Solar Cells Info

By MARI YAMAGUCHI, 26 Nov 2008
Source: Associated Press /Forbes.com
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/11/26/ap5749538.html

Sharp said Thursday it’s in talks with Italian utility company Enel to set up a European joint venture to produce solar panels – a move that highlights the Japanese electronics company’s ambitions in this key green business.  “We are considering cooperation with Enel SpA to jointly produce solar cells,” Sharp Corp. (other-otc: SHCAY.PK – news – people ) spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama said, while declining to elaborate. Sharp will give details at a news conference later in the day, she said.
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Current financial crisis could speed up consolidation in PV industry
by: Edwin Koot, CEO solarplaza, 31 October 2008
Source: SolarPlaza.com press release

The global solar energy market in 2008 is expected to grow by 50% compared to 2007. The Chinese solar PV industry is growing rapidly and will soon be the biggest producer of solar cells and modules in the world. There are now over 100 Chinese solar module manufacturers, and even more new market players are expected in the short term. The question is: what might the current credit crisis and pessimistic economic forecasts mean for the PV market and industry in 2009? With solar modules becoming a commodity product, China will definitely be playing a key role as a major producer of solar cells and modules. However, if we look at the maturity of the PV industry right now, and what has happened in other industries, an imminent consolidation phase seems likely. That could mean that fewer producers, and only the bigger ones among them, will survive. So which companies are likely to be the winners, and be reliable business partners for the long term? (more…)

By Tom Cheyney, 08 October 2008 |
Source: PVTech.org
http://www.pv-tech.org/news/_a/
neo_solar_power_inks_five_year_deal_to_supply_solar_cells_to_pv_module_make/

Taiwanese solar cell manufacturer Neo Solar Power and Italian photovoltaic module producer Solarday have entered into a five-year sales contract worth $210 million. The new deal adds to an existing three-year agreement, bringing the total contracted amount between the two companies to $320 million.  “NSP continues to expand in geographic coverage and further increase market share in the European markets,” said Quincy Lin, chairman of NSP. “Italy is expected to become the next focal point of the solar industry, indicating a market size equivalent to the Spain market in 2009. Ranked among top three solar module manufacturers in Italy, Solarday has been a strong partner for NSP. We are very pleased to further extend and broaden our partnership with Solarday.
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Taipei, July 22, 2008
Source Everphoton press release
http://www.everphoton.com/hcpvpowerplant.htm

LED companies Everlight and Epistar are collaborating with Yee Fong Chemical and EVERPHOTON to set up the first HCPV power plant in Asia by the end of 2008, with the plant to have an estimated initial capacity of 1MWp.  The project is lead by EVERPHOTON, a company located in Taiwan and dedicated itself to HCPV industry and engaged in developing and manufacturing of high efficiency modules, high concentration Fresnel lens, sensors & controller, and tracker. It offers a total solution of high-efficiency HCPV solar power system as well. (more…)

U.S. Company To Increase Export Of Polysilicon Production Equipment To South Korea
Merrimack, N.H., September 2, 2008
Source. GT Solar, press release
http://www.gtsolar.com/news/shownews.php?id=209

GT Solar Incorporated, a global provider of specialized equipment and technology for the solar power industry, announced that on July 11, 2008, it signed a $173 million contract with DC Chemical Co., Ltd., a leading Korean chemical company. The signing of the contract has previously been disclosed.  Under the terms of the agreement, GT Solar will provide DC Chemical with state-of-the-art polysilicon CVD reactors, which are used to manufacture polysilicon, a key raw material utilized to produce solar cells. This latest agreement marks the third contract between the two companies since GT Solar began offering CVD reactors and related equipment in 2006. (more…)

by Grace Lee, Taipei; Adam Hwang
Source: DIGITIMES, 20 October 2008

Compound Solar Technology (CompSolar), the first Taiwan-based producer of glass-based high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) thin-film solar cells made from Gallium arsenide (GaAs), has been developing flexible GaAs HCPVs based on various kinds of flexible substrates which will form the basis for the company’s business operation in 2009, according to company president Jeffery Lin. (more…)

A new solar mobile charger is ready to add hours and hours for more people especially travelers to charge their mobile when they need it most.
Source: PRLog (Press Release), Oct 21, 2008
http://www.prlog.org/10131154-solar-mobile-charger-available-to-end-users-in-malaysia.html

Malaysia Keep in Touch (M) Sdn Bhd (http://www.keepeshop.com) has made it even easier and convenient for end users to purchase their products via their easy-to-use website by adding e-commerce functionality, which will be launched next month, the company has announced.  The technical innovation provides the ultimate in ease for those seeking for solar mobile phone charger, digital camera, camera accessories, memory card & readers at a wide range in Malaysia, saving users’ valuable time, says Managing Director Ben Cheong.
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by Zoe Sinclair, Dubai, 25 October 2008
Source: Khaleejtimes
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?
xfile=data/theuae/2008/October/theuae_October578.xml&section=theuae

The Middle East’s largest photo-voltaic manufacturing plant will be set up in Dubai’s Technopark, it was announced on Friday evening at the opening of Green Dubai World Forum 2008.  The construction of the plant will begin next month and production is expected to start in the last quarter of 2010.
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Hong Kong , 25 October 2008
Source: News24.com
http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2415709,00.html

A solar-powered lamp, which is as thin as a magazine cover and sticks onto most surfaces has been developed by a Hong Kong inventor, a media report said.  The lamp won designer Keikko Lee, 26, the gold price in South Korea’s first international design competition held in October, the South China Morning Post said.  Lee said the lamp has electroluminescent material on one side and solar panels and sensors on the other. (more…)

Seoul, Oct 21, 2008
Source: Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/
rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSSEO33745420081021

LG Electronics Inc (066570.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Tuesday it would set up two solar cell production lines at the site of its suspended plasma panel plant, as the company seeks to find a new growth engine in the renewable energy business.  LG, which acquired a solar cell business from LG Chem Ltd (051910.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in June, said it would spend 220 billion won ($168 million) on the two solar cell lines, which will start mass production in early 2010 and early 2011, respectively. (more…)