Solar Power World

Solar Power World Today

Solar calculator app for Androids and iPhone

The program is available in English, German and Italian. A solar yield calculator app is available for Android smartphones. An iPhone version already exists. Its developer Vario says the app enables calculating photovoltaic system yield and CO² savings. The calculator depends on the average annual solar radiation at the site to calculate the possible yield of a photovoltaic system. The application determines the location via GPS tracking. Modern mobile phones detect tilt and... Read More

Tweaking tiny parts can boost efficiency

By tweaking the smallest of parts, a trio of University at Buffalo engineers is hoping to dramatically increase the amount of sunlight that solar cells convert into electricity. Vladimir Mitin With military colleagues, the UB researchers have shown that embedding charged quantum dots into photovoltaic cells can improve electrical output by enabling the cells to harvest infrared light, and by increasing the lifetime of photoelectrons. The research appeared online last May in the... Read More

SolarBridge Technologies Signs Deal To Introduce Microinverters To Mexico

SolarBridge Technologies, a developer of module-integrated microinverters for the solar industry, announces a partnership with Solartec Energia Renovable to introduce AC modules to Mexico. Solartec will manufacture and sell AC modules powered by SolarBridge Pantheon microinverters into the Mexican market. Solartec’s S60MC is a 240-watt monocrystalline AC module that converts DC power from each solar module to grid-compliant AC power. The S60MC features a SolarBridge Pantheon... Read More

Understanding Clean Energy Standards

Although the U.S. currently lacks a solid national clean-energy policy, many states have already made commitments of their own. But clean-energy standards can be confusing. Join us in a special 1-hour webinar entitled “Understanding Clean Energy Standards.” Expert speakers from Standard Solar and DSIREUSA.org will define and distinguish clean energy policies and net metering laws, using different states as examples. This webinar helps explain clean energy standards and how... Read More

Kathie’s Question: Is solar energy already cheaper than fossil fuel?

In my Clean Energy Standards article in our 2012 Renewable Energy Handbook I discussed how manufacturers and their supply chains are working to get the cost of renewable power lower than that from natural gas. This is something I’ve heard commonly discussed at tradeshows. However, one reader sharply noted that renewable energy may already cost less than fossil fuels, depending on how you look at it. I’d like to share his comments with you. Perhaps the fossil fuel... Read More

GE Energy launches Power Conversion business

GE Energy has shared its next step in the integration of its acquisition of Converteam by renaming the business Power Conversion. The company says Power Conversion’s technologies in process controls, automation systems and high-efficiency power electronics, motors and generators will better meet customer needs by improving operational efficiency and productivity. Power Conversion will help GE expand its presence in energy efficiency, electrification and automation.Power... Read More

Solar Policy: Solyndra Attacks Are Already Starting

So I’m sitting on my couch with my wife, watching the morning weather forecast and enjoying my coffee, when this … thing comes across my TV during a commercial break:This is the third of fourth morning in a row that I’ve had my quiet time with my beloved spoiled with an ad that is dishonest, overblown and ridiculous (I’ve already spoken about this cooked up Solyndra scandal on a couple of occasions and criticized anyone who uses Solyndra as a metaphor... Read More

Shame On Wired Magazine For Sucker Punching Solar And Wind

Wired Magazine committed journalistic murder on both the wind and solar industries in this disgraceful article. I didn’t catch this article when it first came out in the February 2012 issue of the magazine, but it was brought to my attention by Climate Progress in this unbelievably pointed post. I don’t have a lot to add to Climate Progress’ takedown of the article (and all of their supporting documentation to back up their points) — they did a wonderful job.... Read More

Solar Policy: What A Great Explanation Of The U.S.-China Trade War

CleanTechnica is a great blog on cleantech industries (in fact, their front page post today has to do with wind power, so though it’s not exclusively solar related, it’s one you should check out regularly). They did a three-part series (I linked to each individual parts because it’s hard to find on the site) on the U.S.-China solar trade war. It’s a great in-depth look at the conflict from an insider’s perspective. I’ve caught a lot of heat... Read More

Solar Projects: KB Home Introduces Solar Power as Standard in Florida

KB Home announced that it will include solar power systems as a standard feature of its Built to Order homes in select communities in central Florida. The systems can help KB homeowners reduce their monthly energy bills by as much as 50% when compared to a typical resale home and lower their cost of homeownership for years to come. KB Home’s Fisher Plantation in Apopka will be the first community in the area to include solar power systems as standard. To illustrate the potential... Read More

Solar Projects: Wells Fargo Announces Equity Financing Deal

Wells Fargo & Co. announced that equity financing is complete for a 53.5 megawatt (MW) multi-site solar project in New Mexico. The 53.5MW solar project, one of largest photovoltaic solar power projects in the U.S., was fully activated in December. The multi-site solar project was made possible through a power purchase agreement between SunEdison and Southwestern Public Service Co. which was previously announced in September. Wells Fargo provided the construction and permanent... Read More

Solar Projects: Deutsche Bank Completes Solar Project On Its Headquarters

Deutsche Bank today announced the completion and operation of a 122.4 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its Americas’ headquarters in New York, located at 60 Wall Street. The roof-mounted array will reduce the Bank’s electricity consumption from the grid and will decrease carbon emissions by 100 metric tons per year. The building is a 50 story, 745 foot tall skyscraper, occupied solely by Deutsche Bank. The PV System, which is located on the inclined South and East... Read More

Solar Industry Unites For Massachussets School Project

PowerPlay Solar Development, an integrated solar development and finance company based in Ridgefield, Conn., announced the commissioning and commencement of operation of the 2 MW, nine-acre photovoltaic solar plant developed by the company at Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass. The project is currently the largest operating solar facility of its kind at any school or college in New England. PowerPlay Solar Development designed and constructed the project in collaboration with... Read More

Anything Happen While I Was Away?

Sorry for the paucity of posting over the past few days. I had to take some time to deal with a family emergency. But now I’m back and expecting to have a full slew of posts this week. Anything in particular you think I should be focusing on?  Read More

Inverter manufacturer offers program for solar installers

Inverter manufacturer SMA America‘s Sunny PRO Club—a membership-based professional partnership program for solar installers—has extended its Regional Forums through 2012. This year, its slate of technical training, hands-on product workshops and informative presentations was expanded to include micro-string hybrid photovoltaic (PV) systems, SMA’s monitoring and off-grid solar inverter product lines and SMA Service. Sixteen events—free with pre-registration—are... Read More

Solar Components

Solar calculator app for Androids and iPhone

A solar yield calculator app is available for Android smartphones. An iPhone version already exists. Its developer Vario says the app enables calculating photovoltaic system yield and CO² savings. The calculator depends on the average annual solar radiation at the site to calculate the possible yield of a photovoltaic system. The application determines the location via [...]

Inverters

SolarBridge Technologies Signs Deal To Introduce Microinverters To Mexico

SolarBridge Technologies, a developer of module-integrated microinverters for the solar industry, announces a partnership with Solartec Energia Renovable to introduce AC modules to Mexico. Solartec will manufacture and sell AC modules powered by SolarBridge Pantheon microinverters into the Mexican market. Solartec’s S60MC is a 240-watt monocrystalline AC module that converts DC power from each solar [...]

Projects

Solar Projects: KB Home Introduces Solar Power as Standard in Florida

KB Home announced that it will include solar power systems as a standard feature of its Built to Order homes in select communities in central Florida. The systems can help KB homeowners reduce their monthly energy bills by as much as 50% when compared to a typical resale home and lower their cost of homeownership [...]

Racking and Mounting

Westinghouse Solar Publishes White Paper On Solar Power Mounting

Westinghouse Solar, a designer and manufacturer of solar power systems, published a White Paper entitled: “The Revolution in Solar Power Mounting Systems.” This White Paper details the financial, engineering and customer benefits of rooftop solar power systems that have integrated racking, wiring and grounding, including those from Westinghouse Solar and Zep Solar. The White Paper [...]