According to the latest research from IMS Research, Suntech shipped more modules during the second quarter of 2010 than any other company, beating previous market leader First Solar for the first time since Q3'08.
The Czech government has given its approval for a renewables energy framework plan which aims to reduce generous subsidies driving the country towards a solar boom. The plan calls for a cap on feed-in tariffs for solar energy, up to approximately 50% of the current level, as well as making the recycling of old solar panels mandatory.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a proposed decision to launch a new renewable incentive program with the aim of driving the uptake of mid-sized renewable energy development. This next-generation feed-in tariff program will require investor-owned California utilities to purchase electricity from renewable energy systems between one and 20MW in size.
Nevada Solar Works has announced its success in bidding for the contract for construction of a 1.3MW solar project in the City of Reno, Nevada. The contract, which comprises several installations, will see the construction of a 1MW fixed-tilt ground-mount system at the Reno-Stead Water Treatment Plant, as well as a total of 295kW in fixed-tilt roof- and ground-mount installations at five locations in the City.
Premier Power Renewable Energy and Regeneration Finance were recently selected by the Douglas County School District in Colorado to construct 3MW of solar electric power projects at 31 different sites at the school district’s 30 schools and one athletic stadium. The school district signed a PPA with REgeneration, who will own and finance the power projects. Premier Power will be responsible for the project’s design, construction, operation and maintenance.
UK energy provider, British Gas, is to provide solar power for thousands of homes across the UK. The company will offer UK residents the option of free solar installation in order to benefit from cut electricity prices only, or finance solutions to cover the up-front cost of the system, delivering further rebate from the country's feed-in tariff.
DayStar Technologies released its second quarter results for the period that ended on June 30, 2010. Net loss for the quarter was US$12.2 million, higher than Q2 2009 net loss of US$6.7 million. DayStar attributes the loss on the non-cash restructuring charges of US$7.8 million, which includes a US$3.5 million in impairment charges on leasehold improvements at their Newark, California, facility once the lease expired...
With approximately 15 entrants wanting to stake a claim in the emerging solar microinverter and DC-DC power optimization market, rapid growth is required to avoid failures. According to a new report from IMS Research, the market is forecasted to generate more than US$1.5 billion in revenues over the next five years with device shipments growing 100% per year, totalling more than 16 million units. As expected the key market will be residential, offering power output defence from shading and inverter failures, according to the market research firm.
In the completion of its Series A2 financing, BT Imaging not only secured US$3.8 million, but added Applied Ventures as a new investor joining Allen & Buckeridge and Uniseed. Applied Ventures is the main venture capital division for Applied Materials. BT Imaging will be putting the new funds towards product development, global expansion and building its portfolio.
According to centrotherm photovoltaics subsidiary, centrotherm SiTec has achieved a new cell efficiency record through an improved process in its crystallization furnace to produce multi-crystalline ingots. Further progress has also been claimed in boosting furnace capacity to 650kg without major modifications. Production conditions in a pilot line operation have produced average efficiencies of 16.6%, and a peak result of up to 17.0%, according to the company.
