Solar electricity News for August 2011

Solar electricity News Archive

US solar industry saw US$1.9bn net export in 2010

The US solar industry achieved a positive trade flow of US$1.9 billion globally in 2010, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association's (SEIA) and GTM Research’s U.S. Solar Energy Trade Assessment 2011.

Salazar approves transmission for 250 MW solar project

US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has approved a transmission line on public lands connecting a 250 MW solar power project to the energy grid in California.

Loan guarantee granted for 250 MW CSP plant in California

The Department of Energy has finalised a partial guarantee for an US$852 million loan to support the 250 MW Genesis Solar concentrating solar power (CSP) project in California, USA.

SunPower opens 10 MW solar PV park in Delaware

SunPower Corp and LS Power's subsidiary, White Oak Solar Energy LLC, have opened the 10 MW Dover SUN Park solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Dover, DE, USA.

Saint-Gobain buys Solar Gard

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation is buying solar and other speciality films manufacturer Solar Gard Speciality Firms from Bekaert.

Soltas Energy buys NJ solar company Sunergy America

New York’s Soltas Energy Corporation has taken a majority stake in Sunergy America LLC of Wall, New Jersey, USA.

Japan’s TEPCO opens 7 MW solar power plant

The 7 MW Ukishima Solar Power Plant has commenced operation in Kawasaki, Japan.

California approves solar thermal and gas hybrid

The California Energy Commission has approved the construction of a 570 MW solar thermal and gas hybrid power plant in Los Angeles County.

Bangchak Petroleum spends £247m on solar power

Three solar power projects in Thailand are being planned, with a total capacity of 118 MW

GE Energy invests in eSolar thermal technology

GE Energy has entered into an agreement with California-based eSolar, which specialises in tower-based concentrating solar thermal technology.

India rejects two solar PV plants

The Indian government has rejected two of 37 solar projects awarded in its first national renewable auction, but has accepted a number of solar thermal plants.

US reforms electric transmission planning

The changes could significant create opportunities for renewable projects

Bandgap Engineering patents solar cells technology

The two US patents cover technology to improve the performance of silicon nanowire solar cells.

US clean energy investment strong in Q2

Solar thermal projects in the US have attracted billions of dollars in the second quarter of 2011.

Wacker unveils new encapsulant for thin-film solar modules

The silicone encapsulant claims to enable flexible thin-film modules to be laminated using roll-to-roll processing.

Octopus seeks solar investors

Octopus Investments is hoping to make further investment in renewable energy with funding from some of its lower risk, capital preservation-focused investments. 

China sets unified first solar feed-in tariffs

The rates are higher than those proposed by many solar power developers in the country.

SunPower plans solar panel factory in Mexico

The solar manufacturer has announced plans to open a new cell and panel factory in Mexicali.

PG&E and Sempra Generation partner on 150 MW solar project

First Solar will supply solar panels on the expansion of the solar complex in Nevada.

NRG Energy buys 290 MW Agua Caliente solar project

The large-scale solar energy project in Arizona was bought from First Solar.

RenEnergy to supply solar panels to Antarctic research base RenEnergy to supply solar panels to Antarctic research base

British Antarctic Survey has bought two solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for its new research building.

Centrotherm expects rising demand for solar PV upgrades

Centrotherm Photovoltaics has predicted significant demand for high-performance cells and modules from solar cell manufacturers over the coming months.

Data centre project looks to renewables

Researchers are aspiring to show that a network of wind and solar-powered data centres could transform the data and renewable energy industries.

SMA acquires component manufacturer dtw

Polish manufacturer dtw has been a long-term supplier of components for solar inverter production for SMA.

SMA releases extended temperature solar inverters SMA releases extended temperature solar inverters

The new Sunny Boy inverters, approved for temperatures down to -40°C, are available to the Canadian market.

RTR buys 10 solar PV plants in Italy

The purchase brings RTR Group’s installed solar photovoltaic (PV) portfolio to 241 MW.

Solar PV forecast brightens for 2011

IMS Research forecasts over 22 GW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity will added in 2011.

Canada’s renewable energy programme will not be renewed

The Canadian government has refused to commit new funding to a CAD$1.4 billion programme to fund renewable energy projects, according to Bloomberg.

Solar Frontier opens flagship solar panel factory

The 900 MW Kunitomi solar panel plant in Japan is now open for commercial operations.

South Africa launches renewable energy programme

South Africa’s news 20-year plan calls for 42% of new energy generation capacity to come from renewable sources.

SunPower and Citi finance residential solar lease projects

SunPower and Citi have set up a US$105 million fund for residential solar leasing projects in 8 US states.

Veeco exits CIGS solar energy business

Veeco has announced it will end manufacture of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar systems as it posts Q2 2011 financial results.

Australian solar research gets AUS$3.5m boost

The grant will allow a team of researchers in Victoria to continue the development of plastic solar cells.

GM invests in solar power developer Sunlogics

General Motors Ventures has made a US$7.5 million equity investment into Sunlogics and signed commercial agreements with the solar developer.

Solaria enters UK market with 2.2 MW rooftop PV deal

Solaria says the UK is one of its strategic core growth markets because of high solar photovoltaic (PV) demand.