Amid the investigations and continual reports of US and European PV manufacturers closing their doors, it has been easy to neglect the idea that the PV manufacturing industry in China has taken a hit as well. Renewable Energy World pointed out that John Lefebvre, president of Suntech Power America, noted during Intersolar North America in San Francisco that over 50 Chinese PV manufacturing companies have also closed.
Chinese company Sky Solar will be a conduit to help form a strategic partnership for bilateral free trade between China and Chile. CEO Amy Zhang recently attended a banquet hosted by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera in the capital, Santiago, an event also attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his entourage.
Chimes International was joined by state and local officials, as well as representatives from Gas Energy Services (WGES) and Bithenergy as it commemorated its new rooftop PV system at the Terry Allen Perl Centre. The 259kW system uses 1,079 panels and was made possible through a combined effort between Chimes, WGES and Bithenergy.
The US Energy Department’s (DOE) loan-guarantee is walking a fine line these days, which cannot make life any easier for 1366 Technologies and SoloPower as they prepare to receive funding from the same DOE guarantee that failed solar companies Solyndra and Abound Solar partook in. A report by Bloomberg noted that both 1366 Technologies and SoloPower qualified for guarantees last year and are currently working to meet milestone in order to gain access to the credit.
IKEA recently brought its 22nd solar project online at its Tampa, Florida store. Developed, designed and installed by REC Solar, the 1,189kW system uses 4,956 PV panels and is built across 148,800 square feet of the store’s rooftop space. The companies expect for the array to produce around 1,792,300kWh of electricity per year.
During Intersolar North America’s opening session in San Francisco this week, the US Department of Energy’s (DoE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced its membership of the newly-formed Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes.
Valos Solar Ventures and Gehrlicher Solar have entered a joint-development agreement, the company has announced. Under the agreement, the companies are developing solar power sites for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and other municipal utilities for RFO, RAM and RFPs. Altogether, 235MW of projects are being developed with Gehrlicher offering EPC services for the large-scale PV plants.
Swedish retailer IKEA has connected the 21st solar system at its store in Woodbridge, Virginia, the company has announced. Gehrlicher Solar developed and installed the 504kW PV system, equipped with 2,100 PV panels, on 63,000ft² of IKEA’s rooftop. IKEA has 18 more systems to install at US stores to reach its goal of installing a total of 38MW of systems.
Bryan Crabb has joined the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) as its new executive director. Crabb comes to CALSEIA after serving as director of government affairs at both First Solar and OptiSolar. He is lauded as having vast experience in solar policy as well as legislative and regulatory experience.
Bloomberg has reported that General Electric (GE) will be putting the construction of its Colorado-based solar panel factory on hold for at least 18 months. Lindsay Theile, GE spokeswoman, noted that sharp price declines and a global oversupply of panels were factors in the company’s decision.
