Despite preparing investors’ expectations for flat revenues in 2016, inverter maker SMA Solar Technology has reported an increase in sales for the first quarter and exceeded management expectations by more than €10 million (US$11.4 million).
Italian renewable energy firm Enertronica has acquired a US$7.98 million 6MW PV plant in Namibia, under a 25-year PPA with NamPower, at an initial value of US$1.37kWh.
Single-axis PV tracking systems specialist NEXTracker, acquired by contract manufacturer, Flextronics International (Flex) said it had reached the milestone of shipping a total of 3GW of tracker systems, globally.
SMA’s US$20 million investment in ‘smart module’ maker Tigo Energy could help the string inverter maker to meet much-debated fire safety standards that are likely to be introduced in the US, according to one industry analyst.
Unsubsidised, commercial solar-plus-storage projects of the type being executed in Puerto Rico could demonstrate how to overcome many of the challenges imminent for the world’s PV markets, according to one company with experience in the field.
First Solar has entered into a framework agreement with a subsidiary of Silicon Ranch, one of the US’ leading solar project developers, to supply 230MW worth of modules for future projects.
Gantner Instruments has launched a new solution for monitoring PV power plants at the string level. The ‘string.bloxx All-in-one’ system recognises design and production errors with high resolution down to the PV module level.
A new technical study that is more detailed and extensive than previously achieved, the US Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has significantly increased the potential for US building rooftops to generate electricity from solar PV (photovoltaics) systems.
Renusol is introducing its new ballasted flat-roof mounting system FS10-S and FS18-S for mounting south-facing photovoltaic panels. It requires few components and uses especially short rails, making the system price-efficient and quick to install. As it has little surface area exposed to the wind and is equipped with wind deflectors, minimal ballasting is required, making the new mounting system especially suited for commercial and agricultural buildings with lightweight roofs.
SunPower has launched its ‘Equinox’ solar PV system to the US residential market that is claimed to be the first solution in the country in which every major component has been designed and engineered by one company to work seamlessly together, delivering the highest power, long-term performance and aesthetic appeal. With a typical SunPower Equinox installation, only the solar panels and a Smart Energy management device are visible, reflecting SunPower's minimalist architectural approach at the system level.
