Leading PV module tracking systems supplier DEGERenergie has come to the conclusion that CPV-based technologies, dependent on tracking the sun for correct yields, will remain an unprofitable business for the foreseeable future and as a result has discontinued the sale of its tracking products for the technology.
Calisolar is morphing into a polysilicon producer with a name change that better reflects its future ambitions. Renamed, Silicor Materials Inc, the company has bagged a major supply deal for its purified silicon metal material with the PV industries largest module producer, Suntech Power Holdings.
According electricity grid operator Terna, 2.8% of 86.3% of Italy’s production of electricity for 2011 came from PV solar energy. The remaining 13.7% came from foreign imports. The net national production (289.2 billion kWh) dropped by 0.5% compared to 2010, geothermal production increased (+5.2%), as did wind power (+5.7%) and PV solar power grew by 394% compared to 2010.
Pythagoras Solar announced today that it will be participating in the first Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) Building Technology Showcase. Said showcase, the first of its kind and designed to demonstrate sustainable building technologies, is located in a research and demonstration site located in a building in Boston’s Innovation District. Pythagoras is among the partners contributing a total of US$2.7 million to building energy technologies and services to the new “living laboratory.”
Premier Power Renewable Energy announced that they have finalized a US$27.6 million agreement with the US subsidiary of Shanghai Solar Energy Science and Technology, Chaori Solar US, to build a number of utility-scale solar power plants in the United States.
Milwaukee-based high-efficiency monocrystalline PV module manufacturer, Helios Solar Works is the first founding member of the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), outside SolarWorld to declare itself a supporter of actions that will lead to duties being applied to solar cells and modules from China. Seven firms with manufacturing operations in the US were said to have formed CASM and petitioned US agencies to investigate module dumping allegations, though until now, only SolarWorld, which has led the campaign had declared involvement.
New Jersey-based Petra Solar has opened its doors to the procurement arm of the US federal government with the signing of a Schedule 70 contract with the General Services Administration (GSA). This action will allow US military customers to purchase Petra Solar’s products and services, building on the company’s existing presence in the military sector.
juwi has issued a press release to celebrate its success of 2011 and to increase public participation to make the transfer to renewables from fossil fuels more manageable. Thanks to this, the German company has been able to expand its management structure in a financially difficult climate.
Tioga Energy advised that it had completed the installation of a 249kW solar system at BJ Wholesale Club’s Deer park, New York location. This is the first of two projects Tioga is developing through an incentive from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Combined, the two projects will provide 850kW of renewable energy.
The 290MW Agua Caliente solar project in Arizona, being built by First Solar, will be utilizing over 400 SMA Sunny Central 720CP inverters. SMA American advised that its technology had been chosen for the plant, which is expected to reach operation in 2014. The company notes that its Sunny Central CP inverters were designed for use in large, open-field PV plants and are able to withstand ambient temperatures up to 50?C.
