[amor de cosmos]

Prineville Mayor: Apple Plans Solar Array At Central Oregon Data Center
Posted: Monday, January 6, 2014 11:00 am | Updated: 1:45 pm, Mon Jan 6, 2014.
by DAVID NOGUERAS
Oregon Public Broadcasting

The mayor of Prineville says Apple is planning to build a solar array at its data center in Central Oregon.

Earlier this week, both Prineville and Crook County amended existing enterprise zone agreements to incorporate additional land.

Mayor Betty Roppe says those agreements were with Apple. She says the company's enterprise zone agreement defers taxes on improvements to the land for a period of 15 years.

"My understanding is that they will create the solar farm and then they will sell that back to the companies that they actually get their electricity from," said Roppe.

Roppe says a confidentiality agreement with the company prevents her from disclosing the specific terms of the deal.

Economic Development for Central Oregon won't confirm a deal with Apple. In general, it requires businesses in that particular long-term rural enterprise zone to hire a minimum number of 35 full-time employees at wages that are at least one and a half times the county average.

Apple did not return calls seeking comment.

http://www.dailyastorian.com/news/no...4bfa6ddc4.html

California’s Sizzling Solar Busts Through 3 GW
On Jan. 2, 2013, California hit a then-record 1,235 megawatts in solar power production. Exactly a year later, it reached 3,048 MW.
Earthtechling, Pete Danko
January 7, 2014

For the first time, California’s utility-scale solar power production has topped 3,000 megawatts (or, if you prefer, 3 gigawatts). The California Independent System Operator, which oversees the grid for much of the state, tweeted that solar generation hit a record 3,048 megawatts at 12:02 p.m. on Thursday.

To put 3,000 megawatts in perspective, the average coal-fired unit in the United States in 2011 was capable of generating 228 megawatts of power, according to the Energy Information Administration -- so at noon on Thursday, California’s solar farms were doing the work of about thirteen such units.

CA grid reached new solar generation peak of 3,048 MW @ 12:02 on January 2, 2014. #Solar #CAGrid #RenewableEnergy
— California ISO (@California_ISO) January 3, 2014

What’s remarkable about the figure is that exactly one year earlier, on Jan. 2, 2013, the state had also set a record: 1,235 megawatts. That means that in a single year, peak utility-scale solar power production in California has risen nearly 150 percent.

What’s behind the increase?



One final point: We always need to point out that the California ISO solar production figures are for wholesale solar only. California also has nearly 2,000 megawatts of solar behind meters -- on the roofs of businesses and homes all over the state -- that isn’t included in that 3,048 megawatt figure.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articl...s-through-3-gw

Deutsche Bank expects solar gold rush in 2014
08. January 2014 | Global PV markets, Industry & Suppliers, Markets & Trends | By: Edgar Meza

Deutsche Bank Markets Research is forecasting a strong year for solar, with diverse global factors coming together to improve market conditions and increase overall demand.

Deutsche Bank Markets Research has raised its solar demand forecast for 2014 and 2015 to 46 GW and 56 GW, respectively.

In a new report published this week, 2014 Outlook: Let the Second Gold Rush Begin, Deutsche Bank said "upside demand surprises" from the U.S., Japanese and Chinese markets could continue in 2014.

"We expect streamlined incentive programs in China, additional subsidy cut signals in end 2014, and decreasing financing constraints to act as catalysts for upside. Similar to the '05-07 capacity rush, we expect another gold rush by downstream installers to add recurring MW ahead of policy changes over the next 2-3 years. Moreover, we expect grid and financing constraints to improve from 2014.”



According to the report, key catalysts and swing factors include:

• Q1 seasonality: solar stocks are generally discounting weak Q1 seasonality as demand from Europe, the U.S. and China has been historically very weak. However, demand in China is expected to remain relatively strong and also markets such as Japan, the U.K. and other international markets are likely to drive strong Q1 momentum
• China and Japan demand outlook: Both China and Japan could represent 45-50% of 2013 demand -- demand from both markets is expected to remain a major swing factor.

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...014_100013889/

Record installations make US strongest PV market outside Asia Pacific
08. January 2014 | Markets & Trends, Global PV markets, Industry & Suppliers, Top News | By: Edgar Meza

California remained the leading solar state in terms of PV installations, while North Carolina surged into second place, displacing Arizona and New Jersey.

New solar PV installations in the United States reached a record 4.2 GW in 2013, making it the leading solar market outside the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, according to the latest NPD Solarbuzz North America PV Markets Quarterly report. The U.S. market has grown 15% since 2012.

Solar PV installed in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2013 also reached a new record high of approximately 1.4 GW.

"Each year, the final quarter in the United States results in a new quarterly record for solar PV installed," said Michael Barker, senior analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. "The solar PV industry in the United States is, on average, now installing more than one gigawatt of solar PV each quarter."



The top ten leading U.S. states for installed solar PV in 2013:

1. California
2. North Carolina
3. Arizona
4. New Jersey
5. Texas
6. Massachusetts
7. Hawaii
8. New Mexico
9. Nevada
10. New York

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...fic_100013885/

Hanergy secures $3.3 billion in financing for renewable energy projects
08. January 2014 | Markets & Trends, Global PV markets, Industry & Suppliers | By: Sandra Enkhardt, Edgar Meza

Hanergy Holding Group has signed a three-year, $3.3 billion financing deal with Asian banks aimed at PV and hydropower projects and developing its CIGS thin-film technology.

Hanergy Holding Group, parent of leading thin-film module manufacturer Hanergy Solar, has signed a financing agreement with China's Minsheng Bank and the Asia Financial Cooperation Association, a regional organization made up of small and medium-sized banks and financial institutions.

The strategic partnership, signed on Wednesday in Beijing, provides up to CNY 20 billion ($3.26 billion) over the next three years in direct and indirect financing as well as diverse financial instruments for PV and hydropower projects and technology development.

Hanergy is one of the largest thin-film module manufacturers worldwide. Hanergy Solar has in recent years acquired a number of international players in the CIGS technology field, including Q.Cells subsidiary Solibro in Germany and U.S. firms Global Solar and MiaSole.

Hanergy said it would use the financing to further develop its CIGS thin-film technology. The company added that it had already achieved research efficiencies of 19.6% for its thin-film modules and currently 15.7% in mass production.

The strategic cooperation agreement between Hanergy and the financial institutions come in the wake of the Chinese government's recent efforts to further strengthen the development of the domestic solar industry and expand PV development in the country.

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...cts_100013884/

Yingli joins forces with China National Nuclear Corp. for 500 MW of solar projects
07. January 2014 | Top News, Markets & Trends, Global PV markets, Industry & Suppliers | By: Edgar Meza

The state-owned nuclear technology giant says its new partnership with Yingli is reflects China's goal of sustainable development. The companies aim to build 500 MW of distributed generation projects.

Yingli Green Energy is joining forces with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to develop distributed generation solar projects across China.

The Yingli China division and CNNC subsidiary China Rich Energy have agreed to establish a joint venture that will construct the distributed generation systems in close proximity to end-users of the electricity to be generated by the projects.

Yingli China and China Rich Energy signed a framework agreement several months ago outlining the long-term strategic cooperative relationship. As part of the deal, the joint venture will develop 500 MW distributed generation solar projects across the country, 200 MW of which will be installed on sites to be provided by CNNC or its subsidiaries.

Yingli said the agreement with China Rich Energy had now entered the implementation stage.

"While CNNC remains committed to nuclear power development, we are increasing our activities in the renewable energy space, in order to expand our development space,” said Hongchao Xu, China Rich Energy’s deputy general manager and chairman of the joint venture.

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/deta...cts_100013877/

U.S. Solar Installations Are Up 15% In 2013
January 8, 2014 Kathleen Zipp : 0 Comments

New solar photovoltaic installations in the United States reached a record 4.2 GW during 2013. Since 2012, the U.S. market has grown 15%, making it the leading solar market outside the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, according to the latest NPD Solarbuzz North America PV Markets Quarterly report.

Solar PV installed in the U.S. during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2013 also reached a new record high of approximately 1.4 GW, which is equivalent to over 1 megawatt (MW) of solar panels being installed during each hour of daylight over the past three months.

“Each year, the final quarter in the United States results in a new quarterly record for solar PV installed,” said Michael Barker, senior analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. “The solar PV industry in the United States is, on average, now installing more than one gigawatt of solar PV each quarter.”

http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com...tions-15-2013/

1,000 MW Chinese Solar Project Marks Significant Market Shift
Originally published on ThinkProgress.
By Emily Atkin.

China’s second-largest maker of solar photovoltaic panels will develop a huge 1,000 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar power plant complex in a remote Chinese desert, which the company announced Monday — a move that some say is a sign of big things to come for the global solar industry in 2014.

The complex will be built by Trina Solar Ltd. in the western region of Turpan Prefecture, a “harsh, drastic, cold desert” in the western Xinjiang province. Plants are scheduled to begin construction over a four-year time frame starting in early 2014, the company said, with installed capacity of 300 MW scheduled to be completed and connected to the grid by the end of this year. The project is subject to Chinese regulatory approval, but if completed, it would be the largest solar power plant project in Xinjiang.

“Xinjiang’s abundant land and solar resources make Turpan an ideal location for this project,” Trina Solar CEO Jifan Gao said in a statement. “We look forward to working in close collaboration with the local authorities to satisfy the conditions needed for phase one.”

The announcement is welcome news for China, a country with world-famous pollution that has recently been found to be largely caused by too-abundant fossil fuel production. That production is led by more than 2,300 coal-fired power plants, though emissions from other types of fossil fuel combustion also contribute to the smog. However, Trina’s new solar project will only supply power for the areas in which the project surrounds — Turpan Prefecture itself has a population of just 570,000 — dashing the chances that it might alleviate pollution in the smog-centers of Beijing or Shanghai.

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/08/...-market-shift/

An Improved, Cost-Effective Catalyst for Water-Splitting Devices

Jan. 8, 2014 — Solar energy appears to be the only form of renewable that can be exploited at level that matches the world's growing needs. However, it is equally necessary to find efficient ways to store solar energy in order to ensure a consistent energy supply when sunlight is scarce. One of the most efficient ways to achieve this is to use solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, and get the energy back by consuming hydrogen in a fuel cell. But collecting solar energy on a large and sustainable scale means that such cells must be made from materials that are cheap, abundant, and have 10% solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency.

Publishing in Nature Communications, an EPFL-led team of scientists has found a method to create a high-efficiency, scalable solar water splitting device using cheap materials.

Although one of the best means of sourcing renewable energy, solar systems cannot consistently produce adequate energy since sunlight varies from time to time and place to place. A solution to this problem is a device that can store energy in the form of hydrogen for later use, offering a consistent output over time with very little pollution.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0108081221.htm

10 Leading Solar Trends of 2013
Anne Fischer
Written by Anne Fischer 8 January 2014

Our readers are industry leaders who are bright and informed about solar and the impact it will have in the future. The top 10 most read articles by this group of professionals signify the trends in the solar industry in 2013.

Net Metering: A call for a public debate

Public policy, net metering and the utility’s role in regulating (and charging for) solar is an issue that is not going away any time soon.

Electric Vehicles: Charged by the sun

Moving away from fossil fuels in the transportation sector means charging cars with solar charging stations. Fortunately this is a growing trend, signifying a greener tomorrow.

Trends in Solar PV Coatings
PV Monitoring: Tools, markets and emerging trends

With costs down and efficiency of solar cells improving, these two articles look at ways the industry is squeezing more efficiency from solar installations.

Sunny Skies for US Solar in 2013

Good news is always well received, especially expert opinion from SEIA’s President and CEO Rhone Resch.

Advances in Energy Storage Research

Energy storage continues to challenge the industry, with strides being made in cutting edge research around the world.

PV Recycling: Update on legal and technology issues

The industry isn’t truly green until there’s cooperation on proper disposal of materials at the end of their lifecycle. Now with mandates in some regions, PV recycling is becoming as accepted as it is expected.

Roofing considerations for solar photovoltaic installers

Proper and safe PV installation means adhering to electrical code and manufacturer’s requirements thus ensuring that both roofing and PV warranties are maintained.

Operational Energy Data on Solar Financing

Acquisitions of operational utility-scale solar plants increased dramatically in 2013. For the investor or lender it’s all about risk mitigation and understanding the expected annual energy production.

Hurricane Sandy Puts Solar Installation to the Test

Case studies such as this point to how well solar works and that today’s installation techniques can stand up to unprecedented environmental challenges.

http://www.solarnovus.com/10-most-re...day_N7331.html

Strong Venture Capital Funding for Solar in 2013
Published on 7 January 2014

Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm, released its report on funding and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity for the solar sector in 2013.

Global venture capital (VC) investments dropped 40% to $600 million in 97 deals in 2013 compared to $992 million in 106 deals in 2012. Total corporate funding into the solar sector, encompassing VC, debt and public market financings was up 25% in 2013 to almost $10 billion, compared to about $8 billion in 2012.

VC funding in Q4 2013 totaled $87 million in 24 deals compared to $197 million in 28 deals in Q3 2013.

Since mid-2012 the new normal for VC funding has been smaller funding quarters and smaller deal sizes. “While venture funding levels were down, overall fundraising was up and public market financings were really strong in 2013,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. “Higher valuations among public solar companies have opened up the capital markets again as an avenue for fundraising at attractive terms. IPOs are back.”

Solar downstream companies saw the largest amount of VC funding in 2013 with $262 million in 34 deals, accounting for 45 percent of venture funding. Investments in CSP reached $109 million in 12 deals and PV companies were close behind with $104 million in 17 deals. Thin film saw a 77 percent drop in funding from 2012, with $72 million in 2013 compared to $314 million a year earlier.

http://www.solarnovus.com/strong-ven...013_N7338.html