US investment firm Blackstone has launched a solar programme which aims to improve the environmental performance across its portfolio of companies and real estate assets.
Research laboratory SLAC has been awarded over US$2.6 million from the US Department of Energy to undertake three research projects into cheaper materials and manufacturing techniques for solar panels.
Solar panel manufacturer Lightway Solar America and project developer and Premier Power Renewable Energy signed a 16.6MW supply agreement for solar projects that will be built in 2013.
A consortium of three companies — US PV developer SolarReserve, financial services company Kensani Group and South African renewables developer Intikon — has closed a financial deal worth R5.15 billion (US$586 million) to fund the development of two 75MW PV plants in South Africa.
UK-based PV project developer Lark Energy has announced it has secured planning permission for a 32MWp PV project which, when complete, is said to be the UK’s largest solar farm.
The United Arab Emirates government is widely considered to be the key driver for the growth of solar power in the country, according to a survey released today.
Cupertino Electric’s Energy Alternatives Division has completed a 1.2MW PV system on property owned by the Golden Valley Unified School District in Madera, California.
Renewables are set to become the world’s second largest source of power generation by 2015 with solar the fastest growing renewable technology, according to the International Energy Agency.
