Yingli announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Yingli Green Energy Americas, has renewed its strategic partnership throughout 2012 with the Oakland-based nonprofit solar installer, GRID Alternatives.
GRID Alternatives' mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. It has provided no or low-cost solar electric systems for more than 1700 families since 2004 while serving as a "classroom in the field" for solar job trainees.
Yingli Americas' 2012 agreement with GRID Alternatives builds on a 1MW partnership launched in 2011 that brought clean power to over 400 low-income homeowners across California, saving them an estimated US$11 million over the systems' lifetimes, while giving hands-on solar installation experience to thousands of workers.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
China Government Pushing for Increased Polysilicon, Solar Cell Production
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology posted a new five-year plan on its website last week detailing how "leading" polysilicon and solar cell manufacturers will be required to increase production capacity. This confirms that Beijing's response to falling solar product prices is to increase the production of key polysilicon and solar cell supplies.
The plan provided no details on how many firms will be affected, but it did confirm that it wants top polysilicon firms to increase annual capacity to 50,000 tons, while solar cell manufacturers will be required to produce 5MW of new capacity each year.
The targets increase the likelihood of continued low solar prices following a slump in the cost of solar panels, which has seen prices more than halve over the past year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
The new plan represents good news for firms looking to install solar technologies, but will also increase pressure on western solar panel manufacturers already facing squeezed margins and intense competition from Chinese firms. The move will both increase the likelihood of consolidation in the solar manufacturing market.
The plan provided no details on how many firms will be affected, but it did confirm that it wants top polysilicon firms to increase annual capacity to 50,000 tons, while solar cell manufacturers will be required to produce 5MW of new capacity each year.
The targets increase the likelihood of continued low solar prices following a slump in the cost of solar panels, which has seen prices more than halve over the past year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
The new plan represents good news for firms looking to install solar technologies, but will also increase pressure on western solar panel manufacturers already facing squeezed margins and intense competition from Chinese firms. The move will both increase the likelihood of consolidation in the solar manufacturing market.
China National Renewable Energy Center (CNREC) Launched
China has established its first national think-tank on renewable energy, the China National Renewable Energy Center (CNREC). According to the China Daily, the research organization will conduct studies and develop cleantech programs and policies. The CNREC will also draft industry standards and carry out international cooperation alliances.
The China Daily also mentioned that the CNREC will receive Danish financial and technical support. Interesting to see foreign involvement in a Chinese government organ involved in energy policy development. Not clear on the extent of Danish involvement in the new center.
The China Daily also mentioned that the CNREC will receive Danish financial and technical support. Interesting to see foreign involvement in a Chinese government organ involved in energy policy development. Not clear on the extent of Danish involvement in the new center.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Trina Solar Subsidiary has Obtained Standard Chartered Bank Loan
On 16 Feb 12, Trina Solar announced that its that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trina Solar (Changzhou) Science & Technology Co. Ltd., has obtained a three-year structured term loan facility from Standard Chartered Bank. The loan facility to support addition of approximately 500 MW of cell and module production capacity.
The structured term loan facility is for an amount of up to USD 100 million, which may be drawn down in single or multiple tranches within the first 12 months. Each tranche is for a term of up to 36 months from the initial drawdown date, and may be extended for up to another two years.
The facility will support the Company's announced East Campus project, which is expected to add approximately 500 MW of cell and module production capacity and feature its high-efficiency Honey solar cell technology.
The structured term loan facility is for an amount of up to USD 100 million, which may be drawn down in single or multiple tranches within the first 12 months. Each tranche is for a term of up to 36 months from the initial drawdown date, and may be extended for up to another two years.
The facility will support the Company's announced East Campus project, which is expected to add approximately 500 MW of cell and module production capacity and feature its high-efficiency Honey solar cell technology.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Trina Modules Certified by ICIM, Fulfill GSE Requirements
This week Trina announced that its multicrystalline modules manufactured with European-sourced silicon wafers have been certified by the independent Italian institute ICIM and fulfill GSE requirements for a 10% feed-in tariff premium in Italy. The requirements were further sharpened by GSE in December 2011, whereby Trina Solar fulfills these most recent revisions.
The ICIM certification process included the inspection of two factories and two tests of the final product. The ICIM auditors checked the ongoing production of the Company's silicon wafer suppliers in Europe, as well as Trina Solar's ongoing production of modules with European-sourced silicon wafers. All certified Trina Solar modules will include the ICIM factory inspection logo on the name plate.
The ICIM certification process included the inspection of two factories and two tests of the final product. The ICIM auditors checked the ongoing production of the Company's silicon wafer suppliers in Europe, as well as Trina Solar's ongoing production of modules with European-sourced silicon wafers. All certified Trina Solar modules will include the ICIM factory inspection logo on the name plate.
GCL-Poly secures financing from Bank of America
The US division of GCL-Poly has secured funding from the Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA Merrill) for the construction of 15 US solar projects.
The companies said they intend for this transaction to form the basis of a long-term relationship that will support the installation of more than 1GW of PV arrays in the US. The initial developments will have a combined capacity of 5MW and will serve the Palmdale School District in California.
GCL-Poly Energy and NRG Solar photovoltaic utility project developer in the United States, through their respective wholly-owned subsidiary, have formed a joint venture named Sunora Energy Solutions 1 LLC. Each of the shareholders owns 50% interest in Sunora.
Sunora will seek to build selected projects developed by NRG Solar using GCL-Poly’s performance-optimized PV system equipment and NRG’s proprietary advanced racking technologies to substantially enhance the financial returns of the projects.
In addition, GCL-Poly has provided a total of 70 megawatts of PV equipment to NRG Solar since the beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 and early 2012. GCL-Poly may have an opportunity to provide NRG Solar 200MW of PV equipment for each year until end of 2014.
The companies said they intend for this transaction to form the basis of a long-term relationship that will support the installation of more than 1GW of PV arrays in the US. The initial developments will have a combined capacity of 5MW and will serve the Palmdale School District in California.
GCL-Poly Energy and NRG Solar photovoltaic utility project developer in the United States, through their respective wholly-owned subsidiary, have formed a joint venture named Sunora Energy Solutions 1 LLC. Each of the shareholders owns 50% interest in Sunora.
Sunora will seek to build selected projects developed by NRG Solar using GCL-Poly’s performance-optimized PV system equipment and NRG’s proprietary advanced racking technologies to substantially enhance the financial returns of the projects.
In addition, GCL-Poly has provided a total of 70 megawatts of PV equipment to NRG Solar since the beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011 and early 2012. GCL-Poly may have an opportunity to provide NRG Solar 200MW of PV equipment for each year until end of 2014.
Suntech Awarded 'Top Brand PV' seal by EuPD Research
People often ask me about the quality of Chinese solar panels. Look at the certificates, seals, warranties and efficiency numbers. To help spread this awareness, I will be posting accreditation news here.
On 15 Feb, Suntech was awarded the 'Top Brand PV' seal by EuPD Research, a leading market research and consultation firm.
EuPD's independent survey amongst installers and end-customers in Germany, France, and Italy showed that Suntech stood out for its top brand quality, high brand awareness amongst end-customers, and distribution depth, which refers to a strong position in brand portfolios of installers.
On 15 Feb, Suntech was awarded the 'Top Brand PV' seal by EuPD Research, a leading market research and consultation firm.
EuPD's independent survey amongst installers and end-customers in Germany, France, and Italy showed that Suntech stood out for its top brand quality, high brand awareness amongst end-customers, and distribution depth, which refers to a strong position in brand portfolios of installers.
Four China Polysilicon Firms Request MOFCOM Anti-Dumping Investigation
Four China polysilicon firms, LDK, Jiangsu Zhongneng, Shannxi Tianhong Silicon Material, and China Silicon Corporation, have applied to the China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), asking the government to start an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation against US-based polysilicon firms, according to China news outlet NE21.
However, downstream firms in China are not happy with the move. Industry sources indicated that if the China government really imposes restrictions on US-based polysilicon firms, there will be less choice in solar product materials, which will increase costs, added the report.
The diversified solar industry in China may stem from negotiations on polysilicon pricing between upstream and downstream firms, said the report.
The majority of polysilicon in China is imported, added the report. According to studies, the import of polysilicon in China in first-half 2011 topped 5,000 tons, and US-based firms accounted for one-third.
The report pointed out that the current spot price of polysilicon is just a little under US$30/kg. This low price has seriously threatened the survival of China's polysilicon firms as most firms have production costs of US$35/kg. International firms have larger capacity hence lower production costs.
However, downstream firms in China are not happy with the move. Industry sources indicated that if the China government really imposes restrictions on US-based polysilicon firms, there will be less choice in solar product materials, which will increase costs, added the report.
The diversified solar industry in China may stem from negotiations on polysilicon pricing between upstream and downstream firms, said the report.
The majority of polysilicon in China is imported, added the report. According to studies, the import of polysilicon in China in first-half 2011 topped 5,000 tons, and US-based firms accounted for one-third.
The report pointed out that the current spot price of polysilicon is just a little under US$30/kg. This low price has seriously threatened the survival of China's polysilicon firms as most firms have production costs of US$35/kg. International firms have larger capacity hence lower production costs.
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