PV-Tech

[Video] PV-Tech Newscast – February 24, 2012

warren.mauger@tpagency.com (Spike Productions) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:20:54 GMT

[Product] UNECS-2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer from Ulvac designed for fast R&D needs

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:46:21 GMT

ULVAC Technologies has introduced the UNECS-2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer for the high speed measurement of film thickness and optical constants of thin films in R&D applications.

[News] German government cuts FiT from March 9

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:49:09 GMT

Updated: Due to an aggressive FiT cut of between 20% for residential and 30% for large-scale PV installations, the German government will introduce the FiT cuts from March 9, 2012 to eliminate a rush of installations to beat the tariff change. However, this would first need to be ratified in the cabinet and parliament, which could be sanctioned next week.

[News] Trina Solar’s module shipments increase in Q4 but revenue and margins down

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:48:29 GMT

Stronger than anticipated demand in the fourth quarter of 2011 helped Trina Solar exceed PV module shipment guidance, but revenue and gross margins declined compared to the previous quarter. The company posted a 4Q’11 loss from operations of US$62.9 million, compared to an operating loss of US$23.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.

[News] IMS Research: Smarter use of BOS products to help push market to US$24 billion in 2016

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:10:47 GMT

Although PV inverters make up a significant percentage of the balance of system (BOS) equipment cost structure, monitoring hardware, smarter mounting structures and tracker systems are expected to help boost the PV BOS market towards US$24 billion in 2016, according to a new market report from IMS Research.

[News] Canadian Solar’s modules used on Denmark’s largest rooftop installation

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:50:40 GMT

According to Canadian Solar, a 605kW rooftop system in the Danish city of Virum, which employed 2,800 modules, is currently Demark’s largest rooftop installation. German firm, SRU Solar, constructed the system on two roofs of an office complex located in collaboration with Danish energy company Greengo Energy. The rooftop system was connected in January, 2012.

[News] Arise finishes restructuring process, aims to focus on complete system integration for PV systems

solson@pv-tech.org (Syanne Olson) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:55:44 GMT

Arise has finished its restructuring process and is in the midst of completing projects and courting new clients. The company plans to provide a complete system integration service for its customers. Arise noted that it has severed its German cell manufacturing facility and the silicon R&D segments. Additionally, the company added a new finacing component to its systems division to help clients complete a lease option.

[News] JinkoSolar opens PV module testing lab in China, receives UL WTDP certificate

solson@pv-tech.org (Syanne Olson) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:44:08 GMT

JinkoSolar Holdings has opened a PV module testing lab in Jiangxi, China, which was awarded the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Witness Testing Data Program (WTDP) certificate. The company worked with UL to obtain certification and will now be able to offer customers and third parties testing facilities, under the supervision of UL personnel, with an aim to ensure high quality and expedite the time to market.

[News] SPI releases preliminary Q4 revenues of US$100 million

solson@pv-tech.org (Syanne Olson) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:30:50 GMT

SPI Solar has released its preliminary financial results for Q4 2011. The company expects for annual revenues to result in US$100 million, better than its November business outlook. Additionally, SPI is forecasting that its net sales in 2012 will double 2011 levels as it furthers its domestic and international developments. The full financial report will be disclosed in March.

[News] EuPD awards Sharp “Top Brand PV” honour for Germany

solson@pv-tech.org (Syanne Olson) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:16:58 GMT

Sharp was awarded the “Top Brand PV” by EuPD Research for its presence in Germany.. The award was granted after EuPD examined several factors, including brand awareness and distribution depth, with brand perception among customers one of the leading factors for determining the seal.

[News] Report: Silex Systems restarts production at its Sydney solar module facility

solson@pv-tech.org (Syanne Olson) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:06:06 GMT

According to RenewEconomy, Silex Systems has restarted production at its solar module facility in Sydney, Australia. The company announced in November that it would be halting production as it was hard hit by the rooftop solar market and was looking for ways to restructure its business. The report states that Silex decided to start operation again, upon Tindo Solar’s plans to begin commercial production were publicized. Plans to continue ramping up capacity at the company’s Sydney site are being considered.

[News] Ceres Technologies purchases CIGS technology assets from Veeco

solson@pv-tech.org (Syanne Olson) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:51:34 GMT

Ceres Technologies advised that it had bought technology and product assets from the CIGS system business that was operated by Veeco Instruments. The CIGS product line is expected to add to Ceres’ products and services for the renewable energy sector with production-ready CIGS deposition tool sets, including machines for Molybdenum back contact, CIGS absorber layer and transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers.

[News] AEG Power Solutions to be acquired in friendly takeover

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:55:34 GMT

Industrial power supplies and PV inverter specialist, AEG Power Solutions, is to be acquired by Andrem Power, which is itself wholly owned by Nordic Capital Fund VII. Andrem Power said it had started a voluntary public takeover offer for all outstanding shares of 3W Power, AEG’s parent company for €4.35 in cash per share, a 40% premium to its average share price over the last three months.

[News] Start-up company Nines Photovoltaics raises €750,000 to build processing tool

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:31:59 GMT

PV equipment start-up, Nines Photovoltaics, has raised €750,000 to further develop and build its dry etching silicon wafer tool. The Dublin, Ireland-based firm started operations in 2010 and has been collaborating with the Fraunhofer ISE, with plans for the tool to be validated at its pilot production line. The company has raised to date to over €2.5 million, including €1.2 million through FP7 European Funding, which was announced in June 2011. The new funding will also be used to recruit additional staff, according to the company.

[News] SunPower supplies Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 5.4MW of E20 panels

nchoudhury@pv-tech.org (Nilima Choudhury) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:47:40 GMT

SunPower has installed 5.4MW of SunPower E20 solar panels on three rooftop locations at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport. The system is expected to generate the equivalent of 51% of the electricity demand at the airport’s rental car centre, two East Economy parking garages and toll plaza, saving US$4.7 million over the next 20 years. The installation was constructed in two months.

[News] GTAT and REC join Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy

nchoudhury@pv-tech.org (Nilima Choudhury) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:19:29 GMT

The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) announced GT Advanced Technologies and REC Silicon have been welcomed into the fold. The US-based companies will be joining the cause against the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) who claims Chinese manufacturers are trading unfairly.

[News] Borrego Solar awarded contract to supply US Department of Defence

nchoudhury@pv-tech.org (Nilima Choudhury) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:56:55 GMT

The American General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded Borrego Solar Systems a contract that allows it to provide its solar installation services to federal agencies.

[News] PanelClaw systems are now ETL listed

nchoudhury@pv-tech.org (Nilima Choudhury) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:17:58 GMT

PanelClaw has announced the ETL listing of all its products to UL Subject 2703, which establishes safety and performance requirements for PV mounting systems. PanelClaw’s ETL listing includes modules from Canadian Solar, Chaori Solar, ET Solar, Gloria Solar, Helios Solar Works, LDK Solar, Mitsubishi Electric, Motech, MX Solar and Suniva.

[News] Africa could alleviate poverty through renewable energy, says UN report

nchoudhury@pv-tech.org (Nilima Choudhury) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:49:53 GMT

Sub-Saharan Africa could still be without electricity in 2030, if the continent does not take advantage of its wealth of untapped, domestic renewable energy, said a United Nations report released today. Government policies that facilitate private sector investment in energy markets are crucial to reducing poverty and encouraging sustainable development.

[News] Yingli Green hit by polysilicon write downs: Q4 module shipments guided lower

mosborne@pv-tech.org (Mark Osborne) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:47:05 GMT

Polysilicon price declines on the spot market have finally taken their toll on Yingli Green and its polysilicon operations, Fine Silicon. An asset write down of US$361 million has been made on Fine Silicon assets of which a US$43 million impairment of goodwill is to be made in its fourth quarter financial statements. However, Yingli also said it would make a provision of approximately US$135 million on its polysilicon inventory as a result of the continuing decline in the purchase price.