Kaydon (KDN) which makes specialty ball bearings for wind turbines posted a 27% quarter over quarter profit drop from last year but beat analyst estimates of .41/share by posting .45/share excluding one time losses. Revenues increased over the year ago just a bit by 7%. Too bad its wind turbine business doesn’t make up more of the total revenue. That segment rose 78% over the year ago quarter making it by far its best performing … Read the rest
All posts by Tate Dwinnell
Kyocera (KYO) To Build New PV Plant In China
Kyocera just broke ground on a new PV module plant in Tianjin City, China. Construction will begin in April on the plant, which will be adjacent to Kyocera’s current plant and eventually replace it. Once the plant is complete, Kyocera will be able to boost its PV production from 60 MW to 240 MW by 2011.
According to PV-tech.org, here’s how the expansion fits into Kyocera’s overall plan for the future:
The company said the … Read the rest
Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) Gets More Time To Pay Back Loans
Pacific Ethanol just announced that its lenders have agreed to give the company more time to renegotiate its default loan agreements. Pacific Ethanol reached two separate agreements with its lenders, both of which give the company until February 27th before the lenders begin to take action.
Currently, according to the Sacramento Business Journal, "the company is negotiating with Wachovia Capital Finance Corp. (Western) to alter terms of an operating line of credit for Pacific … Read the rest
BP Solar (BP) Signs Supply Deal With Xantrex (XTX)
BP Solar announced that it has signed a supply deal with Xantrex Technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Xantrex will supply BP with residential grid tie (GT) solar power inverters. These inverters, which feature 96% efficiency and maximum AC output of between 2.8 to 5 KW, will offered to customers as part of BP Solar’s Home Solutions PV rooftop systems.
From pv-tech.org, here’s what the leadership team of both companies had to say … Read the rest
Verenium (VRNM) Begins Joint Venture With BP (BP) But Puts New Plant On Hold
Verenium and BP are moving forward on a joint venture to produce cellulosic ethanol. However, even with the $45 million investment dollars that Verenium gained as part of the deal, Earth2Tech reports that Verenium will still have to put its proposed cellulosic ethanol plant on hold. The company had originally expected to begin construction this year, but now expects to start work on the plant in 2010 instead.
Here are some of Earth2Tech’s comments on … Read the rest
American Superconductor Corporation(AMSC) Ships Core Electrical Components Directly To China
AMSC has announced that its subsidiary AMSC China has begun to ship electrical core components directly to its Chinese customers, including Sinovel. AMSC has been working with Sinovel since 2006 to supply China’s growing wind energy market. To date, more than 100 sets of electrical core components have been shipped to Sinovel, including the following (from an AMSC press release):
… Read the restAMSC’s core electrical components include the company’s proprietary PowerModule(TM: 63.772, -2.188, -3.32%)
Cree, Inc (CREE) And Powerex Introduce New SiC Power Switches
In conjunction with Powerex, Inc and the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, Cree has introduced a demonstration model of a new silicon-carbide power switch featuring Cree’s silicon carbide semiconductors. The switch is capable of operating at temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius.
MSNBC has more on the advantages and potential applications of the new power switch:
… Read the restWhen compared to a silicon IGBT module of equal rating, and operating at a junction temperature of
EDP (EDP) Signs Offshore Energy Deal With Principle Power
EDP has signed an agreement with US-based Principle Power to construct a deep-water offshore wind project in Portuguese waters. Under the terms of the agreement, EDP will use Principle Power’s floating turbine technology to keep costs down while allowing energy to be collected in deep (more than 50 meters) water.
From Reuters, here’s more information on the project:
… Read the restIn a statement, EDP said the project will be developed in three phases, commencing with a
LDK Solar (LDK) Plunges to New Lows After Cutting Guidance
LDK Solar (LDK) is hitting new all time lows this morning, gapping down 14% after cutting guidance after the bell yesterday. The company warned it would slow expansion and lose $135 – $145 million in the 4th quarter which would represent the first loss in company history. It’s revised revenue outlook for the 4th quarter has fallen to $415 – $435 vs the analyst estimate of $432 million. … Read the rest
Sunpower (SPWRA) To Build 2.2MW Solar Plant in Torentino, Italy
Sunpower (SPWRA) has announced an agreement to build a 2.2MW solar power plant for Sunshire, a subsidiary of Api Nova Energia of Italy. This is the first solar power plant agreement for Sunpower’s Italian subsidiary which will be financed by regional banks via a leasing agreement
“We are pleased to partner with Api Nova Energia to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the rapidly expanding Italian market,” said Luca Bandini, general manager of SunPower … Read the rest