IEEE PVSC at 50, Part II: Astrowatt bets on exfoliation in ultrathin-silicon cell stakes
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
A persistent theme at this year’s IEEE PVSC—and frankly every such conference—was that solar photovoltaic technology exists in a material world. The discovery of new materials, the concoction of better versions of existing materials, the manipulation and processing of materials, and the deployment and measurement of finished, manufactured materials in modular form in a power system all underscore PV’s essential materiality. One young company’s disruptive approach to getting more out of the industry’s über-material—crystalline silicon—garnered a fair amount of attention at the conference.
Starwood Energy closes financing on final 10MW phase of 60MW PV project in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
Building upon its success with its 20MW Starwood SSM1, completed in October 2010, and the 30MW Starwood SSM2, expected to be completed during 2011’s third quarter, Starwood Energy Group Global has finalized the financing for the final 10MW of its Starwood SSM3 solar project. The combined 60MW project in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is contracted under the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program with its development overseen by the Ontario Power Authority. The project will be connected to the local PUC Distribution grid and is said to be the second largest solar project in North America.
Order Focus: Trina Solar chosen to supply 55MW of PV modules for Renault manufacturing plant
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
In early June, Gestamp Asetym Solar revealed that it would be working with French automaker Renault to install a solar system on the automakers manufacturing plants in France. The companies recently advised that they had chosen Trina Solar as the PV module supplier for the project. Through its subsidiary, Trina Solar Spain, the company signed a sales agreement with Gestamp, but neither company disclosed any of the financial details for the deal.
Boralex complete 4.5MW solar farm in France
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
The Avignonet-Lauragais solar park in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France was officially commissioned by Boralex with town and company officials on hand to celebrate. The 4.5MW solar park is the first solar farm that Boralex has completed and sits beside a 12.5MW wind farm making the Avignonet-Lauragais site one of the first mixed renewable energy spots in France.
GTM Research report predicts BOS system costs will exceed those of PV modules by next year
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
A new research report by GTM Research, Solar PV Balance of System (BOS): Technologies and Markets, is reporting that in 2012 balance of system costs will surpass PV module costs on a cost per watt scale. The report, written by Manhal Aboudi, identified BOS costs in 2010 at US$1.43 per watt, or 44.8% of a standard, utility-scale crystalline silicon (cSi) solar project. As solar PV module prices continue to drop, GTM suspects that in 2012 the BOS cost for the same project will increase to 50.6%.
Semprius secures US$20 million in latest funding round
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
Semprius has secured US$20 million in its first tranche of Series C venture fundraising for a pilot high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) module production plant. Siemens Venture Capital led the investment round and was joined by Arch Venture Partners, Applied Ventures, Illinois Ventures, Intersouth Partners, In-Q-Tel and GVC Investment.
RENA posted record revenue as sales doubled in 2010
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
PV equipment supplier, RENA has reported record revenue for its 2010 financial year. Sales doubled to €258 million, compared to €119 million in 2009. The EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) rose to €23.6 million in 2010, compared to €4.9 million in 2009. The wet-chemical processing specialist said its expects further growth in 2011.
S.A.G. Solarstrom gains funding for 48MW PV project in Italy
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
A 48MW PV project in North Italy being completed by S.A.G. Solarstrom by the end of August, 2011 has received a financing commitment of €80 million from the Deutsche Bank. The project was started late last year and has its own substation connected to the high-voltage grid, according to the company. The interim financing of the project will mature at the end of 2012.
Oregon to slash funding for large-scale solar
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
The Oregon State Senate has voted to cut the tax incentives for both business and residential solar installations. Near-unanimous votes by both the Senate and House of Representatives saw the House Bill 3672 passed, leaving the future of large-scale solar in the state hanging in the balance.
Order Focus: Yingli Green largest module supplier on two utility-scale PV projects in China
June 30, 2011 | Comments Off
Two of potentially the largest utility-scale PV projects so far planned in China will be supplied modules by Yingli Green Energy. A module supply agreement has been signed with Huanghe Hydropower Development Co for the supply of a total of 110 MW of PV modules for two ground mounted plants to be built in Wulan, Qinghai province and Golmud, Qinghai province. Yingli said the modules are expected to be delivered from June through August of this year.