Photovoltaics (PV) News for March 2010

Photovoltaics (PV) News Archive

Europe could have 100% renewable energy by 2050: study

Europe and North Africa could obtain all of their electricity from renewable energy by 2050, if the concept is supported by a single European power market united with a similar market in North Africa.

US agency funded to stimulate solar energy research

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has received US$2.7 million to help the state of California stimulate research into solar energy.

California group opposes major solar energy proposal

An independent consumer advocacy division within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) says it opposes a US$1.5 billion solar photovoltaic proposal currently under consideration by CPUC.

Designate renewable energy zones across US, suggests think-tank

A US think tank says creating ‘competitive renewable energy zones’ would be a solution to raise the private investment that is needed to update transmission infrastructure, increase capacity for renewable energy and move toward the ‘smart grid.’

Solar developer completes solar-wind installation for US university

Constellation Energy has installed a 1.2 MW solar and wind power system at the University of Toledo's Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation in Ohio.

US utility wants 15 MW of solar energy

Detroit Edison is looking for corporate and academic institutions which have large rooftops or ground area that can host solar energy installations.

BP stops making solar panels at US facility

BP Solar says it will cease production at its solar plant in Maryland, due to high costs and declining PV prices.

Chinese policies could make things challenging for foreign renewable energy, says report

China has moved steadily to prevent foreign participation in its renewable energy market, which will have a negative impact on the renewable energy industry in the United States and other countries.

Regulator funds US279m for renewable energy projects

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved US$279 million over five years for renewable energy projects, part of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

Wales can dramatically increase renewable energy capacity by 2025

Wales has the potential to generate twice its electricity demand from renewable energy sources within 15 years, according to environment minister Jane Davidson.

Wind and solar power cost sensitive to load factors

The cost to generate onshore wind can be as low as US$48/MWh and as high as US$188/MWh for offshore wind, according to a detailed analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

NREL and 3M cooperate on renewable energy research

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and 3M have signed agreements on renewable energy research.

SunPower builds 1 MW solar power system in California

SunPower will design and construct a 1 MW solar power system at the Yolo County Justice Center in Woodland, California, USA.

Joint programme for renewable energy in California

A new programme will streamline and accelerate the permitting and siting process for large-scale renewable energy projects in California, USA.

SunPower gets US$1.5m from California Solar Initiative

SunPower Corp has been awarded two grants totalling approximately US$1.5 million from the California Solar Initiative Research, Development, Deployment and Demonstration (CSI RD&D) Program.

Worldwide solar PV market reaches 6.43 GW in 2009

Worldwide solar photovoltaic (PV) installations reached 6.43GW in 2009 – a 6% growth from 2008, according to the latest ‘Marketbuzz 2010 Report’ from market research and consulting company Solarbuzz.

2.4 MW solar rooftop installation uses PV Powered inverters 2.4 MW solar rooftop installation uses PV Powered inverters

PV Powered Inc’s inverters are being used in a 2.4 MW solar thin-film rooftop installation in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Applied Materials expands Taiwanese solar manufacturing

Applied Materials Inc has opened its expanded Tainan Manufacturing Centre in Tainan, Taiwan for flat panel displays and thin-film solar photovoltaics (PV).

Solar energy could provide 10% of US energy

Solar power could meet 10% of energy needs in the United States by 2030, and reduce the US$350 billion to import oil every year.

Americans approve of solar energy on public lands

Solar energy is viewed most favourably by Americans as the energy technology that should be installed on government land that is not set aside for national parks and nature preserves.

Enovos and Avelar form solar PV JV

Enovos Luxembourg SA and Avelar Energy Ltd of Switzerland are forming a solar photovoltaic (PV) joint venture called Aveleos S.A.

LA carbon surcharge to boost renewable energy

The mayor of Los Angeles has announced a carbon reduction surcharge, where the proceeds will support a renewable energy trust fund.

First Solar joins Desertec solar PV initiative First Solar joins Desertec solar PV initiative

First Solar Inc has joined the Desertec Industrial Initiative as an Associated Partner to demonstrate the potential of photovoltaic (PV) solar technology in deserts.

Fronius launches new solar PV central inverters

The new Fronius CL central inverter series with power classes 36, 48 and 60 kW is suited for solar PV (photovoltaic) systems up to several hundred kilowatts, Fronius says.

Revenue for solar, wind and biofuels reached US$139bn in 2009

Growth in the three renewable energy sectors last year was 11.4% over 2008, and their US$139 billion in aggregate revenue will reach US$326bn by 2019.

California regulator allows RECs in RPS

The California Public Utilities Commission will allow tradable renewable energy credits (TRECs) to be used in the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS).

Prothea develops 10 MW of solar PV in Italy

Prothea is developing three solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totalling approximately 10 MW in Central and Southern Italy.

First Solar sells 30 MW solar PV project

First Solar Inc has sold a 30 MW AC photovoltaic (PV) solar power project to Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy for an undisclosed sum.

Monocrystalline silicon solar cells with 19% efficiency

German Sunways AG and the Institut für Solarenergieforschung Hameln (ISFH) have produced a monocrystalline silicon solar cell with an efficiency of 19.1%.

Trina Solar increases solar module shipments to Enerqos

Trina Solar Ltd has increased its yearly shipments of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to Italian solar PV system and plant construction company Enerqos SPA.

SunPower delivers 200 MW solar panels to SCE

SunPower Corp will deliver 200 MW of solar panels for Southern California Edison’s (SCE) utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installation programme.

EU on track to meet target from renewable energy

The European Union will surpass its target to consume 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2020, according to national forecasts submitted by its member states.

Statkraft and Siemens open solar PV plant in Italy

The 3.3 MW Casale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Italy has been opened by Siemens Energy and Norwegian utility Statkraft.

Q-Cells CEO leaves on solar PV market crisis

Q-Cells SE’s CEO Anton Milner has resigned from the company’s Management Board with immediate effect stating the crisis in the global solar photovoltaic (PV) market as a main factor.

Trina Solar supplies 25 MW solar PV to US wholesaler

Trina Solar Ltd will supply around 25 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to Essco Wholesale Electric Inc, in the USA.

Canadian feed-in tariff approves solar projects

The feed-in tariff in the province of Ontario has approved the first trache of larger solar energy projects.

US solar firm buys Italian solar facility

Prime Sun Power will purchase a 25 MW solar electric plant in Italy.

Renewable energy in Australia is “largely undeveloped”

The Government of Australia has released its first national Energy Resource Assessment, concluding that wind energy and other renewable energy sources are expected to become increasingly significant.

Suntech’s net income soars 182% in 2009

Suntech saw a 182% surge in net income attributable to holders of ordinary shares to US$91.48 million in 2009.

Phoenix Solar net profit down 63.7% in 2009

Phoenix Solar saw consolidated net profit slump 63.7% to €8.5 million in 2009 following the fall in prices and the financial downturn.

SunPower and K6 build 2 MW solar PV in Italy

SunPower Corp and K6 S.a.S. will build two 1 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the Puglia region, Italy.

First Solar supplies 300 MW solar thin-film PV to PG&E

First Solar Inc will supply electricity from a 300 MW utility-scale solar thin-film photovoltaic (PV) facility in Southern California to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

Renewable energy can meet 100% of demand: US study

A study in North Carolina suggests that solar and wind energy could supply 94% of the electricity needs in the state.

Germany reduces solar subsidy

The German Cabinet has approved a reduction in the feed-in tariffs for solar energy.

Kyocera launches 215 W and 14.4% efficiency solar module

Kyocera is launching the KD215GH-2PU, 215 W solar photovoltaic (PV) module with at 14.4% rated efficiency from the KD series.

Q-Cells - largest solar PV system integrator In 2009

Q-Cells International was the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) system integrator in 2009, according to a study by IMS Research.

Kyocera manufactures solar modules in USA

Kyocera plans to manufacture solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in California, USA, to serve the US market.

Trina Solar EU HQ in Switzerland

Trina Solar Ltd has established a European regional headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, which commenced initial operations as of January 2010.

Enerqos Group constructs solar PV roofs

The Enerqos Group has begun the construction of two solar photovoltaic (PV) roofs (200 kWp and 400 kWp respectively), to cover the shopping centres of Nova Coop, one of the largest distribution chains in Piedmont, Italy.

23,450 jobs if Colorado state supports solar

The state of Colorado, USA, could create thousands of jobs if it approves legislation to require large utilities to increase their use of renewable energy.

Kyocera increases solar PV production to 1 GW Kyocera increases solar PV production to 1 GW

Kyocera is increasing its annual solar photovoltaic (PV) cell production targets to 1 GW by March 2013.

NPD Group acquires solar energy market researcher Solarbuzz

The NPD Group has acquired Solarbuzz LLC, an international solar energy market research and consulting company.

Solar boat uses 500 m2 of PV panels Solar boat uses 500 m2 of PV panels

The world’s largest solar powered boat will launch next month and travel around the world in 2011.

Solar JV between SolarWorld and Qatar Foundation

SolarWorld AG has a 29% stake in the newly founded solar joint venture Qatar Solar Technologies (QST) headquartered in the Emirate of Qatar.

SunPower delivers 32 MW of solar panels to Toshiba

SunPower Corp will deliver 32 MW of solar panels to Toshiba Corporation in 2010.

Mitsubishi Electric expands solar power activities Mitsubishi Electric expands solar power activities

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has completed construction of PV Cell Plant #2, a solar photovoltaic (PV) cell production facility at its Nakatsugawa Works Iida Factory in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Renewable energy developer juwi expands

The juwi group of Germany is expanding in Germany and the USA – “one of the world’s largest growth markets for renewable energies.”

Heliocentris wins further photovoltaic-fuel cell system order in the Gulf

German-based Heliocentris Fuel Cells is to supply an autonomous fuel cell power supply solution to the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAEET), a leading training center in Kuwait.

Sputnik launches central solar inverter series

Sputnik is launching three SolarMax TS solar inverters with rated capacities of 50, 80 and 100 kW and work in the MPP range of 430-800 V.