NSW Solar Summit 2 criticized, but not all was negative
The second in a series of Solar Energy Summits held in the Australian State of New South Wales has drawn criticism from industry insiders, despite the announcement of some new key policies.
Yingli and Huanghe Hydropower enter 110 MW supply agreement
Under a new agreement, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited will supply 110 megawatts (MW) worth of photovoltaic modules to Huanghe Hydropower Development Co., Ltd.
SolarWorld turns its back on Asia; US becomes key PV focus
In a move away from the Asian regions, SolarWorld has sold its stake in a South Korean solar panel production facility, stating that it prefers to focus on Western photovoltaic markets.
DOE offers three further PV conditional loan guarantees
The U.S. department of Energy (DOE) has awarded three more conditional loan guarantees to photovoltaic projects, worth a total of USD$4.5 billion. Around 1,400 jobs and 1.3 gigawatts of photovoltaics are expected to be created.
Suntech terminates wafer agreement and thin film venture
Suntech has terminated a solar wafer supply agreement with MEMC. It will also discontinue investment in thin film subsidiary CSG Solar AG. Overall, the company will incur expenses of around USD$236 million.
Germany: Construction on 70 MW PV project begins
GP Joule has begun construction on a 70 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic park in Germany. When complete, it is expected to be the countrys largest.
Boralex: First PV park and Frances first mixed renewable energy site completed
Boralex Inc. has inaugurated a 4.5 megawatt (MW) photovoltaics park in France. It is said to be both the companys first solar project, and Frances first mixed renewable energy site.
JA Solar acquires solar wafer manufacturer
JA Solar will boost its internal wafer capacity following the acquisition of Silver Age Holdings Limited for USD$180 million.
Italy: TerniEnergia installs 20 MWp of PV in Q2; 31 MW in pipeline
TerniEnergia installed 12 industrial-sized photovoltaic plants in Italy in the second quarter of 2011. It has now started on another eight.
Californian college US first to go "grid positive"
Californias Butte College has announced it is the first college in the U.S. to go “grid positive”. Generating over 100 percent of its electricity from solar power, the educational institution says it will feed power back to the grid.
