tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67485773241755236962024-03-14T21:26:17.809+08:00Renewable Energy in China: Solar Energy, Wind Energy and other green energyI am one international sales manager since 2001. And I became interested in renewable energy in 2006, if you are interested in the renewable energy industry in China, I am willing to share my knowledge with you. I am available at solar-in-china@hotmail.com.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.comBlogger799125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-66601782728305164662009-05-15T09:47:00.000+08:002009-05-15T10:21:57.335+08:00ReneSola gets gov't OK for rooftop solar planAssociated Press, 05.13.09<br /><br />Chinese solar wafer maker ReneSola Ltd. said Wednesday it has received government approval to build a solar rooftop project in China's Zhejiang province.<br /><br />The five megawatt building integrated photovoltaic rooftop project has a total planned area of 80,400 square meters on several government buildings in the province. It is subject to final approval by two government organizations.<br /><br />The project will cost about $23.4 million and will be partially funded through a government subsidy.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-7945349251832177522009-05-15T09:32:00.000+08:002009-05-15T09:33:09.051+08:00China's Suntech to set up U.S. factoryMon May 11, 2009<br /><br />LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Chinese solar panel maker Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd on Monday said it plans to establish a manufacturing facility in the United States, though it has yet to choose a location.<br /><br />The company said it is exploring opportunities in several states as it seeks to expand its presence in the U.S. solar market. It plans to make a decision on the location in the next six months.<br /><br />Suntech Chief Executive Zhenrong Shi said in a statement that strong growth in solar demand from U.S. utilities and federal incentives for solar power had helped lead to the company's decision to set up a U.S. production plant.<br /><br />With Monday's announcement, Suntech joins a growing list of overseas renewable energy companies who are setting up production plants in the United States.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-68680003821381911402009-05-15T08:59:00.000+08:002009-05-15T09:00:33.105+08:00Suntech Announces Additional Repurchase of $150.4 Million 2012 Convertible Senior NotesSAN FRANCISCO and WUXI, China, May 8, 2009 /PRNewswire-Asia via COMTEX/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced that in the first quarter of 2009, Suntech re-purchased $150.4 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.25% convertible senior notes due 2012 for a total cash consideration of $129.9 million. As of May 8, 2009, Suntech had $255.8 million principal amount of its 2012 convertible senior notes outstanding. <br /><br />Suntech may from time to time seek to make additional repurchases of its convertible senior notes. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other factors.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-41747300437000427782009-05-08T15:26:00.000+08:002009-05-08T15:56:23.412+08:00Suntech Joins Solar Panel Recycling ProgramWhile the serviceable life of most solar panels is at least a couple of decades and some solar panel installations commissioned in the 1970's are still functioning today; at some stage in the time ahead a flood of panels will need to be disposed of - and preferably recycled.<br /> <br />Solar panels are essentially simple devices containing materials such as silicon, glass, aluminium and semiconductor materials that are all recyclable. Only a very small percentage of a solar panel's weight need ever be totally discarded. Recycling of solar panels is not only technically and economically feasible, but it could greatly decrease the overall ecological footprint associated with production<br /> <br />Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (stock: STP) the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced recently that the company has joined PV Cycle; a European association establishing a voluntary take-back and recycling program for solar panels. Suntech said that with 1GW of Suntech solar panels sold since its inception, the company believes it is essential that Suntech take a proactive role in developing effective recycling programs.<br /> <br />Through PV Cycle, the solar panel industry aims to develop overall waste management and recycling policy that achieves the highest economically feasible and environmentally responsible collection and recycling of PV modules. PV Cycle now covers around 80% of the European photovoltaic market with its 35 member companies spread around the world.<br /> <br />While PV Cycle is only covering the European market at present and no similar organisation yet exists in Australia, PV Cycle's efforts will certainly lay the groundwork that other regions will be able to follow.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-36553682246533278212009-05-08T15:13:00.001+08:002009-05-08T15:17:21.805+08:00China SDIC Huajing plans $293 mln solar projectSHANGHAI, May 7 (Reuters) - China SDIC Huajing Power Holdings Co (600886.SS) said on Thursday it plans to build a solar power station with a capacity of 200 megawatts and an initial investment of 2 billion yuan ($293.2 million).<br /><br />The first phase of the the project, to be located in the western province of Qinghai, would have a capacity of 100 megawatt, the company said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.<br /><br />The company, a unit of the State Development and Investment Corp, said the plan would need approval from state authorities.<br /><br />Beijing is expected to increase the target for solar power for 2020 at least fourfold, as part of a stimulus plan for the renewable energy industry.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-51784742985091141822009-05-08T14:19:00.000+08:002009-05-08T15:11:32.663+08:00Trina Solar Expands European Sales and Marketing TeamCHANGZHOU, China, May 6 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) ("Trina Solar" or the "Company"), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that the Company has expanded its European sales and marketing team.<br /><br />Due to the continued development of its business initiatives in Europe and the growing demand for Trina Solar's quality products in over 18 countries, the Company has expanded its Sales and Marketing team to better serve the established markets of Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, as well as the emerging markets such as the Czech Republic, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, and Greece. The Company is pleased to announce two new appointments, who joined the Company's strong sales team in April 2009.<br /><br />Ben Hill, formerly at BP Solar, has joined Trina Solar as Director of Sales & Marketing for Europe. Mr. Hill is a well-known and respected industry leader with over 23 years of experience in the photovoltaic industry. Prior to joining Trina Solar, he spent over 10 years at BP Solar, serving in both Germany and Spain and in various senior positions including Sales & Marketing Director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and most recently, as a Regional Director for Europe. Prior to BP Solar, he served as a Division Manager for Battery Control, DC Lighting and Solar at Sollatek Ltd. Mr. Hill will manage Trina Solar's operations in Europe and will refine and implement the Company's ambitious regional growth plans.<br /><br />Daniel Priem has joined Trina Solar as Central European Manager. Mr. Priem has over 10 years of experience in solar and other renewable energies. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Priem spent over seven years at SunTechnics, a Conergy Group company, as a sales representative for Central Europe, manager of SunTechnics (Sydney), sales head for Southeast Asia and Australia, and finally as Conergy Group's commercial manager for Southern Europe. Mr. Priem also served as the business development manager for Innovative Windpower AG.<br /><br />"We view Europe as an essential market region that includes key markets under current development," said Arturo Herrero, Trina Solar's Vice President of Sales & Marketing, who oversees Trina Solar's global sales and marketing. "We are delighted to strengthen our sales and marketing team with such talented and experienced personnel who bring years of regional and global knowledge and experience from well-known PV solar companies to our business."Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-40867493054810280172009-05-08T13:34:00.001+08:002009-05-08T14:19:44.424+08:00China to have 100 GW wind power capacity by 2020Beijing, May 4 (Xinhua) - China plans to finish 100 gigawatts of wind power capacity and expand its renewable energy consumption to 40 per cent of the energy market by 2050. <br /><br /> <br />The goal for wind power capacity was more than three times of the 30 gigawatts target that the government set 18 months ago, Monday's China Daily reported. <br /><br />China will also become the biggest growth market for wind power generating capacity this year, ahead of the United States, said the report, citing a forecast from the Global Wind Energy Council(GWEC). <br /><br />As the world's second largest energy consumer, China has around 12 gigawatts of wind power capacity and has said it wants to raise that to around 20 gigawatts by next year. <br /><br />The plan means wind will be a bigger source of renewable energy than nuclear, despite a construction boom in nuclear power plants, and also far bigger than solar, which is expected to hit 1.8 gigawatts, according to a 2007 plan. <br /><br />The annual growth rate in China's wind power will be around 20 per cent, said Fang Junshi, head of the coal department of the National Energy Administration. <br /><br />China is currently the fourth largest wind power producer in the world after the United States, Germany and Spain. <br /><br />The World Wind Energy Report 2008 had predicted that Asia, under China's lead, will "become the worldwide locomotive for the wind industry" and "Chinese wind turbine manufacturers will be among the top international suppliers".Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-59308739875841390312009-05-08T13:31:00.002+08:002009-05-08T13:34:09.779+08:00CSI Reaches Funding Deal with City of Suzhou; Signs 5-MW Contract with TopinfrasolarToronto, Canada [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] <br /><br />Canadian Solar Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with the Suzhou New District, Suzhou municipal government to fund local solar projects. The Suzhou New District government has agreed to provide US $1.09 million in matching funds in conjunction with the subsidies provided by China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Constructions for building PV installations. <br /><br />"These funds will be used to capitalize commercial rooftop and BIPV projects in the region of the municipality."<br /><br />-- Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, Canadian Solar<br /><br />These monies will be used to exclusively support solar projects undertaken by Canadian Solar in Suzhou New District. Other sources of project debt or equity will be arranged by the company or by the project owners.<br /><br />"Canadian Solar is proud to announce, in cooperation with the Suzhou New District, that we are the first to jointly develop a municipal PV program using the renewable energy stimulus funds in China. These funds will be used to capitalize commercial rooftop and BIPV projects in the region of the municipality,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.<br /><br />In related news, CSI has also announced that it has signed a new sales agreement with Topinfrasolar, a Korean systems integrator, which will expand the relationship and supply agreement by an additional 5 megawatts (MW).<br />sola<br />The contracted deliveries may include both regular and e-Modules and stipulates deliveries for Korean installations in 2009. CSI and Topinfrasolar have had a successful business relationship since the beginning of 2009 that has already resulted in the successful delivery to five projects of approximately 3 MW in total.<br /><br />"We are also very pleased to work with Canadian Solar, one of the world class suppliers of solar photovoltaic panels. We have so far implemented several solar farm projects in Korea using Canadian Solar modules and we are impressed by their consistently superior module quality. With this new contract, we look forward to continuing our relationship with Canadian Solar and to offering long-term reliable returns to our solar farm investors," said Hyung Seok Oh, CEO of Topinfrasolar.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-14230843101591014072009-05-04T20:53:00.002+08:002009-05-04T21:27:54.039+08:00Evergreen Solar shifts manufacturing future to China, targets US$1/W in 201201 May 2009 | By Mark Osborne<br /><br />String Ribbon solar cell manufacturer Evergreen Solar is planning future expansions in China, with the aim of reaching a manufacturing cost of US$1 per watt by the end of 2012. The aggressive goal is in tandem with ramping a new plant in China to 500MW in that time frame. This is being planned with another PV manufacturer, Jiawei Solar (Wuhan) Co., and the Wuhan Donghu New Technology Development Zone Management Committee, part of the Wuhan provincial government in Wuhan, China.<br /><br />Rather than a joint venture, Jiawei will process String Ribbon wafers into Evergreen Solar-branded panels on a subcontract basis as part of a frame agreement. The structure of the agreement will see Evergreen Solar reimburse Jiawei for its cell and panel production costs, plus subcontractor commission fee. The price paid to Jiawei is to be negotiated on an annual basis.<br /><br />Interestingly, Terry Bailey, Evergreen Solar’s sales and marketing VP, while answering a question from a financial analyst during the company's first-quarter conference call, conceded that legal restrictions had been in place with Q-Cells and other partners in String Ribbon licensee Sovello over a joint venture agreement.<br /><br />“We are starting our own factory in China, and we are using a subcontractor in China. So, the minor prohibition that existed under our Sovello agreement does not exist here,” said Bailey.<br /><br />Apparently, Q-Cells would have had first refusal to partner with Evergreen in such a joint venture, under a 30-day response mechanism.<br /><br />The Wuhan government is expected to guarantee the financing required from banks and other potential lending agencies in China as well as provide yet-to-be-revealed incentives for locating the operation in the province.<br /><br />“With the support of the Wuhan Management Committee, we will seek financing for about two-thirds of the total cost, reducing our portion of initial capital required to between US$15 million and US$20 million,” noted Richard M. Feldt, chairman/CEO/president of Evergreen Solar, during the conference call. “So, put another way, we'll effectively expand our wafer cell and panel capacity by 100MW for between US$15 million and US$20 million of incremental cash.”<br /> <br />Jiawei Solar moved into its newly expanded 60,000 sq-metre complex in August 2008, with the plant having a module capacity of 35MW and two cell lines of 25MW capacity. Plans had been to increase capacity to 245MW under its third phase of expansion, requiring more construction.<br /><br />Initial capacity for the Evergreen String Ribbon plant is expected to be approximately 100MW and reach about 500MW by 2012. However, the timing and scale of the planned expansions will be finalised in 2010. Final contractual agreements were close to being signed, though a minor delay within the Wuhan government was noted by Feldt. Evergreen Solar expects all the necessary arrangements, including finance, to be sorted in the next 90 days.<br /><br />However, sealing the deal may be a minor glitch, since financing the new plant while maintaining liquidity for its other operations over the coming quarters could become more difficult.<br /><br />By any measure, Evergreen Solar has had a challenging first quarter. Aside from the legal proceedings ongoing with the collapse of Lehmann Brothers bank, Evergreen declared a non-cash charge of US$43.9 million against a deposit given to a polysilicon start-up in France, Silicium de Provence, which went into voluntary bankruptcy in early April. Other charges generated a cash burn-rate of nearly US$100 million in the quarter.<br /><br />With the required short-term up-front investment needed for the China project, Evergreen Solar is planning to raise an additional US$100 million for operations and near-term liquidity flexibility in the next few months.<br /><br />It was quite clear from the conference call that its new Devens production site would continue to ramp to full capacity and become the key facility to meet U.S, market demand, where applicable. That turned out to mean that price sensitivity was not an issue, particularly domestic rooftop-type installations.<br /><br />However, for larger-scale industrial/commercial and utility scale projects in the future, Evergreen Solar expects to be able to leverage the lower base production costs from China to meet and competitively compete for that business, especially against thin-film technologies.<br /><br />It seems that Evergreen Solar is directing its future success and growth from Wuhan, since that location will become its lowest cost manufacturing base, and in a very short time.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-26892437361247362272009-05-04T20:41:00.002+08:002009-05-04T20:53:39.738+08:00Sunny Hill Energy signs 55MW two-year module deal with Ningbo Solar Electric01 May 2009 <br /><br />By Mark Osborne<br /><br />Sunny Hill Energy, a U.S. solar financing and business support company, has signed a 55MW two-year module deal with Ningbo Solar Electric, China. Sunny Hill said that it had an estimated project pipeline of 50MW over the coming 12 months for residential and PPA-based markets.<br /><br />"We're excited to have found the ideal solar panel solution for our residential and investment-grade projects," said Dorian Maras, CSO for Sunny Hill Energy. "NBSolar’s large European presence and 40-year history in solar technology manufacturing won us over. Additionally, we found great synergy between NBSolar's desire to enter the US market and our ability to develop it."<br /><br />Ningbo Solar Electric produces monocrystalline-based modules.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-15069678011311218122009-05-04T20:39:00.000+08:002009-05-04T20:40:54.433+08:00Spanish firm to set up Si metal plant in SichuanFriday, 01 May 2009<br /><br />It is reported that Grupo Villar Mir has signed an agreement with Sichuan Kangding Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture government on April 29th that Grupo Villar Mir's subsidiary Ferroatlantica Company will totally invest EUR 820 million to build the global largest silicon metal plant in Kangding Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, a southwest province in China.<br /><br />Mr Juan Miguel Villar Mir president of Grupo Villar Mir said the plant will start construction in this September and finish in 2013. It will churn out 100,000 tonnes of chemical grade silicon metal and 50,000 tonnes of Solar Grade Silicon every year when it is on stream.<br /><br />Mr Juan Miguel Villar Mir added that this new plant is designed with the most advanced technology, and all the solid, liquid and gaseous products will be transported by seal pipe, so the plant will not pollute atmosphere and environment.<br /><br />Ferroatlantica Company is the largest silicon metal producer in the world.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-85618730845859000482009-04-28T22:59:00.002+08:002009-04-28T23:07:39.147+08:00Solar EnerTech Establishes Joint Venture With Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development Co. Ltd.- JV Enhances Presence and Solar Opportunities in U.S. Market -<br /> <br />MENLO PARK, Calif., April 28 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Solar EnerTech Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: SOEN) (the "Company") today announced the establishment of a joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor Development Co. Ltd. ("Jiangsu Shunda"), a leading PV raw material manufacturer, to pursue solar expansion opportunities in the U.S. region.<br /><br />Jiangsu Shunda is one of the largest polysilicon and wafer manufacturers in China, with an annual production output of approximately 1,500 metric tons of polysilicon.<br /><br />The U.S. JV company, which will be called Shunda-SolarE Technologies, Inc., is expected to begin operating in early May of 2009. The joint venture is expected to utilize Jiangsu Shunda's strength in polysilicon and wafer supply and Solar EnerTech's advanced solar cell technologies as well as its resources in the U.S. market. Overall, both parties believe the joint venture establishes a vertically integrated operation in the U.S. market with services ranging from the production of polysilicon to ingots and wafers, to solar cells, panels and solar system installation.<br /><br />Jiangsu Shunda and Solar EnerTech contributed $1.0 million and $0.7 million in cash respectively to the initial setup cost of the JV. Jiangsu Shunda will own 55% of the JV company, Solar EnerTech will own 35% and the management of the JV will own the remaining 10%. Mr. Yunda Ni, President of Jiangsu Shunda will serve as the JV Chairman of the Board, Mr. Leo Young, CEO of Solar EnerTech will serve as the Board's Vice Chairman. The Board of Directors will be comprised of five seats, three of which will be reserved for Jiangsu Shunda and two for Solar EnerTech. A Chief Executive Officer of Shunda-SolarE Technologies is expected to be identified in the near future.<br /><br />Mr. Leo Young, CEO of Solar EnerTech, commented, "We are extremely pleased to establish this joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda, a highly successful polysilicon manufacturer in China. We have a compelling opportunity to penetrate the U.S. market with the establishment of this JV. Solar EnerTech has strong R&D capabilities supported by an outstanding technical team, and a fully operational U.S. office governed by experienced management whereas Jiangsu Shunda maintains a UL listing, which is instrumental in conducting large scale operations in the U.S. market, and controls the upstream supply which can provide large volumes of silicon feedstock to the JV in order to secure sizeable contract orders in the growing U.S. market. Together, we can more easily penetrate U.S. solar opportunities and establish Shunda-SolarE as a leading brand recognized for high quality solar products and service. We plan on providing investors with additional information on this JV in the coming weeks and months ahead."<br /><br />Mr. Ni, President of Jiangsu Shunda commented, "The goal of this joint venture is to build market share in the U.S. and maximize profitability. There is great synergy between both companies as well as with myself and Leo. Together, we believe we have an excellent opportunity to expand our market presence in the U.S. We look forward to a successful venture together."<br /><br />Additional information on this joint venture can be found in the Company's filing with the SEC.<br /><br />About Jiangsu Shunda<br /><br />Based in Yangzhou, China, JiangSu Shunda Group focuses on the photovoltaic market and produces polysilicon, monocrystalline ingots, and wafers. With an annual production output of approximately 1,500 metric tons of polysilicon, Jiangsu Shunda Semiconductor is one of the largest polysilicon and wafer manufacturers in China.<br /><br />About Solar EnerTech Corp.<br /><br />Solar EnerTech is a photovoltaic ("PV") solar energy cell manufacturing enterprise incorporated in the United States with its corporate office in Menlo Park, California. The Company has established a sophisticated 63,000 square foot manufacturing plant located in China, in Shanghai's Jinqiao Modern Technology Park. Currently, the Company is capable of producing 50MW of solar cells from its existing production line.<br /><br />Solar EnerTech has also established a Joint R&D Lab at Shanghai University to develop higher efficiency cells and to put the results of that research to use in its manufacturing processes. Led by one of the industry's top scientists, the Company expects its R&D program to help bring Solar EnerTech to the forefront of advanced solar technology research and production.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-77521503159564852502009-04-28T22:21:00.002+08:002009-04-28T22:59:31.969+08:00Chint Solar Raises $50 MillionChint Solar, a Chinese solar power producer, has raised $50 million in venture capital funding co-led by Cybernaut and Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd. Chint Solar was formed in 2006 as a subsidiary of Chinese electrical and power conglomerate Chint Group. It reached 100 MW of production capacity in July 2008, and expects to reach 1,100 MW production capacity by 2012.<br /><br />PRESS RELEASE<br /><br />Chint Solar announced that it has successfully closed a US$50 million round of fundraising - in the worst global financial conditions in decades - from a syndicate of global investors.<br /><br />Cybernaut and Shanghai Alliance Investment Limited were lead investors in this round. A number of notable overseas and domestic funds formed the rest of the syndicate.<br /><br />Founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of the Chint Group, China's leading electrical and power conglomerate, Chint Solar reached 100 MW of production capacity in July 2008, and is on track to increase exponentially to 1,100 MW production capacity by 2012.<br /><br />Chint Solar's main product line features both thin film and crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules. The company has made an aggressive push to focus its business on amorphous microcrystalline (a-Si/µc-Si) tandem junction thin film, a next-generation solar technology with dramatically lower costs-per-watt than conventional crystalline silicon.<br /><br />Through a-Si/µc-Si thin film, Chint Solar expects to be among the first companies in the world to reduce PV module cost to below US$1 per watt, and total PV system cost to below US$2 per watt, a critical industry benchmark known as "grid parity".<br /><br />"The successful closure of this round of fundraising under unprecedented and turbulent financial conditions that witnessed the near-total shutdown of global capital markets is a testament to the superiority of Chint Solar's technology, the viability of Chint Solar's business strategy, and the strength of Chint Solar's team," said Dr. Liyou Yang, CEO of Chint Solar.<br /><br />"We are very pleased to lead this effort," said Min Zhu, founder and Managing Partner of Cybernaut. "Chint Solar's technical strengths are well-known, and its partnership with Chint Group, China's leading electrical manufacturer, makes it the only photovoltaic company in the world that can achieve a complete systems-level integration. I am confident that, as a result, Chint Solar's products will be among the highest in reliability and lowest in cost in the industry, and Chint Solar will rapidly become one of the world's leading photovoltaic solutions providers."<br /><br />Cybernaut is a leading global venture capital firm based in Hangzhou, China. Founded in 2005 by Mr. Min Zhu, the co-founder and former President and CTO of WebEx Communications, which was acquired by Cisco Systems in 2007 for US$3.2 billion, Cybernaut has an outstanding track record and has won numerous accolades including the Forbes 2008 China's Most Influential VC.<br /><br />Shanghai Alliance Investment Limited (SAIL) is a leading domestic investment company and designated asset manager for China's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) in the areas of high-tech and financial services.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-19836072093776903682009-04-28T13:24:00.000+08:002009-04-28T13:26:03.360+08:00Taiwan BIPV maker Kinmac Solar sets up PV module joint venture in ChinaNuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 28 April 2009] <br /><br />Kinmac Solar (renamed from Lucky Power Technology), a Taiwan-based maker of BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) modules, has decided to establish a joint-venture assembly plant for making PV modules with Jinzhou Yangguang Energy, a maker of solar-grade monocrystalline silicon ingots/wafers in northeastern China.<br /><br />Kinmac said the joint venture will have initial capital of 90 million yuan (US$13.2 million). Kinmac said it will hold a 49% stake in the joint venture, and Jinzhou Yangguang the rest.<br /><br />The joint venture will set up an initial annual PV module production capacity of 100MWp in 2009 and then add 100-300MWp annually over the next three years, Kinmac said.<br /><br />Kinmac said it also plans to expand it BIPV module capacity in northern Taiwan in July 2009 from 30MWp currently to 60MWp.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-55726333710350442202009-04-26T21:34:00.001+08:002009-04-26T22:13:52.982+08:00China Seeing Drop in Manufacturing Cost of Crystalline Si Solar Cell ModuleApr 24, 2009 19:01<br />Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices <br /><br />"The spot price of silicon materials in China will drop to US$50/kg within 2009," said Dylen Liu of JL McGregor & Company, a research firm in China. <br /><br />He delivered a speech on the Chinese solar cell industry at Solar Cell Market Seminar 2009 hosted by Nikkei Market Access with help from Nikkei Microdevices in Japan. <br /><br />In his speech, Liu introduced recent drops in the spot price of polycrystalline silicon materials in China. The price was more than US$350/kg until October 2008 but dropped by half in November 2008, being hit by the financial crisis and other issues. And it continued to fall to less than US$80/kg in April 2009. <br /><br />Liu forecast that the spot price will further decline to US$50/kg within 2009. And he calculated the manufacturing cost of a crystalline silicon solar cell module when the price of polycrystalline silicon materials is US$50/kg. The cost will be US$1.1 to 1.2/W at vertically integrated solar cell manufacturers in China, he said. <br /><br />On the other hand, the manufacturing cost of a thin-film silicon solar cell module will be US$1 to 2 per watt at average Chinese solar cell manufacturers, Liu said. The manufacturing costs of the two types of solar cell modules are getting closer to each other due to the decreasing polycrystalline silicon material price. <br /><br />At First Solar Inc, a US solar cell manufacturer that is a leader in cost reduction, the manufacturing cost of the CdTe type solar cell module was US$0.98/W as of the fourth quarter of 2008.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-39013458852768214602009-04-26T21:31:00.000+08:002009-04-26T21:32:36.070+08:00JA Solar starts construction of new integrated solar cell plant22 April 2009 <br /><br />JA Solar Holdings has broken ground on its Phase II, ingot, cell and module facility in Yangzhou, China. According to Chinese news reports, the production plant will cost approximately US$100 million and be completed by the end of 2009. The reports suggested the new plant would increase JA Solar’s production capacity by 300MW.<br /><br />The new expansion project would seem to be inline with JA Solar’s planned capacity of 875MW by the end of 2009, up from 600MW in 2008. JA Solar claims a solar cell production line costs US$10 million, suggesting approximately 6-8 lines could be added.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-10208984705914838102009-04-11T23:35:00.001+08:002009-04-11T23:41:31.692+08:00Canadian Solar to provide 5 MW modules to Helio Micro UtilityBEIJING, Apr 09, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- ZZFNV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- China-based vertically integrated solar product maker Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ.Nasdaq) announced that that it has entered into an sales agreement to supply Helio Micro Utility with five MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. <br />The purchase agreement includes the full line of PV modules by Canadian Solar with power rating ranging from 0.03 Watt to 300 Watt. <br /><br />Canadian Solar provides 25 years of performance warranty meeting international standards of quality and safety. <br /><br />This sales agreement will speed up the sales initiatives of Canadian Solar in the United States this year, according to Shawn Qu, president and CEO of Canadian Solar. <br /><br />Earlier, Canadian Solar said that it has been selected to supply 80,000 solar home systems for rural households in China's Sichuan Province with a total capacity of 1.6 MW.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-55145089988518932212009-04-11T23:23:00.000+08:002009-04-11T23:34:30.823+08:00China's Jiangsu to detail solar PV power subsidy policyBEIJING, Apr 09, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- ZZFNV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Jiangsu Province in East China is drawing up specific provisions for the implementation of national subsidy policy for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, said Wei Qidong, secretary-general of Energy Research Association of Jiangsu Province. <br /><br />This is seemed as an encouraging action to materialize China's newly issued subsidy policy on solar PV power projects, which provides 20 yuan for each watt-peak of installed solar PV power capacity. <br /><br />The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development jointly released China's version of solar roof program earlier. <br /><br />The subsidy policy is aimed to build a number of demonstrative solar PV projects, mainly solar PV roof projects and PV curtains in large and midsize cities as well as off-grid solar PV power stations in rural and remote areas. <br /><br />Still, industry insiders have expressed their concern on the available amount of subsidy each year given the lack of exact number of subsidy to be provided. <br /><br />Wang Sicheng, an expert with solar PV industry, said that the government has to provide at least 10 billion yuan of subsidy for 500 MW of China-made solar products each year, accounting for 25 percent of national overall output in 2008. <br /><br />It's hard to evaluate the impact of solar PV roof program on solar PV industry when the total subsidy amount number isn't available. <br /><br />Wei said that solar product manufacturers are unlikely to enjoy subsidy on solar PV power projects and on solar PV electricity for the same time. <br /><br />Overshadowing concerns on China's solar PV industry also include the sustainability of subsidy policy and possible over-crowded investment and speculation spurred by the subsidy policy.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-34137721687324540082009-04-11T23:18:00.000+08:002009-04-11T23:23:34.432+08:00Yangzhou Applies to Build 50MW Solar StationsYangzhou, Jiangsu province has applied to establish several demonstration solar stations with total production capacity of 50MW, reports yangzhou.gov.cn. The city has finished construction of the first 50KW phase of a separate 100KW station, said the report.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-78997207587844102072009-04-11T22:37:00.001+08:002009-04-11T23:17:41.791+08:00Q-Cells, LDK Solar Form Joint VentureUcilia Wang<br /><br />April 8, 2009 at 12:06 PM<br /><br />Q-Cells and LDK Solar said they are forming a joint venture to develop large-scale power plants to buyers in Europe and China.<br /><br />LDK Solar has been supplying silicon wafers to Q-Cells, which turns those wafers into solar cells and sell them to panel makers. Q-Cells said the joint venture would enable both companies to work more closely together and offer better deals to customers. The joint venture, LQ Energy, would contract with panel makers to produce the panels for the power plant projects. <br /><br />Both companies also figured that they could take advantage of each other’s marketing know-how in their home territories. LDK is based in China while Q-Cells is Germany. The companies said they have started their first, 40-megawatt project in Europe, and are shopping for a buyer.<br /><br />Both companies have been hit by the economic downturn. Q-Cells has cut sales forecast for 2009 twice since December. LDK has delayed a factory expansion plan and has had to deal with customers who can’t pay as promised.<br /><br />LDK’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange rose 4 percent in recent trading to reach $7.06 per share.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-58420519187965584432009-04-11T22:27:00.001+08:002009-04-11T22:37:18.242+08:00China PV plant set to open this year[ 07 Apr 2009, Rob Cockerill, gasworld.com ] <br /> <br />Construction of China's largest photovoltaic (PV) power plant is scheduled to begin this year in Qinghai Province, an employee with one of the plant's investors is believed to have revealed recently.<br /><br />According to a report by Semiconductor.net, the individual indicated that Qinghai New Energy Group Co. Ltd. plans to build a 30 megawatt (MW) solar array as the first phase of a 1 gigawatt (GW) project in the province's Qaidam Basin.<br /><br />Qinghai New Energy Group and China Technology Development Group Corp. will reportedly invest approx. $146.20m in the first phase, which will be built with both thin-film solar cells and polysilicon solar cells.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-52598679797740929962009-04-11T22:25:00.001+08:002009-04-11T22:27:37.453+08:00Trina sees PV market to grow sharplyBy Fu Chenghao | 2009-4-7 | <br /><br />TRINA Solar Ltd, a leading solar product maker, expects China to account for 10 percent of the global photovoltaic market in three years to five years from less than 1 percent now as the government boosts support for the alternative energy.<br /><br />"It's possible if we say, by 2012, China's installed solar PV capacity could reach 2.5 gigawatts while it would be 25GW for the world," Gao Jifan, Trina's chairman and CEO, said.<br /><br />Although China is the world's top PV manufacturer, the domestic solar PV market has suffered from high costs and limited subsidies.<br /><br />The Ministry of Finance said late last month that China would provide a subsidy of 20 yuan (US$2.93) per watt for solar projects that have a capacity of at least 50 kilowatts and attached to buildings, covering nearly half the cost.<br /><br />Gao said the subsidy is a "precursor" of a long-term state support, although some analysts said the latest subsidy was limited to roof-top solar panels and not for large-scale solar projects.<br /><br />New York-listed Trina, which is based in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, expects to sell 10 megawatts in China this year out of a planned total shipment of up to 400MW of solar modules, Gao said. <br /><br />In 2008, the domestic market accounted for only a bit more than 1 percent of its shipment of 201MW.<br /><br />The United States market could account for 15 percent of Trina's sales this year, up from less than 5 percent in 2008, thanks to the Obama administration's backing of renewable energy sources, he said.<br /><br />Trina is not in a hurry to acquire assets but is looking at opportunities, according to Gao who said Europe would remain a top market.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-17393580532509313342009-04-11T13:33:00.000+08:002009-04-11T13:41:08.144+08:00Canadian Solar Wins a Bid to a Rural Electrification Project in ChinaTORONTO, April 6 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. ("the Company", "Canadian Solar" or "we") (Nasdaq: CSIQ) today announced that we were recently selected in a competitive bidding process to supply solar panels for 80,000 solar home systems for rural households in Sichuan province of China. The total order size is 1.6 MW. This project was initiated and financed by China's Ministry of Agriculture and the Sichuan Provincial Government. The solar home systems are rated for a peak capacity of 20 Watts each. A system of this size can power two lights and a small TV. The delivery of the 80,000 units will be completed by April.<br /><br /><br />Dr. Shawn Qu, President and CEO of Canadian Solar said, "We were very pleased to win this bid. A solar home system makes a real impact on the lives of these rural households. In many cases it will be the first electrical power source these rural families have ever had. We are very proud to be part of this project. Canadian Solar has a business division devoted to the designing, manufacturing and installing solar home and solar village systems for rural electrification and has been actively involved in rural electrification projects in China since 2004."Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-13388863975817886542009-04-11T13:30:00.001+08:002009-04-11T13:32:56.571+08:00Suntech teams with Swinburne University for next-generation cell research06 April 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon <br /><br />Great strides in solar cell efficiency are the name of the game as Suntech has teamed up with an Australian university to focus on the development of solar cells that boast twice the efficiency but half the cost of conventional cells. Joining research forces with Swinburne University of Technology of Melbourne, Suntech’s CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi will lead the collaborative effort with the University’s Centre for Micro-Photonics Director, Professor Min Gu (below right).<br /><br />"The project will be based around the development of nanoplasmonic solar cells," said Professor Gu. This new technology allows for the efficient collection of solar energy in a wider colour range than those currently being developed in other laboratories. "These will be twice as efficient as the current generation of cells, and will also cost significantly less to run."<br /><br />The collaborative research group will be based in Swinburne's new Advanced Technology Centre, a nearly-completed $130 million dollar development. Tapping Suntech’s manufacturing experience and Swinburne’s years of research expertise, the project is expected to yield the next-generation cells within the next five years.<br /><br />Dr. Shi said, "This relationship will combine Swinburne's high quality research with Suntech's ability to rapidly commercialize new technologies into cost effective applications. Nanoplasmonic technology has the potential to take solar to the next level."<br /><br />Funding will come in the form of a $3 million dollar contribution to the venture from Swinburne University, with a further $3 million coming from Suntech throughout the lifecycle of the research, and a tender for further funding being presented to the Victorian Government.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6748577324175523696.post-76523643892946914702009-03-09T23:04:00.000+08:002009-03-09T23:15:59.177+08:00Energosolar, Parity Solar Sign For 24 MW In ChinaThursday 05 March 2009 <br /><br />Energosolar Hungary Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. and Parity Solar Ltd. have signed a contract for a new production line of solar modules in Jiangsu province, China. The agreement calls for 24 MW of EnergoSolar's turnkey end-to-end module manufacturing factory for the production of a-Si thin-film photovoltaic modules. <br /><br />Energosolar confirmed that the down payment has been received and the production of the equipment has started. Parity plans to expand the manufacturing capacity to 96 MW in 2010-2011. Energosolar will deliver all production equipment for front end and back end, from the glass preparation until the final testing of the ready-to-install thin-film modules. The first phase of installation will start in the third quarter of this year.Green Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273278928514406428noreply@blogger.com0