After much anticipation, the Solar Power International 2009 event begins. SPI is the largest business-to-business solar energy conference and expo in North America, held this year at the Anaheim Convention Center for three days from October 27 - 29. The event is presented by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
3S Industries and CEA Liten (Laboratory of Innovation for New Energy Technologies) -- the French technological research organization -- have signed a three-year agreement to collaborate on the development of PV modules based on silicon-based heterojunction solar cells and the tools needed to produce this type of module.
For the past 30 months, PV Sunrise has been running a project with the aim of paving the future for photovoltaics in Europe's energy mix. This project has now come to an end with the final forum event, 'Diffusion in the Building Sector: Strengthening the cooperation between the PV industry, architects and constructors', held on the 22 October 2009 in Brussels.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has signed a contract with Agua Caliente Solar, a subsidiary of NextLight Renewable Power, for 290MW of solar power to serve PG&E's customers in Northern and Central California. This is one of many contracts signed by the utility with independent developers aiming for a total of 830MW of solar power.
The Solar America Cities Program was launched as one of the biggest efforts at the Department of Energy aimed towards the adoption of renewable energy in a country with one of the largest carbon boot prints in the world. The program, which saw partnership with 25 cities, made for a huge amount of success as 40 individual solar projects were eventually erected. The time has now come for the DOE to build on this success as it brings out a must-have resource for prospective cities: 'Solar Power in Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments.' Speaking with Charlie Hemmeline, head of the project based at the Department, I delved beneath the surface of the next stage of the Solar America Cities Program.
China's capital city, Beijing, is to see significant developments in the photovoltaic sector over the coming years. The capital's government has developed a solar promotion program that aims for 70MW of installed PV capacity, including BIPV technology by 2011.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a law-enforced legislation to create a feed-in tariff designed for small solar-panel generators in the state. This type of incentive falls in line with its European counterparts, reports MarketWatch.
In line with our speculation at the very beginning of the month, the new German government is likely to cut solar subsidies - but not by a concerning amount. Reuters' coalition source has given an inside take on what the plans for solar policies in Germany are expected to be, banishing all conjecture on the axing of the Renewable Energy Act.
SunEdison has appointed Kerinia Cusick as director of government affairs in the Mid-Atlantic. Cusick's main role will involve the promotion of solar initiatives in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia, where a distinct increase in this energy source has arisen over the past year.
Canadian Solar BIPV modules use double low iron tempered glass with solar cells laminated in between, making them ideal for roofs, skylights and/or facades. The modules use double low iron tempered glass with solar cells laminated in between, this means that the fundamental ideal of building material to generate electrical power is now a reality. With a 55W-115W/m2 output depending on cell spacing; the cells are made up of crystalline (mono or poly 125mm/ 156mm).
