Transphorm’s gallium nitride diode DC-DC boost converter claims 99% efficiency
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
Transphorm has launched its new power diode based on patented, high-performance EZ GaNTM (Gallium Nitride) technology. The power converters are designed with 600V transistors and low-loss power diodes, which makes for a fast and efficient conversion technology.
Schiller automates junction box assembly for higher reliability and lower cost
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
Schiller Automation has not only created a dedicated PV division that will be concentrating on customized fab automation solutions in the fields of thin-film solar modules and crystalline solar cells it has also recently developed a module production concept called ‘Sunriser.’
EU PVSEC program released with over 1,500 presentations scheduled at the conference
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
The 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) has released its program for the event taking place September 5 through September 9 at the Congress Center and International Fair in Hamburg. Conference General Chairman Dr. Heinz Ossenbrink and Technical Program Chairman Dr. Amulf Jäger-Waldau, both from the European Commission, DG Joint Research Center, helped the International Scientific Committee sort the 1,728 abstracts that applied to present at the conference. This year’s EU PVSEC will feature 82 sessions with 28 plenary, 326 oral and over 1,200 visual poster presentations.
Raffaele Salutari chosen as general manager for Sputnik’s Italian unit
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
Sputnik Engineering Italia, the Italian branch of Sputnik Engineering, welcomed Raffaele Salutari as its new general manager May 30. Salutari leads the twelve-man team in Giussano, Italy, after having served in managerial positions with various PV companies.
Natcore, Eastman Kodak to jointly develop nanostructured thin-film PV deposition technology
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
Just weeks after Natcore Technology announced that it had leased space at Kodak Research Laboratories in Rochester, New York, the company announced that it has entered into a joint development agreement with Eastman Kodak. The collaboration will combine Natcore’s materials and material processing with Kodak’s coating, formulation, drying and conveyance technologies for Natcore’s thin-film PV products and antireflection coating technology.
Vermont enacts new law that streamlines solar PV registration process to help ease permitting costs
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
In January, SunRun released a report that detailed how the permitting process of local governments in the US was adding an additional US$2,500 price tag to each solar installation, making the process of installing a solar system more cumbersome for installers and customers. In a response to the potential US$1 billion savings that a more streamlined process could save local governments, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed H.56 into law; a supposedly easier registration process for solar systems at and below 5kW.
IMS Research: German PV installations to exceed 2010 level on declining prices
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
A glut of modules and PV inverters are to revitalise the German solar market this year as prices are falling to a degree that the makes investing in solar financially attractive again. However, despite a very weak first quarter, installations are set to show strong growth through the rest of the year, peaking in the fourth quarter and exceeding installation figures of 7GW in 2010, according to the latest forecast from IMS Research.
Premier Power completes 1.9MW rooftop system for Puma North America
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
Puma North America and Premier Power Renewable Energy (PPRW) have completed a 1.9MW PV plant in greater Los Angeles. The array is comprised of 8,500 panels and covers 340,000 square feet of rooftop on Puma’s distribution facilities in Carson and Torrance.
GCL-Poly to be Canadian Solar’s partner in 600MW wafer plant as demand remains strong
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
Despite a swathe of competitors experiencing a significant fall in demand for modules in the first quarter, Canadian Solar would seem to have bucked the trend and guided robust sales in the second quarter resulting in sell-out shipments during its recent first quarter analyst call. In that call, Dr. Shawn Qu, Canadian Solar’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer highlighted plans for a new 600MW solar wafer plant that would that would be run as a joint venture operation to reduce capital outlay.
SunEnergy, Solar-Energie open 8.3MW German system
May 31, 2011 | Comments Off
SunEnergy and Solar-Energie Andresen have officially opened their 8.3MW PV plant in Achtrup, Germany. The plant, which was connected to the grid in October 2010, covers 19.3 hectares of reclaimed farmland and will generate enough electricity to power Achtrup four times over.