Manufacturing

The South African Department of Energy has awarded two further photovoltaic contracts, worth a total of 150 megawatts (MW), this time to a consortium comprised of SolarReserve, Intikon and the Kensani Group.

Berlin-based CIGSe thin film manufacturing and system solutions provider, Soltecture, has produced what it says are the first 100 Watt photovoltaic panels with an efficiency of 13.4 percent.

Scheuten Solar has manufactured and delivered 600 custom-made glass-glass building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules for Australia’s Carrara football stadium.

Photovoltaic module manufacturer, JinkoSolar and engineering, procurement and construction contractor, Premier Power have installed what they say is the largest solar system on an industrial high rise. pv magazine finds out more.

2011 has wreaked yet more havoc on the solar industry. MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. has today announced that it will be making significant workforce reductions, manufacturing cutbacks and operational changes, effective immediately. The turbulent market conditions have also led the company to readjust its fourth quarter (Q4) guidance.

Germany’s BayWa Ag and Wirsol are to build Spain’s biggest photovoltaic park. The two parties have formed a joint venture to realize the €150 million, 70 megawatt (MW) project.

SunPower has been chosen to supply its photovoltaic cells to Solar Impulse’s new solar airplane, HB-SIB, which will attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 2014.

Rockford Solar Partners, LLC and New Generation Power have received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Aviation Administration to develop what they say will be the biggest U.S. commercial airport solar farm.

First Solar is in “definitive” agreements with MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company to sell its over USD$2 billion, 550 megawatt (MW) Topaz Solar Farm. The financial details have not been released.

Solar Promotion International’s first Chinese trade show got off to a slow start today in Beijing, China, with fewer than expected visitors and exhibitiors attending the event. It is clear that China’s photovoltaic industry is expanding agreeably, however.