Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente revealed its plans to build a 60MW solar plant in Calera y Chozas, located in the province of Toledo, Spain. The plant will not have the support of a FiT and plans to deliver its electric output to the local grid, ensuring that it will compete with traditional energy sources.
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) was awarded the 2012 Investor Owned Utility (IOU) of the Year by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) this week for its leadership and investment in solar energy. TEP has over 45MW of solar generating capacity and expects to have more than 240MW of solar generating capacity by the end of 2014.
NanoMarkets has released a new report focusing on the BIPV market, “BIPV Roofing Markets.” The report states that by 2016, the total market value for BIPV roofing products will reach US$3.9 billion. NanoMarkets went on to advise that it expects the market for today’s overlay products, such as building-attached PV) to see a steady growth pattern, but fully integrated BIPV roofing panels will hold the market longevity and opportunity.
Transform Solar, a JV established in 2010 between Origin Energy and Micron Technology, advised that it will no longer be manufacturing its Sliver PV modules in Idaho. The company decided to take this route after a review of the global oversupply of PV capacity and the resulting difficult market conditions. Operations and workforce in Idaho will be progressively cut over the next three months.
It was recently announced that Solea AG, Ontario Solar Provider (OSP) and Solar Provider Group have formed Solea SP, a JV with a focus on utility-scale ground mounted solar farms in North America. Head-quartered in Toronto, Canada, with a satellite office in San Francisco, Solea SP advised that additions to its management team will be released in the following weeks.
SolarCity advised that it had completed its 295kW solar installation for Bayer Healthcare in Berkeley, California, which will help power Bayer’s manufacturing facilities. SolarCity was responsible for the financing, design and installation of the project and will oversee its maintenance and monitoring.
Nearly two weeks after the US Department of Commerce issued its preliminary decision to establish antidumping duties on China-manufactured solar products, JA Solar Holding’s has issued its response. The DOC’s preliminary decision, which is expected to be finalized in Q4 2012, would subject an antidumping tariff rate of 31.18%.
Solea Renewables recently signed a turnkey contract with Cronimet Energy South Africa, a subsidiary of Cronimet Mining Energy, in which it will deliver the first off-grid utility scale PV system in South Africa. Solea will also be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 1MW turnkey plant on CESA’s site, which will help power the company’s mining operations.
Conergy’s latest solar park, located in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, was officially connected to the grid with the celebration attended by Conergy officials, the Mayor of Grimmen and Stephan Johannsen, a private investor from Northern Germany. This marks the third solar plant that Johannsen and Conergy have jointly developed. The 8MW plant was built in Grimmen near Stralsund on over 20 hectares. Nearly 35,000 Conergy PowerPlus modules, manufactured in Frankfurt, will produce 8 million kWh of solar power per year.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 5 to 0 on the passing of a new rule regarding net metering, chiefly to refine the calculation for California’s 5% net metering cap. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) worked with members and stakeholders as part of the Coalition for Solar Rights petitioning the CPUC to review the calculation of the cap, which is anticipated to be reached as early as next year by some utilities. The CPUC vote essentially clarified the net metering calculation while also calling for further studies into the process.
