Your daily dose of photovoltaic technology developments and solar news

An 18-acre solar garden has been dedicated adjacent to Mars Chocolate's North America headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ. The 2.15MW (DC) power plant--which is comprised of more than 28,000 ground-mounted First Solar thin-film PV modules--is said to be the largest solar energy facility installed in New Jersey by a food manufacturing plant and the first project completed by Public Service Enterprise Group's PSEG Solar Source subsidiary.

CPS Energy and juwi solar have signed a 30-year power purchase agreement that will lead to the development of the Blue Wing Solar project, a 14MW photovoltaic power plant to be built southeast of San Antonio, TX. Juwi expects to break ground on the project in the first quarter of 2010 and for electricity to be produced at the site before 2011.

Cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaics manufacturer Abound Solar has signed long-term sales agreements with two German systems integrators, Wirsol Solar and juwi solar. The TFPV company (formerly known as AVA Solar) is beginning production on its initial 70-MW line at its recently commissioned facility in Longmont, CO.