German companies plan to invest 552 billion USD building a solar power plant

German Suddeutsche Zeitung reported Tuesday by the global reinsurance giant Munich Re AG, such as the composition of 20 large enterprises of investment team, will invest 400 billion euros (552 billion U.S. dollars) building a solar power plant, for the German families with clean energy.

Munich Re AG said Torsten Jeworrek executive director, is currently participating in the investment plan called Desertec, and also include Siemens AG and Germany's largest bank Deutsche Bank.

Jeworrek said that the solar energy investment plans will be built in northern Africa, is seeking more investment partners in Europe and North Africa to join. Team is scheduled to be completed next month, an official plan, in 2-3 years to complete the detailed plans, objectives 10 years after the beginning of the supply of electricity.

Jun. 17, 2009

European emerging market growth of solar energy

iSuppli believes that although the PV industry is still the main focus of economic power in those who, it is expected that smaller countries of the photovoltaic industry will create the highest growth rate. 2013, the Czech PV industry will grow to 10 times in 2008, Greece increased to 30 times, and Bulgaria is to increase to 600 times.

iSuppli Corporation predicts that by 2013, the Czech Republic could reach an installed capacity of solar systems 500MW, while in 2008 only 50MW, the compound annual growth rate during the period up to 66.5%. Income from the business point of view, in 2013 the photovoltaic industry in 2008 from 300 million U.S. dollars at the time increased to 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.

Bulgaria in the solar installation market relatively late start, only introduced in 2007 for the purchase price of solar energy policy. Therefore, iSuppli forecasts the country's installed capacity of solar energy in 2013 will reach 600MW, while the 2008 is 1MW, up to 89% compound annual growth rate.

Greece is the world's solar return on investment of the highest rates. iSuppli Corporation predicts that by 2013 PV systems installed in Greece will reach 1.2GW, while in 2008 only 40MW, the compound annual growth rate for the period 88.5%. If so, then from 2010 investors may flock Greece, because Greece will then stimulate the FIT to 5%. However, this all depends on the approval process can be improved.

Although this system is installed in several countries will be difficult with the number of Germany, Spain and France the same breath, but the photovoltaic industry in these countries and the demand for revenue growth potential can not be ignored, but also into the photovoltaic industry in these countries will make the overall investment in PV market in the next few years to grow.

Jun. 15, 2009

The United States will build the largest solar power plant

The United States "NRG Energy" company recently announced that it will in New Mexico to build a national solar energy the largest thermal power plant.

The Associated Press quoted "NRG Energy" company spokesman Dave Knox, then reported that the city known as "solar tower" power plant is scheduled for early next year to start construction in the southern New Mexico, and upon completion, will have a 92 MW power generation capacity of 74,000 to provide electricity to the family.

Knox said that the United States the largest existing solar power plant is about 70 megawatts of generating capacity. Therefore, the "solar tower" power station will become the largest U.S. power plant similar. With similar thermal power plants, "solar tower" power plants in the same water steam driven generators generate electricity and steam to be generated only by solar energy, rather than burning of fossil fuels.

New Mexico law, at this stage, power generation companies to sell electricity there must be 6% from solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. In 2011, this proportion will rise to 10% by 2015 and 2020, this proportion will be 15% and 20%.

Jun. 13, 2009

Japan, in 2009 the size of solar cell market will be more than 300 billion yen

News June 11, in Japan, a latest survey report shows that as a result of the Government of Japan to actively promote the popularization of home solar power systems, together with the decline in the cost of materials, the effect of volume production will also accelerate the decline in the price of solar power generation system, solar energy in Japan in 2009 battery will be a substantial market growth in 2008 from ¥ 176,100,000,000 growth of 82% to ¥ 319,900,000,000.

Japan's solar power generation in accordance with the Association on June 3 released statistics show that of Japan in 2009 January-March shipments of solar cells as global 244.281MW, fell 11 percent year-on-year. Deterioration in exports due to economic downturn led to the demand for the European market by 19% in the year to 171.013MW, which in Europe by 21.0 percent, also in North America by 2.7%. However, in Japan, because Japan's domestic solar power generation equipment import subsidy system in January 2009 on the road, driven out of the volume of domestic demand in Japan by 18% to 73.268MW.

The report also pointed out that in future, such as amorphous silicon thin film solar cells will gradually increase the proportion is expected in Japan this year's film solar cell market will be 10.5 billion yen the previous year 90% growth to 200 billion yen.

Jun. 11, 2009

Hemlock Polysilicon Expansion Project USA

Hemlock Semiconductor Group has in its factory is located in Michigan, officially launched a new project of 8,500 tons of polysilicon.

In May 2007 in Hemlock, Michigan announced that it would implement the expansion, the total funding for the expansion of one billion U.S. dollars. The expansion of the original than the end of a few months ahead of schedule, which means that the first step towards the successful completion of expansion. The second phase of expansion will be completed by 2010, when the total production capacity will reach approximately 36,000 tons.

In the past five years, Hemlock Semiconductor's investment has been more than four billion U.S. dollars. Hemlock Semiconductor makes these investments to expand capacity by 10 times. At the same time create more than 1,500 jobs. These jobs on construction sites on a daily basis does not include the required builders of 1,000-1,800.

"Despite the current economic failure, but in the long run, solar energy market still has strong growth momentum." Doornbos said. "We have recently completed the expansion ahead of schedule, a strong proof of our strength. In addition, our technology and production has more than 40 years of experience, which will help customers in this fast-growing, and the industry has a bright future to succeed. "

Second half of this year, Hemlock Semiconductor will be in the Clarksville, Tennessee, to build a new polysilicon plant. The new plant is expected to be formally put into operation in 2012, the current pre-excavation work has begun.

Jun. 9, 2009