Having recently teamed with Suntech, state-owned firm Phono Solar has signed a new agreement with GCL-Poly to build PV power plants in China. GCL-Poly already has plans to move downstream, having partnered with Winsun New Energy and Shunfeng Photovoltaic for projects in both China and Europe.
Yingli Green Energy’s success continues with the formation of the company’s US nationwide Powering Advancement with Solar and Soccer (PASS) programme. The initiative combines the financial and educational benefits of a solar power system donation with the active lifestyle benefits of soccer.
Despite the feed-in tariff cuts in April, the French energy regulation commission (CRE) has released figures showing that installation requests have not stagnated over the last three quarters.
Flemish minister for energy Freya Van den Bossche has reformed green energy support. The government intends to overhaul its renewables certificates' scheme, where renewable energy producers receive a certificate for every megawatt generated, alongside phasing out subsidies.
Hamburg-based asset manager Luxcara has been the recipient of a 12MWp PV power plant in Aquitaine, south-western France, said to have been purchased by EDF EN for around €49 million. Luxcara’s Luxemburg-based Flaveo SA, SICAV-FIS fund has received the "Béguey" plant, which has a capacity of close to 12MWp and is equipped with inverters from SMA Solar and modules from First Solar.
In a move cited to provide a more comprehensive product and service offering, Japanese PV equipment supplier NPC has merged its Germany-based subsidiaries, NPC Europe and Meier Solar Solutions. The module assembly tool specialist expects the move to support customers in and outside Europe.
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.
