Start-up energy company Green2V has announced that it will spend US$500 million over the next five years to build a 1 million-square-foot plant in Rio Rancho that will potentially provide 1,500 jobs in the area. The company will use the facility to manufacture solar cells and modular glass frames and will design, install, operate and finance the systems.
Signet Solar has backed out of its plans to build a US$840 million manufacturing center in the city of Belen, New Mexico. The amorphous-silicon thin-film solar company was unable to keep its commitment, as it could not secure funding for the project from the U.S. Department of Energy. Back in January, DOE rejected the company's loan guarantee that was to back 80% of the US$220 million of the initial funding for the four-part expansion of the plant.
The Bulgarian government has proposed a ban on the construction of all wind and solar projects built on farmland, alongside the suggested feed-in tariff cut. These applications are in response to a large uptake in renewables in the country since financial incentives were announced. The government is concerned that this will inflate energy prices for some of Europe's poorest consumers. Since the introduction of feed-in tariffs (FiT), Bulgaria has seen the installation of 11,000MW of solar, wind and biomass projects.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has performed a recent 'Power Check' study, which has found that Solar-Fabrik generates high annual energy yields. Fraunhofer ISE tested the data of 115 of the company's solar power systems throughout Germany and assessed each one by location.
CNPV Solar Power has entered into a long-term strategic partnership sales agreement with AE Photonics, the east German rooftop and ground-based power PV plants project development, installation, and distribution company.
Ledian Tianwei Silicon Technology has now opened its 3000MTY polysilicon production plant in Leshan, Sichuan Province, China. Ledian Tianwei Silicon Technology contracted with Poly Plant Project (PPP), purchasing its process technology and equipment package.
Peru's government has signed contracts with 26 companies that are expected to invest US$1 billion in renewable energy projects. The country's President Alan Garcia oversaw the agreements, which outline that four solar power plants are to be constructed in the country.
One of AES Solar Energy's subsidiaries has closed a long-term project financing round totaling €173 million, to finance the construction of the Cellino San Marco (CSM) project, the 43MW solar PV facility located in Puglia, Italy. CSM is now the largest solar PV project in Italy to reach financial close.
Enphase Energy has secured US$40 million in funding, with Bay Partners leading the equity financing. This round of financing also includes participation from Horizon Technology Finance, Bridge Bank and existing investors Third Point Ventures, RockPort Capital Partners, Madrone Capital Partners and Applied Ventures.
The Australian marine biologist Lloyd Godson has began his attempt to set a new world record by generating the largest amount of electricity ever produced by under water cycling, at the Bavarian Legoland theme park in Germany. For a fortnight, beginning March 30, Godson will stay in a 4m² underwater home, his only light provided by solar lamps.
