Solar electricity News for December 2011

Solar electricity News Archive

SunPower acquires Tenesol SA

SunPower Corp has signed a definitive agreement to acquire French solar provider Tenesol SA, which is owned by Total SA, for US$165.4 million.

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Solar Millennium files for insolvency

The move follows difficult negotiations and delays as the company attempts to sell of its U.S. projects, including the 1GW Blythe development in California.

UK High Court rules in favour of solar industry over feed-in tariff cuts UK High Court rules in favour of solar industry over feed-in tariff cuts

A solar industry campaign to slow down Government-planned cuts to solar subsidies in the UK has won a significant legal victory, as the High Court ruled that the Government’s programme of cuts under the feed-in tariff were “legally flawed”.

BP exits solar business

According to media reports, the company is finding it tough to "make money" from solar.

Soitec invests US$150 m in U.S. facility for CPV production

The company has purchased manufacturing premises in Rancho Bernardo, California., from Sony Electronics, to produce CPV modules for the U.S. market.

US solar dispute: war of words continues

Pointing to "damage to America’s burgeoning solar industry that high tariffs on solar cells and panels imported from China could cause", the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) has urged SolarWorld, a German solar cell manufacturer, to withdraw its petition to the International Trade Commission (ITC) and Department of Commerce.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to attend WFES 2012

The 5th annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 16-19 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Long-term silane supply agreement between Dow and Air Products

Dow Corning and Air Products has entered into a long-term supply agreement for electronic-grade silane for electronics and solar photovoltaics (PV).

WiseEnergy Africa to manage 500 MW of solar and wind in Africa

WiseEnergy Group will manage up to 500 MW of solar and wind power projects in South Africa on behalf of ix:Africa, an impact investment fund seeking to raise €400 million to dedicate to renewable energy projects in Africa.

Rockford Solar builds 20 MW solar array at Chicago airport

Rockford Solar Partners, LLC, a joint venture between Wanxiang America and New Generation Power, has received approval for a 20 MW solar array at the Chicago Rockford International Airport.

First Solar sells 550 MW Topaz Solar farm to MidAmerican

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm in California, USA, from First Solar Inc.

US solar installations grow 140%

The US solar energy industry saw a record 140% growth in installations in the third quarter (Q3) of 2011, compared to Q3 2010, thanks to utility-scale project completions, a strong residential market, effective policies and the plummeting price of solar panels.

MEMC cuts 20% of workforce

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc will reduce its workforce by 1300 – or 20% – in response to difficult market conditions in the solar and semiconductor sectors.

Germany installs millionth solar power system

Germany has installed its 1 millionth solar photovoltaic (PV) connected to the power grid, says the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar).

NextEnergy establishes €400m fund for African renewable energy

NextEnergy Capital has begun fundraising for ix:Africa, a €400 million private equity impact fund dedicated to ethical investment in renewable energy, environmental business and clean technology projects in Africa.

SENER and Torresol Energy win four CSP Today Awards

The SENER engineering and technology group and its joint venture with Masdar, Torresol Energy, won four awards at the fifth annual CSP Today International Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Summit at the end of November.

Chinese solar PV to surpass US and Japan in 2011 Chinese solar PV to surpass US and Japan in 2011

The Asia Pacific solar photovoltaic (PV) market is forecast to grow 39% quarter-on-quarter and 130% year-on-year in Q4’11 with fourth quarter installations reaching over 2 GW, according to NPD Solarbuzz.

Evergreen Solar assets sold to Chinese company

Following its bankruptcy earlier this year, Evergreen Solar Inc has sold its core assets to China Private Equity Investment Holdings Inc for US$6 million in cash and 7.57m shares in CPEIH.

Friends of the Earth says UK solar cuts are “illegal”

In response to the solar industry's lobby of the UK Parliament over Government plans to cut solar subsidies, organised by Cut Don't Kill, Friends of the Earth says the plans to downsize the solar feed-in tariff are “illegal”.

SolarWorld powers rooftop solar plant in Africa

Coinciding with the world climate summit in Durban, South Africa, SolarWorld AG is drawing attention to the global importance of solar power with milestone projects in four continents, including what could be the largest rooftop solar plant in Africa.

BrightSource adds solar thermal storage to three PPAs

BrightSource Energy Inc is adding its SolarPLUS solar thermal energy storage capability to three of its power purchase agreements with Southern California Edison (SCE).