Sunday, June 17, 2007

Suntech shows off solar tech

WUXI, China, June 15 (UPI) -- Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. announced a demonstration of solar technologies at the Off-Site exhibition at the U.K. Building Research Establishment.

China-based Suntech is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic cells and modules.

Suntech's demonstration was of its MSK Building Integrated Photovoltaic system. The installation is part of Kingspan Off-Site's Lighthouse net-zero carbon home, which is the first house design to achieve the British government's Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6.

Kingspan Off-Site is a leading European manufacturer of modern methods of construction.
The Lighthouse was developed by Kingspan Off-Site in conjunction with multiple partner companies and is the first house to co-generate sufficient electrical power to meet the new sustainable home requirements. By 2016, all new homes built in the United Kingdom will be required to be designed and constructed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6. It is expected that 200,000 new homes will be built annually in the United Kingdom by 2016.

"Suntech is very pleased to have collaborated with the Kingspan Off-Site team, Sheppard Robson architects and Arup consultants to create this high performance solution," said Jerry Stokes, president of Suntech Europe. "Visitors to Off-Site 2007 have been impressed with the excellent integration of the Just Roof PV modules into the building design where the modules function as both an electrical energy generator and the weatherproof roof of the building. This solution offsets some of the building cost as well as providing the annual power requirements for the house."

The project incorporated 57 MSK Just Roof BIPV modules, which replace conventional roofing panels. MSK Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suntech.

China To Clean Energy For 2008 Games

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Prensa Latina reports that China will power its stadiums during the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games with about 500 KW of solar energy and has pledged to cut dependence from pollutants like coal and oil.

Yu Xiaoxuan, Beijing 2008 vice director for Planning, Construction and Environment, said this weekend they want to improve the clean energy volumes promised during the bid.
More than 64,583 sq. feet of solar panel powers the Olympic Village water heating systems, and its cooling system will recycle drain water and keep the dorms during Beijing’s hot summer at 13 degrees.

Aeolic energy also supplies electricity to the new installations, and a parking lot.

China's Sichuan eyes $1-b wind, solar farms

By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Sichuan Electric Power Co. of China is exploring the possibility of investing at least $1 billion to put up solar and wind farms in the Philippines.

Francis Chua, special envoy for investments to China, said Sichuan officials had met with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Chongqing City during her follow-up state visit to China last month.

He added the company expressed its intent to pursue wind and solar power as well as nuclear-based projects in the Philippines. The projects may require capital infusion of $1 billion to $3 billion, depending on the magnitude.

The Department of Energy had estimated that each megawatt of power generation required an investment of about $1 million.

A 150-contingent of businessmen is coming over to the Philippines from China next month to explore investment prospects.

Chua said Sichuan top officials would be part of the group to look for potential sites in Northern Luzon for the company’s proposed wind project. The company has said it prefers site to be connected to the power grid.

The Philippines is encouraging further investments in the power sector to ensure the stable supply of electricity in the country.

Electricity supply in Luzon is especially critical as the islands run out of enough installed capacity. The energy department said the Luzon grid must have an additional power capacity ranging from 1,990 megawatts to 2,290 mw by 2014 in order to have sufficient supply to meet increased demand for electricity.