California water facilities reduce operating costs via solar
SunPower Corp. has announced the completion of four solar power systems, totaling 3.8 MW at public water agencies and water treatment facilities in California. The systems aim to reduce costs and relieve strained public budgets.
Fernando de Noronha goes solar
The Brazilian archipelago Fernando de Noronha, with a population slightly over 3,000, will be powered by PV technology this year thanks to a new partnership between Grupo Neoenergia and utility company Companhia Energética de Pernambuco (Celpe).
India: NVVN to sign PPAs with 22 companies
NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is expecting to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) with 22 companies by the end of this month to develop 350 MW of grid connected PV power.
China launches large battery energy storage station
BYD and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) have developed a battery energy storage station that they claim as the world’s largest possibly.
Sun-Believable: Research on paint-on solar cells
The next coat of paint on the exterior of our houses may just generate electricity from the sun. University of Notre Dame’s researchers have taken a leap towards this vision by creating ‘solar paint’.
Malaysia: Release of FIT quotas and further regulations for PV
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) has re-evaluated its quotas and will re-open its e-FIT online system tomorrow after the system’s review maintenance since 27 December 2011.
SolarWorld GT ends Australian leg
The solar racing car SolarWorld GT has crossed Australia and New Zealand, ending the first leg of the round-the-world trip. The solar powered car will now move on to San Francisco and then across the North American continent.
Australia: new AC-module plant opens
Only one month after the country’s only photovoltaic module manufacturer suspended production, a new 60 megawatt (MW) module assembly plant has opened in the city of Adelaide, South Australia. The fab will produce around 300,000 240V modules per year.
First Solar investing in political favor
Thin-film manufacturer First Solar has been investing heavily in politically lobbying, both in Washington and in the state of California, a report from Bloomberg has observed today. USD2.2 million has been spent since 2007.
Solar Millennium: investigation into fraud
A German investment protection body is investigating whether Solar Millennium has broken financial laws. Financial authorities and attorneys are conducting investigations into Hannes Kuhn, the companys chairman of the Supervisory Board and founder, who has recently stepped down.
