MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA—(eSolarEnergyNews)—Cogenra Solar, a provider of high-performance solar technology, today announced three world records using its Dense Cell Interconnect (DCI) technology. In a series of tests conducted by third-party laboratories, Cogenra’s DCI technology achieved up to a 15 percent increase in module power compared to currently available modules. This significant efficiency boost reduces both the module’s direct cost-per-watt and the total installed cost for solar power.

The record modules were constructed with commercially available, unsorted cells using Cogenra’s production-ready DCI manufacturing line. Independent verifications by DNV GL and TÜV SÜD of 60-cell format modules confirmed peak power outputs of:

•     334W using N-type front contact mono crystalline cells.
•     301W using P-type mono crystalline cells.
•     288W using multi crystalline cells, higher than all commercially available multi or mono crystalline modules.

“Cogenra has developed an innovative product that achieves impressive efficiencies. DNV GL is thrilled to work with a domestic manufacturer that is pushing the boundaries of PV design and technology,” said DNL GV development engineer John Watts.

“It’s time to rewire the solar module,” said Cogenra Solar CEO and founder, Dr. Gilad Almogy. “Using available cell technologies, DCI delivers a booster shot of improved performance, reliability and cost reductions, leveraging nearly 60 GW of existing PV cell capacity. This much needed module-level innovation represents a significant breakthrough for solar technology and will accelerate solar adoption worldwide.”

Previous solar module technologies relied on ribbons, which shaded the silicon cells from sunlight, led to resistance losses and accelerated PV module degradation. Cogenra’s patent-pending DCI technology more efficiently connects cells on the module, eliminating the need for ribbons, solder-joints and inter-cell gaps. As a result, DCI modules achieve a range of benefits, including:

•     More power: 15 percent higher power that leads to reduced BOS and installation costs.
•     Superior reliability: Better withstands thermal cycling, hotspots, mechanical loads and external shading, reducing module degradation and leading to superior lifetime project returns.
•     Lower cost per watt: Improved efficiency reduces module cost-per-watt while leveraging existing cell lines.
•     Flexibility: Enables longer strings and shading resiliency.
•     Aesthetics: Eliminates ribbons and inter-cell gaps for a uniform all black appearance.

Cogenra is currently ramping up its U.S module manufacturing line, with DCI modules available for sampling and volume production starting in Q3 2015. Cogenra’s field proven DCI technology is currently in operation in a 1MW solar array at University of Arizona’s SolarZone.

BOSTON MARLBOROUGH, MA—(eSolarEnergyNews)—Digital Federal Credit Union, better known as DCU, a federally-chartered credit union based in Massachusetts, and Sungage Financial, a platform that provides homeowners with access to low-cost solar financing, today announced a $100 million residential solar loan program. Through this new partnership, DCU will leverage Sungage’s platform and installer network to finance approximately 4,000 solar installations nationwide. Sungage, which currently offers a solar finance program in Connecticut, will first expand its operations to serve installers and homeowners in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. In 2015, Sungage will expand to additional active solar markets across the United States.

Sungage, an innovator in solar finance, created the industry’s first secured solar loan; a product in which the solar energy system serves as the collateral so no home equity is required. Enabling homeowners to save on energy and capture the financial benefits of solar ownership, the Sungage® Solar Loan, for which DCU will serve as lender, does not require a down payment and offers flexible repayment terms. Homeowners start the process with a personalized Solar Savings PlanSM, Sungage’s online tool for assessing the financial attractiveness of solar projects, and then apply for credit online. The program supports 24/7 online access to solar credit, providing installers and homeowners with flexibility and ease throughout the financing process.

Sylvain Mansier, CFO and co-founder of Sungage, said, “We are very excited to partner with DCU, one of the nation’s leading credit unions. Our platform, combined with DCU’s local, regional, and national reach, as well as their consumer lending expertise, makes it easier than ever for homeowners to go solar and save money. We believe this will be a market-leading program.”

Debbie Taverna, Vice President of Consumer Lending at DCU, added, “DCU is thrilled to be partnering in this innovative financing program with Sungage Financial. The partnership provides homeowners with the opportunity to get efficient and reliable solar technology at an affordable cost. Bringing continued value, cost savings, and new product offerings is at the foundation of DCU and what we offer to businesses, consumers and our members.”

Homeowners may access the program by contacting installers in Sungage’s exclusive network. Sungage partners with installers based on their experience, commitment to quality workmanship, and customer service. Sungage installer partners provide important benefits to homeowners, including extended repair service coverage and use of only select solar equipment.

SHANGHAI, CHINA —(eSolarEnergyNews)— SunEdison, a leading solar developer and technology provider, announced today a joint venture agreement with JIC Capital, to facilitate nonrecourse financing and develop, construct and own up to 1 GW of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in China over the next 3 years.

The joint venture will focus on facilitating and structuring nonrecourse financing for solar PV plants in one of the world’s largest and most attractive solar markets. SunEdison, directly or through an affiliate, including a yieldco, may purchase the projects developed by the joint venture at fair market value.

«This historic joint venture is a great step forward for SunEdison,» said Ahmad Chatila, President and CEO of SunEdison. «It is a great honor to partner with a leader like JIC Capital, and we are committed to harnessing our world leading technology and deployment capabilities to deliver clean, cost effective solar energy to the people of China.»

«Capital contributions will accelerate the growth of the solar market in China, and China’s solar PV industry requires international know-how to improve. We see this collaboration brings opportunities to combine capital and industry, to form a focused industrial investment platform for long-term operations,» said Mr. JianPing ZHANG, Chairman, JIC Capital.

China has approximately 19 GW of installed solar energy capacity, with a target to reach 35 GW by 2015 and 100 GW by 2020. The joint venture is currently exploring and evaluating several large-scale projects and expects to start construction in early 2015. Operation and maintenance of the solar power plants will be performed by the SunEdison Renewable Operation Center (ROC), which provides global 24/7 asset management, monitoring and reporting services.

The United Kingdom is in the throes of a massive change of the subsidy regime for electric power. The new Electricity Market Reform (EMR) will introduce Contracts for Difference (CfD) and phase out the Renewable Obligation (RO) that has been the mainstay of many larger scale (above 5 MW) renewable projects across the sectors by 2017. But large scale solar PV will have RO support withdrawn two years earlier than other sectors, such as offshore wind. The cut-off date is April 2015.

The aim of the CfD regime, according to the government, is to encourage low carbon technologies, but there is much argument about the level of support offered to “established” technologies such as solar against emerging technologies. In fact,  the solar industry, which demands a “level playing field”, suspects that lobbying by the Big Six energy companies, egg, E.ON, nPower, SSE, etc., is to blame for the early solar cut-off. Another problem: the new CfD regime is extremely complicated, requiring detailed applications.

A lawsuit has been filed by Solarcentury, Lark Energy, TGC and Orta Solar, in regard to the early RO closure for solar. The companies argue that investor confidence in all UK renewables must be sustained. Seb Berry, Head of Public Affairs at leading installer Solarcentury and party to the lawsuit, said: “Ministers at the recent Conservative Party conference were busy talking up the contribution from solar and promising ‘long-term certainty’ for investors in all renewables.  But this does little to undo the disruption and uncertainty of the last five months, providing at best a very marginal boost to roof-top solar to 2020 while confirming a premature end to the solar RO for large-scale projects.”

Ben Cosh, Director of TGC Renewables, said: ““The core of our case has always been that the industry had every right to expect RO closure no earlier than 2017 and that any policy changes in the run up to 2017, including RO banding reviews, should avoid having a retrospective effect.  Despite being on track to become the cheapest source of low carbon power by 2018, this retrospective action against large-scale solar will damage investor confidence and funding commitments for solar.”

Alon Carmel of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), a speaker at the STA’s large scale PV conference in September 2014, said that the RO was seen as “too expensive”. Following the conference, a DECC spokeswoman said that solar PV is an “integral part” of the UK’s energy mix. So the early RO withdrawal is due to large-scale solar “having been deployed much faster than expected”.

The spokesperson said there will be a “grace period” to protect projects that have made significant financial commitments by 13 May 2014, when the consultation on the change began. She continued: “We will consult on an additional grace period to protect projects on track to commission before 1 April 2015 against the risk of missing the RO closure date due to delays in getting connected to the grid.”

Feed in Tariffs (FIT) will remain in place but apply mainly to smaller scale renewable projects, not larger scale rooftops.

Effect on solar

According to the Solar Trade Association (STA), the UK government’s recent decisions are particularly damaging for solar power. The STA terms solar PV “the UK’s most popular energy technology, which has gone from near zero contribution at the start of this government, in 2010, to providing 9.4% of renewable power in the second quarter of 2014.

The government claims that it is moving solar out of the RO two years early because of pressures on the RO budget. These claims are rejected by the industry. Paul Barwell, CEO of the STA, believes that the falling cost of solar should justify support. “No other energy technology has ever delivered cost reductions at the speed and scale seen in solar power. Solar has consumed only about 1% of the RO budget.” He said that the solar industry is asking for “just one more push of stable policy support to deliver parity with fossil fuels towards the end of the next Parliament”. And he stressed the urgent need for more green energy.

Toddington Harper, CEO of Belectric UK Ltd and Big60Million,  a new community benefit energy company and subsidiary of Belectric, said: “The closure of the RO to projects greater than 5 MW in size from April 2015 demonstrates that the UK government has missed a huge opportunity, and needs to raise the bar in terms of its UK solar ambitions.” He suggested that supporters of solar energy could affect next year’s general election next year. “Our industry is increasingly influential,” he said, also noting that the CfD mechanism will take over from the RO for projects larger than 5 MW. “So we hope that this new structure enables the industry to continue to deliver, grow, and reduce costs to the point where subsidies are no longer necessary.”

Solar deployment and alleged discrimination

According to the STA, DECC has effectively capped solar deployment at 4GW by 2020. However, the STA claims that this cap is based on out-of-date modelling carried out in 2012 that does not reflect major progress in technology cost reductions in recent years.

 Barwell added: “As a result Westminster is picking the energy mix and tilting the playing field away from solar power developments, despite current cost data (repeatedly provided by STA). We have provided data to show that solar can save consumers money, and opinion polls reflect this.”

According to an early October 2014 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar PV could conceivably be used to generate as much as 16 percent of the world’s electricity needs by mid-century with solar thermal adding another 11%.

 Barwell said: “It is crazy to pull the rug on the technology that the IEA says could be the biggest global power source by 2050. This is unfair and unjustified discrimination against large scale solar. A fair outcome would be an RO banding review based on up-to-date costs, which we have provided to DECC. Our message is simple: we want to compete on a level footing with the other technologies that still get RO support.”

Elizabeth Block