Projects

Semprius has completed the installation of the first microcell-based HCPV research development and demonstration (RD&D) system at Tucson Electric Power (TEP). The installation, which was completed in August this year, combines Semprius' HCPV modules with an automated solar tracking system from Siemens. The TEP project is part of a joint development agreement signed by Semprius and Siemens at the beginning of 2010, which aims to achieve the deployment of numerous new HCPV systems at test sites around the world.

Solar Power Partners and JCM Capital have joined forced for the creation of a fund that will develop, finance, own and operate 200MW of Ontario-based solar projects. Although the amount of the dedicated fund was undisclosed, the two companies have already started 20MW of projects, which will begin construction in 2011.

Solar system company mp-tec has delivered its Skytrap tracking systems for one of the first solar farms in Denmark, which is being developed on behalf of the client, Linak. The 500m2 project, which is expected to generate 90,000kWh of power annually, is currently under construction and is due to be completed in early 2011.

A Valenza, Italy building owned by Finpiemonte Partecipazioni and deemed as an architectural landmark has a new solar rooftop system courtesy of Solyndra. Working with Ardea Energia and EGEA, the local utility company for the region, through a power purchase agreement, Solyndra designed and built the 370kWp solar system on the building that, among other private and public businesses, is home to the Palaexpo Jewelry Company.

Opel Solar will build a 446kW solar power plant at the headquarters of Toray Plastics in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Construction work on the facility, which will be made up of 1650 PV panels mounted on 50 of Opel's TF-800 trackers, is scheduled to begin in spring 2011 and when completed it is expected to generate around 625MWh of electricity every year.

Deutsche Bank is to finance two SkyPower solar parks, with a combined capacity of around 18.5MW, in Ontario, Canada. The 10MW Stone Mills and 8.5MW Thunder Bay facilities will generate 400 million kWh over 20 years and are scheduled to be completed by mid 2011.

Under a 6MW distribution agreement, Focused Energy is to offer Upsolar's line of modules to its North American customers throughout 2011, with an option to extend the contract by an additional 2MW. Focused Energy began shipping Upsolar's modules in June 2010 on a trial basis and has now opted to expand the distribution agreement into 2011.

Rhodia is planning to install 12,000m² of PV panels at the Rhodia Belle-Etoile site in Rhône, France. Solairedirect, the solar module manufacturer, and OFI Asset Management will partner Rhodia on the project, which will boast a peak capacity of 2MW and produce two million kilowatt hours of electricity per annum.

United Solar has finished work on a solar power project for the rooftop of the Moon Palace Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. The development was led by Enel Green Power, with support coming from the Mexican Environment Ministry, SEMARNAT, and the Italian Ministry of the Environment, and will generate 220MWh of electricity per year.

Canadian Solar has completed and activated what it claims as the largest private solar electric system in Worcester, Massachusetts on the roof of the McDonough Center at the Bancroft School. The 105kW roof-mount was activated before the 2010 school year began and utilizes 462 Canadian Solar CS6P-230P polycrystalline modules. The installation is expected to produce 117,000kWh annually for the McDonough Center.