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Inauguration
of 1.8 MW system in Germany
On July 9, the Husum, Germany-based investment company BGZ AG opened
its first PV power plant. The 1.8 MW system – designed by Shell
Solar GmbH – was handed over ready for operations to a BGZ
subsidiary, BGZ Beteiligungsgesellschaft Zukunftsenergien AG.
Aleo expands
module production to 60 MW
Although German company Aleo Solar GmbH hardly has finished doubling
the annual capacity at its module production company Solarmanufaktur
Deutschland GmbH (SMD) from nearly 15 MW to now around 25 to 30 MW (see
PI 6/2004, p. 12), it is announcing new plans.
Sharp opens
first European module factory
For a world market leader, this first foothold in Europe is rather
humble: Sharp opened its module production facility in a small,
abandoned shop in Wales. But it looks like the company is thinking
strategically. It's very likely that Sharp will quickly expand its
European operations.
Solarforce
is looking for investors to commercialize silicon ribbon process
While prices for solar silicon are climbing, it seems to be an
auspicious moment to dust off past research projects aiming to cut raw
material waste during wafer production. That's exactly what
newly-founded company Solarforce is up to. The French company plans to
start production of 150 µm thin wafers using an innovative
crystalline silicon ribbon technology next year.
Total
Energie approves construction of module factory in Toulouse
In early June, France-based solar systems integrator Total Energie
S.A. approved construction of a €6 million ($7.3 million) PV module
factory in Toulouse. The wholly-owned subsidiary will be called
Tenesol Technologies.
Reverse
current overload tests for modules in Europe
If you compare US module specs with those of European companies,
you'll find that specs on the other side of the Atlantic contain
information nobody on the Continent has requested so far – for
instance, the reverse current overload parameter. With the new
European EN 50380 norm, things are about to change. And maybe before
this year is out, the new international standard IEC 61730 will
include reverse current overload tests as well.
Arsenal
opens module test laboratory
At the end of April, Austrian research and test center Arsenal GmbH
opened a test laboratory in Vienna for components of PV and solar
thermal systems.
Spain
approves PV feed-in tariff improvements at last minute
Despite the devastating bomb attacks in Madrid on March 11, Spain's
Council of Ministers met the next day – their last assembly before
the March 14 election brought the opposition Socialists to power –
and approved a Royal Decree which has resolved all the problems with
the country's flawed PV feed-in tariff (see PI 3/2004, p. 20).
Comparison
of solar modules on a hospital in Luxembourg
The research institute Centre de Recherche Public Henri Tudor in
Luxembourg will begin testing solar modules: a 50 kW PV system and a
reference test field are planned at the municipal hospital in Esch/Alzette.
Solon
looking for cell suppliers for world's largest PV system
Plans for a PV system with an 18 MW capacity in southern Germany are
taking shape. The project is led by Berlin-based PV module
manufacturer Solon AG under contract to as-yet anonymous investors
after going through a regional planning commission in which civil
servants, municipalities, as well as environmental organizations were
able to ask questions and raise objections. Construction is expected
to start in July.
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