Solar electricity News for June 2010

Solar electricity News Archive

Q-Cells hands over Ahorn Solar Park to MCG

Q-Cells SE is handing over two solar energy systems with a total capacity of 11 MWp near Berolzheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, to the Berlin-based MCG Management Capital Group.

CSP hybrid plant opened in Morocco

A 470 MW integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) power plant has been opened in Morocco.

Australia can have 100% renewable energy in a decade

A combination of energy efficiency, fuel-switching and a combination of commercially-available renewable energy technologies could allow 100% of Australia’s energy needs to be met with renewable sources, according to a new report.

SunPower builds 9.1 MW Spanish solar power plant

SunPower Corp is building a 9.1 MW solar power park in Alange, Badajoz, Spain, for the NaturEner Group.

APEC wants continued development of renewable energy

Renewable energy technologies are declining in cost but continued efforts are required to further reduce this, according to energy ministers from the 21-country Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Sharp builds solar thin-film power plants in Germany

Sharp Energy Solution Europe is building two energy providers-commissioned thin-film solar power plants in Germany.

npower sees 80% increase in UK solar PV requests following feed-in tariff npower sees 80% increase in UK solar PV requests following feed-in tariff

Following the introduction of the UK feed-in tariffs in April, UK utility npower has seen an 80% increase in enquiries for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Isofotón connects 1 MW solar PV plant in Italy Isofotón connects 1 MW solar PV plant in Italy

Isofotón has connected a 1 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Renacati, Marche region, Italy.

Siemens to deliver 15 MWp solar PV plant to Italy

Siemens Energy will erect a 15 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) plant for Green Energy in the Apulia region of Italy.

Ownergy launches solar park developer service

Ownergy is launching as solar park developer service for managing all aspects of solar park development from design to installation and system management in the UK.

Parabolic trough solar collectors installed at Andasol 3

The installation 7296 parabolic trough solar collectors have now been installed at the 50 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant Andasol 3 in Spain.

Siemens to build 6 solar PV plants in France

Siemens will do turnkey construction of 6 solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants totalling 30 MWp in Les Mées in the province Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France.

Kyocera supplies solar modules to the Czech Republic Kyocera supplies solar modules to the Czech Republic

Japanese Kyocera has supplied 8960 solar modules for a 1.2 MWp outdoor solar power plant in the Czech Republic.

Guatemala develops hydropower and solar energy grid

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting Guatemala’s 7-year plan for a national power grid, using hydropower and solar power to reach the country’s poorest regions.

Emerging renewables to have more profile in next statistical review

The ‘Statistical Review of World Energy’ does not include wind, solar or geothermal in its primary energy forecast, but these sources will be added next year because they are reaching “sufficient weight in a number of countries.”

Intersolar: 23% increase in 2010 visitor numbers

Intersolar Europe, the exhibition for solar energy, saw a 23% increase in visitor numbers to 72,000 visitors from around 150 countries this year in Munich, Germany on 9-11 June.

Intersolar: Solar PV conversion and storage project in field testing

Saft, Voltwerk and Tenesol, industrial partners in the EU-backed Sol-ion project have created an integrated energy conversion and storage kit, capable of production on an industrial scale, for decentralised on-grid, residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Intersolar: JA Solar and ECN bring solar MWT into production

JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd and Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) have cooperated on getting metal wrap through (MWT) solar cell and module technology into production.

Intersolar: Solar modules incorporating SolarMagic

National Semiconductor Corp and Green Energy Solar (GESOLAR) have developed GESOLAR brand solar modules with embedded SolarMagic™ power optimisation technology from National.

Intersolar: Tougher times for solar thin-film

EuPD Research’s white paper International PV Thin Film Market Dynamics – From Introduction to Growth Stage, finds that the international solar thin-film market share increased from 8% in 2008 to 20% in 2009.

Intersolar: The 2010 Intersolar AWARD goes to...

This year’s Intersolar AWARD for innovation and improvements in solar power went to ABB Schweiz AG, Gehrlicher Solar AG, SMA Solar Technology AG, FSAVE Solartechnik GmbH, InvenSor GmbH, a research collaboration, Festo AG & Co. KG, GEMO-TEC Ltd, and Gebr. Schmid GmbH + Co.

Intersolar: Sputnik unveils two central solar inverters

Swiss Sputnik Engineering launched two solar central inverters with greater outputs as part of its SolarMax TS series at Intersolar in Munich, Germany this week.

Michael Gratzel awarded 2010 millennium technology prize Michael Gratzel awarded 2010 millennium technology prize

The 2010 Millennium Prize Laureate Michael Grätzel is the father of third generation dye-sensitized solar cells. Grätzel cells, which promise electricity-generating windows and low-cost solar panels, have just made their debut in consumer products.

Middle East to build first major solar power plant

Contracts have been let for a 100 MW solar power facility that will be built near the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

US remains most attractive country for renewables

The United States remains the most attractive country in the world for renewable energy, although it now ties the top spot with China.

Solar powered boat sets sail in Shanghai Solar powered boat sets sail in Shanghai

Suntech Power Holdings Co has launched the Suntech-Guosheng solar sailor passenger vessel on the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China.

European solar thermal market contracted 10% in 2009

The European solar thermal market decreased by 10% in 2009, according to the report ‘Solar Thermal Markets in Europe – Trends and Market Statistics 2009’ from the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF).

SCHOTT Solar CSP supplies Fresnel direct steam receivers SCHOTT Solar CSP supplies Fresnel direct steam receivers

SCHOTT Solar’s concentrating solar power (CSP) direct steam receivers will be used in Novatec Biosol’s Supernova collector system.

Scheuten Solar wins Frost & Sullivan award

Analyst Frost & Sullivan has presented Scheuten Solar with the ‘2009 Global Frost & Sullivan Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award’ for its “ability to focus on a rapidly developing market, understand the needs of the customers and provide solutions that blend innovative developments, years of experience, and above-average quality and service.”

India´s New Solar Mission could accelerate CSP

India’s ‘New Solar Mission’ could open doors for fast development of concentrated solar power (CSP) worldwide, according to CSP Today.

JV builds 2.5 GW solar power in China

SanSca, a joint venture (JV) between Scatec Solar and Sahne group will build 2.5 GW of solar power in China.

Conergy builds 1.1 MW Czech solar power plant

Conergy Group is building a 1.1 MW solar power park near Louny in the Czech Republic set to be completed in July.