Virtual power station project maps distributed generation
Australian scientists are working on a research project to network solar arrays across many roofs and households, into a “virtual power station”. The project hopes to improve the “predictability, quality and response” of power being put back into the local power grid.
SDG&E signs 200 MW PPA for Mount Signal Solar project
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a subsidiary of California-based 8minutenergy Renewables for its 200 megawatt (MW) Mount Signal Solar project.
Weak solar demand fails to impact Applied Materials Q1 results
Equipment manufacturer Applied Materials has posted strong first quarter (Q1) 2012 results, including a non-GAAP operating income of US$240 million, from net sales of $2.19 billion. Sales were down $50 million year-on-year, but up slightly up from the fourth quarter (Q4) 2011.
Germany: New PV leasing startup aims to "make solar simple"
Following in the footsteps of companies like California-based SunRun and Solar City, a new start-up company, DZ-4, is looking to bring decentralized solar power to Germanys masses. In the following interview, founder Tobias Schütt talks to pv magazine about his plans and explains why such schemes have not already been introduced in Germany.
Suntech exceeds shipments, falls down on revenues
In releasing its preliminary fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) 2011 financial results, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd says it exceeded Q4 shipments. Revenues and gross margin, however, continued to decline.
5 MW thin film tracker project completed in India
A five megawatt (MW) thin film photovoltaic project has been completed in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is said to be one of the largest systems, which combines thin film technology with a tracking system.
5.3 MW PV plant connected to Spains grid
Spanish companies, Valfortec and Solaer have connected a 5.3 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic park to the Spanish grid.
Denmarks biggest PV installation realized
Germany-based SRU Solar AG and Danish energy company GreenGo Energy have completed a 605 kilowatt peak rooftop photovoltaic system in the Danish town of Virum. It is said to be the biggest project of its kind in the country.
"Broadband nanoplasmonic" technology increases c-Si thin film efficiency
A collaborative research project, based in the Australian state of Victoria, claims to have developed the worlds most efficient broadband nanoplasmonic solar cells. The result, published in the journal Nano Letters, report the cells having an efficiency of 8.1 per cent.
MEMC predicts challenging 2012, as it announces flat financials
MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. says both its fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) financials reflect the “challenging” market environment it encountered in 2011. While the company believes it is well positioned for the future following its production and staff cutbacks, it forecasts another difficult year.
