Solar Tech News - RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Report: Two Solar Technologies That Will Thrive; Two On the Demise

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:34:28 GMT

For every revolutionary advance in solar, there are countless evolutionary dead-ends — technologies that were well worth exploring, but ones that ultimately failed to live up to the mantra of "cut costs or die."

Solar Manufacturing's New Strategy: "Co-opetition"

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:38:10 GMT

The current crisis in solar manufacturing is leading to some novel economic strategies. Pure manufacturing is dead, say many solar companies: it's time to diversify.

Another Volley as US-China Trade Battle Intensifies

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:40:12 GMT

China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said that after a months-long investigation it has ruled that the United States government broke World Trade Organization rules by supporting six renewable energy projects through unfair grants.

Could Taiwan be the Next Big Solar Manufacturing Hub?

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:21:27 GMT

Whether the U.S. DOCs ruling recommending 31% tariffs on Chinese solar cells will have a positive impact on Taiwan's solar cell industry, Maxim Group's Aaron Chew responds confidently, "Without a shadow of a doubt." Faced with 31% import tariffs on Chinese made solar cells, analysts say Chinese solar manufacturers are already turning to their neighbors across the Taiwan Straits to source solar cells.

Large-scale Molybdenum Electrodes for Manufacturing CIGS Solar Cells

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:58:43 GMT

There is a growing demand for cost-effective and high-performance thin-film photovoltaic solutions, thanks to the falling prices of their crystalline silicon (c-Si) counterparts. Copper-indium-(gallium)-diselenide (or/and sulfide) (CIGS) technology is regarded by some as the most promising thin-film PV contender to the c-Si due to its high conversion efficiencies, potential cost effectiveness and incrementally improving manufacturability.

Foreign Dominance of U.S. Clean Energy Market Spells Trouble for America

Tue, 22 May 2012 16:44:43 GMT

If you are a small player in the U.S. clean energy market, you are having a harder and harder time finding capital to continue to fund your business, despite that fact that your domestic market is seen as the one with the largest potential for growth. So what do you do? According to Third Way, a political think tank, you look to foreign investors.

Lawmakers Expand First-in-nation Solar Registration

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:01:13 GMT

Vermont’s pioneering solar registration program, which caught the attention of the national solar industry and policymakers last year, has been expanded. The program is providing a national model for reducing costly and time-consuming local solar permitting. A year after Vermont lawmakers initiated the program, Act 125 doubles the size of pr

Yesterday's Solar Eclipse – Tomorrow's Healthy Solar Industry

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:20:55 GMT

There was a solar eclipse yesterday. The kind in the sky where the moon partially obscures the sun.

Asia Report: Solar Stocks Tumble After Tariff Ruling

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:02:34 GMT

It was another rough week for China's once booming solar manufacturers, who are already reeling from overcapacity and major subsidy drawbacks in the European market.

Will SolarWorld's Brand be Helped or Harmed by the China Trade Dispute?

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

When one thinks of the solar trade dispute that has led to a 31 percent-plus tariff on Chinese solar manufacturers, the first brand that comes to mind is SolarWorld, who publicly led the CASM Coalition and filed the complaint. Now that the decision is in, will SolarWorld’s leadership benefit its brand relationship with installers or hurt it?

Will Chinese Solar Module Tariffs Restore Balance to the Industry?

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:55:22 GMT

In the quest to "level the playing field," the 31 percent anti-dumping tariff announced Thursday was a good start, said SolarWorld President Gordon Brinser, but even more is needed to bring the industry back into balance.

31 Percent Anti-Dumping Tariffs Announced for Chinese Solar Panels

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:35:08 GMT

The U.S. Department of Commerce on Thursday announced stiff anti-dumping tariffs of around 31 percent on crystalline silicon solar panels imported from China, leading to a new round of concerns on how the duties will impact the growing American solar industry.

Domestic Module Manufacturing: PV Globalization or Political Vote-Seeking?

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:35:38 GMT

Despite 2011 having been a particularly challenging year for PV cell and module manufacturers, new small-scale module manufacturing facilities continue to be implemented, especially in emerging markets. In some cases, these companies/facilities are either aligned to local government policies or are implemented purely as diversification strategies. Other examples are joint-ventures between private and government entities. Such JV's are intended to represent "national" centers-of-excellence to serve domestic or regional market demand.

Rethinking the Role of Government in Cleantech

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:38:00 GMT

Another year, another wringing of the hands over tax credits and incentives for clean technology. Lobbyists and vendors in the U.S. are once again singing the blues, calling for continued and expanding government investments in clean technology. At the same time, political challengers continue their Solyndra hootenanny, raking the curren

Five Shining Examples of Renewable Energy Innovation and Investment

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:34:00 GMT

Sinking revenues and shrinking policy support may be causing a bit of a haze on the renewable energy horizon, but there's plenty of sunshine trying to peek through if you look hard enough.

Senate Democrats: Exclude Chinese Solar Panels From ITC

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:46:53 GMT

Two high-profile Senate Democrats introduced a proposal Tuesday that if passed would set domestic requirements on solar installations looking to qualify for the 30 percent Investment Tax Credit.

Solar Woes Continue with Sovello's Bankruptcy Filing

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:55:12 GMT

Sovello has joined a growing roster of solar companies that have filed for bankruptcy over the past year, the German company said Monday. The announcement came after another German solar manufacturer, Soltecture, filed for bankruptcy last Wednesday.

5 Ways to Act Like a Solar Leader — or Become One

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

I read a bucket of press releases about solar companies every week, and if I’m to literally believe their words, then there are thousands of “leading” solar manufacturers and services in the world. In fact, the word “leading,” “leader,” etc has become so common and overused in press releases that it&rsquo

Australia's CBD Acquires Westinghouse Solar; CEO Out

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:59:45 GMT

Emerging Australian company CBD Energy has an agreement in place to acquire California-based Westinghouse Solar in an all-stock deal that will give the company better access to the growing American solar market.

First Solar Posts Disappointing Q1 Results

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:14:45 GMT

First Solar, which recently announced it was shuttering its Germany facility, idling lines in Malaysia and laying off 30 percent of its global workforce, detailed some of the struggles facing the company with its quarterly report.