United States
TÜV Rheinland PTL Initiates Creation of New ANSI Standards
17 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
TÜV Rheinland PTL, a standards developing organization (SDO) for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has successfully initiated the creation of three new American National Standards and is seeking the industry participation in the respective standards working groups.
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.
Fluorescent Organic Dye Boosts Light Absorption, Recycles Electrons in Solar Cells
16 May 2013POSTED IN Research
Adding fluorescent organic squaraine dye into polymer solar cells considerably boosts light absorption and recycles electrons, scientists at Yale University have discovered. Consequentially, power conversion efficiency (PCE) increased by 38% in the experiments.
SMA Introduces Transformerless Inverter
15 May 2013POSTED IN New Products
SMA is now taking orders for its new transformerless inverters designed specifically for the North American market.
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.
Derick Botha Joins GameChange Racking
13 May 2013POSTED IN Business News
GameChange Racking today announced that Derick Botha has joined its dynamic team as Director of Business Development.
AEG Power Solutions Introduces PV Inverter for US Market
13 May 2013POSTED IN New Products
AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS) introduced the new modular photovoltaic (MPV) solar inverter, with leading-edge power electronics in a transformerless, modular design. Engineered for optimum efficiency and availability, the three-phase, transformerless central inverters deliver efficiencies greater than 97 percent in a compact, lightweight modular package. Made in America and built in units of 15 kW, they scale economically from 15 kW to 150 kW, making them perfect for commercial installations.
Chinese PV Trade, Tariffs and Uncertainty
12 May 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy Features
China has long been an important player in the global photovoltaics market, but trade policies and quality of materials have been contentious issues. Many blamed market stumbling to the low-cost Chinese goods flooding markets throughout the world. Fast forward one year and more countries have expressed a need to levy import taxes on Chinese solar goods.
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.
PVSC 2013: GTM Research Shayle Kann, Keynote Speaker
08 May 2013POSTED IN Business News
PVSC 2013 IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) planning committee today announced its selection of a keynote speaker for the conference’s 39th meeting, to be held June 16-24 in Tampa, Florida (US). Shayle Kann, Vice President of Research for Greentech Media, will set the stage for the week-long technical conference and exhibition.
SolarWorld Sponsors Solar Decathlon Teams, Southwest and West Virginia
08 May 2013POSTED IN Business News
SolarWorld, a US solar manufacturer for more than 35 years, will sponsor a joint team from Arizona State University and University of Mexico as well as a team from West Virginia University in this year’s US Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon solar-home-design competition.
Schneider Electric and Grid Alternatives Provide Solar to Low-Income Housing
07 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Schneider Electric, a specialist in energy management, and Grid Alternatives, a non-profit solar installer, are partnering to provide and install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for low-income homeowners while preparing workers for jobs in the solar industry.
“Best Yet” Battery Design to Stabilise Solar Power for Grid
05 May 2013POSTED IN Research
Researchers from the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University developed a simplified, highly scalable new battery design with significantly higher energy density that could stabilise the power output of alternative forms of energy, such as solar. As potential solution to notorious power fluctuation issues, the low-cost, long-life flow battery could thus enable solar energy to become a major supplier to the electrical grid.
Intersolar North America 2013: PV fab manager's forum
03 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
SEMI formally announced the conference program for the fourth annual SEMI North American PV Fab Managers Forum to be held at Intersolar North America 2013 in San Francisco, California (US) on 8 July, 2013.
OutBack Power Offers NABCEP Training for Solar Installers
02 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
OutBack Power Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications, today announced the OutBack Power Certificate Training Program, a three-day class covering everything from solar photovoltaic (PV) system fundamentals to system specification and sizing, design, installation, testing and commissioning.
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 Hot Water on California Affordable Housing
02 May 2013POSTED IN Applications News
AMCAL Housing, a leading affordable housing developer of more than $750 million worth of residential and mixed-use housing, announced it has entered an agreement with Skyline Innovations for the financing and development of solar hot water systems across 11 of its multifamily properties in Los Angeles and San Diego. Through these solar projects, AMCAL is able to secure a 10-year, 30% discount to its utility rate for solar hot water used by each building, with no capital investment.
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.
Brian D. Robertson Memorial Schools Fund Receives Donation from Canadian Solar
01 May 2013POSTED IN Business News
Canadian Solar Inc. announced that it has donated PV modules to the Brian D. Robertson Foundation's Memorial Solar Schools Fund. The donated photovoltaic (PV) modules will be installed on four schools, one located in Maryland and three in Ohio.
Renusol America Expands Sales Team
01 May 2013POSTED IN Business News
Renusol America today announced the appointment of Jeff Burns as the company’s Regional Sales Manager for the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Burns brings more than six years of residential and commercial experience in the wind and solar industries to his new position, having served most recently as Regional Sales Manager for Dovetail Solar & Wind, one of the oldest and most experienced renewable energy companies in Ohio.
