Agua Caliente doubles output to 200 MW in Arizona

The Agua Caliente solar project, currently under construction in Yuma County, Arizona, is now delivering more than 200 megawatts to the electric grid. The Agua Caliente project is said to be the world’s largest operating photovoltaic power plant. It began delivering energy (100 MW) to the grid last April (see related story).

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New solar power system generates electricity and heat both at the same time

The power of the sun is usually harnessed in one of two ways, for thermal power or heat-generation or for electricity through solar photovoltaics. However, two researchers at Canada’s Queen’s University are working on a system that can generate both heat and electricity at the same time. Unlike the conventional solar photovoltaic thermal system that uses crystal silicon cells, the new P.V.T. technology employs amorphous or thin-film silicon cells.

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Solar now 10 percent of Germany's electricity production

For the month of May this year, 10 percent of Germany’s total electricity production came from solar power, 40 percent more than in 2011, the Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry reports. A total of 4 billion kilowatt-hours' worth of solar power was fed into German grids, compared with the 2.6 billion kWh in May last year. From January to May this year, a total of 10.5 billion kWh was generated from solar, posting growth from the previous year's 7.6 billion kWh, according to German Energy Blog.

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IEA: Solar to supply one-sixth of world's heating, cooling demands by 2050

An estimated one-sixth of the world’s total low-temperature heating and cooling needs are seen to be powered by solar energy by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency. The agency says this would eliminate some 800 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, or more than Germany’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2009.

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More solar would lower energy costs for Texas in summer months – SEIA

As the summer sun rises in the Texas skies, so does the heat – resulting in higher electricity prices for Texas consumers. However, according to a new analysis from the Brattle Group, harnessing the power of the sun could easily lower wholesale electricity prices in the state.

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Solar cells convert underwater solar radiation to electricity

A team of scientists from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Electronics Science and Technology Division are developing solar cells which could absorb solar radiation underwater and produce power for the operation of electronic sensor systems at depths of 9 meters.

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Changes to be seen in U.S. solar financing – Bloomberg

The emergence of new business models, new investors and new financing vehicles will be changing the face of financing for United States solar projects in the near future, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Commissioned by accounting company firm Reznick Group, the report says third-party financing models, new investors, and new financing vehicles like project bonds and trust funds will be replacing U.S. solar power financing’s current practice of bankrolling from financial institutions, energy sector players, and the federal government.

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SEE Solar – South-East European Solar PV & Thermal Exhibition

A new report from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has pointed that the solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity continued its remarkable growth trend in 2011. The solar market in South-East Europe is still small, but it is growing rapidly and it has a great potential to become a considerable part of the global renewable market.

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Solar Power International 2012

The solar energy industry is in high gear and at Solar Power International 2012 (SPI ’12), September 10-13, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, participants can plug into the technologies, personal connections and professional insights that give rise to new business and learning opportunities.

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Solar field provides both energy and shade to cattle feedlot

A 480-kilowatt concentrating photovoltaic plant that provides both energy and shade to a cattle feedlot was installed in Coachella, California. Independent Solar Developers, which provides solar installations to the agricultural industry, said they're the first company to install such a solar facility of its kind. Independent Solar said the solar farm is large enough to power 100 homes.

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