Solar Cells Info

Consortium of Deutsche Bank AG, Solarparc AG and Spanish Partners
Source: SolarWorld AG press release/DGAP /October 2, 2008

Together with a consortium of Deutsche Bank AG, the Spanish ecoEnergias and  Solarparc AG the SolarWorld Group created a 30 Megawatt (MW) solar park in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura in the Southwest of Spain. The solar power plant located in the vicinity of the two towns of Mérida and Don Alvaro possesses a double axis tracking system to track the sun which makes it one of the largest solar projects of its kind internationally. (more…)

15 MW Power Plant Connected to the Grid in South Korea
Source: SolarWorld AG press release/ Oct 15, 2008 /DGAP
http://www.dgap.de/link.php?von=19970101&typ=news∈=DE0005108401
&sprache=en&a=10&v=en&id=342710

On behalf of its South Korean partner SolarPark Engineering Co. Ltd. the SolarWorld Group has equipped the largest solar park ever built in Asia with solar power technology. For the 15 MW (Megawatt) power plant located 350 km to the South of Seoul in Gochang in the province of Jeollabukdo the internationally leading solar technology group supplied a total of 85,000 solar modules. The connection to the power grid in South Korea is taking place today. It provides the occasion for an opening ceremony that a large number of high ranking Korean politicians, among them State President Lee Myung-Bak, are expected to attend. The Gochang solar park covers an area of 380,000 square meters and will generate 23.5 million Kilowatt hours of electricity per year. This is enough to supply 25,000 Koreans completely with environmentally friendly solar power. At the same time the emission of 15,400 tons of carbon dioxide per year is avoided. (more…)

German Company Creates 1,000 New Jobs in Oregon

HILLSBORO, Oregon., Oct 17, 2008
Source: SolarWorld AG press release /DGAP
http://www.solarworld.de/Press.30.0.html?&L=1

SolarWorld AG is opening the largest solar cell production facility in the USA today. In Hillsboro, Oregon, the German company is investing 500 million US dollars in highly advanced technology. In an integrated manufacturing process wafer-thin silicon discs, the so-called solar wafers, as well as solar cells will be produced with an initial capacity of 100 Megawatt (MW) annually. At their final destination – on the roof or in a larger power plant – this equates to the electricity requirements of 100,000 people. The company announced that the capacity will be expanded to 500 Megawatt in the next three years. (more…)

Source: ABC News, Mon Oct 13, 2008
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/13/2388882.htm

A company is planning to build a $70 million solar cell factory in Canberra which could generate more than 100 jobs.  Spark Solar Australia hopes to build the factory next year with sites in Hume and Mitchell being considered. The company has also listed possible sites in Queanbeyan and Wollongong. The factory will produce solar cells used in the manufacture of solar panels. (more…)

Mochau, August 18, 2008
Source: Signet Solar, press release
http://www.signetsolar.com/in%20the%20news/index.htm

The first thin-film modules made by Signet Solar are awaiting installation in Hohenlauft in the Rural District of Doebeln as from October 2008. The Rural District of Doebeln is currently setting up a free-space solar plant in Hohenlauft near Doebeln at the total cost of Euro 1.6 million. Upon its completion in November 2008, it is expected to have a capacity of 250 kW. Both crystalline and thin-film modules are going to be installed. Signet Solar, a manufacturer of thin-film solar modules, is supplying this project with 1,580 modules of a total capacity of 130 kWp to be installed in Hohenlauft from October 2008. (more…)

First Final Acceptance Test Certification of Applied Materials SunFab™ Thin Film Line Achieved in Only Seven
Months After Start of Installation
Menlo Park, CA, October 13, 2008
Source: Signet Solar, press release/Businesswire
http://www.signetsolar.com/in%20the%20news/index.htm

Signet Solar, a global manufacturer of thin film silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced that it has begun volume production at its manufacturing facility in Mochau, Germany, after receiving Final Acceptance Test (FAT) certification from SGS Germany GmbH, one of Europe’s leading providers of certifications, accreditations and approvals. Applied Materials, Inc., a leading provider of nanomanufacturing technology solutions and supplier of the SunFab™ production line to Signet, hailed the FAT approval as a significant step in the industrialization of solar photovoltaics. (more…)

By Christopher Martin, October 14, 2008
Source: Bloomberg.com
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a_4DuuzPC0gA

SunPower Corp. and Suntech Power Holdings Co., solar manufacturers that lost half their value in the past month, are counting on tax credits in the U.S. bank bailout bill to boost sales as European incentives wane.  Utilities, warehouses and retailers from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to Whole Foods Market Inc. can deduct 30 percent of a solar system’s cost from federal income taxes. The savings are part of the $700 billion legislation to bolster the banking industry, which also contained tax breaks for wind power and fuel cells.
(more…)

Albuquerque, NM, Oct 13, 2008
Source: Ådvent Solar press release/PRNewswire
http://adventsolar.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=35

Advent Solar, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative solar cells and modules, today announced an agreement with Deutsche Solar AG, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG and one of the largest global producers of mono- and multi-crystalline silicon wafers for the photovoltaic (PV) industry. Under the agreement, Deutsche Solar will provide Advent Solar with its SOLSIX(R) wafers through 2018 with a total value of more than $350M. This steady silicon wafer supply will enable Advent Solar’s rapid business expansion through the introduction and delivery of next-generation solar modules based on its Ventura Technology, the solar industry’s first comprehensive cell-to-module solar architecture. (more…)

Elementary school education program teaches students about environmental issues and eco-conscious behavior
San Diego, CA, October 13, 2008
Source: Solar SharpUSA press release
http://solar.sharpusa.com/solar/ads_and_pr/0,2482,,00.html

Sharp today announces the U.S. launch of Sharp Solar Academy, a unique environmental education program designed to empower today’s youth with the knowledge to change and improve their environmental future. The Solar Academy is one way in which Sharp is continuing to fulfill its corporate commitment to be an environmentally advanced company and minimize its environmental impact.   “As a world leader in solar energy, an important part of Sharp’s commitment to the environment is undertaking the responsibility to educate future generations on the environmental issues they will face and the choices they can make to mitigate their impact on the earth,” said Stewart Mitchell, Chief Strategy Officer, Sharp Electronics Corporation. “Our Solar Academy teaches children about topics such as climate change, energy conservation, recycling and renewable energy, so that they are armed with the knowledge to make smart, eco-conscious decisions. “ (more…)

Expanded product portfolio strengthens Sharp’s solar business, offers customers optimal solar technologies for specific applications
San Diego, CA, Oct 13, 2008
Source: Sharp Solar USA press release /Businesswire
http://solar.sharpusa.com/solar/ads_and_pr/0,2482,,00.html

Sharp, a world leader in solar cell production, announced today at Solar Power International 2008 that it will introduce next generation thin film solar cells in the U.S. market in the near future. With its thin film solar product, Sharp will be capable of handling multi-megawatt, large-scale utility projects that are best served by a thin film solar solution, and the company is already working with prospective U.S. customers in preparation for these large-scale deployments. Sharp is one of the few companies who can supply customers with a complete solar product portfolio — including mono-crystalline, poly-crystalline and multi-junction thin film solar cells — to meet the specific needs of virtually any commercial or residential solar installation. (more…)