With outline plans for three 242MW solar thermal power plants, the recent signing of power purchase agreements between Solar Millennium, LLC, and Southern California Edison is a boon for California’s solar industry. The agreements detail the construction of two 242MW solar thermal plants, with the option to proceed with the third, subject to approval of the California Public Utilities Commission. Operation of the three parabolic trough solar power projects is expected to begin in 2013-14.
Despatch Industries’ infrared firing furnace has received a patent, bringing the company’s patent portfolio to over 30, both domestic and international. The firing furnace, while used mainly for the solar cell manufacturing process, it can, says the company, be used in a variety of industries for heating/treating applications of any material that can benefit from controlled infrared radiation.
Focussing its research capabilities on the thin-film sector, LG Display is looking to the future of solar energy with its recent investment of 50 billion won ($40 million) in a pilot line and testing facility for solar cells. The pilot line will be built in LG’s Paju display complex in Korea later this year, while an outdoor test power generation facility will also be constructed at the site.
Solar Power, Inc. (SPI) has completed a supply agreement for a total of 2MW of solar modules with Germany-based residential and commercial solar installers Bayer and Raach. SPI will supply 1MW of 200W panels and 1MW of its proprietary SkyMount commercial mounting systems for minimal commercial rooftop applications. The cost and delivery times of the agreement were not disclosed.
American Electric Power Ohio has inked a long-term deal that will see the company purchase all of the energy produced by a 10.08MW solar power plant that is planned to begin construction in Ohio in November 2009. The 20-year agreement with juwi subsidiary Wyandot Solar LLC adds to AEP’s existing renewables portfolio and is the first commercial solar-based acquisition.
An industry official reported to the South China Morning Post that Beijing is expected to enact subsidized prices for solar power production as soon as late summer. After looking at the policies of developed nations, the National Energy Commission of the National Development and Reform Commission has taken preliminary steps to enact subsidized rates for solar energy.
China Sunergy Co., Ltd. has signed a 6-year framework agreement with Renergies Italia for delivery of 53MW of solar cells. The framework agreement includes a 3MW solar cell sales contract for delivery during 2009. The remaining 50MW will be conveyed to the Italian module manufacturer between 2010 and 2014, with each year seeing between 5 and 15MW of solar cells changing hands.
Taiwan's government reports that it has passed a bill on renewable energy that is expected to attract Taiwan $30 billion (US $937 million) worth of investment. Parliament approved the measure on 13 June 2009, which is aimed at adding between 6,500 and 10,000MW of installed energy from renewable to Taiwan’s current 2,287MW (5.8%) over the next 20 years.
NV Energy and American Capital Energy (ACE) announced a long-term power purchase agreement to divvy the sales of energy produced from 20MW (DC) solar power plant that to be constructed by mid-2010 near Searchlight, Nevada, 55 miles south of Las Vegas. Other terms of the power purchase agreement were not disclosed.
Spire Corporation and Gloria Solar of Tainan, Taiwan announced today that they have reached an agreement to liquidate their Joint Venture, Gloria Spire Solar (GSS), which performed PV systems integration within the United States.
