Ben Willis

The split between the two bodies that had jointly been working to realise the ambitious Desertec renewable energy vision was the culmination of a long-running dispute over the project’s strategy and governance, it has emerged.

Silicon Valley giant Apple is planning a 20MW solar installation to power a new data centre the company is building in Nevada.

Vienna-based Activ Solar is a PV manufacturer and international developer of utility-scale power stations. Speaking to Ben Willis at Intersolar Europe 2013, chief executive Kaveh Ertefai reveals how the company is keeping ahead in an increasingly competitive global market.

German solar firm JvG Thoma is to supply an unnamed company with manufacturing equipment for a 10MW PV module plant in Nigeria.

French renewables developer Axuo Energy is teaming up with R20, the international environmental body set up by former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to build 41MW of PV generation in Mali.

Chinese solar player Goldpoly has completed a 10.8MW PV project in the province of Fujian.

Europe needs to intensify its support for the Desertec plan to import cheap solar and wind power from desert areas or face escalating energy prices, the body behind the initiative has warned.

EPC firm Gehrlicher Solar’s American subsidiary has been awarded a five-year preferred PV supplier contract with the US government.

The US Energy Department and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are to develop a US$135 million test centre in Colorado for new utility-scale clean energy grid integration technologies.

German manufacturer Hanwha Q CELLS is to supply modules to what is said to be Japan’s largest solar power plant.