German economy minister calls for overhaul to FiT

Tensions in German chancellor Angela Merkel’s government continue over the future of feed-in tariffs. Economy minister Philipp Roesler is calling for an overhaul to the country’s subsidy system for renewable energy, created in the 1990s to ensure the clean-power industry remains competitive.

Solar Frontier wins bid for world’s largest commercial CIS plant in California

Solar Frontier has defied the thin-film doom merchants by successfully bidding for the role of module supplier for enXco’s 100MWp+ PV plant in California. The agreement refers to the supply of up to 150MWp of Solar Frontier’s CIS modules, and the project, when completed, will be the largest thin-film CI(G)S plant in the world.

Progress in cost reduction in silver pastes for crystalline silicon cells

Mark Thirsk, Linx Consulting
Silver paste is a key component of the design of nearly all silicon wafer solar cells manufactured in 2011. The high cost of the precious metal in the paste formulation means that silver paste is also the second-highest component of the total cost of materials. This article reviews the silver paste supply chain and the challenges in silver paste formulation and manufacture, and discusses some of the approaches for reducing or removing entirely the use of silver in crystalline silicon cell manufacture.

Could PV installations really have reached 26GW in 2011?

The simple answer is yes. Certainly enough modules and inverters were sold, and if installations really did hit 7.5GW in Germany then this would undoubtedly mean that at least 26GW was installed globally last year, with Germany retaining its position as the largest market, followed closely by Italy. We’re still finalising our data for 2011, but we now estimate up to 26.5GW could have been installed last year following the phenomenal year-end rally in Germany. This would have meant an incredible 10 GW was installed in the last quarter of the year – the first time this has ever happened and more than the whole amount installed in all of 2009!

PV-Tech Newscast – January 13, 2012

Q-Cells sets two new world records for multicrystalline and quasi-mono solar modules

The market introduction of the Q.ANTUM solar cells and modules is planned for 2012, with pilot production underway.

NPD Solarbuzz expects PV equipment suppliers’ 2012 revenues to be in rapid retreat

Year-on-year revenue declines in the 60-70% range.

SDG&E opens up solar power to the masses

Customers can opt buy some or all of their energy from solar projects located in SDG&E’s service territory.

SunPower breaks ground on 13.78MW plant at naval air weapons station, California

The plant is expected to generate more than 30% of NAWS China Lake’s annual energy load.

PowerGuard PowerClip Warranty Solution adopted by SunEdison

PowerGuard provides a 25-year, non-cancellable guarantee solution to back-up a manufacturer’s own warranty terms.

JinkoSolar connects 18MW plant to China’s state grid

The 18MW plant brings JinkoSolar’s stake in the energy provision of the Gansu region to 15%.

SunEdison slips on project completions as MEMC expects lower Q4 revenue

MEMC revised revenue to be in the range of US$698 million to US$733 million.

Sustainable Energy Fund initiated by Eight19 and SunnyMoney for off-grid communities in East Africa

The first 4,000 lighting systems will be supplied to residents in Kenya early this year.

EDF and STMicroelectronics sign non-disclosure agreement with Photowatt

EDF EN has recently made managerial structure changes following the 100% integration of the company into the EDF Group.

aleo solar’s 2011 preliminary revenues higher than expected: chief sales officer leaves

Previously guided losses of €25-€30 million are still expected for the full-year 2011.

CTDC plans program for 500MW of Chinese commercial rooftop development

A five-year program to install around 500MW of PV modules on commercial rooftops for state-owned enterprise, China Merchants Group (CMG) has been established between China Technology Development Group Corporation (CTDC), GCL-Poly and customer, CMG. Through its subsidiaries, CMG claims to have the largest existing, in-progress and proposed warehouse rooftop area available in China, with more than three million square metres to develop PV installations.

SPI Solar partner with Global Energy and LDK to develop 2MW facility in Greece

This will be the company’s second major development in Evros.

GMR Energy completes 25MW project in large-scale solar park, Gujarat

Charanka park is one of a number of large-scale parks planned in Gujarat to meet rising energy demands in the state.

Abound Solar and Solarsis commission 1MW PV plant in India

The project was commissioned under the RPSSGP scheme managed by IREDA.

China Sunergy’s 13MW modules commissioned in 25MW Indian solar project

The project was completed in partnership with Visual Percept Solar Projects.

Canadian Solar modules pass salt mist tests

Canadian Solar’s modules have been awarded certification by TÜV NORD.

Eurener donates PV modules to water purification system

The Valencia-iGEM team developed the water treatment system to facilitate energy use in electricity-deprived areas of the world.

ET Solar supplies 1.5MW modules to residential project in the Netherlands

The ZonVast project is expected to generate 1.28 million kWh annually.

NREL confirms latest CdTe module efficiency record from First Solar

First Solar reached volume production of modules with an efficiency of 11.7% in 2011.

Dow Corning’s SEED centre in Belgium reaches completion

The US$13 million addition serves to advance the company’s research of new silicon-based materials and solar cell efficiency.

Solvay and Air Liquide form JV to provide onsite fluorine production

The companies said that the establishment of the joint venture was subject to antitrust approval.

MEMC clears confusion regarding Japan projects

MEMC cites “uncertain project economics” and a lack of incentives for its ambiguity on its plans for projects in Japan.

Verengo Solar hires former nuclear power student as VP of operations

Verengo Solar has hired nuclear-power-educated Akiko Koh. She will be responsible for the operational infrastructure growth needed to deliver and support affordable residential solar power to thousands of American homes as Verengo continues to expand throughout California and the East Coast.

Jörg Henkel selected to lead sales and marketing division of Schott Solar

His past work includes solar and marketing positions with different companies throughout Europe.