Solar Cells Info

by Yukiko Kanou, Nikkei Electronics, Aug 19, 2008
Source: TechOn /
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080819/156577/

The global solar cell market will grow at an annual rate of 27% on average until 2012 to ¥4.6751 trillion (approx US$42.5 billion), 3.9 times larger than in 2007, according to the survey conducted by Fuji Keizai Co Ltd. The solar cell market was ¥1.2008 trillion (approx US$10.9 billion) in 2007.  Polycrystalline silicon solar cells accounted for nearly 90% of the market in 2007, but the presence of solar cells that use a small amount of silicon or no silicon at all will strengthen, Fuji Keizai said. The focus will be placed on thin-film silicon, CIGS and CdTe (cadmium telluride) thin-film solar cells, in particular, according to the company. (more…)

By Serkan Toto, September 1st, 2008
Source: CrunchGear.com
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/01/japan-gets-inexpensive-yet-innovative-solar-cells/

Japanese companies Gunze and Dai Nippon Printing are each developing new technologies that make it possible to produce low-cost, pigment-sensitized solar cells. Gunze focuses on low-end solar cells that can be used to power smaller electronic appliances or in-store ad displays, for example. Their cells will use a film, which is coated with special pigments, as a power source. Gunze, actually a major underwear maker, says their film is bendable and can therefore be used fexibly. The company is thinking about offering  baseball caps with built-in solar cells to power portable audio players, for example. (more…)

Source: EETimes Asia, 21 Aug 2008
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800540499_765245_NT_811c0820.HTM

The large-scale photovoltaic (PV) demonstration project is now being prepared after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Energy Division, Prime Minister’s Office (EDPMO) and Mitsubishi Corp. in Brunei Darussalam. In this project, a PV system with a capacity of 1.2MW, which is the largest in Southeast Asia, will be built at Seria Power Station in Belait District, Brunei. Verification tests and evaluations for three years will be made after the start of the PV system installation and will be supervised by the combined efforts of EDPMO, the Department of Electrical Services and Mitsubishi. This is part of the MOU of the PV system agreement in Brunei Darussalam. (more…)

Tokyo, Aug 26, 2008
Source: AFP / http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKDz0BRmiysApQu6hLiGhfCP-tMQ

Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said Wednesday it will spend 50 billion yen (458 million dollars) to boost solar power cell production four-fold by early 2012 amid growing interest in renewable energies. The group said it will build a new facility on the site of an existing plant in Nagano Prefecture to step up production of photovoltaic cells in response to a sharp increase in demand for solar power generation systems. (more…)

Source: ET Solar group press release / July 9, 2008
http://www.etsolar.com/en/ns_305__759.html

ET Solar Group Corp. (“ET Solar”), a Nanjing-based vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products including ingots, wafers, modules, and state-of-the-art dual-axis tracking systems with manufacturing facilities located in Taizhou, China, announced today a module sales agreement with Techwin Co Ltd. (“Techwin”), a leading Korean company in plant engineering and environmental technology development.  Under the contract, ET Solar will supply 500 kilowatt of PV modules to Techwin, in the third quarter of this year. (more…)

Nanjing, China, Aug. 29, 2008
Source: ET Solar Group Corp. press release
http://www.etsolar.com/en/ns_305__777.html

ET Solar Group Corp. (“ET Solar”), a Nanjing-based solar power solution provider and integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products including ingot, wafer, module, and state-of-the-art dual-axis tracking systems with manufacturing facilities located in Taizhou, China, announced today a master agreement for the turn-key construction of solar power plants for Wattner Group of Cologne (“Wattner”), a German initiator of closed-end energy and infrastructure funds.  Under the agreement, ET Solutions AG, the solar power solution arm of ET Solar, will deliver solar installations to Wattner worth of 200 million EUR. The solar power plants will be realized primarily in Southern Europe within the next 5 years. (more…)

by Aaron Hand, Executive Editor, Electronic Media, Sept 2, 2008
Source: Semiconductor International
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA6591790.html

Particularly with this year’s European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) taking place in Valencia, Spain, presenters and attendees alike are up in arms over the latest draft of the Spanish incentives for its solar industry. Spain’s current feed-in regulations for photovoltaic plants will run out at the end of this month, and the incentives are expected to be cut drastically — from a current cap of 1 GW to one of only 300 MW, which is expected to be about one-third of the country’s market size in 2008. (more…)

by Mark Selfe / 02 September 2008
Source: RedHerring.com
http://www.redherring.com/blogs/24784

It was the Greek philosopher Plato who first coined the phrase ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and given the current global food shortage and ever increasing population trend, his old adage could never be more appropriately illustrated than with the latest plan to bring life to the barren sands of the Sahara.  The ingenious plan, known as the Sahara Forest Project is simple: combine huge greenhouses with concentrated solar power (CSP) and plain old seawater. The solar power provides electricity for the farm of greenhouses, the desalination of the seawater provides both the freshwater and cooling required to grow a wide variety of crops. (more…)

Source: http://www.artemide.us/    Sept. 4, 2008
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/solar_tree_to_debut_in_venice_10997.asp

Solar Tree, created by Ross Lovegrove, was developed and produced by Artemide in collaboration with Sharp Solar, world leader in solar cells production. This revolutionary urban lighting project works with the most advanced solar technology respecting not only environmental issues but also cultural and social aspects of today’s world. Solar Tree demanded very complex studies and analyses which Artemide has conducted with great commitment and sensitivity regarding ecological demands.

“Artemide has been considering social responsibility and sustainability for a long while now” says Ernesto Gismondi, the President of Artemide. “Respecting life, environment and all the natural resources available means facing the energy saving issue in a very serious way. Consequently advanced and high technical capacity technologies are created”. “Solar Tree is a project that celebrates design, nature and art”, says Ross Lovegrove, one of the most famous contemporary designers.

“Solar Tree represents the DNA of our time and it also shows it is possible to create beautiful things using the most advanced technology” Solar Tree is a sinuous tree made of steel pipes each one supporting a light bubble, to which there are 38 sophisticated solar cells connected to a battery system and to an electronic device hidden in its base. The light source consists of an array of LEDs which is the most advanced technology in lighting today.

After the great success obtained at MAK in Vienna (October 2007), in one of the most prestigious squares in Milano – Piazza della Scala – (November 2007) and in the wonderful Champs Elysees in Paris (February 2008), Solar Tree’s european tour continues. From April 6th will be in Frankfurt-am-Main at Light + Building 2008

Ross Lovegrove’s Solar Trees have been on tour in cities across Europe and make their next stop in Venice at the Biennale dell’ Architettura. Designed to resemble a bouquet of flowers, the petals are lined with LED bulbs and photovoltaic cells. During the day the flower absorbs energy to recharge a battery pack which illuminates the LED bulbs at dusk.

Arguably this is not a new idea, every year designers and design students pump out their version of this concept but it seems it’s going to take the efforts of prominent design figure Lovegrove and heavyweight lighting manufacture Artemide to raise the public awareness.

Source: Environmental Research Web.com / Sept 2, 2008
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/futures/35662

Solar energy can make a large contribution to the energy needs of two-thirds of the world’s population by 2030, including those in remote areas. That’s according to Solar Generation, a report from Greenpeace and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).  “Solar photovoltaic electricity has the potential to supply energy to more than four billion people by 2030 if adequate policy measures are put in place today,” said Ernesto Macias, EPIA president, as the report was presented at the 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference in Valencia, Spain.

By the end of 2007 more than 9,200 MW of solar photovoltaic systems had been installed around the world. But by 2030 Solar Generation estimates that more than 1800 GW of photovoltaic systems will have been installed worldwide, creating more than 2600 TWh of the electricity produced per year – or 14% of global electricity demand. The power would be enough to supply more than 1.3 billion people in developed areas and at least 3 billion people in remote rural areas who currently have no access to mains electricity. (more…)