Researchers at Dow Corning and The University of Toledo (UT) have signed an MOU to engage in collaborative discussions on photovoltaic solar research and development efforts to help bring down the cost of solar energy. "Both Dow Corning and UT want homes and businesses throughout the world to take advantage of clean, renewable energy from the sun," said Gregg Zank, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Dow Corning. "It is essential that businesses, academics and the government collaborate in order to accelerate the advancement of solar technologies."
M+W Group is to plan and construct a 14.5MW photovoltaic power park in the province of Macerone, Italy. The plant is expected to have an annual output of around 18,900MWh, which will be supplied to approximately 6,000 households in the region.
Premier Power Renewable Energy has teamed with PUMA North America, lessee of Brookvale International, to build 1.9MW of solar electric generating capacity at PUMA’s Carson and Torrance, California, warehouse and distribution facilities in Southern California.
Following the acquisition of Etimex Solar’s Vistasolar EVA product line in June, Solutia will be expanding its Suzhou, China, operations for the inclusion of Vistasolar ethylene vinylacetate (EVA) encapsulants. The expansion includes a new building for several new EVA production lines and infrastructure for any future additional capacity needed. The lines will be able to manufacture 2.35m wide sheets with the first production line scheduled for completion in June 2011.
Phoenix Solar has been commissioned by Etrion as the general contractor for a 3.5MW ground-mounted turnkey construction plant to be located in Borgo Piave in the Lazio region of Italy.
Manz Automation has signed a licensing and strategic alliance agreement with Würth Solar for the exclusive rights of use to Würth's CIGS production technology, for an initial period of 10 years. The company aims to use the alliance to become the market leader as a provider of fully integrated, cost-effective CIGS production lines (CIGSfab). The existing contractual relationship with Würth Solar and the ZSW centre for solar energy and hydrogen research also means that Manz has exclusive access to research results regarding CIGS modules on glass substrates.
Premier Power Renewable Energy has opened the doors of its newest office in Southern California to serve the new and existing customers of the region. “California is one of the largest markets in America for solar electric power generation solutions, and to work more closely with potential and existing customers in this high growth market we've opened an office in the heart of Orange County,” said Dean Marks, CEO of Premier Power.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a power purchase agreement between Solar Millennium, Berkeley and Southern California Edison (SCE) for two 242MW solar power plants planned in California. The agreement regulates SCE’s purchase of electricity produced by the facilities for 20 years from the start of operations. Construction is expected to conclude, for one power plant, at the end of this year with initial operation starting for the plants in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Calisolar recently received IEC 61730 and IEC 61215 certification from TÜV Rheinland for modules built with Calisolar cells. The 60-cell modules passed all tests for their certification for proven demonstration to withstand in performance, durability, efficiency, stability and safety over extended periods of time. The certified modules produce up to 250W using Calisolar’s multicrystalline solar cells with over 16% efficiency.
SunLink will now provide combiner boxes, as well as roof and ground mount systems, through its acquisition of Blue Oak PV Products. "SunLink now offers the HomeRun combiner box family so commercial solar integrators can count on one trusted source for mounting solutions and combiner boxes that lower total installed costs and improve system design flexibility," said Christopher Tilley, CEO of SunLink.
