Solar Cells Info

Thermo photovoltaic, TPV Cells Produce Electricity from Heat
16 Jan 2007
Source: Spire press release
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=76421&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=950469

BEDFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 16, 2007–Spire Corporation (NASDAQ: SPIR) today announced that it has received a $600,000 contract from NASA’s John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio to further develop a new type of thermo photovoltaic, TPV cell that produces electricity from heat. TPV cells have potential applications for NASA to generate electricity from heat produced by radioisotope sources for long duration space missions. Commercial applications of TPV cells include electricity generation using heat from combustion.

The work will be carried out in part at Bandwidth Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spire. Bandwidth already offers GaAs concentrator PV cells for converting the sun’s energy to electricity. These TPV cells use InGaAs, a variation of GaAs. Bandwidth Semiconductor has over ten years experience providing similar TPV cells to customers for special applications.

Bandwidth Semiconductor is a compound semiconductor foundry, specializing in wafer epitaxy, thick and thin film products and device fabrication for defense, biomedical, telecommunications and consumer markets.

Prenzlau/Oldenburg, Germany /15 Jan 2007
Source: AleoSolar press release
http://www.aleo-solar.de/index.php?page_id=18&language=de&mod_pressenews_id=84

Aleo Solar AG has reported firm solar module orders in Germany for 2007 of EUR 35 million. Corresponding agreements were signed with a number of companies at the end of December and take effect in 2007. Jakobus Smit, the second Management Board member of aleo solar AG, is cautiously optimistic, “At a strategic level, we are driving forward the internationalization of our business at full speed. We finished construction of our facility in Spain at the end of last year as planned, and it has now started production. Our bread-and-butter business in Germany is going well. Our total production capacity of 100 MW (Prenzlau 90 MW, Barcelona 10 MW) gives us precisely the capacity we need to service the continued market upturn.”  The current debate about the reliability of energy supplies underlines the need for renewable energies, and East Germany is turning into a “Solar Valley”.

Aleo solar AG, which is headquartered in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, has approximately 280 employees and holds a 19% stake in the thin-film facility in Brandenburg on the Havel that is currently being constructed by Johanna Solar Technology. This is scheduled to start production of its first silicon-free thin-film modules this year, with the number of employees set to rise from the current figure of 60 to 180 during the first stage of expansion alone.

Source: azobuild.com  /5th January 2007
http://www.azobuild.com/news.asp?newsID=2940
http://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/resources/pressoffice/news.aspx?id=1238&r=0&t=0

Going green and installing energy efficient renewable technologies – like solar panels – should no longer be the preserve of the middle class, or for politicians to point score, the UK’s largest housing and regeneration group said today. “Places for People”, which is responsible for around 60,000 properties across the UK, warned the government that the looming threat posed by climate change could only be tackled if greater financial incentives were made available to housing groups and people on low incomes.

The call comes as the company announces a unique tie-in with leading solar panel manufacturer Viridian Solar, placing an order for up to 250 low-cost solar panels to be installed in affordable homes across the UK next year. It is thought to be the single biggest commitment to installing solar panels by a UK housing group. The installation of the first 50 solar panels will take place in Summer 2007 at McCutcheon Court – a flagship regeneration scheme in Walker Riverside, Newcastle.
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Foster City, CA – January 8, 2007
Source: SolarCity Announcement
http://www.solarcity.com/spacex.aspx

SolarCity, a provider of comprehensive solar solutions, has completed phase one of a commercial solar power system for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX). The move marks the company’s entry into the Southern California commercial solar market.  SolarCity installed an initial 29 kW roof-mounted solar array at SpaceX’s El Segundo facility in only four-and-a-half days, and expects it will quadruple the system’s size in subsequent stages. The SpaceX solar system uses unique patented hardware, which mounts quickly and requires no roof penetration.
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January 15, 2007
Source: Kyocera Solar press release
http://www.kyocerasolar.com/news/news_detail.cfm?key=305

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is proud to announce a key distribution agreement with TESSCO Technologies Incorporated. TESSCO, a supplier of wireless communications and networking products and solutions, is set to begin the new relationship with Kyocera Solar, Inc. this month. With the distribution agreement, Kyocera Solar, Inc. will provide solar powered wireless communication solutions to TESSCO for resale through their various supply channels. Under the terms of the agreement, TESSCO will offer Kyocera’s wireless solutions, as well as provide training and support for the products.
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Employee-Volunteers of San Jose-Based Company Will Help Finish Two Local Homes

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec 15, 2006
source: SunPower press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=222605

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world’s highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, today announced that a team of SunPower volunteers will spend the day finalizing two of Habitat for Humanity’s homes located on Murphy Avenue in San Jose. The volunteers will assist with painting and landscaping, readying the home for their new occupants. SunPower has experienced significant growth since its move to San Jose earlier this year and now it’s time to step into a leadership role and give back to the community,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corporation. “With housing prices continuing to sky-rocket, it’s very rewarding to help these families realize their dream of owing their own home. We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity and to volunteer our time.”
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Lennar’s 650 New Homes Expected to Save 40 to 60 Percent on Electric Bills

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan 15, 2007
Source: SunPower Press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=225664

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world’s highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, and its subsidiary PowerLight Corporation, today announced the opening of the nation’s largest solar-powered neighborhood. Built by Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) in Roseville, Calif., the planned 650 homes will use SunPower’s roof-integrated SunTile(R) solar electric system, featuring the world’s most efficient solar cell. Lennar estimates that homeowners are expected to save an average of 40 to 60 percent on their monthly electric bills.
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Performance with Lower-grade and Poor Quality Silicon Wafers Exceed Expectations
Jan 10, 2007
Source: SunTech press release
http://www.suntech-power.com/News/tabid/99/Default.aspx?id=252&Module=653

WUXI, China, Jan. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ — Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) one of the world’s leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced that the commercial adoption of its latest 18% ”semiconductor finger” conversion efficiency technology is proceeding on schedule starting in the fourth quarter of 2006 and that the performance of this technology with respect to lower-grade and poor quality silicon wafers has exceeded the company’s expectations.
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Production of Silicon for Solar Cells Begins
January 12, 2007
Source: Sharp Press release
http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/070112_04.html

In January 2007, to procure the raw materials needed to meet an expanding demand for solar cells in the global market, Sharp Corporation is opening the Toyama site (in Toyama Prefecture, Japan) for the Solar Systems Group and is starting to produce silicon for solar cells.
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Solar Cell Production Capacity to be Expanded to 710 MW Per Year, the World’s Highest

January 12, 2007
Source: Sharp press release
http://sharp-world.com/corporate/news/070112_03.html
Sharp Corporation will increase annual production capacity for solar cells at its Katsuragi Plant in Nara Prefecture by 110 MW (megawatts) from March 2007 to meet burgeoning demand in Japan and abroad. As a result, solar cell production capacity at the Katsuragi Plant will reach 710 MW per year, the world’s highest.
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