Solar module manufacturer aleo solar extends solar cell supply contracts with Q-Cells to a further 110 MWp

aleo solar AG (Oldenburg / Prenzlau) has signed a contract package with Q-Cells AG, doubling the delivery volume of solar cells under two existing contracts, aleo reports in a press release. Only a few days ago, aleo solar announced the conclusion of a supply contract with Q-Cells for its Spanish manufacturing subsidiary in Barcelona. All in all, aleo solar has now signed medium- and long-term contracts with a total of three prominent suppliers. The total volume of contractually secured solar cells for the next 10 years amounts to well over 600 MWp.

Jakobus Smit, CEO of aleo solar AG, explained "Reliable cell supplies are a strategic necessity that we have achieved with this long-term contract. This strengthens our position in the European photovoltaic technology market and shows that our ‘pure player’ strategy is paying off. Our approach is not based on capital-intensive and time-costly backwards integration, but rather concentrates on economies of scale. We are focusing our resources on building and expanding our production capacities, which will lead to rapid organic growth."

Heiner Willers, Smit’s fellow member of the Management Board, commented: "The aleo brand is internationally recognised for its high quality. For this reason the pool of potential suppliers is highly restricted. Contracts like the one with Q-Cells ensure that we can continue to sustainably guarantee our high quality in the coming years."

aleo solar AG 02/26/2007

SOLON and Econcern agree on establishment of
SOL Holding AG

SOLON AG (Berlin) has reached an agreement with the Dutch company Econcern (Utrecht) on the establishment of a joint venture under the name of SOL Holding AG. SOLON AG will hold a 48 percent stake in SOL Holding AG and the Econcern subsidiary Ecoventures is to hold 52 percent of the shares. The business purpose of SOL Holding AG will be strategic investment in the creation of production capacity in the solar industry. SOL Holding AG concretely shall be the majority shareholder in a venture to set up a silicon production facility in France.

The company Silicium de Provence SAS (SilPro) is engaged in the production of solar polysilicon. The total investment in SilPro will amount to approx. EUR 300 million according to SOLON. In the first stage of development, silicon production is scheduled to reach an annual capacity of over 3,000 tons. Production is planned to commence at the end of 2008. Through its participation in the SOL Holding AG joint venture, SOLON AG aims to secure and diversify its supply of raw materials in order to underpin the company's long-term growth in the rapidly expanding global photovoltaics market.

SOLON AG 02/22/2007

EU Energy Ministers refuse to deliver binding target for renewables

Mechtild Rothe, Vice-President of the European Parliament and President of EUFORES expressed her deep disappointment about the decision of the Council of Ministers to renounce a binding target for renewables on February 15th 2007: "This decision doesn’t meet their responsibilities. The Ministers missed the great opportunity to assure a sustainable energy supply for Europe’s future by an ambitious and binding target. This decision is not only irresponsible with regard to the fight against climate change. It also means a deceleration of investments for one of the most dynamic and innovative industries in the world."

"Farewell from the leading role?"

The Energy Ministers had decided to adopt the binding target proposed by the Commission - 20% of renewables in primary energy for 2020 – solely as a non-binding target. The European Parliament had called for binding sectoral targets of 25 % for renewables in order to achieve 25% of renewables in primary energy by 2020. The Ministers’ resolution to set a binding target of 10 % for biofuels in Europe is not sufficient according to President of EUFORES Rothe: "We need to abjure conventional energies harmful to climate in the sectors of fuels, heating & cooling and electricity. Therefore we need targets for all three sectors. Once more, the Ministers failed to deliver concrete targets."

Rothe refers to the Spring Council: "I’m hoping particularly that the German government recalls its plans for climate protection and will convince the heads of state and government of the need of a bindingness of the 20% target. In doing so, Europe can keep its leading role and demonstrate that it is assuming responsibility for its citizens."

EUFORES; European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources 02/20/2007

Cologne Photovoltaics Pioneer Expands into Southern Europe

The Cologne-based photovoltaics company, Energiebau Solarstromsysteme is pressing on with its internationalisation. The company, which is active in Indonesia, several Central African countries, Spain, France, Benelux and, most recently, in Italy, will be bundling its Italian operations with immediate effect in Energiebau Italia s.r.l. in Arezzo, Tuscany. Commenting on the establishment of this company, Michael Schäfer, Managing Director of Energiebau Solarstromsysteme said: "After Germany and Spain, Italy is going to be the most important market for solar power installations." With the foundation of this 100% subsidiary, Energiebau Italia s.r.l., the Cologne-based solar power pioneer is securing its access to a market with enormous potential.

PV power correlates with consumption for air-conditioning

It is not only the high intensity of the sun which makes Italian solar power installations more efficient and more cost-effective than, for example, German PV systems. The generation of power with PV installations and energy use throughout the day correlate closely, which creates an added advantage. The reason for this is the high consumption for the air-conditioning of both residential and commercial buildings in the summer months around midday. Solar generated power is a particularly cost-effective option for these peak loads.

Energy feed-in legislation promotes solar power

Against the backdrop of climate change and increasing energy prices, the Italian government has made the promotion of renewable energies a long-term goal. It is planned that by 2015, the solar-generated power output should have reached 2,000 megawatts (MWp), which roughly corresponds to the output of two nuclear power plants with an investment volume of around one Billion Euros. Italy's new energy feed-in legislation, which has been in place since July 2005, promotes the generation of solar power. The reimbursement model is based on Germany's Renewable Energies Act (EEG) and stipulates guaranteed feed-in rates for a period of 20 years.

Energiebau Solarstromsysteme GmbH 02/19/2007

Italy awaits a Solar Thermal Boom

This year could bring the breakthrough for solar thermal in Italy, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) reports in its Newsletter for the European Solar Thermal Conference "Esetc 2007". The Italian Government is developing a national building law, which regulates the use of solar thermal installations for hot water production in new buildings and for refurbishment projects. In addition, a tax reduction of 55 % for each purchase of a solar thermal installation is planned, according to Riccardo Battisti. "This could be a quite effective measure", says the Secretary General of Assolterm, the Italian solar thermal industry association.

In 2005, the Italian market experienced an increase of 25 % up to 50,4 MWth (72.000 square metres) – still a moderate result compared to other European countries like Austria, Greece or France.

Picture: Thermosiphon solar system in Italy. Source: Solahart / ESTIF

Boom to be induced by solar obligation and tax reduction

The lack of a national support scheme and the negligible knowledge of planers and installers in solar thermal technology are important reasons for this tiny market growth, according to Battisti. A special training programme for plumbers, designed by Assolterm, combined with the tax reduction and the nationwide solar obligation are considered appropriate to bring the expected revival for the solar thermal sector.
Further information at www.assolterm.it

ESTIF / Assolterm 02/08/2007

aleo solar becomes only German module manufacturer in Spain

aleo solar AG based in Oldenburg and Prenzlau (Germany) is launching production of solar panels at its factory in Santa María de Palautordera near Barcelona. The facility, with a total capacity of 10 MW, will handle production for the Spanish market aloe reports in a press release. "Our internationalisation strategy uses a country-specific approach: we organise our local business using Spanish employees and a Spanish sales force, who know the customers and their financing partners", Jakobus Smit, member of the Management Board of aleo solar AG, commented.

New contracts in Spain worth € 15 million and cell supply contract with Q-Cells until 2012

This calculation is paying off: following large orders by Gamesa and Endesa last December, aleo solar signed further contracts worth approx. € 15 million for 2007 in January with Spanish project developers. "In this important foreign market we are perceived - and in demand - as a Spanish company with high German product quality", said Heiner Willers, the other member of the Management Board. "We can deliver this as we have signed a contract for Spain lasting until 2012 with our supplier Q-Cells guaranteeing the supply of solar cells for our factory", Willers continues.

aleo solar AG with sales operations in Oldenburg (Lower Saxony) and manufacturing facilities in Prenzlau (Brandenburg), was formed in September 2001 and produces solar modules using silicon cells. Its facility in Prenzlau has an annual capacity of 90 megawatts, making it one of the largest production plants for solar modules.

aleo solar AG 02/07/2007

ESTIF publishes Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe

The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) on February 2nd 2007 published a Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe. The document spells out the benefits of solar heating and a clear target for 2020. Concrete guidelines for support measures shall help policy makers implement effective policies. The Industry emphasizes that solar thermal with clear targets and the right policies can reduce fuel costs for millions of citizens and save millions of tonnes of CO2. "Millions of citizens in Europe already heat their water and their living spaces with solar thermal technologies", says ESTIF president Ole Pilgaard. "But in many countries, solar thermal markets have not yet reached the critical mass for self-sustained growth. We have therefore developed clear recommendations for effective support policies – based on our experience in many countries", Pilgaard explains.

One square metre of collector area for every European

ESTIF proposes an ambitious target: By 2020, the EU should aim at reaching one square metre of collector area for every European – 320 GWth of installed capacity. More than 19 million tons of oil equivalent would be produced annually by this collector area, thus replacing precious oil, gas and electricity.

ESTIF Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe.
Picture Source: ESTIF

A coherent mix of support policies has shown to be most effective

The 26 page Action Plan details how a positive and stable support framework can be designed to reach this ambitious target. Not just one single measure, but a coherent mix of support policies has shown to be most effective, say the authors. Binding regulations requiring the use of solar thermal are recommended for new buildings and major refurbishments. Financial incentives can speed up the introduction of solar thermal in existing buildings. Flanking measures, such as awareness raising, training of professionals and R&D funding are important for the long-term success of the solar thermal markets.

Guidelines valuable to policy makers at national, regional or local level

"This Solar Thermal Action Plan can be used by policy makers at national, regional or local level to help implement meaningful support policies and to address the issues most pressing for solar thermal at this stage", says Nigel Cotton, chairman of ESTIF’s Advisory Council. "These guidelines can be used immediately. And they will be valuable for the implementation of a coming EU Directive addressing renewable heating and cooling", he continues.

The Solar Thermal Action Plan is available for download at
www.estif.org/STAP

ESTIF 02/05/2007

Solar powered catamaran "sun21" crossed the Atlantic driven by solar cells

On February 2nd 2007 the solar boat "sun21", developed and sponsored by the Swiss Transatlantic21 Association, arrived in the harbour of Le Marin, on the caribbean island Martinique. The arrival is an historic feat and makes "sun21" the first motorized vessel to cross the Atlantic without using a drop of fuel, but the power of sunlight. The achievement serves as a powerful example of responsible energy use in practice. It also is impressive evidence of the suitability of solar technology for high-sea voyages. "sun21" will travel on with its final destination being New York this May.

Up to 107 nautical miles a day, powered by solar cells

Ideal weather conditions allowed "sun21" to travel up to 107 nautical miles a day, as much as sailing boats of a similar size would do. On days of complete calm the solar boat travelled up to 83 nautical miles (or 150 kilometers). Even with covered skies, the solar panels on the vessel’s rooftop provided enough energy to almost keep the boat's batteries fully charged. The technology also provided other advantages: "Propulsion is quiet and easy on the environment. There's hardly any vibration, the solar panels provide us with shade and, unlike a sailing boat, we make good headway even when there's no wind," writes crewmember Beat von Scarpatetti in his blog on www.transatlantic21.org. Half of the 7,000+ nautical miles from Seville to New York have now been covered. The next ports of call will be the Caribbean islands of Dominica, Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe and St. Martin, and then Miami, USA.

Visual material on the arrival and further information about the project is available at www.transatlantic21.org.

Transatlantic21 (02/05/2007)

New World Record: Worldwide Wind Power Capacity at 73,9 GW

Wind energy continued its dynamic growth worldwide in the year 2006. 14.900 MW were added in the past year summing up to a global installed capacity of 73.904 MW by the end of December 2006, the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) report in a press release. The added capacity equals a growth rate of 25 %, after 24 % in 2005. The currently installed wind power capacity generates more than 1 % of the global electricity consumption. Based on the accelerated development, WWEA has increased its prediction for 2010 and expects now 160.000 MW to be installed by the end of 2010. Five countries added more than 1.000 MW: the United States of America (2.454 MW), Germany (2.194 MW), India (1.840 MW) and Spain (1.587 MW) were able to secure their leading market positions and China (1.145 MW) joint the group of the now top five markets and is now number five in terms of added capacity, showing a market growth of 91 %.

Five countries added more than 500 MW and showed excellent growth rates: France (810 MW, 107 % growth), Canada (768 MW, 112 %), Portugal (628 MW, 61 %) and the United Kingdom (610 MW, 45 %).

Picture: Additional Wind Power Capacity Worldwide 1998 – 2006 in MW. Source: WWEA

Tenfold increase in installed capacity worldwide since 1997

Dr Anil Kane, President of the World Wind Energy Association: "The wind industry worldwide has achieved another great success in 2006. Between 1997 and 2006, within only ten years, we have seen a tenfold increase in installed capacity worldwide. Wind energy technology continues to be the most dynamic energy source and wind is clearly emerging as the currently most promising solution to replace the most undesirable fossil fuel based electrical energy"

"However, next to still existing political and administrative constraints, one major limiting factor is today the need for additional wind turbine manufacturing capacities. Governments as well as international organisations have to provide the reliable long-term frameworks so that investment in this key sector can continue to grow", Dr Kane added.

WWEA (02/01/2007)