Concentrating solar power companies, Abengoa, BrightSource Energy, and Torresol Energy announced the formation of the Concentrating Solar Power Alliance (CSPA). Market research group SBI Energy predicts a rise in the CSP market for 2012 and with the PV industry in such turmoil, there is a hole just waiting to be filled.
Having claimed over 55MW of its GIGS thin film product offerings have been installed to data, MiaSolé has secured further funding to the tune of US$55 million from investors to support a focus on what it described as ‘commercial performance.’
Premier Power Renewable Energy advised that construction on its 16.2MWp Zdravetz utility-scale solar plant in Bulgaria has begun with completion expected during Q2 2012. The company originally entered into an agreement, along with its JV with Plaan Czech, in September 2011 to build the solar plants in Bulgaria. The project is being installed on land that was once a coal mine and will receive around US$0.30 for every kWh generated over the next 20 years from the energy administration.
Dr. Jan Withag, chairman of Solar Millennium’s management board, announced his resignation from all his offices taking effect on March 8. His announcement comes a week after insolvency proceedings for Solar Millennium AG commenced, overseen by the local Court of Fürth.
Former CPV system manufacturer Energy Innovations will have its assets auctioned off by Heritage Global Partners as an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors. The company was a Poway, California-based HCPV company until insolvency proceedings in the form of liquidation of assets were initiated by its creditors.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has revealed that it has commissioned a total of 13MW of grid-connected solar power plants throughout India for the current financial year. All of the projects that make up this 13MW total have been commissioned on an EPC basis, and include a 3MW plant in Raichur, Karnataka; a 5MW plant in Rajasthan; two 2MW plants in Maharashtra and over 1MW in the Lakshadweep Islands.
The recovery in solar cell shipments continued into February for Taiwan-based crystalline solar cell producer, Neo Solar Power (NSP). The company reported sales of approximately US$34.4 million, compared to US$22 million (NT$850 million) in January and up from NT$663 million in December, 2011 when sales hit a two-year record low.
Impairment charges due to price declines and expected challenging market conditions in 2012 weighed on Q-Cells' preliminary fourth-quarter and full-year results. The company reported a fourth-quarter EBIT loss of approximately €355 million and a full-year 2011 loss of €846 million. Fourth-quarter revenue was €353 million, up significantly from €299 million in the third quarter. Revenue for the year reached €1,023 million.
Bloomberg is reporting the Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) has struck a deal with Baraclit, an Italian building-material company, which will integrate ECD’s solar products into its roofing materials. No details on compensation or the amount of materials to be supplied were revealed.
Construction of a new solar project on New Jersey’s Rutgers University is underway with financing being provided by Key Equipment Finance and KeyCorp. SunDurance Energy is the solar integrator for the project, which will use over 40,000 high-efficiency panels mounted on canopy structures over two large surface parking areas on the Livingston Campus.
