Solar Cells Info

Michael Chang, Hsinchu; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES, 3 October 2007
Source: DigiTimes
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20071002PD213.html

Sinoar has held the opening ceremony at its new thin-film solar production plant at Hsinchu, Taiwan. The company will soon enter volume production with annual capacity set at 15 peak megawatt (MWp) initially, according to the company.  The company’s first solar-cell production plant was built in 1989 with test production completed in 1991. The second plant will enter operation immediately, said the company adding that second-phase expansion is already underway. The company plans to add another 35MWp capacity at the plant in the future with annual capacity expected to exceed 50MWp in the third quarter of 2008.
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Milan Show Affirms Amorphous Silicon’s Re-Emergence into Prominence
Aliso Viejo, CA, September 10, 2007:
Source: PR Newswire/CNN Money.com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLM09210092007-1.htm

XsunX, Inc., working to launch the build-out of its planned 100MW Amorphous Silicon Solar Module production facility attended the 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Trade Show in Milan, Italy with a focus on finalizing vendor support for its core systems and meeting with interested pre-production capacity buyers.
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Source: Printed Electronics World / Aug. 28, 2007
http://www.idtechex.com/printedelectronicsworld/articles/reel_to_reel_production_of_cigs_photovoltaics_00000676.asp

There are far more developers of inorganic compound photovoltaics than of organic versions in the world. In particular, there are more developers of copper indium gallium diselenide CIGS solar cells than for any other non-silicon technology. This is because its efficiency is superior to other printable alternatives such as CdTe, DSSC or organic photovoltaics and, in principle at least, it can be transparent (compatible with transparent inorganic transistors), lightweight, tightly rollable and low cost. Therefore it could be co-deposited and compatible with other leading edge printed electronics such as printed displays, batteries and so on. Nanosolar uses ink jet to print CIGS photovoltaics.
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Rebecca Kuo and Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam
Source: DIGITIMES, 3 September 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070903PD202.html

Following a recent announcement of investing in its solar affiliate, Kenmos Technology is expected to start volume production of thin-film solar cells in the third quarter of 2008, according to the company.  With a 45% direct stake in this affiliate, Kenmos will partner with NanoPV on solar cell production. The backlight unit (BLU) maker will sign a partnership contract with NanoPV on September 6. Kenmos and its related companies hold a total stake of about 60% in this affiliate, according to Kenmos.
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By Michael Kanellos, Staff Writer, CNET News.com / 15 August 2007
http://news.com.com/2100-11392_3-6202870.html
The specialist in CIGS solar cells plans to use the money to build factories for producing the panels.

Despite recent hiccups, the CIGS train rolls on. HelioVolt, which specializes in copper-indium-germanium-selenide (CIGS) solar cells, has raised $77 million in a second round of financing, some of which comes from a fund out of the oil-rich sultanate of Abu Dhabi.  The money will be used to build factories. HelioVolt hopes to start limited production in the middle of next year and ramp to full production by the first quarter of 2009, CEO B.J. Stanbery said in an interview. (more…)

12 June 2007
Source: Semiconductor Today.com
http://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/NEWS_2007/JUNE_07/JOHAN_120607.htm

Johanna Solar Technology GmbH (JST) of Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany has granted the right to distribute up to 80% of its CIGSSe (copper indium gallium sulfur selenide) thin-film solar modules for at least five years to aleo solar AG of Oldenburg in Lower Saxony, Germany (under the name ‘aleo’). Both firms will cooperate in the product launch: aleo will be responsible for product branding, while Johanna Solar Technology will be responsible for technology branding (products will bear the label “made by Johanna”).
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Developer of CIGS/Se thin film solar technology has been nominated for the World Clean Energy Award

Oldenburg and Brandenburg/Havel, Germany, 11 June 2007.
Source: Aleo Solar /press release
http://www.aleo-solar.de/index.php/page_id/49/language/en

Aleo solar has been granted the right to distribute up to 80 percent of Johanna Solar Technology’s CIGSSe thin film solar modules under the aleo brand name for at least five years. (more…)

June 13, 2007. Tokyo, Japan
Source: Compoundsemiconductor.com
http://www.compoundsemi.com/documents/articles/cldoc/8467.htm

Honda Soltec Co., Ltd., Honda’s wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary, has begun sales of thin film solar cells produced by Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., primarily in the Kanto area, Japan, through distributors which also provide solar cell installation service.
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Solar Thin Films Enters Agreement With Renewable Energy Solutions to Prepare for Production of Next Generation CIGS-Based Thin Film PV Equipment and Turnkey Facilities

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY — (MARKET WIRE) — January 03, 2007
source: Marketwire.com
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=199521

Solar Thin Films, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SLTF) (“STF”) announces R&D program with Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc. (“RESI”) to develop manufacturing equipment for CIGS-based thin film PV modules. STF has signed a three-year R&D agreement with RESI to develop the next generation of manufacturing equipment utilized to produce CIGS-based thin film PV modules.
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Joint Press Release from Q-Cells AG & Solibro AB

source
http://www.q-cells.com/cmadmin_2_1139_0.html

Thalheim/Wolfen and Uppsala, November 23, 2006

Q-Cells AG is investing in a new photovoltaic technology to complement its current technology portfolio. Q-Cells, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of solar cells, is joining forces with Solibro AB from Uppsala, Sweden, to set up a joint venture under the name of Solibro GmbH, in which Q-Cells will hold a share of 67.5%.

Solibro GmbH will commercialise the copper indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS) thin-film technology developed in Sweden by Solibro AB. For this purpose there are plans to build an
initial factory in Thalheim, which will have an annual production capacity of 25 to 30 MWp. Q-Cells AG will initially pay Solibro AB € 4 million for its 67.5% share and € 20 million against the achievement of technological milestones, and has committed € 60 million to the joint venture. The parties involved are expected to take a decision on the construction of the first production site in Thalheim by mid 2007. The amount of € 60 million will then be invested in this first stage of expansion.

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