SunEdison, the solar energy development division of MEMC Electronic Materials Inc., has signed an agreement with First Reserve Corp. to establish a joint venture that could provide for the acquisition of up to $1.5 billion in current and future SunEdison solar photovoltaic energy projects.
The initial equity commitment for the joint venture of $167 million will be contributed by First Reserve and SunEdison. When combined with contemplated additional debt financing, these equity commitments are expected to fund the acquisition of solar assets developed by SunEdison with an enterprise value of $825 million, according to the companies.
The agreement contemplates that depending on market conditions, development opportunities and existing capital of the joint venture, First Reserve may raise an additional $150 million of equity which, when coupled with a corresponding increase in project debt financing, could scale the joint venture up to an aggregate of $1.5 billion of solar projects developed by SunEdison.
Qualifying projects will be constructed in the targeted markets of the U.S., Italy, Spain and Canada. SunEdison will lead the project identification and development process, and First Reserve will lead the project financing efforts. Once constructed, the projects will be purchased by the joint venture and then operated and managed by SunEdison.
SOURCE: SunEdison
Monday, May 31, 2010
25 Year Warranty on Astronergy PV Modules
Astronergy (also known as Chint Solar) - with headquarters in China, says that Munich Re, a reinsurance company, will be covering Astronergy's crystalline silicon and thin-film PV modules. This guarantee holds PV panels to high performance standards for the power-output warranty period.
The agreement covers the length of the 25-year warranty on the solar panels, guaranteeing a rated power output of greater than 90% for the first 10 years and a rated power output of greater than 80% for the remaining 15 years. Additional efficiency losses qualify for compensation.
SOURCE: Astronergy To learn more about Astronergy click here.
The agreement covers the length of the 25-year warranty on the solar panels, guaranteeing a rated power output of greater than 90% for the first 10 years and a rated power output of greater than 80% for the remaining 15 years. Additional efficiency losses qualify for compensation.
SOURCE: Astronergy To learn more about Astronergy click here.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Most Efficient Inverters in the USA
SolarEdge Technologies announced that the California Energy Commission (CEC) today published the updated List of Eligible Inverters, placing SolarEdge's range of single-phase 3300W-6000W PV inverters at the highest efficiency rank with up to 97.5% weighted efficiency rating.
DC and AC disconnects and a built-in communication gateway are included and the inverters are rated for indoor or outdoor use (NEMA3R) and are provided with a standard 12 year warranty.
The SolarEdge Monitoring solution is also eligible by the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and appears on the List of Performance Monitoring and Reporting Service Providers (PMRS). The SolarEdge system is available in the US through the distributors AEE Solar, DC Power Systems, and others.
“We are proud to be confirmed as America's most efficient single-phase solar inverter” said John Berdner, SolarEdge General Manager for North America. “It is part of our commitment to our customers world-wide, to supply the most efficient, safe, reliable and cost effective PV systems."
The SolarEdge inverters, intended for residential and commercial installations, were specifically designed to work with the company's PowerBoxes – module-integrated power optimizers – that provide module-level performance-monitoring and safety mechanisms, and maximize energy throughput by individually tracking Maximum Power Point (MPP) for each and every PV module.
Due to the distributed architecture, the inverters always operate at their optimal input voltage, which remains fixed regardless of temperature or string length, the company said. DC and AC disconnects and a built-in communication gateway are included and the inverters are rated for indoor or outdoor use (NEMA3R) and are provided with a standard 12 year warranty.
DC and AC disconnects and a built-in communication gateway are included and the inverters are rated for indoor or outdoor use (NEMA3R) and are provided with a standard 12 year warranty.
The SolarEdge Monitoring solution is also eligible by the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and appears on the List of Performance Monitoring and Reporting Service Providers (PMRS). The SolarEdge system is available in the US through the distributors AEE Solar, DC Power Systems, and others.
“We are proud to be confirmed as America's most efficient single-phase solar inverter” said John Berdner, SolarEdge General Manager for North America. “It is part of our commitment to our customers world-wide, to supply the most efficient, safe, reliable and cost effective PV systems."
The SolarEdge inverters, intended for residential and commercial installations, were specifically designed to work with the company's PowerBoxes – module-integrated power optimizers – that provide module-level performance-monitoring and safety mechanisms, and maximize energy throughput by individually tracking Maximum Power Point (MPP) for each and every PV module.
Due to the distributed architecture, the inverters always operate at their optimal input voltage, which remains fixed regardless of temperature or string length, the company said. DC and AC disconnects and a built-in communication gateway are included and the inverters are rated for indoor or outdoor use (NEMA3R) and are provided with a standard 12 year warranty.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Solar Growth in Germany Continues in 2010
According to predictions from the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), sales of solar installations in Germany will experience clear double-digit percentage growth rates this year. This was announced by the Association in the run-up to Intersolar Europe, which will take place from June 9 – 11 at the grounds of the Munich New Trade Fair Centre.
In 2009, the German solar power industry and its suppliers generated sales of more than €10 billion and a total of 60,000 jobs now depend directly upon the photovoltaics industry.
The demand for solar installations in Germany rose sharply last year, with a newly installed photovoltaic capacity of 3.8 gigawatts (GW) registered at the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). In total photovoltaic installations that are currently connected to the German grid reached a capacity of close to 10 gigawatts.
The significant market growth expected again this year has been triggered by the extraordinary amendment to the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) recently passed by the German Bundestag. The amendment provides for a substantial reduction in solar feed-in tariff starting from July 1, 2010, and again from the beginning of next year. This includes a 16% reduction for rooftop mounted systems and a 15% reduction for ground-mounted and other installations.
“Many consumers and investors are currently trying to take advantage of the old subsidies. This is why we anticipate an impact from pre-emptive purchasing and record demand in 2010,” said Carsten Körnig, CEO of BSW-Solar.
With a total installed capacity of over 9.8 gigawatts as of the end of 2009, Germany remains the largest solar energy market worldwide. In 2009, the German solar power industry and its suppliers generated sales of more than €10 billion and a total of 60,000 jobs now depend directly upon the photovoltaics industry.
In 2009, the German solar power industry and its suppliers generated sales of more than €10 billion and a total of 60,000 jobs now depend directly upon the photovoltaics industry.
The demand for solar installations in Germany rose sharply last year, with a newly installed photovoltaic capacity of 3.8 gigawatts (GW) registered at the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). In total photovoltaic installations that are currently connected to the German grid reached a capacity of close to 10 gigawatts.
The significant market growth expected again this year has been triggered by the extraordinary amendment to the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) recently passed by the German Bundestag. The amendment provides for a substantial reduction in solar feed-in tariff starting from July 1, 2010, and again from the beginning of next year. This includes a 16% reduction for rooftop mounted systems and a 15% reduction for ground-mounted and other installations.
“Many consumers and investors are currently trying to take advantage of the old subsidies. This is why we anticipate an impact from pre-emptive purchasing and record demand in 2010,” said Carsten Körnig, CEO of BSW-Solar.
With a total installed capacity of over 9.8 gigawatts as of the end of 2009, Germany remains the largest solar energy market worldwide. In 2009, the German solar power industry and its suppliers generated sales of more than €10 billion and a total of 60,000 jobs now depend directly upon the photovoltaics industry.
Higher CO2 Leads to Lower Protein Content in Grains
A new study published in the journal Science states that rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere aren't just affecting climate, but could affect the nutrition contained in the world's food crops too. Scientists at the University of California, Davis found that increased CO2 could reduce the protein content of crop plants by as much as 20 percent.
This slash in nutritional value happens because higher concentrations of CO2 interfere with a plant's ability to convert nitrates into proteins, which leads to a less protein-rich food.
The scientists tested two common forms of soil nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) with wheat plants that were exposed to elevated CO2 and the plants had reduced abilities to produce proteins.
Going Solar is an excellent way to reduce CO2 levels -
Source: EcoGeek
This slash in nutritional value happens because higher concentrations of CO2 interfere with a plant's ability to convert nitrates into proteins, which leads to a less protein-rich food.
The scientists tested two common forms of soil nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) with wheat plants that were exposed to elevated CO2 and the plants had reduced abilities to produce proteins.
Going Solar is an excellent way to reduce CO2 levels -
Source: EcoGeek
NREL Study Shows US Grid Can Accommodate Large Amounts of Solar
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, an initial study assessing the operational impacts and economics of increased contributions from wind and solar energy producers on the power grid.
The study specifically focuses on the operational impacts of photovoltaics, concentrating solar power (CSP) and wind on the power system operated by the WestConnect group of utilities in the Mountain and Southwest states. WestConnect is a group of transmission providers including Arizona Public Service, El Paso Electric Co., NV Energy, Public Service of New Mexico, Salt River Project, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Tucson Electric Power, Western Area Power Administration, and Xcel Energy.
The study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating enough solar and wind energy capacity onto the grid to produce 35% of its electricity by 2017. This target is technically feasible and does not necessitate extensive additional infrastructure, but it does require key changes to current operational practice, NREL says.
The results offer a first look at the issue of adding a significant amount of variable renewable energy in the West and will help utilities across the region plan how to ramp up their production of renewable energy as they incorporate more solar and wind plants into the power grid.
Technical analysis performed showed that it is operationally possible to accommodate 30% wind and 5% solar energy penetration. To accomplish such an increase, utilities will have to substantially increase their coordination of operations over wider geographic areas and schedule their generation deliveries, or sales, on a more frequent basis, NREL notes.
Currently, generators provide a schedule for a specific amount of power they will provide in the next hour. More frequent scheduling would allow generators to adjust that amount of power based on changes in system conditions, such as increases or decreases in solar or wind generation.
The study also finds that if utilities generate 27% of their electricity from wind and solar energy across the Western Interconnection, it would lower carbon emissions by 25% to 45%. It would also decrease fuel and emissions costs by 40%, depending on the future price of natural gas.
Other key findings from the study include the following:
- Existing transmission capacity can be more fully utilized to reduce the amount of new transmission that needs to be built;
- To facilitate the integration of solar and wind energy, coordinating the operations of utilities can provide substantial savings by reducing the need for additional backup generation, such as natural gas-burning plants;
- Use of solar and wind forecasts in utility operations to predict when and where it will be sunny and windy is essential for cost-effectively integrating these renewable energy sources.
The full study can be downloaded at www.nrel.gov/wwsis.
The study specifically focuses on the operational impacts of photovoltaics, concentrating solar power (CSP) and wind on the power system operated by the WestConnect group of utilities in the Mountain and Southwest states. WestConnect is a group of transmission providers including Arizona Public Service, El Paso Electric Co., NV Energy, Public Service of New Mexico, Salt River Project, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Tucson Electric Power, Western Area Power Administration, and Xcel Energy.
The study examines the benefits and challenges of integrating enough solar and wind energy capacity onto the grid to produce 35% of its electricity by 2017. This target is technically feasible and does not necessitate extensive additional infrastructure, but it does require key changes to current operational practice, NREL says.
The results offer a first look at the issue of adding a significant amount of variable renewable energy in the West and will help utilities across the region plan how to ramp up their production of renewable energy as they incorporate more solar and wind plants into the power grid.
Technical analysis performed showed that it is operationally possible to accommodate 30% wind and 5% solar energy penetration. To accomplish such an increase, utilities will have to substantially increase their coordination of operations over wider geographic areas and schedule their generation deliveries, or sales, on a more frequent basis, NREL notes.
Currently, generators provide a schedule for a specific amount of power they will provide in the next hour. More frequent scheduling would allow generators to adjust that amount of power based on changes in system conditions, such as increases or decreases in solar or wind generation.
The study also finds that if utilities generate 27% of their electricity from wind and solar energy across the Western Interconnection, it would lower carbon emissions by 25% to 45%. It would also decrease fuel and emissions costs by 40%, depending on the future price of natural gas.
Other key findings from the study include the following:
- Existing transmission capacity can be more fully utilized to reduce the amount of new transmission that needs to be built;
- To facilitate the integration of solar and wind energy, coordinating the operations of utilities can provide substantial savings by reducing the need for additional backup generation, such as natural gas-burning plants;
- Use of solar and wind forecasts in utility operations to predict when and where it will be sunny and windy is essential for cost-effectively integrating these renewable energy sources.
The full study can be downloaded at www.nrel.gov/wwsis.
More Inverter Shortages Predicted
Global inverter shipments reached 3.1 gigawatts (GW) in Q1 2010 – the largest first quarter total for the industry, and the second highest quarterly result on record, according to latest confirmed results from IMS Research.
Despite this strong result, demand for inverters still outstripped supply and the component shortage and inverter production problems that began in Q4 2009 in fact worsened in Q1 with quarter-to-quarter supply falling. Total global inverter shipments were 3.7 GW in Q4, some 16% higher than Q1.
“In a ‘normal’ year this kind of seasonality would be expected; however, as strong demand has continued into early 2010 with the impending cut to Germany’s feed-in tariff, this sequential decline of inverter shipments contrasts the increasing shipments of PV modules and highlights that the supply of inverters may still be restraining growth of the PV industry," said Ash Sharma PV group director at IMS.
Production constraints still blight the PV inverter industry, with even market leader SMA having to issue a formal apology to its customers; it recently indicated its production capacity would be limited to around 1.3 GW in the second quarter and supply constraints would not ease until July at the earliest.
Whether or not the shortage will impact developers project pipelines in the coming months remains to be seen, but the shortage will likely increase the amount of lead time needed for larger, commercial and utility scale projects.
Despite this strong result, demand for inverters still outstripped supply and the component shortage and inverter production problems that began in Q4 2009 in fact worsened in Q1 with quarter-to-quarter supply falling. Total global inverter shipments were 3.7 GW in Q4, some 16% higher than Q1.
“In a ‘normal’ year this kind of seasonality would be expected; however, as strong demand has continued into early 2010 with the impending cut to Germany’s feed-in tariff, this sequential decline of inverter shipments contrasts the increasing shipments of PV modules and highlights that the supply of inverters may still be restraining growth of the PV industry," said Ash Sharma PV group director at IMS.
Production constraints still blight the PV inverter industry, with even market leader SMA having to issue a formal apology to its customers; it recently indicated its production capacity would be limited to around 1.3 GW in the second quarter and supply constraints would not ease until July at the earliest.
Whether or not the shortage will impact developers project pipelines in the coming months remains to be seen, but the shortage will likely increase the amount of lead time needed for larger, commercial and utility scale projects.
Source: Renewable Energy World To read full article click here.
Bringing Down the Installed Cost of PV
Stephen Lacey talks with a group of solar companies about how the industry can continue the downward trend in the installed cost of PV.
Source: Renewable Energy World To see the 31 minute video click here:
Source: Renewable Energy World To see the 31 minute video click here:
Pike Research predicts 43% Industry Growth in 2010
The solar market is now faced with a gross oversupply of modules,” said Dave Cavanaugh, a senior analyst at Pike. “The industry is currently supplied by more than 190 cell and module manufacturers, making consolidation of weaker competitors an inevitable outcome.”
Cavanaugh said that in the meantime, overcapacity and intense competition will create downward pressure for module average selling prices (ASPs), which will accelerate grid parity for the cost of solar-produced power to the 2013 time-frame in many markets.
A few of Pike Research’s other key forecasts and findings about the new solar market include the following that worldwide solar demand, driven by lower costs and greater availability of credit, will increase to 10.1 gigawatts (GW) in 2010, a year-over-year increase of almost 43%.
The report also finds that solar market demand will exceed 19 GW by 2013, a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2010. Growth is expected to be driven by demand from the United States, Italy, and China, in addition to steady demand from Germany and demand growth in a number of smaller countries.
Pike said that excess module supply could easily reach 8.3 GW in 2010, even accounting for reasonable utilization rates and moderate capacity growth.
Source: Renewable Energy World To read full article click here.
Cavanaugh said that in the meantime, overcapacity and intense competition will create downward pressure for module average selling prices (ASPs), which will accelerate grid parity for the cost of solar-produced power to the 2013 time-frame in many markets.
A few of Pike Research’s other key forecasts and findings about the new solar market include the following that worldwide solar demand, driven by lower costs and greater availability of credit, will increase to 10.1 gigawatts (GW) in 2010, a year-over-year increase of almost 43%.
The report also finds that solar market demand will exceed 19 GW by 2013, a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2010. Growth is expected to be driven by demand from the United States, Italy, and China, in addition to steady demand from Germany and demand growth in a number of smaller countries.
Pike said that excess module supply could easily reach 8.3 GW in 2010, even accounting for reasonable utilization rates and moderate capacity growth.
Source: Renewable Energy World To read full article click here.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Spire Produces World's Most Efficient Large Area Concentrator Solar Cell
BEDFORD, Mass., May 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), an American global solar company providing capital equipment and turnkey production lines to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules and cells, today announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Spire Semiconductor, LLC, has matched the current efficiency record for a concentrator solar cell. The record efficiency is available on a production ready cell with a photo area of 1.0 cm2.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) measured the efficiency of 41.0% at 500x suns concentrated sunlight. Spire Semiconductor began working with NREL under an 18-month, $3.7 million cost share subcontract in early-2009. The goal is to develop a triple junction, gallium arsenide (GaAs), 42.5% conversion efficient "Triathlon" concentrator cell for concentrator photovoltaic systems.
"This is truly an achievement," said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. "We have experienced continuous improvement in our proprietary cell processing design technology throughout the NREL contract. We are excited to have matched the current world record efficiency, and we have nearly four months remaining under the subcontract to surpass this level and achieve the target 42.5% efficiency. A more efficient concentrator solar cell will provide a lower cost and more reliable source of solar generated electricity," concluded Mr. Little.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) measured the efficiency of 41.0% at 500x suns concentrated sunlight. Spire Semiconductor began working with NREL under an 18-month, $3.7 million cost share subcontract in early-2009. The goal is to develop a triple junction, gallium arsenide (GaAs), 42.5% conversion efficient "Triathlon" concentrator cell for concentrator photovoltaic systems.
"This is truly an achievement," said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. "We have experienced continuous improvement in our proprietary cell processing design technology throughout the NREL contract. We are excited to have matched the current world record efficiency, and we have nearly four months remaining under the subcontract to surpass this level and achieve the target 42.5% efficiency. A more efficient concentrator solar cell will provide a lower cost and more reliable source of solar generated electricity," concluded Mr. Little.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Solar Water Heating to Make A Comeback in the USA
Solar water heating enjoyed a bubble of activity in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s. Inconsistent product quality, poorly designed policy mechanisms and dropping energy prices caused the market to collapse in the 1980s, leaving only a few based in North America. However, as the following graph demonstrates, there has been substantial growth in China and Europe:
During this time, the technology has improved and new standards have been developed in the USA (67 manufacturers now meet these standards).
A new solar water heating program in the bellwether state of California signals a potential shift in the market across the North American continent. Similar legislative and regulatory initiatives are already underway in other states and at the U.S. federal level.
Could the USA see a rapid growth in solar water heating systems?
Source: Renewable Energy World Read the full article and the reader's comments here.
Supportive Tax Policy Would Create 10 GM of Solar Installations + 200,000 Jobs
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released an independent study projecting significant economic impact from the Department of the Treasury's cash-grant program and the solar manufacturing investment tax credit.
The study found that extending the cash-grant program by two years and including solar manufacturing in the industry's existing tax credit would add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and supporting industries in the U.S. Additionally, it would result in 10 GW of new solar installations by 2016, SEIA says.
The following states would gain the most jobs from these policies: California (60,000 new jobs); Michigan (24,000 new jobs); Ohio, Oregon and Texas (over 13,000 new jobs each); Arizona, Colorado and Florida (about 10,000 new jobs each); Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington (about 5,000 new jobs each); Nevada, New Jersey and Tennessee (about 3,000 new jobs each); and Connecticut and Hawaii (about 1,500 new jobs each).
In addition, according to the study, California would add over 4,400 MW in solar capacity. Arizona would add over 1,400 MW, and Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada and New Jersey would each add over 300 MW. Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas would each add over 100 MW.
The SEIA study was conducted by independent consulting firm EuPD Research.
SOURCE: Solar Energy Industries Association
The study found that extending the cash-grant program by two years and including solar manufacturing in the industry's existing tax credit would add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and supporting industries in the U.S. Additionally, it would result in 10 GW of new solar installations by 2016, SEIA says.
The following states would gain the most jobs from these policies: California (60,000 new jobs); Michigan (24,000 new jobs); Ohio, Oregon and Texas (over 13,000 new jobs each); Arizona, Colorado and Florida (about 10,000 new jobs each); Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington (about 5,000 new jobs each); Nevada, New Jersey and Tennessee (about 3,000 new jobs each); and Connecticut and Hawaii (about 1,500 new jobs each).
In addition, according to the study, California would add over 4,400 MW in solar capacity. Arizona would add over 1,400 MW, and Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada and New Jersey would each add over 300 MW. Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas would each add over 100 MW.
The SEIA study was conducted by independent consulting firm EuPD Research.
SOURCE: Solar Energy Industries Association
The Next 40 Years
Technology Roadmap; Solar photovoltaic energy, from the International Energy Agency (IEA), complements the simultaneously released report on concentrating solar power (CSP) described in THE WAY TO BIG SUN.
As the IEA sees the future - together, photovoltaic (PV) solar – which uses the sun’s light – and CSP – which uses the sun’s heat – can generate over 22% of the world’s electricity by the middle of this century. PV will provide half of that, generating 11% of world electricity by 2050.
Demonstrating the IEA’s fundamentally conservative bent, the PV and CSP Roadmaps are part of a thorough scientific, economic and policy assessment of 19 New Energy options in pursuit of identifying the best path to the IEA’s (completely inadequate) goal of a 50% reduction in world CO2 emissions by 2050.
Unlike CSP, which requires a special high-saturation type of sun, PV requires no special Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of sunlight. It can be (and has been) put to work almost anywhere there is sunlight. World PV capacity has grown an average of 40% per year in this century and the world’s spending on PV research and development doubled in the 21st century’s first decade, from $250 million in 2000 to $500 million (in 2007). At current rates of growth and technological advancement, the IEA expects PV solar to be price competitive in the most sun-saturated parts of the world by 2020.
Unlike CSP, which requires a special high-saturation type of sun, PV requires no special Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of sunlight. It can be (and has been) put to work almost anywhere there is sunlight. World PV capacity has grown an average of 40% per year in this century and the world’s spending on PV research and development doubled in the 21st century’s first decade, from $250 million in 2000 to $500 million (in 2007). At current rates of growth and technological advancement, the IEA expects PV solar to be price competitive in the most sun-saturated parts of the world by 2020.
When solar PV achieves widespread cost competitiveness with other sources of grid supply, the “effective, long-term and balanced” policies that helped build manufacturing capacity and deployment will “evolve” into those that support self-sustaining PV markets. Financial incentives will phase out in favor of those that obtain and maintain grid access and integration, ongoing investment in R&D and international cooperation in building capacity for emerging economies.
ProLogis Tests PV Technologies
Uni-Solar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices announced it is participating in one of the country's largest rooftop testing sites for photovoltaic (PV) modules. The test site, hosted by ProLogis Renewable Energy, is on a utility-scale rooftop in Denver, Colorado.
In addition, the installation contains 16 individually monitored strings, each designed to test a certain system parameter.
The Denver site totals 11 kilowatts (kW) of power generation capacity from 99 modules and eight different module manufacturers: Ascent Solar, First Solar, GS-Solar, MiaSole, Solyndra, Suniva, Uni-Solar and Xunlight.
Already generating power, the initial configuration provides side-by-side comparisons of several module technologies, including monocrystalline, glass-on-glass thin film and membrane-applied thin film modules. In addition, the installation contains 16 individually monitored strings, each designed to test a certain system parameter.
ProLogis is a leading global provider of distribution facilities, with more than 450 million square feet of roof space worldwide available for solar photovoltaic installations. Uni-Solar already has 4.7 MW of PV installations active, or soon to be this year, on the grid on additional ProLogis rooftops in the U.S. (3.5 MW), Spain (5 MW) and France (0.7 MW).
“This test site will provide a wealth of information about PV on rooftops and gives Uni-Solar the opportunity to showcase our unique, lightweight product. We believe these installations will provide clean, inexpensive energy to the power grid and also increase awareness of the benefits of solar energy as a top renewable energy source in North America and across the globe for generations to come," said said Mark Morelli, president and CEO of Uni-Solar’s parent company, Energy Conversion Devices.
Source: Renewable Energy World
In addition, the installation contains 16 individually monitored strings, each designed to test a certain system parameter.
The Denver site totals 11 kilowatts (kW) of power generation capacity from 99 modules and eight different module manufacturers: Ascent Solar, First Solar, GS-Solar, MiaSole, Solyndra, Suniva, Uni-Solar and Xunlight.
Already generating power, the initial configuration provides side-by-side comparisons of several module technologies, including monocrystalline, glass-on-glass thin film and membrane-applied thin film modules. In addition, the installation contains 16 individually monitored strings, each designed to test a certain system parameter.
ProLogis is a leading global provider of distribution facilities, with more than 450 million square feet of roof space worldwide available for solar photovoltaic installations. Uni-Solar already has 4.7 MW of PV installations active, or soon to be this year, on the grid on additional ProLogis rooftops in the U.S. (3.5 MW), Spain (5 MW) and France (0.7 MW).
“This test site will provide a wealth of information about PV on rooftops and gives Uni-Solar the opportunity to showcase our unique, lightweight product. We believe these installations will provide clean, inexpensive energy to the power grid and also increase awareness of the benefits of solar energy as a top renewable energy source in North America and across the globe for generations to come," said said Mark Morelli, president and CEO of Uni-Solar’s parent company, Energy Conversion Devices.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Phoenix Solar To Build 21 MWp Projects
Phoenix Solar AG, a leading photovoltaic system integrator listed on the German TecDAX, is currently to build three photovoltaic power plants with a peak power totaling around 21 megawatts (MWp) for KGAL GmbH &; Co. KG (KGAL), a company based in Grünwald near Munich. This includes the largest solar park of 15.8 megawatts ever built by Phoenix Solar in Moos near Würzburg, as well as two other solar parks of 2.3 and 2.7 MWp respectively in the regions of Molise and Latium in Italy. The contract volume of all three solar parks comes to around EUR 55 million.
Phoenix Solar has been building photovoltaic power plants for KGAL since 2005. Under a framework agreement, signed in 2007 and extended in 2009, the two contractual parties agreed to realise solar projects with a minimum investment volume of EUR 525 million in the period from 2009 to 2012. As part of this agreement, Phoenix Solar is to develop the power plants, build them in the capacity of general contractor, and to take over the maintenance and operation of the plants. KGAL offers private and institutional investors the opportunity to benefit from sustainable solar power generation in the form of closed funds. Together with the three new solar power plants, 17 solar parks totalling 75 MWp will have been built by the end of June in Germany, Spain and Italy on behalf of KGAL.
Construction activities on the solar park in Moos have already commenced. Around 160,000 thin-film modules from different manufacturers will be used. The solar park is to be connected to the high-voltage grid of EnBW. In order to guarantee the connection, Phoenix Solar has invested in the operator of the requisite substation. The solar park and the substation are to be taken into operation before 30 June 2010.
Construction work on the two Italian projects in Montalto (Latium region) and Guglionesi (Molise region) has also already begun. Phoenix Solar’s own crystalline PHX modules are to be used for both solar parks. A total of 5 MWp is also to be connected to the grid by the end of June 2010. Both projects are the first to be built by Phoenix Solar for KGAL in Italy.
Phoenix Solar is general contractor for all three projects and, upon completion, will take over the operation and maintenance.
Source: Renewable Energy Sources
Westinghouse Jumps into Solar Energy
Marrying one of the most famous consumer brands in the world with the most innovative name in solar power, Akeena Solar (Nasdaq:AKNS), a leading installer and manufacturer of high-performance solar panels, has entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement to manufacture, distribute, market and install its solar panels under the Westinghouse name.
The Westinghouse partnership is a validation of Akeena’s award-winning technology that integrates the brains of a solar energy system into the solar panel itself, reducing the parts count by 80 percent and improving performance and reliability. Akeena’s alternating-current (AC) systems are safer and produce up to 25 percent more energy than ordinary direct-current (DC) panels.
As solar purchasers move from early adopters to mainstream consumers, a lack of brand recognition derails buyers. This agreement directly addresses that issue, combining a trusted brand name with the reliability, performance and safety that buyers want.
"Partnering with Westinghouse moves us one giant step closer to the goal we’ve had since I founded Akeena: installing solar panels on every sunny rooftop," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar.
Added Cinnamon, "Since the beginning, we’ve worked consistently to make solar more mainstream. We began as a rooftop installer. We then designed our own easy-to-install solar panels that gave customers superior reliability and aesthetics. We improved our design by manufacturing higher-performance AC panels, and built a dealer network that has grown to more than 25 states and Canada. We then partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement stores for installation services, along with the first do-it-yourself solar panels stocked on retail shelves.
"Now, with the exclusive rights to the Westinghouse Solar brand, we look forward to accelerated growth without large up-front brand investments," concluded Cinnamon.
"Since George Westinghouse founded the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886, the world’s electric grid has operated on AC power," said James F. Davis, vice president, Westinghouse Electric Corp. "For more than 100 years, Westinghouse has literally set the standard for reliable electric power and home appliances. We approached Akeena when our research indicated their integrated solar-panel technology could help make solar mainstream. Akeena’s safe and reliable AC solar panels are a perfect complement with Westinghouse’s heritage. We are pleased to introduce Westinghouse Solar as the newest member of the exclusive Westinghouse family."
As part of the Westinghouse transition, Akeena’s wholly-owned subsidiary Andalay Solar will be renamed Westinghouse Solar. This Westinghouse Solar subsidiary will manage the design, manufacturing and distribution of Akeena’s award-winning AC solar panels. Akeena Solar, the California-based parent company and its authorized dealers, including Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, will have the exclusive rights to install Westinghouse Solar panels.
Westinghouse-branded solar panels will begin shipping to customers in the U.S. and Canada later this summer. A preview of the company’s products and services, including the Westinghouse Solar Dealer Program, is available at www.westinghousesolar.com. For more information, please stop by the Westinghouse Solar booth this week at the ASES National Solar Conference, booth #123.
The Westinghouse partnership is a validation of Akeena’s award-winning technology that integrates the brains of a solar energy system into the solar panel itself, reducing the parts count by 80 percent and improving performance and reliability. Akeena’s alternating-current (AC) systems are safer and produce up to 25 percent more energy than ordinary direct-current (DC) panels.
As solar purchasers move from early adopters to mainstream consumers, a lack of brand recognition derails buyers. This agreement directly addresses that issue, combining a trusted brand name with the reliability, performance and safety that buyers want.
"Partnering with Westinghouse moves us one giant step closer to the goal we’ve had since I founded Akeena: installing solar panels on every sunny rooftop," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar.
Added Cinnamon, "Since the beginning, we’ve worked consistently to make solar more mainstream. We began as a rooftop installer. We then designed our own easy-to-install solar panels that gave customers superior reliability and aesthetics. We improved our design by manufacturing higher-performance AC panels, and built a dealer network that has grown to more than 25 states and Canada. We then partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement stores for installation services, along with the first do-it-yourself solar panels stocked on retail shelves.
"Now, with the exclusive rights to the Westinghouse Solar brand, we look forward to accelerated growth without large up-front brand investments," concluded Cinnamon.
"Since George Westinghouse founded the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886, the world’s electric grid has operated on AC power," said James F. Davis, vice president, Westinghouse Electric Corp. "For more than 100 years, Westinghouse has literally set the standard for reliable electric power and home appliances. We approached Akeena when our research indicated their integrated solar-panel technology could help make solar mainstream. Akeena’s safe and reliable AC solar panels are a perfect complement with Westinghouse’s heritage. We are pleased to introduce Westinghouse Solar as the newest member of the exclusive Westinghouse family."
As part of the Westinghouse transition, Akeena’s wholly-owned subsidiary Andalay Solar will be renamed Westinghouse Solar. This Westinghouse Solar subsidiary will manage the design, manufacturing and distribution of Akeena’s award-winning AC solar panels. Akeena Solar, the California-based parent company and its authorized dealers, including Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, will have the exclusive rights to install Westinghouse Solar panels.
Westinghouse-branded solar panels will begin shipping to customers in the U.S. and Canada later this summer. A preview of the company’s products and services, including the Westinghouse Solar Dealer Program, is available at www.westinghousesolar.com. For more information, please stop by the Westinghouse Solar booth this week at the ASES National Solar Conference, booth #123.
200,000 New Solar Jobs Possible
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released an independent study projecting the positive economic impact of the Department of Treasury Grant Program (TGP) and the Solar Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. The study found that extending the TGP by two years and including solar manufacturing in the industries’ existing tax credit would add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and supporting industries in the United States. Additionally, it would result in 10 gigawatts (GW) of new solar installations by 2016 – enough to power 2 million homes.
“The clean energy grant program created in last year’s stimulus bill allowed enough renewable energy to come on line to power four cities the size of Seattle and create over 140,000 new jobs,” said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). “Extension of the Treasury Grant program is essential to continuing our nascent economic recovery and moving to a cleaner, more distributed 21st century energy system. Tens of thousands of jobs hinge on continuing this successful program, including thousands of new solar jobs in Washington State in the next two years. These are high-paying jobs that our economy needs.”
“Unemployment across the country remains near 10 percent, while the construction industry is suffering at nearly 22 percent unemployment,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “But during the last year, the solar industry has been one of the bright spots in our economy with the creation of 17,000 new jobs. These jobs were created by the Recovery Act, and it’s time for Congress to extend the programs that have given new opportunity for Americans in the solar industry.”
“The Treasury Grant Program is essential to keeping project financing—the lifeblood of the solar industry—moving forward. SolarCity has hired more than 300 people in the last 12 months and believe we and others in the industry can continue replacing jobs lost in the recession as long as this critical program is extended,” said John Stanton, Vice President of Government Affairs for SolarCity based in Foster City, California.
The following states would gain the most jobs from these policies: California (60,000 new jobs); Michigan (24,000 new jobs); Ohio, Oregon and Texas gaining over 13,000 new jobs each; Arizona, Colorado, and Florida each gaining roughly 10,000 new jobs; Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington each adding about 5,000 new jobs; Nevada, New Jersey, and Tennessee each adding more than 3,000 new jobs; and Connecticut and Hawaii each adding more than 1,500 new jobs.
Dozens of states would see substantial capacity increases in new solar installations through 2016, including: California adding over 4,400 MW; Arizona gaining over 1,400 MW; Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, and New Jersey each adding 300 MW; and Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas each adding more than 100 MW. Each 100MW is enough to power 25,000 average American homes. Each 100 MW in solar capacity is enough to power 25,000 American homes.
SEIA’s study complements research released in April by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that found the TGP “has provided significant economic value” and showed strong employment levels in renewable energy industries during 2009.
“From coast to coast, the solar industry is putting Americans back to work with safe, stable careers that offer hope for their families and for the country. We need to support these workers with stable, common-sense policies like an extension of the Treasury Grant Program that provides opportunity while saving the tax-payer money,” added Resch.
The SEIA study was conducted by independent consulting firm EuPD Research.
Source: Renewable Energy Sources To read the full study click here.
“The clean energy grant program created in last year’s stimulus bill allowed enough renewable energy to come on line to power four cities the size of Seattle and create over 140,000 new jobs,” said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). “Extension of the Treasury Grant program is essential to continuing our nascent economic recovery and moving to a cleaner, more distributed 21st century energy system. Tens of thousands of jobs hinge on continuing this successful program, including thousands of new solar jobs in Washington State in the next two years. These are high-paying jobs that our economy needs.”
“Unemployment across the country remains near 10 percent, while the construction industry is suffering at nearly 22 percent unemployment,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “But during the last year, the solar industry has been one of the bright spots in our economy with the creation of 17,000 new jobs. These jobs were created by the Recovery Act, and it’s time for Congress to extend the programs that have given new opportunity for Americans in the solar industry.”
“The Treasury Grant Program is essential to keeping project financing—the lifeblood of the solar industry—moving forward. SolarCity has hired more than 300 people in the last 12 months and believe we and others in the industry can continue replacing jobs lost in the recession as long as this critical program is extended,” said John Stanton, Vice President of Government Affairs for SolarCity based in Foster City, California.
The following states would gain the most jobs from these policies: California (60,000 new jobs); Michigan (24,000 new jobs); Ohio, Oregon and Texas gaining over 13,000 new jobs each; Arizona, Colorado, and Florida each gaining roughly 10,000 new jobs; Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington each adding about 5,000 new jobs; Nevada, New Jersey, and Tennessee each adding more than 3,000 new jobs; and Connecticut and Hawaii each adding more than 1,500 new jobs.
Dozens of states would see substantial capacity increases in new solar installations through 2016, including: California adding over 4,400 MW; Arizona gaining over 1,400 MW; Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, and New Jersey each adding 300 MW; and Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas each adding more than 100 MW. Each 100MW is enough to power 25,000 average American homes. Each 100 MW in solar capacity is enough to power 25,000 American homes.
SEIA’s study complements research released in April by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that found the TGP “has provided significant economic value” and showed strong employment levels in renewable energy industries during 2009.
“From coast to coast, the solar industry is putting Americans back to work with safe, stable careers that offer hope for their families and for the country. We need to support these workers with stable, common-sense policies like an extension of the Treasury Grant Program that provides opportunity while saving the tax-payer money,” added Resch.
The SEIA study was conducted by independent consulting firm EuPD Research.
Source: Renewable Energy Sources To read the full study click here.
First Solar Has Record 1st Quarter 2010
Arizona-based thin-film manufacturer First Solar continues to defy sales expectations and industry standards in a global recession that’s toppled many of the world’s PV leaders.
In the first three months of 2010, First Solar wracked up more than $568 million in sales, a whopping 36 percent increase over the same period last year, according to the company’s most recent earnings report.
While those results represent a slight decrease from the last quarter of 2009, the company continues to accomplish impressive growth. The First Solar Board of Directors has even approved an additional four line manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of more than 220 MW, expected to be up and running by the fourth quarter of 2011.
How has First Solar managed to accomplish such impressive growth in a year that’s shuttered competitors? What’s the company’s secret to becoming one of the world’s largest solar manufacturers?
President Bruce Sohn is one of a dozen industry experts slated to speak at Solarplaza’s 12th executive conference June 8 in Munich. The conference will explore “The Solar Future” in a single-day event, packed with information and insight from an all-star panel of industry leaders like Sohn and other innovators.
“First Solar changed the global PV business landscape, still dominated by crystalline technology, to become the world’s largest manufacturer with thin-film technology in less than a decade,” said Edwin Koot, CEO of Solarplaza, organizer of the conference. “Bruce Sohn is a true industry leader which many solar players can learn from.”
Sohn, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, first joined First Solar in March 2007, after leaving a 24-year career at Intel Corp. where he played a major role in the company’s strategic growth. Sohn was on the start-up team for five of the company’s Fabs and managed two of Intel’s largest Fabs.
Sohn’s insight into the global PV path will shed light on where the market is headed and where industry players should aim to be positioned in the coming years. Will First Solar develop Gigawatt power plants in China or elsewhere? Who will be their largest PV consumers? Where is the next big market?
The strategy conference “The Solar Future”, focusing on how the PV industry and market will look in 2013, will take place in Munich on June 8 at the Sheraton Munich Arabellapark.
While those results represent a slight decrease from the last quarter of 2009, the company continues to accomplish impressive growth. The First Solar Board of Directors has even approved an additional four line manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of more than 220 MW, expected to be up and running by the fourth quarter of 2011.
How has First Solar managed to accomplish such impressive growth in a year that’s shuttered competitors? What’s the company’s secret to becoming one of the world’s largest solar manufacturers?
President Bruce Sohn is one of a dozen industry experts slated to speak at Solarplaza’s 12th executive conference June 8 in Munich. The conference will explore “The Solar Future” in a single-day event, packed with information and insight from an all-star panel of industry leaders like Sohn and other innovators.
“First Solar changed the global PV business landscape, still dominated by crystalline technology, to become the world’s largest manufacturer with thin-film technology in less than a decade,” said Edwin Koot, CEO of Solarplaza, organizer of the conference. “Bruce Sohn is a true industry leader which many solar players can learn from.”
Sohn, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, first joined First Solar in March 2007, after leaving a 24-year career at Intel Corp. where he played a major role in the company’s strategic growth. Sohn was on the start-up team for five of the company’s Fabs and managed two of Intel’s largest Fabs.
Sohn’s insight into the global PV path will shed light on where the market is headed and where industry players should aim to be positioned in the coming years. Will First Solar develop Gigawatt power plants in China or elsewhere? Who will be their largest PV consumers? Where is the next big market?
The strategy conference “The Solar Future”, focusing on how the PV industry and market will look in 2013, will take place in Munich on June 8 at the Sheraton Munich Arabellapark.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Top Solar Utility Companies in the USA
279 MWp of new solar projects were added to the USA utility grid.
For full details regarding the top 10 US Utility companies, click here.
Source: Renewable Energy World
For full details regarding the top 10 US Utility companies, click here.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Friday, May 21, 2010
2009 Was A Good Year for Solar Energy Industries
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released the 2009 U.S. Solar Industry Year in Review, finding 2009 to be another year of strong growth despite the economic recession.
Overall U.S. solar electric capacity, including both photovoltaic and concentrating solar power installations, increased by 37 percent. This was driven primarily by strong demand in the residential and utility-scale markets, state and federal policy advances and declining technology prices. As a result, total solar industry revenue reached $4 billion, a 36 percent increase over 2008.
Overall U.S. solar electric capacity, including both photovoltaic and concentrating solar power installations, increased by 37 percent. This was driven primarily by strong demand in the residential and utility-scale markets, state and federal policy advances and declining technology prices. As a result, total solar industry revenue reached $4 billion, a 36 percent increase over 2008.
The solar industry contributed to the overall economy by adding 17,000 new jobs from coast to coast. The solar industry today employs 46,000 U.S. workers and supports an additional 33,000 jobs in other sectors.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
US DOE Releases $62 Million for CSP R&D
Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu late last week announced the selections of projects for investment of up to US $62 million over five years to research, develop, and demonstrate Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems capable of providing low-cost electrical power.
The thirteen DOE award selections fall into two areas, CSP system studies and component feasability studies. The award winners, along with their projects and the amount of each award are available by clicking on the link below:
The thirteen DOE award selections fall into two areas, CSP system studies and component feasability studies. The award winners, along with their projects and the amount of each award are available by clicking on the link below:
Germany Cuts Renewable Heating Support Scheme
The German ministry for environmental affairs has announced an immediate ban on further support payments under a federal incentive scheme for solar heating, biomass and heat pump installations, the industry says.
"The measure [cutting support] will also lead to a structural weakness in the solar thermal market as customer demand is likely to fall at short notice but needs, as experience demonstrates, years to rebuild. With Germany representing 38% of the European market, the decision's ramifications will reach well beyond Germany."
This measure is based officially on a budget freeze that the German federal parliament put in place but the solar thermal industry trade group ESTIF has nonetheless expressed outrage, noting that the decision hits the solar thermal industry without warning and puts the whole renewable heating sector in danger.
“The measure will also lead to a structural weakness in the solar thermal market”, says ESTIF president Oliver Drücke, “as customer demand is likely to fall at short notice but needs, as experience demonstrates, years to rebuild. With Germany representing 38% of the European market, the decision’s ramifications will reach well beyond Germany.”
The German solar industry association (BSW-Solar) also strongly objected the unprecedented decision, arguing that under the present support scheme, the so-called ‘Marktanreizprogramm’ each Euro invested in solar thermal triggered 8 euros of subsequent investments.
Calling for the German parliament to lift the budget freeze immediately as far as it blocks investments in solar thermal installations, ESTIF says that both in Germany and beyond, the ban on further support payments will endanger many industry players and investments of the past few years that amount to several billion Euros. The upshot is that most of the manufacturers concerned have already received order cancellations; they will have to restructure their business lines, scale down production and consider a reduction in workforce. Many smaller companies that have specialized and now depend on demand for single components may even be forced to file for bankruptcy, they add.
Source: Renewable Energy World
"The measure [cutting support] will also lead to a structural weakness in the solar thermal market as customer demand is likely to fall at short notice but needs, as experience demonstrates, years to rebuild. With Germany representing 38% of the European market, the decision's ramifications will reach well beyond Germany."
-- Olivier Drücke, ESTIF president
This measure is based officially on a budget freeze that the German federal parliament put in place but the solar thermal industry trade group ESTIF has nonetheless expressed outrage, noting that the decision hits the solar thermal industry without warning and puts the whole renewable heating sector in danger.
“The measure will also lead to a structural weakness in the solar thermal market”, says ESTIF president Oliver Drücke, “as customer demand is likely to fall at short notice but needs, as experience demonstrates, years to rebuild. With Germany representing 38% of the European market, the decision’s ramifications will reach well beyond Germany.”
The German solar industry association (BSW-Solar) also strongly objected the unprecedented decision, arguing that under the present support scheme, the so-called ‘Marktanreizprogramm’ each Euro invested in solar thermal triggered 8 euros of subsequent investments.
Calling for the German parliament to lift the budget freeze immediately as far as it blocks investments in solar thermal installations, ESTIF says that both in Germany and beyond, the ban on further support payments will endanger many industry players and investments of the past few years that amount to several billion Euros. The upshot is that most of the manufacturers concerned have already received order cancellations; they will have to restructure their business lines, scale down production and consider a reduction in workforce. Many smaller companies that have specialized and now depend on demand for single components may even be forced to file for bankruptcy, they add.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Electric Motorcycle Grand Prix
Electric Motorcycle Grand Prix
The EV community can celebrate another historic milestone happening May 14-16: North America's first zero-carbon motorcycle grand prix at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. Jeremy Burne, U.S. director of the TTXGP eGrand Prix, gave us a preview in a Plug In America podcast. Take a listen here.
The EV community can celebrate another historic milestone happening May 14-16: North America's first zero-carbon motorcycle grand prix at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. Jeremy Burne, U.S. director of the TTXGP eGrand Prix, gave us a preview in a Plug In America podcast. Take a listen here.He paints a dynamic picture of the race that uses cutting-edge electric technology to deliver "thrills and passion" to spectators and riders alike.
If you can't make it to the Sonoma event, you may be able to catch the EV bike race in Wisconsin, Virginia or Ontario Canada - all listed on the event website.
To see more photos of the cool electric bikes and how the race turned out - click here.
If you can't make it to the Sonoma event, you may be able to catch the EV bike race in Wisconsin, Virginia or Ontario Canada - all listed on the event website.
To see more photos of the cool electric bikes and how the race turned out - click here.
FIT Coalition Names Board of Advisers
If you would like to see Feed in Tariffs implemented in the United States - contact the FIT coalition to find out how you can help.
The FIT Coalition, a group focused on implementing comprehensive feed-in tariffs in the U.S., has announced the first seven members of its board of advisers.
The new members are Jeff Anderson, executive director at Clean Economy Network; Jeff Brothers, CEO at Sol Orchard; Michael T. Eckhart, president of the American Council On Renewable Energy; Patricia Glaza, executive director at Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries; L. Hunter Lovins, president at Natural Capitalism Solutions; Jim Weldon, CEO of Solar Junction Corp.; and R. James Woolsey, venture partner of VantagePoint Venture Partners and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
SOURCE: FIT Coalition
The FIT Coalition, a group focused on implementing comprehensive feed-in tariffs in the U.S., has announced the first seven members of its board of advisers.
The new members are Jeff Anderson, executive director at Clean Economy Network; Jeff Brothers, CEO at Sol Orchard; Michael T. Eckhart, president of the American Council On Renewable Energy; Patricia Glaza, executive director at Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries; L. Hunter Lovins, president at Natural Capitalism Solutions; Jim Weldon, CEO of Solar Junction Corp.; and R. James Woolsey, venture partner of VantagePoint Venture Partners and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
SOURCE: FIT Coalition
New Jersey Solar Incentive Program No Longer Accepting Applications
If you had any doubts about whether people were interested in solar energy - read this article.
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP), administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Office of Clean Energy, has stopped accepting applications for solar rebates under its Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP).
REIP funding-cycle 2, which opened May 3, received an unprecedented number of applications. The funding-cycle budgets were established for each budget category to spread available rebate funding over the three four-month funding-cycle periods.
In just three days, an entire cycle's worth of applications was submitted for residential and nonresidential solar projects through the program, the Office of Clean Energy says. On the first business day of funding cycle 2, the program received over 1,110 applications.
The 2010 New Jersey Clean Energy Budget, as approved by the Board of Public Utilities on Dec. 16, 2009, provided budgets to three funding cycles this year.
The Office of Clean Energy anticipates having a recommendation for consideration of additional funding or potential program changes at the June 7 board meeting and urges prospective applicants to check its website weekly for updates. Funding-cycle 3 is planned to open Sept. 1.
SOURCE: New Jersey Office Of Clean Energy
The New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP), administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' Office of Clean Energy, has stopped accepting applications for solar rebates under its Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP).
REIP funding-cycle 2, which opened May 3, received an unprecedented number of applications. The funding-cycle budgets were established for each budget category to spread available rebate funding over the three four-month funding-cycle periods.
In just three days, an entire cycle's worth of applications was submitted for residential and nonresidential solar projects through the program, the Office of Clean Energy says. On the first business day of funding cycle 2, the program received over 1,110 applications.
The 2010 New Jersey Clean Energy Budget, as approved by the Board of Public Utilities on Dec. 16, 2009, provided budgets to three funding cycles this year.
The Office of Clean Energy anticipates having a recommendation for consideration of additional funding or potential program changes at the June 7 board meeting and urges prospective applicants to check its website weekly for updates. Funding-cycle 3 is planned to open Sept. 1.
SOURCE: New Jersey Office Of Clean Energy
Solar Thermal Consortium Unveils Road Map for New York
| The Solar Thermal Consortium has introduced a road map designed to establish New York as a national leader in solar heat and cooling technologies. Developed over the past six months by more than 130 industrial, academic and governmental representatives, the Solar Thermal Roadmap creates a path to move New York state toward 2,000 MW of solar thermal capacity - equal to 1 million solar hot water collectors, or 500,000 residential systems. According to the consortium, the plan would result in $2.6 billion in economic activity and 25,000 new jobs over the next decade. "Sixty percent of the energy consumed in New York state’s buildings is to provide heat and hot water," notes New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) President Ron Kamen, senior vice president of EarthKind Solar. NYSEIA formally presented the map at the recent NY Solar Industries 2010 - Business of the Sun Conference in Albany. The road map recommends the following:
SOURCE: New York Solar Energy Industries Association |
SEIA Weighs in on Kerry-Lieberman Climate Bill's Impact on Solar
Following the introduction of the American Power Act, presented by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President and CEO Rhone Resch has issued a statement on the legislation, which, noticeably, does not include a national renewable electricity standard.
Resch praised the bill's carbon mechanisms but called for greater efforts to stimulate the deployment of solar energy and other forms of renewable energy.
"[T]o really make a difference, we need to ensure that any revenue from this legislation is targeted directly at deploying renewable energy like solar - an energy source that 92 percent of Americans say they want greater use of - now," Resch said.
"We also believe that for any climate legislation to succeed, it must embrace one of solar's key strengths - its diverse applications," Resch continued. "Distributed generation solar, like photovoltaics and solar water heating, as well as utility-scale solar power, are both crucial to fighting climate change and should be rewarded for generating clean energy."
Resch also urged policy-makers to address protection for the voluntary renewables market. "Under previous climate bills, no effort on the parts of homeowners and businesses to generate their own carbon-free energy was recognized in lowering the cap," he noted. "We hope that this major issue has been addressed and individuals have been empowered to have a real impact on the amount of pollution released into our environment."
SOURCE: Solar Energy Industries Association
Resch praised the bill's carbon mechanisms but called for greater efforts to stimulate the deployment of solar energy and other forms of renewable energy.
"[T]o really make a difference, we need to ensure that any revenue from this legislation is targeted directly at deploying renewable energy like solar - an energy source that 92 percent of Americans say they want greater use of - now," Resch said.
"We also believe that for any climate legislation to succeed, it must embrace one of solar's key strengths - its diverse applications," Resch continued. "Distributed generation solar, like photovoltaics and solar water heating, as well as utility-scale solar power, are both crucial to fighting climate change and should be rewarded for generating clean energy."
Resch also urged policy-makers to address protection for the voluntary renewables market. "Under previous climate bills, no effort on the parts of homeowners and businesses to generate their own carbon-free energy was recognized in lowering the cap," he noted. "We hope that this major issue has been addressed and individuals have been empowered to have a real impact on the amount of pollution released into our environment."
SOURCE: Solar Energy Industries Association
Renewables Industry Disappointed with Proposed American Power Act
On Wednesday, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released the details of their energy and climate change legislation. The bill includes few provisions designed to directly support renewable energy. These provisions include a statement from Congress on the importance of large-scale deployment and accelerated progress in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, direction for how the allowances distributed to states and Indian tribes should be used for the purposes of promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, and a statement supporting voluntary renewable energy markets.
Noticeably absent from the package was either a renewable portfolio standard, or renewable electricity standard, which the industry has been lobbying for over the course of the last year.
This is in direct contrast to bills introduced over the last year. President Obama's proposal called for 25% renewable electricity by 2025, 100% new building efficiency by 2030 and the phase-out of traditional incandescents by 2014. The Waxman/Markey bill mandated 15% renewable electricity with an added 5% efficiency by 2020, 75% new building efficiency by 2030, as well as appliance and lighting efficiency standards.
Overall, however, the bill may indirectly benefit the industry through the reduction of emissions. The bill mandates that utilities, starting in 2013 and other industries in 2016, must participate in a cap and trade system that places a price on carbon. The goal of these measures is to reduce economy-wide global warming pollution to 95.25 percent of 2005 levels by 2013, 83 percent by 2020, 58 percent by 2030, and 17 percent by 2050.
Overall, however, the bill may indirectly benefit the industry through the reduction of emissions. The bill mandates that utilities, starting in 2013 and other industries in 2016, must participate in a cap and trade system that places a price on carbon. The goal of these measures is to reduce economy-wide global warming pollution to 95.25 percent of 2005 levels by 2013, 83 percent by 2020, 58 percent by 2030, and 17 percent by 2050.
Source: Renewable Energy World Read the full article here.
Quick Changing Market
Five Years ago ... these were the top five solar cell fabricators:
Today the top five companies are:
Only two firms ... Sharp and Q-cells were able to stay in the top 5, the other three firms are virtually newcomers.
On average, U.S. corporations lose half of their customers every five years, half of their employees every four years, and half of their investors every year, according to Frederick Reichheld, author of The Loyalty Effect.
Buyers want value ... high efficiency / low cost. Those that can supply it prosper, those that do not decline. This is likely what we can look forward to in the coming years as the market continues to expand and new technologies are brought forward.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Today the top five companies are:
Only two firms ... Sharp and Q-cells were able to stay in the top 5, the other three firms are virtually newcomers.
On average, U.S. corporations lose half of their customers every five years, half of their employees every four years, and half of their investors every year, according to Frederick Reichheld, author of The Loyalty Effect.
Buyers want value ... high efficiency / low cost. Those that can supply it prosper, those that do not decline. This is likely what we can look forward to in the coming years as the market continues to expand and new technologies are brought forward.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Solaria Nets US $45 Million in Financing
Solaria Corporation has closed US $45 million in a financing round led by CMEA Capital and DBL Investors. Other participants in the round include current investors Sigma Partners and NGEN Partners and new investors Mitsui Ventures and Savitr Capital.
"After a great deal of testing and field validation, we're now offering the Solaria module to leading customers in North America, Europe, and Asia."
-- Daniel Shugar, CEO, Solaria
Solaria said that it will use the financing to meet increasing global demand for solar modules for large and utility scale projects, the fastest growing PV market segment. Solaria modules are designed specifically for ground-mounted tracking systems and certified to UL1703 and IEC61215 standards.
“Utilities, solar integrators, and project developers tell us that they want a cost effective solar module that delivers proven crystalline efficiency and reliability,” said Daniel Shugar, Solaria's CEO. “That is exactly what we’ve spent years developing. After a great deal of testing and field validation, we’re now offering the Solaria module to leading customers in North America, Europe, and Asia. I’m proud to have been present at other milestones in the solar industry, and I believe this will prove to be the most significant yet.”
"After a great deal of testing and field validation, we're now offering the Solaria module to leading customers in North America, Europe, and Asia."
-- Daniel Shugar, CEO, Solaria
Solaria said that it will use the financing to meet increasing global demand for solar modules for large and utility scale projects, the fastest growing PV market segment. Solaria modules are designed specifically for ground-mounted tracking systems and certified to UL1703 and IEC61215 standards.
“Utilities, solar integrators, and project developers tell us that they want a cost effective solar module that delivers proven crystalline efficiency and reliability,” said Daniel Shugar, Solaria's CEO. “That is exactly what we’ve spent years developing. After a great deal of testing and field validation, we’re now offering the Solaria module to leading customers in North America, Europe, and Asia. I’m proud to have been present at other milestones in the solar industry, and I believe this will prove to be the most significant yet.”
UK Goverment Expands Feed In Tariff Program
Less than two months after Britain's Labour Party launched its highly regarded feed-in tariff program, the newly elected conservative government has announced the program will be expanded. The announcement is included in the coalition government's agreement published as the new government took office.
Britain is one of Europe's renewable energy laggards. Despite the best wind resource in Europe, the county has only developed 4,000 megawatts (MW) of generation after two decades of effort. During the same period, Germany has installed 25,000 MW of wind capacity. France, itself a laggard, has installed as much as Britain in half the time. Both Germany and France use feed-in tariffs.
Is this political rhetoric or a promise? Given the success of Feed In Tariff programs throughout the rest of Europe ... and the economic benefits it has led to ... we're anticipating that further announcements will be forthcoming.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
System Photonics Introduces Innovative Solar Roof Tiles
System Photonics today announces the availability in the UK of their solar roof tiles.
System Photonics has combined its ceramic industry know-how with photovoltaic technology to create a unique solar roof tile, a highly aesthetic and functional photovoltaic solution designed from the outset as a roof covering that can be integrated seamlessly into the building design, without compromises on the efficiency of the photovoltaic system.
“We are very excited both about the start of our operation and the availability of the Feed- in Tariff in the UK. The crucial thing about the feed-in tariff is the benefit goes back directly to the homeowner. We are confident that our superior solar roof tiles and comprehensive service and support programme will benefit our partners in the market and their customers who are the home owners”, said Reza Shaybani, Director of System Photonics UK.
“The issue with solar power has been a matter of aesthetics, homeowners have hesitated to install solar panels on their roofs due to the bulky, unsightly systems available on the market and their possible effect on the curb appeal of a property” said Gianluca Aiazzi, CEO of Solar Photonics.
“Our unique roof tile has a ceramic back sheet and is available in a wide range of colours. As well as being pleasing to they eye, System Photonics roof tiles are modular, tough, waterproof, easy to install and eco-friendly, since they are almost entirely made of recyclable materials”.
System Photonics solar roof tile features:
• Aesthetics –built on 3mm ceramic substrate, available in 13 permanent colours including slate grey and clay red.
• Solid durable construction - ultra-resistant thermally conductive ceramic dissipates heat from cells. Our Laminam ceramic is non-porous, weatherproof and recyclable. Tempered glass front.
• Efficiency - we use crystalline cells for high efficiency, equal to normal solar panels.
• Reliability - 10 year guarantee from defects, 25 year performance guarantee.
• Complete solution – solar roof tiles and complementary passive ceramic tiles complete with mounting accessories ensure architectural consistency.
• Fast installation – solar roof tiles can be installed rapidly on an existing roof, no extra precautions are needed for waterproofing, and our solar roof can be walked on.
• Recyclability – unlike solar panels, at the end of our product’s useful lifetime, all materials can be separated by heating and recycled.
• Company strength - the System group is the largest manufacturer of machinery for the ceramic tile industry, it also makes the machinery to manufacture System Photonics solar roof tiles.
• Standards - TÜV certified at full 110 PSF loading, IEC 61215, IEC 61730 security certified, protection class II, CE marked. UL and MSC pending.
Source: System Photonics
System Photonics has combined its ceramic industry know-how with photovoltaic technology to create a unique solar roof tile, a highly aesthetic and functional photovoltaic solution designed from the outset as a roof covering that can be integrated seamlessly into the building design, without compromises on the efficiency of the photovoltaic system.
“We are very excited both about the start of our operation and the availability of the Feed- in Tariff in the UK. The crucial thing about the feed-in tariff is the benefit goes back directly to the homeowner. We are confident that our superior solar roof tiles and comprehensive service and support programme will benefit our partners in the market and their customers who are the home owners”, said Reza Shaybani, Director of System Photonics UK.
“The issue with solar power has been a matter of aesthetics, homeowners have hesitated to install solar panels on their roofs due to the bulky, unsightly systems available on the market and their possible effect on the curb appeal of a property” said Gianluca Aiazzi, CEO of Solar Photonics.
“Our unique roof tile has a ceramic back sheet and is available in a wide range of colours. As well as being pleasing to they eye, System Photonics roof tiles are modular, tough, waterproof, easy to install and eco-friendly, since they are almost entirely made of recyclable materials”.
System Photonics solar roof tile features:
• Aesthetics –built on 3mm ceramic substrate, available in 13 permanent colours including slate grey and clay red.
• Solid durable construction - ultra-resistant thermally conductive ceramic dissipates heat from cells. Our Laminam ceramic is non-porous, weatherproof and recyclable. Tempered glass front.
• Efficiency - we use crystalline cells for high efficiency, equal to normal solar panels.
• Reliability - 10 year guarantee from defects, 25 year performance guarantee.
• Complete solution – solar roof tiles and complementary passive ceramic tiles complete with mounting accessories ensure architectural consistency.
• Fast installation – solar roof tiles can be installed rapidly on an existing roof, no extra precautions are needed for waterproofing, and our solar roof can be walked on.
• Recyclability – unlike solar panels, at the end of our product’s useful lifetime, all materials can be separated by heating and recycled.
• Company strength - the System group is the largest manufacturer of machinery for the ceramic tile industry, it also makes the machinery to manufacture System Photonics solar roof tiles.
• Standards - TÜV certified at full 110 PSF loading, IEC 61215, IEC 61730 security certified, protection class II, CE marked. UL and MSC pending.
Source: System Photonics
SANYO Brings More HIT High Efficiency PV Modules to Europe
Exclusive launch of new modules for European Market at Intersolar 2010.
SANYO Component Europe GmbH has recently announced that it will be showcasing a new range of high efficiency HIT modules at this year’s Intersolar, to be held from June 9th through June 11th at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany (Stand 170 in Hall A6). Keeping with SANYO’s tradition for presenting a fun and interactive exhibition experience, this year also sees the introduction of a new host of attractions to be featured alongside these new products.
SANYO’s HIT modules are highly appreciated in Europe thanks to their industry leading energy conversion efficiency. The modules are based on thin mono crystalline silicon wafers surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers to deliver a superior conversion efficiency, outstanding temperature characteristics and higher output power on a given roof area compared to conventional crystalline modules. These new modules see these characteristics taken a step further to provide added cost efficiency to users in Europe.
Not keep to stop there, SANYO will also be introducing a pioneering energy solution “Smart Energy System (SES)” that utilizes its expertise in the fields of energy generation, energy storage and energy efficiency. Through advancements in the method of harnessing the suns power to address our day-to-day energy needs, this solution is expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions in Europe.
To meet the European markets growing needs, SANYO has continued to invest in its production facilities for photovoltaic products. This year alone, the module assembly plant in Hungary will undergo an expansion that will see output capacity increase from 165MW to 315MW, making SANYO well equipped to react quickly to the European market.
Source: Renewable Energy Sources
SANYO Component Europe GmbH has recently announced that it will be showcasing a new range of high efficiency HIT modules at this year’s Intersolar, to be held from June 9th through June 11th at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Germany (Stand 170 in Hall A6). Keeping with SANYO’s tradition for presenting a fun and interactive exhibition experience, this year also sees the introduction of a new host of attractions to be featured alongside these new products.
SANYO’s HIT modules are highly appreciated in Europe thanks to their industry leading energy conversion efficiency. The modules are based on thin mono crystalline silicon wafers surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers to deliver a superior conversion efficiency, outstanding temperature characteristics and higher output power on a given roof area compared to conventional crystalline modules. These new modules see these characteristics taken a step further to provide added cost efficiency to users in Europe.
Not keep to stop there, SANYO will also be introducing a pioneering energy solution “Smart Energy System (SES)” that utilizes its expertise in the fields of energy generation, energy storage and energy efficiency. Through advancements in the method of harnessing the suns power to address our day-to-day energy needs, this solution is expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions in Europe.
To meet the European markets growing needs, SANYO has continued to invest in its production facilities for photovoltaic products. This year alone, the module assembly plant in Hungary will undergo an expansion that will see output capacity increase from 165MW to 315MW, making SANYO well equipped to react quickly to the European market.
Source: Renewable Energy Sources
Solar Car to Lead Runners in Kenyan Open Marathon
A solar car equipped with Sharp solar cells will be the lead car in the 2nd Sotokoto*1 Safari Marathon on May 23, 2010 in Nairobi, the Republic of Kenya. The environmentally friendly solar car is driving in support of this open marathon in the equatorial country of Kenya, which boasts one of the highest quantities of solar radiation on Earth.
This open marathon is held to encourage people to contribute to society and protect the environment. The marathon was first held in 2009 as part of the Smile Africa Project*2, in which Japanese children donate their used shoes to their less fortunate counterparts in developing countries.
Once again participating as a runner in the race will be Naoko Takahashi of Japan, winner of the women’s marathon gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games. Behind the wheel of the solar car will be another luminary—Kenjiro Shinozuka, an experienced driver who has participated in solar car races in South Africa and Australia and who was the first Japanese to achieve overall victory in the Paris to Dakar Rally (in 1997).
The “ELA” solar car is equipped with Sharp polycrystalline residential solar cells.
This open marathon is held to encourage people to contribute to society and protect the environment. The marathon was first held in 2009 as part of the Smile Africa Project*2, in which Japanese children donate their used shoes to their less fortunate counterparts in developing countries.
Once again participating as a runner in the race will be Naoko Takahashi of Japan, winner of the women’s marathon gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games. Behind the wheel of the solar car will be another luminary—Kenjiro Shinozuka, an experienced driver who has participated in solar car races in South Africa and Australia and who was the first Japanese to achieve overall victory in the Paris to Dakar Rally (in 1997).
The “ELA” solar car is equipped with Sharp polycrystalline residential solar cells.
50 MW CSP Plant in Spain Becomes Operational
Seville, Spain: Abengoa Solar Begins Commercial Operation of Solnova 1
Abengoa Solar has initiated commercial operation of Solnova 1, the new parabolic trough technology plant located at the Solúcar Platform, following the successful completion of the operation and production testing conducted over the course of three days. During this phase plant performance matched theoretical electrical power generation design, thereby validating the tremendous potential of parabolic trough technology.
The Solnova 1 plant incorporates parabolic trough technology developed by Abengoa Solar and has integrated significant design enhancements. Worthy of special mention is the Abengoa Solar-developed ASTRØ parabolic trough collector which ensures far superior precision thanks to its design and exclusive process of construction and alignment.
The accumulative experience gained by Abengoa Solar through its trough pilot plant built in 2007, the use of a motor-driven start-up station, and the expertise of highly specialized technical personnel dedicated to optical alignment, collector manufacturing and process optimisation proved to be key factors in the successful start-up of Solnova 1, a plant built by Abener.
Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar, emphasized that reaching theoretical design capacity during production testing constitutes a significant milestone.
"Our technological progress and accumulative expertise have enabled us to reach our goals much sooner than we had anticipated. We will use this experience in the two 280 MW CSP plants planned for the United States in Arizona and California," he added.
With its 50 megawatts of power, the new Solnova 1 solar station will generate enough clean energy to meet the electricity needs of 25,700 homes, while preventing the emission of approximately 31,400 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.
Solnova 1 is made up of around 980,000 square feet (300,000 square meters) of mirrors that cover an area totalling approximately 280 acres (115 hectares). The plant employs technology which concentrates solar radiation onto a heat-absorbing pipe inside of which flows a liquid that reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers its energy to the water vapor that reaches a turbo-generator, where it expands to produce electricity.
Source: Solarbuzz Further details about: Abengoa Solar
Abengoa Solar has initiated commercial operation of Solnova 1, the new parabolic trough technology plant located at the Solúcar Platform, following the successful completion of the operation and production testing conducted over the course of three days. During this phase plant performance matched theoretical electrical power generation design, thereby validating the tremendous potential of parabolic trough technology.
The Solnova 1 plant incorporates parabolic trough technology developed by Abengoa Solar and has integrated significant design enhancements. Worthy of special mention is the Abengoa Solar-developed ASTRØ parabolic trough collector which ensures far superior precision thanks to its design and exclusive process of construction and alignment.
The accumulative experience gained by Abengoa Solar through its trough pilot plant built in 2007, the use of a motor-driven start-up station, and the expertise of highly specialized technical personnel dedicated to optical alignment, collector manufacturing and process optimisation proved to be key factors in the successful start-up of Solnova 1, a plant built by Abener.
Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar, emphasized that reaching theoretical design capacity during production testing constitutes a significant milestone.
"Our technological progress and accumulative expertise have enabled us to reach our goals much sooner than we had anticipated. We will use this experience in the two 280 MW CSP plants planned for the United States in Arizona and California," he added.
With its 50 megawatts of power, the new Solnova 1 solar station will generate enough clean energy to meet the electricity needs of 25,700 homes, while preventing the emission of approximately 31,400 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.
Solnova 1 is made up of around 980,000 square feet (300,000 square meters) of mirrors that cover an area totalling approximately 280 acres (115 hectares). The plant employs technology which concentrates solar radiation onto a heat-absorbing pipe inside of which flows a liquid that reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers its energy to the water vapor that reaches a turbo-generator, where it expands to produce electricity.
Source: Solarbuzz Further details about: Abengoa Solar
73 MW Solar Project Approved for Thailand
Manila, Philippines:
The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Board of Directors has approved investment in a 73-megawatt solar power plant in central Thailand. The plant, likely to be one of the largest solar photovoltaic projects in the world, will be central to Thailand's efforts to generate much more of its energy from domestic, renewable sources. ADB will lend up to $70 million equivalent in Thai baht to Natural Energy Development Company, a Thai company jointly owned by CLP Holdings Ltd., Japan's Mitsubishi Corp., and the Electricity Generating Public Company Ltd., Thailand's first independent power producer, to build the plant.
The loan will come from ADB's ordinary capital resources, and the plant will be located in Lopburi province in central Thailand.
Currently, around 90% of Thailand's power comes from natural gas, coal, and lignite. In an effort to diversify the country's energy mix and promote renewable energy, the government has prepared an Alternative Energy Development Plan that aims to generate 20.4% of primary commercial energy from renewable sources by 2022. This implies a sharp increase in renewable capacity to 5,608 megawatts from the current 1,750 megawatts.
"Solar energy is an abundant resource throughout Thailand and therefore has huge potential to fill the rising demand from Thai businesses, communities and households," said Joe Yamagata, Deputy Director General in ADB's Private Sector Operations Department.
"This private sector undertaking should demonstrate clearly to other investors the viability of investing in solar projects if the right financing structure including carbon credits is in place," he said.
The loan will come from ADB's ordinary capital resources, and the plant will be located in Lopburi province in central Thailand.
Currently, around 90% of Thailand's power comes from natural gas, coal, and lignite. In an effort to diversify the country's energy mix and promote renewable energy, the government has prepared an Alternative Energy Development Plan that aims to generate 20.4% of primary commercial energy from renewable sources by 2022. This implies a sharp increase in renewable capacity to 5,608 megawatts from the current 1,750 megawatts.
"Solar energy is an abundant resource throughout Thailand and therefore has huge potential to fill the rising demand from Thai businesses, communities and households," said Joe Yamagata, Deputy Director General in ADB's Private Sector Operations Department.
"This private sector undertaking should demonstrate clearly to other investors the viability of investing in solar projects if the right financing structure including carbon credits is in place," he said.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Solar Sector Faces Power Struggle
The world's photovoltaic industry is heading for a shake-out with big Chinese and US manufacturers of solar modules competing for dominance in Europe as smaller companies suffer from a collapse of prices and lower subsidies.
Executives speaking at the Italian PV Summit and trade fair in Verona last week were heartened by higher forecasts of demand for solar power made by the Paris-based International Energy Agency but they also warned of the dangers of a bubble forming in fast-growing Italy following the bursting of the Spanish market last year.
"We will see more consolidation of players, leaving a handful of very large manufacturers," said David Hogg, head of European operations for China's Suntech Power, which plans to increase output to 1,250MW in 2010 from 700MW last year and is developing a new generation of high-efficiency Pluto panels.
"As the industry matures only those with a low cost base will be left," he said, stressing the importance of economies of scale.
A collapse of some 50 per cent in module prices over the past 18 months has left some companies vulnerable, particularly in Germany where Anton Milner resigned in March as chief executive of Q-Cells, formerly the world's largest solar cell producer, after what he called "very dramatic negative figures" for 2009.
Executives speaking at the Italian PV Summit and trade fair in Verona last week were heartened by higher forecasts of demand for solar power made by the Paris-based International Energy Agency but they also warned of the dangers of a bubble forming in fast-growing Italy following the bursting of the Spanish market last year.
"We will see more consolidation of players, leaving a handful of very large manufacturers," said David Hogg, head of European operations for China's Suntech Power, which plans to increase output to 1,250MW in 2010 from 700MW last year and is developing a new generation of high-efficiency Pluto panels.
"As the industry matures only those with a low cost base will be left," he said, stressing the importance of economies of scale.
A collapse of some 50 per cent in module prices over the past 18 months has left some companies vulnerable, particularly in Germany where Anton Milner resigned in March as chief executive of Q-Cells, formerly the world's largest solar cell producer, after what he called "very dramatic negative figures" for 2009.
Germany's Solar PV Industry: A Victim of its own Success?
Berlin has decided to accelerate the annual rate by which it will reduce the solar feed-in tariff from five percent to ten percent, partly because the overwhelming success of the scheme lead to concerns that its generous support was causing a proliferation of solar installations that were becoming less affordable as the German economy entered recession.
The success of the scheme has meant many more installations than expected have secured support under the EEG. Given the lower initial expectations, the subsequently much larger number of qualifying installations has taxed the allocated budget. With the economy in decline, this has meant the generosity of the scheme has become less affordable.
Consequently, the government cut the tariff for new solar plants by around 10 per cent on 1 January 2010. However, at around the same time as the shrinking of Germany’s economy in 2009, the price of silicon went into a slump, which in turn led to significant reductions in installation costs. Calls followed for a further reduction in the feed-in tariffs.
In response, the Ministry for the Environment released plans in January to reduce solar funding by a further 15 per cent in the summer of 2010 and by that amount again at the start of 2011 – this is in addition to reductions already planned.
Although the amendments are not yet law as the coalition government is still negotiating on the draft-proposal, reports in the media suggest that roof systems will receive 16 per cent less in feed-in tariff in June, in addition to the January cut of 10 per cent. They will also suffer a two per cent cut per 1000 MW of newly installed capacity should the market raise above a certain limit.
The thinking is that as the volume of installations increases overtime, costs will fall. A final parliamentary decision on the new tariff rates is expected soon.
Editor's Note: Some people believe that the recent elections in Germany signal that many people are not happy with the current administrations efforts to expand Nuclear energy at the expense of solar, and their is some hope that the FIT cuts will be postponed or softened.The thinking is that as the volume of installations increases overtime, costs will fall. A final parliamentary decision on the new tariff rates is expected soon.
Tariff Amendments Draw Fire
Proposed changes to the feed-in tariff in Germany for solar power have caused so much alarm in the PV industry there that the head of the country’s solar industry association has issued a strong warning about its possible effects. Günther Cramer, president of the Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW), went so far as to say that the proposed cuts threaten jobs. “Dozens of German solar companies would face insolvency or be forced to relocate their production outside of Germany,” said Cramer.
“The excessive feed-in tariff cut endangers one of the most important driving forces of jobs and the economy in our country. The creation of value added in the production of PV modules must be allowed to continue in Germany.” Cramer added the cuts even threaten to make the German chancellor’s policy on climate change obsolete. The BSW strongly advises a cautionary approach to reducing the feed-in tariff.
It says large sections of the German solar industry would not survive an additional reduction of the tariff for photovoltaic systems this year in the double-digit percentage range. “If this were implemented, around 50 000 jobs in Germany would hang in the balance,” a statement by the organisation reads.
Source: Renewable Energy World Read the full article here.
Germany Cuts its Feed in Tariff Rates in July
Germany's Bundestag - its lower house of parliament - has given approval to the country's previously announced reductions to subsidies for solar installations, Reuters reports. The reductions are expected to take place in July.
Under the new incentive levels, subsidies for rooftop solar power will be cut by 16%, and most open-field installations will see a 15% reduction in subsidies.
Under the new incentive levels, subsidies for rooftop solar power will be cut by 16%, and most open-field installations will see a 15% reduction in subsidies.
SunPower Arranges $75 Million Loan Commitment from IFC
SunPower Corp. has secured a $75 million loan commitment from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. The company's subsidiary, SunPower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd. (SPML), is partnering with IFC to finance SPML's operations in the Philippines.
"SunPower's partnership with IFC will enable us to drive further improvements to our manufacturing processes, which will allow us to continue delivery of the highest-efficiency solar cells to the global market," states Dennis Arriola, SunPower's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We have been working closely with IFC for more than a year to secure this financing, and we hope to identify additional opportunities in the future."
Under the terms of the loan commitment, SPML can draw up to $75 million over the next two years. The loan must be repaid seven years from the draw-down date.
SOURCE: Solar Industry Magazine
"SunPower's partnership with IFC will enable us to drive further improvements to our manufacturing processes, which will allow us to continue delivery of the highest-efficiency solar cells to the global market," states Dennis Arriola, SunPower's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We have been working closely with IFC for more than a year to secure this financing, and we hope to identify additional opportunities in the future."
Under the terms of the loan commitment, SPML can draw up to $75 million over the next two years. The loan must be repaid seven years from the draw-down date.
SOURCE: Solar Industry Magazine
Shrink Solar Develops New Solar Concentrator Technology
Shrink Nanotechnologies Inc. says its wholly owned subsidiary, Shrink Solar LLC, has unveiled the fifth generation of its solar concentrator technology, which is based on the company's proprietary NanoShrink material and its photovoltaic quantum dot composition.
Shrink Solar's fifth-generation solar concentrator has achieved higher efficiencies than previous generations of energy-producing cells, according to the company. This design also incorporates additional structures and circuit design to bolster efficiency.
The technology filters out wavelengths currently not absorbed by silicon and re-emits them into a device by concentrating light without the need for a tracking device, mirror or lens. Shrink Solar has demonstrated this proof-of-concept in an initial solar window prototype device.
SOURCE: Shrink Nanotechnologies Inc.
Shrink Solar's fifth-generation solar concentrator has achieved higher efficiencies than previous generations of energy-producing cells, according to the company. This design also incorporates additional structures and circuit design to bolster efficiency.
The technology filters out wavelengths currently not absorbed by silicon and re-emits them into a device by concentrating light without the need for a tracking device, mirror or lens. Shrink Solar has demonstrated this proof-of-concept in an initial solar window prototype device.
SOURCE: Shrink Nanotechnologies Inc.
CentroSolar America Launches Centroschool
CentroSolar America, a provider of modules, inverters, racking components and packaged photovoltaic systems, has launched its U.S. training program, CentroSchool. The first training event was held in April in Pleasanton, Calif.
"The goal of CentroSchool is to guide new installers into the solar business and to help existing ones build their businesses," says Deep Chakraborty, CEO of CentroSolar America.
CentroSolar America adapted the solar training format from its German parent, CentroSolar AG, which has been conducting solar training programs in Germany and trained over 500 installers per year since 2007, the company notes.
CentroSchool will be offered twice a month at various U.S. locations. The next two events planned will be in Mt. Laurel, N.J., on May 13 and Scottsdale, Ariz., on June 3. Students interested in attending other training sessions can sign up at www.centrosolaramerica.com or www.centroschool.com.
SOURCE: CentroSolar America
"The goal of CentroSchool is to guide new installers into the solar business and to help existing ones build their businesses," says Deep Chakraborty, CEO of CentroSolar America.
CentroSolar America adapted the solar training format from its German parent, CentroSolar AG, which has been conducting solar training programs in Germany and trained over 500 installers per year since 2007, the company notes.
CentroSchool will be offered twice a month at various U.S. locations. The next two events planned will be in Mt. Laurel, N.J., on May 13 and Scottsdale, Ariz., on June 3. Students interested in attending other training sessions can sign up at www.centrosolaramerica.com or www.centroschool.com.
SOURCE: CentroSolar America
Monday, May 10, 2010
MIT Researchers Print Solar Cell on Paper
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have successfully coated paper with a solar cell, part of a suite of research projects aimed at energy breakthroughs.
The printed solar cells, which Bulovic showed at a press conference Tuesday, are still in the research phase and are years from being commercialized.
However, the technique, in which paper is coated with organic semiconductor material using a process similar to an inkjet printer, is a promising way to lower the weight of solar panels. "If you could use a staple gun to install a solar panel, there could be a lot of value," Bulovic said.
The materials MIT researchers used are carbon-based dyes and the cells are about 1.5 percent to 2 percent efficient at converting sunlight to electricity. But any material could be used if it can be deposited at room temperature, Bulovic said. "Absolutely, the trick was coming up with ways to use paper," he said.
Source: CNET News - Read the full article here.
Solar Power Scales Up
Photo: Some of the most exciting developments have been in large-scale solar installations.
Credit: Stirling Energy Systems.
"I think the future of solar is in all sizes, from the dinky cell powering your calculator to large utility-scale projects that need to be hooked up to utility lines," said Bob Noble, CEO of Envision Solar, whose company builds solar "groves" that also include electric car charging. The solar-powered calculators have been are on the market for decades, but utility-grade solar will take longer.
Many of the biggest projects are either in Europe or involve European companies. Abengoa Solar announced this week that it had started commercial operation near Seville, Spain of its 50-megawatt Solnova 1, which uses parabolic trough solar technology. The plant can power 25,700 homes, or offset 31,400 tons of carbon dioxide.
But Abenoga is also moving ahead with two large concentrating solar plants in the U.S., including Solana (in the desert outside Phoenix) and the Mojave Desert Project (California). Another Mojave project, backed by BrightSource and $160 million in investment, got a big boost in February when it received a conditional $1.4 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy.
U.S. solar electric capacity is still relatively small-just over 2,000 megawatts, enough to power 350,000 homes. But revenue climbed 36% in 2009. Last year $1.4 billion in venture capital reached solar companies in the U.S. Total U.S. volume is $4 billion. The largest users in the U.S. are in California, including Pacific Gas & Electric (the most installed capacity) and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (the most solar watts per customer).
The key to parabolic technology as backed by Abenoga and BrightSource is mirrors, huge ones. Solnova 1 covers 280 acres. The mirrors concentrate solar radiation onto heat-absorbing pipes carrying a super-heated liquid. Heat transfer turns water to steam, and that steam powers a turbo-generator to create electricity.
Clean tech funder Vinod Khosla, in a briefing paper on utility-scale solar, recently called for stable U.S. and European government incentive schemes, and for the "formation of large-scale, low-cost capital to underwrite low-carbon energy projects" of $100 million to $1 billion. According to Khosla's paper, a 100-mile by 100-mile solar-equipped section of Nevada desert could meet the full electricity demand of the U.S., and one percent of the world's desert areas could meet global electricity demand as forecast for 2030.
Khosla predicted that the price of photovoltaic cells is dropping from $2 a watt today to $1 in the near future. Noble of Envision also points out that technical advances have made large-scale solar adoption more feasible. And there are frequent breakthroughs:
Many of the biggest projects are either in Europe or involve European companies. Abengoa Solar announced this week that it had started commercial operation near Seville, Spain of its 50-megawatt Solnova 1, which uses parabolic trough solar technology. The plant can power 25,700 homes, or offset 31,400 tons of carbon dioxide.
But Abenoga is also moving ahead with two large concentrating solar plants in the U.S., including Solana (in the desert outside Phoenix) and the Mojave Desert Project (California). Another Mojave project, backed by BrightSource and $160 million in investment, got a big boost in February when it received a conditional $1.4 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy.
U.S. solar electric capacity is still relatively small-just over 2,000 megawatts, enough to power 350,000 homes. But revenue climbed 36% in 2009. Last year $1.4 billion in venture capital reached solar companies in the U.S. Total U.S. volume is $4 billion. The largest users in the U.S. are in California, including Pacific Gas & Electric (the most installed capacity) and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (the most solar watts per customer).
The key to parabolic technology as backed by Abenoga and BrightSource is mirrors, huge ones. Solnova 1 covers 280 acres. The mirrors concentrate solar radiation onto heat-absorbing pipes carrying a super-heated liquid. Heat transfer turns water to steam, and that steam powers a turbo-generator to create electricity.
Clean tech funder Vinod Khosla, in a briefing paper on utility-scale solar, recently called for stable U.S. and European government incentive schemes, and for the "formation of large-scale, low-cost capital to underwrite low-carbon energy projects" of $100 million to $1 billion. According to Khosla's paper, a 100-mile by 100-mile solar-equipped section of Nevada desert could meet the full electricity demand of the U.S., and one percent of the world's desert areas could meet global electricity demand as forecast for 2030.
Khosla predicted that the price of photovoltaic cells is dropping from $2 a watt today to $1 in the near future. Noble of Envision also points out that technical advances have made large-scale solar adoption more feasible. And there are frequent breakthroughs:
Source: The Daily Green Read the full article here.
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