FLORIANA, MALTA & MILAN, ITALY: SunRay Renewable Energy and SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, have announced an agreement under which they are building a 24-megawatt solar electric power plant in Montalto di Castro, Italy.
The 80-hectare Montalto di Castro solar project is being financed by a consortium of primary international and Italian banks and, upon its completion at year-end, will be the largest operating solar power plant in Italy.
The plant began construction earlier this year, and has created more than 200 local jobs. The clean, renewable solar power generated by the plant will provide electricity locally, and contribute to Italy's national electric grid. The site will also have a fully equipped visitor center focusing on the education of the local community and school children about renewable energy.
"In addition to delivering commercial benefits to the community, Montalto di Castro is designed to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding countryside and preserve the local ecosystem," said Giora Salita, head of business development for SunRay. "SunPower's unrivaled global experience in the design and construction of solar power plants will help ensure that the finished project is the pride of the local community today and for many generations in the future."
SunRay is the developer and owner of the project and selected SunPower to design and construct the power plant and provide on-going operations and maintenance services. SunPower is installing SunPower panels, the most efficient solar panels commercially available, and the proprietary SunPower Tracker technology at the site.
The Tracker follows the sun during the day and delivers up to 25 percent more energy than fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements. This project is the first phase of a planned 100-megawatt development that is expected to be fully operational in 2010.
"The Montalto di Castro project is an important milestone for our industry, confirming solar power plants are financeable today when you combine a world-class developer with an industry-leader offering technology and unparalleled experience in solar power design and construction," said SunPower European Sales Director, Mario Riello. "We are very pleased to partner with SunRay to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the community and to the rapidly expanding Italian market."
SunPower has installed more than 200 megawatts of solar power plants globally, including a 5-megawatt plant in Tolentino, Italy, and the 18-megawatt Olivenza plant in Spain. The company's Italian operations are located in Milan and Faenza.
Showing posts with label SunPower. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SunPower. Show all posts
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Previously committed capacity expansions cause solar cell manufacturing oversupply!
AUSTIN, USA: According to DisplaySearch's Q3’09 Quarterly PV Cell Capacity Database & Trends Report, solar cell manufacturing capacity is likely to grow 56 percent in 2009 to 17GW. Ramped capacity, which was only 2.3GW in 2005, is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 49 percent to more than 42GW in 2013.
"Despite PV module demand shrinking 17 percent in 2009, so much cell manufacturing equipment was ordered and installed over the past year that capacity is still expected to grow 56 percent this year," said Charles Annis, DisplaySearch Vice President of Manufacturing Research and author of the report.
"With demand and capacity moving in different directions, the PV industry is currently experiencing an enormous over-supply that is causing rapid price erosion and potentially setting the stage for the failure of multiple cell manufacturers, particularly companies pursuing a-Si thin film solar cells.
"The PV industry will begin working through this excess capacity as demand recovers next year and takes off in 2011 and beyond.”
Here are just some of the many highlights from the Q3’09 Quarterly PV Cell Capacity Database & Trends Report:
* Through 2006, Japan had the largest solar cell production capacity in the world. However, Chinese companies started to ramp up a host of new facilities in 2005 and by 2007 had more solar cell capacity on line than any other country.
China has continued to invest heavily in production facilities, about a third of the worldwide cell capacity in 2009 and is forecast to be the main region for cell production well into the future.
* Of the 3.58GW of thin film capacity available in 2009, more than 30 percent use 600×1200 mm glass substrates, the standard CdTe glass size used by First Solar.
Gen 5-equivalent substrates, ranging from 1000×1200 to 1100×1400 mm, are the second most common glass size, used for 18 percent of available thin film capacity.
* Between January 2008 and July 2009, approximately 11.4GW of new solar cell capacity was installed in fabs around the world. These previous investment commitments are the reason that capacity is continuing to grow 56 percent in 2009 despite falling demand.
* In 2005, 95 percent of solar cell manufacturing capacity was for crystalline silicon solar cells and 5 percent for thin-film solar cells. In 2009, thin film will account for more than 20 percent of capacity.
By 2013, thin film technologies are forecast to account for as much as 30 percent of solar cell capacity.
* For a-Si factories, in 2009 the four largest turn-key equipment vendors are AMAT, Oerlikon ULVAC and EPV, representing 946MW of ramped capacity or more than 50 percent of a-Si capacity online this year.
* In terms of capacity available for production in 2009, First Solar is the largest solar cell manufacturer with more than 1GW of capacity. Q-Cells and Suntech are not far behind and essentially tied for second place. These and other current leading PV cell manufacturers are forecast to invest at the highest rates over the next four years.
By 2013, these three companies plus JA Solar, Motech, REC, SunPower, Yingli, Showa Shell Solar (assuming it moves forward with a planned 1GW CIGS fab), and Sharp are forecast to be the top 10 makers, with more than 16GW or 38 percent of 2013 capacity.
"Despite PV module demand shrinking 17 percent in 2009, so much cell manufacturing equipment was ordered and installed over the past year that capacity is still expected to grow 56 percent this year," said Charles Annis, DisplaySearch Vice President of Manufacturing Research and author of the report.
"With demand and capacity moving in different directions, the PV industry is currently experiencing an enormous over-supply that is causing rapid price erosion and potentially setting the stage for the failure of multiple cell manufacturers, particularly companies pursuing a-Si thin film solar cells.
"The PV industry will begin working through this excess capacity as demand recovers next year and takes off in 2011 and beyond.”
Here are just some of the many highlights from the Q3’09 Quarterly PV Cell Capacity Database & Trends Report:
* Through 2006, Japan had the largest solar cell production capacity in the world. However, Chinese companies started to ramp up a host of new facilities in 2005 and by 2007 had more solar cell capacity on line than any other country.
China has continued to invest heavily in production facilities, about a third of the worldwide cell capacity in 2009 and is forecast to be the main region for cell production well into the future.
* Of the 3.58GW of thin film capacity available in 2009, more than 30 percent use 600×1200 mm glass substrates, the standard CdTe glass size used by First Solar.
Gen 5-equivalent substrates, ranging from 1000×1200 to 1100×1400 mm, are the second most common glass size, used for 18 percent of available thin film capacity.
* Between January 2008 and July 2009, approximately 11.4GW of new solar cell capacity was installed in fabs around the world. These previous investment commitments are the reason that capacity is continuing to grow 56 percent in 2009 despite falling demand.
* In 2005, 95 percent of solar cell manufacturing capacity was for crystalline silicon solar cells and 5 percent for thin-film solar cells. In 2009, thin film will account for more than 20 percent of capacity.
By 2013, thin film technologies are forecast to account for as much as 30 percent of solar cell capacity.
* For a-Si factories, in 2009 the four largest turn-key equipment vendors are AMAT, Oerlikon ULVAC and EPV, representing 946MW of ramped capacity or more than 50 percent of a-Si capacity online this year.
* In terms of capacity available for production in 2009, First Solar is the largest solar cell manufacturer with more than 1GW of capacity. Q-Cells and Suntech are not far behind and essentially tied for second place. These and other current leading PV cell manufacturers are forecast to invest at the highest rates over the next four years.
By 2013, these three companies plus JA Solar, Motech, REC, SunPower, Yingli, Showa Shell Solar (assuming it moves forward with a planned 1GW CIGS fab), and Sharp are forecast to be the top 10 makers, with more than 16GW or 38 percent of 2013 capacity.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Half of all solar panels made this year won’t be installed in 2009!
EL SEGUNDO, USA: How bad is the solar panel glut?
* So bad that nearly half of all panels made this year won’t be sold in 2009.
* So bad that the present massive oversupply of panels will persist until 2012.
* So bad that iSuppli Corp. is now reducing its forecast for solar panel production out to the year 2013.
“The solar industry in 2009 has been undermined by collapse in demand due to the decision by Spain—which accounted for 50 percent of worldwide installations in 2008—to change its feed-in-tariff policies,” said Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst for photovoltaics at iSuppli.
“This demand drop led to a massive buildup of inventory throughout the supply chain, from the raw material polysilicon, to PV cells, to complete solar systems. Despite this, solar panel makers have continued to increase capacity and production, exacerbating the inventory buildup.”
Total solar panel production in 2009 will grow by 14.3 percent to 7.5 Gigawatts (GW), up from 6.5GW in 2008. However, only 3.9 GW worth of installations will take place this year. That means that almost one out of every two panels produced in 2009 will not be installed but stored in inventory.
“This inventory glut will have a long-term impact on the solar business, with panels set to remain in a state of oversupply until 2012,” Wicht said. “After that year, fast-growing demand for solar installations will be able to absorb global panel production and inventory.
iSuppli’s updated forecast now shows supplier production flattening for the years from 2011 through 2013 compared to the old forecast.”
The figure presents iSuppli’s previous and updated forecasts for solar panel production in terms of GW.
iSuppli: Previous and Current Global Solar Panel Production Forecasts in Gigawatts (Crystalline and Thin Film)
Source: iSuppli Aug. 2009
Still ramping?
Despite the global economic recession, most of the leading producers of solar panels -— such as Suntech, Sharp and JA Solar -— will continue to grow in concert with the overall PV industry, although they have no intention of slowing production of cells and panels.
“Even in the face of the downturn, many panel and cell producers have continued to ramp up their capacities as if a recession had never occurred,” Wicht said. “Most companies are doing this in order to maintain their share in the market.”
As a result, Suntech will push Q-Cells aside and become the No.-1 producer of crystalline cells in 2009, iSuppli predicts. Sharp, Yingli and JA Solar also will defend their Top-5 positions this year by not reducing their solar-cell production increases.
Those suppliers that have reduced or made adjustments to their production of cells and panels as a result of the softening demand have seen their short- and mid-term strategies falter. These suppliers include Q-Cells, SunPower and BP Solar.
Q-Cells, in particular, slowed down cell and panel expansion at its plant in Malaysia and has significantly reduced production targets in 2009. Likewise, SunPower has cut back its plans for expansion, while BP Solar has closed its panel production operations in Malaysia and Spain.
So, while some companies are hiking up production in order to maintain their positions in the market, others are forced to undertake short-term production cuts and delay or even cancel long-term expansion projects.
* So bad that nearly half of all panels made this year won’t be sold in 2009.
* So bad that the present massive oversupply of panels will persist until 2012.
* So bad that iSuppli Corp. is now reducing its forecast for solar panel production out to the year 2013.
“The solar industry in 2009 has been undermined by collapse in demand due to the decision by Spain—which accounted for 50 percent of worldwide installations in 2008—to change its feed-in-tariff policies,” said Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst for photovoltaics at iSuppli.
“This demand drop led to a massive buildup of inventory throughout the supply chain, from the raw material polysilicon, to PV cells, to complete solar systems. Despite this, solar panel makers have continued to increase capacity and production, exacerbating the inventory buildup.”
Total solar panel production in 2009 will grow by 14.3 percent to 7.5 Gigawatts (GW), up from 6.5GW in 2008. However, only 3.9 GW worth of installations will take place this year. That means that almost one out of every two panels produced in 2009 will not be installed but stored in inventory.
“This inventory glut will have a long-term impact on the solar business, with panels set to remain in a state of oversupply until 2012,” Wicht said. “After that year, fast-growing demand for solar installations will be able to absorb global panel production and inventory.
iSuppli’s updated forecast now shows supplier production flattening for the years from 2011 through 2013 compared to the old forecast.”
The figure presents iSuppli’s previous and updated forecasts for solar panel production in terms of GW.
iSuppli: Previous and Current Global Solar Panel Production Forecasts in Gigawatts (Crystalline and Thin Film)
Source: iSuppli Aug. 2009Still ramping?
Despite the global economic recession, most of the leading producers of solar panels -— such as Suntech, Sharp and JA Solar -— will continue to grow in concert with the overall PV industry, although they have no intention of slowing production of cells and panels.
“Even in the face of the downturn, many panel and cell producers have continued to ramp up their capacities as if a recession had never occurred,” Wicht said. “Most companies are doing this in order to maintain their share in the market.”
As a result, Suntech will push Q-Cells aside and become the No.-1 producer of crystalline cells in 2009, iSuppli predicts. Sharp, Yingli and JA Solar also will defend their Top-5 positions this year by not reducing their solar-cell production increases.
Those suppliers that have reduced or made adjustments to their production of cells and panels as a result of the softening demand have seen their short- and mid-term strategies falter. These suppliers include Q-Cells, SunPower and BP Solar.
Q-Cells, in particular, slowed down cell and panel expansion at its plant in Malaysia and has significantly reduced production targets in 2009. Likewise, SunPower has cut back its plans for expansion, while BP Solar has closed its panel production operations in Malaysia and Spain.
So, while some companies are hiking up production in order to maintain their positions in the market, others are forced to undertake short-term production cuts and delay or even cancel long-term expansion projects.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
SunPower, Wells Fargo to finance $100mn in solar projects
SAN FRANCISCO & SAN JOSE, USA: Wells Fargo and SunPower Corp. have announced a new, collaborative effort to fund up to $100 million in SunPower commercial-scale solar systems.
Under the financing program, SunPower will enter into power purchase agreements with qualified customers and Wells Fargo will finance the solar power systems that SunPower will design, build, operate, and maintain.
Customers hosting the systems will buy the electricity from SunPower at prices that are competitive with retail rates, providing them with a long-term hedge against rising power prices and the ability to take advantage of the environmental and financial benefits of solar power with no initial capital investment.
"We see increasing opportunities over the next several years to support renewable energy markets," said Barry Neal, director of Wells Fargo's Environmental Finance. "By teaming up with SunPower, we intend to support growth in the solar energy market by making it easier and more affordable for businesses and public entities to benefit from solar electricity today."
The first projects financed under the program include a 1.1-megawatt system for University of California, Merced, and a 1-megawatt system for the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority.
Scheduled for completion by year end, both will be ground-mounted systems using the patented SunPower T20 Tracker technology, which follows the sun throughout the day and delivers up to 30 percent more energy than fixed-tilt ground systems.
"SunPower offers high performance solar technology and financing expertise that helps customers maximize savings on their electricity expenditures. Our relationship with Wells Fargo strengthens our project finance efforts, streamlining the implementation of clean, renewable solar power for SunPower's large commercial and public customers throughout the US," said Mac Irvin, managing director of SunPower's structured finance group.
SunPower has more than 500 large public and commercial solar power systems installed or under contract, representing more than 400 megawatts. The company pioneered the use of solar power purchase agreements in 2000.
Wells Fargo has provided more than $1.75 billion in financing for renewable energy projects since 2006. That includes funding for 27 wind projects, more than 150 commercial-scale solar projects and 1 utility-scale solar thermal project.
Under the financing program, SunPower will enter into power purchase agreements with qualified customers and Wells Fargo will finance the solar power systems that SunPower will design, build, operate, and maintain.
Customers hosting the systems will buy the electricity from SunPower at prices that are competitive with retail rates, providing them with a long-term hedge against rising power prices and the ability to take advantage of the environmental and financial benefits of solar power with no initial capital investment.
"We see increasing opportunities over the next several years to support renewable energy markets," said Barry Neal, director of Wells Fargo's Environmental Finance. "By teaming up with SunPower, we intend to support growth in the solar energy market by making it easier and more affordable for businesses and public entities to benefit from solar electricity today."
The first projects financed under the program include a 1.1-megawatt system for University of California, Merced, and a 1-megawatt system for the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority.
Scheduled for completion by year end, both will be ground-mounted systems using the patented SunPower T20 Tracker technology, which follows the sun throughout the day and delivers up to 30 percent more energy than fixed-tilt ground systems.
"SunPower offers high performance solar technology and financing expertise that helps customers maximize savings on their electricity expenditures. Our relationship with Wells Fargo strengthens our project finance efforts, streamlining the implementation of clean, renewable solar power for SunPower's large commercial and public customers throughout the US," said Mac Irvin, managing director of SunPower's structured finance group.
SunPower has more than 500 large public and commercial solar power systems installed or under contract, representing more than 400 megawatts. The company pioneered the use of solar power purchase agreements in 2000.
Wells Fargo has provided more than $1.75 billion in financing for renewable energy projects since 2006. That includes funding for 27 wind projects, more than 150 commercial-scale solar projects and 1 utility-scale solar thermal project.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
SunPower announces solar industry's most powerful rooftop system
SAN JOSE, USA: SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced its new SunPower T5 Solar Roof Tile (T5 Roof Tile), the solar industry's most powerful roof overlay system.
The T5 Roof Tile system approximately doubles the energy generated per square meter compared to systems that are mounted onto flat commercial rooftops. Combined with SunPower's high-performance, 96-cell solar panels, the T5 Roof Tile produces the industry's maximum solar energy per roof and greatest energy savings.
Tilted at a five-degree angle, the T5 Roof Tile is the industry's first all-in-one, non-penetrating photovoltaic rooftop product that combines solar panel, frame and mounting system into a single pre-engineered unit. The T5 Roof Tile solar tiles interlock for wind resistance and secure installation. The patented design is adaptable to virtually any flat or low-slope rooftop.
"It was SunPower technology that established the commercial rooftop solar market more than a decade ago and today we continue to build on more than ten years of experience delivering reliable, affordable solar power systems," said SunPower's CEO, Tom Werner.
"The introduction of the T5 Roof Tile will enable us to extend our leadership in system innovation and offer the benefits of solar to an even wider array of customer building types. We design our solar system technology for lower cost, faster delivery of local, secure clean energy that will accelerate solar green job opportunities."
"The development of the T5 Roof Tile is a direct result of the investment by the US Department of Energy (D.O.E.) through its Solar America Initiative program," said Bill Mulligan, SunPower's vice president of technology and development. "The T5 Roof Tile was developed and delivered to customers less than two years after SunPower began receiving D.O.E. research and development funding."
The T5 Roof Tile all-in-one mounting system and frame is made from an engineered glass-filled polymer that is non-reactive, eliminating the need for electrical grounding of the array. This makes the T5 Roof Tile easier and faster to install than other rooftop systems.
Its aerodynamic design is resistant to high winds, and the strong, smooth-edged, lightweight polymer material protects the roof for long-term durability. Since the T5 Roof Tile is stacked for shipping, more kilowatts per pound can be transported using less packaging, resulting in lower distribution costs.
The T5 Roof Tile system integrates a frame and mounting system with SunPower's high-performance, 96-cell solar panels, including the recently announced SunPower 315 Solar Panel. This combination empowers commercial customers to generate the greatest return by maximizing solar gain from each roof.
The T5 Roof Tile is available in the US immediately and can be ordered in Europe during the third quarter of 2009.
The T5 Roof Tile system approximately doubles the energy generated per square meter compared to systems that are mounted onto flat commercial rooftops. Combined with SunPower's high-performance, 96-cell solar panels, the T5 Roof Tile produces the industry's maximum solar energy per roof and greatest energy savings.
Tilted at a five-degree angle, the T5 Roof Tile is the industry's first all-in-one, non-penetrating photovoltaic rooftop product that combines solar panel, frame and mounting system into a single pre-engineered unit. The T5 Roof Tile solar tiles interlock for wind resistance and secure installation. The patented design is adaptable to virtually any flat or low-slope rooftop.
"It was SunPower technology that established the commercial rooftop solar market more than a decade ago and today we continue to build on more than ten years of experience delivering reliable, affordable solar power systems," said SunPower's CEO, Tom Werner.
"The introduction of the T5 Roof Tile will enable us to extend our leadership in system innovation and offer the benefits of solar to an even wider array of customer building types. We design our solar system technology for lower cost, faster delivery of local, secure clean energy that will accelerate solar green job opportunities."
"The development of the T5 Roof Tile is a direct result of the investment by the US Department of Energy (D.O.E.) through its Solar America Initiative program," said Bill Mulligan, SunPower's vice president of technology and development. "The T5 Roof Tile was developed and delivered to customers less than two years after SunPower began receiving D.O.E. research and development funding."
The T5 Roof Tile all-in-one mounting system and frame is made from an engineered glass-filled polymer that is non-reactive, eliminating the need for electrical grounding of the array. This makes the T5 Roof Tile easier and faster to install than other rooftop systems.
Its aerodynamic design is resistant to high winds, and the strong, smooth-edged, lightweight polymer material protects the roof for long-term durability. Since the T5 Roof Tile is stacked for shipping, more kilowatts per pound can be transported using less packaging, resulting in lower distribution costs.
The T5 Roof Tile system integrates a frame and mounting system with SunPower's high-performance, 96-cell solar panels, including the recently announced SunPower 315 Solar Panel. This combination empowers commercial customers to generate the greatest return by maximizing solar gain from each roof.
The T5 Roof Tile is available in the US immediately and can be ordered in Europe during the third quarter of 2009.
Friday, May 22, 2009
SunPower announces planet's most powerful solar panel
SAN JOSE, USA: SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced the latest version of the SunPower 315 Solar Panel, the planet's most powerful solar panel for the residential and commercial markets.
The improved 96-cell, 315-watt panel uses SunPower's high-performance solar cells and offers the industry's highest conversion efficiency of 19.3 percent.
The SunPower 315 Solar Panel now includes an anti-reflective coated glass and larger, more powerful all-back contact solar cells. The anti-reflective coating allows for more diffuse off-angle light to be captured, generating more energy per rated watt than a conventional solar panel.
The SunPower 315 Solar Panel's larger area cells can capture more light per panel, resulting in high energy output. The coating and the larger area cells result in a darker, more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
"SunPower continues to provide its customers with the best solar technology and greatest return on investment," said Vikas Desai, SunPower vice president and general manager. "The latest version of our SunPower 315 Solar Panel maximizes energy production resulting in fewer panels per rooftop. With less panels and balance of system materials, customers can benefit from lower installation costs."
The improved SunPower 315 Solar Panel is available for residential and commercial customers via SunPower's European and North American dealer networks. The company will be taking orders for the SunPower 315 Solar Panel beginning July 2009.
The improved 96-cell, 315-watt panel uses SunPower's high-performance solar cells and offers the industry's highest conversion efficiency of 19.3 percent.
The SunPower 315 Solar Panel now includes an anti-reflective coated glass and larger, more powerful all-back contact solar cells. The anti-reflective coating allows for more diffuse off-angle light to be captured, generating more energy per rated watt than a conventional solar panel.
The SunPower 315 Solar Panel's larger area cells can capture more light per panel, resulting in high energy output. The coating and the larger area cells result in a darker, more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
"SunPower continues to provide its customers with the best solar technology and greatest return on investment," said Vikas Desai, SunPower vice president and general manager. "The latest version of our SunPower 315 Solar Panel maximizes energy production resulting in fewer panels per rooftop. With less panels and balance of system materials, customers can benefit from lower installation costs."
The improved SunPower 315 Solar Panel is available for residential and commercial customers via SunPower's European and North American dealer networks. The company will be taking orders for the SunPower 315 Solar Panel beginning July 2009.
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