Solar Cells Info

Tempe, Ariz., Jul 16, 2008
Source: First Solar Inc, press release
http://investor.firstsolar.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=322481

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) announced today that Southern California Edison (SCE) has selected First Solar to engineer and supply the PV power plant system for a 2 megawatt project to be installed on the roof of a commercial building in Fontana, CA. This is the first installation in SCE’s plan to install 250 megawatts of solar generating capacity on large commercial rooftops throughout Southern California over the next five years. SCE began installation of this initial project on July 14, 2008, and expects to connect the PV power plant to the grid in September 2008. In March, SCE, with California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, announced the five-year solar PV installation project, which is the largest rooftop solar program ever proposed by a U.S. utility. (more…)

Tempe, Ariz., Jul 24, 2008
Source: First Solar Inc, press release
http://investor.firstsolar.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=324202

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) announced today that it will build a 10 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) power plant for Sempra Generation near Boulder City, Nevada. First Solar will design, engineer and construct the turnkey PV power plant and will provide monitoring and maintenance services for the plant over its lifetime. Sempra Generation will be the developer for the project, and will own and operate the PV power plant once completed. Construction began in July, and the 10 MW PV power plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. The solar modules to be deployed in this ground-mount project will be produced at First Solar’s manufacturing facility in Perrysburg, Ohio. (more…)

Malaysian government granted First Solar a multi-year income tax holiday
Kedah, Malaysia, July 28, 2008
Source: www.ciol.com
http://www.ciol.com/Semicon/SemiPipes/News-Reports/
First-Solars-first-of-four-solar-plants-in-Kedah/28708108360/0/

First Solar Inc. announced that the first of its four solar module manufacturing plants being constructed at the Kulim Hi Tech Park in Kedah, Malaysia was formally inaugurated by YAB Dato’ Seri Ustaz Azizan Bin Abdul Razak, Chief Minister of Kedah Darul Aman and Bruce Sohn, President of First Solar. Also participating in the event from First  Solar were Heiner Eichermueller, Vice President of Global Manufacturing, and Tan Poh Beng, Plant Manager of First Solar Malaysia. (more…)

by Ken Liu, Taipei, July 24, 2008
Source. CENS News
http://news.cens.com/cens/html/en/news/news_inner_24119.html

Arima Electronics Inc. recently won a contract to supply a Spanish power plant an undisclosed amount of solar cells. Industry watchers estimate the volume at 0.3 megawatts valued at around US$2.1 million.  Arima, which has left personal-computer manufacturing for photovoltaic business, will begin to deliver the contracted products some time in August. Industry watchers point out that the Spanish power plant plans to buy a total of 1.3-megawatt solar cells in four contracts. For Arima`s part, the company will supply, install and maintain the cells. (more…)

by Martin LaMonica, July 16, 2008
Source: CNet News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9991975-54.html

Wakonda Technologies said Wednesday that it has raised $9.5 million to pursue development of the ideal solar cell, one that is highly efficient and low cost. In spite of the claim–or perhaps because of it–the company is releasing few technical details. Wakonda, which recently moved to Medford, Mass., had its series A round funded by Advanced Technology Ventures, General Catalyst Partners, Polaris Venture Partners, the Massachusetts Green Energy Fund, and Applied Ventures, which is the venture capital arm of Applied Materials. (more…)

by Steve Bush, 25 July 2008
Source: ElectronicsWeekly.com
http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2008/07/25/44199/
thin-film-cdte-solar-cells-to-be-12-efficent-in-2012-first-solar.htm

Arizona-based CdTe solar cell firm First Solar expects to hit 12% efficiency in its thin film cells in the next four years.  “We are currently on track to achieve our 2012 goal of 12% conversion efficiencies. This represents an increase of approximately 0.5% per year,” spokesman David Erhart told Electronics Weekly. “In Q1 2008 our average efficiency was 10.6%.” (more…)

By Paul Davidson, USA TODAY / 27 July 2008
Source: USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2008-07-27-solar-chips_N.htm

Semiconductor companies are rushing into the solar power business faster than a Pentium-driven computer, promising to turn a niche form of renewable energy into a mass-market product.  Since May, computer powerhouses Intel (INTC), IBM (IBM) and National Semiconductor (NSM) have barreled into solar energy, joining hundreds of fellow technology mainstays. Virtually every chipmaker is weighing a solar play, says Rhone Resch, head of the Solar Energy Industries Association.  “We have a classic Silicon Valley land rush,” says T.J. Rodgers, CEO of Cypress Semiconductor (CY), which owns 56% of SunPower.Drawing the stalwarts is solar’s 40% annual growth, says Gartner analyst Jim Hines. The 50-year-old chip business is expanding only about 5% annually after years of torrid growth. (more…)

EMCORE Strengthens Its Leadership Position with $29 Million New Purchase Orders for Concentrator Solar Cell Receivers
Albuquerque, NM, July 9, 2008
Source: Emcore Corp. press release
http://www.emcore.com/news_events/release?y=2008&news=201

EMCORE Corporation (NASDQ: EMKR) a leading provider of Semi-conductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber-optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets, announced today that it entered into two definitive supply agreements for solar cell receivers in June 2008 with a total value of approximately $29 million. These supply agreements incorporate advance deposits to ensure production priority for these customers. The end applications for the product to be delivered range from solar farm to commercial rooftop installations employing Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) technology. Production for these orders has commenced and shipments are scheduled to occur over the next 24 months. (more…)

Rochester Hills, MI, July 8, 2008
Source: Energy Conversion Devices press release
http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2008-07/artikel-11229954.asp

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD), announced today that its UNI-SOLAR(R) thin-film flexible solar laminates will power the world’s largest rooftop solar power system. The 12-megawatt system is being installed on GM’s assembly plant in Figueruelas, Zaragoza, Spain and will become operational in the fall of 2008. ECD will supply the solar laminates through its wholly owned subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic, LLC.  When fully operational, the photovoltaic system will have a peak capacity of 12 megawatts, producing as much as 15 million kilowatt hours of “green” energy annually, enough to power approximately 4,500 homes. The Zaragoza facility marks the third major use of UNI-SOLAR laminates by GM. (News/Aktienkurs) UNI-SOLAR thin-film flexible solar laminates also power GM parts warehouses in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, California, two of the largest rooftop solar power installations in the United States. (more…)

Jiangsu and Jiangxi, China, July 15, 2008
Source: Canadion Solar Inc, press release
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196781
&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1174922&highlight=

Canadian Solar Inc.today announced a 9MW sales agreement for its e-Modules with Conergy USA, a global leader in renewable energy solutions. The contract runs for 12 months until June 2009 and delivery will start this month.  Kim McLawhorn, President of Conergy Americas commented, “We are pleased to offer CSI’s e-Modules for our off-grid and grid-connected installations of photovoltaic systems. As a leading global PV supplier, we are confident in the long-term growth of the US solar market and look to continue our strategic partnership with CSI as we help consumers achieve clean and independent energy solutions.” (more…)