U.S. Senate votes to extend solar, R&D tax credits; SEIA applauds move - 23 September 2008
Solar module price erosion to cause industry fall-out, says Lux Research - 02 October 2008
Moser Baer raises funds for silicon solar and thin film production expansion - 23 September 2008
U.S. House recesses, fails to pass tax bill, leaving solar, R&D credits in doubt - 29 September 2008
REC sold out of wafers for 2010 with $450 million order from Neo Solar Power - 30 September 2008
Timminco updates solar-grade silicon operations, sees production of 1200-1500 metric tons in 2008 - 06 October 2008
Hague signs letter of intent to buy assets of quantum-dot PV cell company Solterra - 06 October 2008
Ogilvy PR lands SunPower global account - 06 October 2008
Xcel’s North Shore Headquarters Selects Hoku Solar - 06 October 2008
Solar cells use old material in new way - 06 October 2008
In
a dual project announcement, First Solar has announced that it is to
provide all engineering and installation services for the construction
of a 2MW rooftop solar PV power project in Fontana, California for
Southern California Edison (SCE). The second announcement is for a
20-year power purchase agreement for energy generated by a further
planned Blythe-based power plant. First Solar’s construction of the
Blythe facility, which will have a minimum output of 7.5MW with an
optional maximum of 21MW, is expected to begin in 2009.
The rooftop plant will be the first step in SCE’s plan to install 250MW of solar generating capacity on large commercial rooftops in the Southern California area over the next five years. Connection to the supply grid is anticipated in September 2008.
The planned project in Blythe, California, will be the largest ground-based PV power plant in the state. First Solar will take responsibility for all the engineering, procurement and construction of plant, and will also provide maintenance services for the plant’s lifetime.
“These projects represent significant steps towards the deployment of low cost, solar electric generation resources for California,” said Mike Ahearn, CEO of First Solar. “First Solar looks forward to developing these and other projects which will move California closer to its renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
By Síle Mc Mahon
