power generator ready for deployment Tidal stream power generator ready for deployment

Neptune Renewable Energy Ltd has completed a series of in-water tests on the full-scale demonstrator of its Proteus NP1000 shallow water tidal stream power generator.

RenewableUK 2010: Statkraft launches renewable power purchase business in the UK

Statkraft has entered into long-term power purchase agreements with two wind farms in Scotland and Wales as Statkraft launches its Renewable Power Purchase business in the UK.

Offshore wind, wave and tidal can meet Europe’s electricity demand

Offshore wind, wave and tidal energy could technically provide all of Europe’s future electricity demand, according to a group of industry experts and scientists under the EU ORECCA project.

RenewableUK 2010: Universal safety standards for offshore renewable energy

Subsea UK has urged the renewable energy sector to take its lead from the maritime offshore industry by adopting universal safety practices to ensure that ‘good business is always safe business’.

Zayed Future Energy Prize gets record number of submissions

The Zayed Future Energy Prize has seen a 30% year-on-year increase in the final number of submissions for the 2011 global competition.

GE turbines to power 88 MW Canadian wind farm

GE will deliver 55 of its 1.6 MW wind turbines to Suncor Energy for wind power projects in Alberta, Canada.

RenewableUK 2010: Wave Hub plugged in and ready RenewableUK 2010: Wave Hub plugged in and ready

The Wave Hub wave energy socket has been plugged in and is now open for business.

Vestas delivers 86 MW of wind turbines to Brazil

Vestas has received an order for 86 MW of wind turbines to an undisclosed customer for wind projects in the state of Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil.

RenewableUK 2010: Anti wind farm campaigners could cost England over £1.3bn

Anti wind farm campaigners could cost local and regional communities across England £1.3 billion in lost investment, jobs, community activities and increased business rates for local authorities, according to RenewableUK.

3B to distribute TYCOR W wind blade core material

Belgian glass reinforcements supplier 3B has been appointed exclusive distributor in Europe and Asia of US company Webcore Technologies' TYCOR® W fibre-reinforced core material for utility scale wind turbine blades.

EU looks at how best to protect birds and habitats

New European Commission guidelines aim to ensure that the development of wind farms in Natura 2000 areas is compatible with the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives.

Report calls for fairer way to calculate differential cost of PV

Phoenix Solar has released a new report - "The True Value of Photovoltaics in Germany", which investigates the differential cost of photovoltaic electricity, as well as its costs and benefits.

Gulf countries should invest in renewables, says expert

Jeroen van der Veer, former CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, said that investment in renewables or alternate sources of energy is essential from a long-term energy security perspective.

Foresight and Solarcentury build UK solar PV plants

Foresight Group and Solarcentury have agreed a financing and installation package to roll-out commercial scale rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) in the UK.

RenewableUK: £70m to build Scotland’s offshore green economy

An investment fund to help Scotland develop its global offshore wind industry has been announced by First Minister Alex Salmond.

CSP - is it time? CSP - is it time?

In our new blogs, Paula Mints reports back from the CSP Project Development USA Conference, and Elizabeth Block gives her take on the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF).

UK's Huhne heralds green homes revolution

Chris Huhne, the UK's Energy and Climate Change Secretary, estimates that by 2015 up to 100,000 "Green Deal" workers could be employed in an effort to upgrade Britain’s homes.

RenewableUK 2010: Oil and gas industry to collaborate on renewables

Senior oil and gas executives and leading figures from the renewable energy industry will gather in Aberdeen next month for a summit to drive forward collaboration between the two sectors.

Oerlikon to lead new PV materials research project

The aim of the project is to further enhance performance and decrease costs of thin film silicon modules within the next three years.

Canadian-German solar cooling project

The Canadian-German Oxford Gardens solar cooling project has been recognised by the dena Solar Roofs Program for Foreign Market Development 2009/10.

Europe: 50% electricity from marine renewables by 2050

By 2050 Europe could get up to 50% of its electricity needs from renewable marine sources, according to a report by the Marine Board of the European Science Foundation.

Metso delivers biomass co-generation power plant to Sweden

Metso will supply a new biomass-fired power boiler using bubbling fluidised bed technology, and a flue-gas cleaning and condensation system to Bomhus Energi AB in Sweden.

RES submits planning application for 25.3 MW Scottish wind farm

RES has submitted a planning application for the 25.3 MW Glenchamber Wind Farm, located between New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

EU Commission supports alpha ventus offshore wind farm

The EU Commission has granted €30 million to the alpha ventus offshore wind farm, according to the German Federal Environment Ministry (BMU).

IEC certification for flexible CIGS solar modules

PVflex Solar GmbH has obtained IEC 61646 and 61739 certification for its flexible copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar modules for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

Mining essential for renewable energy future

Refining and smelting methods for new types of ores are needed to secure the supply of rare metals and minerals for the renewable energy industry, according to the Geological Society of America.

China’s growth in clean energy matches ambition

New Worldwatch report catalogues China’s dominance in renewables and future outlook.

Solyndra solar panels in 1.02 MWp rooftop system

A 1.02 MWp rooftop solar system with a reflective waterproofing membrane and Solyndra solar panels has been completed by alwitra GmbH on a warehouse in Konz, Germany.