Ceremony held for SunE Sky Norfolk I and II 18MW solar parks in Ontario
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
A ceremony took place on March 25 to celebrate the launch of two solar photovoltaic parks totaling 18MW located in Norfolk County, Ontario. The two solar parks, SunE Sky Norfolk I and II, are being developed under a joint venture between SunEdison and SkyPower.
Project Focus: Largest First Solar installation in Spain to be constructed by Assyce Fotovoltaica
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Assyce Fotovoltaica, the Spanish solar integrator, is to construct a 26MWp First Solar free-field solar power plant in Extremadura. The plant, which will be constructed over 69 hectares, will be the largest First Solar integration in the country.
Project Focus: Martifer Solar completes first U.S. SmartPark carport installation
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Martifer Solar has completed its first 368kW SmartPark solar carport system in the U.S. The 35,000-square-foot installation was built for the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) in Lancaster, CA.
ABB acquires Czech power semiconductor firm to meet switching device demand from renewable energy
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
ABB is acquiring a Czech power semiconductor firm, Polovodiče for an undisclosed sum to boost its power semiconductor production, due to the short supply and strong demand for power switching devices used in inverters. ABB is already spending US$150 million over three years to expand its semiconductor plant in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Polovodiče has been making power semiconductors since the mid-1950s and had revenues in the low double-digit millions of US dollars, according to ABB.
Abound Solar gains IEC certification for CdTe thin film modules
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film module manufacturer, Abound Solar has received IEC certification from TÜV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory as well as certification by Underwriters Laboratory and the California Energy Commission, meeting UL, IEC, CEC, and CE requirements for its AB1 series of PV modules. As a result, the company can sell its products in the U.S. and across Europe.
Project Focus: Morocco secures agreements for $9billion solar plans
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Morocco has now reportedly secured agreements with the World Bank, the European Commission and Germany in connection with its large-scale US$9 billion solar project, which is expected to produce 38% of the country’s power by the year 2020.
Solar Power Inc. selects site for U.S. manufacturing facility
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Solar Power Inc. has selected McClellan Business Park as the site for its U.S. manufacturing facility, subject to the finalization of building agreements. The company has received an initial commitment of US$24.7 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB) from Sacramento County and plans to use the proceeds from the sale of these bonds to help finance renovation and outfitting of the solar panel manufacturing facility.
Anwell starts ramp of 120MW a-Si thin film plant
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
China-based a-Si thin-film equipment and now module manufacturer Anwell Technologies has started mass production of thin film modules using its in-house developed ‘Sunlite’ turnkey production line. Anwell’s initial capacity is 40MW but will be further expanded to over 120MW by the end of 2010, according to the company. The plant is located in Henan, China.
Sharp starts production at 1GW capacity thin-film plant
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
With an initial production capacity of 160MW, Sharp has started volume production at its 1GW a-Si thin-film plant in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. According to the company, the new facility will be a model plant for future Sharp thin-film solar cell plants around the world.
T-Solar prepares for IPO to finance international expansion
March 30, 2010 | Comments Off
T-Solar is preparing to have its shares listed on the Spanish stock exchanges and traded though the Automated Quotation System (Mercado Continuo). The transaction will consist of a primary offering intended to fund large-area solar photovoltaic plants in the company’s target countries including Spain, Italy, France, India, the U.S.