News

Returning to profitability (US$11.8 million) in the first quarter of 2010 was only one aspect in a busy quarter for ReneSola. Revenue of US$206.6 million was reached on record quarterly shipments of 242.4MW (12.6% growth QoQ), both exceeding previous guidance. ReneSola now expects total solar product shipments of 1.0GW to 1.1GW, up from the previous total solar product shipment estimate of 900MW to 950MW. Average cell conversion efficiency rates on monocrystalline and multicrystalline wafers reached 17.4% and 16%, respectively, up from 16% and 15%, respectively. The average amount of power per watt generated by each wafer has increased 5% to 8%, according to the company.

Spire has announced its new 6m × 1.3m solar simulator, the 6013, which was developed off of the company’s Single Long Pulse series. The first unit is scheduled to be delivered to SoloPower in San Jose, CA, for use in CIGS modules.

Kyocera announced that it will be supplying 9,000 solar modules for the Matsuyama solar power plant in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The modules will total 1.7MW for the spring 2011 on-line target of the plant. The Matsuyama plant is combining with the existing 2MW installation to become the biggest solar installation in Shikoku, Japan.

Since the news of Moser Baer's booming solar sector, the company has announced plans to raise Rs300-400 crore over the next couple of months to fund expansion. Moser Baer will increase the crystalline silicon capacity of its photovoltaic business from 140MW to 240MW. The expansion will take place in two phases.

Solon has signed an agreement with Greek company, NRG-Orion, for the delivery of 1.5MWp of solar modules. The Solon modules will be used to construct a ground-mounted PV system at the headquarters of canned peach company, Kronos. Once complete, this will be Greece's largest single axis tracking solar power plant to date.

Solyndra and Enerqos Group have completed the first stage of their multi-store installation project with the grid-connection of a 200kWp rooftop project for Nova Coop in the Vibo Valencia province of Italy.

Bosch Solar Energy and subsidiary Johanna Solar Technology have completed the BIPV installation on the Schwager department store in the centre of Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany. The 21kWp façade system is the first of its kind to be installed by Bosch.

Camstar Systems announced that its first quarter license revenue has more than doubled compared to the previous year. The company accounts this increase to a stronger demand and manufacturing sector throughout the world.

Day4 Energy’s 60MC-I module with guardian technology has received International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215 and 61730-2 certification. The IEC’s certification are recognized industry standards that assure modules have passed a required set of tests and are therefore appropriate for operation in outdoor climates. The IEC certification is also a requirement for PV module sales in Europe.

MAG Industrial Automation Systems will be starting a new renewable energy business unit, which is intended to design and build automated manufacturing systems for solar panels and wind turbine components. The new unit will be based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and Hebron, Kentucky, led by Dr. Siegfried Schmalzried and Joe Jones respectively.