Another solar company has fallen prey to the weakened economy, and like its predecessors Solyndra and Abound Solar, won’t be going quietly into the Nevada night. A report by the Las Vegas Review Journal has noted that one year after opening its doors, Amonix closed its 214,000 square foot North Las Vegas manufacturing plant, which was subsidized by over US$20 million in federal tax credits and grants. Amonix supposedly began selling equipment, including automated tooling systems and robotic welding cells in an online auction Wednesday.
Concerns of Chinese retaliation against US countervailing and anti-dumping duties have manifested themselves in a complaint filed to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. MOFCOM has today released a statement regarding an application requesting an anti-dumping investigation into US and South Korean exports to China. On behalf of the Chinese solar industry, Jiangsu Silicon Technology Development, LDK Solar, Luoyan Sino-Silicon high-tech and New Energy, filed the complaint on July 2. Interested parties have 20 days to respond to the complaint.
Canadian solar developer CarbonFree Technology has installed a 543kW PV system on the roof of Canada’s largest apple grower Algoma Orchards, the company has announced. The system, which is operated by BrightRoof Solar, a collaboration between CarbonFree and Connor Clark and Lunn Infrastructure, is installed on the roof of one of Algoma Orchards processing facilities.
It appears concerns over market consolidation and the changing incentive landscape affected Intersolar North America more than many had hoped. Around 22,000 visitors and 850 exhibitors were expected at this month’s exhibition in San Francisco. However, the reality was closer to 18,000 visitors and 757 exhibitors, compared to last year’s 20,000 visitors and 839 exhibiting solar companies which was a 30% growth from 2010. On a more positive note, Intersolar claims that approximately two thirds of the exhibition space has already been booked for the 2013 exhibition and conference.
Responding to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Energy Highway Initiative, Renewables Biz has reported that Entecco has submitted a project proposal for a PV or CPV project with a size up to 2,000MW that will be built in Seneca County, New York. Entecco’s Central Solar City (CSC) project would potentially be the largest single solar hub of its kind in the US.
AETI's (American Electric Technologies) ISIS 1MW solar inverter has been witness-tested to UL1741 by TÜV of North America. The integration of 1MW of liquid cooled power inverters with a 1MVA transformer and medium voltage switchgear, is aimed at reducing field installation costs. SEMV (Socios Energeticos de Mexico Verde) has selected AETI to a solar project in Mexico. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Amid the investigations and continual reports of US and European PV manufacturers closing their doors, it has been easy to neglect the idea that the PV manufacturing industry in China has taken a hit as well. Renewable Energy World pointed out that John Lefebvre, president of Suntech Power America, noted during Intersolar North America in San Francisco that over 50 Chinese PV manufacturing companies have also closed.
Chinese company Sky Solar will be a conduit to help form a strategic partnership for bilateral free trade between China and Chile. CEO Amy Zhang recently attended a banquet hosted by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera in the capital, Santiago, an event also attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his entourage.
Chimes International was joined by state and local officials, as well as representatives from Gas Energy Services (WGES) and Bithenergy as it commemorated its new rooftop PV system at the Terry Allen Perl Centre. The 259kW system uses 1,079 panels and was made possible through a combined effort between Chimes, WGES and Bithenergy.
The US Energy Department’s (DOE) loan-guarantee is walking a fine line these days, which cannot make life any easier for 1366 Technologies and SoloPower as they prepare to receive funding from the same DOE guarantee that failed solar companies Solyndra and Abound Solar partook in. A report by Bloomberg noted that both 1366 Technologies and SoloPower qualified for guarantees last year and are currently working to meet milestone in order to gain access to the credit.
