Government Support
Solar Energy Reduces Military Costs, Boosts Security, Saves Lives
16 May 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
In celebration of Armed Services Day, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a first-of-its-kind report detailing how innovative solar technologies are helping the US military meet many of its critical functions – from security and battlefield readiness to cost savings and efficiency.
Advanced Battery Consortium to Lead Battery Development
15 May 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
The US Energy Department has selected the Advanced Battery Consortium to lead an industry-wide effort to accelerate development of high-efficiency, cost-effective battery technologies. By investing in these cutting-edge battery technologies, the Energy Department is helping to cut America's oil imports and provide American families and businesses with more transportation options.
Funding Cuts Loom for Australian Renewable Energy Agency
15 May 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
At the Solar Conference & Exhibition at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 23 – 24 May 2013, Lara Olsen, a consultant with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will describe the organisation’s investment strategy.
Colorado House Passes Clean Technologies Act
09 May 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) announced the passing of House Bill 13 – 1001, the Advanced Industries Acceleration Act by the General Assembly and awaits the Governor’s signature. The bill provides for annual allocations of several million per year for the next decade including over $12 million next year in grants supporting seven advanced industries driving the Colorado economy including energy and natural resources.
Conergy Builds Second 2MW Solar Plant in Romania
07 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Conergy is currently building another 2MW solar power plant in the Romanian region of Slobozia. It was only in January this year that the PV solution and service provider had announced its entry into the market in the Eastern European country with a 2.2MW solar park.
Intersolar Europe 2013: Soleos Solar debuts high-performance solar module
06 May 2013POSTED IN New Products
Soleos Solar is launching a new solar module in June and will show it at Intersolar Europe 2013. The polycrystalline Soleos 250P module is manufactured in Europe and has a rated output of 250 watts and a module efficiency of 14.94%. It thus produces more output and has a greater degree of efficiency than its predecessors.
Massachusetts Surpasses its Solar Goal
02 May 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) applauded an announcement that the US state of Massachusetts has surpassed Governor Deval Patrick’s goal of installing 250 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by 2017 and the Administration plans to expand the Massachusetts solar carve-out goal to 1.6 gigawatts (GW). The 250 MW benchmark has been met nearly four years ahead of schedule.
Solar Universe Expands to Puerto Rico
02 May 2013POSTED IN Business News
Solar Universe, a specialist in solar franchising, announced the opening of its first international franchise in Puerto Rico by local entrepreneurs and mother-son team, Luz and William Rodriguez. With energy production recognized as one of the island’s biggest impediments to economic growth, the introduction of the solar energy franchise is a substantial prospect for home owners in Puerto Rico.
Conergy Enters Solar Market in South Africa
02 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
In Cape Town, South Africa, Conergy and its partner Solsquare have built a solar plant that provides power to a home for disabled people.
German FiT Cuts to 10 Euro Cents per kWh
29 April 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
Federal Minister of Economy in Germany, Philipp Rosler, wants to see FiTs for solar installations reduced to a maximum of 10 euro cents per kWh (13¢).
Sharp Achieves 37.9% Solar Cell Conversion Efficiency
26 April 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Sharp Corporation has achieved solar cell conversion efficiency*1 of 37.9%*2 using a triple-junction compound solar cell in which three photo-absorption layers are stacked together.
Solar Stocks on the Rise
25 April 2013POSTED IN Business News
Where First Solar goes, others follow. This week shares of First Solar took another big gain, rising almost 11% for another high. Shares of Canadian Solar, Jinko Solar, LDK Solar, SolarCity and SunPower also saw gains.
SEIA Names Christopher Mansour VP of Federal Affairs
24 April 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
Capitol Hill veteran Christopher Mansour, who has nearly three decades of experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, has joined the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) as Vice President of federal affairs.
Conergy Completes 4.5MW Solar Plant in the UK
24 April 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Conergy announced today the completion of a 4.5MW solar farm at the end of March for the UK’s largest solar PV developer, Lightsource Renewable Energy. Conergy was the general contractor, responsible for engineering and layout, construction and component supply for the plant, which will be owned and operated by Lightsource for the next 25 years. Connection to the grid comes only weeks after Conergy supplied four other solar farms with a total capacity of 15 megawatts in the UK, which is experiencing rapid growth in large-scale solar deployment.
Being Conservative in a Liberal Industry
22 April 2013POSTED IN Guest Blogs
The solar industry should be grateful to every government that has given it subsidies. However, almost every industry should be grateful to the governments that helped them get going with subsidies, and the industries that have been well established that still get incentives should be grateful as well. In most cases however, incentives do not last forever, and they will decline in the near future. With an imminent decline and end of incentives provided by the California Solar Initiative (CSI), many businesses and consumers who are currently installing or interested in solar installations may be wondering what the end of CSI will mean for them. The key to an incentive is to get your foot into the door, set up your business, and become viable post-incentive.
Solar Module Prices Rise in Europe
23 April 2013POSTED IN Business News
Reflecting a major shift in the global solar market after four years of severe erosion, prices for photovoltaic (PV) modules in the key European market are rising due to number of factors—including the newly restored balance between supply and demand.
Dyesol Enters New Market with Equity Stake in Printed Power Pte
23 April 2013POSTED IN Business News
Printed batteries and sensor networks are to be integrated with energy generating Dye Solar Cell technology in products being developed by Printed Power Pte Ltd in a new venture with Dyesol Limited.
Solar in Mexico: High intensity potential
11 April 2013POSTED IN Guest Blogs
Significant attention has been focused on the solar market in Mexico of late. Projections have been for huge solar farms, rapid growth…. basically a gold rush for solar rays. All of this may be true, but new market development, which is not fueled by government incentives such as feed in tariffs and the like, is very likely to develop at a pace that is less predictable and faced by challenges that are not yet understood. In the long run, these unsubsidized markets are more sustainable and predictable however. No doubt the opportunity in Mexico is real and significant; how to capitalize on it is the key.
Science R&D Spending up in US 2014 Budget
10 April 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
Scientific communities in the US are heartened by President Obama's just-released Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 budget, which keeps scientific research and development spending at or above recent levels.
SEIA Names Ken Johnson to Lead Communications & Marketing
10 April 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today announced it has hired Capitol Hill veteran Ken Johnson, who previously headed up the communications efforts for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and two major committees in the US House of Representatives, as vice president of communications.
