Solar Cells Info

Source: The Armidale, Jan 21, 2009
http://armidale.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/sustainable-living-group-in-push-for-solar-rewards/1414837.aspx?storypage=0

THE LOCAL group Sustainable Living Armidale (SLA) has made a submission to the NSW Government, which is looking at how it might regulate and reward the production of solar power collected on house roofs.  SLA is responding to the call by the Government’s Task Force on the introduction of a feed-in tariff on renewable energy.  With a feed-in tariff, a household with solar panels and connected to the national electricity grid, will receive a guaranteed payment for the greenhouse gases saved by their production of energy. (more…)

By Chris Morrison, January 22nd, 2009
Source:BNET.com
http://industry.bnet.com/energy/1000470/what-the-masdar-deal-means-for-suntech/

Chinese solar panel maker Suntech received a reputation boost this week with the announcement that it would join thin-film solar firm First Solar in providing half of the first 10 megawatts of power for Masdar City, a zero-carbon community under development in Abu Dhabi.  Although some reports have suggested that Masdar has just “broken ground” on the 10MW plant, having seen it several days ago I can attest that the work is nearly complete. Workers for installer Enviromena Power Systems are currently putting up First Solar’s panels; the Suntech portion looks complete. The builders say it’s at 70 percent. (more…)

Colorado’s BrightPhase Energy says it can dramatically lower the total cost of solar power by exploiting photovoltaics, solar thermal and natural light.  The Photensity contains silicon solar cells rated at about an 18 percent efficiency that convert sunlight into electric power.
by: Michael Kanellos, January 19, 2009
Source: GreenTechMedia.com
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/cheaper-than-first-solar-5539.html

It’s the three-in-one solar system.  BrightPhase Energy has cross-bred a skylight with a venetian blind and a lot of solar technology to come up with what could turn out to be a highly efficient energy system for homes or low-slung commercial buildings.  Third, because the photovoltaic cells are mounted on separated strips that resemble the slats in venetian blinds, the Photensity also lets light into the building, reducing the need for internal lights. (more…)

California manufacturer of photovoltaic systems for commercial rooftops strengthens European presence
Fremont, CA, and Munich, Germany, January 19, 2009
Source: Solyndra Inc, press release
http://www.solyndra.com/News/Press-Release-011909

Solyndra, Inc. announced the opening of the company’s European headquarters near Munich in Holzkirchen, Germany in response to the high demand in Europe for their innovative photovoltaic (PV) systems which provide breakthrough solar electricity performance for commercial rooftops. As Managing Director and Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales of Solyndra GmbH, Clemens Jargon will be responsible for overseeing the company’s sales and service operations throughout European countries with active PV markets such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, and France. (more…)

Pueblo, Colorado, January 16, 2009
Source: Environmental News Service ENS
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2009/2009-01-16-094.asp

A new solar power system has been installed at Colorado State University-Pueblo that will provide more than 10 percent of the future power needs on campus.  The 1.2-megawatt solar power system, one of the largest at an educational institution in the United States, will help the university control utility costs as prices and usage increase over time.  The system was built on the east side of the Pueblo campus near the university’s physical plant complex and softball fields. The solar array covers 4.3 acres with more than 6,800 photovoltaic panels, and can generate about 1,800 megawatt hours of electricity per year. (more…)

The latest estimates from the Spanish government show that the new capacity added last year exceeded some expectations by as much as threefold.
by: Ucilia Wang, January 16, 2009
Source: GreenTechMedia.com
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/
spain-installed-more-than-3gw-of-solar-in-2008-5545.html

How big was the Spanish solar market in 2008? Three times bigger than many analysts have anticipated.  Spain’s National Energy Commission (CNE) this week estimated that about 3.1 gigawatts of solar power were connected to the grid from January through November 2008, said Gordon Johnson, head of the alternative energy research at Hapoalim Securities in New York City.  Since the Spanish program began, around 3.75 gigawatts have been installed there. (more…)

by Martin LaMonica, Indiana Wells, CA, January 21, 2009
Source: CNet News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10146968-54.html?tag=mncol;title

Pacific Gas & Electric, one of the country’s largest and most progressive utilities, will invest directly in solar power plants and solar panels distributed in different California communities.  CEO Peter Darbee said the move represents the first time that PG&E–already a large purchaser of solar and other renewable energy technologies–will build and own solar installations. Right now, the utility purchases clean energy from third parties. (more…)

By Matt Nauman, 20 Jan 2009
Source: Sajn Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/
ci_11503149?nclick_check=1

Solar-industry executives paint a bright future for their industry, one where photovoltaic panels adorn roofs of homes and businesses and huge power plants capture the sun’s rays to generate electricity. But the industry currently finds itself under cloudy skies and buffeted by threatening winds.  The solar tax credits approved late last year gave the industry a boost, and its leaders are hopeful for an even bigger boost by President Barack Obama, who has promised to promote clean technologies and energy alternatives to oil. But it’s far from clear just how much help will come, and when. (more…)

More efficient, cost-effective and durable thin-film solar cells could be made by adapting the sputtering technique used to create anti-reflection glass.
Siobhan Wagner, 14 January 2009
Source: The Engineer
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/309530/
Salford%27s+single-step+solar.htm

Researchers at Salford University believe the method is ideal for the large-scale deposition of copper indium diselenide (CIS) — a thin-film photovoltaic material that is seen as a more efficient alternative to amorphous silicon.  CIS cells absorb 99 per cent of the sunlight that hits them and have the potential to convert 20 per cent of this into useful electrical power. They are also better able to withstand damage from solar radiation, so are ideal for use in space-based applications. (more…)

•  To buy up to 60 Megawatts of solar cells
•  ‘A true strategic relationship with strong mutual benefit’
Roseville, January 5, 2009
Source: CentralValleyBusinessTimes.com
http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=10774

Roseville-based Solar Power Inc. (OTCBB: SOPW) says it has signed a contract with JA Solar Holding Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: JASO) for up to 60 Megawatts of polycrystalline photovoltaic cells.  Solar Power says it needs the cells to meet increased customer demand in Europe, Asia, and for turnkey systems in the United States. The cells will go into SPI’s solar modules.  Based in Hebei, China, JA Solar is one of the world’s largest producers of high-performance solar cells. (more…)