All posts by Tate Dwinnell

Echelon (ELON) Introduces New Smart Metering Network Management Software

Echelon just announced the release of a new product: Networked Energy Services (NES) Element Manager, a new smart metering network management software. The software is designed to help utilities as they implement new smart grid programs by giving them enhanced abilities to manage the project’s installation, configuration, provisioning, management and monitoring.

The software provides a dashboard that provides at-a-glance access to information about network connectivity, data retrieval and the health of meters and power lines, … Read the rest

LDK Solar (LDK) Begins To Ramp Up Production At Xinyu Plant

LDK Solar just announced that they have finished the first production run of the 5,000 metric ton (MT) train in their Xinyu, China plant. They have also begun ramping up production at the plant, which has a yearly capacity of 15,000 metric tons.

In a press release, Nick Sarno, Senior VP of Manufacturing and Polysilicon Plant Project Manager, commented on the achievement:

“We are pleased to successfully complete of our first production run and begin … Read the rest

Raser (RZ) Updates Its Geothermal Strategy

Raser just announced an updated geothermal strategy. At this point, assuming they can secure adequate funding, the company expects to add 40 megawatts of electricity from geothermal power per year over the next three years. By the end of 2012, they will have 130 megawatts.

Raser has also made some improvements to their plant design. Specifically, they will now use larger binary cycle generators in their plants,instead of using many smaller generators. The company expects … Read the rest

First Solar (FSLR) To Build World’s Largest Solar Plant In China

OK, it’s not quite a done deal yet, but First Solar (FSLR) has signed a memorandum of understanding with China to build the world’s largest solar power plant in the desert of Inner Mongolia (Ordos City).  The 2GW plant would be completed in phases over the next 10 years with a 30MW demo project to begin next summer, a 100MW and 870MW project to be completed by 2014 and the final 1000MW phase to be … Read the rest

MEMC Electronics (WFR) Lowers Guidance Following Plant Failure, Announces 2 Plant Closures

MEMC Electronics (WFR) is trading down about 5% with heavy volume after it lowered guidance due to a recent failure at its Pasadena, Texas plant.  The company has disclosed that on Aug 7th, a portion of the plant had to be shut down due to a major equipment failure and that rebuilding has been more difficult than expected.  While the company expects to be back to normal operations by the end of September, lost production … Read the rest

France’s Casino Group To Use Sunpower (SPWRA) Solar Panels In 14MW Deal

French retailer Casino group will use Sunpower (SPWRA) solar panels to kick start a renewable energy push across its supermarket stores in France and the islands of Mayotte and La Reunion.  The retailer will install a total of 14MW of solar panels on rooftops and parking structures beginning later this year using Sunpower’s high efficiency 315 watt and 305 watt panels.  Similar systems have been installed at Target, Walmart, Macy’s and Lowe’s here in the … Read the rest

Solarfun (SOLF) To Develop 600MW In Solar Projects In Hohhot City

Solarfun (SOLF) announced this morning that their Jianghsu Linyang subsidiary has signed a letter of intent with the government of Hohhot City in the Inner Mongolia region to develop two solar projects with a total capacity of 600MW along with a 100MW production facility.

The Solarfun CEO commented, “Hohhot City has been approved to be one of the pioneer cities for using PV systems by the National Development and Reform Commission and it is a … Read the rest

UQM Technologies (UQM) Receives $45.1 Million From Department Of Energy

UQM Technologies just announced that it has been awarded $45.1 million as a grant from the Department of Energy.  The grant, awarded via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is for the development and deployment of electric vehicles and includes a 50% cost-share by the company, so the total project is valued at $90.2 million. … Read the rest

LDK Solar Enters Framework Agreement With Best Solar Company

LDK Solar just announced that it has entered a framework agreement with Best Solar Company. Under the agreement, the two companies will work together on downstream PV projects, with LDK providing solar wafers to Best Solar, and Best Solar assembling them into solar modules.

In a press release, Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of LDK, commented on the agreement:

“Although we have established a PV engineering company to construct solar power stations in and … Read the rest