Stuart Stott will be bringing his experience developing large-scale power projects and his ability to create industry partnerships to his new role as Spire’s VP of solar systems; a role which will see him manage the expanding solar systems unit for the company. Stott comes to Spire from Public Service Enterprise Group where he served as the global and renewable category manager.
New South Wales’s defunct Solar Bonus Scheme feed-in-tariff (FIT) programme is to blame for an AUD$A12 a year expected increase in household electricity bills from 2013, according to coalition government politicians – a finding met with incredulity by the Australian Solar Energy Society (AUSES).
Trina Solar has posted results of its second-quarter performance, showing a healthy increase in both module shipments and year-on-year net revenue. Logging a gross profit of US$98.3 million for the quarter, which represents a decrease of 35.0% sequentially and 17.3% for the same period last year, the company cited policy changes in Italy and resulting high industry inventory as having had an effect on the company’s sales.
At the solar industry’s largest event, Intersolar Europe, 2011 SunPower launched its new 96-cell E20 modules, which are the industry's first commercially-available solar panels to achieve total area efficiencies of 20% and above. Jorn Jugens, SunPower’s managing director, Germany had the honour of discussing with PV-Tech the key characteristics of the module, which includes SunPower's 22.4% efficient ‘Maxeon’ cell technology.
KLNE has increased its manufacturing capacity in China by opening a new facility and research and development centre in Changzhou. The 100-acre site was officially unveiled on June 29 at a ceremony attended by the company’s sales director, Wison Qi, and marketing director, Paul Nicholson, as well as dignitaries from the Changzhou local government and staff representing the Wujin Economic Development Zone.
Australia’s Sunshine Coast Regional Council has granted planning permission to Energy Parks Australia (EPA) for its new solar plant in Valdora, Queensland. With a capacity of 10MW, the development dwarfs Australia’s current largest system – Liddell’s 3MW concentrating solar power (CSP) facility – and will cost AU$40 million (US$43 million) to build.
Yet more uncertainty overshadowed Australia’s solar industry at the end of last week as the South Australian Government discussed the future of the state’s feed-in tariff. Having originally planned to increase the incentive rate from 44c to 54c, plus a mandatory additional contribution from electricity retailers, the Government is now tipped to keep the tariff at 44c until the end of September for solar households entering the scheme.
Tianwei New Energy (Yangzhou) has successfully passed the TÜV Rheinland independent certification process, shortly after obtaining the TÜV Southern Germany independent authentication certificate. The company’s monocrystalline modules range from 85W to 310W, while the polycrystalline modules range from 170W to 305W.
First quarter revenue and shipments at Hanwha SolarOne increased sequentially, adding to a growing theme that low-cost PV manufacturers can still find customers, despite weak demand. Total net revenues were US$335.2 million, an increase of 3.9% from 4Q10 and an increase of 48.7% from 1Q10. PV module shipments, including module processing services, reached 248.5 MW, an increase of 13.6% from 218.8 MW in 4Q10 and an increase of 65.0% from 1Q10. However, ASP declines and slightly higher material costs resulted in gross margins falling to 16.3% down from 20.3% in 4Q10.
Petra Solar is expanding past North America by bring its SunWave Solar Energy Solution to international markets including the Pacific Rim, Europe and Middle East. Its SunWave technology will feature a new Smart Energy Module (SEM), specifically designed for international consumers to convert photovoltaic DC electricity into 230V AC power. Petra Solar’s system has been certified to international grid standards holding, CE, IEC62109, G83, AS/NZS3100 and AS4777 safety and electrical compliance certifications.
