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First Solar has completed the installation of a 250kW solar PV system donated to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and installed at the Taliesin West campus. This marks the completion of the first phase of the Energizing Taliesin West initiative, which aims to transform the historic landmark into a “net zero” energy customer. The PV system is expected to produce over 500MWh of electricity per year.
Following S&P’s downgrade of MEMC Electronic Materials senior debt to a B+ rating, the company issues a short statement regarding the decision. “We are disappointed with the rating change by S&P,” commented Brian Wuebbels, MEMC’s chief financial officer, “but we are comfortable that our cash and liquidity position is sufficient to meet our current cash needs. The credit downgrade by S&P today will not adversely affect our current access to our existing non-recourse construction revolver for SunEdison construction activities.”
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 5 to 0 on the passing of a new rule regarding net metering, chiefly to refine the calculation for California’s 5% net metering cap. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) worked with members and stakeholders as part of the Coalition for Solar Rights petitioning the CPUC to review the calculation of the cap, which is anticipated to be reached as early as next year by some utilities. The CPUC vote essentially clarified the net metering calculation while also calling for further studies into the process.
China’s Chamber of Commerce Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) has released details on why the US Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination is false and unwarranted.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has identified six renewable energy initiatives in the US that the Chinese government believes is flouting World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on subsidies and countervailing measures in addition to the 1994 GATT Agreement.
Bloomberg New Energy has published a report, “Re-imagining US solar financing”, which argues that a transformation of US solar project financing is happening. According to the report commissioned by the Reznick Group, investors are turning towards options like third-party financing, as well as project bonds and securities.
Bella Energy has completed a 1.65MW PV installation, the company has announced. The rooftop installation is mounted onto the roof of the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City and currently the biggest PV installation in the state of Utah.
Hanwha SolarOne has lured Mark A. Bronez from SunPower to head-up its US operations. Bronez has been appointed as President of Hanwha SolarOne USA and will oversee general management of the US, Canadian and Mexican businesses. Bronez joins worked at SunPower, where he most recently served as Vice President and General Manager for the North America Commercial Business Unit.
Indium has acquired a new manufacturing facility, located in Rome, NY, USA. The plant is currently being outfitted to expand production capacities of the company’s range of compounds, including indium-, gallium-, germanium-, and tin-based materials.
The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed a 15.5% aperture area efficiency on commercial size flexible PV module (total area 1.68m2) from thin-film manufacturer MiaSolé. MiaSolé’s record represents over 2 points of improvement compared to the previous world record for flexible PV of 13.4% set earlier this year by SoloPower.
