Solar Cells Info

This year is critical for copper-indium-gallium-selenide panel makers to show that all those huge private equity founds and factory plans will make them formidable competitors in the global solar market in the next few years, says report.
by: Ucilia Wang, January 30, 2009
Source: Greentech Media.com Report
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/report-cigs-could-supply-3gw-of-solar-panels-by-2012-5625.html

They have raised huge capital. They have built factories and even attracted some buyers. Could this year be the starting point when stronger CIGS players emerge?  In a new solar report forecasting production and comparing technologies, Greentech Media analysts certainly believe so.  “We expect some of them to ramp up production in 2009 – they are getting to commercial volumes. That will give them a definite edge when it comes to cost,” said Shyam Mehta, a senior analyst at Greentech Media. Mehta co-authored the report, “PV Technology, Production and Cost, 2009 Forecast,” with Travis Bradford, founder of the Prometheus Institute and a Greentech Media advisor. (more…)

Source: Solid State Technology, February, 2009
http://www.solid-state.com/display_article/352194/5/none/none/Dept/Wafer%E2%80%93based-solar-cells-aren%E2%80%99t-done-yet

The solar industry’s recent growth spurt has shown that success brings new challenges. Once content to salvage silicon scrap from the integrated circuit industry, wafer–based solar cells have become the largest consumer of high–purity silicon. As a result, manufacturers of wafer–based silicon solar cells are caught between rising raw material costs on one side, and less expensive alternative technologies on the other. (more…)

by Rachel Tompa, 4 Feb 2009
Source: Xconomy.com
http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/02/04/
uw-startup-soluxra-to-form-around-organic-solar-cell-technology/

A new startup company is in the works at the University of Washington, based on inexpensive, portable solar cells that could go far beyond the standard rooftop model. Conventional solar cells are made from expensive silicon, but the UW group, led by materials science and engineering professor Alex Jen, has come up with a way to harness solar energy using thin polymer film—akin to really thin cling wrap. (more…)

By Stephanie Stohr, G-Online, 30 Jan. 2009
Source: G-Online.com
http://www.gmagazine.com.au/news/1193/scientists-develop-spray-solar-panels

A new type of spray-on solar panel will make the cells cheaper and production more efficient.  Taking a leaf from the beauty industry, scientists have devised a way to make solar panels cheaper and more efficient – by spraying them on.  Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), solar company Spark Solar Australia, and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy are collaborating on a three-year project that could transform the production of solar cells.  “I think it has a big chance of success,” said Keith McIntosh, lead researcher from the ANU, “It’s an exciting possibility.” (more…)

Tempe, Az., Feb. 4, 2009
Source: Surfect Technologies, Inc, press release
http://surfect.ir.stockpr.com/news/detail/101/
surfect-technologies-announces-first-concentrator-module-shipment-and-higher-solar-efficiency-results-using-plated-metal-technology-achieves-major-milestones-towards-mass-commercialization-and-lower-solar-costs

Surfect Technologies, Inc, a provider of advanced interconnect and packaging solutions for solar cells, LED and power management applications, today announced a number of key milestones for the company including:
– successful demonstrations for leading solar manufacturers of copper plating over silver paste on solar cells using Surfect’s proprietary tool and process technology, which resulted in 0.5-0.6% higher efficiency or 4-5% increased energy capture from solar cells;
– demonstration of new metallization process for solar manufacturers that allows copper metal deposition directly on bare silicon using DEP technology, which is expected to result in 1.2% to 2.0% higher efficiency or 5% to 10% increased energy capture(1) versus silver paste, at lower cost than competing metal plating systems;
– design and shipment of the first concentrator package for a European customer that uses rugged packaging technology and Surfect’s advanced wafer-level interconnect solutions producing 3x concentration, providing a more building integrated module and lowering the solar cost per watt.
(more…)

By Scott Kirsner, December 14, 2008
Source: Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/
2008/12/14/raising_capital_for_rays_of_energy/

Earlier this year, Bob Metcalfe called Frank van Mierlo, the chief executive of the solar start-up 1366 Technologies Inc., to see whether it was OK for Metcalfe’s venture capital firm to put a few million dollars into a similar business.  “We don’t go forward with a new investment that might be competitive with one of our existing companies, unless both CEOs are comfortable with it,” explains Metcalfe, an investor at Waltham’s Polaris Venture Partners. (more…)

Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) solar cells pushed the market as manufacturers increased production
New Tripoli, USA, February 06, 2009
Source: CIOL.com
http://www.ciol.com/Semicon/Solar/PV/News-Reports/
Nanomaterials-for-solar-cells-grew-47-pc-in-2008/6209115650/0/

Despite a sluggish forecast for the overall high-tech industry in 2009, nanomaterials for solar cells grew 47 percent in 2008 and is projected to grow another 44 percent in 2009, according to a report: Market Outlook for Nanomaterials for Electronics Applications: Semiconductors, Solar, Displays. Sensors, RFID, Lighting, recently published by The Information Network. (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…)

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…)

Pueblo, Colorado, January 16, 2009
Source: Environmental News Service ENS
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2009/2009-01-16-094.asp

A new solar power system has been installed at Colorado State University-Pueblo that will provide more than 10 percent of the future power needs on campus.  The 1.2-megawatt solar power system, one of the largest at an educational institution in the United States, will help the university control utility costs as prices and usage increase over time.  The system was built on the east side of the Pueblo campus near the university’s physical plant complex and softball fields. The solar array covers 4.3 acres with more than 6,800 photovoltaic panels, and can generate about 1,800 megawatt hours of electricity per year. (more…)