Emerging markets pushing renewable energy investment
2011 may well have been characterized by a number of controversial issues, including declining module prices, insolvencies, production cutbacks, consolidation, the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and the U.S.-China trade dispute. However, not all is lost: while many of the traditional solar markets are suffering, a number of emerging markets are working hard to fill the void.
Gestamp USA: PV pipelines, permitting processes and why microinverters need more time
Gestamp Solar is a Spanish-based developer and operator of utility-scale photovoltaic plants across 25 countries. To date, it has installed around 300 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics. However, as senior engineer, Rusty Sage tells pv magazine, the company is ambitious in its goal-setting and plans to implement over 1.5 gigawatts (GW) worth of projects over the next five years.
Germany: saferay and Canadian Solar work on 8.5 MW plant
Work is underway on an 8.5 megawatt (MW) solar plant in Germanys Lindenhof, located near Neubrandenburg.
REC announces another wafer shutdown
REC has announced the temporary closure of part of its 650 megawatt (MW) multicrystalline wafer facility in Herøya, Norway, effective from December 1. Around 200 employees are expected to be affected.
North American PV market at crossroads
According to new research, the 2011 North American photovoltaic market is projected to grow 101 percent on 2010, with demand likely to reach 2.2 gigawatts (GW) by year end. However, due to factors such as declining incentives and module oversupply, the market is at a “crossroads”. Meanwhile, the coming year will present many challenges.
Q-Cells claims CIGS aperture efficiency world record
German module manufacturer and integrator Q-Cells has claimed to have achieved a world-record CIGS module aperture efficiency of 17.4 percent, for a test module 16 square-centimeters in size.
Solars feathered foes
While the elements, clouds, storms or snow, can often be an impediment to generating electricity through photovoltaics or other solar technologies, nature also has other ways of getting in the way. In Australia, where the sunshine is more reliable than other places, native birds can also pose a menace to a solar array.
Germany: Millionth PV system grid connected
The one millionth photovoltaic system has been connected to Germanys grid, according to the countrys solar industry association, BSW-Solar.
Evergreen Solar announces asset sale completion; management shakeout
Evergreen Solar Inc. has completed the sale of its core wafer business and intellectual property to Hong Kong-based Max Era Properties Limited. The management team has also been shaken out.
Construction on 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm underway
First Solar has begun construction on its 550 megawatt (MW) Topaz Solar Farm, in San Luis Obispo County, California.
