Becky Beetz
India: 50 MW of PV projects planned
First Solar will supply 50 MW of its thin film photovoltaic modules to two projects, worth 20 MW and 30 MW, respectively, located in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Solar VC funding plummets
According to the latest figures, venture capital (VC) funding in the solar industry has plummeted in Q3 2012, leading it to become the first sub-$100 million quarter since 2008 for the industry. On a positive note, solar leasing is said to be strong.
50 MW PV project planned for Kenya
China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic & Technical Co, Ltd. (CJIC) will develop a 50 MW photovoltaic project in Kenya. JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd will provide the necessary modules and technical support.
First Solar to build 4 PV plants in New Mexico
First Solar, Inc. will build 4 photovoltaic plants worth 20 MW in New Mexico. It is hoped they will be operational by the end of 2013.
UK: CSUN signs 50 MW solar MOU
Marking its solar expansion in the U.K., CSUN has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an unidentified investor worth 50 MW.
US: Congress members urge PV trade case loophole to be closed
Eight U.S. Congress members have written to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), urging it to close a loophole, whereby Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers can export modules containing cells manufactured in countries outside of China, to the U.S.
Sharp declines to comment on solar scale back
Rumors have emerged that Sharp is looking to dramatically scale-back its solar business, with photovoltaic production closures expected in the U.K. and the U.S. The Japanese company is remaining tight lipped, however.
SoloPower opens US CIGS manufacturing facility
SoloPower has officially opened its new CIGS thin film photovoltaics manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon. It is targeting 400 MW of annual capacity.
Is the answer to clean, cheap and reliable solar energy floating in the sea?
A team of researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and research body SINTEF are exploring how algae can be used to create next-generation solar cells. Mathias Aare Maehlum, a Masters student in energy and environmental engineering at NTNU explains.
44 MW Thai PV park grid connected
A 44 MW crystalline silicon photovoltaic park has been grid connected in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, near Bangkok. The Sunny Bangchak project is said to be the largest of its kind in SE Asia.
