Jon Haines

enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, have officially dedicated the Hall’s Warehouse Corp. Solar Project marking the completion of the 1.8MW solar installation, bringing the Hall’s total solar output to 3.2MW making it New Jersey’s largest private commercial roof-top solar system.

Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd., manufacturers of silicon ingots and PV modules, have appointed Dr. David N.K. Wang and Professor Rongqiang Cui as Independent Directors, replacing Zhoumiao Gao and Johan van Splunter respectively.  In addition to Independent Director, Dr. Wang was also appointed to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc., a global leader in design, engineering and development in the US and European solar markets, announced the reports for 4Q08 and fiscal 2008.

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has announced the first of its 2009 Workshop Series, "Solar Options for Low Cost Utilities," to be held on April 13-14 at the Hilton Knoxville in Tennessee.  This workshop will focus on utilities in low-cost electricity states in the Midwest and Southeast, while being open to all utilities, State Public Utility Commissions, State Energy Offices, and solar companies. TVA, along with the City of Knoxville, will sponsor the event.

GE Solar, a branch of the General Electric Company, has announced the layoff of the second and third production shifts as well as some engineering staff at the its Newark, Delaware manufacturing site.  About 86 employees were released, down from 200 total workers. 

Powerlase Limited, manufacturers of nanosecond Q-switched, diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) lasers, have announced that important investments have been secured from an investor group including MTI Partners, Deutsche Venture Capital, DJF Esprit LLP, Alice Ventures and FNI Venture Capital.  The extent of the investment was not disclosed.

First Solar, Inc. have appointed Dennis Fitzgibbons to Vice President, Federal Affairs, where he will report directly to the company’s CEO Mike Ahearn and be in charge of First Solar’s federal government affairs activities in the US.

SMA America, Inc.’s Sunny Central 250U solar inverters have been used for the second-largest solar farm in Hawaii.  The design/build alternative energy company and Hawaii’s largest locally owned solar integrator, Sunetric, installed a 500kW system at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on the island of Kauai. 

In December of 2008, Ontario's Premier Dalton McGuinty and Energy Minister George Smitherman revealed a proposition called the Green Energy Act, in attempt to grant priority to Renewable Energy Sources to Manage Global Climate Change, Protect the Environment and Streamline Project Approvals.  In addition to bringing more renewables to Ontario, this plan would create more energy efficient methods to help conserve energy.  The Public Consultation period extends until March 26, 2009 and can be found here.

Ascent Solar will open its brand new corporate headquarters and its first large-scale manufacturing facility in Thornton, Colorado on March 24.