Solar Cells Info

San Diego, CA, May 27, 2008

Source: BusinessWire press release

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080527005885&newsLang=en
Press Conference to take Place on Thursday, June 5th in Mexicali
Up to $3.5 Billion Company Complex to be in 10,000 Acre, World-Class Science and Technology Park on U.S.-Mexican Border

Silicon Border Science Park, located in Mexicali, the capital city of Baja California, Mexico, has been selected by Q-Cells, the world’s largest solar cell manufacturer, for its next major expansion. Q-Cells’ primary manufacturing facility is located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. The company chose Silicon Border Science Park for its American manufacturing site because of its strategic location and business-friendly environment.
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by Robin Pagnamenta, Energy and Environment Editor, Times
Source: The Times /May 30, 2008

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/the_gulf/article4029328.ece

The Masdar state-sponsored renewable energy fund is investing $2 billion in thin film photovoltaic technology

Abu Dhabi unveiled plans yesterday to invest $2 billion (£1.02 billion) in a project designed to make it a world leader in solar power.  Despite the deserts of Arabia being rich in oil, the Gulf state is betting that this alternative source of energy could help to secure the region’s long-term economic future.  The investment by Masdar, a state-sponsored renewable energy fund, represents one of the largest stakes in the solar industry.
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By Michael Hewlett, Sean Mussendenand James Romoser /Journal reporters
Lexinton, May 15, 2008
Source: Winston-Salem Journal  /
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/may/15/
bright-future-new-nc-utilities-law-generates-propo/?news

A proposed 21.5 megawatt solar farm in Davidson County would probably be “the largest in the United States” of its type, said Monique Harris, a spokeswoman for the Solar Energy Industries Association.  And such a project wouldn’t even be considered in North Carolina without a landmark state energy law passed last year, state legislators and energy experts said yesterday.
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Full-Scale Prototype Produced at 23.4 Percent
San Jose, CA., May 12, 2008
Source: SunPower Corp. press release/PRNewswire
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=309613

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced today that it has produced a full-scale, five inch prototype solar cell with an efficiency of 23.4 percent. This is a world-record for a large area solar cell. SunPower has reported improvements of its cell efficiency in the laboratory and in mass production since its first all-back contact solar cell prototype in 2003. (more…)

Source: RedOrbit.com/ 14 May 2008
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1385094/
kohls_to_power_its_stores_with_solar_energy/

Kohl’s Department Stores has announced that it plans to convert more than 50 of its existing New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland locations to solar power, representing nearly 80% of its locations in these three states.  The company said that it currently operates 34 stores in New Jersey, 17 in Connecticut and 16 in Maryland.
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Source: San Francisco Business Times /May 14, 2008
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/05/12/daily39.html

The largest solar project in the San Francisco and the third largest in the country is coming to a city rooftop near you.  San Francisco Public Utilities Commission authorized a new 5 megawatt solar power project that will grace the roofs of the newly retrofitted Sunset Reservoir and the Pier 96 which houses the NorCal Recycling Center. (more…)

Tokyo, May 14, 2008
Source: FoxNews
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355737,00.html

Can lingerie really empower women?  That’s what one company apparently was thinking in its quest to design a solar-powered bra capable of generating enough electricity to charge a cell phone or iPod, Reuters reported.  Triumph International Japan showed off its “Solar Power Bra” on Wednesday in Tokyo, but it will not be in stores just yet.
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by Mike Sunnucks, Phoenix Business Journal / May 6, 1008
Source: Phoenix Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/05/05/daily23.html

Arizona could be in line for as many as three dozen solar energy projects and facilities from Germany. But California, New Mexico, Oregon and other states also are in the fray as competition heats up for solar and other alternative energy projects.  At an international trade event in Scottsdale on Tuesday, Greater Phoenix Economic Council CEO Barry Broome said 34 German solar companies are looking at potential U.S. sites for energy facilities, and Arizona is in the running for those projects. (more…)

by Tetsuo Nozawa, Nikkei Electronics / May 8, 2008
Source: TechOn Column
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080508/151451/?P=1

I went to the US on business last week. Gasoline prices seem to have risen again and created a stir in Japan, but circumstances were no different in the US. In Los Angels, for example, TV news reported street pricing for gasoline exceeded US$4 per gallon (about 3.8L) in line with the rising oil price.  Compared with Japan, the price is still quite low as it corresponds to about ¥110 per liter at ¥105 per US dollar. Yet the price has risen surprisingly fast compared with less than US$2.5 per gallon two years ago or before that. (more…)

Amsterdam, 8 May 2008
Source: Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. press release
http://irpages2.equitystory.com/cgi-bin/show.ssp?
id=3210&companyName=amgnv&language=English&pressId=1217789&p_month=200805

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) announced that its 50.5% subsidiary Timminco Limited (TSX: TIM), has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bécancour Silicon Inc. (“BSI”), has signed a second agreement to supply solar grade silicon to Solar Power Industries, Inc.  In its press release, Timminco stated:   Bécancour Silicon Inc. (“BSI”), has signed a second agreement to supply solar grade silicon to Solar Power Industries, Inc. (“SPI”) based in Belle Vernon near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  SPI was BSI’s first long-term solar grade silicon customer, having entered into its initial supply agreement with BSI in March 2007. SPI was BSI’s largest customer in 2007. (more…)