Spain’s Ministry for Industry has approved 923 new solar projects for Q1 2011, all of which will benefit from the current feed-in tariff rates. The 116MW of new installations have been endorsed just in time to avoid the government’s subsidy reductions that come into play from Q2.
LDK Solar is expanding its manufacturing base by opening a new cell production facility in Hefei City, China. The plant, located in the Anhui Province, will employ 2,014 and bring LDK's annual production capacity to 570MW.
The fallout from the Fukushima nuclear disaster looks set to continue after an official from China’s National Development and Reform Commission revealed the government was planning to cut its 2020 target for nuclear power capacity.
Ferro has opened a new photovoltaic research and development laboratory in Taipei, Taiwan. The Ferro Taiwan Technology Center, situated within the Neihu Technology Park, will help Ferro provide technical support for its Taiwanese customers and also to improve cell performance and lower manufacturing costs.
Suntech Power Holdings is launching a new 245W module designed specifically for Europe’s residential and small-scale rooftop installation market. The 60-cell mono-crystalline STP245S-20/Wd is the latest addition to Suntech’s module range and boasts 14.8% efficiency and a three bus-bar design.
TechPrecision, a manufacturer of metal components and systems for the renewable energy industry, has received new orders totalling US$2 million for its wafer production equipment. The equipment, manufactured by TechPrecision’s U.S. and Chinese subsidiaries, Ranor and Wuxi Critical Mechanical Components, is expected to be shipped before the end of Q3.
First Solar and juwi solar have become the latest names in the solar industry to enter into the world of sports sponsorship after they signed a joint contract with an amateur U.S. road cycling team.
Leading Chinese polysilicon manufacturer Daqo New Energy has started work on phase two of its new facility in Shihezi, Xinjiang. Manufacturing will begin in the second half of 2012, with an initial capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes.
Tucson Electric Power has chosen SunPower's rooftop solar technology to equip its new Bright Roofs programme. The T5 Roof Tile will power systems, totalling 11MW, which are being installed on leased school and public-building rooftop space in Tucson over the next three years.
Q-Cells Malaysia has appointed Franz Vollmann as its new managing director. Vollmann succeeds Q-Cells Malaysia founder Bernhard Rack and will be responsible for managing the operation and future growth of the company’s production facilities. He starts his new role on April 1.
