Solar Cells Info

By Julie M. McKinnon, Toledo Blade Business writer /February 14, 2007
Source: Toledo Blade
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070214/BUSINESS03/702140390

Toledo-born First Solar Inc. was in the black for the first time in its two-decade history last year, with profits of $4 million, or 7 cents a share. The Phoenix solar panel manufacturer, which has its sole factory in Perrysburg Township, had sales of $135 million last year. That was an increase of 181 percent from 2005, when sales were $48.1 million and the firm had a loss of $6.5 million.

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SUNPARK CHALLENGE – Guelph Hydro Inc expands its support of renewable energy
source: Sun Park /press release
http://www.sunpark.ca/pressrelease/Press%20Release%20Feb%2012

February 12, 2007 (Guelph,Ontario) – Guelph Hydro Inc, the parent company of Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc and Ecotricity Guelph Inc, today announced that it will support The Sunpark Challenge, an ambitious project to develop Canada’s first solar park. The Sunpark Challenge, lead by Sunpark Energy Corp. is inviting Canadian corporations to create a better planet for future generations by sponsoring the solar panels that make up the solar park.

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World’s largest marine retailer selects superior products tailored for boaters

Source. ICP Solar /press release Feb 12 2007
http://www.icpsolar.com/4105/news_details.asp?news_id=20

Montreal, Canada, February 12, 2007 – ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ICPR), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of solar cells and products, announced today that it has expanded its partnership with West Marine, the world’s largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and apparel, by enlarging the range of Sunsei™ Brand solar charger products available at West Marine stores.
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by AER Staff/ 16 February 2007
Source: Alternative Energy
http://www.aer-online.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.288

Senators Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., have introduced legislation to the Securing America’s Energy Independence Act (S.590), which would extend and expand solar energy investment tax credits for homeowners and businesses through 2016. Under the current law, the credits are set to expire at the end of next year.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided a 30% tax credit for solar systems purchased for both residential and business applications. According to the government officials, these credits will expire after two years without legislative remedy – a term too short to encourage significant industry growth.
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System Gains Global Attention from Taiwanese Delegation

Rocklin, CA. 08 February 2007 /
Press Release from SPG Solar, Inc.

The Rocklin Police Department in conjunction with the City of Rocklin announced the commissioning of its new 143kW AC dual solar energy system and carport structure for its state-of-the-art facility. The system gained international attention after a visit from the Magistrate of Tainan County, Taiwan, Su Huan-Chih, who was accompanied by a delegation of Tainan government officials, investors, and members of the Taiwan press. The Rocklin Police Department hosted a tour for the delegation on Monday that showcased its municipal application of renewable energy through its solar carport.
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8 Feb 2007
source: DigiTimes report
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070208VL200.html

After seeing the the average selling price (ASP) of solar modules stay flat for three consecutive months, the ASP showed signs of weakening in Europe with a slight drop reported, according to figures posted by Solarbuzz. Industry players generally believe ASPs should remain strong or even report slight growth since there is no more inventory pressure at the moment.
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Jan 29, 2007
source: Ameresco press release
http://www.ameresco.com/release.asp?ID=130

The solar powered car that Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) students plan on racing across the country next summer is being completely rebuilt with a $20,000 donation from Ameresco, an energy services company with offices across North America including Newburgh. NFA’s Solar Racing Team and their rebuilt vehicle, Sol Machine VI, will compete against teams from other schools in the US and abroad in a contest that begins in Round Rock, TX on July 14 and scheduled to end in upstate New York eight days later.
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Tucson/Berlin, January 25, 2007
source: Globar Solar/ press release

Global Solar Energy, Inc., has announced that it is to invest approximately € 30 million to set up a production facility for thin-film solar cells in Germany. The facility, which is to be built at the Berlin-Adlershof science and technology park, will have in two steps a production capacity of round about 30 megawatts. Production is scheduled to commence at the Berlin facility in the first half of 2008. The company also announced that capacity at its site in Tucson, Arizona, is to be expanded from its current level of 4 megawatts to 40 megawatts.

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By Yung Kim,
NEW YORK (Reuters) /Wednesday, February 07, 2007
source: Canada.com
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=70d2fa2a-60de-4959-a6cb-6eacc636c00d&k=82633

Stock of China’s JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. , a maker of solar cells, rose as much as 30 percent in its U.S. market debut on Wednesday, boosted by a sunny outlook for alternative energy, analysts said. The American Depository shares of JA Solar opened up 27 percent at $19.06 and rose as much as 30 percent to $19.50 on Nasdaq. Share prices slipped in late trading, closing at $17.80, a rise of 18.7 percent.
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Suntech  share price falls 5% on news of the issue, which is marketed with a conversion premium of up to 30%.

By Anette Jönsson /8 February 2007
Source: FinanceAsia.com
http://www.financeasia.com/article.aspx?CIaNID=45536
Suntech Power intends to raise $300 million from the sale of five-year convertible bonds which it will use partly to finance an expansion of its production lines and to repay a bridge loan obtained in connection with the August acquisition of Japan’s MSK Corp. Marketing of the bonds began after the close of New York trading on Tuesday and the pricing will be determined at the end of trading tonight (February 8). The bonds are convertible into Suntech’s Nasdaq-listed American Depositary Shares or into cash or a combination of cash and shares, at the option of the issuer, according to a company release.
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