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Posted Feb 13, 2013, 5:00 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: lodged against an abutment
Posts: 7,556
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100MW Solar Project Planned For North Carolina
February 13, 2013
Strata Solar is planning a 100-megawatt (MW) solar power farm in Duplin County, North Carolina, about 40 miles north of Wilmington and the same distance from the eastern coast. When finished, this new solar power facility will actually be one of the largest east of the Mississippi River.
Currently, no solar farm in North Carolina is anywhere near the size of the planned Strata Solar project. For the sake of comparison, one of the leading energy companies in North Carolina – Duke Energy – has about 26 MW of solar power in operation providing enough electricity for up to approximately 3,900 homes (when there is adequate sunshine).
Photovoltaics will be used to cover about 400 acres of land, and roughly 400 workers will be employed during the construction phase. Total cost is an estimated $250 million. Solar panels will be provided by Canadian Solar, an Ontario-based company. The Duplin County installation will sell electricity to Progress Energy Carolinas.
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http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/13/...orth-carolina/
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First Self-Assembling Quantum-Dot-in-Nanowire System: A “Game-Changer” For Solar PV?
February 13, 2013
Working at the frontiers of photonics and nano-scale semiconductor fabrication, an international team of researchers from universities and laboratories in Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, and the US have “demonstrated a process whereby quantum dots can self-assemble at optimal locations in nanowires, a breakthrough that could improve solar cells, quantum computing, and lighting devices,” according to a February 8 NREL press release.
Reproducing breakthrough research undertaken by Swiss scientists, US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) senior researcher Jun-Wei Luo made use of NREL’s supercomputer to demonstrate a “quantum-dot-in-nanowire” system that “raises a huge potential for their use in detecting local electric and magnetic fields. The quantum dots also could be used to charge converters for better light-harvesting, as in the case of photovoltaic (PV) cells.”
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http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/13/...-for-solar-pv/
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Three Charts to Help You Understand Chile’s Emerging Utility-Scale Solar Market
Chile offers major opportunities for solar companies. But the conditions on the ground will make development tricky.
Stephen Lacey: February 12, 2013
1. Installations will grow strongly in Chile, but it will take many years for the 6 GW of project announcements to materialize.
2. Initial development will focus on the mining sector, but larger projects will sell into the spot market.
3. Only the most sophisticated companies will be able to navigate Chile's complicated electricity market.
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http://www.greentechmedia.com/articl...-strong-growth
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Solar 2.0: The Next Business Cycle in PV
What does the solar industry look like in the post-ITC, post-CSI, post-tariff, $0.50-per-watt-module world?
Eric Wesoff: February 12, 2013
One hundred gigawatts of solar PV is installed on the global grid.
That first 100 gigawatts has brought the solar industry to this curious point.- The solar industry is living through the denouement of a market jacked up on incentives and the associated manufacturing overcapacity and painful consolidation.
- Entrepreneurs are witnessing the collapse of a venture capital bubble in solar and its legacy of dead-men-walking thin-film and CPV firms, funded and abandoned by VC investors and their limited partners.
- This is the twilight of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and California Solar Initiative (CSI) in the U.S. -- which faces a future absent any federal incentive for photovoltaics.
- The new global trade reality entails tariffs on Chinese solar panels in the U.S. and looming trade wars between China, the U.S., India and the EU.
- Major shifts are happening in China's solar manufacturing industry and its domestic solar market.
- There is also a shift in solar markets from the EU to the The Americas, Japan, and the Global South.
Despite all of these dynamics and headwinds, the solar industry continues to grow, while the cost of panels, electronics, etc. continues to fall.
So what does solar in the post-ITC, post-CSI, post-tariff, $0.50-per-watt-module future look like? It won't look like today's industry.
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http://www.greentechmedia.com/articl...ss-Cycle-in-PV
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US Residential Solar Financing to Reach $5.7 Billion by 2016
As residential solar leases become available in fourteen U.S. states, GTM Research releases the market’s first complete vendor analysis.
STAFF: February 11, 2013
Third-party financing of solar PV has become the predominant business model in some of the largest residential markets in the U.S.; today, third-party financed residential installations comprise greater than 50 percent of new residential solar capacity in California, Arizona, Colorado and Massachusetts, with the model gaining greater market share in other states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
Today GTM Research, the leading solar market analysis and advisory firm in the U.S., releases U.S. Residential Solar PV Financing: The Vendor, Installer and Financier Landscape, 2013-2016. This 21-page report provides an integrated look at the vendors, installers and financiers offering residential solar financing across the U.S.. The report analyzes the leading vendors and their business models, the strategic relationships and market shares of third-party residential installers as well as the financiers that are capitalizing on the market. In addition, the brief examines the total addressable residential market in the U.S. with forecasts through 2016.
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http://www.greentechmedia.com/articl...illion-by-2016
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Super-Mono Is One Path to Gross Margins in Solar Manufacturing
A focus on N-type solar cells distinguishes Comtec from its peers.
Carolyn Campbell: February 12, 2013
With earnings season just around the corner, you can expect a surge of articles highlighting the financial results of the usual solar suspects. However, as we wrote last week, a number of lesser-known, yet important, trends are overlooked in most solar coverage.
In this series, we'll highlight some of these less prominent global supply chain trends by sharing a selection from GTM Research’s Global Competitive Intelligence (CI) Tracker. Here, we focus on Shanghai Comtec Solar Technology and its success in the N-type cell market.
What sets Comtec apart from its competitors? The company has successfully focused on ramping up production of wafers for high-efficiency (21 percent-plus) N-type cells, where the majority dopant is phosphorus instead of boron as in standard (P-type) cells. Comtec commenced production of its N-type product, called “Super Mono,” in mid-2011 and has been generating strong purchase orders ever since.
Comtec’s focus on N-type product (assuming that it can be produced cost-effectively) not only allows them to command a sizeable price premium, but also means they serve a far less competitive market -- namely, manufacturers producing N-type cells. Right now, the only companies doing so at scale are SunPower, Sanyo, and Yingli, the last of which produces its own wafers. But lest this seem a niche market, all three are major producers: total N-type capacity for these three firms at the end of 2012 was almost 2.5 gigawatts, and for a producer of Comtec’s size (YE 2012 capacity: 600 megawatts), that is more than enough, given that they have almost no competition at the moment.
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http://www.greentechmedia.com/articl...eading-Margins
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PV 2013: No guts, no glory
13. February 2013 | Top News, Global PV markets, Industry & Suppliers, Investor news, Markets & Trends | By: Cheryl Kaften
Photovoltaics will see expansion during 2013, but those who are looking to invest globally must study the landscape and take astute risks – exemplifying the attitude, "No guts, no glory." A local presence in key developed regions, including the U.S., Japan and China, will pay dividends, according to Lux Research, particularly in terms of distributed generation.
Those are the findings of a report just released by the Boston-based research company. "While some historically strong demand markets will continue to pay dividends, the real winners going forward will need to make a few well-informed bets," said Matt Feinstein, Lux Research analyst and the lead author of the study, "Past is Prologue: Market Selection Strategy in a New Solar Policy Environment."
"Successful players will anchor business in key developed regions like the United States, Europe, Japan, and China, and place informed bets in markets like South/Central America, the Middle East, and Africa, through new offices or partnerships," he added.
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http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...ory_100010191/
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China, India Emerge as Most Promising High-Growth Markets for Solar
February 12, 2013 Kathleen Zipp : 0 Comments
Global policy changes and the crystalline silicon module price crash have brought the solar industry to a pivotal point from which it must transform and thrive in a cost-conscious environment, targeting high-growth markets such as China and India, says Lux Research.
Lux Research analyzed the risk vs. reward, based on policy and market factors, for both distributed and utility-scale solar in countries around the world. Among their findings:- Europe shines for distributed generation. Established markets remain fruitful for distributed generation despite downturns in demand and reduced feed-in tariffs. Markets such as Germany and Italy have demonstrated a strong preference for rooftop systems and have strong existing channels to market.
- Utility-scale generation soars in emerging markets. High-growth markets come with high risks as well, but emerging economies of India, China, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia are set to become solar powers. Competition is booming in the last three in particular, and each will exceed installation targets.
- Fortune favors the bold. In solar, firms that take calculated risks and expand quickly into foreign markets will boost success, as First Solar and many Chinese module manufacturers have shown. As the Chinese industry consolidates, opportunities exist for other global players.
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http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com...ets-for-solar/
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Mexico reaches 14 MW of PV installations
12. February 2013 | Applications & Installations, Global PV markets, Markets & Trends | By: Ilias Tsagas
Mexico has reported a cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity of 14 MW – almost double that of 2011. Growth is projected to continue on the same trajectory this year.
Mexico's National Solar Energy Association (ANES) has confirmed the figure, and further estimated that there are about 60,000 photovoltaic modules installed in the country.
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http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...ons_100010187/
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UK hits 2 GW of PV
12. February 2013 | Markets & Trends, Global PV markets | By: Jonathan Gifford
Figures released today from NPD Solarbuzz have shown that cumulative photovoltaic demand from the U.K. market has now hit 2 GW. 2012 saw close to 1 GW of demand.
The U.K. has become one of the top-10 countries in terms of photovoltaic demand for both 2011 and 2012, with the cumulative total now reaching 2 GW. The figures, from NPD Solarbuzz, show that demand for photovoltaics in the country has exceeded expectations, reaching 965 MW in 2012.
In a statement announcing the result, NPD Solarbuzz’s Finlay Colville said that the U.K. can now be considered a market of note by the industry. "With demand trending at the GW level and cumulative PV installs passing the 2 GW mark, the U.K. can now officially be prioritized as a GW-size market by the global PV supply chain," said Colville.
Driving the strong result has been the certainty that has been restored to the market through the predictable digressive FIT regime (DFIT) and the Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) requirement. 2011 was a tumultuous year for the photovoltaic industry with sudden changes to FITs and legal challenges as to their validity. Legal action is currently underway regarding the cuts, led by a group of "solar and construction companies" seeking £140 million (US$222 million) in damages from the government.
Declining photovoltaic system prices are also behind the steady growth pattern observed now. Both the residential market and ground-mounted systems are seeing growth, reports NPD Solarbuzz.
"Support from the U.K. government for PV has improved considerably within the past 12 months and photovoltaics is now officially included in the UK’s long-term renewables mix," added Colville. "However, there is currently scope for only 10 GW of extra capacity to be fed into the U.K. grid. Meeting the 20 GW target for PV will require additional investments to upgrade the aging UK infrastructure." Colville added that rising household electricity prices should drive continued installation growth.
Current internal rates of return for photovoltaic installations in the U.K. are said to be 10% under the RFIT to 2015 and under the ROCs to 2017.
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http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...-pv_100010188/
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Solar PV accounts for 1.7% electricity in Spain
By Nilima Choudhury - 13 February 2013, 14:55
In News, Power Generation
Spain’s National Energy Commission (CNE) has announced that electricity generated by solar PV accounted for 1.7% of the country’s energy demand in December 2012.
The country added 163 PV systems in December, to a total of 59,603 installations that had access to the feed-in tariff last year, representing a total installed capacity of 4,475MW.
Currently, the FiT in Spain stands at €0.321 (US$0.43) per kWh. These PV systems received a total of €2.61 billion (US$3.49 billion) in incentives.
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http://www.pv-tech.org/news/solar_pv...icity_in_spain
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SolarWorld Introduces All-American Financing
February 12, 2013 Steven Bushong : 0 Comments
SolarWorld EntranceSolarWorld has launched the SolarWorld Freedom Plan, the solar industry’s first financing program dedicated exclusively to American-made solar products. The program is designed for homeowners seeking freedom from rising utility costs by replacing a portion of their electricity bill with a low monthly solar-power payment. Unlike competitors’ financing programs, this plan guarantees the use of high-quality American-made solar panels in every installation, responding to American consumers’ recently surveyed strong preference for products made in the U.S.
“The majority of leased solar systems installed in the U.S. last year relied on imported panels from China,” says Rusty Pittman, director of marketing for SolarWorld Americas. “Increasingly, Americans are seeking out U.S.-made products not only to provide them with quality, safety and environmental assurances but also to enable them to invest in their local and national economies.”
American consumers have a strong belief that American-made products are of better quality than imports, according to a survey released last month by Harris Interactive and the Made in the USA Foundation. In fact, 75% of U.S. consumers said they would pay more for American-made products of the same or better quality than imported goods.
With zero-down, low-down and prepaid options, the SolarWorld Freedom Plan gives homeowners the freedom to choose how they finance their American-made solar investment and minimize their upfront costs. The plan is offered in conjunction with SolarWorld’s complete solar-electric systems, which include photovoltaic equipment, installation, monitoring services, system insurance and maintenance for up to 20 years.
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http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com...can-financing/
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PG&E accused of declaring war on solar
By Nilima Choudhury - 13 February 2013, 11:52
In News, Power Generation
Californian utility company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has accused solar net metering users of increasing energy rates for its customers.
Helen Burt, PG&E Chief Customer Officer and a Senior Vice President, wrote in a blog, “When customers install solar and use net energy metering, they avoid paying their fair share of the electricity grid they use at night. Remaining utility customers pay for the fixed costs of the electricity grid and other programs, driving their rates higher.”
Although she emphasises that PG&E has offered “unparalleled” commitment to solar power, she states the utility has a responsibility “to protect customers who choose not to install solar or can’t afford solar.”
Net metering is a programme that provides rooftop solar customers with utility bill credits for the surplus clean energy that their solar systems feed onto the electric grid.
Run on Sun Founder Jim Jenal has called her blog a “Declaration of War” and said Burt’s “populist attack on solar” is “nonsense”.
Jenal said, “All customers, including those who install solar and use net metering, are billed the same way to cover the costs mentioned by Ms. Burt. But here’s the thing, the amount of that payment is tied to energy usage – the more kilowatt hours you consume in a billing period, the more you pay for grid maintenance.”
Jenal concludes, “Utilities like PG&E know that as solar costs come down, they are going to start losing more and more revenue.
“Since distributed generation reduces their peak load, they have less and less justification to build more generation capacity, which is the basis for their guaranteed returns. In a world where many more utility customers can afford to install solar, this is simply not a sustainable business model. So PG&E is doing what every dying industry does – attacking the “fairness” of the competitor that is eroding their bottom line.”
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http://www.pv-tech.org/news/pge_accu...g_war_on_solar
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GM boosts support for solar by joining SEIA
By Felicity Carus - 13 February 2013, 10:04
In News, Fab & Facilities, Power Generation
General Motors became the first automaker to join the Solar Energy Industries Association at last week's PV America East in Philadelphia.
GM already has 30MW of solar installed globally, and has set a target to double that figure by 2015 and bring its total renewable energy capacity to 120MW by 2020.
Rob Threlkeld, renewable energy manager for GM, said that its solar and landfill gas installations had saved the company around $100 million since the early 1990s. "Long-term electricity contracts that can save us money and hedge against increasing rates on the grid," he said.
In the US, some 2.1% of GM's energy comes from renewables and its solar arrays alone are enough to power 800 homes.
In 2011, GM partnered with utility company DTE Energy to build a 516kw project at its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant. It will generate enough electricity to charge 150 Chevrolet Volts every day and save the company $15,000 a year in reduced energy bills. That year GM also commissioned Constellation Energy to build an array that will save approximately $330,000 during the life of the project.
GM also has a 350kW ground-mount array at GM’s Lake Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan, a 1.8MW rooftop solar array at Toledo Transmission Plant in Ohio and a 1.237MW array on the rooftop of its White Marsh plant in Maryland and a 1MW solar array on the rooftop of its Rancho Cucamonga distribution centre in California.
Threlkeld said: "The strong driving factor is that renewable energy is here, costs have come down significantly, and it's to the point where it's getting to grid parity, which is the driver. As you look at large corporations that are end users we have the ability to drive scale, and that ultimately drives down costs even further and we have the ability to reach a lot of consumers with our end products."
The company has tended towards poly- and monocrystalline silicon in recent years from the likes of First Solar, although it had used Unisolar's thin film panels in the past. But load-bearing rooftops are not so much of an issue at GM facilities, he said.
"We are pretty agnostic on technology. It's really what works best for the application and the limitations we may have on our facilities. Most of our facilities are 40 to 50 years old and a lot of the equipment is hung from the roof such as conveyor systems. So weight hasn't been a big issue and we've gone more for mono and poly crystalline type panels in the last installations."
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http://www.pv-tech.org/news/gm_boost...y_joining_seia
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New world record efficiency for thin film silicon solar cells
12.02.13 - EPFL’s Institute of Microengineering has reached a remarkable 10.7% efficiency single-junction microcrystalline silicon solar cell, clearly surpassing the previous world record of 10.1% held by the Japanese company Kaneka Corporation since 1998. Such significant efficiency, independently certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE CalLab PV Cells), was achieved in addition with less than 2 micrometers of photovoltaic active material.
The Photovoltaics-Laboratory (PV-Lab) of IMT, founded in 1984 by Prof. Arvind Shah and now headed by Prof. Christophe Ballif, is well known as a pioneer in the development of thin-film silicon solar cells, and as a precursor in the use of microcrystalline silicon as a photoactive material in thin-film silicon photovoltaic (TF-Si PV) devices. A remarkable step was achieved this week by the team led by Dr. Fanny Meillaud and Dr. Matthieu Despeisse with a new world record efficiency of 10.7% for a single-junction microcrystalline silicon solar cell, independently confirmed at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE CalLab PV Cells), Freiburg, Germany.
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http://actu.epfl.ch/news/new-world-r...film-silicon-/
• Video Link
http://cleantechnica.com/2013/02/12/...n-going-solar/
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