News for April 2011

News Archive

Trina Solar to supply U.S. Fotowatio subsidiary, extends Oz agreement

The company has signed a sales agreement to supply solar modules to US-based FRV AE Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Inc., the independent solar power producer.

Q-Cells announces foray into Japan

Q-Cells is to enter the Japanese residential market with integrated photovoltaic solutions.

Schneider Electric: 1000 VDC solar disconnect switch

Schneider Electric has launched its Square D 1000 VDC, heavy-duty disconnect switch for the solar market.

Golden window electrodes for organic solar cells Golden window electrodes for organic solar cells

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a gold plated window as the transparent electrode for organic solar cells.

Tata Power commissions 3 MW solar power plant in Maharashtra

Spread over 12 acres of land and situated near Pune, the eighth largest metropolis in India, Tata claims that this is the first and largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Maharashtra, and one of the largest in India.

2010 PV inverter market share gainers revealed

Power-One was the PV inverter market’s largest share gainer in 2010, moving up to second in the global rankings - according to IMS Research’s latest report on the market.

Number of new renewables projects leaps in Q1 2011

The increase reported in the latest EIC Monitor stats is in stark contrast to a flat 2010.

Gamesa signs turbine deal with 3 Chinese companies Gamesa signs turbine deal with 3 Chinese companies

The agreement, which could result in contracts to supply 900 MW of turbines, is the first to be signed by Chinese and Spanish companies in the wind energy sector.

From beer to biogas From beer to biogas

Breweries’ wastewater biogas could be turned into renewable energy for the breweries, according to environmental solutions company Talbot & Talbot.

Silfab and Espe found solar PV JV

Silfab Spa and Espe Srl have founded Espe Sunparc Srl to specialise in the development and installation of high-efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in Italy and elsewhere.

2010: Clean energy investment up to US$243 billion 2010: Clean energy investment up to US$243 billion

Global clean energy finance and investment grew significantly in 2010 to US$243 billion, a 30% increase from 2009, according to recent research.

Masterflex offloads e-bikes, looks to sell or partner on fuel cell activities

The German industrial hoses manufacturer Masterflex AG has sold off its bicycle and e-bike activities. The company is also looking to sell off – or work with a strong partner – on its remaining fuel cell technology activities, which still have good potential.

Flexible, printable thin-film solar cells Flexible, printable thin-film solar cells

Swiss researchers at Empa have found a new, flexible material that could substitute indium tin oxide (ITO) in flexible thin-film solar cells.

GE biogas engines to Chinese ethanol plant

GE is delivering its Jenbacher biogas engine technology to a 36 MW ethanol production plant in NanYang, Henan Province, China.

Happy Easter Happy Easter

Renewable Energy Focus wishes to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy Easter.

Solar to chemical energy findings Solar to chemical energy findings

A team of researchers headed by the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) has made fundamental discoveries about the processes in photoelectrochemical cells that could have an impact on solar to chemical energy conversion.

Australian-Chinese A$6bn JV for renewable energy

Australia’s CBD Energy Ltd has set up a joint venture (JV) with two Chinese companies for the development of renewable energy.

Q-Cells introduces Next Generation solar cells

Q-Cells SE is introducing its Next Generation solar cells as well as its copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar module Q.SMART UF.

Vestas delivers 104 MW of wind turbines to Canada

Vestas is delivering a total of 104 MW of wind turbines to an undisclosed customers and wind farm project in Canada.

wpd orders 32 wind turbines from Vestas

Wind power planner and operator wpd and partner Boreas have concluded an order for 32 wind turbines from Vestas.

Platina Partners buy 10 MW of Italian solar PV

Equity fund manager Platina Partners LLP is acquiring 10 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the Puglia region of southern Italy from Degennaro Group.

Next Welsh Government urged to promote wind, wave and tidal

Ahead of the Welsh general election, RenewableUK Cymru is calling on the next Government to implement policies promoting wind, wave and tidal energy.

Organic solar PV falls short of expectations

Organic solar photovoltaics' (OPV) relatively poor conversion efficiencies and short lifetimes, means it will not compete with conventional solar power technologies, according to Lux Research.

REpower to deliver 240 wind turbines to juwi

REpower Systems AG will deliver up to 240 wind turbines to juwi Group under a framework agreement set to run until 2013.

Offshore wind turbine cost to be cut by a third?

The cost of offshore wind turbines could be cut by a third through the use of new approaches, according to the UK Energy Technologies Institutes (ETI).

Two-thirds of UK cleantech companies plan further recruitment

Over two-thirds (77%) of UK cleantech companies are planning to expand their workforce over the next 12 months, but finance is key to growth, according to the Carbon Trust.

EU must up the ante to reach energy efficiency goals

The EU must spend €270 billion over the next 40 years to meet its 2050 energy objectives, including an increased focus on energy efficiency across the power chain.

Bosch Solar reports 19.6% efficiency for silicon solar cell

Bosch Solar Energy AG has achieved 19.6% efficiency for a large-area passivated emitted and rear cell (PERC), monocrystalline silicon solar cell measuring 156 x 156 mm.

Solar water purification systems donated to Japan

WorldWater & Solar Technologies Inc and Gamesa are donating two solar driven water purification systems, Mobile MaxPure®(MMP), to Japan.

Conergy builds 1.7 MW rooftop solar PV system in Gran Canaria

Conergy has installed a 1.7 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop system on the 14,000 m2 roof of the coffee roaster Emicela in Aqüimes on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

UK ETI to bring down tidal array costs

The UK Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is searching for organisations and consortia to design and demonstrate low-cost commercial-scale tidal stream energy converter (TEC) arrays.

GE supplies wind turbines to Polish wind farm

GE will supply three units of its 2.5 MW wind turbine to the Zensko wind farm in Krzecin, Choszczno County in north-western Poland.

MPI Adventure wind turbine installation vessel ready

MPI Adventure, a purpose-built jack-up vessel for wind turbine installation, has been completed at the Cosco Qidong Shipyard in China by MPI Offshore Ltd.

Financing completed for 28.6 MW Drone Hill Wind Farm

AES Wind Generation has completed the financing for the 28.6 MW Drone Hill Wind Farm in the Scottish Borders, UK.

LDK Solar invests in silane gas

LDK Solar Co Ltd has invested US$35 million in a manufacturing line to produce silane gas in its Mahong Plant in Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province, China, to meet semiconductor, solar and flat panel display demand.

Solar Junction reaches 43.5% efficiency for CPV Solar Junction reaches 43.5% efficiency for CPV

The developer of high efficiency multi-junction cells for the CPV market said its new world-record efficiency was obtained on a commercial-ready production cell.

Wind turbines at landfill site in UK

The UK Waste Recycling Group (WRG) has received planning permission to erect two wind turbines at its closed Carnaby Landfill site, near Bridlington in East Yorkshire.

Suntech largest solar PV module supplier in 2010

Suntech was the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) module supplier in 2010, growing its shipments by more than 130% over the previous year, according to IMS Research.

MCT to build 10 MW tidal array in Wales

Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) and RWE npower renewables have applied for consent to install a 10 MW tidal power array off the North West coast of Anglesey, Wales, in 2015.

EDF to take over its renewable energy subsidiary

EDF has made a public offer for the remaining shares of its renewable energy subsidiary, EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN).

Suzlon launches low to moderate wind site turbine suite

Suzlon is launching a suite of 2 MW wind turbines for moderate to low wind regimes.

Screen-printed solar cells reach efficiencies over 20%

Researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have reached efficiencies over 20% for silicon solar cells using screen printing technology.

Gamesa delivers 900 MW of wind turbines to China

Gamesa has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with three Chinese companies that could result in the supply of 900 MW of wind turbines.

Statkraft buys half of DONG’s UK offshore wind production

Statkraft and DONG Naturgas A/S have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) worth around £160 million for half of DONG’s UK offshore wind output.

IBC SOLAR opens Beijing subsidiary

IBC SOLAR has opened its solar photovoltaic (PV) subsidiary office in Beijing, China.

RUBENIUS sets up smart grid office in Dubai

RUBENIUS is establishing its global operations offices for smart grids and renewable energy activities in Dubai, UAE.

European consultation on life cycle assessment of hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies

The European FC-HyGuide project aims to develop Guidance Documents for life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies. The draft Guidance Documents are open for public consultation during April 2011.

ITM Power reports first sale of HFuel hydrogen production module

In the UK, ITM Power has announced the sale of its first small-scale bespoke hydrogen production system, to the University of Glamorgan, under a competitive tender process.

Centrosolar 225 Wp solar PV panels to the UK Centrosolar 225 Wp solar PV panels to the UK

Centrosolar UK Ltd is introducing its 54-cell ‘Excellent’ solar photovoltaic (PV) module to the UK market.

Belwind facilitates offshore wind turbine testing

Belwind NV says it will make parts of its latest offshore wind farm concession site off the Bligh Bank on the Belgian continental shelf available for offshore wind turbine testing if it is successful in the bid for NER3000 funding.

Test facility for 90 m wind turbine blades Test facility for 90 m wind turbine blades

A new facility capable of testing wind turbine blades up to 90 m in length will be inaugurated at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) in Germany this June.

UK ROC enables bioenergy expansion

Energos, a waste-to-energy company, says the receipt of Renewable Energy Certificates (ROCs) will help progress its proposed multi-million pound UK bioenergy investment.

WELTEC BIOPOWER biogas plant in Latvia

WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH is building a 500 kW biogas plant in Limbaži, Latvia.

World wind capacity reaches 197 GW

Worldwide wind capacity has reached 197 GW despite a slight decrease in new capacity, according to the World Wind Energy Report 2010 from the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).

LDK Solar invests US$40m in sapphire solar wafer capabilities

LDK Solar Co Ltd has invested approximately US$40 million in a new sapphire solar wafer manufacturing plant in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province.

ECN transfers hydrogen energy research activities to HyET

The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) will transfer some of the research activities that were previously conducted within its Hydrogen and Clean Fossil Fuels unit to HyET BV, Hydrogen Efficiency Technologies in Arnhem.

Kyocera solar PV on Japanese shopping centre Kyocera solar PV on Japanese shopping centre

Kyocera Corporation has installed 960 kW, or 4300 units, of its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules on the roof of the recently opened AEON Itami-Koya shopping centre in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Kalahari Geo Energy considers geothermal energy in Zambia

Kalahari Geo Energy Ltd has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Zambian Government for geothermal energy exploration rights to “certain identified targets”.

India aims for 65.2 GW wind by 2020

India could install 65.2 GW of wind power by 2010, according to the Indian Wind Energy Outlook 2011 published by the World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE), the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

Vestas named preferred provider of Belgian offshore wind farm

Eldepasco NV has named Vestas as a preferred supplier of wind turbines to the planned offshore wind farm on the Bank zonder Naam in the North Sea.

Cannon Group exhibits composites technologies at Chinese wind show Cannon Group exhibits composites technologies at Chinese wind show

The Cannon Group will be showing its latest developments in composites, polyurethane and thermoforming technologies at the China International Wind Energy Exhibition and Conference, CWEE 2011, being held in Shanghai this week.

Updated: SolarWorld tops green scorecard for solar PV producers

SolarWorld has come out top in the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) 2011 Solar Company Scorecard, which ranks solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers according to environmental, sustainability and social justice factors.

Siemens direct drive turbines to 18 MW Scottish wind farm

Siemens will deliver 6 of its SWT3.0-101 direct drive wind turbines to Community Windpower Ltd for the 18 MW Millour Hill Community Windfarm in Scotland.

Fuhrländer’s 3 MW wind turbine includes HybridDrive

Fuhrländer AG’s 3 MW FL 3000 wind turbine will feature Winergy AG’s HybridDrive geared drive concept.

Gamesa sets up wind turbine materials R&D lab in Singapore

Gamesa is setting up a technology laboratory in Singapore focusing on materials research and development for wind turbines.

China updates wind figures: 18.9 GW in 2010

China has released updated wind power capacity figures showing the country installed 18.9 GW in 2010, bringing the total to 44.7 GW, compared to previous figures estimating the market to have growtn by 16.5 GW.

Updated: FCC and MITSUI get €226m loan for solar thermal power plant

FCC and Mitsui have closed the funding for their 50 MW Gúzman solar thermal power plant in Spain with a €226 million loan with Japanese bank Mizuho and Spain's BBVA having granted project finance.

Wind turbines survive disasters in Japan

According to data provided by the Japan Wind Power Association, no wind turbine in Japan was damaged by the recent earthquake and by the tsunami.

Heliocentris signs worldwide OEM deal with Lab-Volt for fuel cell training packages

German-based Heliocentris Energy Solutions has signed an OEM agreement with Lab-Volt Systems in New Jersey, USA to provide fuel cell and hydrogen educational OEM packages for Lab-Volt to develop and sell as co-branded fuel cell training systems worldwide.

Australian Renewable Fuels buys Biodiesel Producers Ltd

Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd (ARW) has finalised the acquisition of Biodiesel Producers Ltd (BPL) for an undisclosed sum.

E.ON to invest €2.6bn in renewable energy by 2013

E.ON plans to invest €2.6 billion in renewable energy in the period 2011-2013, following investments of €1bn in 2010.

Public and private sector must cooperate on smart grids

The Global Smart Grid Federation (GSGF) has emphasised the importance of expanding collaboration between the private sector and global governments to increase investment in smart grids worldwide.

Silfab Ontario and First Nation build 5 MW solar farm

Silfab Ontario Inc will build a 5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of 20,410 solar modules for Alderville First Nation in Southeastern Ontario, Canada.

John Lewis to evaluate AFC Energy fuel cell system, demo in Waitrose supermarket

In the UK, AFC Energy has signed a commercial memorandum of understanding with the John Lewis Partnership, to evaluate the economic potential of using its alkaline fuel cell to generate low-carbon electricity for Waitrose supermarkets and John Lewis retail stores.

GE wind turbine towers reach 130 m

GE is introducing taller wind turbine towers for its onshore wind turbine product line, bringing hub heights to 130 m.

Solar inverter market up 30% in Q4 2010

Global solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter revenues reached US$1.6 billion in Q4’10, 24% lower than the previous quarter, but 30% higher than in Q4’09, according to IMS Research.

Gamesa launches low-wind 4.5 MW wind turbine Gamesa launches low-wind 4.5 MW wind turbine

Gamesa has launched its low-wind wind turbine, G136-4.5 MW Class III, at the Hannover Messe 2011.

Suntech installs 10 MW solar power at the Tibetan Plateau Suntech installs 10 MW solar power at the Tibetan Plateau

Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd plans a 10 MW solar installation at the Tibetan Plateau.

UK wind power produced over 10 TWh in 2010

Wind power contributed over 10 TWh to the UK energy generation in 2010, representing a 7.7% growth over 2009.

Adnan Amin new IRENA Director General

Adnan Amin has been elected as the first Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

LDK Solar capacity reaches 570 MW

LDK Solar Co Ltd has added a solar cell manufacturing site in Hefei City, Anhui Province, taking the company’s annual solar cell capacity to 570 MW.

MCT secures tidal power lease in UK

Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) has secured a lease from the Crown Estate for four tidal turbines in Kyle Rhea between Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland.

Suntech launches 245 W monocrystalline solar module Suntech launches 245 W monocrystalline solar module

Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd is launching a 245 W, monocrystalline, solar photovoltaic (PV) module designed for residential and small commercial rooftop applications in the European market.

Alstom invests US$75m in BrightSource Energy’s CSP offering

Alstom is investing a further US$75 million in BrightSource Energy Inc under a partnership agreement from August 2010 to provide “fully integrated solar thermal power plants.”

Vestas delivers 150 MW wind turbines to Brazil

Vestas is delivering a total of 150 MW of wind turbines to Energisa S.A. for four wind farms in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.