SolarReserve completes 540 foot solar power tower
Representing a “major” milestone, U.S. project developer, SolarReserve has completed a 540 foot solar power tower for its 110 megawatt (MW) solar thermal plant.
Solenergy installs PV on over 25 Israeli roofs
Solenergy Ltd has installed photovoltaic systems on 26 residential and agricultural roofs in the Israeli settlement of Ram-On.
Israeli scheme encourages Negev Bedouin to profit from PV
The traditionally semi-nomadic communities residing in southern Israels Negev desert have been the subject of disputes involving land, poverty and access for some time. A wave of initiatives to encourage villages to gain official recognition status, in order to profit from covering privately owned land with ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, is providing one method of aiding negotiations, despite the thorny social issues that come with them.
Germanys Röttgen to address energy storage conference
Germanys Federal Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen, has confirmed his attendance at the first “Energy Storage Summit for the Storage of Renewable Energies” conference, scheduled to be held in Düsseldorf this March. During the event, he will address the issue of energy storage transformation.
Sanyo closes Californian solar facility
Sanyo Solar (USA) LLC (SSU) has confirmed it will be closing its solar wafer and ingots facility down at the end of March. Around 140 employees will be affected.
Germany: First Solar scales production back
First Solar is to reduce production at its Frankfurt/Oder manufacturing facility in Germany by 50 percent. As a result, 1,200 employees will be moved onto six months of shorter working hours.
REC reports dreary financial results; outlines 2012 goals
Following a year of plant closures and workforce reductions, Norway-based Renewable Energy Company (REC) has had a tough time of it recently. While the solar company reports that photovoltaic module demand has improved, its 2011 financials took a serious hit. It also outlined its 2012 goals.
Saudi Arabia: centrotherm to provide technology to Idea Polysilicon Partner
Idea Polysilicon Company (IPC) has selected Germanys centrotherm SiTec GmbH to supply basic engineering services and the technology concept for its new 10,000 ton polysilicon factory, to be located in Saudi Arabias Yanbu.
Germany's SunConcept announces insolvency
SunConcept Group, which designs, installs and operates photovoltaic systems, has filed for insolvency with Germanys Limburg District Court, after seven of its subsidiaries went bankrupt. A total of 100 employees have been affected.
Conflicting 2011 PV inverter figures released
According to one research company, the photovoltaic inverter industry experienced a “record” year in 2011, with shipments increasing by up to 15 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, a second has reported that growth actually declined by one percent from 2010.
