An official announcement that will influence Greece’s future potential in the PV industry was released by the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (HELAPCO), which outlines a new incentives program for small rooftop applications up to 10kWp. It is hoped that this is the first of several such announcements by HELAPCO, with this small-scale incentive acting to spur on solar energy demand in the country.
As part of a planned 41MW of multiple 1MW type solar plants expected to begin construction in Italy in 2009, Enerqos one of the countries largest turnkey suppliers of solar systems and plants is to begin construction of four, 1MW solar plants for European merchant bank, NextEnergy Capital.
As part of Energy Conversion Devices attempts to restore its order books for its ‘UNI-SOLAR’ thin film PV laminates, the company has signed a supply extension with EnergyPeak, a past customer and supplier of BIPV products. The new deal could see EnergyPeak purchase up to 12MW of laminates to be used in standing seam metal commercial rooftop projects through 2011.
Responding to demand and adding to its sales office base that includes California, Colorado, Oregon, Hawaii and New Jersey, REC Solar, Inc. has opened an Arizona office and has started installations in the area. The California-based system integrator’s move is in reaction to the increased demand in the Arizona area.
Receiving recognition for his contributions to the development of SunPower's high-efficiency, all-back contact solar cell, company CTO Richard Swanson (pictured) was honoured with an SEIA Industry Innovator Award at the PV America conference in Philadelphia. The SEIA Award aims to recognise entrepreneurs, scientists and advocates working towards improving the quality and efficiency of solar technology.
SunPower Corp. has announced its addition of Navneet Govil (pictured), former controller for Sun Microsystems’ Microelectronics Group, to its team as vice president and treasurer. This role will see Mr. Govil spearhead the company’s treasury and foreign exchange activities, credit risk management, capital structure planning, and banking relationships, as well as overseeing insurance and stock administration activities.
Further developing its plan to increase the company presence in the U.S., German module manufacturer aleo solar AG has revealed that it has set up a wholly-owned subsidiary, entitled aleo solar North America, Inc. Headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, the company has already secured UL certification for its modules for sale and installation in the U.S. and Canada.
Innovalight has installed what is being called the first high-throughput industrial silicon-ink inkjet printing system at the company’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA. Dutch production tool company OTB Solar engineered and manufactured the system in cooperation with Innovalight.
Senate Bill 7, legislation introduced by Senator Patricia Wiggins, stipulates that utility providers allow customers who produce their own solar power to roll over unused energy credits for up to two years. The Bill was voted on in the California Senate, and approved unanimously at 29-0. The Bill will now be passed to the Assembly for consideration.
New Mexico Representative Martin Heinrich has introduced new bipartisan legislation in the form of the clean energy promotion act, H.R. 2662. The new act can provide up to $5 million yearly to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to promote renewable energy projects on public lands.
