North American Photovoltaic Market Set to Double Year over Year in Q4’11

Caught between strong utility-scale project demand, declining solar incentives in distributed generation applications, module over-supply, and significant policy uncertainty, the North American photovoltaic (PV) market is at a crossroads, according to the conclusions of the recently-released NPD Solarbuzz North America PV Markets Quarterly report.

First feed-in tariff in the United States successful: Florida town Gainesville to reach 7.3 MW of PV, 36 watts per resident in 2011

According to Wind-Works, the municipal utility serving the town of Gainesville in the U.S. state of Florida expects that it will have 7.3 MW of solar photovoltaics (PV) supplying electricity in its service area by the end of 2011. Gainesville Regional Utility (GRU, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.) implemented a feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaics (PV) in 2008, as the first such policy in any town in the United States.

New South Wales Energy Minister urges slashing of feed-in tariff

On November 24th, 2011 the energy minister of New South Wales (NSW), Australia publicly called for a dramatic reduction in the state’s feed-in tariff, after writing retail electricity providers to suggest that they implement lower rates. The new proposed rate of AUD 0.08 to 0.10 / kWh (USD 0.08 to 0.10 / kWh) has been recommended by the state’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and will represent the second time that the tariff has been slashed, from an initial rate of USD 0.58 / kWh.

Intersolar China 2011: Tailor-made exhibition range for the most promising markets worldwide

The latest figures point to significant growth in the Chinese solar market, underlining the ever more important role it plays in the global solar industry. The international role of the Chinese companies that are now active in many markets across the globe has also grown. Intersolar China, which is set to take place from December 7th – 9th in Beijing, offers tailored information for Chinese and international exhibitors and visitors alike, shedding light on the development of markets and technologies in the industry, the organizers announced.

Copper PV metallization yields 18% solar cell efficiency

SCHOTT Solar AG, RENA GmbH, and CiS Forschungsinstitut have created a solar cell with 18% power conversion efficiency manufactured with copper backside metallization.

Inauspicious color: Top Chinese solar companies wade through red ink in latest quarterly results

In Chinese culture, the color red signifies happiness, joy, and good fortune. Wedding dresses shimmer in crimson, and flush-with-cash gift envelopes often bear a distinctive scarlet tint. But there was no ruby-hued joy in the just-completed round of quarterly financial announcements from the leading Chinese solar companies, as sales revenues fell, margins evaporated, and inauspicious red ink flowed in Yangtze-like volumes. Comparisons of certain key indicators among the top 10 firms reveal a profitless sector largely reeling from plummeting PV module prices and urgent attempts to balance capacity with demand and rein in costs.

America’s Energy Future a Battle Between Entrenched Utilities and Clean, Local Power

Warm prospects for CPV in Chile?

High insolation rates and the presence of large corporate power users could make Chile an attractive market for CPV even in the absence of government support.

Has thin film weathered the ‘perfect storm’?

With 2012 just around the corner, Matt Carr of PV Insider attempts to clear the fog surrounding the thin film industry after a year of dramatic failures and important steps forward.

U.S. Offshore Wind: How Best To Proceed?

If even some small portion of the vast offshore wind potential the United States holds is ever accessed, it’s going to need to be integrated into the grid (or, more likely, grids).

Ukraine Recognized Attractive for Renewable Energy Investment

KYIV, Ukraine, November 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Ukraine appeared on the latest Ernst & Young Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices, proving to be an attractive emerging market for renewable energy. The November issue of the respectable index lists solar, wind, and.

Denmark: 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 (100% Clean Electricity by 2035)

Nordex lowers turnover and earnings targets

Canadian Solar and saferay Implement 8.5 MW Solar Power Plant in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

Canadian Solar, (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world’s largest solar companies, today announced that it has supplied solar modules for an 8.5 MW power plant in Lindenhof near Neubrandenburg…

Eclipsall Integrates Selective Emitter Technology to Solar Panel Production

Eclipsall has announced that the company has integrated selective emitter technology into its manufacturing process. Selective emitter technology has been proven to be more effective in lower light conditions like those in Ontario.

Wind power helps EU reach emission cut target

European wind power production could meet 31% of the EU’s 20% emissions reduction target and even enable an increase in EU’s climate goals, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

U.K. opens Renewable Heat Incentive for non-residential solar heating systems

On November 28th, 2011 the U.K. government opened its Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) program, providing incentives of up to GBP 0.085 / kWh (USD 0.13 / kWh) for heat generated from solar thermal equipment smaller than 200 kW-thermal. The government has made USD 1.33 billion available for the program, and will provide support for commercial, industrial, public, non-profit and community generators of heat. The Department of Energy and Climate Change in the U.K. (DECC) plans to open a second phase to provide incentives for residential installations, and states that it will confirm the timing of that phase in 2012.

Fraunhofer to continue partnership with AZUR SPACE on multi-junction PV cells for applications in space

On November 24th, 2011 Fraunhofer ISE (Freiburg, Germany) announced that it has signed an agreement to continue its collaboration on the development and production of multi-junction solar photovoltaic (PV) cells with AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH (Heilbronn, Germany) for another 20 years. The two organizations have worked together for the previous 15 years to develop and manufacture high-efficiency multi-junction PV cells based on III-V semiconductors, and Fraunhofer states that it will continue to work exclusively with AZUR SPACE on new PV cells for applications in space.

NPD Solarbuzz: North American solar PV installations to exceed 2.2 GW in 2011

Fear uncertainty and doubt are ever present in the North American PV market, according to the latest ‘North America PV Markets Quarterly’ report from NPD Solarbuzz. In the US, issues over module dumping from China and the expiration of the US federal cash grant don’t help, but there is growing concern of the feed-in tariff system in Ontario, Canada not least as it is responsible for 99% of the Canadian PV market.

IEA warns against past mistakes for renewable energy deployment

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released guidance for policy makers and other stakeholders to avoid past mistakes, overcome new challenges and reap the benefits of deploying renewable energy.

Contra-rotating wind turbine more efficient, much quieter. The future of wind power?

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