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GE and Google: Clean Energy Partnership to solve energy problems in the US
The General Electric Company (GE) and Google are joining forces to help develop tomorrow’s power generation, transmission and distribution - known as the "smart grid" - and its
interface with next generation electric transportation. The companies' goal is to provide consumers with improved and expanded energy choices, whether it’s buying renewable power,
driving a plug-in car, or reducing energy bills by managing home energy use, GE announces on its web pages. GE and Google will launch a policy partnership in Washington, D.C.,
and collaborate on advanced energy technologies. The partners advocate for federal policies critical to building a 21st century U.S. electricity system. Initial policy priorities
include: Planning, siting, and cost allocation for the transmission capacity necessary to enable large scale deployment of renewable electricity generation in the United States.
Smart electricity grid for mor efficiency and lower emissions
Moreover development and deployment of a "smart" electricity grid that will empower utilities and end users to manage electricity more efficiently and with lower emissions is intended.
GE and Google will also collaborate to develop and deploy renewable energy and plug-in vehicle related technologies. Initial areas of technology collaboration include utility-scale
renewable energy with an initial focus on advanced geothermal technology, Software, controls and services to enable utilities to integrate plug-in vehicles into the grid.
2008-09-30 Courtesy: GE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: GE
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REC ASA secures USD 450 million wafer sales contract
REC ASA (Sandvika, Norway), one of the most integrated companies in the solar energy industry, has entered into a new long-term agreement for supply of multi-crystalline silicon
wafers to Neo Solar Power (Taiwan). Under the agreement, REC will deliver wafers worth more than USD 450 million until 2015 ( approx. NOK 2.6 billion). The agreement, which runs until
2015, is structured as a "take-or-pay" contract which pre-determined prices and volumes for the entire contract period, REC reports in a press release. The contract due to REC has an
approximate value of more than USD 450 million (~NOK 2.6 billion). "Including this latest contract, most of our wafer production for 2010 has now been sold. This should give
us a relatively good visibility on revenues and earnings going forward", says Erik Thorsen, President & CEO of REC.
Wafers to become thinner and cheaper
The deliveries will start with limited volumes in 2nd half of 2009 and increase over the contract period. Prices and other commercial terms are in line with previously signed contracts,
including the security of a bank guarantee covering a significant part of the contract volume. Prices are predetermined to go down over time and will depend on the customer's ability to
utilize thinner wafers. "Securing long-term agreements with leading solar cell producers is in line with our corporate strategy, we are proud to include Neo Solar Power in our customer
portfolio", says Ingelise Arntsen EVP of REC Wafer.
2008-09-30 Courtesy: REC ASA Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: REC ASA
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California Academy of Sciences incorporates SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells into its sustainable "Living Roof"
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BIPV system on the roof of the
California Academy of Sciences.
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SunPower Corporation (SAN JOSE, Calif.), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, on September 26th, 2008 announced that
its industry-leading solar cells have been incorporated into the unique architecture of the California Academy of Sciences (Academy) in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Calif., which
re-opened its new home last weekend. The Academy's new building features a "Living Roof," which was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. The solar halo surrounding
the roof is made up of 60,000 SunPower high-efficiency solar cells encapsulated in 720 custom built glass panels. This unique display allows visitors to see both the top and bottom of
the solar cells. The 172 kilowatt building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) electric system will generate approximately 213,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually and will
provide up to 10 percent of the Academy's electricity needs. The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 405,000 pounds each year.
Incorporating solar power to lower the carbon footprint
"The Academy will be reopening its doors this weekend to a revolutionary, environmentally-sustainable facility that will host inquisitive minds of all ages," said Ari Harding, the
Building Management Systems specialist at the Academy. "Incorporating solar power into our Living Roof was a logical way to lower our carbon footprint while complementing the aesthetics
of the building. We are very pleased to have the highest-efficiency solar cells in the world on our facility, made by a Bay Area neighbor."
SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells lead the industry with up to fifty percent more power than conventional technology and two to three times the efficiency of thin film
technologies. The same SunPower solar cells integrated into the roof of the Academy are the number one choice for rooftop systems on homes in California and across the United States.
With an all-black appearance, SunPower's solar cells offer an attractive, affordable way to add solar to any building while maximizing the solar power generated per square foot of any
roof area.
"We applaud the Academy's decision to include SunPower's high-efficiency solar technology as part of its new building, which is expected to earn a LEED platinum certification," said Tom
Werner, SunPower's CEO. "The SunPower high-efficiency solar cells are an important element of Renzo Piano's roof design and a functional solution for generating pollution-free solar
energy to support the planetarium, aquarium and rainforest inside the museum."
2008-09-29 Courtesy: SunPower Corporation Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: CAS
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Industry Consortium formed to steer rapid growth in concentrating photovoltaics (CPV)
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CPV system by Concentrix Solar.
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Founding members on September 25th, 2008 announced the establishment of an industry organization - the CPV Consortium - focused on supporting the development and optimizing the
success of concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) as a mainstream energy source. The CPV Consortium is a global organization comprised of members from all segments of the CPV industry, which
uses mirrors and lenses to concentrate sunlight onto high efficiency solar cells in order to generate more solar electricity from dramatically less photovoltaic material. Membership is
open to all companies and institutions that have a vested interest in advancing the CPV industry. Founding members include Concentrix Solar (Germany), Emcore (USA), ISFOC
(Spain), Isofoton (Spain) and SolFocus (USA) who have been working on the creation of this organization for the past 12 months. Developments in the CPV area have been extensive in the
past few years, fueled by the efforts of innovative companies contributing to all aspects of this emerging next generation photovoltaic technology.
Competitive low-cost solar-generated electricity in advance
"Today CPV is on the cusp of delivering on its promise of low-cost, reliable solar-generated electricity that will be cost competitive with traditional energy sources", explained Nancy
Hartsoch, Director of the CPV Consortium and VP of Marketing for SolFocus. "The challenge now is to assure that a proper foundation and infrastructure is in place to support CPV, which
is why we are pleased to have a broad and expanding membership which will include cell and material suppliers, panel suppliers, tracker companies, integrators, power generators,
universities and government organizations, among others." Veeco and 3M, leading equipment and materials suppliers to the CPV industry, have also joined the Consortium as charter
members.
Dr. Pedro Banda, Director General of founding member ISFOC commented on the organization: "The CPV consortium is a key instrument to allow for this growth, bringing together all key
industrial and R&D players. It is with this type of commitment that we all can ensure the future of this technology, becoming a major trend and providing global solutions for the
deployment of renewable energies. ISFOC is committed together with the industrial players to support their technology and product developments and serve as their test bed. This
consortium will help bringing CPV up to the pace at which the PV market is growing across the world."
Forces to be joined throughout the whole CPV industry
"With its outstanding efficiencies CPV technology has an immense potential for lowering costs of solar electricity," commented Hansjörg Lerchenmüller, CEO of Concentrix Solar. "In order
to fully exploit the potential of the technology we need to join forces throughout the whole CPV industry." Membership is available at several levels including Charter Membership which
includes a seat on the steering committee, General Membership, and Informational Membership. Governmental, University and non-profit memberships are available on an invitation-only
basis. Interested parties should contact the Consortium at mailto:info@cpvconsortium.org for more information.
Big improvements in terms of system efficiencies anticipated
"It is crucial for the companies participating in the CPV industry to collaborate and ensure that this technology meets and exceeds the cost and performance requirements of the global
energy market. The CPV Consortium is the mechanism where the industry leadership will partner to ensure Concentrating PV systems reach their full market potential," explained David
Danzilio, VP and GM for Emcore's Space and Terrestrial Solar Products. Vincente Diaz, CPV Business Manager for ISOFOTON S.A. added, "CPV technology means a cost effective and reliable
product in the PV sector. The mature technologies present in CPV allow big improvements in terms of system efficiencies. It is the right moment for joining in a powerful team that could
boost CPV technology market presence in the short term."
Solar Power Preconference workshop on October 13th
The CPV Consortium has just launched its membership drive. The group will be having informational meetings at Solar Power International '08 in San Diego October 14th - 16th , 2008, and
will also be leading a preconference workshop CPV 101 - on Monday, October 13th. For more information on the consortium or to download a membership application go to http://www.cpvconsortium.org.
2008-09-28 Courtesy: EMCORE Corporation; CPV Consortium Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Concentrix Solar
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Germany: aleo solar AG starts construction on turnkey solar photovoltaic farm in Lower Saxony
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aleo solar modules (greenfield
solar farm in Brandenburg).
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aleo solar AG (Oldenburg/Prenzlau) on September 25th, 2008 announced that it is building a turnkey solar park for a farmer in Südergellersen in the district of Lüneburg, Lower Saxony
(Germany). The photovoltaic power plant with an output of 490 kilowatts will be connected to the grid this year after less than three months of construction. Over EUR 2.1 million is
being invested in the solar farm, which is expected to yield around 430,000 kWh of energy annually and is enough to power almost 120 three-person households for a year. The solar farm
will consist of more than 2,800 aleo S_16 solar modules and will avoid about 270 tons of carbon dioxide each year. The Südergellersen solar farm is aleo solar’s second large
photovoltaic power plant in northern Germany. Last year, a 950-kilowatt greenfield solar farm in the Wittmund district was connected to the grid. Norbert Schlesiger, Director
Sales Germany for aleo solar AG, says, "Our turnkey solar power plants are attractive to investors because we offer a complete package from a single source. We manufacture premium
modules, we choose the best inverters, mounts and cables in our role as a systems provider, and as a general contractor we ensure that large photovoltaic projects run smoothly." The
local authorities and district of Lüneburg have supported the two-hectare solar farm right from the start. The future operator, farmer Carsten Beecken, has been active in the field of
renewable energies for a long time, and the solar farm will be located right next to a wind farm in which he holds a stake. "Sustainability and efficiency can be combined in northern
Germany through large photovoltaic installations", Beecken says. His long-term vision extends beyond the two decades of compensation guaranteed by the Renewable Energy Sources Act, so
he is adamant about quality. "The high-quality modules from aleo solar will continue providing clean energy even after 20 years", he says. aleo solar AG guarantees the performance of
its solar modules for 25 years.
2008-09-25 Courtesy: aleo solar AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: aleo solar AG
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USA: Senate Approves Extension of Solar Tax Credits
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Solar PV systems in New Jersey
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On September 23rd the Senate voted to pass H.R. 6049 (the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008) including the Baucus-Grassley amendment which extends the 30 percent solar
investment tax credit for 8 years, PiperJaffray, a middle-market investment banking firm based in Minneapolis, reports. Due to PiperJaffray the vote was 93-2. The extension applies to
both commercial and residential solar projects and eliminates caps that currently exist. Instead of raising the ,000 residential cap to ,000, the bill eliminates the cap. The tax
credit applies to the purchase of solar PV and solar water heaters. Commercial installations would also receive the same 30 percent tax credit without any cap. Utilities would
now be eligible for the commercial credit. The inclusion of utilities for the commercial credit should spur additional large-scale installations, further driving demand for low-cost
thin film and high efficiency solar PV.
Investment banking firm PiperJaffray: An important catalyst for the entire solar and renewable energy sector
The bill now goes back to the House for what the industry hopes is a speedy approval without changes. It would then go to the President's desk. In a Statement of Administration Policy
issued by the White House, the President expressed support of the renewable tax credits and the AMT provisions in the bill and PiperJaffray would expect to see the bill signed into law.
The investment banking firm sees this as an important catalyst for the entire solar and renewable energy sector, especially for solar names with residential exposure such as SPWR.
According to a report from Navigant Consulting, passage of the bill could lead to an additional 19,000 MW of solar installations by 2016.
Production tax credits for wind; geothermal heat pumps and cogeneration
Other renewable energy incentives in the bill would extend the production tax credit for wind for an additional year through Dec. 31, 2009. The bill would also add residential small
wind (capped at ,000), geothermal heat pumps (capped at ,000), and commercial small wind as new categories of qualifying investment. The bill also adds a new 10% ITC for combined
heat and power systems and geothermal heat pumps.
2008-09-24 Courtesy: Piper Jaffray & Co. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: NJBPU
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New European Record Efficiency for Solar Cells achieved by Fraunhofer ISE: 39.7 %
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Typical metal finger structure on the front
side of a GaInP/GaInAs/Ge concentrator
solar cell.
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At 39.7 % efficiency for a multi-junction solar cell, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg have exceeded their own European record of 37.6
% which they achieved just a short time ago. III-V semiconductor multi-junction solar cells are used in photovoltaic concentrator technology for solar power stations. "We have improved
the contact structures of our solar cells. As a result, using the same semiconductor structures, we now achieve the higher efficiency when converting sunlight into electricity”,
says Frank Dimroth, Head of the "III-V – Epitaxy and Solar Cells" Group at Fraunhofer ISE. For the utilization in photovoltaic concentrator systems, the optimal efficiency of
multi-junction solar cells must often be achieved between 300 - 600 suns, that is, at a sunlight concentration factor of 300 – 600. The metallization of the front side makes the
main difference for different concentration factors.
Structure of the cell's front grid is decisive
In the front grid the current is conducted through a network of thin wires (see figure above) from the middle of the solar cell to the edge, where it is then picked up by a 50 μm
gold wire. Particularly under concentrated sunlight, the structure of this metal network is decisive. For one, the metal wires must be big enough to transport, with low resistance, the
large currents which are generated under concentrated sunlight. On the other hand, the wires must be as small as possible since the sunlight cannot penetrate through metal and thus the
cell area covered by metal cannot be used for the electrical conversion.
Concentrator PV modules for market competitivity
For the past two years at Fraunhofer ISE, work is being performed on a new program for the theoretical calculation of optimal contact structures. Based on this work sponsored by the EU
Project "Fullspectrum" (SES6-CT-2003-502620), solar cells holding the newest record efficiencies were developed. These cells are especially suitable for situations of inhomogeneous
radiation, as occurs in the case of concentrated sunlight. These solar cells are installed in the concentrator modules of the type "FLATCON" at Fraunhofer ISE and at the spin-off
company Concentrix Solar GmbH, among others.
"We are very pleased to have advanced a further decisive step in such a short amount of time", says Dr. Andreas Bett, Department Head at Fraunhofer ISE. "Highest conversion efficiencies
help the young technology to become market competitive and to further sink the costs of generating electricity from the sun for the future."
Multi-junction solar cells for concentrating PV systems and for use in space
For more than ten years, researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have been developing multi-junction solar cells with highest efficiencies. One emphasis here is on the so-called metamorphic
(lattice mismatched) triple-junction solar cells made out of Ga0.35In0.65P, Ga0.83In0.17As and Ge, which have an especially high theoretical efficiency potential. The solar cell
structures consist of more than 30 single layers, which are deposited on a germanium substrate by means of metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Today such multi-junction III-V
semiconductor solar cells achieve the highest conversion efficiency worldwide by far. Due to the large material and manufacturing costs, however, they are only used in concentrating PV
systems and in space.
2008-09-23 Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE
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Applied Materials activates largest solar deployment on a corporate campus in U.S.
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Applied Materials' PV system atop
an elevated parking canopy.
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Applied Materials and SunPower Corporation on Sept. 19th, 2008 announced completion of two SunPower solar power systems totaling 2.1 megawatts at Applied Materials' corporate
facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. The systems due to Applied Materials represent the largest solar power deployment at a corporate facility in the United States. "This is another exciting
milestone in the adoption of solar power in California," said Mike Splinter, president and chief executive officer of Applied Materials. "More companies are realizing the wisdom of
integrating solar as a non-intrusive, clean, silent form of energy generation into our businesses and communities. We've converted our parking lots to power plants and we encourage
others to join us in making solar power a meaningful part of the energy supply." The system includes a 950 kilowatt SunPower "PowerGuard" installation and a 1.2 megawatt
"SunPower Tracker" installation atop an elevated parking canopy. The SunPower Tracker follow the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over
conventional fixed-tilt systems. Both systems use SunPower solar panels, the most efficient panels available on the market today. SunPower uses Applied Materials' Baccini technology in
its solar cell manufacturing process.
PV system expected to replace more than 2,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year
Since the first phase of installation in November 2007, Applied reports that its solar installation has generated 1,413 megawatt hours of power. The system is expected to replace more
than 2,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions from approximately 450 passenger cars. "Applied Materials has joined the ranks
of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Air Force in recognizing the value of solar as a mechanism for reducing exposure to volatile electric rates and promoting energy
independence through the use of clean, renewable solar power," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower.
Long-term extension of the ITC may create more than 1.2 million solar jobs
Applied's investment is supported by the federal investment tax credit (ITC) that encourages deployment of renewable energy systems across the U.S. Due to expire at the end of 2008,
Congress is now considering legislation to extend the ITC. "Congratulations to the leadership in the U.S. Senate for their efforts to forge a bipartisan agreement on a long-term
extension of the ITC," continued Werner. "According to a new study from Navigant Consulting, an eight-year extension of the ITC would result in the creation of more than 1.2 million job
opportunities and 2 billion in investment in the solar energy sector."
2008-09-23 Courtesy: Applied Materials Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SunPower Corporation
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German encapsulation specialist Meier presents efficient stack laminator for PV solar panels
Meier Vakuumtechnik GmbH (Bocholt, Germany), a specialist in encapsulation of solar panels, at the photovoltaics exhibition in the Spanish city of Valencia presented new stack
lamination technology for PV production: the efficient stack laminator, STACOLAM ."Module producers interested in improving efficiency were unanimously impressed by STACOLAM", says
Hans-Gerd Stevens, director of Meier Vakuumtechnik. The new STACOLAM stack laminator due to the producer replaces more than four conventional laminators, making its advantages easily
recognisable for any customer at first glance. "The STACOLAM means that a total of 30 modules per cycle can be laminated simultaneously, taking up almost the same amount of space in the
production hall as a conventional laminator", Meier Vakuumtechnik emphasizes in a press release. Altogether, the STACOLAM boasts 15 shelves, giving it an annual capacity of
1.3 million modules.
Initially, STACOLAM can be fitted with a lower number of shelves (capacity from 400,000 - 500,000 pieces a year). As the production run grows, however, the STACOLAM can be extended
individually. Furthermore, an optional cooling press/cooling station can also be added to this modular concept. Over the past few years, Meier Vakuumtechnik has undergone rapid growth,
based on intelligent concepts and its own innovative developments, the company reports.
2008-09-22 Courtesy: Meier Vakuumtechnik Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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New NanoMarkets report states manufacturing capacity for thin-film and organic PV to reach 29 GWp by 2015
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CIGS solar cell by DayStar.
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Manufacturing capacity for thin-film and organic photovoltaics is expected to grow from approximately 2 GWp (Gigawatts peak) this year to 29 GWp by 2015 according to a new report
from NanoMarkets, an industry analyst company based at Glen Allen (Virginia). At the same time, the value of manufacturing equipment purchased by thin-film PV (TFPV) and organic PV
(OPV) companies will grow from 0 million in 2008 to .8 billion in 2008. These and other findings are from NanoMarkets' new report, "The Future of Thin Film and Organic
Photovoltaics Manufacturing". The report is the next in a series from NanoMarkets that address the emerging thin-film and organic photovoltaics markets. Previous reports in
2008 addressed thin-film and organic photovoltaic materials markets, modules markets and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) markets.
CIGS and OPV: the race is on
While First Solar will be hard to pass in the cadmium telluride (CdTe) sector, the race for dominance in the CIGS (Copper indium gallium selenide) and OPV sectors has just begun,
NanoMarkets emphasizes. By 2015 these two sectors combined will account for 19 percent and 10 of aggregate capacity. Annual manufacturing equipment purchases by TFPV/OPV companies will
reach over billion in 2009, more than double this year. NanoMarkets projects that the market for TFPV/OPV equipment will flatten in 2010 as solar cell makers fully utilize the
capacity they have rapidly put in place since 2007 but resume growth and reach .8 billion in 2015.
Printing promises to reduce manufacturing costs, although it also faces challenges when it comes to producing the highest efficiency cells. Nonetheless, the market for printing
equipment used in the manufacture of TFPV cello s due to NanoMarkets will grow from around million in 2008 to over 0 million in 2015.
Details about the report can be found at http://www.nanomarkets.net.
2008-09-22 Courtesy: NanoMarkets Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: DayStar Technologies, Inc.
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German VDE and Fraunhofer ISE inaugurate joint test centre for Solar PV modules
The solar industry is experiencing a continuous boom, not least due to the German Renewable Energy Law (EEG) that has been adopted within and outside of the European Union as a
market incentive programme. Against the background of the exploding photovoltaic market, the VDE Institute and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE are looking towards
the future and setting the emphasis on quality assurance by means of a new joint test centre. In the VDE-Fraunhofer ISE Test Centre for Photovoltaics (TZPV), photo-oltaic modules are
tested and certified as specified by the internationally accredited IEC-standards. "In view of a continually increasing variety of products on the market, our goal is to
ensure a high level of quality and reliability of PV modules and to further develop the test standards", says Michael Köhl, project leader at Fraunhofer ISE. The partners of the new
facility have combined their expertise and offer a joint service platform for manufacturers, installation companies and trade partners.
Testing of modules made of crystalline silicon solar cells and thin film modules
Fraunhofer ISE is in charge of the relevant performance tests, whereas the VDE Institute is responsible for safety testing and certification according to widely used standards and
testing principles. Testing complies with the type approval requirements specified in IEC and European standards IEC EN 61215 for modules made of crystalline silicon solar cells and IEC
EN 61646 for thin film modules, and safety requirements according to IEC EN 61730-1/2. The PV modules undergo a series of comprehensive tests: power measurements before and after each
test are just as important as durability tests under varying climate conditions. The long term stability with respect to UV radiation, the quality of the electrical insulation and the
connections are tested. Last but not least, the safety aspects are tested: wet leakage currents are investigated and mechanical load tests and bypass diode test are carried out.
Furthermore, the modules are exposed to situations of extreme hail.
Tests of modules, mounting systems and inverters
If a PV module is offered together with the mounting sys-em, the construction, resistance to weathering and corrosion, durability, structural strength, potential compensation and
lightning protection of the mounting system are tested as well as the documentation on correct installation. The inverter included in the system must comply with the relevant safety
requirements as well as the specifications for electromagnetic compatibility including grid perturbation. In addition, when the complete system is assessed, the safety aspects of the
plug-in connectors, cables and connection boxes are tested according to the relevant standards. Ultimately after the module has been rigorously tested and has successfully passed all of
the tests, it receives the coveted Certificate.
Test facilities for module development
A competent team of engineers and technicians carries out the tests with greatest care. In addition, TZPV test facilities are available for module development at Fraunhofer ISE.
Customers can make use of single testing services: new components and innovative materials can be tested and qualified at an early stage during the product development.
Experience in precision measurement and development of international testing principles
Fraunhofer ISE has many years of experience in the calibration of solar modules. For fifteen years, module manufacturers worldwide have made use of the precision measurements performed
at CalLab. Also in the area of service lifetime analysis, the researchers in Freiburg hold a leading position. The VDE Institute is a nationally and internationally accredited,
independent institution that tests and certifies electro-technical devices, components and systems with regard to their safety for the consumer using the highest level of standards.
Both partners are working intensively on the further development of international testing principles and standards within the framework of the International Electrotechnical Commission
(Technical Committee 82, Working Group 2: Modules) and in the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies, DKE. Further cooperative activities between the
VDE Institute and Fraunhofer ISE include work on developing quality standards for PV inverters as well as for fuel cells.
2008-09-19 Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: ISE
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Suntech announces groundbreaking of PV cell production facility in Yangzhou, China
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Suntech’s PV research & development.
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Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (WUXI, China), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, on September 16th, 2008 announced the
groundbreaking of a new PV cell production facility in Yangzhou (Jiangsu province, China). Suntech intends to complete the facility with a PV cell production capacity of 300 MW by the
end of 2009. The new production site is to facilitate Suntech’s capacity expansion plans to reach 1.4GW by year end 2009 and 2GW by year end 2010. Located in Yangzhou,
the PV cell production facility is close to Suntech’s strategic silicon supply partner, Shunda Holdings Co. Ltd., and within two hours drive of Suntech’s Wuxi headquarters.
Proximity to Shunda’s world-class polysilicon plant will enable Suntech to realize production and operational synergies that are expected to accelerate Suntech’s cost
reduction initiatives and path to grid parity.
Expansion target of 2 GW by year at the end of 2010
"With Suntech’s rapidly growing international reputation for quality and excellence in solar manufacturing, we are in a prime position to grow our customer base and market share.
The Yangzhou facility will provide Suntech with room to meet our capacity expansion target of 2 GW by year end 2010 and enable us to meet the world’s burgeoning demand for solar
energy", Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO, said.
Agreement on 7 GW wafer supply
In May 2008, Suntech announced a thirteen-year silicon wafer supply agreement with a subsidiary of Shunda Holdings Co. Ltd. Under the terms of the supply agreement, Shunda will supply
Suntech specified annual volumes of silicon wafers with a total volume of approximately 7 GW from 2008 to 2020. Dr. Shi continued, "The co-location with Shunda’s polysilicon plant
and wafering facilities will enable a virtual integration of the solar value chain, from polysilicon to solar panel, supporting our move to providing cost effective solar
solutions."
2008-09-17 Courtesy: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
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The 4th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference, estec2009, takes place in Munich in May 2009
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Impressions of estec2007.
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In 2009, the largest global conference dedicated to solar thermal energy takes place in Munich, Germany. The estec conference hosted by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation
(ESTIF), has developed into the most important platform within the rapidly changing solar thermal sector. In the dynamic environment of a fast developing European market, estec2009
provides relevant information on markets and trends, technology and policies in the field of solar hot water preparation, solar space heating and solar assisted cooling. More than 600
participants from all over Europe and beyond will attend the international conference on May 25th and 26th 2009. "The solar thermal industry needs the latest information on
worldwide market developments. And estec2009 participants will receive this first hand and from top speakers", says ESTIF president Gerhard Rabensteiner. "The conference will be held
once more in connection with Intersolar, allowing participants to attend two major solar thermal events in just one week".
Discussion and information on technology and markets
ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, is hosting the event and expects that over 600 managers and experts will participate in estec2009 to discuss the latest trends in
the industry, technological developments as well as policies promoting solar thermal energy usage: How do the renewable obligations change the market? Which financing options are
available for the growth of small and medium sized manufacturers? Where is solar cooling today, and who can participate in this growing market? These and many other questions will be
addressed at estec2009. "estec2009 takes place on 25-26 May 2008, just before Intersolar", explains ESTIF Secretary General, Uwe Trenkner. "We have a top-class conference venue, the
Hotel 'Bayerischer Hof', and we will soon roll out our promotion campaign. Companies wishing to participate as sponsors will benefit significantly from early confirmation as their name
and logo will be featured from the outset. We will make all information available at http://www.estec2009.org.
2008-09-16 Courtesy: ESTIF Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: ESTIF
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FCC acquires two photovoltaic plants in Cordoba, Spain
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PV plant by FFC subsidiary Espelsa.
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The spanish group FOMENTO DE CONSTRUCCIONES Y CONTRATAS, S.A. (FCC) has acquired two photovoltaic plants in Espejo (Cordoba, Spain), with an installed capacity of 20 MW, from Sky
Global Solar (Madrid). The investment amounted to 140 million euro, FCC reports in a press release. Due to FCC the plants are being connected to the grid in September 2008 and will
therefore qualify for the current feed in tariff of 0.435 euro/kWh. This was FCC's second investment in renewable energy in less than a month. It also bought 14 wind parks with an
installed capacity of 420 MW from the Australian company Babcock & Brown Wind Partners (BBW). These two transactions are part of the company's Strategic Plan 2008-2010
(Plan 10), presented on May 21st by the Chairman and CEO, Baldomero Falcones. The plan includes a determined move into the energy sector, especially cogeneration, energy efficiency,
renewable energies and new waste-to-power technologies.
38 million kWh solar electricity every year
All energy assets will be grouped into a new business unit called FCC Energía, headed by Eduardo González, General Manager for Energy and Sustainability. The two photovoltaic plants are
located in Cortijo Viejo and Sierrasita, in the municipality of Espejo (Cordoba province). The plants span 186 hectares, and the solar modules cover an area of 165,000 square metres.
According to FCC they will generate 38 million kWh/year, meeting the energy needs of a city of 10,000 people. "Using this unlimited clean energy instead of fossil fuels such as coal,
gas or oil will avoid the emission of 20,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each year", the company emphasizes.
The two plants were built by Espelsa, an FCC Construcción subsidiary dedicated to electrical, photovoltaic and renewable energy projects and installations, and the construction and
maintenance of distribution networks and substations.
2008-09-15 Courtesy: FCC Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Espelsa
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German PV plant manufacturer Bürkle obtains new orders at the photovoltaic conference in Valencia
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Detailed view of the "Ypsator".
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The plant manufacturer Robert Bürkle GmbH (Freudenstadt, Germany) closed the 23rd Photovoltaic Fair and Conference in the Spanish Valencia with incoming orders of almost 5 Million
Euros. Two multi-opening laminators "Ypsator" were ordered, the company reports in a press release. "This is more than surprising, as the conference is no classical trade fair, but
rather a competitive show”, says the managing director of Bürkle, Hans-Joachim Bender. The feedback due to Bender underlines the same as customers and competitors confirmed: The
Ypsator is a market sector leader in regard of lamination lines, Bender emphasizes. 130 experts, mostly from the USA, Taiwan, Germany, China and Spain followed an Ypsator
presentation on the Bürkle booth (with a size of 40 m²) in hall 3 in the first week of September. Interested companies were market leaders such as Oerlikon and Schott-Solar. "The
reactions of other machine manufacturers show that Bürkle has chosen the right time to develop the adequate product for the solar market, the Ypsator", the German manufacturer
underlines.
Bender found out in Spain that “more and more companies, also from other sectors, wish to put an own multi-opening laminator on the market". This does, however, not concern the
Swabian machine manufacturer that is specialised in all that is laminated or pressed and has transferred its competence from the wood, electronics and credit card industry to plants
with which solar companies manufacture photovoltaic modules. By the end of the year Bürkle will deliver eleven Ypsators, the company announces. The planned sales target of 25 Million
Euros for 2008 is thus well-accessible in the new sector “photovoltaics”, as there will be another solar fair in San Diego / USA in October. Bürkle is not allowed to reveal
the names of the customers who have bought the two Ypsators. Non disclosure agreements are used by the customers to secure their competition advantages in the highgly competitive solar
market.
Annual total capacity approx. 550000 modules
The Ypsator laminates photovoltaic modules. The multi-opening plants are the first worldwide with which photovoltaic modules can be manufactured on several openings. This is done with
only 50 per cent of the cycle time of the regular processes. On a surface of, for ex. 3,5 square meters per level and 5 openings, the customers of the solar sector according to Bürkle
can produce ten photovoltaic modules per batch at the same time. The annual total capacity is approx. 550000 modules.
Bürkle points out that the advantages of the Ypsator to the conventional single-opening laminators are within the process guiding and process reproducibility. Due to the structure and
the homogeneous temperature distribution that can be reached through the heating of the heating platens via thermal oil, the process times are essentially reduced (standard useful area:
2890 x 1220mm, 2200 x 1700mm, openings: 4-10). The Ypsolar technology is also new: The lamination process is separated in order to create more flexible processes, to increase the same
and to reduce the cycle time. In the first step, the modules are prelaminated. This means that the moisture and air pockets are removed from the sandwich in a vaccum and that a
vacuum-tight compound is created. Then the process is interrupted and, in a second step, lamination is finished in a subsequent press. In the third step, the "Cooling", the Ypsator
chills down the solar module from 150 °C to hand warmth. The structure of the three steps allows a very stress-reduced lamination of the glass modules.
2008-09-15 Courtesy: Robert Bürkle GmbH Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Robert Bürkle GmbH
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Spanish Photovoltaic IPP SOLARIG completes connection of solar plants reaching 22 MW
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photovoltaic solar park by SOLARIG.
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SOLARIG, an independent Spanish Photovoltaic Power Producer which carries out the promotion, engineering, construction and operation and maintenance of photovoltaic solar parks aims
to become the most profitable international IPP in the photovoltaic sector through the implementation of its strategic plan designed to expand worldwide its activities by taking
advantage of its position at different steps in the solar photovoltaic value chain. So far, the company has successfully completed its first development stage by connecting all its
photovoltaic projects to the grid scheduled for 2008 under the current Spanish feed in tariff. These plants due to SOLARIG N-GAGE, S.A. total up to 22 megawatts power capacity and
represent an investment of 132 million Euro. SOLARIG has used different PV generation technologies and installed innovative solar systems in several parks such as Cadmium
Telluride thin-film modules, 3rd generation CPV systems (concentrators with double axis trackers) with Fresnel lenses and triple junction high efficiency cells and also monocrystalline
modules with double axis solar trackers to obtain the best energetic efficiency as well as different fixed structure configurations.
SOLARIG to build its first photovoltaic park in Italy
SOLARIG in the past months has opened new offices for the development of photovoltaic projects in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, France, South Korea and United Stated and a European Marketing
Platform in Malta. In China SOLARIG produces monocrystalline silicon cells and modules through a joint-venture with a Chinese leading photovoltaic manufacturer and has recently
inaugurated its representative office in Beijing. At present, SOLARIG manages a large international portfolio of photovoltaic solar projects which shall allow the company to become a
major reference and to ensure its outstanding position among the international leaders of the sector with projects in Southern Europe, United States and South Korea, the company
emphasizes in a press release. Soon SOLARIG will start to build its first photovoltaic park in Italy. Additionally, the company has started to develop BIPV projects to integrate
photovoltaic systems in roofs and façades of shopping centres, industrial warehouses and other type of building. This new business area will introduce SOLARIG in the BIPV subsector
where the company is taking a position among national and international competitors.
2008-09-10 Courtesy: SOLARIG N-GAGE, S.A. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SOLARIG N-GAGE, S.A.
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Oerlikon Solar customer Sunwell enters thin film PV mass production
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PV production with technology by Oerlikon.
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Sunwell, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMC Magnetics (Taiwan), on September 1st 2008 announced the start of mass production at its Taiwan based thin film PV plant. In the past month
more than 10,000 solar panels were produced with an Oerlikon Solar end-to-end fabrication solution, Oerlikon Solar reports in a press release. All contract parameters for SOP (start of
production) were met nearly one month early. This due to Oerlikon Solar represents a "time to revenue" achievement of less than nine months from delivery of equipment. Once
again, Oerlikon Solar is demonstrating that it can deliver on its promises. "It was amazing to see how quickly and professionally Oerlikon Solar experts were able to commission our
facility. This experience gives us a great deal of confidence in our plans to expand Sunwell's manufacturing capacity to gigawatt level production in the coming years", states Bob Wong,
Chairman of CMC Magnetics. The facility is based on amorphous silicon thin film technology and has a yearly production capacity of 40 MWp.
Thousands of panels already shipped
Sunwell is rapidly gaining market share. The c; thousands of panels have already been shipped. "With Sunwell in mass production, Oerlikon Solar's first Asian customer is becoming a
leading supplier in the rapidly growing Asian thin film solar panel market, and they're doing it with our technology. We see this as an important milestone for both Sunwell and Oerlikon
Solar", says Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar. Sunwell and Oerlikon engineers worked in true partnership during installation and production ramp-up. Sunwell engineers have
participated in the whole process and successfully resolved critical issues together with Oerlikon experts. In order to keep up with the schedule, the project team worked 24-7 to make
sure all important milestones were achieved. Sunwell has inherited its high quality mass production competitive advantage from its parent company, CMC Magnetics Corporation. CMC has
been working with Oerlikon since the optical media days. Oerlikon Solar's state of the art equipment, design and technical assistance together with CMC/Sunwell's manufacturing execution
and production optimization expertise produces impressive results. The startup of this facility is another example of world class teamwork between Sunwell and Oerlikon Solar.
Expansion to over 220 MWp underway
Two additional Oerlikon Solar end-to-end fab lines have already been purchased by Sunwell. This will increase Sunwell's yearly production capacity to over 220 MWp by 2010. The two new
lines, one 60 MWp for the existing site in Taiwan and one 120 MWp for a second location currently under construction, will be based on the latest Oerlikon Solar technology - micromorph
- improving cell efficiency by up to 50 percent.
TÜV certification as added product value
As announced recently by TÜV Rhineland, one customer of Oerlikon Solar has already been granted IEC 61646 for its amorphous thin film module. TÜV certification provides immediate and
significant value to the certificate holder. The time to market for certified modules produced on Oerlikon Solar equipment can be reduced by up to eight months. Bob Wong: "In addition
to reducing time to market, TÜV certification provides us with high level of assurance that modules produced on their equipment will be robustly manufactured." TÜV certified modules are
able to command a considerably higher price. In much of the European market, currently the largest market for thin film PV modules, certification is necessary to qualify for renewable
incentives.
Over 400,000 solar modules manufactured with Oerlikon Solar technology
Since its first customers started mass production in 2007 - an estimated 400,000 modules have been produced on Oerlikon Solar equipment. In addition a rapidly growing number of
customers are in the process of production ramp up. Among them is Inventux, in Berlin (Germany) who will be introducing the latest Oerlikon Solar technology, micromorph tandem to the
market in the coming months. "Oerlikon Solar is the most experienced amorphous thin film supplier in the market. Our customers' business success depends on our ability to meet
performance and schedule. We've taken our contractual commitments seriously and our track record is now validating our capability to deliver", says Sargent.
2008-09-08 Courtesy: Oerlikon Solar Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Oerlikon Solar
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Photovoltaic industry substantially revises its target to supply 12% of European electricity demand by 2020
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Photovoltaics to cover 12% of
European electricity demand by 2020
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Over 4000 scientists and 750 companies gathered this week in Valencia to present significant innovations in the field of solar photovoltaic energy. EPIA, The European Photovoltaic
Industry Association gathered together, on the 2nd of September the 50 top CEOs of the industry in an exclusive meeting to redefine industry objectives in the light of recent technology
progress and the context of rising energy prices. The industry unanimously agreed that photovoltaic energy could provide 12% of European electricity demand by 2020. The evolution of
solar photovoltaic technology will be quicker than previously announced. Grid parity (competitiveness with retail electricity prices) will be reached progressively from 2010
onwards in several European markets. Countries with the highest solar irradiation and higher electricity prices, such as Italy and Spain have the potential to reach grid parity starting
in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Grid parity will be reached in Germany in 2015 and cover progressively most other EU countries up until 2020.
PV will become the most economic choice
Grid parity means that, for consumers, photovoltaic electricity will be cheaper than the expected retail electricity price. Photovoltaic electricity will become the most economic choice
in grid parity markets. The industry is committed to increasing investment levels to accelerate cost reductions, provided that the appropriate political framework is in place:
- Appropriate Feed-in Tariffs bridging the crucial period until grid parity is reached,
-Simplified administrative environment,
- Priority access to the grid,
- Implementation of the ambitious Strategic Energy Technology plan (SET Plan) at European level to boost Research, Development and Deployment efforts.
More jobs across European regions by export opportunities in emerging and developing countries
EPIA will initiate consultation with other renewable technologies in order to coordinate efforts within a global renewable scenario. The target of 20% renewables in the European end
energy mix by 2020 may be exceeded under such a cooperation scenario. More clean and distributed solar electricity means more local jobs across European regions. Additionally, new
export opportunities will be created due to competitiveness being reached even quicker in emerging and developing countries, given higher solar irradiation.
Ernesto Macías, EPIA President and Communication General Manager at Isofoton, is calling for "common efforts of the photovoltaic sector to make this technology a real solution to global
energy challenge. I urge the Spanish Government to remain supportive to the photovoltaic sector in a sustainable way".
2008-09-07 Courtesy: EPIA Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: EPIA
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Solibro starts shipments of CIGS modules to customers
Solibro GmbH (Bitterfeld-Wolfen; Germany), a Joint Venture between Q-Cells AG (Germany) and Solibro AB (Sweden) has started shipments to customers of its CIGS thin film solar
modules. The company has signed supply contracts for almost its entire production with important photovoltaic systems market players like HaWi Energietechnik GmbH, SUNOVA AG, Geckologic
GmbH, thermovolt AG, and SUNSET Energietechnik GmbH; Q-Cells AG reports in a press release. "We are excited too see our first modules being installed in the field now", says Solibro COO
Dr. Johannes Segner. "The data from our reference test sites make us confident that the field performance of our products will meet our customers’ demanding expectations."
Only three months after the ground breaking in August 2007 Solibro started to move equipment in its new production site. In April the first full size module was made and
measured. In the same month the company produced its first 11 % full area efficiency modules. Thanks to a smooth ramp-up of production the milestone "first MWp produced" was passed in
Mid August.
Production capacity to be expanded by a factor of 5
The key performance indicators of production - up-time, yield, throughput and efficiency – are all steadily improving according to plan, the company emphasizes. As announced on
August 13th by Q-Cells, Solibro will increase the capacity of its plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen from 30 MWp to 45 MWp and build a second production line with a production capacity of 90
MWp. Both expansion projects have already been initiated and first modules from the 90 MW site are expected in Q4 2009. "The strong demand for Solibro products and the successful
ramp-up of production was the basis for the expansion decision. We are eager to support the growth of our customers", Dr. Segner concludes.
2008-09-03 Courtesy: Q-Cells AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Regional Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Mario Flores Lanuza has opened the world's largest solar energy conference in Valencia
The Regional Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Mario Flores Lanuza, of the Valencian government, has cut the ribbon on September 1st, 2008 for the grand opening of the
world's largest solar energy conference. On the agenda of the five day congress - the 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition (EU PV SEC) - that takes place
in the Feria Valencia Convention and Exhibition Centre are research results, product, industrial and market developments as well as political framework conditions. The international
solar industry has maxed out Spain's largest convention centre. Parallel to the conference, 715 companies covering the whole value chain of the solar industry present their newest
products in the accompanying exhibition. Regarding the installed photovoltaic capacity, Spain is worldwide the number two, following directly behind Germany. By the end of
2007, solar electricity plants with a total output of around 600 megawatts have been installed in Spain. According to the Spanish Photovoltaic Industry Association ASIF, 26,000 people
currently work in the Spanish solar energy sector.
Spanish solar industry is facing dramatic challenges
The EU PVSEC takes place in a time when this industry is facing dramatic challenges. In end-September, the current feed-in regulations for operators of photovoltaic plants will end and
new regulations will be published. The Spanish government proposal foresees dramatic incentive cuts and a market cap at one-third of the expected market size in 2008. "The present draft
of the new regulation is too drastic and not acceptable for the industry", said ASIF President Javier Anta during the EU PVSEC?s press conference on September 1st. "Solutions exist to
orderly walk firmly the future, and it is expected that the government will take one of them to avoid the debacle of the PV industry in Spain in 2009. But there is not much time because
the Spanish industry has already been notably affected. The improvement of the present draft is an urgent must", he said.
Hans-Josef Fell, member of the German Parliament, added that "the challenge for Spain is to ensure that in the coming months and years reliable legal conditions are finally created for
investors." He appealed to the Spanish government "to put an end to the current problematic stop-and-go situation, not to introduce an upper limit for annual investments and instead to
introduce a flexible degressive scale geared to changes in the market."
Ernesto Macías, President of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) emphasized the importance to reach grid parity as soon as possible in order to facilitate the
development of solar technology without subsidies. Until then, "it is necessary to keep on promoting the feed in tariff system in Europe", he said.
Conference Chairman Daniel Lincot launches Valencia Call for Photovoltaics
In his Welcome Message on September 1st, EU PVSEC Conference Chairman Daniel Lincot launched the Valencia Call for Solar Photovoltaics. He addressed politicians from all over the world
with this international call of scientists to accelerate the worldwide deployment of photovoltaics through international research, development, cooperation and education programs. "We
have the technology close to competitiveness", Lincot said. "Solar electricity has to be a key part of the response that is needed now to solve crucial energy, environmental and climate
concerns."
The professional technical institute WIP was founded in Munich in 1968. Since 1980, WIP concentrates on renewable energies. Its spectrum of services ranges from plant development to
plant monitoring all the way to strategic development for a comprehensive integration of renewable energies. The European Photovoltaic Conference and Exhibition has been organised by
WIP since 1986.
2008-09-03 Courtesy: WIP-Renewable Energies Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Photovoltaic Industry urging the Spanish government to improve the future decree
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20 MW solar PV plant at Beneixama (Spain).
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The current royal decree that provides the framework for the retribution of grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Spain will come to an end next 29 September; the Spanish government
is working on a new proposal of decree that would come into force from January 2009. According to the first draft, an annual market cap has been fixed to 300 MW and the proposed tariffs
have been strongly decreased, potentially jeopardising Industry sustainability, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) reports in a press release. The European
photovoltaic industry is urging the government to reconsider its proposal to preserve the sustainable development of this emerging sector. Spain has become recently the
second market for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, thus dragging massive investments and job creation.
Spain leading global solar photovoltaic market
With an annual market of 512 MW in 2007 and an expected market superior to 1.000 MW this year, Spain has attracted all the attention of the international PV community in the last two
years. This impressive growth, long awaited in a country benefiting from so much sun, due to EPIA has enabled the development of a national industry employing today over 26.800 people.
"While the building sector in Spain is cutting jobs, the Spanish solar sector can be proud to show such dynamis", said today Ernesto Macias, General Manager at the Spanish leading PV
manufacturer Isofoton and president of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association.
A decree that should boost the Spanish photovoltaic sector
The current decree that rules the remuneration of grid connected systems will come to an end by the end of September therefore the government is working on a new proposal. The initial
version circulating since the beginning of the summer is setting a market cap of 300 MW for the next year, segmenting it with 200 MW for roof-top systems and 100 MW for ground mounted
installations, in addition the proposed tariffs are too low to be effective. The cap and the typology proposed are strongly worrying the sector as they would not encourage the further
development of the market and of a promising industry. "If it must be recognized that the market explosion that has taken place this year has exceed all expectations, the new decree
should however allow a sustainable long-term development of the market", commented Ernesto Macias. The European photovoltaic industry is therefore supporting the proposal made by ASIF
and APPA, the Spanish photovoltaic and renewable energy associations, and is urging the government to take it seriously into consideration.
A temporary and cost efficient support
The current level of feed-in tariffs in Spain has lead to the explosion that we are experiencing today, however revised to more sustainable levels, it could ensure a continuous
development of installations. This support is crucial until the technology becomes competitive with retail electricity prices (grid parity), EPIA emphasizes. This grid-parity level is
expected in Spain to happen progressively up to 2015 at the latest, given the current decrease of photovoltaic products costs on the one side and the increasing energy prices on the
other side. Until then, a support to both small and large installations is required. Small installations, in particular building integrated are bringing solar energy closer to the
consumer and should largely be encouraged, large power plants are useful as they are driving solar electricity prices by stimulating cost reduction. The experience of Germany has shown
that the real cost of supporting PV systems, for electricity consumers, remains marginal. In 2006 due to EPIA it was representing only about 2 Euro per month on the electricity bill of
German households.
Spain to take the opportunity to confirm its leadership on EU level
In the last years, Spain has been leading the development of renewable energy across Europe. Both the wind and the solar sector have experienced tremendous growth, which has resulted in
the development of a strong national renewable sector. With the up-coming adoption of the European directive on the use of renewable energies by the end of the year, Spain is expected
to show the example to other European countries. "Spain should be at the forefront of "old" European countries, showing the right example to other member states on the way to develop
renewable energies, in particular those which are about to set up mechanisms to develop their market. The new decree should be the opportunity to send the right message", concluded
Ernesto Macias.
2008-09-02 Courtesy: EPIA Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: City Solar AG
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"Alliance against Solar Crime" founded: Web page gives advice to prevent fraud in solar business
Preventing fraud in the solar industry, a group of solar organisations, publishers and companies has launched the "Alliance against Solar Crime". The Alliance informs on
www.solarcrime.net about the common methods of fraudsters and how sellers and dealers can protect themselves against financial loss. "The criminal activities of black sheep in the
business have negative effects on everyone: Manufacturers, dealers, service engineers and end users", says Martin Schachinger, Managing Director of pvXchange GmbH and founder of the
Alliance. Just in the first weeks the Alliance has already prevented solar crimes in several cases, Schachinger emphasizes. Every positive economic development often comes
along with some negative aspects. Like in other economic fields, this also concerns the rapid growing solar industry. In the wake of the continuing solar boom there is increasing
evidence of people and companies pursuing fraudulent intentions in the market for photovoltaics. The strong pressure of demand tempts potential purchasers to ignore basic precautionary
measures and to take incalculable risks.
Check List and Hotline to secure future business activities
The Alliance web page www.solarcrime.net presents Case Studies who show how fraudsters have operated in specific cases, where for example goods that have been already been paid for, are
never delivered. With the help of a Check List one can examine whether to trust the offers of a new business partner. In taking simple measures, they can secure their business
activities in future. Particularly in the case of supposed lucrative business, where a great deal of money is frequently involved, they should under no circumstances renounce security.
By using the Hotline, it is easy to check whether the new business partner has already made a bad impression elsewhere. The Alliance asks everyone to support their actions against solar
crime and to get in touch with them, so that there will be a worldwide movement acting together effectively to combat theft and fraud in the solar industry.
The alliance on the internet: http://www.solarcrime.net/
2008-09-01 Courtesy: Alliance against Solar Crime c/o pvXchange GmbH Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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