UK: 3D Solar UK Ltd, unveils an original approach to interacting with music on mobile phones, music players and computers. With a simple shake or tap, an interactive music track can be changed in almost limitless fashion so you never need listen to a song the same way twice.
3D Solar UK’s technology uses the existing music track, but empowers it with a new interactive layer. In one simple step, which does not modify the original recording or the mp3 file, 3D Solar UK’s DJ-1 technology enables anyone, no matter how basic their musical skill levels are, to extend and remix a track to their liking with a shake of their handset or a tap of a button.
“You can now be creative with your favourite band or song,” says Patrick Levy Rosenthal, founder of 3D Solar UK. “Take any riff, or refrain, and extend it legally to create a new and unique version as if you were mixing the track in the studio that you wanted to hear.”
Over 98 percent of music singles are purchased as digital downloads, and DJ-1 from 3D Solar enables that music to be endlessly altered for free, on multiple devices across a range of operating systems including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Symbian and PC.
The UKTI, said: “Britain’s music industry has long been seen as leading the way for the rest of the world; today technology puts new interactive tools into the hands of anyone, liberating all music for a new creative generation. Digital music content has greatly pushed mobile phone development, and UK Trade Investment supports 3D Solar UK’s efforts to enable mobile phones to change the music itself in a wholly new and legal manner.”
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
China Nuvo Solar Energy begins debt restructuring
WEST PALM BEACH, USA: China Nuvo Solar Energy Inc. announced that it has begun a restructuring of its debt. At this time, over $500,000 of debt has been converted to common equity.
The company is taking this action to de-leverage the balance sheet in preparation to pursue other business opportunities. It is presently reviewing several potential new business opportunities and is in preliminary discussions, however no agreements have been reached.
China Nuvo Solar Energy, Inc. is a development stage company that owns unique patent pending solar and photovoltaic related technology.
The company is taking this action to de-leverage the balance sheet in preparation to pursue other business opportunities. It is presently reviewing several potential new business opportunities and is in preliminary discussions, however no agreements have been reached.
China Nuvo Solar Energy, Inc. is a development stage company that owns unique patent pending solar and photovoltaic related technology.
Friday, January 7, 2011
GT Solar receives first order for DSS650 multicrystalline ingot growth systems from South Korean PV maker Nexolon
MERRIMACK, USA: GT Solar International Inc., a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems and materials for the solar, LED and other specialty markets, has received the first order for its new DSS650 multicrystalline ingot growth system from Korea-based PV manufacturer Nexolon Co. Ltd.
The value of the contract totals $37.5 million and will be included in GT Solar’s backlog for its current Q4 FY11, which ends on April 2, 2011.
“Nexolon is a valued GT Solar business partner and customer who is recognized for producing high quality wafers,” said Tom Gutierrez, GT Solar’s president and CEO. “They were our beta partner for the DSS650 program and provided valuable production validation for the new product. We are pleased that they have selected our new multicrystalline ingot growth systems to meet their capacity expansion plans.”
“Nexolon is expanding its manufacturing capacity to increase the availability of our high quality wafers to cell and module manufacturers throughout the industry,” said Gene Kim, Nexolon’s chief financial officer. “As we ramp up our volume production, we need proven, low-risk technology that produces high quality wafers and a high return on investment. GT Solar’s DSS650 multicrystalline growth systems allow us to achieve both of these goals.”
The DSS650 is GT Solar’s newest addition to its industry-leading family of DSS multicrystalline ingot growth systems. The advanced DSS650 produces ingots greater than 600 kilograms in the same size chamber as the DSS450 and DSS450HP systems and delivers the same high quality material customers have come to expect from GT Solar’s multicrystalline growth furnaces.
The new systems continue GT Solar’s proven track record of helping its customers achieve greater value from their equipment. Customers can upgrade their current furnaces to take advantage of the higher throughput of the new DSS650.
The DSS650 achieves higher yield and throughput over previous models while reducing consumable costs. The larger ingot produced by the DSS650 also improves downstream wafer slicing operations by allowing customers to produce taller bricks that optimize silicon loads in their wafer slicing saws.
Full product specifications of the DSS650 will be available at the time of the official launch later this month.
The value of the contract totals $37.5 million and will be included in GT Solar’s backlog for its current Q4 FY11, which ends on April 2, 2011.
“Nexolon is a valued GT Solar business partner and customer who is recognized for producing high quality wafers,” said Tom Gutierrez, GT Solar’s president and CEO. “They were our beta partner for the DSS650 program and provided valuable production validation for the new product. We are pleased that they have selected our new multicrystalline ingot growth systems to meet their capacity expansion plans.”
“Nexolon is expanding its manufacturing capacity to increase the availability of our high quality wafers to cell and module manufacturers throughout the industry,” said Gene Kim, Nexolon’s chief financial officer. “As we ramp up our volume production, we need proven, low-risk technology that produces high quality wafers and a high return on investment. GT Solar’s DSS650 multicrystalline growth systems allow us to achieve both of these goals.”
The DSS650 is GT Solar’s newest addition to its industry-leading family of DSS multicrystalline ingot growth systems. The advanced DSS650 produces ingots greater than 600 kilograms in the same size chamber as the DSS450 and DSS450HP systems and delivers the same high quality material customers have come to expect from GT Solar’s multicrystalline growth furnaces.
The new systems continue GT Solar’s proven track record of helping its customers achieve greater value from their equipment. Customers can upgrade their current furnaces to take advantage of the higher throughput of the new DSS650.
The DSS650 achieves higher yield and throughput over previous models while reducing consumable costs. The larger ingot produced by the DSS650 also improves downstream wafer slicing operations by allowing customers to produce taller bricks that optimize silicon loads in their wafer slicing saws.
Full product specifications of the DSS650 will be available at the time of the official launch later this month.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Plutonic Power to buy 50 MW portfolio from First Solar in partnership with GE Energy
VANCOUVER, CANADA & TEMPE, USA: Plutonic Power Corp. and GE Energy Financial Services have agreed to acquire a 50-megawatt (alternating current) portfolio of three photovoltaic solar facilities to be built in Ontario from First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR), marking Plutonic’s expansion into solar power and Ontario.
Plutonic Power is expected to make an equity contribution of approximately C$6 million and serve as the projects’ managing partner. Project debt will be arranged by First Solar on behalf of Plutonic and GE Energy Financial Services and is expected to be in place at financial close, which coincides with the start of commercial operation. Additional financial details were not disclosed.
“Expanding into both a new market and a new technology represents significant growth for Plutonic,” said Donald McInnes, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Plutonic Power. “Our solid relationship with GE Energy Financial Services enabled this expansion into our third joint near-term operating asset.”
“This transaction is GE Energy Financial Services’ first solar investment in Canada, broadening our US$6 billion renewable energy portfolio and supporting our strong partnership with Plutonic,” said Mark Tonner, Managing Director and Canada business leader at GE Energy Financial Services. “We see significant growth potential for solar power worldwide, which continues to improve on technology costs and efficiencies, and helps balance wind-generated power, which peaks at different times.”
First Solar will continue developing the facilities—Amherstburg (10 MW), Belmont (20 MW) and Walpole (20 MW)—and will provide engineering, procurement and construction services and operations and maintenance services under long-term contracts. Permitting the projects under the province’s Renewable Energy Approval process is expected in the spring of 2011. Construction is expected to begin by mid-2011.
“These projects will significantly expand Ontario’s supply of clean, affordable, sustainable solar energy,” said Frank De Rosa, First Solar senior vice president of project development for North America. “First Solar is pleased to be working with Plutonic and GE Energy Financial Services to realize these development projects.”
The projects will create more than 600 construction jobs, generate tax revenues for various levels of government and create economic benefits for local businesses. The projects will sell their power to the Ontario Power Authority under 20-year energy purchase agreements and will interconnect to the province’s distribution grid at five points. Combined, the facilities are expected to produce enough clean, sustainable electricity to power approximately 6,300 local homes and avoid 14,600 tons of carbon dioxide a year—the equivalent of taking 3,700 cars off the road.
In addition to this investment, Plutonic Power and GE Energy Financial Services also jointly own British Columbia’s largest wind farm, the Dokie Wind Project, and British Columbia’s largest independent run-of-river hydro project, the East Toba River and Montrose Creek hydroelectric project. The two projects have a combined capacity of 340 megawatts and have secured long-term Energy Purchase Agreements with BC Hydro.
Last month, GE Energy Financial Services announced it had reached its multi-year target of investing US$6 billion in renewable energy projects, which today span 14 countries and include investments in wind farms, solar installations, hydroelectric projects, landfill gas facilities and projects involving other technologies across a wide spectrum of capital—from project equity to debt and venture capital. GE Energy Financial Services’ renewable energy investments reinforce GE’s ecomagination initiative, a program to help its customers meet their environmental challenges while expanding its own portfolio of cleaner energy products.
Plutonic Power is expected to make an equity contribution of approximately C$6 million and serve as the projects’ managing partner. Project debt will be arranged by First Solar on behalf of Plutonic and GE Energy Financial Services and is expected to be in place at financial close, which coincides with the start of commercial operation. Additional financial details were not disclosed.
“Expanding into both a new market and a new technology represents significant growth for Plutonic,” said Donald McInnes, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Plutonic Power. “Our solid relationship with GE Energy Financial Services enabled this expansion into our third joint near-term operating asset.”
“This transaction is GE Energy Financial Services’ first solar investment in Canada, broadening our US$6 billion renewable energy portfolio and supporting our strong partnership with Plutonic,” said Mark Tonner, Managing Director and Canada business leader at GE Energy Financial Services. “We see significant growth potential for solar power worldwide, which continues to improve on technology costs and efficiencies, and helps balance wind-generated power, which peaks at different times.”
First Solar will continue developing the facilities—Amherstburg (10 MW), Belmont (20 MW) and Walpole (20 MW)—and will provide engineering, procurement and construction services and operations and maintenance services under long-term contracts. Permitting the projects under the province’s Renewable Energy Approval process is expected in the spring of 2011. Construction is expected to begin by mid-2011.
“These projects will significantly expand Ontario’s supply of clean, affordable, sustainable solar energy,” said Frank De Rosa, First Solar senior vice president of project development for North America. “First Solar is pleased to be working with Plutonic and GE Energy Financial Services to realize these development projects.”
The projects will create more than 600 construction jobs, generate tax revenues for various levels of government and create economic benefits for local businesses. The projects will sell their power to the Ontario Power Authority under 20-year energy purchase agreements and will interconnect to the province’s distribution grid at five points. Combined, the facilities are expected to produce enough clean, sustainable electricity to power approximately 6,300 local homes and avoid 14,600 tons of carbon dioxide a year—the equivalent of taking 3,700 cars off the road.
In addition to this investment, Plutonic Power and GE Energy Financial Services also jointly own British Columbia’s largest wind farm, the Dokie Wind Project, and British Columbia’s largest independent run-of-river hydro project, the East Toba River and Montrose Creek hydroelectric project. The two projects have a combined capacity of 340 megawatts and have secured long-term Energy Purchase Agreements with BC Hydro.
Last month, GE Energy Financial Services announced it had reached its multi-year target of investing US$6 billion in renewable energy projects, which today span 14 countries and include investments in wind farms, solar installations, hydroelectric projects, landfill gas facilities and projects involving other technologies across a wide spectrum of capital—from project equity to debt and venture capital. GE Energy Financial Services’ renewable energy investments reinforce GE’s ecomagination initiative, a program to help its customers meet their environmental challenges while expanding its own portfolio of cleaner energy products.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Italian solar installations soar in Q4, setting stage for blowout 2011
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Italy’s solar market is going into overdrive in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a doubling in photovoltaic (PV) installations in 2011, as global investment flows into the country, according to the photovoltaic market research firm iSuppli, now part of IHS Inc.
Based on interviews with leading project developers and energy performance contractors in Italy, iSuppli predicts the country will install 975 megawatts (MW) worth of PV solar systems in the fourth quarter, doubling the 487 MW in the third quarter, and rising 239 percent from 288 MW during the fourth quarter of 2009.
This fourth-quarter surge will cause installations in 2010 to rise to 1.9 gigawatts (GW), up 100 percent from 720 GW in 2009. The rise in installations will set the stage for another doubling of the market in 2011, with installations rising to 3.9 GW.
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of PV solar installations in Italy in 2009 and 2010.
Source: iSuppli, USA.
“The strong fourth-quarter growth represents a breakthrough for Italian PV installations, which until now had been limited to 300 MW or less, with the expansion propelled by installers rushing to take advantage of an Italian government subsidy scheduled to expire soon,” said Dr. Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst for PV systems at iSuppli.
Installations finished by the end of the year and connected to the grid by June 30, 2011, will still be able to benefit of the 2010 feed-in tariff (FIT) tariff of Italy’s Second Conto d’energia.
Under the current FIT, and with installed system prices of 2,500 to 2,800 euros per kilowatt-peak units (kWp), a highly attractive internal rate of return (IRR) of 15 to 18 percent is possible in Italy. Italy’s IRR is alluring to solar investors given the depressing news about caps or severe reductions of solar FITs in France, the Czech Republic and Spain. Consequently, investors are flocking to Italy, leaving behind the closing Czech market and even the safe harbor of Germany.
“True, Italian solar installations will drop at the start of the first quarter of 2011, following the burst of the growth at the end of 2010. But the decline is set to last only weeks, rather than months, with the rate of new installations to rise rapidly again following this period,” Wicht added. “And despite the expected FIT declines, the IRR of Solar investments in Italy still will be higher than anywhere else. As a result, installations in Italy will rise to approximately 1 GW per quarter in 2011.”
Nonetheless, some signs of potential trouble may lie ahead.
For one, a potential risk to the positive market outlook exists in that the Italian government might reduce the FIT more quickly than scheduled. Yet it is unlikely that authorities will be able to change the FIT before the third quarter of 2011. Furthermore, official data from the state-run power management agency GSE could be delayed by as much as six months, resulting in the deferral of any formal assessment that would lead to FIT adjustments.
For their part, regional governments also might try to limit the amount of land used for solar, even though any such limitations must pass Italian federal law.
Finally, the grid connection in Southern Italy will certainly prove more challenging than elsewhere, posing additional headaches.
Just the same, if fourth-quarter 2010 figures for PV installations can rise at such healthy rates, project developers more than likely will be able to overcome difficulties in 2011.
Based on interviews with leading project developers and energy performance contractors in Italy, iSuppli predicts the country will install 975 megawatts (MW) worth of PV solar systems in the fourth quarter, doubling the 487 MW in the third quarter, and rising 239 percent from 288 MW during the fourth quarter of 2009.
This fourth-quarter surge will cause installations in 2010 to rise to 1.9 gigawatts (GW), up 100 percent from 720 GW in 2009. The rise in installations will set the stage for another doubling of the market in 2011, with installations rising to 3.9 GW.
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of PV solar installations in Italy in 2009 and 2010.
Source: iSuppli, USA.“The strong fourth-quarter growth represents a breakthrough for Italian PV installations, which until now had been limited to 300 MW or less, with the expansion propelled by installers rushing to take advantage of an Italian government subsidy scheduled to expire soon,” said Dr. Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst for PV systems at iSuppli.
Installations finished by the end of the year and connected to the grid by June 30, 2011, will still be able to benefit of the 2010 feed-in tariff (FIT) tariff of Italy’s Second Conto d’energia.
Under the current FIT, and with installed system prices of 2,500 to 2,800 euros per kilowatt-peak units (kWp), a highly attractive internal rate of return (IRR) of 15 to 18 percent is possible in Italy. Italy’s IRR is alluring to solar investors given the depressing news about caps or severe reductions of solar FITs in France, the Czech Republic and Spain. Consequently, investors are flocking to Italy, leaving behind the closing Czech market and even the safe harbor of Germany.
“True, Italian solar installations will drop at the start of the first quarter of 2011, following the burst of the growth at the end of 2010. But the decline is set to last only weeks, rather than months, with the rate of new installations to rise rapidly again following this period,” Wicht added. “And despite the expected FIT declines, the IRR of Solar investments in Italy still will be higher than anywhere else. As a result, installations in Italy will rise to approximately 1 GW per quarter in 2011.”
Nonetheless, some signs of potential trouble may lie ahead.
For one, a potential risk to the positive market outlook exists in that the Italian government might reduce the FIT more quickly than scheduled. Yet it is unlikely that authorities will be able to change the FIT before the third quarter of 2011. Furthermore, official data from the state-run power management agency GSE could be delayed by as much as six months, resulting in the deferral of any formal assessment that would lead to FIT adjustments.
For their part, regional governments also might try to limit the amount of land used for solar, even though any such limitations must pass Italian federal law.
Finally, the grid connection in Southern Italy will certainly prove more challenging than elsewhere, posing additional headaches.
Just the same, if fourth-quarter 2010 figures for PV installations can rise at such healthy rates, project developers more than likely will be able to overcome difficulties in 2011.
SunPower finalizes sale of 13-MW Solare Roma power plant in 2010
SAN JOSE, USA: SunPower Corp. announced that it completed the sale of its 13-megawatt (MW) Solare Roma solar power plant to Allianz Renewable Energy Partners IV Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allianz SE on December 30, 2010. SunPower designed and built the solar power plant and will provide ongoing operations and maintenance services for the new owner.
"The finalized sale of the Solare Roma power plant, along with our recently announced Montalto di Castro 44-megawatt solar park, completes our 2010 plan to develop, construct and monetize 85-megawatts of projects in Italy," said Dennis Arriola, SunPower chief financial officer. "We're pleased with our accomplishments this year and are well positioned to continue our success in 2011."
The 13-MW Solare Roma power plant is located in the municipality of Anguillara, Province of Rome, Lazio region, Italy.
"The finalized sale of the Solare Roma power plant, along with our recently announced Montalto di Castro 44-megawatt solar park, completes our 2010 plan to develop, construct and monetize 85-megawatts of projects in Italy," said Dennis Arriola, SunPower chief financial officer. "We're pleased with our accomplishments this year and are well positioned to continue our success in 2011."
The 13-MW Solare Roma power plant is located in the municipality of Anguillara, Province of Rome, Lazio region, Italy.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Trina Solar announces India solar power plant completion with Lanco Solar
CHANGZHOU, CHINA: Trina Solar Ltd, a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, announced through its subsidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co. Ltd, the completion of a 5 MW solar power plant developed by Lanco Infratech Ltd, one of the fastest growing business conglomerates in India.
The project is one of the largest single-location solar power plants in the country and the first such for the State.
Trina Solar was the exclusive supplier of the high performance PV modules to power the solar plant located in the Indian state of Gujarat. The western Indian state of Gujarat is emerging as a hub of solar power generation due to its abundant open space, high solar radiation and keen Government support to promote Gujarat as an investment destination for solar energy.
"We are pleased to work with Lanco, one of India's leading integrated players with considerable experience in EPC, construction and power generation," said Ku Jun Heong, Director of Sales and Marketing (Asia Pacific) at Trina Solar. "India is one of the most promising solar growth markets, announcing its goal to achieve 22 GW of solar energy by end of 2022. We believe our partnership with Lanco will play a significant role in fulfilling India's solar potential under the National Solar Mission."
"We are excited to work with Trina Solar, a recognized global leader in solar PV modules, on this project," said Sai Baba, CEO of Lanco Solar. "Leveraging our in-house expertise to establish and grow Lanco as a leader in the solar industry, we hope to strengthen our partnership with Trina Solar to provide sustainable, innovative and cost effective energy solutions."
The project is one of the largest single-location solar power plants in the country and the first such for the State.
Trina Solar was the exclusive supplier of the high performance PV modules to power the solar plant located in the Indian state of Gujarat. The western Indian state of Gujarat is emerging as a hub of solar power generation due to its abundant open space, high solar radiation and keen Government support to promote Gujarat as an investment destination for solar energy.
"We are pleased to work with Lanco, one of India's leading integrated players with considerable experience in EPC, construction and power generation," said Ku Jun Heong, Director of Sales and Marketing (Asia Pacific) at Trina Solar. "India is one of the most promising solar growth markets, announcing its goal to achieve 22 GW of solar energy by end of 2022. We believe our partnership with Lanco will play a significant role in fulfilling India's solar potential under the National Solar Mission."
"We are excited to work with Trina Solar, a recognized global leader in solar PV modules, on this project," said Sai Baba, CEO of Lanco Solar. "Leveraging our in-house expertise to establish and grow Lanco as a leader in the solar industry, we hope to strengthen our partnership with Trina Solar to provide sustainable, innovative and cost effective energy solutions."
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