SolFocus and Samaras Group have agreed to expand the terms of their agreement to use solar concentrator photovoltaic technology in Greece, increasing the capacity of the commercial deployments from the original goal of 1.6 MWp to 10 MWp. System installations are scheduled to begin this summer, with the first delivery of power expected in the fall. SolFocus also plays a key role in a proposed project that could lead to the largest utility-scale CPV installation yet.
Mexican President Felipe Calderón was among government and company officials on hand Feb. 5 to inaugurate Kyocera Solar's second PV module manufacturing plant in Tijuana, Mexico. The two-story production facility, which connects to the pre-existing Kyocera panel fab, will have a maximum annual output of 750,000 crystalline-silicon modules, equivalent to a nameplate capacity of 150 MW.
The solar product manufacturing company, Energy Innovations has announced that Joseph Budano will serve as the new CEO while also having a spot on the Board of Directors. He brings over 25 years experience in corporate leadership.
The Austin (TX) City Council approved a 30-MW solar power plant Thursday, choosing Gemini Solar Development Co. to build the site for Austin Energy, the area's municipal electric utility. The plant will be constructed on 300 acres of city-owned land located approximately 25 miles east of town.
Veeco Instruments and Daiyang Metal Co. have entered into a strategic partnership in which the equipment supplier will provide the Korean steel company with CIGS thin-film solar PV manufacturing tools. Daiyang has placed an initial multimillion dollar purchase order with Veeco for its complement of FastFlex web coating systems to outfit a flexible CIGS cell production line in Yesan, Korea.
As much as 57% of the power lost because of temporary or partial shading of solar PV panels can be recouped with the use of a new optimization technology, according to test results released by National Semiconductor.
Butte College in Oroville, California is now the largest solar-producing campus in the state after revealing three new solar projects that will allow the campus to become carbon neutral by 2015. The college, which hopes to save US$32.6 million in 20 years from reduced energy costs and a fixed energy-use fee, is currently 44% solar powered after installing the new energy-capturing panels.
NV Energy, Inc. and Solar Millennium, LLC have agreed on a memorandum of understanding for the potential installation of possible solar power facilities in southern Nevada. This agreement is in conjunction with Solar Millennium’s joint venture partner, MAN Ferrostaal Inc.
An in-depth study of the concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) market conducted by the University of Jaen (Spain) and CPV Today has revealed that grid parity could be on the cards for the technology as soon as 2011. Focussing on areas of high irradiance, the study has stated that efficiency increases in cells and optics will be necessary to allow for this target to be reached so soon.
Energy Innovations has announced that its RayTracker product group has been spun off to form RayTracker Inc. The new company will allow the team to take advantage of the growing demand for its RayTracker GC product line. The GC line was made to be cost-effective while boasting high efficiency and reliability. RayTracker had been included in over 2MW of installations in 2008.
