“The surface temperature measured around wind farms in west-central Texas showed a warming of 0.72 ° C over the last decade compared to neighboring regions, no wind, an effect most likely caused by turbulence blades of the turbines at night acting like fans drawing hot air from high altitudes down, “said Somnath Baidya Roy Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and co-author of the study.

The results were published in the journal Nature Climate Change April 29. Professor Zhou and his colleagues studied data from terrestrial ground temperatures ranging from 2003 to 2011, from scientific observation instruments (MODIS – imaging spectrometer for medium resolution) coupled to an embedded system of satellite NASA Terra and Aqua.

Over large areas, the ground temperature is highly dependent on the type of land cover and the nature of the surface. In some places, the ground temperature varies widely during the day and at night when the air temperature does in a smaller proportion.

The warming observed by MODIS took place mostly at night. In the study area in Texas, the ground temperature after sunset usually cools faster than the air temperature. But as the wind continues to turn, brings the movement of warmer air and ground and created a warming effect compared to agricultural areas not equipped with wind turbines. The researchers expected to see the opposite effect during the day – a slight cooling effect – but the data showed instead a slight warming, or a small effect on the day.

“Estimating the warming is specific to this region, and covers a period where wind farms were booming,” said the lead author of the study, Liming Zhou of the University at Albany. “The estimate should not be considered directly applicable to other regions and landscapes, it should not be extrapolated over a longer period of time, where warming was likely to reach a plateau rather than continue to increase especially if no new wind turbine was added. warming is also considered a local effect, and would not affect the climate on a larger scale…”

“This is a first step in exploring the potential of satellite data to quantify the potential impacts of large wind farms on weather and climate,” said Chris Thorncroft, co-author of the study and Chairman of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Environment at the University of Albany. “We are now expanding this approach with other wind farms and we design models to try to understand the physical processes and mechanisms leading to interactions between the wind and the atmospheric layer near the ground.”

In late 2011, the U.S. wind industry has installed wind capacity of 47,000 megawatts overall close, representing over 20% of global capacity and about 2.9% of all the power of the United States. And just in the last 4 years, the installed wind power capacity increased by over 35%, according to figures provided by the American Association of Wind Energy and the Department of Energy.

“Wind energy will be a part of the solution to climate change, pollution of air and energy security issues,” said Somnath Baidya Roy Pr. “Understanding the impacts of wind farms are essential to developing effective adaptation and strategic management to ensure long term viability of wind energy.”

Thus, the solar photovoltaic (PV) has continued to grow in a ‘remarkable’ way in 2011, amid a financial and economic crisis, and even though the photovoltaic industry has entered a consolidation phase. As was the case in the past decade, PV markets have grown faster than the forward estimates in both Europe and the rest of the world.

In its latest report, the EPIA evaluated the European and world markets of photovoltaics in 2011, and has made predictions for the next five years. The study is based on an internal analysis of data from industry members, national associations, government agencies and utilities.

The report’s key findings for 2011 are:

- 29.7 GW of photovoltaic systems were connected to the network in 2011, up from 16.8 GW compared to 2010. In terms of installed PV systems, the figures give an estimate of 24.7 GW at least for 2011, against a maximum of 21.8 GW by 2010.

- With about 70 GW of installed capacity in the world, becomes the third photovoltaic renewable energy source most important in terms of installed capacity globally, after hydro and wind power.

- 21.9 GW of photovoltaic systems were connected to the network in Europe, last year, against 13.4 GW in 2010. Europe is still a major part of the global photovoltaic market, with 75% of new capacity in 2011.

- Italy has become the leading PV market in 2011, with 9.3 GW of PV connected, followed by Germany with 7.5 GW. Italy and Germany accounted for two of them nearly 60% of global market growth over the past year.

- Outside Europe, it is China who won the prize by becoming the first PV market in 2011, with 2.2 GW of installed capacity, followed by USA with 1.9 GW.

However, a growth rate at such a pace can not last forever warned the EPIA. “In the short term, the photovoltaic industry is affected by a period of uncertainty,” said Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, EPIA President. “But over the long and medium term growth prospects remain strong and good. The results of 2011 – and even the prospects for the coming years – show that with the right political conditions, the PV can successfully move on to competitiveness in key markets for electricity and become a dominant energy source. ”

The full report can be downloaded HERE

Unlike wells, water is always present in the air. For Eole Water, the only constraint was to design a reliable technology that can create and collect water. In the end, the wind WMS1000 was designed to produce water without any external energy source and is capable of producing on daily basis up to 1,200 liters of fresh water in a humid climate.

“The wind is its only engine. Thanks to its installed capacity of 30kW and using air as a source of water, wind WMS1000 is ideally suited to supply remote areas completely devoid of infrastructure. There’s no release of CO2, not pumping of groundwater or surface water sources. The environmental impact is practically nil”, Eole Water indicated in its publications.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology in difficult weather conditions, Eole Water carries out tests on drinking water production at Mussafah near Abu Dhabi in the UAE since November 2011. This testing phase is the first step before the permanent implantation of the mast which is expected before June 2012.

According Eole water, the wind WMS1000 has already been able to collect up to 62 liters of water per hour with an average humidity of 45% and an average temperature of 24°C.

In addition, samples were taken to test the potability of water. “The results confirmed a much higher level of quality to potable standards required by the World Health Organization” said the French firm.

Lighter and thinner than traditional modules, these new modules feature a second generation new ergonomic design for “faster and more efficient” installation.

With a reduction of up to 1.5 kg of its total weight, and a thickness of only 20 mm (35 mm against the industry average, a reduction of 15 mm), these panels are available in mono and polycrystalline, and their efficiency can reach a power of 260 Watts (based on 60 cells).

“The introduction of the second generation is the result of an extensive program of research and development dedicated to continuously improving efficiency and quality of our products to meet the growing demands of our customers worldwide. The high performance of our products combined with a total cost containment symbolizes the powerful innovation capacity of JinkoSolar, always at the forefront” said Arturo Herrero, chief marketing officer of Jinko Solar.

A new range with innovative features:

► Lightweight (1.5 kg reduction on the total weight)
► Subtlety (15 mm reduction over the whole thickness)
► Optimization of the frame with rounded corners
► Replacement of the locking mechanism for easier installation
► Reduces the size of the junction box for enhanced functionality

All Jinko Solar modules are equipped with a self-cleaning anti-reflective glass for better energy efficiency. They also recently been certified by TÜV Rheinland for their resistance to ammonia.

“We are delighted to introduce our new line of modules for the first time in Europe during SolarExpo. Italy is a strategic market that we follow closely,” said Arturo Herrero finally, Jinko Solar Chief Marketing Officer.

This figure allows after Vestas generate enough renewable energy to power 9 million European households, or to avoid the annual emission of 55 million tonnes of CO2.

The threshold of 50 GW was in the first quarter 2012, with completion of the project Knäred, a wind farm in the municipality of Laholm in southern Sweden. Knäred is a project of 10 turbines V90-2.0 MW initiated by the German energy group E.ON, which will provide enough power for approximately 10,000 Swedish households.

“Renewable energy is a cornerstone of the business strategy of E.ON,” said Mark Porter, the Director for Northern Europe of E.ON Onshore. “We have invested over $ 7 billion in renewable energy over the last five years we will invest a further €7 billion over the next five years. Knäred is an excellent example of our focus on wind farms onshore high quality “.

From the late 1970s, when Vestas began producing wind turbines, wind energy has begun to be seen as an alternative energy source to power a dominant and become part of modern energy mix.

The manufacture of wind turbines has increased significantly along with technological innovations have resulted in increased productivity and reliability. Wind power has gradually become increasingly competitive with fossil fuels as the entire industry is working to lower energy costs for customers.

Driven by innovation Ditlev Engel, CEO of Vestas , said the 50 GW clearly demonstrate the ability and maturity of the wind industry. “When the wind industry began thirty years ago, nobody could have predicted the enormous speed of technological advances that led to the growth of Vestas and the wind industry as a whole,” he has said.

“The wind industry now provides a sustainable energy source, reliable and competitive for millions of people around the world. At Vestas, we are proud to have been an industry pioneer, and have put, for thirty years, his knowledge, experience and passion to reach 50GW installed, that make a real difference to our planet and its people “concluded Ditlev Engel.

‘Solar’ nanocrystals are about 4 nanometers – that means you could fit more than 250 billion on a pinhead – and float in a liquid solution, “so that, as a printed newspaper, you can also print solar cells,” said Richard L. Brutchey, assistant professor of chemistry at the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at USC.

R. Brutchey and David H. Webber developed a new coating nanocrystal, which is made of semiconductor cadmium selenide. Their research was presented this month in the international journal of inorganic chemistry “Dalton Transactions”.

The liquid nanocrystal solar cells are cheaper to manufacture than those designed using monocrystalline silicon wafers, but remain less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. The two researchers also solved a key problem in solar cell manufacturing liquid: “how to create a stable liquid that leads also generate electricity?”

In the past, organic molecules (ligands) were related to the nanocrystals to maintain some stability and especially to prevent them from clumping. These molecules also rattled the crystals, which made the thing terribly complicated in terms of electrical conductivity. “It remained a challenge in this area,” said Professor R. Brutchey.

The two acolytes have therefore discovered a ‘ligand’ synthetic that not only plays a role in stabilizing the nanocrystals, but is applied to create small bridges connecting the nanocrystals them, helping in turn to conduct current.

In a low temperature process, the method would also allow researchers to print solar cells on plastic instead of glass without encountering the problem of merger – which would give a flexible solar panel mouldable and adaptable at will anywhere .

In continuation of their research, R. Brutchey always said it planned to work on nanocrystals based from materials other than cadmium, which is limited commercially due to its toxicity. “While the commercialization of this technology is still remote, we see a possible integration into the next generation of solar cells,” he has said in conclusion.

EDF Energies Nouvelles has also announced the creation of a local subsidiary, EDF EN Morocco, which will drive the Group’s development in Morocco.

Located in northern Morocco, east of Fez, Taza the wind project will be equipped with Alstom’s 50 turbines, each with an output of 3 MW. EDF Energies Nouvelles, Mitsui and Alstom will allocate at least 30% of construction work to subcontractors Moroccan.

The new 150 MW project, launched by the NEB in May 2011 as part of a public-private partnership, will be followed in 2012 by a tendering process involving additional 850 MW of which the procedure pre- qualification is in progress. With the desire to develop conditions of sun and wind very favorable, the Moroccan authorities intend to achieve by 2020 a program of at least 2 GW of wind and 2 GW of solar power.

EDF Energies Nouvelles also opens a subsidiary in Casablanca, Morocco EDF EN, 100% owned by the Group, to spearhead the development of wind and solar activities in the country, in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities and local businesses. EDF EN Morocco and Mitsui will lead the design, financing, development and construction of the wind project Taza. Both companies also provide operations and maintenance of the wind farm as part of an agreement for a period of 20 years.

“We are very pleased to have the chance to achieve this high quality wind project, which will represent the first realization of EDF Energies Nouvelles in Morocco. This demonstrates the capacity of EDF EN in developing local solutions and tailored to meet the needs of public authorities in the field of green electricity generation and industrial integration,” said Fabienne Demol, New Business Director at EDF Energy News. “The decision of the ONE for the wind project Taza is a great opportunity for EDF EN to establish a long term partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco and participate in the implementation of renewable projects in a country with high potential of development.”

Under this program, First Solar intends to dramatically reduce manufacturing costs while redeploying its organization on “the most promising markets.”

The company initially decided to close in the fourth quarter of 2012 its manufacturing plant in Frankfurt (Oder) in Germany. Then, it said having to reduce its production capacity in its manufacturing center in Kulim, Malaysia, where four production lines will be adopted from 1 May 2012.

In total, the firm expects strong workforce reductions in Europe and the United States: “2,000 jobs will be affected, about 30% of total group workforce.”

By these measures, First Solar expects to reduce operating expenses by 30 to 60 million in 2012 before reaching the years 100 to 120 million economy. First Solar expects therefore to improve its average cost of production: from $ 0.70 to $ 0.72 per watt this year instead of $ 0.74 per watt previously announced. In 2013, the Company estimates that the average cost of manufacturing solar modules will be established between $ 0.60 and $ 0.64 per watt. The company also said it will incur restructuring costs (provisions and expenses) of approximately 245 to $ 370 million.

“After careful analysis, it is clear that the European market has deteriorated to the extent that our operations there are no longer economically viable, and that their maintenance is not in the long term interest of the shareholders” said Mike Ahearn, CEO of First Solar. “Decisions like this are not easy to make, especially given the importance of European markets” he added.

“The solar market has fundamentally changed, and we must adapt our approach to the market quickly to maintain and build on our competitive advantage,” said Mike Ahearn. “After a period of robust growth, First Solar has been sized to operate at higher volumes at present where the reduction of subsidies in traditional markets to significant downside. Therefore, it is essential that we reduce the production and expenditure in order we adjust to future demands which will probably be lower. These actions will focus our resources on markets that generate growth in the coming years.”

With its wind Haliade 150, Alstom will become the sole supplier of consortium of EDF EN, the Danish energy company Dong Energy and developers WPD and Nass & Wind Offshore.

The consortium was selected for the three projects submitted on the fields of Saint-Nazaire, Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fécamp totaling a volume of about 240 wind turbines. In total, this project will represent an amount of Alstom for orders over € 2 billion of which registration will take several years.

The French company said in a statement that orders will occur field by field, from 2014, after the conclusion of feasibility studies and impact assessments of each project.

In addition, Alstom will create 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect jobs, with the establishment of four plants and an investment of 100 million euros in the offshore wind industry in France.

Alstom also confirms that the implementation of the industrial plan will begin in 2013 with the launch of recruitment and installation of the first factories in St-Nazaire and Cherbourg, while the production start is planned for 2014. The number of permanent jobs generated by this project – through subcontracting French – should be around 5,000.

The nacelle assembly factories and manufacturing of generators will be located in Saint-Nazaire, on the quayside on 14 hectares of port area Montoir de Bretagne. They employ 300 people. Production of blades, in partnership with LM Wind Power, and the manufacture of masts will be in Cherbourg, where the two plants will represent 500 direct jobs. 200 additional jobs will be added to this device in an engineering center and R & D Alstom dedicated to Ocean Energy.

“The announcement of the results of the tender allows Alstom to confirm its industrial plan. This plan is the first step towards the creation of an industrial French excellence in offshore wind and Alstom confirms its development strategy of the wind, “said Patrick Kron, Alstom’s Chairman and CEO.

Production Haliade 150 pre-production began in Saint-Nazaire in a temporary studio that will produce forty wind turbines before the commissioning of plants. The first wind turbine was installed Haliade 150 to land on the site of the book, near St. Nazaire for a series of tests for certification. The second offshore wind will be delivered in autumn 2012 in Belgium for a second phase of testing at sea

Compared with the silicon wafers used in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels classics, the proportion of incident light reflected from the surface is reduced by a factor of ten on this spectrum, which is the source of about 80% of useful energy which can be recovered from the sunlight.

The color (black) black silicon results from the almost total absence of light reflected off the surface of the wafer (wafer) porous. In the field of solar cells, the “dark” is highly desirable because it indicates that the incident light is absorbed for the conversion of energy rather than being reflected and therefore wasted.

Quantitatively, the reflectance is the proportion of light striking a given surface. And a reflectance of 0.3% means that only 0.3% of the incident light is reflected by the surface of the solar cell, while the remainder (99.7%) becomes available for conversion into electrical energy. A tenfold reduction would mean that the reflectance of light used in most (up to 3%) could “enter” into the cell, increasing of their effectiveness. (Eg A cell efficiency of 18% would increase to 18.5%).

But there are other benefits to be derived from black silicon. A panel composed of black silicon solar cells produce much more energy on a daily basis than will a panel made from cells with an antireflection coating. First, because it reflects less light. Second, because it works better in the morning and afternoon when the sun “hits” at a certain angle. Moreover, this new type of cell also outperforms the conventional panels on cloudy days.

The thought process by Natcore began with an uncoated silicon wafer, whose texture had an average reflectance of approximately 8%, which gave it a mottled gray. Nanoscale pores were etched on the wafer surface by immersing for a few minutes in a liquid solution at room temperature. Then using the process of house liquid phase deposition (LPD), Natcore scientists have completed these pores and are coated with silicon dioxide. This combination, which combines both passive and coating will help to reduce the reflection coefficient. After completion of surface treatment, the slices were taken to the center of photovoltaic research and development at the University of Toledo, where the reflectance was measured.

The last step of Natcore aims to improve the efficiency of solar cells.

The solar cells equipped with antireflection coatings that pass through a process of chemical vapor deposition have a reflectance of approximately 4%. With silicon black, NREL U.S. Department of Energy has lowered the figure below 2%. Natcore technology now allows to reduce this threshold to 0.3%. “The Absolute Black is in the light that absolute zero is heat,” said Dr. Dennis Flood, chief technology officer at Natcore. “And come close to zero with a process of reflection that we can use in a commercial production of solar cells is just incredible.”

Natcore recently obtained an exclusive license from NREL in order to develop and market a range of products based on black silicon.

“We are already working with two manufacturers manufacturers to design a production tool,” said Natcore CEO Chuck Provini. “The tool would be 2,000 wafers per hour black. We will establish other parameters in our laboratory. When the design is complete, we will take control of the tool. We have already started talking with potential customers Italy, China and India.”

Usually made of resin and fiberglass, coatings of the blades are subject to different types of abuse, erosion and fouling over time may cause undesired operation. Thus, the simple clogging of the blade by the crushing of insects in a few days can cause loss of power.

Taking the example of a 2 MW turbine, 100-meter high, Cauneau Francis, professor of fluid mechanics at the CEP – MINES ParisTech describes the following phenomenon:

“We realized fairly recently that the fouling of the leading edges of the blades of these turbines by insects on an installed wind field when it turns on a beautiful summer evening will pick up a considerable number of insects . So one might say that the impact is aesthetic, in a pinch. But, in fact, not at all. We realized that the impact in terms of lost production was the about 20%, 30% or even 40% in the worst case. This means that the economic and industrial issues are significant in controlling the impact of the roughness of the surface condition of these machines. ”

It is therefore necessary to develop tools to appraise the limits of acceptable change for the aging process, and to assess the expected benefits for the proposed remedies: repair coatings, cleaning, installation of appendices. .. This is what the group Observation, Modeling and Decision Processes Center of Energy and Mines ParisTech in collaboration with many players in the industry. This modeling work going on both through the development of virtual wind tunnels, the experiment in situ.

This research partnership takes the form of a research project conducted in close collaboration with industry, and ceases when it acquired the desired feedback with the help of the researcher. The works are then reinvested in industrial property in the partner. The CEP also contributes to the discovery of breakthrough technologies that will develop the new generation of machines.

The Helios project involves the installation of large tracts of photovoltaic panels – up to 20,000 ha, for a total funding estimated at 20 billion euros.

According to the Commissioner, “Helios is a unique opportunity to demonstrate that renewable technologies such as photovoltaics are becoming competitive with European cooperation.” He added: “The flagship Helios could well lead the way to a European electricity market truly integrated, renewable sources, while helping the Greek economy to recover.”

But as pointed out Mr. Oettinger, “currently, the infrastructure of Greece does not manage the flow of power generated by large renewable energy projects such as Helios.” Therefore, he believes that regional integration of major projects concerning renewable should be “combined with the controlled growth of the electricity system.”

He therefore proposed to develop a European network which would help achieve two key objectives of European energy policy. First, the completion of the internal energy market by 2014 and the end of energy islands by 2015. Because only 3% of EU electricity is traded across borders and several regions are still disconnected from the rest of Europe, including Greece still heavily dependent on coal.

“Because of its location, I believe that Greece has a key role in the integration of regional energy markets of the European Union, both for electricity than for gas” said the European Commissioner for Energy.

Moreover, the German State Secretary for the Environment Jürgen Becker reiterated the desire for his country to “take part” in the Helios project. The Greek government seemed to have already set his sights on Germany, a country highly qualified in the field: “There is great interest in German for this kind of investment”, said in August 2011, the Environment Minister George Papaconstantinou.

Corpoelec, Socialist Utility continues with the transfer of new equipment for the wind farm “La Guajira” currently being built in the municipality Guajira, the state of Zulia.

This time they are moving the towers that will support the turbines and blades or vanes. The logistics of moving covers a route from the headquarters located at Av Bolipuertos 2 The Miracle, to where the work takes place.

The Deputy Commissioner Generation Alternative Sources of Corpoelec, Francisco Quintero, said: “These towers are about 26 meters long by 4 meters in diameter and to assemble a complete tower is necessary to assemble three flights of this type, which reach a height of 77 meters from the floor to where you installed the generator, so that you can harness the power of wind to move a generator of 2.1 megawatts (MW).”

“Remember that this important work reaches an investment of $225 million, of which 61.5 million will be used to develop the first 25.2 MW in Phase 1-A with the installation of 12 wind turbines of 2.1 MW each; while Phase 1-B will generate 50.4 MW 75.6 MW to complete a “Quintero explained, adding that” This project will be developed in 6 stages made ​​up of 36 wind turbines, an investment that will achieve the national government produce its first results, Energy enough to supply more than 12 000 families in La Guajira.”

He disclosed that currently build the piles that will support foundations or concrete footings that will support the weight of these towers of wind generation. “Before assembling and installing each tower, are needed to build 16 concrete piles and steel bars for each, which are buried 23 meters deep to ensure the strength of each of these computers weigh about 110 tons (including the tower, nacelle – wind – and bats). Then built on these piles, concrete foundations as a basis to set the rings on the towers and get them the rest of the equipment, ie, generator and blades, “explained the Deputy Commissioner.

Quintero said the acquisition of these devices are also framed in the Convention Argentina – Venezuela, confirming the implementation of development works to strengthen the National Electricity Sector to continue strengthening the electricity sector, driven by President Hugo Chavez Frias.

Also, the spokesman said that the work aims to develop 10,000 MW in the area of the Upper Guajira from Caño Sagua and Cano Paijana. “We are starting the first stage are the 75.6 MW that would form Phase 1 of the project whose main benefit is the generation of renewable electricity.”

Thus, the Ministry of Popular Power for Electricity (Mppee) and Corpoelec, Utility Socialist take action to strengthen the national power grid through the consolidation of alternative energy projects.

The Minister of Production of La Pampa, Abelardo Ferran, said that “the incorporation of the 25 mills would increase interconnected system of our province to 50 megawatts.”

“The establishment of these turbines would be extremely important and environment friendly,” said Ferran.

He added that La Pampa implements a “strong program of industrialization, which requires substantial power as input and would benefit from the initiative.”

Ferran presented the project with the director of the Provincial Administration of Energy (APE), Carlos Sanz, along with the project manager of the company ABOWind, Daniel Fernandez, and engineer Alexander Mountain.

Sanz said that “the project would conduct a major energy input to the interconnected system of La Pampa and is distributed in our region according to the needs of each locality.”

He also explained that “each turbine will double the power of the two existing wind farm owned by the Cooperative Utilities (Cosega), located near the town General Acha, 100 kilometers south of Santa Rosa.

Project development would be in charge of ABOWind company through national tenders that the company will ensure the purchase of energy for about 15 years.

The Provincial State contribution would have to do with network management and energy management to the user, would have an aggregate value that would toll in the province, “said the head of the APE.

For his part, Fernandez described as “very good” wind conditions in the area, “like a high wind resource areas like the south of our country and the province of Buenos Aires.”

Out of 54 Japanese nuclear reactors, it is still currently only two that are still connected to the network. Consequently, electricity from solar is growing rapidly because it must cover the country’s energy needs.

“Since the disaster of Fukushima, renewable energy back to the center of attention. To ensure our future and that of future generations, we must foster this energy revolution,” he assured Shigeru Koyama, CEO of Kyocera Europe.

Until the end of March 2012, more than a million Japanese households will consume electricity generated by their own solar system. In Japan, the trend is towards self supply.

Between April 2011 and January 2012, the number of connection requests for residential photovoltaic systems reached 215,178, an increase of 140% over the previous year. For years, experts also expect an increase in private facilities by 12% per year.

In tariff rates could also act as a catalyst for further development of large projects such as photovoltaic plants. The Japanese government has not yet definitively ruled on this above, but it is already certain that the new rates are effective from 1 July 2012. Meanwhile, the government aims to reduce energy consumption in the country from 10 to 15%.

Until 2020, the ten largest Japanese suppliers of energy planning to build 30 solar power plants. They will allow the network to inject 140 MW from solar energy.

The decision came after complaints by American companies in the sector who accuse China to subsidize solar manufacturers. We know now the two major Chinese companies that will be impacted by this measure. This is Suntech Power, the world leader in solar panels, and Trina Solar Energy, another major manufacturer.

The field investigation conducted by U.S. authorities deal with the crystalline silicon solar cells with a thickness less than 20 microns, using the p-n junction, which has undergone a transformation or not to collect and transmit electricity produced by the cell. Were excluded from the scope of the thin film photovoltaic products made from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)

The Commerce Department also decided that the solar panels produced in other countries and using solar cells manufactured in China could also be covered by tariffs anti-dumping/anti-subsidised.

In 2011, the amount of solar cells to imports from China to the United States was estimated at 3.1 billion.

A final decision on the practices of Chinese dumping or not be taken in June, the ministry said in its summary U.S. on Tuesday.

CCME (China) expressed its opposition:

In a statement, the Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCME), warned that the measure, which goes against Chinese interests subvert the growth of the global market of solar and it would cause more adverse effects on the U.S. market.

“Government subsidies have never been a major competitive advantage for Chinese solar panels,” said the CCME, indicating that their competitiveness resided primarily in more advanced technologies, a large-scale production, sound management and strategies prospective.

“The solar panel producers in China have received much less government support than their U.S. and European competitors, and it was consistent with WTO rules,” he said. They wish now that the U.S. government review its “unfair and unjust practices” during its investigations.

US import Chinese statistics:

2009 / /
Number: 26876000 solar cells
Value: 639.5 million euros

2010 / /
Number: 46084000 solar cells
Value: € 1.5 billion

2011 / /
Number: 93292000 solar cells
Value: € 3.1 billion

It only took eight months to install this production unit with a capacity of 150 megawatt peak. “This is the unit module manufacturing the largest and most modern France” welcomed Bosch in a statement.

At full capacity – expected by next July – it will produce more than 2,000 modules per day, which corresponds to an annual volume of more than 600,000 modules, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 51,000 French households .

“By its geographic situation, France has plenty of sunshine, particularly in the south. Bosch is a strong brand and presence of a manufacturing photovoltaic modules on French soil is an added advantage to count among the leaders of the national market, “said Guy Maugis, President of Robert Bosch France.

With this new production, Bosch was able to preserve 200 jobs on its site diesel Venissieux who was forced last year, faced with falling demand, stopping the production of a diesel injection pump Common Rail. With this alternative solution, a New Future for the site: “The successful transformation of Venissieux is the result of social dialogue and original copy,” said Guy Maugis.

Bosch states that the site and all jobs have been preserved by the will and the mobilization of all employees, the factory management, management of Bosch France, officials from the Group in Germany and all the staff representatives, working with an economic expert, the Economic Development Agency Lyon Area (Aderly) and local elected officials.

“Thanks to the production site Vénissieux, we are closer to our French customers in southern Europe and northern Africa, which allows taking into account faster and more efficiently to their requirements,” added Jürgen Pressl, Member of the Management of Bosch Solar Energy and Production Manager.

The lines fitted to the new plant are highly flexible. Vénissieux and can produce 5 different types of photovoltaic modules Bosch, mono-crystalline but also polycrystalline. “From the start of production, this website Bosch was able to tap the wealth of experience in the past in the automotive sector. I have no doubt that our customers will be convinced by the quality of our production and our products” said Jürgen Pressl.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the installed capacity of solar panels in 2011 saw an increase of 109% compared to 2010, which corresponds to a peak of 1,855 megawatts. Note that the sector has greatly benefited from falling prices of photovoltaics.

The market for photovoltaic solar energy accounted for more than $8.4 billion in 2011. SEIA explains this enthusiasm by the combination of falling prices of photovoltaic (- 20%) with better funding, a request for larger installations in size, and the expiration of government subsidies to 31 December 2011.

“The United States continue to drive innovation in the global solar energy” said Rhone Resch, president of SEIA. “Even if the solar panels are becoming more goods abroad, the United States are developing advanced solar components and continue to post double-digit annual growth.” It also expects that solar energy, which now accounts for less than 1% of the electricity produced in the United States, increased to 10% by 2020.

“There is no bubble in the clean technology sector, ready to burst” he has said, although he warns, more companies are likely to fail if an industry has matured and government subsidies in constant decline.

The installed capacity of wind power has also increased, from 31% last year, according to the latest figures from AWEA.

Finally, the amount injected into the technology called “clean” from $3.8 billion in 2010 to $4.3 billion last year, according to figures provided by the representative investor (National Venture Capital Association) .

In 2011, the global wind industry has installed over 41,000 MW of new turbines, a record. The total installed capacity always to worldwide amounted to over 238,000 MW by the end of last year. Currently about 75 countries around the world have wind turbines order business, including 22 already exceed the threshold of 1 GW.

In Canada, more specifically, the wind energy sector has experienced a record year in 2011 with the addition of a new wind power capacity of about 1,267 MW to the provincial networks, representing an investment of 3.1 billion dollars (CAD). Canada ended 2011 with a total of 5,265 MW of installed wind power, placing it 9th globally in total capacity. During this same period, new wind projects were built and operated in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

“In 2011, the wind industry in Canada has experienced a record year during which the 5000 MW mark was reached. Canada, particularly Ontario, began to be seen by international investors interested in the wind power as a destination offering a significant competitive advantage. Keep this reputation will require sustained commitment over ambitious targets for development of wind power and a political framework stable. Canada continues to renew its power resources, and wind energy will play an increasingly important in the production of reliable electricity, clean and economical, “said Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).

At the current pace, the wind energy sector in Canada will easily exceed the threshold of 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015

It is expected that 2012 was another record year for development of wind energy in Canada with the anticipated introduction of new projects representing approximately 1,500 MW in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia Columbia, PEI, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Since, according to forecasts, the growth should continue at a similar level over the next four years, the sector of wind energy in Canada should easily exceed the threshold of 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015. Consequently, Canada is on track to achieve the national target set by CanWEA in its document The wind power, or to ensure that wind energy fills 20% of the country’s electricity needs by 2025 .

These include the use of renewable energy by photovoltaic systems. Considered a promising technology, power generation through solar energy is not limited only to new construction.

In England, Withington more specifically, the project reference to the sustainable renovation of existing historic house church “St. Michael and All Angels’ dating back almost 900 years which is the first “Zero-Carbon Church” in England. A photovoltaic system composed of Kyocera solar modules installed on the roof of the church, provides renewable electricity and a wood biomass ecological boiler ensures environmental warmth.

The power of this building dating from the twelfth century is handled entirely by renewable energy. The 24 solar panels installed on the roof of the church generate a total return of 3.12 kWp.

In addition, their solid frames must withstand without failure the high stresses associated with extreme weather conditions. Thanks to a special system of scales, solar modules were installed on the historic building while respecting its aesthetic appeal and without damaging the existing architecture. The renovation of the church is part of a sustainable concept, both in terms of ecologically and economically. Apart from installing solar, biomass wood boiler was also installed to provide heating.

For members of the parish, the renovation of the church is doubly paid: in addition to savings in CO2, generating heat and electricity is also reflected in significant financial savings. In England, this pioneering project will serve as a benchmark for sustainable renovation of other churches.

Four companies compete for the first geothermal power plant in Chile: Enel Green Power, GeoGlobal Energy, Energy Andean Magma Energy.

The project Cerro Pampa Hall-Barrow, the North Geothermal Company, a subsidiary of Enel Green Power, is considered by many to be the safer candidate to become the first plant using this technology in the country. Meets his exploration stage completed, indicating the feasibility of constructing a kind of 50 MW, would entail an investment of U.S. $ 180 million. He is currently awaiting the resolution of environmental qualification (RCA).

But it is not the only one that moves in this race. The New Zealand Energy GeoGlobal Chile works for your project Curacautín become the first plant. According to general manager Rüdiger Trenkle, the geothermal plant would have a capacity of 70 MW, which will be supplied to the Central Interconnected System (SIC). “The total cost of investment in the plant would amount about $350 million,” he says.

Meanwhile, Andean Energy-contralada by Antofagasta Minerals, Luskic-group, but has no pretensions of being the first, it does aspire to become the largest geothermal power generating country. To achieve this has eight projects with varying degrees of progress in five regions of Chile. “Our project Tinguiririca-Region VI, is the most advanced, but we hope that by the end of 2012 the others are at par at the perforations. In this way, we will evaluate which of all can be transformed into our first geothermal power plant, “says Jose Manuel Soffia, general manager of the firm. The expected decision taken before 2015.

Finally Magma Energy, a Canadian company, has a portfolio of geothermal exploration projects in Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua, Peru and the United States. Butterflies and Pellado their projects in Laguna del Maule, are possibly escalating into geothermal by 2015. “They are located within 120 KM of Talca and inferred potential is 300 MWe. We hope to start building in 2015 and in 2016 started the release of energy to the Central Interconnected System (SIC) “he says.

Advertised for years, but now a security and defense company finally provided details of the electric battle tank tested by the U.S. military.

Having an electric vehicle will be worthwhile for the United States by high fuel costs in recent conflicts.

Retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson, who served as head of logistics in Iraq, said that about 1,000 soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan while transporting fuel.

Anderson estimated that the Defense Department had spent on the Iraq war about 20,000 million in stores and mobile structures in the camps, most of which money was spent on fuel to heat and cool stores.

Security firm BAE Systems specified that the new tank is between 10 percent and 20 percent more efficient in fuel use and faster than conventional tanks driven by diesel.

The vehicle weighing 63 tons can carry 12 soldiers and will become part of the combat systems of the future that drives America.

The new ground combat vehicle (GCV) will have a diesel power generator built into a tank lighter than usual.

It will be much more efficient, agile and will be stronger acceleration thanks to its electric system, which will also allow the integration of new technologies. The idea also is that the tank can be used as a kind of electric generator in military camps.

Another advantage, they say, is that it will be much quieter than gasoline-powered tanks, which would make it ideal in tactical maneuvers.

You will also have a durability of 30 and 40, and their technology, they say, makes it adaptable to future developments to enhance its efficiency.

The price still is not fixed, but some analysts predict it will be about 12 or 17 million dollars per vehicle, or almost double what they cost four times the current tanks.

If finally adopted, they would replace or Bradley Stryker vehicles used by the U.S. military.

Having energy efficient vehicles is strategically important to the United States Army.

Fuel costs are considerable. But in conflicts like the one held in Afghanistan and Iraq have alternative energy sources is also a matter of life or death.

As stated in 2012 retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson, who served as head of logistics in Iraq, about a thousand soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan while transporting fuel.

Anderson also found that the Defense Department had spent on the Iraq war about 20 million dollars in stores and mobile structures in the camps, most of which money was spent on fuel to heat and cool stores.

On the ecological front, the availability of such vehicles could also significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Investments of the United States Army in electric vehicles and green technologies are important,” said Miriam Pemberton meanwhile, a researcher at the Center for International Studies in Washington.

“As the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, what the military do to reduce their emissions have a significant impact.”

“This impact is even greater if the military prioritize most promising technology transfer, ie that can be used for civilian purposes,” he said.

“This would ensure that this investment will help reduce emissions across our economy. Same military consider climate change as one of the greatest threats to security. So try this threat can not be resolved with an army greener way isolated. “

Indeed, the residual of the whale meat is classified as the fat of high quality that can not be used in the food chain to humans or animals. Electrawinds has developed a process that converts fat into this type of “green” electricity.

The sperm whale weighs about 25 tons and consists of 50% fat. After treatment at home Rendac Denderleeuw, where the fat is melted, the organic end product will be routed to the central biofuels in Ostend. Arrived, the biomass is purified in the refining division and turned into biofuel, which is then injected into the huge naval engines that produce electricity.

The 12.5 tons of fat of the whale can generate up to 50,000 kWh of green electricity. This corresponds to the annual consumption of 14 households (consuming on average 3,500 kWh per year).

Electrawinds states that innovative techniques in renewable energy used to recover the residual product in a sustainable way while producing “green” electricity.

Biofuel plant in Ostend has been operational since 2005 and mainly transforms CAT 1 fat from processing plants and animal waste from slaughterhouses.

The photovoltaic pavilion is 35 meters long, it adds the finishing touch to the campus of the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam, and will be dedicated to social events, initiatives and creative presentations. Odersun solar modules, measuring about 4 meters high and 1 meter wide, covering the entire building. Made of shatterproof safety glass 25 mm thick, photovoltaic modules form the elements of the facade and have been specially designed and manufactured for this project.

The idea of ​​integrating the concept of green building for the renovation of the campus as part of the project from the beginning. Architects Ortner + Ortner Berlin have developed this idea in collaboration with students from the University of Applied Sciences and module manufacturer Odersun, specialist in solar architecture. The result is a symbiosis of sustainable architecture, functionality and efficiency – in short, a solar facade, which produces electricity, but also aesthetic.

“In addition to the strict design criteria for solar modules, the project required essentially a huge flexibility in terms of size, design and construction of the photovoltaic solution,” said Manfred Ortner Ortner + Ortner, explaining the complex nature of the project. “Odersun offers a huge assortment of modules, but also demonstrated its ability to adapt during this project, which is characterized by continuously changing requirements,” he has said.

Odersun manufactured the modules specific to the project, but has also provided assistance during the phases of electrical design and construction planning. CiSCuT thin film technology of Odersun offers architects design freedom similar to that of glass, while allowing them to meet the requirements of sustainable construction.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to deploy a project as unique alongside a partner as famous,” said Dr. Hein van der Zeeuw, Chief Executive Officer of Odersun AG. “This allowed us to demonstrate the flexibility of the sector now solar construction, and the unusual sizes of modules that can be manufactured without compromise in terms of design and functionality,” he has said.

The thin-film solar modules are particularly suitable for use in integrated photovoltaic components (BIPV), because they offer good returns, even in the shade and at high temperatures, even though their alignment with the sun is not optimal.

The grant assistance of 1.1 million Euros granted by the EIB will finance the establishment of an implementation plan and a detailed study on the feasibility of exporting electricity from geothermal energy in Dominica to the neighboring islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Geothermal energy can generate electricity through water heated to high temperature by the energy generated in the soil surface. The study, financed by the EIB aims to assess the feasibility of an undersea interconnection between Dominica and Guadeloupe to the north, and a second link with Martinique to the south. Once this feasibility is confirmed, further studies will be conducted to define the characteristics of submarine cables and assess the environmental impacts of these links.

“Optimizing the use of geothermal energy as a sustainable source of electricity generation will release an enormous potential for transforming the energy use and economic growth in the Caribbean. The European Investment Bank is pleased to contribute to the development of technical and engineering solutions essential to lower the cost of energy in Dominica and to substantially increase electricity production from renewable energy renewable in the Eastern Caribbean,” said Plutarchos Sakellaris, EIB Vice-President.

“The launch of this phase of the project is in line with the EU objective that is to make renewable energy a priority in view of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, especially on mitigation and eradication of poverty,” said Valeriano Diaz, the head of delegation of the European Union for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

This project is likely to lead to the development of the first geothermal power plant of 20 MW which will produce for the local market, then a second, which could produce up to 120 MW of electricity for the export.

Currently, the authorities of Dominica, supported by the European Union and the French Development Agency, are to conduct three exploratory wells in Laudat and Wotten-Waven to determine the potential of geothermal resources in Roseau Valley. They are also planning to build a test plant of 5 MW. The exploration results provide additional insight into the extent and quality of exploitable geothermal resources. These data and conclusions of the feasibility studies of interconnections financed by the EIB will be used to define the most effective strategy.

This project will enable Dominica and neighboring islands to have a clean, sustainable energy, “they may indeed respond to the demand for electricity using a renewable energy source rather than primarily fossil. The project will represent an important source of income for Dominica. It will reduce its heavy expenses in foreign currency-induced imports of diesel and significantly reduce the energy bill supported by its people. If it proves successful, it could become a model for other small island developing states have geothermal potential. “