The Joint Forces for Solar initiative, organised by EuPD Research and Intersolar, saw its third US outing yesterday with the presentation of the “3rd US PV Briefing & Networking Forum.” As was the case with Intersolar Europe in Munich in early June, the forum drew large crowds of interested parties to the Innovation Exchange Area of the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where industry experts discussed the future of photovoltaics, with a special focus on California, and networking opportunities enabled discussions among the industry’s key stakeholders.
Equity analyst Jesse Pichel of investment bank Jeffries believes there is little sign of growing PV demand after attending the first day of Intersolar North America. In a research note to investors, Pichel cites weaker-than-expected market demand in the US, due to PV project developers and residential consumers waiting for PV prices to bottom.
Monocrystalline silicon solar cell specialist, Suniva is adding 25-30MW of module production to its Norcross, Georgia plant, which already has a capacity of 170MW for its ‘ARTisun Select’ solar cells. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in late August and operational in September, 2011, according to the company.
San Diego Gas & Electric has increased its solar and renewable energy portfolio pipeline with the addition of another 190MW of resources, including a 150MW PV power plant to be developed and built in the Imperial Valley. The Southern California utility and Sempra Energy unit has announced signed power purchase agreements for almost 770MW of solar generation since January.
JDS Uniphase (JDSU) revealed that it bought product design, patented intellectual property and other key assets from UK-based CPV provider QuantaSol. Financial details pertaining to the acquisition were not disclosed, but JDSU did advise that it plans to bring the new assets over from QuantaSol to the JSDU headquarters in Milpitas, California over the next six months.
ENN Mojave Energy, a subsidiary of China’s ENN Group, is planning to build a 720MW solar system and thin-film manufacturing facility in southern Nevada.
After being on a temporary hiatus since April 8, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) Solar Incentive Program (SIP) is looking to make a comeback as early as this September. LADWP has introduced a proposal to reinstate the SIP program, which will feature double the funding levels for the next three years with incentive levels falling in line with the California Solar Initiative and market pricing in general.
Power-One and Solar Topps recently signed a supply deal, which will see Power-One provide 2MW of its solar PV inverters to Solar Topps. In addition to Schott’s American-made panels, Power-One’s Phoenix, Arizona manufactured inverters will allow Solar Topps to offer its customers a “made in America” solar power array.
Building upon its success with its 20MW Starwood SSM1, completed in October 2010, and the 30MW Starwood SSM2, expected to be completed during 2011’s third quarter, Starwood Energy Group Global has finalized the financing for the final 10MW of its Starwood SSM3 solar project. The combined 60MW project in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is contracted under the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program with its development overseen by the Ontario Power Authority. The project will be connected to the local PUC Distribution grid and is said to be the second largest solar project in North America.
The Massachusetts Town of Athol will be benefiting from a 3MW solar project under a newly signed PPA with Smart Energy Capital. Neither the company, nor the Town revealed any financial details under the PPA, but Smart Energy Capital advised that the solar energy the 3MW project produces will be bought by Athol and will meet nearly 90% of the Town’s electrical needs.
