Solar Energy

Testing for PID (potential induced degradation) of Centrosolar’s modules at TÜV Rheinland have confirmed that its modules experienced less than 1% reduction in performance, easily passing the tests which stipulate less than a 5% voltage-related reduction in performance as being non-PID affected.

You may have heard it before, but it is worth mentioning again: In residential communities, solar is contagious. But a recent study, "Peer Effects in the Diffusion of Solar Photovoltaic Panels," conducted by Bryan Bollinger of the NYU Stern School of Business and Kenneth Gillingham of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, published in December sheds some new light on the phenomenon.

Renewable energy in the United States is at a crossroads. With several federal tax grants set to expire by the end of 2012, utilities are trying to decide if the falling prices of solar and wind technology makes renewable energy competitive enough to invest in despite vanishing federal aid.

Third quarter revenue at GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) was inline with guidance at US$153.0 million, compared to US$217.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and US$262.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Polysilicon equipment segment continued to be the key earner, generating revenue of US$87.4 million. Recent new orders in this segment pushed its order backlog to US$2.2 billion. GTAT had a book to bill ratio of 1.3.

Though not independently verified, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film producer, MiaSole has claimed it has produced a 17.3% champion device result, while the manufacturing process for 14% efficiency is now in production. To date, MiaSole has claimed it has shipped over 55MW of modules since starting production in mid-2009. MiaSole started production of 13% efficient modules in October, 2011.

Work undertaken on a conventional but advanced solar cell employing ‘Metal Wrap Through (MWT) and ‘Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology exceeded 20% efficiencies that were supported by a specially developed and formulated metallization paste from Heraeus metallization paste, according to the company. In 2011, Heraeus introduced a new series of pastes for low temperature processing.

In addition to the 8% FiT cuts made in January, effective March 1 the Swiss Federal Department of Energy (DETEC) will further reduce the FiTs for PV power plants by 10% for new facilities.

Following consultations with stake holders and environmental organisations, the Greek Ministry of Environment has published new FiTs for PV installations, effective February 1. The tariff for PV systems up to 100kW and for systems installed on non-interconnected islands has been reduced by 12.5% compared to the previous rate introduced in 2009. The new tariff will be further reduced by 7% every six months until August 2014.

The Chinese Ministry of Finance has announced that it has changed certain FiT regulations, claiming this will speed up domestic large-scale applications of PV power generation and promote sustained and steady development of the PV industry. This will apply to grid-connected PV installations.

Lithuania-based CD and DVD disc manufacturer BOD Group is entering the c-Si solar cell manufacturing market, using a complete line of equipment being provided by Singulus Technologies. Singulus has been a supplier of CD and DVD processing equipment to the Lithuanian firm. The delivery of the line is scheduled to take place in early 2013.

Two reports out in the past week examine Europe's solar PV market in 2011, indicating slowing growth in the flagship countries and promise in some smaller regions for 2012 and beyond. Note that the data that follows is preliminary; final 2011 numbers won't be known until later in the first quarter, including some likely revisions thanks to a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter in several key regions (more on that below).

According to Polyera, the Newport Corporation’s PV cell lab has confirmed that Polyera’s polymer/fullerene OPV cell has achieved a 9.1% power conversion efficiency with an inverted bulk heterojunction architecture using ActivInk PV 2000 semiconductor material. The company said its active layer materials are able to be deposited using a wider range of film thickness without lower cell efficiency, which is said to improve yields and simplify manufacturing.

San Jose, Bakersfield and Simi Valley rounded out the top three fastest-growing solar cities in California based on a report released by SunRun and PV Solar Report as part of the Q4 and year end solar sales and installation reports from PV Solar Report. The top ten California cities all demonstrated that they had added more home solar systems in 2011 than other California cities. Lancaster, Fresno, Corona, Murrieta, Rocklin, Hemet and Apple Valley completed the top ten list.

DuPont and Suntech Power Holdings announced that they had entered into a strategic agreement with an overall goal of augmenting the supply of PV materials and technologies in the global solar energy market. The companies agreement will specifically focus on technology advancements, supply chain optimization cost reduction initiatives and DuPont’s Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film supply.

Upon the completion of PowerOptions’ RFP process, the company advised that SunEdison had been chosen to help the company develop and launch a new solar energy program for non-profit institutions in Massachusetts, including hospitals, universities, municipalities and other members of PowerOptions. The solar program will be similar to the model PowerOptions’ debuted for its electricity and natural gas supply programs, which will see the terms and conditions, as well as a pricing formula for each project, already in place.

A recent report has generated lots of buzz by finding that as many as 50,000 jobs could be lost over the next three years if a 100 percent tariff is placed on Chinese solar panels. Yet from where I'm sitting, I see a far different number from the same report: The industry could add 15,000 jobs by 2014.

Areva Solar advised that it has partnered with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to build a CDP addition to the utility’s H. Wilson Sundt generating station in Tucson, Arizona. The Sundt Solar Boost Project will use Areva’s Solar Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar steam generators to produce 5MW of energy during peak demand periods.

Danfoss Solar Inverters and MimtaSolar have entered an agreement, which will see MimtaSolar distribute Danfoss’s TLX and ULX inverter series throughout Turkey. The company will offer its single phase products in the 1.8kW to 5.4kW range and three phase products in the 6kW to 15kW range. The Danfoss inverter line is slated to be integrated into Mimta’s turnkey PV systems.

Twenty years ago, international leaders descended on Brazil to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Kyoto Protocol. This summer, a 20-member United Nations panel will once again head to Rio de Janeiro with an even more ambitious agenda.

Due to growing urbanization and resulting environmental threats, China has invested nearly US$50 billion annually into its renewable energy sector since 2009. China's five-year investment in environmental protection is on track to reach 3.1 trillion yuan (US$454 billion). By 2015, its environmental protection industry is expected to top 2 trillion yuan (US$317 billion).