Q-Cells SE is to enter the Japanese residential market with integrated photovoltaic solutions. In order to ensure a successful market entry, QCells has founded the Q-Cells Meister Club (QMC), which is an innovative sales network of selected local installers, offering residential PV solutions with Q-Cells solar modules. The QMC delivers residential end customers solar systems kits for their roof-top installations from a single source.
“The QMC was initiated before the earthquake hit Japan”, says Nedim Cen, CEO of Q-Cells SE. “Yet, we believe that solar energy will be an important resource and growing market for the Japanese energy supply. This is why Q-Cells strengthens its presence in Japan with local partners and PV solutions.”
Since January 2010, Q-Cells has been running an office in Tokyo, selling its products, comprising solar cells, multi crystalline solar modules Q.PRO and Q.BASE and thin-film solar modules Q.SMART. With the official start of QMC in early March, Q-Cells moves into offering complete PV packages to residential end customers. . In March, Q-Cells installed its first residential system of 9.87 KWp in Osaka, which can make up for an electricity supply of 10.594 kWh or a reduction of 3.300 kg CO2 emissions per year.
The QMC already counts 30 members, offering entire solar systems kits, including solar modules, inverters, mounting systems, monitoring systems, cables and other components. The members of the QMC benefit from installation and sales training provided by Q-Cells with the overall aim, to offer highly secure and best quality system kits and services to Japanese customers. “Our German Engineering solar modules match the quality of the components of our selected local partners and meet the high quality requirements of Japanese customers”, said Steffen Studeny, Managing Director of Q-Cells Japan.
Q-Cells will put further effort in increasing the number of members of the QMC throughout 2011.
Solar Info ~ http://www.solarpanelsenergysystems.com/
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Regulators Approve Contract for 150 MW Solar Power Plant ...04.14.2011
San Diego,
United States California.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has unanimously approved Pacific Gas & Electric's 20-year contract to purchase 150 megawatts (MW) of solar power from Sempra Generation's Mesquite Solar 1 facility in Arizona.
With approval of the contract secured, the company plans to begin construction on the photovoltaic solar power plant in June. The project is expected to create about 300 construction jobs at peak. Mesquite Solar 1 will produce enough electricity to power approximately 56,000 average homes when completed in early 2013.
"Approval of this contract is a major step forward for Sempra Generation and it reflects the vision and leadership by PG&E and state policy makers who have put California on the path to a clean energy future," said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. "We look forward to starting construction on this world-class solar power complex that will deliver a new supply of sustainable energy and create hundreds of jobs."
Mesquite Solar 1 is the first phase of Sempra Generation's planned 700-MW Mesquite Solar complex located 40 miles west of Phoenix.
Building Solar Energy!
United States California.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has unanimously approved Pacific Gas & Electric's 20-year contract to purchase 150 megawatts (MW) of solar power from Sempra Generation's Mesquite Solar 1 facility in Arizona.
With approval of the contract secured, the company plans to begin construction on the photovoltaic solar power plant in June. The project is expected to create about 300 construction jobs at peak. Mesquite Solar 1 will produce enough electricity to power approximately 56,000 average homes when completed in early 2013.
"Approval of this contract is a major step forward for Sempra Generation and it reflects the vision and leadership by PG&E and state policy makers who have put California on the path to a clean energy future," said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. "We look forward to starting construction on this world-class solar power complex that will deliver a new supply of sustainable energy and create hundreds of jobs."
Mesquite Solar 1 is the first phase of Sempra Generation's planned 700-MW Mesquite Solar complex located 40 miles west of Phoenix.
Building Solar Energy!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Phoenix Solar Signs Its Largest Contract Outside Germany ...04.13.2011
Germany
Phoenix Solar has signed an agreement on the turnkey construction of a solar park with a peak power of around 12 megawatts in France. Phoenix Solar AG was commissioned by a joint venture formed by InfraClass Energie 5, a closed-end fund of KGAL, with the French company CRYO SARL.The plant is Phoenix Solar's largest to date outside Germany.
The solar park will be built in Le Castellet in the Département Var, some 40 kilometres southeast of Marseille. The 25 hectare piece of land is located in a region with one of the highest solar irradiations in France. Almost 150,000 First Solar modules and 35 Power One central inverters will be used to build the 12 megawatt power plant which will supply more than 3,000 households with green electricity in the future.
As the EPC contractor, Phoenix Solar AG will be responsible for the planning, delivery and construction of the solar park. Construction work has already begun and is due for completion at the end of August. Phoenix Solar will subsequently take over the maintenance and operation of the power plant.
As all the necessary official approvals had been secured at an early stage, electricity fed into the grid will be compensated by energy utility EDF based on the feed-in tariff still valid in 2009.
"We are very pleased that we had Phoenix Solar's long-standing experience to rely on in a project of this size. This project is the second one developed by our company and realised by Phoenix Solar based on a long term relationship", commented Damien Brunon, General Manager of CRYO SARL. "The solar park in Le Castellet is symbolic of the expansion of renewable energies and the opportunities for photovoltaics in France. We hope that we will be able to implement more projects of this type in the future", said Dr. Klaus Wolf, member of KGAL's Management Board. KGAL offers closed-end funds to private and institutional investors which enables them to benefit from the opportunities inherent in generating power from solar energy.
"This project, our largest outside Germany, makes us very proud. Le Castellet is an important milestone in the process of raising the proportion of our international business in 2011. We are pleased that we are now successfully working together with KGAL in France as well and to continue our partnership with CRYO in project development", stated Dr. Andreas Hänel, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Solar AG.
Solar Energy Resouces!
Phoenix Solar has signed an agreement on the turnkey construction of a solar park with a peak power of around 12 megawatts in France. Phoenix Solar AG was commissioned by a joint venture formed by InfraClass Energie 5, a closed-end fund of KGAL, with the French company CRYO SARL.The plant is Phoenix Solar's largest to date outside Germany.
The solar park will be built in Le Castellet in the Département Var, some 40 kilometres southeast of Marseille. The 25 hectare piece of land is located in a region with one of the highest solar irradiations in France. Almost 150,000 First Solar modules and 35 Power One central inverters will be used to build the 12 megawatt power plant which will supply more than 3,000 households with green electricity in the future.
As the EPC contractor, Phoenix Solar AG will be responsible for the planning, delivery and construction of the solar park. Construction work has already begun and is due for completion at the end of August. Phoenix Solar will subsequently take over the maintenance and operation of the power plant.
As all the necessary official approvals had been secured at an early stage, electricity fed into the grid will be compensated by energy utility EDF based on the feed-in tariff still valid in 2009.
"We are very pleased that we had Phoenix Solar's long-standing experience to rely on in a project of this size. This project is the second one developed by our company and realised by Phoenix Solar based on a long term relationship", commented Damien Brunon, General Manager of CRYO SARL. "The solar park in Le Castellet is symbolic of the expansion of renewable energies and the opportunities for photovoltaics in France. We hope that we will be able to implement more projects of this type in the future", said Dr. Klaus Wolf, member of KGAL's Management Board. KGAL offers closed-end funds to private and institutional investors which enables them to benefit from the opportunities inherent in generating power from solar energy.
"This project, our largest outside Germany, makes us very proud. Le Castellet is an important milestone in the process of raising the proportion of our international business in 2011. We are pleased that we are now successfully working together with KGAL in France as well and to continue our partnership with CRYO in project development", stated Dr. Andreas Hänel, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Solar AG.
Solar Energy Resouces!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
LADWP Temporarily Suspends Taking Solar Rebate Applications ...04.12.2011
United StatesCalifornia.Facing a record demand for solar rebates, growing safety concerns, and some apparent misinformation to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers by some solar PV installers, LADWP has placed a temporary hold on accepting new applications for its Solar Incentive Program, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011, for a minimum of 90 days. During this period, LADWP will review and revise the program, which has seen the number of applications grow each month to over 2,000 applications currently in process. In addition more and more solar photovoltaic systems are being turned on without proper inspection, creating a safety hazard.
The temporary hold on accepting new applications is necessary to revise the program guidelines to better serve LADWP customers and align with current solar PV market conditions. With one of the highest solar PV incentive rates in California, federal tax benefits and rapidly dropping solar panel prices, the number of solar rebate applications continues to grow each month and has exhausted funding for the next four years at the budget levels established for the program at its outset in 2007.
“It is clearly time to pause and review our program incentive levels. Our rebate levels, while reduced from levels paid in prior years, is about double the minimum level required by SB 1. We fully support and want more renewable energy and we want to foster solar technology, but not at undue expense to our customers who pay for this important program,” said Ronald O. Nichols, LADWP General Manager. “We need to be smart about how we provide incentives and that starts with ensuring we are doing so in a fiscally responsible manner. This suspension will allow us time to determine the proper rebate level and align it with the current solar PV market. During the review, we will honor all applications we have received and processed, but we will reset the rebate at a lower level when the program is resumed. This approach will ensure we get the most solar bang for our buck, while continuing to provide a strong incentive for our customers to go solar.”
As of April 1, 2011, the LADWP Solar Incentive Program had confirmed requests for $112 million in solar rebates, but only $30 million is budgeted annually for the program.The State of California program guidelines established by Senate Bill 1 in 2006 require that it be suspended when the amount of confirmed and unpaid rebate reservations exceeds the availability of funds to honor those reservations in a timely manner.
The rush for rebates has also contributed to serious safety violations; solar installations are being turned on before LADWP has completed its final inspection and authorized system activation. This situation has occurred in about 20 percent of the solar installations since January. It can create a serious safety hazard for customers and for electric maintenance crews working in the area who do not know the solar system is energized.
“Our solar incentive rebate application clearly indicates that customers need approval of their applications to be assured of receiving LADWP’s rebate, and that inspections are required prior to energizing their systems. Some customers have informed us that the contractors who installed the rooftop PV systems have indicated there is no need to delay installation while LADWP reviews their applications”, said Aram Benyamin, Senior Assistant General Manager for Power for LADWP. The LADWP program, similar to other SB 1 programs of other utilities, provides for payment upon installation and final inspection. “The result is some customers are apparently misinformed by their installation contractors, have paid in some cases tens of thousands of dollars for PV systems that were installed without confirmation by LADWP, counter to the rules of the program, only to find that they have long waits for rebates due to the deluge of applications”, Benyamin explained. “We cannot continue to allow this to happen.”
During the temporary hold on accepting new applications, LADWP will review the program budget and will also review financing options to maintain a steady pace of participation and funding for the duration of the state’s SB 1 program. Mandated by state legislation, SB 1 requires that utilities invest their customers’ money in solar PV systems for their homes and businesses. “In the last four years, the cost of PV systems have fallen by around 50%, but contractors are not passing those savings onto our customers”, LADWP’s power system head, Benyamin notes. The high level of the LADWP rebates could contribute to this contractor pricing practice. LADWP will review and revise the program to do the following:
Increase customer outreach and education to promote safety;
Streamline processing of unconfirmed applications – a current backlog of over 500 requests for rebates;
Review incentive levels to better serve customers, and reflect current solar PV market conditions;
Assess options for utility financing of the rebates to smooth out the annual cost of this major PV rebate program to reduce the annual rate effect of the program; and
Address the oversubscription to provide rebates in a timelier manner.
Free Solar Report!!
The temporary hold on accepting new applications is necessary to revise the program guidelines to better serve LADWP customers and align with current solar PV market conditions. With one of the highest solar PV incentive rates in California, federal tax benefits and rapidly dropping solar panel prices, the number of solar rebate applications continues to grow each month and has exhausted funding for the next four years at the budget levels established for the program at its outset in 2007.
“It is clearly time to pause and review our program incentive levels. Our rebate levels, while reduced from levels paid in prior years, is about double the minimum level required by SB 1. We fully support and want more renewable energy and we want to foster solar technology, but not at undue expense to our customers who pay for this important program,” said Ronald O. Nichols, LADWP General Manager. “We need to be smart about how we provide incentives and that starts with ensuring we are doing so in a fiscally responsible manner. This suspension will allow us time to determine the proper rebate level and align it with the current solar PV market. During the review, we will honor all applications we have received and processed, but we will reset the rebate at a lower level when the program is resumed. This approach will ensure we get the most solar bang for our buck, while continuing to provide a strong incentive for our customers to go solar.”
As of April 1, 2011, the LADWP Solar Incentive Program had confirmed requests for $112 million in solar rebates, but only $30 million is budgeted annually for the program.The State of California program guidelines established by Senate Bill 1 in 2006 require that it be suspended when the amount of confirmed and unpaid rebate reservations exceeds the availability of funds to honor those reservations in a timely manner.
The rush for rebates has also contributed to serious safety violations; solar installations are being turned on before LADWP has completed its final inspection and authorized system activation. This situation has occurred in about 20 percent of the solar installations since January. It can create a serious safety hazard for customers and for electric maintenance crews working in the area who do not know the solar system is energized.
“Our solar incentive rebate application clearly indicates that customers need approval of their applications to be assured of receiving LADWP’s rebate, and that inspections are required prior to energizing their systems. Some customers have informed us that the contractors who installed the rooftop PV systems have indicated there is no need to delay installation while LADWP reviews their applications”, said Aram Benyamin, Senior Assistant General Manager for Power for LADWP. The LADWP program, similar to other SB 1 programs of other utilities, provides for payment upon installation and final inspection. “The result is some customers are apparently misinformed by their installation contractors, have paid in some cases tens of thousands of dollars for PV systems that were installed without confirmation by LADWP, counter to the rules of the program, only to find that they have long waits for rebates due to the deluge of applications”, Benyamin explained. “We cannot continue to allow this to happen.”
During the temporary hold on accepting new applications, LADWP will review the program budget and will also review financing options to maintain a steady pace of participation and funding for the duration of the state’s SB 1 program. Mandated by state legislation, SB 1 requires that utilities invest their customers’ money in solar PV systems for their homes and businesses. “In the last four years, the cost of PV systems have fallen by around 50%, but contractors are not passing those savings onto our customers”, LADWP’s power system head, Benyamin notes. The high level of the LADWP rebates could contribute to this contractor pricing practice. LADWP will review and revise the program to do the following:
Increase customer outreach and education to promote safety;
Streamline processing of unconfirmed applications – a current backlog of over 500 requests for rebates;
Review incentive levels to better serve customers, and reflect current solar PV market conditions;
Assess options for utility financing of the rebates to smooth out the annual cost of this major PV rebate program to reduce the annual rate effect of the program; and
Address the oversubscription to provide rebates in a timelier manner.
Free Solar Report!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Aleo Solar Delivers Modules for 2 MW Solar Plant in Greece
Aleo solar has recently delivered more than 9,000 of its aleo S_18 modules for a two-megawatt open-field solar power plant in Theben, northwest of Athens. The plant is expected to produce 2,800,000 kilowatt hours annually - equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 830 Greek three-person households.
The solar farm was constructed by one of Greece's leading solar energy companies: RSEnergy Hellas Solartechnik Ltd., based in Volos, installed photovoltaic plants with a total output of five megawatts in 2010.
The collaboration of aleo solar AG and RSEnergy Hellas Solartechnik Ltd. will continue in 2011; a master agreement for the delivery of five megawatts has already been signed. The premium modules will be used for solar roofs on private homes and commercial buildings as well as for open-field installations.
"We are excited to have signed this master agreement, which extends our collaboration that began in 2007," said Thanasis Sakkas, Head of Sales for aleo solar in Greece and Cyprus.
Ralf Müller-Polyzos, CEO of RSEnergy, adds: "The excellent quality of aleo solar's modules combined with the direct local support provided here in Greece are important factors for both RSEnergy and our customers."
The plant will be operated by the Greek investor Nea Elektra A.B.E.E. "We decided to make a sustainable, safe and environmentally friendly investment. The modules from aleo solar are designed to last and are optimized to deliver maximum yields," said Loukas Saridis, Chairman of Nea Elektra.
The Beginner Solar!
The solar farm was constructed by one of Greece's leading solar energy companies: RSEnergy Hellas Solartechnik Ltd., based in Volos, installed photovoltaic plants with a total output of five megawatts in 2010.
The collaboration of aleo solar AG and RSEnergy Hellas Solartechnik Ltd. will continue in 2011; a master agreement for the delivery of five megawatts has already been signed. The premium modules will be used for solar roofs on private homes and commercial buildings as well as for open-field installations.
"We are excited to have signed this master agreement, which extends our collaboration that began in 2007," said Thanasis Sakkas, Head of Sales for aleo solar in Greece and Cyprus.
Ralf Müller-Polyzos, CEO of RSEnergy, adds: "The excellent quality of aleo solar's modules combined with the direct local support provided here in Greece are important factors for both RSEnergy and our customers."
The plant will be operated by the Greek investor Nea Elektra A.B.E.E. "We decided to make a sustainable, safe and environmentally friendly investment. The modules from aleo solar are designed to last and are optimized to deliver maximum yields," said Loukas Saridis, Chairman of Nea Elektra.
The Beginner Solar!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Power-One Updates Outlook for First Quarter 2011
Power-One, Inc., a provider of renewable energy and energy-efficient power conversion and management solutions, has updated its financial outlook.
For the period ended April 3, 2011, the company expects to report revenue between $240 million and $245 million, below its previously announced range of $260 million to $290 million, due to market conditions and near-term feed-in-tariff uncertainty in Italy and Germany.
"Although we expect to post a nearly 60 percent increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2011 compared to 2010, we've revised our guidance for the quarter due to recent adverse conditions in the European solar market," said Richard Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Power-One. "Based on current developments, we still anticipate European countries such as Italy and Germany will continue to support solar adoption to reduce reliance on non-renewable sources of power. Further, for the remainder of 2011 and 2012, we believe we are better positioned to handle similar regional anomalies due to our expanded product line and focus on developing new markets, including the United States, China and India."
Power-One will provide further information on its first quarter 2011 performance when it reports earnings on May 5, 2011, after the market close.
Make your own renewable Energy!
For the period ended April 3, 2011, the company expects to report revenue between $240 million and $245 million, below its previously announced range of $260 million to $290 million, due to market conditions and near-term feed-in-tariff uncertainty in Italy and Germany.
"Although we expect to post a nearly 60 percent increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2011 compared to 2010, we've revised our guidance for the quarter due to recent adverse conditions in the European solar market," said Richard Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Power-One. "Based on current developments, we still anticipate European countries such as Italy and Germany will continue to support solar adoption to reduce reliance on non-renewable sources of power. Further, for the remainder of 2011 and 2012, we believe we are better positioned to handle similar regional anomalies due to our expanded product line and focus on developing new markets, including the United States, China and India."
Power-One will provide further information on its first quarter 2011 performance when it reports earnings on May 5, 2011, after the market close.
Make your own renewable Energy!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Project Order Backlog Surpasses 12 GW
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—April 6, 2011—The solar photovoltaic (PV) project order backlog for the United States market has now soared past 12 gigawatts (GW), according to the latest edition of the Solarbuzz United States Deal Tracker report. While the PV industry is facing the effects of large cuts in feed-in tariffs across Europe, the order backlog in the US confirms that the country will be one of the most promising growth markets over the next 24 months. The US market doubled in size in 2010 and is forecast to do so again in 2011.
The April edition of the United States Deal Tracker logs over 375 non-residential projects in the US project pipeline being planned or going through a Request for Proposal process. It also includes an additional 775 projects that total 0.7 GW of PV systems either installed or being installed since January 1, 2010.
Figure 1: Non-Residential Projects by System Size* (2010-2015)
*Based on Total Number of Projects, not MW
Source: Solarbuzz April 2011 United States Deal Tracker
Non-residential PV systems in the US market range from just 50 kilowatts up to hundreds of megawatts. Even with the growing utility presence in the market, the corporate and government sub-segments still have 76% of the completed projects since January 1, 2010.
Utility-scale projects under development are found in 29 states, but four states account for 80% of this total, measured in terms of MW. This segment is increasingly being serviced by specialist project developers, but also directly by major cell and module manufacturers acting in that role. The top 10 developers account for 57% of the utility pipeline in MW terms. “The non-residential segment has traditionally been driven by corporate and government customers,” Craig Stevens, president of Solarbuzz. “As Renewable Portfolio Standards take effect, utilities have become a key driver of medium term market growth.”
In terms of numbers of non-residential projects, the top 10 states are California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Nevada, and Florida.
Over 260 different installation companies are servicing the identified 1150 non-residential projects that buy their modules either directly from manufacturers or through distributors. First Solar, Suntech Power, Sharp, Yingli Green Energy, and SolarWorld are the most represented module manufacturers in this segment.
The installed system pricing data shows that the largest US projects are now being completed in the range of $3-4 per watt DC. The reduction in non-residential PV system prices is key to stimulating US market growth.
The Solarbuzz United States Deal Tracker report tracks installed system prices by project across the country, including the fast growing utility segment—providing unrivalled price transparency to aid bid responses by the solar industry and for the purchasers of systems. The parameters in the database for each installation include owner or host name, project developer, installer, system size, system type (ground mount, roof mount, BIPV, tracking and carports), Power Purchase Agreement provider, city and state, timing of installation and installed pricing data.
Build your own Solar Panels!
The April edition of the United States Deal Tracker logs over 375 non-residential projects in the US project pipeline being planned or going through a Request for Proposal process. It also includes an additional 775 projects that total 0.7 GW of PV systems either installed or being installed since January 1, 2010.
Figure 1: Non-Residential Projects by System Size* (2010-2015)
*Based on Total Number of Projects, not MW
Source: Solarbuzz April 2011 United States Deal Tracker
Non-residential PV systems in the US market range from just 50 kilowatts up to hundreds of megawatts. Even with the growing utility presence in the market, the corporate and government sub-segments still have 76% of the completed projects since January 1, 2010.
Utility-scale projects under development are found in 29 states, but four states account for 80% of this total, measured in terms of MW. This segment is increasingly being serviced by specialist project developers, but also directly by major cell and module manufacturers acting in that role. The top 10 developers account for 57% of the utility pipeline in MW terms. “The non-residential segment has traditionally been driven by corporate and government customers,” Craig Stevens, president of Solarbuzz. “As Renewable Portfolio Standards take effect, utilities have become a key driver of medium term market growth.”
In terms of numbers of non-residential projects, the top 10 states are California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Nevada, and Florida.
Over 260 different installation companies are servicing the identified 1150 non-residential projects that buy their modules either directly from manufacturers or through distributors. First Solar, Suntech Power, Sharp, Yingli Green Energy, and SolarWorld are the most represented module manufacturers in this segment.
The installed system pricing data shows that the largest US projects are now being completed in the range of $3-4 per watt DC. The reduction in non-residential PV system prices is key to stimulating US market growth.
The Solarbuzz United States Deal Tracker report tracks installed system prices by project across the country, including the fast growing utility segment—providing unrivalled price transparency to aid bid responses by the solar industry and for the purchasers of systems. The parameters in the database for each installation include owner or host name, project developer, installer, system size, system type (ground mount, roof mount, BIPV, tracking and carports), Power Purchase Agreement provider, city and state, timing of installation and installed pricing data.
Build your own Solar Panels!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
City of Sacramento and SolarCity to Install Solar Power @ City Hall
Following Sacramento City Council approval last week, SolarCity and the City of Sacramento are moving forward to install 1.9 megawatts—more than 8,000 solar panels—of new solar power capacity across four municipal sites later this year. The project is expected to be the largest solar power project undertaken by the City of Sacramento. Once operational, the panels are expected to produce approximately 2.6 million kilowatt-hours of solar electricity in their first year, enough to power approximately 250 homes. SolarCity will finance, install and maintain the solar installations.
“This project is a triple win for Sacramento—it will save taxpayers money by lowering the City’s energy costs, reduce pollution by generating renewable power, and create more local jobs to install the panels,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson. “It’s our goal to become a greener city and generating clean energy on our facilities is keeping with that commitment.”
The sites identified as part of this project include:
City Hall in downtown
Sacramento building at 300 Richards Boulevard that houses the police department and building and planning offices
Corporation yard on Meadowview Road that houses the City’s sanitation fleet and other services
South Area Corporation Yard off Fruitridge and 28th Street
As part of the agreement, the City of Sacramento will pay for the power produced through a power purchase agreement (PPA) at a rate that is anticipated to be lower than what they pay for grid electricity, which is expected to create savings for taxpayers over the systems’ lifetimes.
“The City’s new solar projects should help us pass the 100-employee mark in Sacramento this year,” said Dennis Cox, regional director for SolarCity. “It’s possible for Sacramento businesses and residents to save money by using cleaner power, just as the City is doing, and we expect solar adoption to continue to increase in the area as a result of the City’s leadership.”
Free Report on the Basics of Solar!
“This project is a triple win for Sacramento—it will save taxpayers money by lowering the City’s energy costs, reduce pollution by generating renewable power, and create more local jobs to install the panels,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson. “It’s our goal to become a greener city and generating clean energy on our facilities is keeping with that commitment.”
The sites identified as part of this project include:
City Hall in downtown
Sacramento building at 300 Richards Boulevard that houses the police department and building and planning offices
Corporation yard on Meadowview Road that houses the City’s sanitation fleet and other services
South Area Corporation Yard off Fruitridge and 28th Street
As part of the agreement, the City of Sacramento will pay for the power produced through a power purchase agreement (PPA) at a rate that is anticipated to be lower than what they pay for grid electricity, which is expected to create savings for taxpayers over the systems’ lifetimes.
“The City’s new solar projects should help us pass the 100-employee mark in Sacramento this year,” said Dennis Cox, regional director for SolarCity. “It’s possible for Sacramento businesses and residents to save money by using cleaner power, just as the City is doing, and we expect solar adoption to continue to increase in the area as a result of the City’s leadership.”
Free Report on the Basics of Solar!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Fluor Selected by SunPower to Build 20-Megawatt Arizona Solar Power Plant ...04.04.2011
United States Texas. SunPower Corporation has awarded Fluor a construction contract for the 20-megawatt Copper Crossing photovoltaic solar power plant on 144 acres of formerly private agricultural land in Pinal County, Arizona. Fluor will book the undisclosed contract value into backlog in the first quarter of 2011.
"This project is a significant win that not only bolsters Fluor's growing portfolio of solar work, but also highlights our expertise across the entire renewable energy sector," said Dave Dunning, president of Fluor's Power Group. "SunPower Corporation leads the industry in solar photovoltaic technology and project development and our primary objective is to assist them in accomplishing their operational and business goals with successful completion of the Copper Crossing Project."
Iberdrola Renewables is developing Copper Crossing and will own and operate it. The company will sell the electricity under a long-term contract to utility provider Salt River Project for distribution on the region's utility grid. The project will create employment opportunities and provide revenue for schools, health, fire and other critical services in Pinal County.
The plant will use the SunPower Oasis(TM) Power Plant product, a fully integrated, modular solar power block that is engineered to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy utility-scale solar projects while optimizing land use. Each power block integrates the SunPower(TM) T0 Tracker with SunPower's high-efficiency, E19 series solar panels, pre-manufactured system cabling, and other advanced features. The power block kits are shipped pre-assembled to the job site for rapid field installation and offer the highest capacity factor and the most reliable long-term performance.
"Fluor has been supporting SunPower on a number of fronts since 2009 and we are excited about the opportunity to build this project using SunPower's new Oasis product at Copper Crossing," said Brad Friesen, vice president of Fluor's Renewables business line.
The Solar plant, which began construction December 2010, is expected to create approximately 200 jobs during construction, and will be fully operational in 2011.
Building Solar Panels for your own energy use: http://bit.ly/h6OvFy
"This project is a significant win that not only bolsters Fluor's growing portfolio of solar work, but also highlights our expertise across the entire renewable energy sector," said Dave Dunning, president of Fluor's Power Group. "SunPower Corporation leads the industry in solar photovoltaic technology and project development and our primary objective is to assist them in accomplishing their operational and business goals with successful completion of the Copper Crossing Project."
Iberdrola Renewables is developing Copper Crossing and will own and operate it. The company will sell the electricity under a long-term contract to utility provider Salt River Project for distribution on the region's utility grid. The project will create employment opportunities and provide revenue for schools, health, fire and other critical services in Pinal County.
The plant will use the SunPower Oasis(TM) Power Plant product, a fully integrated, modular solar power block that is engineered to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy utility-scale solar projects while optimizing land use. Each power block integrates the SunPower(TM) T0 Tracker with SunPower's high-efficiency, E19 series solar panels, pre-manufactured system cabling, and other advanced features. The power block kits are shipped pre-assembled to the job site for rapid field installation and offer the highest capacity factor and the most reliable long-term performance.
"Fluor has been supporting SunPower on a number of fronts since 2009 and we are excited about the opportunity to build this project using SunPower's new Oasis product at Copper Crossing," said Brad Friesen, vice president of Fluor's Renewables business line.
The Solar plant, which began construction December 2010, is expected to create approximately 200 jobs during construction, and will be fully operational in 2011.
Building Solar Panels for your own energy use: http://bit.ly/h6OvFy
Sunday, April 3, 2011
LDK Solar Finalizes Acquisition of 70% of Solar Power, Inc
Xinyu City, Asia Pacific China.
LDK Solar and Solar Power, Inc. have finalized the cquisition of a 70% interest in SPI for approximately $33 million. LDK paid an initial $10 million in January and today announced it has finalized the transaction with a second payment of $23 million.
The transaction adds significant financial strength to SPI's balance sheet, enabling the acceleration of the development of its project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial/industrial distributed generation systems. SPI's growing development portfolio and pipeline, in turn, should provide LDK Solar with enhanced downstream benefit to its vertical integration model through module supply for large-scale projects.
"We are very pleased to have this transaction concluded," said Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO for LDK Solar. "SPI provides a strong strategic complement to our downstream vertical integration opportunities and provides LDK Solar and SPI the opportunity to jointly explore opening manufacturing operations in the U.S. to further enhance SPI's competitive advantage in North America."
"We are happy to be part of the growing LDK global team," said Steve Kircher CEO for SPI. "The strength of our newly combined vertical platform should provide us significant competitive advantages going forward," Mr. Kircher concluded.
Free Report on the Solar Basics ~ http://www.solarpanelsenergysystems.com/
LDK Solar and Solar Power, Inc. have finalized the cquisition of a 70% interest in SPI for approximately $33 million. LDK paid an initial $10 million in January and today announced it has finalized the transaction with a second payment of $23 million.
The transaction adds significant financial strength to SPI's balance sheet, enabling the acceleration of the development of its project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial/industrial distributed generation systems. SPI's growing development portfolio and pipeline, in turn, should provide LDK Solar with enhanced downstream benefit to its vertical integration model through module supply for large-scale projects.
"We are very pleased to have this transaction concluded," said Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO for LDK Solar. "SPI provides a strong strategic complement to our downstream vertical integration opportunities and provides LDK Solar and SPI the opportunity to jointly explore opening manufacturing operations in the U.S. to further enhance SPI's competitive advantage in North America."
"We are happy to be part of the growing LDK global team," said Steve Kircher CEO for SPI. "The strength of our newly combined vertical platform should provide us significant competitive advantages going forward," Mr. Kircher concluded.
Free Report on the Solar Basics ~ http://www.solarpanelsenergysystems.com/
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Silfab and Alderville First Nation......
.....Sign Contract for 5 MW Solar Farm
04.01.2011
A contract to supply and support a 5 MW ground mounted solar photovoltaic system, composed of 20,410 modules, was signed yesterday between Alderville First Nation (Alderville), a First Nation community within Southeastern Ontario, and Silfab Ontario Inc. preparing to inaugurate its new PV module manufacturing plant in Mississauga, Ontario.
The announcement was made by Franco Traverso, President and CEO of Silfab Ontario Inc., and Chief James Marsden, Chief of Alderville First Nation, after signing the agreement.
The ground mounted system, will use the Silfab SLA245M high-efficiency modules made from 60 mono-crystalline high efficiency silicon cells produced in Ontario in accordance with the Ontario Feed In Tariff program domestic content requirements.
The solar farm, consisting of a combination of fixed mounted racks and single axis trackers, will be installed on Alderville owned properties and is expected to be operational by November 2011 with an estimated production of approximately 5.7 million kWh per year, equivalent to over 80,000 tons of avoided CO2 emissions during the lifetime of the facility.
Silfab and Alderville share a common vision of creating a partnership that includes the training of local resources and the development of a Centre of Excellence for advancing solar energy research, education, and training. Thanks to expertise gained in over 30 years of working at the highest level in the solar photovoltaic field, Franco Traverso and his staff intend to transfer a wealth of knowledge to the First Nation, enabling the community to be self-sufficient in the management of the facility and be capable of developing future solar power projects.
“We are very proud” - explains Franco Traverso, CEO and President of Silfab Ontario, as well as a pioneer of the photovoltaic industry since 1981 – “to be part of this important project for the Alderville First Nation community. We see great opportunities for similar communities and we are optimistic about the growth of the photovoltaic industry in Canada. Alderville has demonstrated great foresight and planning in the development of this project. We are pleased to be part of this vision and partnership.”
”We are very excited to be working with Silfab on our ground mounted solar facility” says Chief James Marsden, Chief of Alderville First Nation. “We are very impressed with the solar PV modules that Silfab produces. Their expertise in the photovoltaic industry was very evident in the way they approached this project. Programs like the Ontario Feed In Tariff program are giving communities, like Alderville, an opportunity to bring additional economic opportunities into the community to benefit its current membership and its future generations.”
Solar Energy ~ http://www.solarpanelsenergysystems.com/
04.01.2011
A contract to supply and support a 5 MW ground mounted solar photovoltaic system, composed of 20,410 modules, was signed yesterday between Alderville First Nation (Alderville), a First Nation community within Southeastern Ontario, and Silfab Ontario Inc. preparing to inaugurate its new PV module manufacturing plant in Mississauga, Ontario.
The announcement was made by Franco Traverso, President and CEO of Silfab Ontario Inc., and Chief James Marsden, Chief of Alderville First Nation, after signing the agreement.
The ground mounted system, will use the Silfab SLA245M high-efficiency modules made from 60 mono-crystalline high efficiency silicon cells produced in Ontario in accordance with the Ontario Feed In Tariff program domestic content requirements.
The solar farm, consisting of a combination of fixed mounted racks and single axis trackers, will be installed on Alderville owned properties and is expected to be operational by November 2011 with an estimated production of approximately 5.7 million kWh per year, equivalent to over 80,000 tons of avoided CO2 emissions during the lifetime of the facility.
Silfab and Alderville share a common vision of creating a partnership that includes the training of local resources and the development of a Centre of Excellence for advancing solar energy research, education, and training. Thanks to expertise gained in over 30 years of working at the highest level in the solar photovoltaic field, Franco Traverso and his staff intend to transfer a wealth of knowledge to the First Nation, enabling the community to be self-sufficient in the management of the facility and be capable of developing future solar power projects.
“We are very proud” - explains Franco Traverso, CEO and President of Silfab Ontario, as well as a pioneer of the photovoltaic industry since 1981 – “to be part of this important project for the Alderville First Nation community. We see great opportunities for similar communities and we are optimistic about the growth of the photovoltaic industry in Canada. Alderville has demonstrated great foresight and planning in the development of this project. We are pleased to be part of this vision and partnership.”
”We are very excited to be working with Silfab on our ground mounted solar facility” says Chief James Marsden, Chief of Alderville First Nation. “We are very impressed with the solar PV modules that Silfab produces. Their expertise in the photovoltaic industry was very evident in the way they approached this project. Programs like the Ontario Feed In Tariff program are giving communities, like Alderville, an opportunity to bring additional economic opportunities into the community to benefit its current membership and its future generations.”
Solar Energy ~ http://www.solarpanelsenergysystems.com/
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