Your daily dose of photovoltaic technology developments and solar news

Suntech said on February 3 that planned cuts to Germany's solar power incentives will probably prompt solar companies to ship excess panels to the United States, pressuring equipment there. Germany is currently ranked as the top market for PV solar systems, with approximately 50% of the global market share, but planned 15% cuts to FiTs from April 1 could change this ranking.

Suntech Power is the first solar company in Asia to be awarded the VDE Test Data Acceptance Program (TDAP) certificate in accordance with all the requirements of IEC 61215.

Air Liquide has signed 13 new contracts with c-Si solar cell manufacturers in China, two of which include major players JA Solar and Yingli Green Energy. This move strengthens the speciality gas supplier's presence in China and will involve an investment of more than €10 million. China currently hosts 35% of the total solar cell manufacturing capacity in the world. 

Suntech’s sales pipeline has received a three-year hike as the company has announced the cementing of three long-term supply agreements for up to 490MW of PV modules. The large orders confirm the optimistic view for 2010 orders expressed by major industry players such as Canadian Solar, Sunergy and Trina Solar last month. The agreement will see the modules supplied over a three-year period, with 115MW planned for supply in 2010, 155MW in 2011 and 220MW in 2012. Each of the individual agreements has been signed with the option to increase volumes.

The Weinbourg Farm solar project, utilizing the Just Roof system from Suntech is one for the world's largest BIPV solar systems. The project, which was completed in 2009, spreads out over five agricultural warehouses in France.

EDF Energies Nouvelles company enXco has signed a deal with Suntech Power for the photovoltaics manufacturer to supply up to 115MW of crystalline-silicon solar modules in 2010. The EDF unit says the supply agreement will enable it to develop and build its growing portfolio of rooftop and ground-mounted utility-scale projects in the United States and Canada in 2010.

At the Solar Power International conference, Suntech revealed its new North American Partner Program. The program, which will be formally launched in 2010, aims to boost its current network of around 200 domestic installers and help dealers create more sales. The Suntech Partner Program will offer selected dealers a co-marketing fund, training and services, financing and priority access to its product line.

As Pakistan faces an energy shortage, Suntech’s collaboration with the local Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) is well timed. Suntech aims to bring solar power to Pakistan via rural electrification programs, solar-powered pumping systems and telecom projects, and signed a memorandum of understanding with AEDB to work together to achieve these goals.

Suntech Power has completed grid connection of the first 10MW utility-scale solar power project in China, located in Shizuishan, Ningxia Autonomous Region. The project involves a 10MW ground mount solar system and is the first phase of a 50MW solar plant that is targeted to be completed by 2011 with China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation (CECIC), a Suntech partner.

Suntech has been selected to supply more than 25,000 crystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules for Recurrent Energy's 5MW municipal solar power project atop the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco, CA. The modules will be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2009, and the project will be completed in 2010, according to the participants.