US military sets its sights on solar to sideline fossil fuels
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) moved ahead this week with its plans to mete out “more fight for less fuel”. With support from the White House, the Pentagon intends to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by building next-generation combat vehicles, making energy storage safer and more effective, and increasing the deployment of renewable energy across Americas Armed Forces to three gigawatts (GW) by 2025.
Hanwha Solar opens North American R&D center
Korea-based Hanwha Solar has opened a new R&D center in Santa Clara, California. The goal is to develop next generation photovoltaic concepts, with a focus on efficiency and low cost.
Nativity scheme: Can Ontario require 'domestic content' for FIT eligibility?
Just how important is “home advantage” to players in the renewable energy sector? It could be a game changer, according to Japan and the European Union, both of which have brought complaints against Canada for violating the rules of fair competition.
Italy: Fifth Conto Energia to come into effect when 6 billion ceiling reached; draft measures laid out
The Italian government has announced that the countrys new renewable energy law, Conto Energia V, will come into effect when the 6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) ceiling is reached expected to be between this July and October. It has also laid out initial proposals for the new law, which include remuneration cuts, an annual installation cap, and big changes to ground-mounted criteria.
Gehrlicher Solar completes Brazilian football stadium PV project
Gehrlicher Ecoluz Solar do Brasil S.A. has grid connected what it says is the first photovoltaic system on a South American football stadium. The 408 kilowatt peak (kWp) project is located on the Pituaçu stadium in Salvador de Bahia.
Korea: Shinsung puts capacity plans on hold; shifts focus to PV project business
In an interview with pv magazine Shinsung Solar Energy talks about its gigawatt capacity ramp up plans and photovoltaic project pipeline in Korea.
Sharp and EGP complete 6 Italian PV projects
Sharp Corporation and Enel Green Power (EGP) have completed six thin film photovoltaic projects in Italy worth 14.4 megawatts (MW).
Section 1603: Did the ends (75,000 jobs) justify the means (US$9.7 billion)?
How many jobs did the U.S. government create through its $9.7 billion investment in 24,711 renewable energy projects? At least 75,000 overall, based on a report just released by the Golden, Colorado-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), at the behest of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
PV suppliers stopping in house wafer production as prices plummet
Many photovoltaic module suppliers are putting a halt to their in-house wafer production in light of drastically decreasing prices. According to IMS Research, wafer prices fell by over 70 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2012.
China: Talesun wins gigawatt solar module order
Solar cell and module manufacturer, Talesun has won a contract from China Merchants New Energy Group Ltd to supply up to one gigawatt worth of photovoltaic modules for solar farms in China and worldwide. The contract, worth US$2.4 billion, will initially be in place for three years.
