Renewable energy project developer, juwi is looking for 40 apprentices as it prepares to expand operations in 2012 after a successful 2011, according to the company. The project developer is currently building a third office block at its headquarters in Wörrstadt, Germany, which is expected to house a total of 400 employees when the new office expansion is completed.
Japan-based Tanaka Precious Metals has taken-out licenses from the National Central University, Taiwan to manufacture and supply ruthenium-based dye compounds for next generation dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The ruthenium complex dye was developed by Professor Chun-Guey Wu and post-doctoral researcher, Chia-Yuan Chen, with reported conversion efficiencies of 11.4%, reported in the scientific journal, ACS nano in 2009, operating in the visible light wavelength range of approximately 400 to 750 nanometers.
Daqo New Energy was named a 2011 China Cleantech Top 20 winner by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Tsing Capital. The award aims to recognize organizations in the cleantech sector in China that support the sustainable growth in the country.
A former co-founder of Sun Edison and CEO of CPV specialist, Amonix, Brian Robertson has been killed in a light aircraft crash in York County, Pennsylvania on December 22, 2011. A brief statement and condolence message replaces the normal Amonix homepage.
A highly anticipated deal expected since Total bought a majority share holding in SunPower earlier this year, should be completed in early 2012. SunPower is to acquire module manufacturer, Tenesol from Total for US$165.4 million in cash. Ownership of Total in SunPower will increase to 66% as part of the transaction. SunPower noted that the acquisition would positively affect its financial position in 2012.
Activ Solar has completed Phase IV of its Perovo Solar Power Station, adding a further 20MW to the system’s size. Perovo’s total capacity now stands at 80MW and with ramping up still ongoing – Activ Solar has yet to reveal the full size of the plant – it looks set to be one of the largest PV projects in Europe.
AU Optronics (AUO) has appointed Paul Peng as its new president. Peng will start his new role on January 1, 2012 and is replacing Dr. L. J. Chen, who will now serve as AUO’s president of solar business operation. AUO hopes that its management reshuffle will improve the competitiveness of its products and technologies and in turn profitability.
DNV has acquired 74.3% of KEMA's shares which it claims will create a world-leading consulting and certification company. While DNV becomes the majority shareholder with a 74.3% share, Alliander retains its holding (25.4%) as does Cogas (0.3%). The transaction is subject to the approval of the US, Dutch and German competition authorities.
China Sunergy advised that it had shipped 1.59MW of its solar panels to Emotion Energy, which has partnered with Edison Energy to install solar panels for 117 houses in a residential rooftop project in Faifley, Scotland for the Knowes Housing Association Scotland. The PV project will allow 117 Knowes tenants to partake in the energy generated from the solar panels free of charge for 25 years. The solar project was installed prior to the change in FiT on December 12.
