Solar Cells Info

Cara Jenkin, May 11, 2007
source: News.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21709963-2682,00.html

INSTALLING solar panels has never been cheaper in Adelaide, with the Federal Government’s expanded solar rebate scheme cutting the cost to almost a third.  Solar energy stores have urged homeowners to “get in before they miss out”.

They have been inundated with inquiries since this week’s announcement that the rebate scheme would be doubled to $8000.  For a $13,000 system, to supply up to 2kW of power, the rebate will cut the out-of-pocket cost to $5000. The old rebate was $4000.
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May 14, 2007
Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com
http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070514/UPDATES01/70514007/1002/NEWS01

BERLIN, Ohio (AP) — In shunning modern technology, the Amish in northeast Ohio keep their homes free of electric and telephone wires. But a growing number of rooftops are sporting solar panels. Hundreds of Amish are taken with getting energy from the sun. They see it as a safe alternative to natural gas and kerosene as a source of light.  Livestock farmer Owen Nisley of nearby Charm said getting power through solar panels is “no different from my cows eating the grass that has captured the sun’s energy. … We love the solar, even in the winter when there are a lot of dark days.”
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Nuying Huang, Taipei; Rodney Chan, DIGITIMES, 11 May 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070511PD204.html

Printed circuit board (PCB) maker Unitech Printed Circuit Board is said to be planning to enter the solar cell industry as it seeks to diversify its business, according to industry sources.  A Unitech engineering team is now receiving training on solar cell development, and the company is also evaluating the solar cell making equipment it will have to purchase, the sources indicated. The equipment supplier is likely to be Centrotherm, OTB Solar, Roth & Rau, or Schmid Technology Systems, all of which offer turnkey solutions, the sources added. (more…)

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Rodney Chan, DIGITIMES, 8 May 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070508PD206.html

Nanowin Technology, a newcomer to the solar cell industry, yesterday broke ground for a thin-film solar cell plant at the Tainan Science Park (TSP) in southern Taiwan, with equipment installation scheduled for October 2007 and volume production for the first-quarter of 2008.  Nanowin vice president Ping-hsiung Huang said the company expects to increase its capital to NT$1.1 billion (US$33.1 million) in May from the present NT$200 million, with most of the increased capital going to the thin-film solar cell business.
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“Sun21” makes historic arrrival in New York City !

8 May 2007, 15.00 hrs
http://www.transatlantic21.org/

A Swiss-built solar vessel has arrived in New York in what the group behind the project said was the first sun-powered voyage across the Atlantic. Dubbed “sun21.

Swiss Vessel Completes the First Transatlantic Crossing By A Solar Powered Boat / 7,000 Miles Travelled, Not a Drop of Oil Used New York, NY May 8th, 2007, 3pm

“sun21” , the solar powered catamaran developed and sponsored by the Swiss transatlantic21 Association made its historic arrival into New York’s North Cove Marina at 3:00pm today. The arrival completes a 7,000 mile journey across the Atlantic in a motorized boat that utilized not one drop of oil. transatlantic21 Association set out to prove the feasibility of clean energy vessels on open seas, as well as the wide spread applications of this technology to transform the shipping and boating industry.
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Agence France-Press, Tokyo /May 7, 2007
Source: DefenseNews.com
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2739807&C=asiapac

North Korea’s rulers are to import solar power from the West so that its soldiers can watch television and use computers when in barracks, a press report said May 6.  The energy-poor nation has acted after communist leader Kim Jong-Il toured a military unit last year and found that power shortages were stopping soldiers from watching programs, the Japanese newspaper Mainichi reported.

Under Kim’s instigation, Pyongyang’s leadership ordered the People’s Army in around March to “install recreational facilities at military units without fail,” said the Mainichi quoting a source close to the North Korean regime. As a result, the authorities have decided to buy solar power generation systems in large quantities from Western countries, the daily said.

The decision will make television available “for more than five hours a day and [allow soldiers to] use computers at military facilities,” it added.  Kim’s regime has favored soldiers over other workers in deciding who benefits from solar power. The die-hard communist state has been hit by dire energy and food shortages in recent years with electric power stoppages witnessed daily even in Pyongyang, according to foreign residents and visitors.

Solar Power at Half the Cost
By Kevin Bullis,May 11, 2007
Source:  MIT Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18718/
A new mechanism for focusing light on small areas of photovoltaic material could make solar power in residential and commercial applications cheaper than electricity from the grid in most markets in the next few years. Initial systems, which can be made at half the cost of conventional solar panels, are set to start shipping later this year, says Brad Hines, CTO and founder of Soliant Energy, a startup based in Pasadena, CA, that has developed the new modules.
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May 8, 2007
Source: Theage.com.au
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/8000-solar-power-subsidy-for-homes/2007/05/08/1178390288210.html

The federal government will set up a climate change adaptation centre and subsidise solar power in homes as part of $741 million in spending over five years to counter the threat of global warming. Heritage sites like the Great Barrier Reef will also benefit from a $2 billion flagship program managing the environment.  And $10 billion will be spent over 10 years on its landmark plan to secure Australia’s water resources.  At a cost of $126 million, the adaptation centre will lead national research into adapting to climate change, support practical action in vulnerable sectors and manage risks in partnership with other groups, the government said.
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Solar power leader to integrate tag line in all consumer and commercial marketing efforts
Encinitas, Calif., May 10, 2007
Source: Heliopower /press release
http://www.ereleases.com/pr/20070510006.html

HelioPower, a leading provider of solar power solutions, has launched a new advertising campaign based around the tag line “Be Green – Save Green – Go Solar” to promote its residential and commercial solar power energy solutions.  The tag line will be included in all marketing efforts ranging from digital technologies such as email marketing and banners along with traditional mediums such as direct mail, print, and outdoor to help further establish the HelioPower brand in Northern and Southern California.
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New rebates for Australians wishing to install solar panels.
Source: Earthtoys.com
http://www.earthtoys.com/news.php?section=view&id=2463

Malcom Turnbull, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, announced yesterday that the Australian Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP) would receive an additional $150 million dollars of funding in the 2007-08 budget.  The additional funding will support a doubling of the rebate for solar panels installed on homes to a maximum of $8000. This means Australian could have an Energy Matters Solar Powered Micro-Generation System installed on their house for less than $6000. Without the rebates this system would typically cost $14,000.
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