According to the latest PV System Integrators report from IMS Research, a German company held onto the top spot for the second year running. The report also demonstrated how Chinese integrators made the biggest gains in 2011, with three companies appearing in the top 10.
Gestamp Renewable Industries, a division of Gonvarri Steel Industries, has established its presence in the South African Renewable Energy components market by signing new joint venture agreements between its Gestamp Wind Steel and Gestamp Solar Steel divisions and South African industrial partners.
GERO Solarpark GmbH’s 28MW solar power plant was inaugurated in Amsdorf, near Halle, Germany, with Saxony-Anhalt prime minister Dr Reiner Haseloff in attendance. The project is a joint venture set up by GETEC green energy AG and the ROMONTA group. Despite the €50 million investment being overshadowed by federal government plans to bring forward cuts to solar power subsidies, the companies have been able to realize the project in seven weeks after ground was broken on the site.
According to a report by EMG, representatives from Serbia’s government and the Securum Equity Partners Europe signed a memorandum for the development of what is being called the world’s largest solar park. Minister of the Environment, Oliver Dulic, and members of Securum’s management board, including Alessio Colussi and Ivan Matejak, signed the memo in the presence of Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.
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.
