Press Releases

Energy professionals can now learn the crucial tools for the grid integration of renewable electricity and obtain certification for the first time.

DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions (DuPont) today announced that two of its commercially available solar materials recently passed a stringent quality standard developed by leading solar panel manufacturer, Sharp Corporation (Sharp). The standard was designed to help ensure the reliable lifetime performance of Sharp solar panels by surpassing current International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, and requiring panel, component and material testing.

Sharp’s crystalline silicon-based solar panels are now using DuPont™ Tedlar’s polyvinyl fluoride film-based backsheets — essential to protect the panels from the environment and provide electrical insulation — and DuPont™ Solamet’s photovoltaic metallization pastes, which help ensure reliable and efficient power output of the solar panels over their expected lifetime.

The standard is based in part on data gathered from the 30-year operation history of a solar panel, made with DuPont™ Tedlar’s polyvinyl fluoride film, installed at the Tsubosaka Temple in Nara, Japan.
"Sharp has imposed a quality assessment standard that exceeds the current industry standards institutionalized by the IEC," said Hideki Yoshioka, general manager, Quality and Environment, Solar System Group – Sharp. "Sharp’s standard consists of panel-based testing as well as testing of materials and components. Materials are critical in determining how well and how long panels perform, and we are pleased to collaborate with material manufacturers such as DuPont to gain insights on materials and ensure we exceed the expectations of our valued customers."
Japan is projected to become the world’s largest solar market, with 6.9 gigawatts (GW) to 9.4 GW of solar capacity to be added this year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

In an environment where some manufacturers are cutting costs by cutting corners on quality, higher standards are essential to ensure the continued growth and success of solar,??said Conrad Burke, global marketing director, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. ??roven materials that meet these higher standards, such as Tedlar? film and Solamet? pastes, are key foundational elements to support greater power output and durability over an extended time period.

The Hamburg based solar and wind park operator Capital Stage again expands his portfolio further: With internationally operating photovoltaic specialist Martifer Solar, Portugal, the company has agreed on the acquisition of an existing solar park in Northern Italy.
The park with a capacity of 4.5 MWp is already in operation since December 2012 and is located in the province Parma, which belongs to the region Emilia-Romagna. The duration of the corresponding land lease contract is 19 years plus an extension option for a further five years until 2037. Moreover, it has been agreed that the maintenance of the park will be undertaken from 2018 onwards by the Group’s own service company Capital Stage Solar Service GmbH.
By this all equity transaction, the solar portfolio in Italy grows by around 17 per cent to 31 MWp. Capital Stage’s total portfolio of solar and wind parks in Germany, Italy and France currently amounts to more than 241 MWp.
Felix Goedhart, CEO of Capital Stage AG, comments: “With a double-digit margin, this investment is a reasonable extension of our existing portfolio. Moreover, through the closeness to our existing parks in this region, we are able to arrange a very efficient service and maintenance.“
"This agreement with Capital Stage is a good example of Martifer Solar’s ability to structure and execute complex projects for green investors who recognize the first-class reliability of our projects” says Henrique Rodrigues, CEO of Martifer Solar.

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd., a global leader in the solar PV industry, today announced that it will partner with Beijing University’s Solar Power Engineering Center to construct the University’s first experimental PV power plant on campus which will be used for collecting and analyzing data on the power generation capabilities of PV modules when exposed to various conditions.

The experimental system will be constructed on the rooftop of Beijing University’s Mechanics Laboratory Building. Research will be conducted on a number of PV modules and inverters while they are exposed to various conditions. JinkoSolar will provide modules for the system and jointly participate in the research.

"We are very pleased to partner with Beijing University on this experimental PV power plant. We hope that this project will mark the starting point of a long-term relationship," Mr. Xiande Li, Chairman of JinkoSolar commented. "We look forward to developing relationships with other universities and scientific research institutions in an effort to improve communication between academic and industrial circles, even on the aspect of cultivating the talent in the industry, we will create mutual benefits for all parties."

"Our teachers and students will be using this PV power plant as a base for future experiments in an effort to better understand PV solar application. We appreciate all the support and effort JinkoSolar has put into making this project a reality. The University’s PV Research Group will use the data generated by the system and analysis results to provide further insight for PV engineering design," added Dr. Dong Wang, Professor of Beijing University.

The solar industry will be the main focus of investment in the renewable energy market of Russia and the CIS region.

Neoen, Bouygues Energies & Services and Schneider Electric partner on three-project deal featuring Exosun solar trackers.

Recent reviews show that renewable energy activities need to double in order to meet the 2020 U.K. government targets.

Austrian inverter manufacturer Fronius is set to bring a host of product innovations to the market in the year ahead. A solution for short-term energy storage, a compact central inverter and an entire product range for the residential sector underline the innovative advances from the quality leader. Furthermore, the experts from Fronius will support their customers with online training courses.

“Put Solar On It” invites everyone to join Mark Ruffalo and social leaders in pledging to take a building solar this year.

TÜV Rheinland North America, Inc. is growing its global sustainability practice with the addition of Raj Sapru, who joins the Sustainability Advisory Services Group.