New Jersey has passed a law that requires companies to purchase more solar energy, it has been announced. According to the bill, companies have to obtain 2.05% of their total energy from solar in the energy year (EY) 2014 under the new renewable portfolio standard. After that, the amount of solar energy required will be raised every year to 4.10% by 2028.
Renewable Energy Corporation’s (REC) board of directors has proposed an additional sum of NOK75 million (approx. US$12 million) to the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The company states that all investors that participated in the private placement have agreed to the final gross proceeds of NOK375 million (approx. US$62 million).
According to a report from the Taipei Times, Motech Industries has terminated long-term supply contracts for silicon wafers with an undisclosed foreign company. The stock exchange filing noted that the termination came because of a change in market conditions. Motech advised that it would renegotiate terms, including product quantities and prices with the undisclosed company, but no timeline was given for when the manufacturer would start to supply wafers to Motech again.
Cupertino Electric advised that its San Jose, California, headquarters will soon sport a solar technology evaluation laboratory featuring 18 technologies installed in a construction site-type of environment. The lab will generate data on performance, price, installation technique, longevity and quality.
Chinese PV company Sky Solar is planning to invest in a 300MW PV project in Chile, according to a report by Reuters. Sky Solar, in collaboration with Chilean Sigdo Koppers and the Chinese Development Bank, has announced the signing of an agreement on Tuesday, under which Sky Solar is looking to invest US$900 million to construct the 300MW solar power park over three years.
The latest quarterly report from IMS Research forecasts that as a result of continued price pressure and highly competitive market conditions throughout the PV industry, gross profits will continue to fall further to just US$0.07 per watt by the end of 2012.
Global Solar Energy Deutschland has begun insolvency proceedings at a German court, the company has announced. Global Solar Energy Inc., based in Tucson, Arizona, announced the news that the German executive team’s decision will not influence its Tucson production line. The company will cease operation of its 35MW German facility in Berlin, though.
Updated. Business conditions at LDK Solar have worsened considerably since reporting fourth quarter financial results at the end of April, 2012. The integrated PV manufacturer has slashed both polysilicon production and full-year revenue guidance, while meeting the low mark of guided sales in its first quarter 2012 results.
According to a report from Solarplaza, Adenium Solar Energy has bought a portion of a 29MW portfolio of grid-connected, operational solar plants in Italy. The transaction is valued at €125 million with the assets to be managed by Adenium and Foresight. The companies expect for their joint venture to increase the portfolio within the next 12 months to a total of 100MW.
Expansion of Brazil’s Tauá project is underway thanks to a continued partnership between MPX, E.ON and GE Energy. GE will supply all the equipment and PV technology systems for the plant’s expansion, including the delivery of more than 8,000 solar panels. Upon completion, Tauá will have nearly 13,000 solar panels helping to produce energy.
