In the latest move by a solar manufacturer to take advantage of the lucrative feed-in tariffs in Ontario, the Siliken Group plans to build a crystalline-silicon photovoltaics module production plant in the Canadian province. Set for an initial capacity of 50MW, the factory could start operations in the last quarter of this year and create as many as 150 jobs, according to the Spanish firm.
Soliant Energy has brought Marco DeMiroz back on board as its chief operating officer and chief financial officer. DeMiroz, who served as the concentrator photovoltaics company's interim CEO last year, will report to chairman/CEO Terry Bailey.
An investigation by the European Commission that started in 2008, has led to the withdrawal of a €11.6 million EU grant for the construction of Sovello’s first ‘String Ribbon’ PV manufacturing plant in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The European Commission said that influence of the shareholder Q-Cells had been significantly greater than its 24.9 % share holding, which meant that the ‘SME Bonus’ given to small and medium size enterprises did not apply to Sovello, formerly EverQ.
The first Applied Materials ‘SunFab’ thin film customer to switch to tandem junction silicon cell structures, Sunfilm has also integrated three ‘Sensic’ in-line metrology tools from Basler Vision Technologies to provide required quality inspection throughout the process flow. Basler is best known for inspection systems used in the LCD industry. The systems have now been adapted and optimized for the thin-film industry.
Integrated photovoltaics manufacturer CNPV Solar Power has signed a long-term strategic partnership sales agreement with Delta Sud, a French project development and distribution company. The deal calls for the supply of 20MW of crystalline-silicon PV modules over the next three years.
The UK feed-in tariff rates have now been finalized, offering its residents a financial incentive for producing renewable energy. The government has confirmed the proposed rate, which will begin to take effect from April 1, 2010.
Martifer Solar will construct two PV plants in Southern Italy producing a combined total of 6MW a year. A local company controlled by Infrastructure will manage the two facilities.
Kyocera will supply 3MW of solar modules to the Omuta solar power plant in Japan, designed by Kyushu Electric Power and constructed by Nishinippon Plant Engineering and Construction (NPC).
Trina Solar has signed an agreement with ITEC of Germany to supply 40MW of PV modules during 2010. The deal calls for 18MW to be shipped in the first half of the year, with agreed prices for the first quarter.
