Westinghouse Solar and CBD Energy are hoping that the definitive merger agreement both companies signed this week will be completed by Q3 2012. Approvals from both companies’ board of directors have been received. Limited closing conditions and approval by both companies’ shareholders need to be finalized in order to complete the deal.
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association has reported that, for the first time ever, solar PV power became the most installed energy source in Europe in 2011.The increased uptake of solar power, which rose 63% to reach 21.9GW last year, has been attributed to the implementation of incentive schemes and widespread subsidization by governments.
ET Solar has announced the completion of four rooftop projects, totalling 4MW generating capacity, in partnership with French developer Langa Solar. The projects are expected to begin power production by June, 2012.
MySolar, the new residential solar lease facility created by Clean Power Finance, MS Solar Solutions and Main Street Power Company, is being called the largest in the US. The program will provide funding for up to US$300 million in projects with Zions Energy Link being the first member of a syndicate of debt providers for the MySolar residential solar lease facility.
Kyocera Solar launched the Kyocera Solar Finance program, which aims to provide loan and lease options for customers looking to install light to mid-to-large commercial solar installations. The program is run in partnership with De Lage Landen Financial Services with Kyocera offering up to 100% financing for qualified borrowers.
Multi-Contact’s Westlake junction box (PV-JB/WL-H) has been certified by TÜV and UL following the product’s passing of the DIN EN 60068-2-52:1996 salt mist spray test.
JinkoSolar will continue to sponsor Valencia Football Club for two more years following the signing of a new contract. Valencia recently finished third in Spain’s La Liga and will play in the European Champions League next year. JinkoSolar will remain the club’s main sponsor and the company’s logo will be featured on Valencia’s home and away shirts throughout the season.
SPI Solar has announced that it will enter a engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement with a subsidiary of KDC Solar. As part of the partnership SPI Solar will develop and build three PV projects for KDC Solar at the Grand Cascades Golf Resort and Mountain Creek Resort in New Jersey. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012.
Socialist François Hollande has been elected as President of France, bringing further concerns and hopes to the country’s already flagging solar industry. Dubbed “Mr Normal”, he has promised a 25% reduction in nuclear facilities by 2020, an investment in alternative energy generation and improving energy efficiency.
Providing around 90% of the school’s energy requirements, SolarWorld has installed 6.1MW of its PV panels on a 30-acre site adjacent to the Lawrenceville School. The boarding school’s ground-mounted system was initially developed by TurtleEnergy and was purchased in 2011 by KDC Solar, which completed the development and constructed the project.
