Photovoltaics (PV) News for January 2012

Photovoltaics (PV) News Archive

SMA Sunny PRO Club extends regional forums through 2012

SMA’s Sunny PRO Club—a membership-based professional partnership programme for solar installers—has extended its Regional Forums in North America through 2012.

Trina completes first European Trinamount installation Trina completes first European Trinamount installation

Trina Solar has completed its first Trinamount solar photovoltaic (PV) mounting installation in Europe – at a 50 kWp solar PV system in Cumbria, UK.

Aries and Wind To Power launch LVRT retrofit for Spanish solar PV

Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas and Wind To Power System (w2pS) have entered a partnership agreement to supply an integrated low voltage ride through (LVRT) solution for solar photovoltaic (PV) to ensure compliance with new Spanish regulations.

No Europeans among top 10 solar PV cell manufacturers

Despite high demand in Europe, there are no European companies in the latest top 10 list of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturers from Lux Research.

Solar PV module prices to fall 4% in January

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module prices are expected to fall 4% in January after a 7% increase in December 2011 due to a temporary pick-up in demand ahead of feed-in tariff reductions in a number of key markets, according to IMS Research.

First Solar reaches 14.4% efficiency with CdTe solar PV module

First Solar Inc has set a new record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar module efficiency, reaching a 14.4% total area efficiency.

Telgenco launches 5 kW 48 V DC renewable energy generator

Telgenco of Cambridge, UK, has launched a 5 kW 48 V DC generator targeted specifically for renewable energy deployments and remote telecoms sites.

Q-Cells' crystalline 60-cells solar modules set new records

Q-Cells SE has set two records – for module efficiency and peak output – with its 60-cell solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

SolarMax solar inverter warranty extended

Sputnik Engineering is offering a free warranty extension for its SolarMax central solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters.

Abound Solar and Solarsis commission 1 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh, India

Abound Solar and Solar Integration Systems India Private Ltd (Solarsis) have commissioned a 1 MW thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Mind4Energy launches solar PV monitoring system

Mind4Energy bvba Ltd has launched a solar photovoltaic (PV) monitoring system offering visualisations and comparisons of key performance indicators of solar plants.

Masdar PV commissions 11.7 MWp thin-film solar park in Germany

Masdar PV has completed a 11.7 MWp thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Gotha, Thuringia, in Germany.

UK proposes March solar feed-in tariff deadline depending on court appeal

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change has made provisions for a 3 March 2012 deadline for the reduced solar feed-in tariff should it lose a court appeal regarding its original December cut-off date.

Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures

Missed our report into 2010's renewable power generation figures? Catch up here...

Masdar and DBJ invest in solar and wind

Masdar and the Development Bank of Japan plan to invest in solar and wind projects in OECD countries.

Dow Corning opens solar R&D facility in Belgium

Dow Corning has completed its €9 million Solar Energy Exploration and Development (SEED) centre in Seneffe, Belgium, which includes a Solar Application Centre and a Silicone Synthesis Technology Centre.

Germany surpassed record solar PV year 2010

The German Bundesnetzagentur estimates that the sale of new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in 2011 reached 7.5 GW – slightly up from the 7.4 GW record set in 2010.

Trina Solar combines design, modules and racking systems

Trina Solar Ltd is offering a three-pronged service solution featuring complimentary design services, Honey solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and the rapid-install Trinamount racking system.

PSEG Solar buys 25.2 MW Arizona solar project from Juwi

PSEG Solar Source has bought the 25.2 MW DC (19 MW AC) Queen Creek Solar Farm to be developed by juwi solar Inc in Arizona, USA, for US$75 million.

Dubai plans 1 GW solar project

Dubai is planning a 1 GW solar project using both solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) technology in Seih Al Dahal near Dubai-Al Ain road.

First Solar provides solar power for golf tournament First Solar provides solar power for golf tournament

First Solar is to be the 'Official Solar Provider' of the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament in golf.

REC halves solar wafer capacity at Norwegian facility

REC intends to temporary halt 50% of the capacity at its 300 MW monocrystalline solar wafer facility in Glomfjord, Norway, affecting 65 employees.

Europe still a solar hot-spot

The European solar market remains hot despite the financial crisis and subsidy cuts, according to analyst Lux Research.

Solar module production method reduces cost Solar module production method reduces cost

A process for solar photovoltaic (PV) module production developed by Bystronic Glass and Fraunhofer ISE could reduce production times and cost.

SEIA and the Solar Alliance merge

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Alliance have merged in the US to present a unified solar industry voice in all advocacy efforts at the state level.

UK Government challenges claim that solar FiT cuts are illegal

UK Energy Minister Greg Barker has announced via Twitter that the Government will try to appeal a ruling that its solar feed-in tariff cuts are illegal.

LDK Solar buys stake in Sunways – proposes takeover.

LDK Solar has entered into an investment agreement with Sunways AG to acquire 33% of Sunways’ increased share capital following a capital increase, at the same time as proposing a takeover.

Nile Basin countries want wind and solar

The Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) has proposed to include wind and solar in addition to hydropower into the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), to ensure greater access to electricity.

US DoI approves solar and wind in California and Oregon

The US Department of the Interior (DoI) has approved a solar plant in California and a wind farm in Oregon.

US BLM seeks comments on leasing of solar and wind power

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking comments on its plans for establishing an efficient, competitive process for issuing right-of-way (ROW) leases for solar and wind energy development on public lands.

German solar produced 18 TWh in 2011 German solar produced 18 TWh in 2011

German solar produced over 18 TWh in 2011, up 60% from 2010, according to the Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW-Solar).

Enel Green Power installs 880 MW of wind and solar in 2011

Enel Green Power has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power projects totalling 880 MW in 2011.

Tata Power acquires rest of Tata BP Solar

Tata Power has signed a share purchase agreement with BP Alternative Energy Holdings to purchase its remaining 51% equity and preference stake in the joint venture (JV) Tata BP Solar.

NREL licenses black silicon for solar PV to Natcore

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has entered a patent licence agreement with Natcore Technology Inc to develop a line of black silicon products, which could help increase solar photovoltaic (PV) cell efficiency.