Q-Cells North America underscores utility partnerships
On the eve of delivering his company’s first 30 megawatt (MW) of photovoltaics to Pacific Gas & Electric under the utility’s 250 MW Utility Owned Generation program, Boris Schubert, the CEO of Q-Cells North America, tells pv magazine why he is betting on the continued rapid growth of photovoltaics on this continent, and how his company will seek out a lion’s share of the market.
China: A booming inverter market
IMS Research reports that the Chinese photovoltaic inverter market grew by over 400 percent in 2011 to achieve more than 2.5 gigawatts (GW) in shipments.
Japan: 10 GW of PV by 2014
While much of the solar industrys attention has been focused on legislative and trade moves in the U.S., floundering companies in Germany and the significant cuts to support programs there, Japan may provide the photovoltaic good news story that the industry is looking for.
Tanzania: Largest solar project takes off
Camco International Limited and Rex Investment Ltd (RIL) have won a tender worth US$4.7 million for a solar PV project in Kigoma Region, northwest Tanzania. The project is due to commence in May this year.
TÜV Rheinland opens photovoltaic test laboratory in Korea
TÜV Rheinland strengthens its position as market leader in the field of testing and certifying photovoltaic components with the opening of its seventh facility in Gyeongsan, South Korea.
Germany: Wirsol Solar begins new project
Two weeks after the groundbreaking ceremony for the 16 MW park in Grafenwöhr, Germany, the company starts a new project in Saxony-Anhalt.
PowerFilm to supply modules for emergency vehilces
U.S. manufacturer PowerFilm announced today that it has developed a SolarStream photovoltaic module, which will supply backup power for emergency vehicles. PowerFilm will manufacturer the module and lighting equipment firm Streamlight will be responsible for distribution and sales.
Germany: Another PV boom expected
German magazine “Der Spiegel” has published that the German Environment Ministry expects a massive boom in photovoltaic installations once again due to the proposed changes to the solar subsidies. The December record might be reached again or even broken.
ReneSola appoints president for China division
ReneSola has appointed Xiaoliang Liang as president of the company’s China division. The position has been newly created and Liang will head sales and systems development throughout China.
Japan down to last nuclear reactor
Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company [Tepco] has shut down its last operating nuclear reactor. On Sunday, Tepco said it shut down the number six reactor at the Kashiwazaki Kariwa plant, the world’s biggest nuclear power plant. Hokkaido Electric’s reactor remains.
