The Australian marine biologist Lloyd Godson has began his attempt to set a new world record by generating the largest amount of electricity ever produced by under water cycling, at the Bavarian Legoland theme park in Germany. For a fortnight, beginning March 30, Godson will stay in a 4m² underwater home, his only light provided by solar lamps.
Recurrent Energy has signed agreements with Kaiser Permanente for the development of 15MW of solar power systems at several different locations across California. Recurrent will build, own, and operate 16 solar power systems installed across 15 Kaiser Permanente hospital and office rooftops, ground spaces and above existing ground-level parking spaces and garages.
Preliminary 2009 market figures for the PV industry have been issued by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), after its recent workshop was held in Rome, Italy. The EPIA said that 6.4GW of newly installed capacity was achieved in 2009, reaching a total capacity of over 20GW worldwide. Although this was hailed as being the most important annual capacity increase ever, due in part to the economic recession, 2010 is expected to see installations increase by at least 40%, while the annual growth is expected to increase by more than 15%.
Manz Automation took a heavy hit from the fall in equipment sales in the solar and LCD industries in 2009. Revenue for 2009 was €85.9 million, down sharply from €236.5 million in 2008. Cost cutting measures limited losses to €15.9 million. Manz Automation saw fourth quarter sales jump sharply as a recovery in the PV industry netted sales of €39.2 million (previous year: €77.4 million), accounting for 45.6% of the total annual revenues. Order book stood at €40 million in mid-December 2009, but has increased to €70 million as of February 28, 2010, according to the company. Manz said that it expects a return to double digit growth in 2010.
A ceremony took place on March 25 to celebrate the launch of two solar photovoltaic parks totaling 18MW located in Norfolk County, Ontario. The two solar parks, SunE Sky Norfolk I and II, are being developed under a joint venture between SunEdison and SkyPower.
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film module manufacturer Abound Solar has received IEC certification from TÜV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory as well as certification by Underwriters Laboratory and the California Energy Commission, meeting UL, IEC, CEC, and CE requirements for its AB1 series of PV modules. As a result, the company can sell its products in the U.S. and across Europe.
Morocco has now reportedly secured agreements with the World Bank, the European Commission and Germany in connection with its large-scale US$9 billion solar project, which is expected to produce 38% of the country's power by the year 2020.
Solar Power Inc. has selected McClellan Business Park as the site for its U.S. manufacturing facility, subject to the finalization of building agreements. The company has received an initial commitment of US$24.7 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB) from Sacramento County and plans to use the proceeds from the sale of these bonds to help finance renovation and outfitting of the solar panel manufacturing facility.
Intersolar North America has confirmed that more than 80% of exhibitor space has been sold for the July 13-15 exhibition held in San Francisco, CA. Located alongside Semicon West, Intersolar expects approximately 700 international solar exhibitors, taking up all three floors of Moscone Center West Hall.
Hit by the global recession and weak solar equipment market in 2009, Singulus Technologies posted total revenue of €116.6 million for the business year 2009, compared to €212.1 million in 2008, approximately a 45% decline, year-on-year. Its solar business segment posted revenue of €36 million, down slightly from €37.9 million in 2008. However, 2009 results included the consolidated revenue of Stangl Semiconductor Equipment, which it recently acquired.
