Your daily dose of photovoltaic technology developments and solar news

Suniva has commissioned its largest solar power installation with Titan Energy Systems, located in Karnataka, India. The 3MW, ground-mounted system is the largest grid-connected solar plant in India, covering approximately 12 acres.

Evergreen Solar's 5MW power plant in Apulia, Italy is now online. The project, which was designed and installed by project developer Greenvision, is the largest installation of Evergreen Solar panels to date.

The grand plan of the Desertec Industrial Initiative has a new member in the form of First Solar, the first solar photovoltaic manufacturer to join. First Solar said that it had become an ‘Associated Partner’ of Desertec for an initial period of three years and would contribute utility-scale PV expertise in working groups and prepare the ground for reference projects and a roll-out plan.

AES has closed its equity sale with a wholly owned investment subsidiary of the China Investment Corporation (CIC). The deal raises US$1.58 billion in new capital for the company. CIC acquired 125.5 million shares of AES stock for US$12.60/share in exchange for an approximate 15% stake in the company.

Norwegian power generator Statkraft has reached an agreement with Siemens Energy to build up to 40MW of new solar capacity in 2010. The company opened its first solar power plant in Aprilia, Italy, which will go towards this goal, on March 11. The 3.3MW Casale solar park is expected to reach the annual power production mark of 4.5GWh.

Using its 1MW PV power plant integrated module system, ABB has been awarded a US$30 million design, engineering, erection, civil works and commissioning contract for a 13MW power plant in northern Spain from GA Solar, part of the Gestamp Corp. The preassembled modular eBOP (electrical balance of plant) concept is designed to reduce construction times and installation costs and is claimed to generate around 15% more energy than alternative units.

First Solar’s Cimarron I Solar Project, which is adjacent to the Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico, has been sold to Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy for an undisclosed sum. Construction of the 30MW power plant is expected to begin this month, with commercial operations starting by year end. First Solar is providing the thin-film modules as well as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services and maintenance services under a 25-year contract.

Two grants totalling US$1.5 million have been awarded to SunPower from the California Solar Initiative Research, Development, Deployment and Demonstration (CSI RD&D) Program to explore the planning and modelling for high-penetration PV on the California transmission and distribution network. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is also partnering with SunPower on a second project to research the required hardware and software tools needed for providing bi-directional communication and management between PV systems and utility controls using advanced metering infrastructure.

The lure of Ontario’s attractive subsidies, especially for firms with “local content,” has enticed another solar company to set up manufacturing and expand operations in the Canadian province. SMA Solar Technology has started a subsidiary for production, sales, and service in Ontario, with plans to invest €5-10 million for the buildout of a 500MW capacity photovoltaic inverter factory.

SunEdison has received final approval from the Italian government to develop and construct what will be the largest solar power plant in Europe. The 72MW project will be based in Northeastern Italy, near the town of Rovigo.