US: Stion opens thin film factory; hits new thin film efficiency
Stion has opened a 100 megawatt (MW) thin film manufacturing factory in Hattiesburg, the U.S. Meanwhile, the company has reached 14.1 percent efficiency on its thin film circuits.
Tenesol establishes Belgian subsidiary; installs first PV project
French photovoltaic company Tenesol has established a new subsidiary in Brussels, Belgium. It has already executed its first photovoltaic project, which is said to be the largest of its kind in Wallonia.
France: Gehrlicher installs 2.9 MW PV system
Gehrlicher Solar France SAS has installed a 2.9 megawatt peak photovoltaic system in Frances Alsace region. It has said to be the second biggest of its kind in the region.
Update: JinkoSolar expects to resume manufacturing operations soon
JinkoSolar has been ordered to close its Haining manufacturing plant in Chinas Zhejiang province following protests by villagers that it was releasing toxins into a local river. The company says it expects to resume operations “within the next few days”.
REC terminates wafer contract; receives USD$40 million
The Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) has allowed one of its customers to cancel a long-term wafer contract. As compensation, the Norwegian company will receive USD$40 million.
Thailand: 8.7 MW PV park completed
DuPont Apollo has completed its 8.7 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted L Solar 1 photovoltaic park in Thailand, in collaboration with Thai conglomerate Loxley Plc.
SCE to install up to 10 MW US PV rooftop system
U.S. utility, Southern California Edison (SCE) is to install an up to 10 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic system atop an industrial property in California. When completed, it is expected to be the biggest installation of its kind in the U.S.
Retail grid parity Down Under
New research from the Australian National University (ANU) shows that if a proposed carbon tax goes through the Australian Parliament on schedule, retail grid parity will be reached right around Australia in a matter of weeks.
SMA revises 2011 forecasts down; announces lay offs
Weak demand in the solar inverter and roof systems businesses has forced SMA to revise its 2011 sales and earnings forecast downwards.
US sees "substantially" decreased PV installation costs
New research has indicated that the installed cost of photovoltaic systems in the U.S. “substantially” decreased in 2010 and during the first six months of 2011. For the first time, data is available on utility-scale installed costs trends.
