Bosch Solar Energy announced the formal opening of the company's new solar cell production facility in Armstadt, Germany. The facility, once fully completed, will have production capacity of about 10,000 cells an hour, or about 90 million solar cells a year. Bosch Solar Energy is investing a total of EUR 530 million into this location, with the goal to integrate the production process to be able to output all solar products from ingots, to finished and assembled solar modules.
ReneSola has signed two major wafer supply deals with two companies from Taiwan, totalling in 836 MW of capacity.
The first agreement, with Neo Solar Power Corporation, will require ReneSola to delivery 239 MW of multicrystalline wafers starting from July 2010 to December 2013, and another 141 MW of monocrystalline wafers from October 2010 to December 2013.
Mansell Construction (UK) has been awarded the contract to build the operations & maintenance base for the London Array wind energy project, at Ramsgate Port. The facility has been designed by BBLB Architects to include positive sustainable measures. It will take advantage of natural light, and will incorporate a grass roof and use combined heat and power.
Construction is to start in September this year, while completion is expected in June 2011.
[source: Mansell Construction, image: BBLB architects]
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) has officially started its 12 MW Wyandot Solar Farm, in Wynadot County, Ohio (USA). The power plant was officially dedicated by the state governor Ted Strickland.
The project features 159,000 ground mounted solar modules, and generates enough electricity to power about 9000 average Ohio households. It was completed in June 2010, and is the largest solar power plant in Ohio.
All power produced at the power plant is exported to Columbus Southern Power and Ohio Power Company under a long-term power purchase agreement.
[source: PSEG]
The State of Illinois (USA), has passed new legislation which enables a ramp-up of solar energy development in that state. The state government has approved a USD 4 million grant for the development of 62 MW of new solar energy capacity in Rockford, Illinois. This was announced at the opening of a solar panel manufacturing plant in Rockford, belonging to Wanxiang America Corporation.
The new solar project will be one of the lagest PV projects in the US, capable of generating enough clean electricity to supply about 10,000 average homes in the state. Additionally, this project will also create new jobs.
Duke Energy announed its decision to discontinue the small coastal wind energy demo project in North Carolina, USA. The project was to feature three wind turbines, installed at Pamlico Sound. The project has lost its economical viability, so the company has decided to scrap it.
Vestas announced plans to relocate its North American HQ in Portland to a new building, which will achieve LEED Platinum certified, and will be adapted to accommodate 250 employees, featuring latest energy saving technology and "ecoproof" terrace and gardens.
Construction activities on the existing structure of the building will begin in October this year, while Vestas expects its employees to officially move in in 2012. To keep things even cleaner, the roof will be packed with solar panels. The total cost of this project is about USD 66 million. Vestas says this is a long term relocation investment.
enXco, part of EDF Energies Nouvelles, has made a relatively small equity investment in Solaria, a solar module producer. The companies have also entered into a strategic five year agreement, under which Solaria is to supply enXco with solar modules for the companies solar energy projects in North America.
Solaria modules are especially designed for use on ground mounted tracking systems, which the company touts to be a low-cost solutions for PV energy projects.
[source: enXco and Solaria]
Vestas has signed a supply agreement with China Guandgong Nuclear Wind Power (CGNWP) for the delivery of 87 V52-850 kW units, totalling in 74 MW of capacity. The new turbines are to be installed near Taishan City, in Guangdong Province, China.
Under the terms of the agreement, Vestas is to deliver, install and commission the units, as well as provide its remote monitoring system to CGNWP. Additionally, Vestas is to provide service and maintenance for the wind turbines. The first units should start arriving to Guangdong Province in Q4 2010.
[source: Vestas]
Iberdrola is leading the VIDA project (advanced technologies in the integrated recovery of algae) with the goal of developing new micralgae-based technologies. The project has been selected by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, as part of the Cenit program.
