GE Capital Real Estate and SunEdison flipped the switch on the first two of fifteen solar rooftop systems, which fall under the Ontario FiT program. The solar projects are part of GE Capital Real Estate’s environmental sustainability initiative with SunEdison agreeing to build and operate all fifteen of the PV systems.
Applied Materials (AMAT) posted a solid financial outcome upon the release of its third quarter 2011 results. Although the company noted that its overall Q3 orders and net sales were down 25% and 3%, respectively, compared to Q2 2011, AMAT still completed the quarter with US$2.39 billion in generated orders and saw its net sales reach the upper end of its previous guidance at US$2.79 billion. Non-GAAP operating income was US$683 million, with a non-GAAP net income of US$467 million, or US$0.35 per share.
SunPeak Solar advised that it had selected Suntech Power Holdings to supply 28.7MW (DC) of its solar panels for its 23MW (AC) solar project in Niland, California. Suntech will supply 100,000 of its 285/290W Vd-Series modules, which feature its SuperPoly silicon processing technology. SunPeak Solar’s subsidiary, Imperial Valley Solar Company (IVSC) 1, will manage the project’s construction and installation of the modules.
Nexamp and Cathartes Private Investments are joining forces to build the largest privately-owned solar project in Massachusetts. The 4.5MW system will be comprised of 14,000 panels and span 22 acres of industrial land bordering Route 3 near Westford. Construction is scheduled to begin this autumn.
Sunvalley Solar won a US$2 million contract for the deployment of a 405kW commercial solar project with All Fortune Group in Long Beach, California. The solar project will use solar panels supplied by Tianwei New Energy and solar inverters from PV Powered.
STR Holdings publicized the definitive purchase agreement it had signed with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), where UL will buy STR’s quality assurance (QA) business for US$275 million in cash, plus cash assumed. The acquisition is expected to be finalized no later than September 30 once all traditional closing conditions have been met.
Government officials from Delaware were on hand with White Oak Solar Energy, a subsidiary of LS Power Group, and SunPower to commission the 10MW Dover SUN Park solar project in Dover, Delaware. SunPower designed and built the 10MW solar park using its tracker systems across the 103-acre site and installed its SunPower E20/327 solar panels.
In a move that is sure to trigger interest across the solar industry, the Solar Trust of America has decided to change its plans for the first phase of its 1GW Blythe Solar Power Project. Switching from concentrated solar power (CSP) to photovoltaic technology for the first phase of the project (500MW), the company has cited improved PV market conditions for the decision.
As part of its strategy to supply a complete materials offering to the PV industry, Dow Corning has brought online a new 4,000MT per annum monosilane gas facility, adjacent to Hemlock Semiconductor’s polysilicon manufacturing plant in Hemlock, Michigan.
Envision Solar International advised of key changes to its executive management staff including its founder, Bob Noble, taking on the role of executive chairman while Desmond Wheatly, current president and Envision COO, will succeed Noble as CEO. Chris Caulson has additionally been named Envision Solar’s CFO with all changes effective August 10. Both Wheatley and Caulson have worked together for over ten years in publically traded and privately held international and domestic companies.
