Photovoltaics (PV) News for December 2009

Photovoltaics (PV) News Archive

First Solar and NRG Energy open 21 MW solar PV power plant in California

NRG Energy Inc has started commercial operation of the 21 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Blythe, California, it bought from First Solar in November.

Phoenix Solar sets up subsidiary in Oman

Phoenix Solar AG has founded a subsidiary, Phoenix Solar LLC, in Muscat, Oman together with Silver Circle Overseas LLC.

Germany receives A-grade for solar power policies

Germany has received the top grade for solar power policies in the Global Solar Report Card released by Global Green USA on behalf of President Gorbachev’s Green Cross International (GCI).

Azure Power opens 2 MW privately owned solar PV plant in India

Azure Power has inaugurated what it calls the first privately operated, utility scale, solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in India.

South Australia supports renewable energy in the state

The state government of South Australia has made two announcements to promote the use of renewable energy.

Renewable energy increases 21% in Ireland

The use of renewable energy in Ireland expanded by 21% in 2008, according to the analytic report, ‘Energy in Ireland 1990-2008.’

Trina Solar inaugurates Europe’s largest solar PV rooftop system

Trina Solar Ltd has inaugurated what it calls the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Europe with a capacity of 40 MW.

First Solar to add eight production lines in 2010 in Malaysia

First Solar Inc is expanding by adding 8 production lines in Malaysia in 2010 to satisfy a global contracted and advanced pipeline of over 6 GW.

Italy completes its largest solar PV facility

The 24 MW Montalto di Castro solar power plant has been completed as the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in Italy, as the first phase of a planned 85-100 MW development that will be fully operational in 2010.

Italy and France help solar PV industry back to growth - study

Italy and France are moving the European solar photovoltaic (PV) industry forward by contributing significant growth in the near term in the wake of the slowing in the Spanish market, says analyst Emerging Energy Research (EER).

Suntech to deliver up to 490 MW of solar PV modules to Europe

Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd has signed three long-term supply agreements for up to 490 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to be delivered over the next three years in Europe.

Bank provides €500m for solar PV projects in Europe

A new financing structure for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in France and Italy will receive financial assistance from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

PLG Power plans 60 MW of solar PV power plants in India

PLG Power Ltd, a Mumbai based manufacturer of crystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and provider of solar PV power plants, plans to set up an aggregate of 60 MW solar PV power plants in India.

First Solar produces 1 GW of solar PV modules in a single year

First Solar Inc manufactured and shipped more than 1 GW of its solar photovoltaic (PV) solar modules in 2009, and could thereby be the first solar PV company to attain this production volume in a single year.

REC and ECN reach 17% efficiency with multicrystalline solar PV panels

REC and the Energy research Center of the Netherlands (ECN) have made multicrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with 17% efficiency.

COP15: Solar groups want climate conference to recognise contribution of solar energy

Two dozen solar energy associations from around the world have told the United Nations at COP15 in Copenhagen that a significant portion of GHG emissions could be eliminated through an accelerated deployment of solar energy.

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Masdar PV sees installation of first roof mounted solar thin-film system Masdar PV sees installation of first roof mounted solar thin-film system

Masdar PV has seen its solar photovoltaic (PV) thin-film modules installed for the first time on a rooftop.

Utilities to drive solar PV in United States Utilities to drive solar PV in United States

At a time when most energy investments have been curtailed by a weak economy, US utility solar photovoltaic (PV) activity has spiked over the last 18 months, says analyst Emerging Energy Research (EER).

Canadian solar farm to quadruple in capacity

A 20 MW solar facility in the province of Ontario will expand to 80 MW to become the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) energy facility in North America.

Suntech to supply 17 MW of solar PV modules to Canada’s Pure Energies

Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd will supply 17 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to Pure Energies in 2010 under a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

USA remains most attractive country for renewable energy

The United States remains the most attractive country overall for renewable energy, but China has moved ahead of Germany to take second spot in the rankings released by Ernst & Young.

Q-Cells and LDK Solar resume solar wafer contract

Q-Cells SE and LDK Solar Co. Ltd have reached an agreement to continue their supply contract for solar wafers from 2009 to 2018.

Europeans embrace recycling to fight climate change, but not renewable energy

Europeans consider climate change to be the second-most serious problem facing the world today, but paying for green / renewable energy or installing solar panels or wind turbines are the least popular method to address the challenge.

40 MW of solar PV in the Czech Republic 40 MW of solar PV in the Czech Republic

Nobility Solar Projects plans to build solar photovoltaic (PV) plants with a total output of 40 MW in the Czech Republic in 2010.

Phoenix Solar to found subsidiary in the United States

Phoenix Solar AG, an international solar photovoltaic (PV) system integrator, is in the process of preparing its entry into the market of the United States.