Canadian solar modules pass stringent salt corrosion test
Canadian Solar Inc. today announced that its solar modules passed the most stringent salt spray corrosion test IEC61701 Ed2 (salt mist corrosion testing) and IEC60068-2-52 Ed.2 (Severity 1, Environmental testing) standards adopted in 2011.
Q-Cells sets two new records
German company Q-Cells has announced that its crystalline 60-cell modules have set two new world records: the efficiency record of 18.5 percent for multi-crystalline modules and the module output of 238 watts based on 60 quasi-monocrystalline solar cells.
Rise of Chinese equipment suppliers
In a week where mixed signals have been emerging from the photovoltaic equipment market, NPD Solarbuzz figures indicate growing revenues during 2011. Looking to the future is another story however, with the analysts predicting a sharp downturn.
Solar Frontier to supply worlds biggest CIS/CIGS project
Japanese thin-film producer Solar Frontier has announced today that it will supply a 100 MW Californian power plant. The company has already delivered 26 MW Catalina Solar Project, in Kern County, California, which is set to become the worlds biggest installation of its kind.
New York City-area firms receive $30 million for solar projects
Forget New Jersey. The solar industry is “in a New York State of mind,” to paraphrase singer Billy Joel, now that two government agencies have launched a five-year, USD150-million initiative to fund new large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power projects in the region.
Global solar investment surges ahead
New figures from Bloomberg Energy Finance have shown that while the global economy remains sluggish, clean energy and solar in particular, continues to attract investment.
Suntech: One gigawatt shipment to Europe
Suntech has announced that it has shipped more than one gigawatt of PV panels to European customers in 2011.
German equipment sales increase
Capturing a global market share of 50 percent, German equipment manufacturers have recorded year-on-year sales increases of 10 percent for the third quarter 2011, according to VDMA figures. Demand from Asia remains the overwhelming trend.
Flower power
Scientists from Germany and the U.S. use a sunflower pattern to enhance concentrated solar efficiency. The RWTH Aachen University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) create a heliostat array that is more compact.
REC reports contract termination payments
Norway-based solar company Renewable Energy Corporation has today reported wafer contract cash compensation in the order of NOK200 million (USD33.32 million). The payments will be received in the first quarter of 2012.
