SolarReserve, Kensani, Intikon win 88MW solar project in South Africa

The award brings the consortium's award to three projects totaling 238MW and accounting for a 20 percent share of South Africa's solar energy market. The Jasper Solar Energy Project, located in the Northern Cape of South Africa, was developed in response to the DOE's second bidding window for the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

In December 2011, the consortium received preferred bidder status for two 75MW DC projects in the first round of the DOE's solicitation for renewable energy projects.

The two projects, Letsatsi and Lesedi PV, are expected to begin construction in June 2012 and are two of the largest projects in the first round of awards. They will generate enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 50,000 homes in South Africa....
SolarReserve, Kensani, Intikon win 88MW solar project in South Africa

Suntech to roll out new compact 60-cell module at Intersolar Munich

The sleek frame design will be utilized on Suntech's new W-Series 260W modules, each with 60, six-inch monocrystalline cells that together achieve up to 16 percent module-level conversion efficiency. The 1640 x 992 x 35 mm module is one of the most powerful in its class and ideally suited for Europe's robust residential solar market.

In the new design, the module frame has been narrowed from 50mm to 35mm and total module weight has been reduced significantly from 19.1kg to 18.2kg. The changes make the module easier to handle, and allow for more efficient packaging that can reduce total storage and shipment costs by up to 25 percent. In addition, the lower aluminum content reduces the product's carbon footprint and energy-payback period to less than two years under average conditions.

The new modules are equipped to withstand all weather conditions, including 3.800 Pascal wind loads and 5.400 Pascal snow loads, well above IEC standard requirements.....
Suntech to roll out new compact 60-cell module at Intersolar Munich

NADB, SunEdison ink loan agreement for Picture Rocks solar park in Arizona

In December 2011, the Board of Directors of NADB and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) approved certification and financing for the design, construction and operation of a photovoltaic solar energy plant, which is expected to generate sufficient electricity to supply power to approximately 3,500 homes.

The project will supply electricity to Tucson Electric Power (TEP), an Arizona corporation and principal subsidiary of UNS Energy Corporation (UNS), through a 20-year purchase power agreement. TEP provides electric service to the Tucson metropolitan area.

The project is part of TEP's plan to comply with the Arizona Corporation Commission's (ACC's) Renewable Energy Standard, which requires regulated electric utilities in Arizona to generate 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2025....
NADB, SunEdison ink loan agreement for Picture Rocks solar park in Arizona

KYOCERA ships US-made modules for Arlington Valley Solar Energy II

Kyocera said production of the modules for the large-scale project will continue through March 2013.

Manufactured in Kyocera’s San Diego production facility, the 245-watt and 315-watt modules will become part of the Arlington Valley Solar Energy II project (AV Solar), scheduled to begin operations in late 2013 on approximately 1,160 acres near Arizona’s Hassayampa Substation in Maricopa County.

Kyocera said production of the modules for the Arlington Valley Solar Energy II project will continue through March 2013. Once complete, the project’s 127MW-generating capacity will place it among the largest solar photovoltaic installations in North America....
KYOCERA ships US-made modules for Arlington Valley Solar Energy II

Suzlon to power AmakhalaEmoyeni Phase 1 wind project in South Africa

Cennergi has chosen to use 66 of Suzlon’s S97-2.1 MW turbines for the project. Suzlon will deliver the turbines under a full EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) agreement.

The AmakhalaEmoyeni Phase 1 project was submitted by Cennergi, a joint venture between South Africa's Exxaro Resources and India’s Tata Power, under the second window of the Request for Bids for the Independent Power Producers Programme.

Thomas Garner, Cennergi CEO said: “We had presented a very high quality bid, tailor-made for the energy needs of the Republic of South Africa. Suzlon’s vast experience in emerging markets and current standing in the energy sector in South Africa specifically, has been instrumental in securing this bid. We are very excited by this opportunity and are looking forward to building a very successful wind project.”

Silas Zimu, CEO of Suzlon South Africa, said: “The selection of our turbines,...Suzlon to power AmakhalaEmoyeni Phase 1 wind project in South Africa

AMSC receives wind turbine ECS order from Inox

Devansh Jain, director of Inox Wind, said: "We were amongst the first manufacturers to begin producing 2MW turbines locally in volumes and have quickly established a leadership position in the market. This position is strengthened by our vertical approach, which includes best-in-class manufacturing as well as project development. We look forward to continuing our growth with AMSC at our side."

AMSC's ECS are an integrated suite of power electronics systems that include the wind turbine power converter cabinet, internal power supply and various controls. Together, the systems serve as the ‘brains’ of the wind turbine and enable reliable, high-performance operation by controlling power flows, regulating voltage, monitoring system performance, controlling the pitch of wind turbine blades and the yaw of the turbines to maximize efficiency.

The ECS are being utilized in Inox's...AMSC receives wind turbine ECS order from Inox

Siemens to power-up El Arrayan wind project in Chile

The scope of supply encompasses delivery, installation and commissioning of the 50 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines, including a five-year service and maintenance contract. Installation of the project is scheduled to begin in spring 2013, with commissioning of the wind power plant planned for early 2014.

Mark Albenze, CEO of the Siemens Wind Power Americas business unit, said: "The El Arrayan wind power plant is our first project in South America outside Brazil and marks our entry into the Chilean market. We look forward to growing our presence in this region."

According to the Global Wind Energy Council, Chile has good wind resources from the northern deserts to the extreme South and estimates the country's wind energy potential to be around 40GW. Other Siemens wind orders in South America include three projects with a combined capacity of nearly 300 megawatts (MW) in Brazil, which will be installed in 2012 and 2013....
Siemens to power-up El Arrayan wind project in Chile

EDF acquires sole control of Edison

With the completion of the transaction, EDF's equity in Edison's ordinary shares increases from approximately 50 percent to slightly more than 80 percent and, with the termination of its shareholders agreement with Delmi, EDF is now in sole control of Edison.

Simultaneously with EDF's acquisition of control of Edison, Delmi completed, under its previously announced parallel contract, the acquisition from Edison of 50 percent of Edipower for €684 million and from Alpiq of 20 percent of Edipower for €200 million.

At the same time, Edipower is completing the reimbursement to Edison and Alpiq of the shareholder loans previously provided by them to Edipower....
EDF acquires sole control of Edison

GE supplies aeroderivative gas turbine generators to Dorad plant in Israel

The Dorad Energy power plant will play a critical role in enhancing the reliability of Israel’s electric system and will be the largest, and one of the first, independent power plants built in Israel since the country deregulated its electricity markets several years ago.

The plant is a combined-cycle design, meaning it uses hot exhaust from the GE gas turbines to generate steam to power two steam turbine-generators, further increasing plant output at higher efficiencies. GE expects the 50-megawatt aeroderivative units to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2013.

GE’s Veresegyház plant, located near Budapest, Hungary, is manufacturing the gas turbine-generators. The Veresegyház plant began operating in 2000 and serves as the foundation of GE’s turbine component production in the Central European region....
GE supplies aeroderivative gas turbine generators to Dorad plant in Israel

Total, SunPower commission new solar panel plant in France

The 3,300-square-meter plant is equipped with a 44 MWp production line and will roll out approximately 150,000 high efficiency solar panels annually. At this facility, SunPower's Maxeon® solar cells will be integrated and assembled into SunPower solar panels that will deliver a median efficiency of 20 percent. The solar panels will service the European residential and commercial rooftop markets.

The new production facility, SunPower Manufacturing De Vernejoul, will employ approximately 80 workers....
Total, SunPower commission new solar panel plant in France