Solar Cells Info

Akeena Solar Brings Solar Power to Star Quality Concrete, Boosts Sustainable Concrete Recycling Process
Los Gatos, CA, April 23, 2008
Source: Akeena Solar, Inc press release /Businesswire
http://www.akeena.net/cm/Investor%20Relations/Home.html

Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, today announced the Star Quality Concrete project. This installation will be the largest commercial solar power system in San Jose.  The 410 KW Akeena Solar power system will house 1,890 Akeena solar panels on the roof of Star Quality Concrete in downtown San Jose. (more…)

By Tanya Rose, Contra Costa Times
Source: San Jose Mercury News, 25 April 2008
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9060225?nclick_check=1

Almost four years ago, fish shop owner and Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor installed a $60,000 set of energy-saving solar panels on top of his Tidewater Court home. He now runs his backyard Koi fish pond through the system — that’s two water pumps going around-the-clock, plus indoor electric appliances, running off of solar power. Last year, his electric bills totaled $538, down from about $6,000 per year in pre-panel days. “I have no regrets, even with the panels being so expensive,” he said. He got a $20,000 rebate as part of the California Solar Initiative, which was instituted in 2007 by the state and is available to every homeowner. That, plus other discounts, brought the cost of the panels down to $23,000. (more…)

by Solar Industry Staff , 17 April 2008
http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.1239

Taiwan-based CMC Magnetics Corp. has begun pilot operations on its 40 MWp thin-film solar PV manufacturing line, which was supplied by Oerlikon Solar.  The turnkey 40 MWp production facility is capable of producing approximately 500,000 amorphous silicon thin-film solar modules annually. The equipment covers the entire production process, from glass purification to the testing of finished solar modules. The project scope also includes the implementation of the metrology system for quality control, back-end module production and transparent conductive oxide technology. (more…)

Windsor, CA, March 17, 2008
Source: SPG Solar press release
http://www.spgsolar.com/press_GoSolarSonoma.html

Having just completed one of the most successful community discount programs in California as the exclusive solar provider for GoSolarMarin, SPG Solar responds to the requests of Sonoma County residents and offers GoSolarSonoma™. The SPG Solar GoSolarSonoma™ Community Discount Program offers a 10-20% discount to Sonoma County homeowners interested in going solar. (more…)

San Diego, CA, April 16, 2008
Source: Point Loma Nazarene Univ. / FoxBusiness
http://www.foxbusiness.com/article/point-loma-nazarene-university-announces-plan-build-450-kw-solar-energy-campus_566299_1.html

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) announced today plans to build a 450 kW solar energy system on its campus. What began as a student research project on the viability of solar energy for PLNU soon developed into a collaborative effort between students, staff and faculty that resulted in an official Request for Proposal and bidding process. With construction slated to begin this July, this will be the first large commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) system for a San Diego university. (more…)

Austin, Texas, April 17, 2008
Source: Environmental News Service
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2008/2008-04-17-091.asp

The state of Texas will invest $1 million in HelioVolt Corp. of Austin for the construction of a 125,000 square foot manufacturing facility and development space to test and produce the company’s thin-film solar power cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.  The company will manufacture a new type of seamlessly solarized building materials and architectural modules to cover structures with a solar skin. (more…)

by Alan Fischer, April 11, 2008
Source: Tucson Citizen
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/82278.php

High-tech potential has met with commercial success at Global Solar, a Tucson company that manufactures thin-film photovoltaic devices that harness the power of the sun.  Global Solar makes flexible, lightweight products that convert sunlight into electricity for hikers, campers, travelers and the military around the world, and provides its technology to manufacturers of rigid solar panels.  (more…)

Source: Printed Electronics World /2 April 2008
http://www.idtechex.com/printedelectronicsworld/articles/g24_innovations_appoints_leading_solar_technology_authority_00000868.asp

G24 Innovations Limited (G24i), the UK solar energy pioneer, has announced the appointment of leading international solar research scientist Shozo Yanagida to its advisory board. Mr Yanagida, the Emeritus Professor of Osaka University and a guest professor at the University’s Centre for Advanced Science and Innovation, is recognised as a world authority on solar technologies having spent over 35 years specialising in the subject. (more…)

by Jason Mick (Blog), April 13, 2008
Source: DailyTech.com
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=11459

While not very tasty, these balls are extra efficient
With gas prices going up, refining capacity stretched to its max, and the reality that fossil fuels will eventually be depleted settling in, interest in alternative energy solutions of various types is at an all time high.  Among these is renewed vigor in the solar power industry.  From building massive new plants to new ground breaking research, the rather old field of solar power, is adapting quickly to the latest tech. (more…)

Source: Printed Electronics World / April 16, 2008
http://www.idtechex.com/printedelectronicsworld/articles/electricity_from_sun_and_heat_printing_the_new_photovoltaics_00000892.asp

Solar cells are needed on everything from clothing to packaging, toys, spaceships, consumer goods, medical testers, skin patches and tools. Mostly, they must be thin and flexible, lightweight, environmental and low in cost – even disposable in many cases. (more…)