News for January 2012

News Archive

Siemens supplies 100 MW of wind turbines to Morocco

Siemens Energy has secured its first wind turbine orders in Africa, with a total of 100 MW to Nareva Holding for the Haouma and Foum El Oued Wind Power Plants in Morocco.

Nordex delivers 13 low wind turbines for German projects

Nordex will construct two wind farms consisting of a total of 13 of its low-wind optimised N117/2400 onshore wind turbines for ABO Wind in Central Hesse and Franconia, Germany.

Gamesa enters electric vehicle market

Gamesa is entering the electric vehicle and energy efficiency market, taking a stake in N2S, a Spanish start-up specialising in intelligent energy services management.

UK anaerobic digestion industry under threat from EU proposal

The UK anaerobic digestion (AD) industry is under threat from proposed changes to the EU Waste Framework Directive, according to the UK Renewable Energy Association (REA).

Gamesa sells wind farms totalling 16 MW to Allianz in France

Gamesa has sold two wind farms in France totalling 16 MW to Allianz Renewable Energy Partners IV Ltd.

SMA Sunny PRO Club extends regional forums through 2012

SMA’s Sunny PRO Club—a membership-based professional partnership programme for solar installers—has extended its Regional Forums in North America through 2012.

Trina completes first European Trinamount installation Trina completes first European Trinamount installation

Trina Solar has completed its first Trinamount solar photovoltaic (PV) mounting installation in Europe – at a 50 kWp solar PV system in Cumbria, UK.

Tonga's renewable energy ambitions boosted by REEEP

The Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (REEEP) will help fund Tonga's Energy Roadmap, aiming to decrease dependence on imported fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy.

Aries and Wind To Power launch LVRT retrofit for Spanish solar PV

Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas and Wind To Power System (w2pS) have entered a partnership agreement to supply an integrated low voltage ride through (LVRT) solution for solar photovoltaic (PV) to ensure compliance with new Spanish regulations.

Vestas appoints new head for Central Europe

Vestas has appointed Dr Wolfgang J. Schmitz as its new head for Central Europe as Hans Jörn Rieks moves to become head of Vestas Offshore.

ZeaChem gets US$232.5m loan guarantee for cellulosic biorefinery

ZeaChem Inc has been selected for a US$232.5 million loan guarantee from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program, for its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery.

Grid-scale energy storage viable in the UK

Grid-scale energy storage could become economically viable in the UK with rapid falls in the price of technology and appropriate regulatory support, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance study.

Slowdown in global Q4 renewable energy developments Slowdown in global Q4 renewable energy developments

The fourth quarter of 2011 saw a drop in the number of new global energy and renewable energy development proposals compared to both the same period in 2010, and the third quarter of 2011, according to the latest EIC Monitor quarterly report.

Tunisia plans 2 GW CSP plant to power Europe

Nur Energie and its Tunisian partners, led by Top Oilfield Services, plan a 2 GW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in Tunisia, which will export solar power to Europe

REpower installs 3.4 MW onshore wind turbine in the UK

The first REpower 3.4M104 onshore wind turbine has been sold in the UK for phase one of a repowering project at Blyth Harbour.

FERC approves 1 MW tidal project in NY

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a Pilot commercial license to construct, operate, and maintain Verdant Power's 1 MW Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project in New York City, USA.

No Europeans among top 10 solar PV cell manufacturers

Despite high demand in Europe, there are no European companies in the latest top 10 list of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturers from Lux Research.

Solar PV module prices to fall 4% in January

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module prices are expected to fall 4% in January after a 7% increase in December 2011 due to a temporary pick-up in demand ahead of feed-in tariff reductions in a number of key markets, according to IMS Research.

Wind power passes 6 GW in the UK

The UK has reached 6 GW of installed wind power capacity, according to trade association RenewableUK.

Torresol opens 100 MW of CSP in Spain Torresol opens 100 MW of CSP in Spain

Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar and SENER, has commissioned the Valle 1 and Valle 2, 50 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in Cadiz, Spain.

OriginOil and DoE to convert algae into renewable crude oil

OriginOil Inc plans to co-develop an integrated system with the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for the direct conversion of raw algae into renewable crude oil that can be used by existing petroleum refineries.

WFES: Fund launched to accelerate solar in East Africa

Eight19 Ltd., the developer of the IndiGo pay-as-you-go solar power system and SunnyMoney, a social enterprise distributing solar lamps in East Africa owned by SolarAid, have launched the KickStart Sustainable Energy Fund for off-grid solar lighting in East Africa.

First Solar reaches 14.4% efficiency with CdTe solar PV module

First Solar Inc has set a new record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar module efficiency, reaching a 14.4% total area efficiency.

Pattern Energy builds 115 MW wind farm in Chile

Pattern Energy Group and a Chilean mining company has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for Pattern's planned 115 MW El Arrayan wind farm.

UK Government loses feed-in tariff appeal

The appeal court has refused the Secretary of State permission to challenge an earlier ruling that solar Feed-in Tariffs can not be changed retrospectively; Judge also denies request for DECC to go to the Supreme Court, though DECC now indicates it will seek permission to appeal directly from the Supreme Court regardless of today's decision.

State of the Union: Obama makes the right noises on clean energy

What did President Obama say to excite the renewables industry during his 2012 SOTU speech?

Telgenco launches 5 kW 48 V DC renewable energy generator

Telgenco of Cambridge, UK, has launched a 5 kW 48 V DC generator targeted specifically for renewable energy deployments and remote telecoms sites.

EU offshore wind installations 'stable' in 2011

New offshore wind installations in Europe remained relative stable in 2011 with 866 MW, compared to 883 MW in 2010, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Q-Cells' crystalline 60-cells solar modules set new records

Q-Cells SE has set two records – for module efficiency and peak output – with its 60-cell solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Scotland and Masdar sign clean and renewable energy deal

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and Masdar CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber have signed a deal outlining a detailed plan for clean and renewable energy projects.

SolarMax solar inverter warranty extended

Sputnik Engineering is offering a free warranty extension for its SolarMax central solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters.

Abound Solar and Solarsis commission 1 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh, India

Abound Solar and Solar Integration Systems India Private Ltd (Solarsis) have commissioned a 1 MW thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh, India.

AWS and partners look at offshore wind integration in Carolina, USA

AWS Truepower LLC will contribute to the Carolinas Offshore Wind Integration Case Study with Duke Energy, ABB Inc., National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC).

Oklahoma wind farm orders 150 MW of REpower turbines

REpower Systems will deliver 73 of its MM92 wind turbines rated at 2.05 MW for a 150 MW wind farm in Oklahoma, USA.

Mind4Energy launches solar PV monitoring system

Mind4Energy bvba Ltd has launched a solar photovoltaic (PV) monitoring system offering visualisations and comparisons of key performance indicators of solar plants.

ITM Power to supply hydrogen for Marks & Spencer fuel cell powered materials handling trial in the UK

Energy storage developer ITM Power has signed a pilot agreement with retail giant Marks & Spencer to deliver the UK’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered materials handling trial using onsite hydrogen generation.

DoE launches online tools to aid distributed wind power

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has launched two online tools to assist state and local policymakers, consumers, and stakeholders in evaluating siting and policy issues to help accelerate the use of distributed wind energy systems.

US regains renewable energy investment lead over China

US clean energy investments have again surpassed those of China for the first time since 2008, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Gamesa supplies 50 MW of wind turbines to China's Longyuan

Gamesa is supplying 50 MW of its G97-2.0 MW wind turbines to China's Longyuan for a wind farm in Ningxia, China.

Turkey orders 50 MW of Nordex wind turbines

Nordex, will deliver 20 of its 2.5 MW N90 and N100 wind turbines to the Turkish power station operator Bilgin Enerji for a 50 MW wind farm in Turkey.

Masdar PV commissions 11.7 MWp thin-film solar park in Germany

Masdar PV has completed a 11.7 MWp thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Gotha, Thuringia, in Germany.

UK proposes March solar feed-in tariff deadline depending on court appeal

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change has made provisions for a 3 March 2012 deadline for the reduced solar feed-in tariff should it lose a court appeal regarding its original December cut-off date.

SeaGen tidal turbine gets environmental 'thumbs up'

SeaGen tidal turbine from Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT), located in Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough, has been found not to have any major impact on the Lough’s marine life.

Mainstream raises €40m for renewable energy projects

Mainstream Renewable Power has raised €40 million in loan notes to finance its domestic and international renewable energy plans.

Progress made on wind farm friendly radar

A contract has been awarded for two TPS-77 radar installations in Northumberland and Yorkshire, UK, which could remove Ministry of Defence (MoD) objections to 750 MW of planned wind farms, trade association RenewableUK says.

Suzlon to develop 3 GW of wind power in Andhra Pradesh, India

Suzlon Energy Ltd has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the development of 3 GW of wind capacity in the state between 2012 and 2016.

Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures

Missed our report into 2010's renewable power generation figures? Catch up here...

Solar drives US$260bn clean energy investment in 2011

Global investment in clean energy reached a new high of US$260 billion in 2011, up 5% on 2010, according to analyst Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Latin America and the Caribbean see US$30m of renewable funding

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$30 million loan for the Emerging Energy Latin America Fund II, aimed to drive clean technologies and renewable energy in the region.

Alstom and SSE form JV for 200 MW wave power project

Alstom and SSE Renewables have formed a joint venture to develop the 200 MW Costa Head Wave Project north of mainland Orkney, Scotland.

UKH2Mobility government–industry partnership to push rollout of hydrogen powered travel in the UK

The UKH2Mobility project – launched today – is a ground-breaking project to ensure the UK is well placed to handle the commercial rollout of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the next three years. The initiative brings together three government departments and 13 industrial partners from the utility, gas, infrastructure, and global car manufacturing sectors.

WFES: Ban Ki-moon launches Sustainable Energy for All Initiative

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on governments, the private sector and society to commit to his Sustainable Energy for All Initiative at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Masdar and DBJ invest in solar and wind

Masdar and the Development Bank of Japan plan to invest in solar and wind projects in OECD countries.

Dow Corning opens solar R&D facility in Belgium

Dow Corning has completed its €9 million Solar Energy Exploration and Development (SEED) centre in Seneffe, Belgium, which includes a Solar Application Centre and a Silicone Synthesis Technology Centre.

Genetics aid grass for bioenergy

A family of genes that could help improve grasses for bioenergy has been discovered by researchers from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC), UK.

AWEA comments on Vestas' possible cuts in the US

Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, is commenting on Vestas' job cuts and possible US layoffs depending on the extension of the US Production Tax Credit for wind energy.

CPV completes financing for Kansas wind farm

CPV Renewable Energy Company has closed financing for the construction of its 165.6 MW Cimarron Wind Energy Project in Gray County, Kansas, USA.

Germany surpassed record solar PV year 2010

The German Bundesnetzagentur estimates that the sale of new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in 2011 reached 7.5 GW – slightly up from the 7.4 GW record set in 2010.

REpower supplies 20.5 MW of wind turbines to Essex, UK

REpower will supply 10 of its MM82 wind turbines to Bradwell wind farm, developed by RWE npower renewables in Essex, UK.

Vestas slashes 2335 jobs – with further cuts possible

Vestas is cutting 2335 jobs around the world in an effort to streamline the business and cut costs, and warns an additional 1600 jobs could go in the USA if the production tax credit (PTC) is not extended beyond 2012.

Trina Solar combines design, modules and racking systems

Trina Solar Ltd is offering a three-pronged service solution featuring complimentary design services, Honey solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and the rapid-install Trinamount racking system.

UK wind farms hit 12% of electricity demand

RenewableUK says wind power supplied an average of 5.3% of the UK’s demand for electricity for December and early January, reaching a record share of 12.2% on 28 December.

H2 Logic provides hydrogen refueling inside the Arctic Circle H2 Logic provides hydrogen refueling inside the Arctic Circle

The Danish company H2 Logic recently opened a hydrogen refueling station just inside the Arctic Circle, to serve fuel cell vehicles being tested by car manufacturers under extreme cold climate conditions at the Arctic Driving Centre in Finland.

Better renewable energy policies could save €6bn annually

Stepping up to a next phase in policy support for renewable energy could save the EU €4 billion of policy costs a year, and if EU member states increase cooperation, another €2-3bn could be saved in annual policy costs for achieving 2020 targets.

Large interest in French 3 GW offshore wind tender

There has been large interest in France's 3 GW offshore wind tender with four consortia competing for five sites off the coasts of Normandy and Brittany.

Evance sees record year for UK small wind

UK small wind turbine manufacturer Evance Wind Turbines says 2011 proved a record year, with sales growing by over 200%.

WFES 2012 attracts over 60 ministers from 50 countries

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is set to bring more than 60 ministers from 50 countries to discuss key global issues relating to energy policies, development strategies, commercial incentives and industry-related challenges on 16-19 January in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

PSEG Solar buys 25.2 MW Arizona solar project from Juwi

PSEG Solar Source has bought the 25.2 MW DC (19 MW AC) Queen Creek Solar Farm to be developed by juwi solar Inc in Arizona, USA, for US$75 million.

WinWinD builds 50 MW wind farm in Finland

WinWinD plans to build the 50 MW Myllykangas Wind Park near Kuivaniemi, Finland, after winning a tender for project rights.

E.ON takes 10% stake in Brazil's MPX Energia

E.ON is securing a foothold in the South American renewables sector by taking a 10%, US$471 million stake in Brazil’s MPX Energia and setting a up a joint venture to develop 20 GW of renewable and conventional power projects in Brazil and Chile.

Ill wind for China's turbines industry

Chinese wind turbine manufacturers are facing tough times with factors such as safety, quality, reliability and after-sale service possibly tilting the scales in favour of Western companies, says analyst Frost & Sullivan.

Suzlon delivers 174 MW of wind to Americas

Suzlon will deliver 24 MW of wind turbines to a project in Brazil, and its subsidiary REpower, is set to deliver 150 of wind turbines to Oklahoma, USA.

Nuon Renewables and Vattenfall create UK onshore wind giant

Nuon Renewables and Vattenfall have joined forces on onshore wind in the UK, creating one of the UK’s largest onshore wind farm developers.

Gamesa opens wind turbine blade factory in India Gamesa opens wind turbine blade factory in India

Gamesa has opened a wind turbine blades factory in India to supply the G5X-850 kW and G9X-2.0 MW wind turbines.

Dubai plans 1 GW solar project

Dubai is planning a 1 GW solar project using both solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) technology in Seih Al Dahal near Dubai-Al Ain road.

Nordex increases new business by 31.6% in 2011

Wind turbine manufacturer Nordex recorded a 31.6% increase in new orders in 2011, bringing the total to €1.1 billion.

Hydrogenics wins electrolyser contract for Netherlands hydrogen fueling station

Canadian-based Hydrogenics has been awarded a contract by fuel station installer Ballast Nedam IPM, to supply a HySTAT 30 electrolyser for integration into a hydrogen fueling station in the Netherlands.

REpower buys wind turbine blade manufacturer

REpower Systems SE has bought the remaining 49% stake in the wind turbine blade manufacturer PowerBlades GmbH from SGL Rotec GmbH & Co. KG.

BP and Sempra expand wind cooperation to 560 MW

BP Wind Energy and Sempra US Gas & Power plan to expand their strategic relationship by jointly developing the Mehoopany Wind Farm in Pennsylvania and the Flat Ridge 2 Wind Farm in Kansas, USA, totalling a combined investment of more than US$1 billion.

Lufthansa trial runs out of biofuel

Lufthansa has to end its trial of bio-based aviation fuel as it has run out of certified biofuel.

Vestas could deliver 310 MW of wind turbines to Kenya

Vestas has signed a conditional wind turbine order for the 310 MW Lake Turkana Power project in Kenya.

Vattenfall enters partnership for French hydropower

Vattenfall has entered a partnership with ArcelorMittal, Rhodia and SNCF under the name Force Hydro, to bid for the hydropower concessions expected in France later this year.

First Solar provides solar power for golf tournament First Solar provides solar power for golf tournament

First Solar is to be the 'Official Solar Provider' of the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament in golf.

ClearEdge Power in $500m deal for 50 MW of fuel cells to Güssing Renewable Energy

US-based fuel cell manufacturer ClearEdge Power is to supply Güssing Renewable Energy GmbH in Austria with 50 MW worth of continuous onsite power fuel cell systems.

Electronic atlas of US renewable energy

An electronic atlas mapping renewable energy sources in the USA has been developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Vestas' 2011 revenues hit €6bn

Vestas has reported a preliminary revenue estimate of €6 billion for 2011 with an EBIT margin of 0%, due to deferred revenue and earnings, as well as higher-than-expected costs.

REC halves solar wafer capacity at Norwegian facility

REC intends to temporary halt 50% of the capacity at its 300 MW monocrystalline solar wafer facility in Glomfjord, Norway, affecting 65 employees.

Better power with automated grids

More advanced grid automation is necessary as the amount of wind power in the grid is increased, according to Vattenfall.

AFC Energy Beta fuel cell systems generate first industrial power

Alkaline fuel cell systems supplied by UK-based AFC Energy have been generating electric power at AkzoNobel’s Bitterfeld site in Germany since late last year.

Global R&D spending to reach US$1.4trn in 2012

Global R&D spending is set to grow 5.2% to US$1.4 trillion in 2012, according to the Battelle R&D Magazine Global R&D Funding Forecast.

2012 Global Energy Prize open for nominations

The Global Energy Prize, which recognises achievements in energy science, is now accepting nominations for its US$1 million 2012 award.

Renewable energy outpaces fossil fuel and nuclear growth

Renewable energy sources continue to expand rapidly while substantially outpacing the growth rates of fossil fuels and nuclear power, according to the Monthly Energy Review by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Renewable energy accounted for 12.4% of European energy consumption Renewable energy accounted for 12.4% of European energy consumption

The renewable energy share accounted for 12.4% of overall gross final energy consumption in 2010, as against 11.5% in 2009, according to EurObserv’ER's figures for all European Union Member States (EU-27) for 2010.

Europe still a solar hot-spot

The European solar market remains hot despite the financial crisis and subsidy cuts, according to analyst Lux Research.

Need to separate smart grids and smart markets

The German Bundesnetzagentur's paper, Smart Grid and Smart Market, calls for a clear separation of the areas of smart grids and smart markets.

Solar module production method reduces cost Solar module production method reduces cost

A process for solar photovoltaic (PV) module production developed by Bystronic Glass and Fraunhofer ISE could reduce production times and cost.

ABB upgrades Texan grid to facilitate more wind power

ABB has won an order worth over US$50 million from Electric Transmission Texas LLC (ETT) to provide electrical equipment to improve reliability, strengthen the existing transmission grid and facilitate the integration of wind power.

SEIA and the Solar Alliance merge

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Alliance have merged in the US to present a unified solar industry voice in all advocacy efforts at the state level.

UK Government challenges claim that solar FiT cuts are illegal

UK Energy Minister Greg Barker has announced via Twitter that the Government will try to appeal a ruling that its solar feed-in tariff cuts are illegal.

Trinity Structural Towers files litigation against Suzlon

Trinity Structural Towers Inc has filed a breach of contract law suit against Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation for failure to comply with its purchasing obligations for structural wind turbine towers from TSTI pursuant to the 2008 Supply Agreement between the two companies.

LDK Solar buys stake in Sunways – proposes takeover.

LDK Solar has entered into an investment agreement with Sunways AG to acquire 33% of Sunways’ increased share capital following a capital increase, at the same time as proposing a takeover.

SunMaxx Solar to offer solar thermal storage tanks from NY, USA

SunMaxx Solar will offer non-pressure storage tanks for solar thermal installations from its New York facility.

Nile Basin countries want wind and solar

The Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) has proposed to include wind and solar in addition to hydropower into the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), to ensure greater access to electricity.

Germany approves Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind farm

The German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency has approved the 97-turbine Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.

US wind turbine tower manufacturers join US-China trade dispute

US wind turbine tower manufacturers have joined the widening renewable energy trade dispute with China.

US DoI approves solar and wind in California and Oregon

The US Department of the Interior (DoI) has approved a solar plant in California and a wind farm in Oregon.

US BLM seeks comments on leasing of solar and wind power

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking comments on its plans for establishing an efficient, competitive process for issuing right-of-way (ROW) leases for solar and wind energy development on public lands.

Cape Wind sees another victory over opponents

The Cape Wind offshore wind project in the Nantucket Sound off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, has seen another victory over opponents as the Massachusetts Supreme Court rules in its favour over the power purchase agreement (PPA) with the National Grid.

German solar produced 18 TWh in 2011 German solar produced 18 TWh in 2011

German solar produced over 18 TWh in 2011, up 60% from 2010, according to the Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW-Solar).

WHEH and Prime Inc to develop 250 acre algae biodisel farm in India

World Health Energy Holdings Inc (WHEH) has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Prime Inc India to develop a US$100 million, 250 acre algae biodiesel and fish food production facility.

Enel Green Power installs 880 MW of wind and solar in 2011

Enel Green Power has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power projects totalling 880 MW in 2011.

China connected 45 GW of wind to the grid in 2011

China is believed to have connected 45 GW of wind power to the grid in 2011, up 45% from 2010.

Pakistan could install 1 GW of wind in 2013

Pakistan could have 12 wind projects totalling 1 GW in the pipeline for installation in 2013, according to media reports.

Gamesa delivers 200 MW of wind turbines to Egypt

Gamesa will deliver 100 of its G80-2.0 MW wind turbines to the New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) for a total of 200 MW of wind projects in the Gulf of El-Zayt on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

Tata Power acquires rest of Tata BP Solar

Tata Power has signed a share purchase agreement with BP Alternative Energy Holdings to purchase its remaining 51% equity and preference stake in the joint venture (JV) Tata BP Solar.

Hammerfest Strøm installs tidal power turbine in Orkney

Hammerfest Strøm has installed its 1 MW HS1000 tidal turbine 100 ft under water at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, UK.

Vestas delivers 254 MW of wind turbines to Brazil

Vestas will deliver 127 of its V100-2.0 MW wind turbines for two wind farms in Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Renewable energy boosts UK economy by £2.5bn

Figures from the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) show that companies have announced plans for almost £2.5 billion worth of renewable energy investment in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs, so far in the financial year 2011/12.

NREL licenses black silicon for solar PV to Natcore

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has entered a patent licence agreement with Natcore Technology Inc to develop a line of black silicon products, which could help increase solar photovoltaic (PV) cell efficiency.