Photovoltaics (PV) News for August 2010

Photovoltaics (PV) News Archive

Phaesun sets up solar shops in Mozambique

Phaesun GmbH has started a project of rural electrification through off-grid solar systems in Pessene, Mozambique.

Johanna Solar Technology becomes Bosch Solar CISTech

Johanna Solar Technology GmbH is changing its name to Bosch Solar CISTech GmbH as part of its integration into the Bosch Group's Solar Energy Division.

Solar PV module leader knocked off top spot Solar PV module leader knocked off top spot

IMS Research shows that crystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) module supplier Suntech shipped more modules during Q2 ‘10 than any other company, beating previous market leader and solar thin-film rival First Solar.

Sheffield solar farm opened

University of Sheffield is now home to 70m² solar photovoltaic (PV) panels - expected to generate 8 MWh per annum.

Vigorous testing for solar PV backsheets

Madico, a supplier of solar photovoltaic (PV) backsheets announce that its Protekt backsheet products are the most thoroughly tested on the market.

UK offers £7m for solar nanotechnology

The UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is launching a competition for £7 million for research into solar nanotechnology.

Tokuyama builds Malaysian polycrystalline silicon factory

Japan-based Tokuyama Corporation will build a polycrystalline silicon factory for use in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.

Innotech Solar launches off-grid solar module

Designed for grid-independant solar installation, the Innotech Solar (ITS) 'off-grid' solar module allows different solar cell types to be used, including half and third cells.

LDK Solar increases polysilicon production

LDK Solar Co Ltd’s second polysilicon production facility with an output of 5000 mega tonnes has completed the commissioning process and commenced commercial production.

British Gas introduces solar PV panel scheme

The utility firm takes advantage of the UK Government’s recent feed-in-tariff (FITs) to encourage people to generate their own low-carbon energy including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Trina Solar’s net income doubles in Q2 2010

Trina Solar has reported a doubling in net income for the second quarter (Q2) 2010 to US$38.7 million, compared to US$18.6m in Q2 2009.

Solar PV microinverters and power optimiser shipments to double

Solar photovoltaic (PV) microinverters and DC-DC power optimisers are forecast to generate more than US$1.5 billion in revenues over the next five years, according to IMS Research.

Tanmiyat plans US$200m solar PV in Bahrain

Tanmiyat Aloula Holdings is planning a US$200 million solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Bahrain.

Sunways BIPV project third in Solar Decathlon Sunways BIPV project third in Solar Decathlon

Stuttgart University’s ‘home+’ building project incorporating building integrated solar photovoltaics (BIPV) came third at the international architectural Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 in Madrid, Spain.

Solar thin-film reaches 20.3% efficiency Solar thin-film reaches 20.3% efficiency

A solar thin-film cell has reached a top efficiency of 20.3% at the German Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Germany.

Bosch opens solar cell production plant

Bosch Solar Energy AG has started the production of crystalline solar cells at its new facility in Arnstadt, Germany.

Photosynthetic bioenergy foam competes for US$50,000

New bioenergy production platform 'Photosynthetic Foam' has been shortlisted in the Today The Earth Awards 2010 for sustainable design.

Astronergy increases solar thin-film production

Astronergy is increasing its production capacity from 30 MW to 75 MW in 2011 on follow-up purchase agreement for Oerlikon Solar’s solar thin-film equipment.

Solar PV inverter market record broken Solar PV inverter market record broken

According to IMS Research solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter shipments reached 4.9 GW in Q2 2010, growing by 284%.

Q-Cells builds 5.3 MW solar power in Germany

Q-Cells SE and thermovolt AG have installed a 5.3 MWp solar power station for investment company HEP Kapital near Spremberg, Brandenburg, Germany.

Oerlikon Solar sponsors electric car race Oerlikon Solar sponsors electric car race

Oerlikon Solar is the main sponsor of the Zerotracer solar electric vehicle participating in the Zero Emissions Race.

Oerlikon Solar sales fall 74% in H1 2010

Oerlikon Solar has reported a fall of 74% in sales to CHF74 million in the first half (H1) of 2010.

Sunways net income up 3400% in Q2 2010

Sunways AG has reported a consolidated net income of €3.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, up 3400% from the same period in 2009.

SMA profit up 508% in H1 2010

German inverter company SMA Group has reported a 508% jump in net profits for the first half (H1) of 2010 to €158.2 million.

Italian solar PV company given green light

Acta S.p.A has been given project consent for its three first solar photovoltaic (PV) projects - “well ahead of our expected schedule,” Paolo Bert, CEO.

Q-Cells returns to profit in Q2 2010

Q-Cells reports a net result of €34.7 million in the second quarter (Q2) 2010, compared to a loss of €322.8m in the same quarter last year.

Phoenix Solar’s net income soars in Q2 2010

Phoenix Solar’s net income soared from €1.1 million in the second quarter (Q2) in 2009 to €15.9m in Q2 2010.

Kyocera starts production at Japanese solar cell plant Kyocera starts production at Japanese solar cell plant

Kyocera Corporation is beginning full-scale production at its new Yasu solar cell manufacturing facility in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

Conergy completes two Italian solar plants Conergy completes two Italian solar plants

Conergy Italy has completed two more solar parks in Apulia bringing the total to 6 solar power plants producing 6.6 MWh annually in total.

Window solar thin-film with over 20% efficiency potential Window solar thin-film with over 20% efficiency potential

Norwegian EnSol AS is developing a solar thin-film technology to be used on windows with a potential to reach over 20% efficiency and be commercially available by 2016.

Suntech discontinues solar thin-film

Suntech Power is discontinuing the production of amorphous silicon thin-film solar panels.

SunPower sells 28 MW Italian solar PV park

SunPower Corp is selling the first two phases of the Montalto di Castro solar photovoltaic (PV) power park in Italy to Etrion Corporation for €48 million.

Conergy builds 1.48 MW solar PV plant in Czech Republic Conergy builds 1.48 MW solar PV plant in Czech Republic

Conergy has begun construction of their second Czech solar park, a 1.48 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant near Velký Týnec in the Czech Republic.

iSuppli: solar market set to "continue expansion" in 2011

Despite concerns that reductions in government incentives will halt growth in installations of solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems in 2011, iSuppli Corp. predicts the global PV market will continue to expand next year as falling prices make solar energy more attractive.

Suntech solar PV panels to India

Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd will deliver its 280 W polycrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to Indian solar power producer Azure Power.

Conergy turns loss to profit in Q2 2010

Conergy is reporting a net result of €7.9 million for the second quarter (Q2) 2010, compared to a loss of €31.1m in the same period in 2009.

Centrosolar revenues double in Q2 2010

Centrosolar says its revenues more than doubled to €124 million in the second quarter (Q2) of 2010.

Kyocera targets higher power with new module

The new product will incorporate 60 solar cells (240 Wp) and is aimed at installations on open fields or industrial roof tops.

PV: Optics based surface technology gets NREL boost

Soloptics has publicised the results of tests conducted at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for its FUSION technology, designed to make PV panels more efficient.

BIPV on the upswing

The building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar sector is on the upswing, according to GTM Research.

JV for Italian thin-film solar cells

Sharp Corporation, Enel Green Power (EGP) and STMicroelectronics (ST) have established 3Sun S.r.l., a joint venture (JV) for the production of thin-film solar cells.

DuPont support solar thin-film rooftop installation in Hong Kong

DuPont and Hongkong Electric Co Ltd, a major power utility company in Hong Kong, are cooperating on the building and operation of a 550 kWp thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop project in Hong Kong.