Technology

Masdar, Total S.A. and Abengoa Solar are on track to begin operations at the 100 megawatt concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in the Gulf emirate in the third quarter of 2012 according to the Spanish Abengoa.

Latest estimates state that new photovoltaics (PV) installations grew by 130 percent last year to reach 17.5 gigawatts (GWs). This year, installations are forecast to hit 20.5 GWs, thus taking total installed capacity to 58 GWs.

A new report states that the photovoltaics (PV) industry is at a crossroads, with a growing realization that PV panels are becoming commoditized. But, it believes building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) could provide a strategic solution.

According to a new report, the U.S. greentech mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape posted a record year in 2010, with the solar sector displaying increased activity.

The French Government is looking to motivate its national photovoltaics (PV) industry through the introduction of a new R&D program, which is aimed at reducing China’s grip on the global PV market.

The market for photovoltaics (PV) inverter service plans and extended warranties is forecast to grow by over 480 percent between over the next three years, thus creating “huge” growth opportunities for inverter suppliers.

New research states that, for the first time, three of the ten largest global photovoltaics (PV) system integrators in 2010 were U.S.-based.

A solar powered car, designed by students at the University of New South Wales, has officially become the world’s fastest solar vehicle after reaching speeds of more than 88 km/h.

New research has revealed that shipments of photovoltaic (PV) modules increased by 20 percent in the third quarter of this year, in order to reach 5.4 gigawatts.

Last Friday, Sanyo announced that it had achieved the world’s highest cell conversion efficiency at 21.6 percent. However, responding to questions from pv magazine, the efficiency has not been independently verified and there are no plans for outside testing.