Capacity concentration: Sharps UK manufacturing facility will produce 500MW by Feb. 2011

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] Sharp has revealed that it is set to increase annual production capacity at its UK-based manufacturing base (SUKM) in Wrexham, Wales, by 100%, doubling up from the current 250MW of crystalline solar cell modules per year to 500MW. The increase will begin in December 2010, with the aim of completion by February 2011. SUKM, which is Sharp's second international production base (the first located in the U.S.), began producing solar cell modules in the spring of 2004. The Japanese manufacturer must now expand its production capacity to meet the ever-growing global demand for solar cells. Capacity concentration: Sharps UK manufacturing facility will produce 500MW by Feb. 2011 - read more

Ontario FIT supply chain forum to address challenges and opportunities for Green Energy Act

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] For two days at the beginning of October, the Ontario Feed-in Tariff Supply Chain Forum will bring in over fifty speakers from the wind and solar industries for a conference on the questions that envelop the development of the province’s renewable energy industries. Regulators, developers, manufacturers, industry associations and financiers will be on hand for discussion on Ontario’s Green Energy and Economy Act. Ontario FIT supply chain forum to address challenges and opportunities for Green Energy Act - read more

Project Focus: Chevron and City of Brea team up for 1.8MW solar installation

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] The groundbreaking ceremony for Chevron Energy Solution’s and the City of Brea’s new solar project was held today to commemorate the beginning of construction for the project. The solar project is expected to save the city over US$13 million in net energy savings over the lifetime of the solar project and has an anticipated completion date for sometime in 2011. Project Focus: Chevron and City of Brea team up for 1.8MW solar installation - read more

Project Focus: SolarReserves Crescent Dunes project receives approval from PUCN

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] Following December’s announcement that Tonopah Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary for SolarReserve, and NV Energy, which announced the signing of a 25-year power purchase agreement, the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project has received approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). The proposed 100MW solar project s to be located near Tonopah, in Nye County, Nevada, and supply around 480,000MW hours of solar energy per year. Project Focus: SolarReserves Crescent Dunes project receives approval from PUCN - read more

RSB Funds to introduce solar energy financing program for non-profit and tax-exempt organizations

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] Renewable Social Benefit Funds (RSB Funds) will be partnering with Pacific Edison, Golden Power Partners and Martifer Solar USA for a new solar energy financing program to service nonprofit and tax-exempt U.S. organizations. The project will guarantee solar power at a 5% savings over traditional power sources through power purchase agreements. Solar prices will stay set at a 5% discount to the customer’s existing utility rate for the life of the agreement, even if solar prices are to decrease. RSB Funds to introduce solar energy financing program for non-profit and tax-exempt organizations - read more

SolarEdge expands operations in Greece: joins Enolia Solar Systems

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] SolarEdge has formed a partnership with Greek-based Enolia Solar Systems in a bid to expand its operations in the country. This follows the news in June that the Israel-based solar power harvesting solution provider will begin distributing in Australia, highlighting the company's increasing global network. SolarEdge expands operations in Greece: joins Enolia Solar Systems - read more

Sulfercell closes 16MW supply agreement for customers in China and India

( Source: PV Tech )

[29/07/2010] Sulfercell will be supplying 10MW of its copper indium sulfide (CIS) thin-film panels to a Chinese company and over 6MW of the same modules to Prime Group of New Delhi, India. The supply orders reach just over 16MW for delivery to its customers. Sulfercell closes 16MW supply agreement for customers in China and India - read more

Germanys solar capacity increased by 3GW in first half of 2010: more FiT cuts to come

( Source: PV Tech )

[28/07/2010] The German Federal network Agency has revealed that solar capacity increased by approximately 3GW in the first half of 2010 as solar panel operators rushed to register their installations before the feed-in tariff cuts. Germanys solar capacity increased by 3GW in first half of 2010: more FiT cuts to come - read more

Order Focus: ABB Automation supplies Elkem Solar with electrical and automation systems

( Source: PV Tech )

[28/07/2010] The process line at Elkem Solar’s Kristiansand, Norway-based facility is to be outfitted with an ABB Automation electrical and automation system on the System 800xA platform. Elkem recently invested US$700 million in the new facility, which holds the capacity to produce 6,000 metric tons of high-purity silicon per year. Order Focus: ABB Automation supplies Elkem Solar with electrical and automation systems - read more

Order Focus: Unisonik soldering system chosen by California thin-film company

( Source: PV Tech )

[28/07/2010] Japan Unix’s Unisonik soldering system was recently chosen by an unnamed California bay area thin-film PV manufacturing company for its large panel soldering operation. Using heat and vibration to solder substrates, the Unisonik-M uses ultrasonic waves of 60kHz for the removal of oxidation, diffusion of metal into the substrate and reducing the voids in the solder joints. Order Focus: Unisonik soldering system chosen by California thin-film company - read more