Event planning: PV America postponed until 2011; SEMI PV Group, Intersolar join forces in China
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
One upcoming U.S. trade show has been postponed for a year, while a major solar conference in China has added a partner. PV America, originally scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, on April 8-10, 2010, has been postponed to April 3-5, 2011, and relocated to the Philadelphia Convention Center. Meanwhile, Intersolar will join the SEMI PV Group to co-organize the conference and host a pavilion at the Solarcon China event, set for March 16-18, 2010.
Project Focus: First Solar, NRG start operations at record-setting 21MW PV power plant in Blythe
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
What is being called the largest solar PV project in California and the biggest thin-film plant in the U.S. has started commercial operations ahead of schedule. The 21MW (AC) site in Blythe, developed and built by First Solar and acquired by NRG Energy in November, operates under a 20-year power purchase agreement, with the electricity generated sold to Southern California Edison.
MEMC increases ownership stake in Taiwanese wafer maker Eversol to 10.6%
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
MEMC Electronic Materials has increased its ownership interest in Eversol, a Taiwanese solar wafer manufacturer. The company now holds a 10.6% stake in the wafer-making firm.
Project Focus: Bechtel Construction signs agreement for 440MW facility
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Bechtel Construction and two labour organizations have signed an agreement for the construction of a 440MW concentrating solar thermal power facility in southeastern California, called the BrightSource Energy’s Ivanpah Solar Electricity Generating System.
LDK Solar in cash call on liquidity issues
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Selling stakes in its recently completed first phase polysilicon plant as well as a late call for cash from a new planned share issue have raised concerns over LDK Solar’s ability to carry on as a going concern. VMS Investment Group signed an indicative term sheet with LDK last week to the tune of between US$50 million and US$80 million in convertible preference shares for a stake in the polysilicon plant. Then, at the end of the week, LDK Solar announced a new share offering but was discounted to the closing price.
Suntech is first company in Asia to receive VDE TDAP certification
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Suntech Power is the first solar company in Asia to be awarded the VDE Test Data Acceptance Program (TDAP) certificate in accordance with all the requirements of IEC 61215.
Project Focus: Sputnik Engineering commissions 8.6MW plant, largest in region
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Sputnik Engineering has commissioned an 8.6MW PV plant, its largest to date, in Germany in the town of Gerwisch near Magdeburg; the system is also the largest in the region. The plant was connected to the country’s medium voltage grid on December 14 by Sputnik’s service technician Andreas Rittner.
China green building & energy investment events run with success
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Running from December 10-11 Noppen’s China Advanced Green Building Summit 2009, organized in conjunction with Shanghai Green Ecosystem Building & Living Environment, Science-Technology Expansion Centre in Shanghai, focused on cost, energy and environmental solutions in buildings in an attempt to increase the country’s uptake of green building solutions.
First Solar and EDF plan 100MW thin film plant near Bordeaux, France
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
As promised at its recent analyst conference, First Solar and EDF Energies Nouvelles have finally released details regarding their cofinanced CdTe thin film plant. The planned 100MW facility, which will have two operating manufacturing lines, could be established in Blanquefort, near the city of Bordeaux, should final negotiations with the local government prove successful.
Natcore achieves positive LPD research results
December 22, 2009 | Comments Off
Natcore Technology has achieved successful testing results from the initial stage of its liquid phase deposition (LPD) research and development program. This R&D program is being conducted at the facilities of Ohio State University.