Independent testing agency Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) Institut Fresenius in Dresden, Germany, has reportedly confirmed that Q.Cells has broken the 300Wp barrier for 60-cell modules with a recorded performance of 301Wp. The module is based on the Q.Antum technology, which Q.Cells notes is under constant development.
Blaubeuren, Germany-based Centrotherm has filed for Chapter 11-type bankruptcy protection in Ulm’s district court to start insolvency proceedings. Centrotherm has a three-month window to restructure before creditors come knocking on its door. The company named insolvency lawyer Tobias Hoefer to the board in a bid to oversee the restructuring. Last month, Hans Autenrieth, member of the management board and co-CEO stepped down from his board position. Jan von Schuckmann replaced him and was appointed chief restructuring officer.
Valos Solar Ventures and Gehrlicher Solar have entered a joint-development agreement, the company has announced. Under the agreement, the companies are developing solar power sites for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and other municipal utilities for RFO, RAM and RFPs. Altogether, 235MW of projects are being developed with Gehrlicher offering EPC services for the large-scale PV plants.
Swedish retailer IKEA has connected the 21st solar system at its store in Woodbridge, Virginia, the company has announced. Gehrlicher Solar developed and installed the 504kW PV system, equipped with 2,100 PV panels, on 63,000ft² of IKEA’s rooftop. IKEA has 18 more systems to install at US stores to reach its goal of installing a total of 38MW of systems.
Research company Bloomberg New Energy Finance has published figures demonstrating China’s dominance in both solar and wind sectors, each securing hundreds of millions in dollars in financing. In the second quarter of 2012, China saw a surge in investment to US$18.3bn, up 92% from the previous quarter. The largest Chinese solar project financed was the Shanlu & Shengyu Bayannur Wuyuan PV plant, at US$316m.
Fiera Axium Infrastructure has purchased a Canadian portfolio of 47.1MW, the company has announced. The portfolio consists of four operational PV plants, developed by EDF EN Canada, located in Ontario. EDF En subsidiary enXco Service Canada will provide operation and maintenance of the projects after the acquisition. All four plants sell energy to the Ontario Power Authority under a 20-year PPA.
BASF advised that this week, during Intersolar North America in San Francisco, it will not only have company experts on hand, but will also have its portfolio of solar industry solutions on display. Included in its portfolio is the Tinuvin 1600, a UV light absorber for transparent outdoor thin section applications.
Bryan Crabb has joined the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) as its new executive director. Crabb comes to CALSEIA after serving as director of government affairs at both First Solar and OptiSolar. He is lauded as having vast experience in solar policy as well as legislative and regulatory experience.
Bloomberg has reported that General Electric (GE) will be putting the construction of its Colorado-based solar panel factory on hold for at least 18 months. Lindsay Theile, GE spokeswoman, noted that sharp price declines and a global oversupply of panels were factors in the company’s decision.
Enecsys has entered a partnership with Albasolar, the company has announced. The micro-inverter manufacturer has partnered with Albasolar to open new distribution channels in the residential market. Enecsys sells its micro-inverters in 15 different countries and its products comply with international certifications and frequency requirements.
