Solar Cells Info

Lexington, Mass.February 5, 2009
Source: 1366 Technologies press release
http://www.1366tech.com/v1/

1366 Technologies, an MIT spin-off focused on engineering and manufacturing advanced silicon solar cells, today announced the company has been awarded a cost-shared, 18-month subcontract with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the “Self-Aligned Cell: Scaling up manufacture of a cost effective cell architecture for multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaics” Project. The total potential funding from the DOE under the Solar America Initiative (SAI) is up to $3.0 million for the project. (more…)

One-acre, 1,500 solar panel array at Pioneer Hi-Bred Waimea Research Center in Kauai, Hawaii is DuPont’s largest solar installation to date
Marlboro, Ma, February 04, 2009
Source: Evergreen Solar Inc, press release
http://www.evergreensolar.com/app/en/company/press/pressreleases/item/705

Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR), a manufacturer of STRING RIBBON™ solar power products with its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer manufacturing technology, announced today that a new 250 kilowatt solar energy power plant using its solar panels is now operational at DuPont’s Pioneer Hi-Bred Waimea Research Center in Kauai, Hawaii. The solar installation is DuPont’s largest and will supply 85 percent of the overall energy for the Research Center. (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…)

by Josie Garthwaite, 21 Jan 2009
Source: Earth2Tech.com
http://earth2tech.com/2009/01/21/
intel-tests-out-sharp-pv-for-solar-powered-data-center/

Chip giant Intel Corp. unveiled a 10-kilowatt solar installation near its New Mexico manufacturing plant this weekend, launching its latest foray into clean energy for power-hungry data centers. While energy generated by the array’s 64 Sharp solar panels will feed into the local electricity grid and tractor-trailer-sized test racks of computers — rather than directly powering the roughly 5,000 servers at Intel’s facility — the company said it hopes solar can eventually boost the data center’s power supply during times of peak demand. (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…)

•  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…)

Booth display at the 2009 International Builders’ Show® in Las Vegas Convention Center (booth #C7759)
Frisco, TX,  January 15, 2009
Source: Sanyo Energy (USA) press release
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?cid=3066&id=54511

SANYO Energy (U.S.A.) Corporation, a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO), will display its advanced HIT. Double solar panels at The New American Home® 2009, while participating in the 2009 International Builders’ Show® (IBS), from January 20 – 23, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #C7759. *HIT® stands for Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer. HIT® solar cells developed by SANYO are hybrid solar cells composed of single crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. (more…)

Factory Ships 8.5 Megawatts in the Fourth Quarter
Marlboro, MA, Jan 5, 2009
http://www.evergreensolar.com/

Evergreen Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of String Ribbon(TM) solar power products with its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer technology, today announced that it shipped 8.5 MW of products from its Devens factory and an additional 3.7 MW from its Marlboro pilot manufacturing facility, during the fourth quarter of 2008, in line with its announced expectations in October. (more…)