Solar Cells Info

Recent IEC certification opens European doors to Roseville, California-based SPI for first shipment of 200-watt panels to be used in Germany.
Roseville, CA, January 6, 2009
Source: Solar Power, Inc. press release
http://www.solarpowerinc.net/PressReleaseID=47

Solar Power, Inc. has completed its first sale to a prominent German solar integrator of its photovoltaic (“PV”) solar modules for use in the integrator’s Germany-based installation projects. An initial supply of SPI’s 200-watt panels was shipped to the integrator at the end of December 2008. The transaction follows IEC certification in early December 2008 of SPI’s family of solar modules by VDE laboratories located in Main, Germany. The IEC certification, similar to a UL listing in the United States, affirms the solar modules’ quality and performance characteristics for use in Europe for commercial and residential applications. (more…)

JA Solar commits to sell up to 60 megawatts of polycrystalline photovoltaic cells to Solar Power, Inc to meet growing demand for its modules and systems.
Roseville, CA, January 5, 2009
Source: Solar Power Inc, press release
http://www.solarpowerinc.net/PressReleaseID=45

Solar Power, Inc.  has entered into a one-year supply agreement with JA Solar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JA Solar”). JA Solar has committed to supply up to 60 megawatts of its 6” polycrystalline photovoltaic (“PV”) cells based on monthly requirements from SPI. Based in Hebei, China, JA Solar is one of the world’s top producers of high-performance solar cells. The cells will be used for the ongoing production of SPI’s solar modules and to meet growing demand for the company’s products in Europe, Asia, and for turnkey systems in the United States. Supply to SPI begins immediately. (more…)

by Richard Read, The Oregonian, January 07, 2009
Source: OregonLive.com
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/
solarcell_maker_halts_construc.html

SpectraWatt Inc., an Intel spinoff that planned to make solar cells in Hillsboro, may leave Oregon because it can’t find financing to build a plant.  Andrew Wilson, SpectraWatt’s chief executive, confirmed Wednesday that the company had suspended construction plans and was searching inside and outside the state for an existing building to retrofit for less money. (more…)

San Francisco, CA, Dec 22, 2008
Source: PG&E press release
http://www.pge.com/about/news/mediarelations/
newsreleases/q4_2008/081222a.shtml

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that it has entered into a long-term agreement with El Dorado Energy, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sempra Generation, to purchase 10 megawatts of renewable, photovoltaic solar energy from Sempra Generation’s new El Dorado Energy Solar facility in Nevada. (more…)

by Karin Kloosterman, Jan 8th, 2009
Source: GreenProphet.com
http://greenprophet.com/2009/01/08/5807/solar-csp-iran/

Does a country that “promises” to wipe Israel off the map have a right to create nuclear energy for “power?” I must admit, news that Iran is looking to create power from solar energy puts some of my (irrational?) fears of living in Israel aside. According to the Iran Daily, Iran’s first solar powered station has been inaugurated.  The new plant is a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, similar to one in Spain which reflects light to a central tower.   The plant was inaugurated at the beginning of 2009, in Shiraz, the Fars province. The CSP system uses parabolic mirrors which focuses sun onto a tube of water. Eventually becoming super-heated, steam in the tube is used to turn electricity-generating turbines. (more…)

Toledo is fighting to become a leader in solar power.
Toledo, OH, December 15, 2008
Source: Vindy.com
http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/dec/15/toledo-turns-to-solar-panels-to-revive-city/

The smell of fresh paint drifts through an almost-empty warehouse. Near the back, researchers inspect a solar panel that’s lighter and more flexible than traditional models.  Within the last year, the number of employees at Xunlight Corp. has grown from 16 to 64. And there’s plenty of room for more. It’s among nine companies — from one of the world’s biggest solar panel makers to a handful of startups — that are turning this Rust Belt city battered by job losses into a research hub for converting sunlight into energy. “This is our chance,” said Xunming Deng, a physics professor who founded Xunlight. (more…)

by Max Jarman – Dec. 13, 2008
Source; The Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/
articles/2008/12/13/20081213biz-amtech1213.html

Substantial growth in sales of its solar-cell production equipment led to a much improved revenue and profit picture reported Wednesday by Amtech Systems Inc.  The Tempe-based producer of equipment used to make semiconductors and solar power cells said its revenue more than doubled to $26.8 million in its fourth quarter that ended Sept. 30. (more…)

By Nichola Groom, Los Angeles, Dec 18, 2008
Source: Reuters/Guardian UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8165544

As dismal as 2008 has been for solar stocks, next year doesn’t look any brighter.  Funding for solar projects and factory expansions remains scarce, prices on panels are falling faster than expected as supplies jump, and a dramatic drop in oil prices has tempered investor appetite for renewable energy stocks.  There is palpable optimism, however, that the new U.S. presidential administration will move rapidly on legislation to boost demand for alternative energy sources. Still, it remains to be seen how quickly that would get done and what form it will take.  “It will be a tumultuous year for most solar companies,” said Karina Funk, an analyst with Winslow Green Funds in Boston. (more…)

Source: Azomaterials.com, Dec 18, 2008
http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=14993

Dow Corning Corporation announced today several billion dollars of investment to provide critical materials to the fast-growing solar technology industry. “Dow Corning and our Hemlock Semiconductor joint ventures hope to create a viable solar industry that produces new, high paying jobs, clean power technologies and a revitalized economy,” said Stephanie A. Burns, Dow Corning’s chairman, president and CEO. “We’re committing our resources, know-how and technology because we are confident that solar technology represents a tremendous opportunity for both clean energy and economic growth.” (more…)

Santa Fe, NM, Dec 16, 2008
Source: Signet Solar press release
http://www.signetsolar.com/pdf/Signet_Solar_Dec_16_2008_eng.pdf

Governor Bill Richardson today announced Signet Solar will build the company’s first North American solar panel production facility in Belen. The first phase of the plant will bring 200 high-wage jobs to the state and is scheduled to begin operations in 2010. Signet’s long-term plans call for expansion and the creation of a total of 600 jobs.  “As Governor, I’ve been dedicated to making New Mexico a national leader of renewable energy and the creation of green jobs,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “At a time of economic uncertainty, this project will create hundreds of jobs and reaffirm New Mexico as a clean energy state and major player in our nation’s effort build a new clean energy economy.” (more…)