Solar Cells Info

Source: PVTech, 27 May 2008
http://www.pv-tech.org/fab_and_facilities/article/  q_cells_plans_35_billion_thin_film_manufacturing_complex_in_mexicali_mexico

Silicon BorderQ-Cells has announced its intentions to develop a major thin film photovoltaics manufacturing facility at the Silicon Border industrial park near Mexicali, Mexico at a projected cost of $3.5 billion. The development is dependent on the future growth of the PV market in the US, Mexico and Latin America and is a mid to long-term plan according to Q-Cells. Q-Cells said that an agreement with the Mexican Federal Government, the Government of the State of Baja California and Silicon Border Development, which plans to build and operate the industrial hi-tech park, have been made.
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by Toby Shute/Universal Press Syndicate, May 30, 2008
Source: TheMoneyTimes
http://www.themoneytimes.com/articles/20080530/
a_fat_load_of_thin_film-id-1024517.html

If you follow the solar space at all, you know that polysilicon supply bottlenecks are a major source of cost pressure in the industry today. To secure the raw material, Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) has been signing a slew of supply deals. Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL), meanwhile, almost moved into polysilicon production — and then didn’t. (more…)

by Martin LaMonica / May 29, 2008
Source: CNet News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9954708-54.html

Masdar, an Abu Dhabi-based clean-technology initiative, said on Wednesday that it will invest $2 billion to manufacture thin-film solar cells.  The money will significantly boost global solar cell production, potentially bringing prices down. It’s also a major bet on thin-film solar cells, which use less material than traditional silicon. (more…)

News from LexisNexis / Asia Pulse, April 23, 2008
Source: Semiconductor.net
http://www.semiconductor.net/articleXml/LN780233191.html

Amid a shortage of silicon supplies, Sanyo Electric Co. (TSE:6764) intends to begin mass-producing thin-film solar cells by 2010, two years earlier than initially planned.   Compared with polysilicon cells, thin-film offerings use around one-100th the amount of silicon. And although they cost roughly half as much to make, thin-film solar cells are less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. Using new technology, the products to be mass-produced will have their power generation efficiency boosted from the current norm of 10 per cent to as much as 14 per cent, the highest level yet.
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Global Solar Joins Dow in Solar America Initiative to Help Deliver Hi-tech, Thin-film BIPV Products for Building Construction, Including Flexible Solar Shingles
Tucson, Ariz. – April 28, 2008
Source: Global Solar Energy, press release
http://www.globalsolar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=107

Global Solar Energy, a solar industry leader that manufactures highly-efficient thin-film solar cells for glass modules or flexible material
products, today announced Dow Building Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has invited Global Solar to participate in its U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Initiative (SAI) project to help create innovative building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products. As a part of its SAI program, Dow is creating a flexible solar roof shingle, and has made Global Solar a key team member in its development. (more…)

by Jeremy Jacquot / April 28th, 2008
Source: venturebeat.com
http://venturebeat.com/2008/04/28/xunlight-raises-22m-for-thin-film-solar-modules/

Who said academic egg-heads can’t craft compelling business plans? Xunlight, a developer of cheap, flexible thin-film silicon solar modules, has capped off a $22 million second round of funding, led by Trident Capital, Emerald Technology Ventures and NGP Energy Technology Partners. (more…)

by Solar Industry Staff , 17 April 2008
http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.1239

Taiwan-based CMC Magnetics Corp. has begun pilot operations on its 40 MWp thin-film solar PV manufacturing line, which was supplied by Oerlikon Solar.  The turnkey 40 MWp production facility is capable of producing approximately 500,000 amorphous silicon thin-film solar modules annually. The equipment covers the entire production process, from glass purification to the testing of finished solar modules. The project scope also includes the implementation of the metrology system for quality control, back-end module production and transparent conductive oxide technology. (more…)

Austin, Texas, April 17, 2008
Source: Environmental News Service
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2008/2008-04-17-091.asp

The state of Texas will invest $1 million in HelioVolt Corp. of Austin for the construction of a 125,000 square foot manufacturing facility and development space to test and produce the company’s thin-film solar power cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.  The company will manufacture a new type of seamlessly solarized building materials and architectural modules to cover structures with a solar skin. (more…)

by Alan Fischer, April 11, 2008
Source: Tucson Citizen
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/82278.php

High-tech potential has met with commercial success at Global Solar, a Tucson company that manufactures thin-film photovoltaic devices that harness the power of the sun.  Global Solar makes flexible, lightweight products that convert sunlight into electricity for hikers, campers, travelers and the military around the world, and provides its technology to manufacturers of rigid solar panels.  (more…)

Source: Printed Electronics World /2 April 2008
http://www.idtechex.com/printedelectronicsworld/articles/g24_innovations_appoints_leading_solar_technology_authority_00000868.asp

G24 Innovations Limited (G24i), the UK solar energy pioneer, has announced the appointment of leading international solar research scientist Shozo Yanagida to its advisory board. Mr Yanagida, the Emeritus Professor of Osaka University and a guest professor at the University’s Centre for Advanced Science and Innovation, is recognised as a world authority on solar technologies having spent over 35 years specialising in the subject. (more…)