Photovoltaics (PV) News for August 2013

Photovoltaics (PV) News Archive

100% increase in Asian PV demand

Solar photovoltaic (PV) demand from China and Japan during the second half of 2013 is forecast to reach 9 GW, representing an increase of 100% compared to the first half and 70% compared to the second half of 2013, says a new NPD Solarbuzz report.

Industry saddened by First Solar deaths

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) president and CEO Rhone Resch released the following statement after learning of the tragic deaths of two First Solar construction supervisors in a plane crash near the Desert Sunlight solar facility in Riverside County, California.

Solar wafers produce 44.1% cell efficiency

Wales-based IQE plc says that its wafers have been independently certified as achieving 44.1% cell efficiency by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), potentially setting a new world record for production scale concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) wafer technology.

Cost gap for Western renewables could narrow by 2025

A new Energy Department study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) says that, in the US, by 2025 wind and solar power electricity generation could become cost-competitive without federal subsidies.

EIB invests in Central America renewables

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to provide US$230 million backing to support investment in hydropower, wind, geothermal and photovoltaic renewable energy schemes across Central America.

3D graphene could replace platinum in PV 3D graphene could replace platinum in PV

Scientists at Michigan Technological University have developed a new inexpensive 3D graphene that could replace the platinum in solar cells without degrading their efficiency.

Gehrlicher Solar America completes Phase 1 of Arizona solar park

Gehrlicher Solar America Corp has completed building a 4 MW solar array, phase 1 of a 7.2 MWp solar park for UniSource Energy Service (UES) in Rio Rico, Arizona.

Goldpoly to acquire 400MW solar power plants

Goldpoly New Energy Holdings Limited has entered into an agreement with a number of Chinese solar companies to buy 400MW of solar power plants.

Microinverters used in Canada PV plant Microinverters used in Canada PV plant

Enphase Energy says that its Enphase System microinverters are being installed at a 2.3MW (2MW AC) solar project in Ontario, Canada.

SolarCity acquires Paramount Solar

SolarCity Corp is to purchase the assets of Paramount Energy Solutions LLC, which does business under the name of Paramount Solar, a subsidiary of Paramount Equity, for approximately US$120 million.

US solar prices continue decline

The installed price of solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems in the United States fell substantially in 2012 and through the first half of 2013, according to the latest edition of Tracking the Sun, an annual cost report produced by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

Flexible thin film solar cells have increased efficiency

Swiss scientists have developed flexible, light-weight cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells that have an increased efficiency of 11.5 per cent.

21% growth in leading PV module shipments

Quarterly solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments for 20 leading PV manufacturers exceeded 5.8 GW during the second quarter of 2013, a growth of 21% from Q2 2012.

Mitsubishi buys solar energy stakes

Mitsubishi Corp has acquired 50 per cent stakes in two solar power stations in France from EDF Energies Nouvelles SA.

America’s solar energy industry looks to play key role in grid modernisation

“Solar is critically important to our nation’s energy security and national security – and we’re doing our part to fight climate change,” said the head of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Rhone Resch, stressing the sector has a key role to play to ensure the lights stay on should disaster strike.

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GE and First Solar join forces to improve thin film cell technology

GE and First Solar have formed a technology partnership to improve PV thin-film solar cells and modules.

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310 Solar builds PV plant for Ted Turner

310 Solar Energy has installed a photovoltaic solar power plant at the Vermejo Park Ranch, a 590,823 acre ranch in northeastern New Mexico owned by media mogul, and renewable energy advocate, Ted Turner.

SCHMID furnace with 18% cell production efficiency

The SCHMID Group says that its 5500 Series APCVD conveyor furnace is well positioned to meet the current requirements for PV cell manufacture coming from China, due to its 18% production efficiency.

Gehrlicher Solar AG finds investor

Following its bankruptcy filing a few weeks ago, PV specialist Gehrlicher Solar AG could have a new investor.

PV market enjoys "warm summer"

The world solar PV market saw a pickup in June, enjoying a “warm summer of demand” according to Bloomberg’s Solar Shipment Index.