Solar experts and university researchers will gather together in Abu Dhabi from March 27-28 to attend the city’s first forum on photovoltaics. The event, which will be presented by Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, will explore the route for development of cost-effective systems capable of achieving 25% energy conversion from solar resources in Abu Dhabi by the year 2020.
Shams Power has closed financing on its 100MW Shams 1 concentrated solar power (CSP) project in Madinat Zayed, United Arab Emirates. When completed, Shams 1 will be one of the largest CSP systems in the world, with investment coming from 10 major financial institutions and totalling US$600 million.
Energiebau Solarstromsysteme has installed one of Africa’s largest solar rooftop systems on the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Soltec Renewable Energies and Shikun & Binui Solaria are set to build a 6.7MW solar power plant in the disused copper mines of Timna Valley in southern Israel.
German PV equipment manufacturer Centrotherm has won the bidding to develop a major new solar plant in Algeria. Despite reports to contrary, Centrotherm has yet to sign a contract with the Algerian Government for the new system, which will be located 30km east of the capital city, Algiers.
In an attempt to consolidate its position as one of the world’s leading integrated solar companies, BP Solar has decided to enlist the help of a specialist partner to help manage some of its portfolio of off-grid projects. Control of French BP Solar’s off-grid operations has been handed over to Phaesun.
Petra Solar has been concentrating on taking its business to a more international level and as part of its initiative the company has planned to open a research and development center in Amman, Jordan. Petra Solar has been working with companies based in the Middle East and expects for its new R&D center to more easily facilitate a partnership with companies in the region.
Fidelis Energy has manufactured and shipped more than 23MW of solar modules to its first customer, TinSol Energy, located in South Africa. The company began module production at its manufacturing facility in China earlier this year, accelerating the manufacturing process and reaching the anticipated shipping date ahead of schedule.
