HAMBURG, GERMANY & WUXI, CHINA: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd announced that it has beaten all previous records for multi-crystalline silicon module conversion efficiency, including its own record achieved last month.
The new world record conversion efficiency (aperture area only) was measured at 16.53 percent by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.
Suntech's world record breaking multi-crystalline silicon module is powered by Pluto PV cells utilizing solar grade silicon with each PV cell having a conversion efficiency well over 17 percent.
In August, Suntech surpassed the previous record of 15.5 percent set by Sandia National Labs 15 years ago. The latest record is well above previous records and is a reaffirmation that Suntech's Pluto powered multi-crystalline modules have the highest conversion efficiency in the world.
"We are very pleased to announce that our Pluto technology has been recognized as the most efficient multi-crystalline silicon technology in the world," said Dr. Stuart Wenham, Suntech's Chief Technology Officer. "This shows that it is possible to combine both first class R&D and low cost manufacturing into a commercially viable business model that will bring clean alternative energy to the world's growing energy demands."
Dr. Martin Green, Research Director of the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and member of the Progress in Photovoltaics Committee said, "The 16.53% conversion efficiency Suntech module has a clear margin over other multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic technologies. It has set the new benchmark for the highest performance multi-crystalline module."
Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO, was scheduled to present a paper on the technology required to produce the Pluto powered multi-crystalline cells on a commercial scale at 2:45pm German time on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference at the CCH Congress Centre and International Fair, Hamburg, Germany.
Showing posts with label Suntech Power Holdings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suntech Power Holdings. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Suntech's 60 cell module for residential and commercial rooftop systems
HAMBURG, GERMANY & WUXI, CHINA: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, the world's leading manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced the introduction of a 60 cell multi-crystalline PV module to be marketed under the product name Wd.
The new Wd module series features positive peak power tolerance of 0/+5 watts, which will assure that all Wd modules will produce at, or outperform, the nominal power rating.
"The new 60 cell module, which weighs about 20kg, will be ideal for customers that have plenty of roof space, but want to avoid the challenges of mounting a heavier 72 cell module," said Andrew Beebe, Suntech's VP of Global Product Strategy.
"With high quality components and extensive vetting through our 52 step quality control process, we believe this will be one of the most reliable modules on the market and well-suited to operate in extreme weather conditions. This new product reflects our commitment to developing products to suit our customers' evolving needs through close collaboration and consideration of customer feedback."
The 60 cell Wd module series will be available in two power ratings, 220 watt or 225 watt, and is designed to complement Suntech's 54 cell and 72 cell multi-crystalline modules to provide customers with a powerful and light weight option for residential and commercial rooftop applications.
In addition to positive peak power tolerance of 0/+5 watts, the new modules will also feature the latest IP67 rated junction box with enhanced thermal isolation, 4mm thick glass and a durable and easy to install 50mm aluminum frame.
Illustrating Suntech's commitment to producing the most reliable modules in the industry, the Wd module series will be backed by Suntech's 25-year power output warranty, and has also received IEC 5400Pa certification that verifies the modules' ability to withstand high wind-pressure and snow load.
The Wd module series is already available for purchase and will be on display at this year's European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition from September 21-24 at booth B7/75, CCH Congress Centre and International Fair, Hamburg, Germany. Interested customers can also contact their local dealerships or visit Suntech's website for additional information.
The new Wd module series features positive peak power tolerance of 0/+5 watts, which will assure that all Wd modules will produce at, or outperform, the nominal power rating.
"The new 60 cell module, which weighs about 20kg, will be ideal for customers that have plenty of roof space, but want to avoid the challenges of mounting a heavier 72 cell module," said Andrew Beebe, Suntech's VP of Global Product Strategy.
"With high quality components and extensive vetting through our 52 step quality control process, we believe this will be one of the most reliable modules on the market and well-suited to operate in extreme weather conditions. This new product reflects our commitment to developing products to suit our customers' evolving needs through close collaboration and consideration of customer feedback."
The 60 cell Wd module series will be available in two power ratings, 220 watt or 225 watt, and is designed to complement Suntech's 54 cell and 72 cell multi-crystalline modules to provide customers with a powerful and light weight option for residential and commercial rooftop applications.
In addition to positive peak power tolerance of 0/+5 watts, the new modules will also feature the latest IP67 rated junction box with enhanced thermal isolation, 4mm thick glass and a durable and easy to install 50mm aluminum frame.
Illustrating Suntech's commitment to producing the most reliable modules in the industry, the Wd module series will be backed by Suntech's 25-year power output warranty, and has also received IEC 5400Pa certification that verifies the modules' ability to withstand high wind-pressure and snow load.
The Wd module series is already available for purchase and will be on display at this year's European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition from September 21-24 at booth B7/75, CCH Congress Centre and International Fair, Hamburg, Germany. Interested customers can also contact their local dealerships or visit Suntech's website for additional information.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Top-10 solar cell suppliers in 2009: First Solar to produce twice as much as leading crystalline solar module suppliers
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Leveraging its low-cost thin-film process, US-based First Solar Inc. is set to surpass its crystalline competitors to become the world’s largest producer of photovoltaic (PV) cells in 2009, according to iSuppli Corp.
First Solar in 2009 is set to produce 1,100 Megawatts (MW) worth of solar cells, more than double the 503MW it made in 2008. This will give First Solar nearly twice as much production of total solar cells as its nearest competitor, Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. As iSuppli noted in an Aug. 10 release, SunTech in 2009 is set to become the leader of the crystalline segment, which is a subset of the total solar cell market.
“First Solar is leveraging its cost leadership to achieve market-share leadership in the global PV solar cell business,” said Dr. Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst for iSuppli. “The company’s proprietary thin-film process is giving it an edge over the competition amid challenging solar market conditions.”
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecasted worldwide market share for all types of solar cells in 2009.
iSuppli:Forecast of Top-10 Suppliers of Solar Cells in 2009 (Ranking by Production in Megawatts (MW))
Source: iSuppli, Sept. 2009
“First Solar sells its products at very competitive prices, always undercutting crystalline cells,” Wicht said. “With its capability to produce cells at a cost of 89 cents per watt in the second quarter, First Solar is generating stable operating margins, while its competitors are struggling to stay profitable. Despite global oversupply of PV modules, First Solar is continuing to expand and is able to sell nearly all of its finished goods.”
Beyond low-cost production, First Solar’s success is also being driven by its well-established sales channels in Europe and its own installations for U.S. utility projects.
First Solar will be the only company among the Top-4 solar cell suppliers able to gain market share in 2009, iSuppli predicts. The company’s portion of global solar cell MW production will rise to 12.8 percent in 2009, up from 7.5 percent in 2008. No.-2 SunTech, No.-3 Sharp and No.-4 Q-Cells -- all will suffer contractions in total solar cell market share.
First Solar also holds the lowest levels of inventory in the global solar cell industry. Because of this, iSuppli expects the company to actually sell all of its production in 2009, rather than stockpiling it. With inventories throughout the PV supply chain soaring, this give First Solar a significant competitive advantage.
With 3.92GW worth of solar capacity set to be installed in 2009, First Solar’s cells will account for as much as 28 percent of the total, according to iSuppli. The company’s share will be even higher in ground installations and large rooftops, where its products find the strongest acceptance. Its share will be lower in other types of installations, such as small rooftops.
Thin-film represents a new generation of solar cell technology that is gaining acceptance worldwide. Traditional solar cells have employed crystalline material, which is relatively efficient at converting light into electricity, but also more expensive relative to thin-film. In addition to SunTech, crystalline solar-cell suppliers include Q-Cells, Sharp, Yingli and JA Solar.
In contrast, thin-film employs slim layers of materials including cadmium, tellurium, copper, amorphous, and microcrystalline silicon.
Because of its cost advantage, thin film will grow to account for 34.5 percent of worldwide solar production in terms of MW in 2013, up from 14.2 percent in 2008.
Despite the strong rise of thin-films, iSuppli doesn’t believe that the technology will surpass crystalline in the foreseeable future.
“The rise of thin-film is due to the success of First Solar and its unique thin film process,” Wicht said. “There’s no new First Solar yet on the horizon. With only one supplier, thin film’s progress will be limited.”
First Solar employs a patented process using cadmium telluride (CdTe).
First Solar in 2009 is set to produce 1,100 Megawatts (MW) worth of solar cells, more than double the 503MW it made in 2008. This will give First Solar nearly twice as much production of total solar cells as its nearest competitor, Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. As iSuppli noted in an Aug. 10 release, SunTech in 2009 is set to become the leader of the crystalline segment, which is a subset of the total solar cell market.
“First Solar is leveraging its cost leadership to achieve market-share leadership in the global PV solar cell business,” said Dr. Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst for iSuppli. “The company’s proprietary thin-film process is giving it an edge over the competition amid challenging solar market conditions.”
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecasted worldwide market share for all types of solar cells in 2009.
iSuppli:Forecast of Top-10 Suppliers of Solar Cells in 2009 (Ranking by Production in Megawatts (MW))
Source: iSuppli, Sept. 2009“First Solar sells its products at very competitive prices, always undercutting crystalline cells,” Wicht said. “With its capability to produce cells at a cost of 89 cents per watt in the second quarter, First Solar is generating stable operating margins, while its competitors are struggling to stay profitable. Despite global oversupply of PV modules, First Solar is continuing to expand and is able to sell nearly all of its finished goods.”
Beyond low-cost production, First Solar’s success is also being driven by its well-established sales channels in Europe and its own installations for U.S. utility projects.
First Solar will be the only company among the Top-4 solar cell suppliers able to gain market share in 2009, iSuppli predicts. The company’s portion of global solar cell MW production will rise to 12.8 percent in 2009, up from 7.5 percent in 2008. No.-2 SunTech, No.-3 Sharp and No.-4 Q-Cells -- all will suffer contractions in total solar cell market share.
First Solar also holds the lowest levels of inventory in the global solar cell industry. Because of this, iSuppli expects the company to actually sell all of its production in 2009, rather than stockpiling it. With inventories throughout the PV supply chain soaring, this give First Solar a significant competitive advantage.
With 3.92GW worth of solar capacity set to be installed in 2009, First Solar’s cells will account for as much as 28 percent of the total, according to iSuppli. The company’s share will be even higher in ground installations and large rooftops, where its products find the strongest acceptance. Its share will be lower in other types of installations, such as small rooftops.
Thin-film represents a new generation of solar cell technology that is gaining acceptance worldwide. Traditional solar cells have employed crystalline material, which is relatively efficient at converting light into electricity, but also more expensive relative to thin-film. In addition to SunTech, crystalline solar-cell suppliers include Q-Cells, Sharp, Yingli and JA Solar.
In contrast, thin-film employs slim layers of materials including cadmium, tellurium, copper, amorphous, and microcrystalline silicon.
Because of its cost advantage, thin film will grow to account for 34.5 percent of worldwide solar production in terms of MW in 2013, up from 14.2 percent in 2008.
Despite the strong rise of thin-films, iSuppli doesn’t believe that the technology will surpass crystalline in the foreseeable future.
“The rise of thin-film is due to the success of First Solar and its unique thin film process,” Wicht said. “There’s no new First Solar yet on the horizon. With only one supplier, thin film’s progress will be limited.”
First Solar employs a patented process using cadmium telluride (CdTe).
Friday, September 4, 2009
Overview of Chinese solar power industry
Note: This is a regular series of relevant industry news from around China. Courtesy: China Briefing
Solar power
Chinese photovoltaic (PV) maker Trina Solar said earnings per average diluted share topped US$0.71 for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, thanks to a drop in polysilicon prices.
Over the first quarter, the company scaled back polysilicon costs by 30 percent on the back of lower purchase price, effective management of long-term contracts and prudent inventory management. In addition, it drove down non-silicon manufacturing costs for its multi-crystalline modules by around 6 percent to US$73 per watt.
Revenues rose by 13.5 percent to US$150 million from the previous quarter but dipped 26.5 percent from a year earlier, dragged by a lower module average selling price. Total shipments went up to 63.9 MW from 48.8 MW in the first quarter and 47.6 MW in the corresponding period of 2008.
The increase was fueled by robust demand in the company’s key European markets, easier customer access to PV system purchase funding and expanded government schemes to encourage clean energy development.
The higher revenue and the lower cost structure helped a rise in gross margin to 27.4 percent in the second quarter from 17.2 percent in the first quarter and 23.3 percent a year ago.
The company confirmed its 2009 PV module shipment guidance at a range of 350 MW–400 MW, expecting to ship between 90 MW and 110 MW in the third quarter. But it says its average selling price is headed for a 10-15 percent drop in the third quarter and a further 10-12 percent in the fourth. The decline should be offset by improvements in manufacturing costs by 15-20 percent in the fiscal 2009.
The construction of a 200 MW solar power plant was started in the Golmud Desert of Qinghai, western China, on Thursday. The investor, China Longyuan Power Group, a subsidiary of China Guodian, will invest RMB4 billion into the project. Some RMB400 million will be spent on the first phase of the power plant. The first phase will have an annual production capacity of 36 million kWh and will become operational in September 2010.
Following other major players in the electronic devices industry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has decided to invest US$50 million in solar power industry, Electronics Weekly reported. US-headquartered Applied Materials already earns half of its income from selling manufacturing equipment to solar-focused companies. In 2008, Intel established its solar power business SpectraWatt.
Chinese multicrystalline solar wafers maker LDK Solar said yesterday it has inked an agreement with Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, under the terms of which LDK Solar will develop a number of PV power projects, including PV ground-power stations, and roof and building integration systems totalling up to 500 MW over the next five years.
Eager for a bulkier market share, Chinese solar heavyweight Suntech Power supplies solar PV panels in the United States below materials, assembly and shipping costs, founder and CEO Shi Zhengrong told the New York Times.
The move underpins a drive by Chinese manufacturers to gain a major foothold on the global green arena, where the United States is a major player. They have already driven down the price of solar panels by almost a half over the past year. Chinese producers will tap into generous government support to build assembly plants in the United States to skirt rules that would lock Chinese-made products out of stimulus monies.
The Obama administration has announced US$2.3 billion in tax credits to clean energy equipment manufacturers. Suntech is poised to take over from Germany’s Q-Cells as the world’s second largest PV cells supplier, breathing in the neck of U.S.-based First Solar. The Chinese company plans to construct a US assembly unit on a location due to be announced in a month or two. It is now scouting Phoenix, Arizona and Texas.
Despite his bold ambitions about the United States, Shi predicted earlier this month that the Chinese market will grow by a less-than-expected margin this year before government stimulus measures could give it a bounce.
Singapore-based semiconductor foundry United Microelectronics said it will establish a new business development center to focus on solar power and light-emitting diode projects.The company’s board approved on August 24 an injection of up to TWD1.5 billion in a new wholly-owned subsidiary, named UMC New Business Investment. The entity will be run by Wen Yang Chen, senior vice president of UMC.
Initially, the new company will complete the development of respective technologies and establish a preliminary scale of operations. While in the future, UMC New Business Investment is expected to become a part of UMC’s core business with high competitive advantages.
Taiwanese power supplies, consumer electronics and optoelectronic products maker Lite-On Technology has signed an agreement with the government of Yingtan city, Jiangxi Province, to carry out a thin solar film power generation project for agricultural greenhouses, Xinhua’s China Economic Information Service reported. Prior to this deal, the company had signed a contract with Jiangxi’s Shangrao city for the construction of a solar power generation systems for five agricultural greenhouses, with 20 KW of installed capacity each.
Chinese PV maker Yingli Green Energy Holding said yesterday it would supply up to five MW of PV modules to Czech commercial property developer CTP Invest. The companies have inked a letter of intent (LoI), which calls for PV modules deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2009. The solar equipment will be utilized in several grid-connected rooftop installations at CTP’s industrial parks and office centers in the Czech Republic.
Remon L. Vos, managing director of CTP, expects the binding contract based upon this LoI will be achieved in the following weeks.The Chinese company has already delivered over 10 MW PV modules to customers in the Czech Republic since the beginning of 2009, Liansheng Miao, CEO of Yingli Green Energy, noted.
China-based solar cell and module products maker Canadian Solar said on August 26 it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Administration Committee of Baotou National Rare Earth Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone under which Canadian Solar has obtained the rights to design, install, operate, and maintain a 500 MW solar power plant system.
Under the terms of the LOI, the solar power project will be located in CPT.The project is pending government approval.
Chinese power generation systems distributor A-Power Energy Generation Systems reported yesterday an unaudited net profit of US$6.3 million for the second quarter of 2009, slightly up from US$6.2 million booked a year earlier.
Diluted earnings per share were US$0.14, down from US$0.18 a year earlier, as in the second quarter of 2009, the weighted average number of shares on a fully diluted basis was 35.3 million while in the same period of 2008 it was 33.9 million.
The fast-growing manufacturer of wind turbines said its revenues in the three months ended June 30, fell to US$57.5 million from US$65.7 million last year. The decline was attributed to delays in some distributed power generation projects.
Gross margin in the period went up to 13.4 percent versus 12.1 percent in the second quarter of 2008, thanks to higher efficiency derived from cost-saving in labour as the A-Power undertook 30 MW-plus DG projects.
However, higher selling, general and administrative expenses dragged the earnings before interest and taxes to US$4.7 million, down from US$6 million in the same period in 2008.
Commenting on the quarterly financial results, the CEO of the company, Jinxiang Lu, said that during the period A-Power has built a foundation for prospective growth in the future. The company set up a joint venture with Jiangsu Miracle Logistics System Engineering to produce and sell wind turbine components in China. A-Power has also completed assembly of two units of the 2.7 MW wind turbines in Shenyang and purchased Shenyang Huaren’s technology for 1.5 MW wind turbines, along with its backlog to produce and sell 10 units of the 1.5 MW wind turbines.
Focused mainly on wind power, the company has also signed a memorandum of understanding to take over Japanese thin-film PV products developer Evatech Co.
Chinese thin-film technology developer Astronergy announced today that it had won a bid for the development of a two MW PV project.
The large-scale grid-connected PV system will be located at the Hangzhou Energy and Environment Industrial Park in the province of Zhejiang, eastern China. Its installation will be financed by China Energy Conservation Investment, a promoter of energy-saving, environmental protection technologies and projects.
Astronergy will cover the roof of the Green Science and Technology Hall in the industrial park with a combination of its crystalline silicon-based and thin-film PV modules. The hall will incorporate mainly building-integrated PV technologies.
Chinese photovoltaic panels maker Sky Global will invest EUR14.5 million in a plant in Mataporquera, southern Spain. Sky Global will open the plant in 2011 and will create 465 jobs. The company will also build a 9.9-MW photovoltaic park with 672 panels. Sky Global operates in Spain through its subsidiary Sky Global Solar.
Solar power
Chinese photovoltaic (PV) maker Trina Solar said earnings per average diluted share topped US$0.71 for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, thanks to a drop in polysilicon prices.
Over the first quarter, the company scaled back polysilicon costs by 30 percent on the back of lower purchase price, effective management of long-term contracts and prudent inventory management. In addition, it drove down non-silicon manufacturing costs for its multi-crystalline modules by around 6 percent to US$73 per watt.
Revenues rose by 13.5 percent to US$150 million from the previous quarter but dipped 26.5 percent from a year earlier, dragged by a lower module average selling price. Total shipments went up to 63.9 MW from 48.8 MW in the first quarter and 47.6 MW in the corresponding period of 2008.
The increase was fueled by robust demand in the company’s key European markets, easier customer access to PV system purchase funding and expanded government schemes to encourage clean energy development.
The higher revenue and the lower cost structure helped a rise in gross margin to 27.4 percent in the second quarter from 17.2 percent in the first quarter and 23.3 percent a year ago.
The company confirmed its 2009 PV module shipment guidance at a range of 350 MW–400 MW, expecting to ship between 90 MW and 110 MW in the third quarter. But it says its average selling price is headed for a 10-15 percent drop in the third quarter and a further 10-12 percent in the fourth. The decline should be offset by improvements in manufacturing costs by 15-20 percent in the fiscal 2009.
The construction of a 200 MW solar power plant was started in the Golmud Desert of Qinghai, western China, on Thursday. The investor, China Longyuan Power Group, a subsidiary of China Guodian, will invest RMB4 billion into the project. Some RMB400 million will be spent on the first phase of the power plant. The first phase will have an annual production capacity of 36 million kWh and will become operational in September 2010.
Following other major players in the electronic devices industry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has decided to invest US$50 million in solar power industry, Electronics Weekly reported. US-headquartered Applied Materials already earns half of its income from selling manufacturing equipment to solar-focused companies. In 2008, Intel established its solar power business SpectraWatt.
Chinese multicrystalline solar wafers maker LDK Solar said yesterday it has inked an agreement with Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, under the terms of which LDK Solar will develop a number of PV power projects, including PV ground-power stations, and roof and building integration systems totalling up to 500 MW over the next five years.
Eager for a bulkier market share, Chinese solar heavyweight Suntech Power supplies solar PV panels in the United States below materials, assembly and shipping costs, founder and CEO Shi Zhengrong told the New York Times.
The move underpins a drive by Chinese manufacturers to gain a major foothold on the global green arena, where the United States is a major player. They have already driven down the price of solar panels by almost a half over the past year. Chinese producers will tap into generous government support to build assembly plants in the United States to skirt rules that would lock Chinese-made products out of stimulus monies.
The Obama administration has announced US$2.3 billion in tax credits to clean energy equipment manufacturers. Suntech is poised to take over from Germany’s Q-Cells as the world’s second largest PV cells supplier, breathing in the neck of U.S.-based First Solar. The Chinese company plans to construct a US assembly unit on a location due to be announced in a month or two. It is now scouting Phoenix, Arizona and Texas.
Despite his bold ambitions about the United States, Shi predicted earlier this month that the Chinese market will grow by a less-than-expected margin this year before government stimulus measures could give it a bounce.
Singapore-based semiconductor foundry United Microelectronics said it will establish a new business development center to focus on solar power and light-emitting diode projects.The company’s board approved on August 24 an injection of up to TWD1.5 billion in a new wholly-owned subsidiary, named UMC New Business Investment. The entity will be run by Wen Yang Chen, senior vice president of UMC.
Initially, the new company will complete the development of respective technologies and establish a preliminary scale of operations. While in the future, UMC New Business Investment is expected to become a part of UMC’s core business with high competitive advantages.
Taiwanese power supplies, consumer electronics and optoelectronic products maker Lite-On Technology has signed an agreement with the government of Yingtan city, Jiangxi Province, to carry out a thin solar film power generation project for agricultural greenhouses, Xinhua’s China Economic Information Service reported. Prior to this deal, the company had signed a contract with Jiangxi’s Shangrao city for the construction of a solar power generation systems for five agricultural greenhouses, with 20 KW of installed capacity each.
Chinese PV maker Yingli Green Energy Holding said yesterday it would supply up to five MW of PV modules to Czech commercial property developer CTP Invest. The companies have inked a letter of intent (LoI), which calls for PV modules deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2009. The solar equipment will be utilized in several grid-connected rooftop installations at CTP’s industrial parks and office centers in the Czech Republic.
Remon L. Vos, managing director of CTP, expects the binding contract based upon this LoI will be achieved in the following weeks.The Chinese company has already delivered over 10 MW PV modules to customers in the Czech Republic since the beginning of 2009, Liansheng Miao, CEO of Yingli Green Energy, noted.
China-based solar cell and module products maker Canadian Solar said on August 26 it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Administration Committee of Baotou National Rare Earth Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone under which Canadian Solar has obtained the rights to design, install, operate, and maintain a 500 MW solar power plant system.
Under the terms of the LOI, the solar power project will be located in CPT.The project is pending government approval.
Chinese power generation systems distributor A-Power Energy Generation Systems reported yesterday an unaudited net profit of US$6.3 million for the second quarter of 2009, slightly up from US$6.2 million booked a year earlier.
Diluted earnings per share were US$0.14, down from US$0.18 a year earlier, as in the second quarter of 2009, the weighted average number of shares on a fully diluted basis was 35.3 million while in the same period of 2008 it was 33.9 million.
The fast-growing manufacturer of wind turbines said its revenues in the three months ended June 30, fell to US$57.5 million from US$65.7 million last year. The decline was attributed to delays in some distributed power generation projects.
Gross margin in the period went up to 13.4 percent versus 12.1 percent in the second quarter of 2008, thanks to higher efficiency derived from cost-saving in labour as the A-Power undertook 30 MW-plus DG projects.
However, higher selling, general and administrative expenses dragged the earnings before interest and taxes to US$4.7 million, down from US$6 million in the same period in 2008.
Commenting on the quarterly financial results, the CEO of the company, Jinxiang Lu, said that during the period A-Power has built a foundation for prospective growth in the future. The company set up a joint venture with Jiangsu Miracle Logistics System Engineering to produce and sell wind turbine components in China. A-Power has also completed assembly of two units of the 2.7 MW wind turbines in Shenyang and purchased Shenyang Huaren’s technology for 1.5 MW wind turbines, along with its backlog to produce and sell 10 units of the 1.5 MW wind turbines.
Focused mainly on wind power, the company has also signed a memorandum of understanding to take over Japanese thin-film PV products developer Evatech Co.
Chinese thin-film technology developer Astronergy announced today that it had won a bid for the development of a two MW PV project.
The large-scale grid-connected PV system will be located at the Hangzhou Energy and Environment Industrial Park in the province of Zhejiang, eastern China. Its installation will be financed by China Energy Conservation Investment, a promoter of energy-saving, environmental protection technologies and projects.
Astronergy will cover the roof of the Green Science and Technology Hall in the industrial park with a combination of its crystalline silicon-based and thin-film PV modules. The hall will incorporate mainly building-integrated PV technologies.
Chinese photovoltaic panels maker Sky Global will invest EUR14.5 million in a plant in Mataporquera, southern Spain. Sky Global will open the plant in 2011 and will create 465 jobs. The company will also build a 9.9-MW photovoltaic park with 672 panels. Sky Global operates in Spain through its subsidiary Sky Global Solar.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Suntech energizes Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi with solar energy
WUXI, CHINA & UAE: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, the world's largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic module manufacturer, announced recently that it has been selected by Aldar Properties PJSC to supply over 1,120 solar panels for a 292kW solar system for The Shams Tower, an iconic building on Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Enviromena, the Abu Dhabi based solar power system integrator, has designed and will install the solar system and Aldar, Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company, is developing the project.
"We commend Aldar and the Yas Marina Circuit management for incorporating Abu Dhabi's sustainable vision into the course design," said Nader Jandaghi, Suntech's Director of Middle East Sales. "They have shown motorsport enthusiasts worldwide that racing excellence can also contribute to a cleaner tomorrow. Suntech looks forward to continuing to collaborate with highly experienced partners such as Aldar and Enviromena to bring solar to the UAE."
The 2,500sqm building integrated solar array, which sits on the 60-metre high Shams Tower, will simultaneously provide shade for the car park underneath and produce 450 megawatt hours of clean, solar electricity annually. Power generated will not only offset electricity needs during motorsports events, but will also continue to power the Yas Marina Circuit facility for decades, saving 400 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
"Enviromena is delighted to be working with Aldar and Suntech on the Yas Marina Circuit. This unique project will demonstrate how solar can be incorporated into the built environment and serve as a high profile example for sustainable design in Abu Dhabi," said Sami Khoreibi, President and CEO of Enviromena.
"Suntech's expertise in building integrated solar products and commitments to quality and technology innovation are an excellent fit with Enviromena's mission to promote environmentally sustainable development in the Middle East."
Steve K. Worrell, Aldar's Director-Mixed Use Development, Yas Island Project, said, "We are very pleased that with the assistance of Enviromena and Suntech, we were able to create a solar solution that delivered impressive aesthetics and maximized solar energy production at the Yas Marina Circuit development. The government of Abu Dhabi is committed to achieving a target of 7 percent renewable energy by 2020 and Aldar is delighted to play its part in this goal."
Abu Dhabi was recently picked as the headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency, and continues with initiatives to show the rest of the region how clean solar energy can co-exist within population centers. Abu Dhabi's sustainability culture was the vision of His Highness, the late Founding Father and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed the cause of environmental stewardship.
This is the second high profile project in the Middle East that Suntech has participated in. Earlier this year, Suntech supplied 5MW of solar panels for a 10MW solar system to power Masdar City, the world's first carbon neutral city being built in Abu Dhabi.
Enviromena, the Abu Dhabi based solar power system integrator, has designed and will install the solar system and Aldar, Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company, is developing the project.
"We commend Aldar and the Yas Marina Circuit management for incorporating Abu Dhabi's sustainable vision into the course design," said Nader Jandaghi, Suntech's Director of Middle East Sales. "They have shown motorsport enthusiasts worldwide that racing excellence can also contribute to a cleaner tomorrow. Suntech looks forward to continuing to collaborate with highly experienced partners such as Aldar and Enviromena to bring solar to the UAE."
The 2,500sqm building integrated solar array, which sits on the 60-metre high Shams Tower, will simultaneously provide shade for the car park underneath and produce 450 megawatt hours of clean, solar electricity annually. Power generated will not only offset electricity needs during motorsports events, but will also continue to power the Yas Marina Circuit facility for decades, saving 400 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
"Enviromena is delighted to be working with Aldar and Suntech on the Yas Marina Circuit. This unique project will demonstrate how solar can be incorporated into the built environment and serve as a high profile example for sustainable design in Abu Dhabi," said Sami Khoreibi, President and CEO of Enviromena.
"Suntech's expertise in building integrated solar products and commitments to quality and technology innovation are an excellent fit with Enviromena's mission to promote environmentally sustainable development in the Middle East."
Steve K. Worrell, Aldar's Director-Mixed Use Development, Yas Island Project, said, "We are very pleased that with the assistance of Enviromena and Suntech, we were able to create a solar solution that delivered impressive aesthetics and maximized solar energy production at the Yas Marina Circuit development. The government of Abu Dhabi is committed to achieving a target of 7 percent renewable energy by 2020 and Aldar is delighted to play its part in this goal."
Abu Dhabi was recently picked as the headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency, and continues with initiatives to show the rest of the region how clean solar energy can co-exist within population centers. Abu Dhabi's sustainability culture was the vision of His Highness, the late Founding Father and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed the cause of environmental stewardship.
This is the second high profile project in the Middle East that Suntech has participated in. Earlier this year, Suntech supplied 5MW of solar panels for a 10MW solar system to power Masdar City, the world's first carbon neutral city being built in Abu Dhabi.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Suntech in contract with Recurrent Energy for 5MW modules
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, the world's largest crystalline silicon PV module manufacturer, recently announced that it has been selected to supply over 25,000 modules for Recurrent Energy's 5MW municipal solar power project atop the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco, California. All modules are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2009.
The project, contracted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in late 2008 and signed into law by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in May 2009, will more than triple San Francisco's total municipal solar power output from 2MW today to 7MW upon completion in 2010. According to the SFPUC, it will be California's largest solar photovoltaic (PV) system to date.
"Suntech America and Recurrent Energy are both San Francisco-based companies and we are proud to jointly participate in bringing a green energy future to this wonderful city," said Steven Chan, Suntech's Chief Strategy Officer and President, Global Sales/Marketing.
"Working together, we can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels throughout North America. Forward-thinking projects such as the Sunset Reservoir system set a notable precedent for reducing greenhouse gases and stimulating a national green economy."
After extensive vetting, Recurrent Energy chose Suntech's high-efficiency solar modules to help maximize energy production after considering the site's urban setting and finite usable roof space.
Suntech modules are effective in converting the sun's rays into electricity in low and indirect light, an important factor given the site's wide variety of weather conditions during the year.
"The combination of the system design and Suntech modules will help us to deliver the maximum amount of solar energy and environmental benefits over the lifetime of the Sunset Reservoir project," said Arno Harris, CEO of Recurrent Energy.
"This PV system is expected to produce enough renewable energy to provide for 1,000 typical City residents, avoiding the release of more than 109,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions."
Recurrent Energy will own and operate the system and sell all the renewable electricity to the City and County of San Francisco under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The anticipated production for the 5MW project is 6,560,000 kWh in the first year. Under the agreement, Recurrent Energy assumes all financing, construction, and operating obligations for the project.
The project, contracted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in late 2008 and signed into law by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in May 2009, will more than triple San Francisco's total municipal solar power output from 2MW today to 7MW upon completion in 2010. According to the SFPUC, it will be California's largest solar photovoltaic (PV) system to date.
"Suntech America and Recurrent Energy are both San Francisco-based companies and we are proud to jointly participate in bringing a green energy future to this wonderful city," said Steven Chan, Suntech's Chief Strategy Officer and President, Global Sales/Marketing.
"Working together, we can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels throughout North America. Forward-thinking projects such as the Sunset Reservoir system set a notable precedent for reducing greenhouse gases and stimulating a national green economy."
After extensive vetting, Recurrent Energy chose Suntech's high-efficiency solar modules to help maximize energy production after considering the site's urban setting and finite usable roof space.
Suntech modules are effective in converting the sun's rays into electricity in low and indirect light, an important factor given the site's wide variety of weather conditions during the year.
"The combination of the system design and Suntech modules will help us to deliver the maximum amount of solar energy and environmental benefits over the lifetime of the Sunset Reservoir project," said Arno Harris, CEO of Recurrent Energy.
"This PV system is expected to produce enough renewable energy to provide for 1,000 typical City residents, avoiding the release of more than 109,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions."
Recurrent Energy will own and operate the system and sell all the renewable electricity to the City and County of San Francisco under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The anticipated production for the 5MW project is 6,560,000 kWh in the first year. Under the agreement, Recurrent Energy assumes all financing, construction, and operating obligations for the project.
Friday, July 31, 2009
US, Chinese, and Taiwanese solar-cell makers gain ground
USA: Japan's suppliers of solar photovoltaic cells and panels, which dominated the industry for many years, slipped in the supplier rankings in 2008, according to a new 2009 report from IC Insights, Solar Energy: Growth Opportunities for the Semiconductor Industry.
The 2008 top 10 solar ranking contains two suppliers based in Japan, three in China, two in Taiwan, two in Germany, and one in the US (Fig. 1).
Source: IC Insights
Sharp Corp. was the No. 1 PV device supplier in 2006 and for several years before that. In 2007, Germany's Q-Cells AG and China's Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. overtook Sharp, according to IC Insights' figures.
In 2008, First Solar Inc., a US-based supplier of thin-film PV panels made with cadmium telluride, blew past both Sharp and Suntech, pushing Sharp down to No. 4 in the 2008 rankings, which are based on the peak-megawatt value of the PV devices produced and sold by each supplier.
The totals include PV cells, and in the thin-film case, PV panels. Cell-based panels are not included to avoid counting cells twice. First Solar's MW TF panel sales increased a stunning 144 percent in 2008, boosting it to the No. 2 position.
For its part, Sharp has stated extremely ambitious plans for expansion of its capacity to manufacture and sell silicon-based TF panels over the near term. If successful, Sharp could quickly make up for lost ground.
Sharp was not the only Japanese supplier whose position declined in the 2008 ranking. Kyocera Corp. slipped from the No. 5 spot in 2007 to No. 6 in 2008. Sanyo, which was No. 7 in the 2007 ranking, did not make IC Insights' top 10 ranking in 2008. Mitsubishi also dropped in the ranking.
Future PV device rankings are expected to show significant changes due to the small increments that separate many of the top players. The top four suppliers all achieved market shares (based on MW sales) between 8 percent and 9.5 percent.
A second tier of suppliers was formed by those ranked No. 5 through No. 10, all having between 4 percent and 5 percent market share, and with several additional suppliers close on their heels.
Changing rank within these tiers is statistically inevitable, and it is entirely possible for a supplier to move quickly from the second tier to the first, as First Solar demonstrated in 2008.
Other than First Solar, the risers in the top 10 list were exclusively suppliers based in China or Taiwan. Although China's Suntech slipped from No. 2 to No. 3 on MW growth below that of the total global industry, JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. rose from No. 10 to No. 7 in the ranking based on 109 percent growth in MW sales in 2008.
Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. advanced from ninth place to eighth on the strength of 93 percent growth.
In Taiwan, Motech Industries Inc. swapped seats with Kyocera, moving from No. 6 to No. 5 thanks to a 67 percent increase in MW sales. But perhaps more impressive was the performance of Gintech Energy Corp., which equaled First Solar's growth of 144 percent in MW sales in 2008, pulling itself up from No. 12 to No. 8 in the ranking.
Gintech, like JA Solar, makes solar cells only; these two companies follow the business model of top-ranked Q-Cells, which has only recently started to diversify beyond pure-play PV cell manufacturing.
Other suppliers in the top 10 are involved in panel manufacturing, system installations, and other aspects of the solar value chain.
At the bottom of the list is No. 10 Solar World AG, a German company that holds the distinction of being the biggest manufacturer of PV cells in the US, thanks to the recent expansion of its plant in Hillsboro, Oregon.
A US-headquartered cell manufacturer, SunPower Corp., almost made it into the top 10 in 2008, but SunPower manufactures its cells in plants in the Philippines.
The 2008 top 10 solar ranking contains two suppliers based in Japan, three in China, two in Taiwan, two in Germany, and one in the US (Fig. 1).
Source: IC InsightsSharp Corp. was the No. 1 PV device supplier in 2006 and for several years before that. In 2007, Germany's Q-Cells AG and China's Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. overtook Sharp, according to IC Insights' figures.
In 2008, First Solar Inc., a US-based supplier of thin-film PV panels made with cadmium telluride, blew past both Sharp and Suntech, pushing Sharp down to No. 4 in the 2008 rankings, which are based on the peak-megawatt value of the PV devices produced and sold by each supplier.
The totals include PV cells, and in the thin-film case, PV panels. Cell-based panels are not included to avoid counting cells twice. First Solar's MW TF panel sales increased a stunning 144 percent in 2008, boosting it to the No. 2 position.
For its part, Sharp has stated extremely ambitious plans for expansion of its capacity to manufacture and sell silicon-based TF panels over the near term. If successful, Sharp could quickly make up for lost ground.
Sharp was not the only Japanese supplier whose position declined in the 2008 ranking. Kyocera Corp. slipped from the No. 5 spot in 2007 to No. 6 in 2008. Sanyo, which was No. 7 in the 2007 ranking, did not make IC Insights' top 10 ranking in 2008. Mitsubishi also dropped in the ranking.
Future PV device rankings are expected to show significant changes due to the small increments that separate many of the top players. The top four suppliers all achieved market shares (based on MW sales) between 8 percent and 9.5 percent.
A second tier of suppliers was formed by those ranked No. 5 through No. 10, all having between 4 percent and 5 percent market share, and with several additional suppliers close on their heels.
Changing rank within these tiers is statistically inevitable, and it is entirely possible for a supplier to move quickly from the second tier to the first, as First Solar demonstrated in 2008.
Other than First Solar, the risers in the top 10 list were exclusively suppliers based in China or Taiwan. Although China's Suntech slipped from No. 2 to No. 3 on MW growth below that of the total global industry, JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. rose from No. 10 to No. 7 in the ranking based on 109 percent growth in MW sales in 2008.
Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. advanced from ninth place to eighth on the strength of 93 percent growth.
In Taiwan, Motech Industries Inc. swapped seats with Kyocera, moving from No. 6 to No. 5 thanks to a 67 percent increase in MW sales. But perhaps more impressive was the performance of Gintech Energy Corp., which equaled First Solar's growth of 144 percent in MW sales in 2008, pulling itself up from No. 12 to No. 8 in the ranking.
Gintech, like JA Solar, makes solar cells only; these two companies follow the business model of top-ranked Q-Cells, which has only recently started to diversify beyond pure-play PV cell manufacturing.
Other suppliers in the top 10 are involved in panel manufacturing, system installations, and other aspects of the solar value chain.
At the bottom of the list is No. 10 Solar World AG, a German company that holds the distinction of being the biggest manufacturer of PV cells in the US, thanks to the recent expansion of its plant in Hillsboro, Oregon.
A US-headquartered cell manufacturer, SunPower Corp., almost made it into the top 10 in 2008, but SunPower manufactures its cells in plants in the Philippines.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunrise Solar identifies government projects
SAN ANTONIO, USA: The management of Sunrise Solar Corp. met with government leaders in Washington over the past several weeks to identify specific demonstration projects related to SSLR’s solar energy and alternative energy solutions.
The company’s proposals were well received and the response thus far from government agencies suggests they are inclined to move forward with specific demonstration projects. The company expects its successful demonstration projects to lead to more and larger projects in the months ahead.
“Federal agency representatives responded positively to SSLR’s proposals for specific demonstration projects,” noted Maurice Stone, President of Sunrise Solar. “Now that these doors are open, we expect to begin the roll-out of our projects.”
“Over the past several months we have laid the groundwork for these projects and now we are beginning to see the positive results of our initiatives,” added Stone.
SSLR expects to expand its portfolio of projects within the US and abroad as it becomes a competitor to companies such as First Solar Inc., GT Solar Inc. and Suntech Power Holdings.
The company’s proposals were well received and the response thus far from government agencies suggests they are inclined to move forward with specific demonstration projects. The company expects its successful demonstration projects to lead to more and larger projects in the months ahead.
“Federal agency representatives responded positively to SSLR’s proposals for specific demonstration projects,” noted Maurice Stone, President of Sunrise Solar. “Now that these doors are open, we expect to begin the roll-out of our projects.”
“Over the past several months we have laid the groundwork for these projects and now we are beginning to see the positive results of our initiatives,” added Stone.
SSLR expects to expand its portfolio of projects within the US and abroad as it becomes a competitor to companies such as First Solar Inc., GT Solar Inc. and Suntech Power Holdings.
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