Solar Cells Info

Source: Laboratory Equipment.com, June 30, 2009
http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/
news-korean-breakthrough-photovoltaic-cells-063009.aspx?xmlmenuid=51

Korean researchers have recently made a breakthrough discovery in solar cell development that increases the efficiency of thin-film panchromatic solar cells and allows use of clean and reusable energy on the entire globe.  The Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) team was able to stack three different color layers on a nanogranular titanium dioxide (TiO2) film. This allows the dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) panchromatic film to absorb and convert all visible rays found in nature into power, meaning more electricity than what we would expect from conventional solar cells. (more…)

Cutting out the interfering clouds by rising above them
By J Mark Lytle, Tokyo /Via Nikkei, June 28, 2009
Source: TechRadar.com
http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/future-tech/
satellites-to-beam-wireless-power-from-space-611706

Solar power is an undeniably great idea, but it soon runs into trouble when clouds roll in to block the Sun’s rays. Which is why we could soon be looking at moving the panels into space way beyond the pesky old atmosphere.  The plan is already in motion in Japan, where the government is soliciting for firms to build the hardware required to get giant solar panels into orbit.

Ready by 2030
By next month, the goal is to have the necessary partners in place for the real planning to begin, with a goal of supplying solar power from space by 2030. For the scheme to work, the various parties involved will have to not just get the solar satellites into space, but also beam the power down to Earth in the form of microwaves.

Beam me down
Initial testing will focus on short-range wireless power transmission, building slowly to reach the 36,000km needed to bridge the gap between geostationary satellites and ground stations.

by Ucilia Wang,  June 25, 2009
Source: GreenTechMedia.com
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/
suntech-power-plans-to-start-u.s.-panel-production-in-early-2010/

The Chinese solar company is now choosing among four sites for its first, 100-megawatt factory to build solar panels in the United States, says an executive. Suntech Power plans to announce in a few weeks the site of its first factory in the United States, and expects to start production in the first quarter of 2010, said Roger Efird, president of North American sales for Suntech Thursday. (more…)

by Staff, Semiconductor International, June 25, 2009
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/295730-Ulvac_Rolls_PECVD_for_Tandem_PV_Cells.php

Ulvac Inc. (Chigasaki, Japan) has developed a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system for microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) deposition, aimed at tandem thin-film silicon photovoltaics. Ulvac, which sells turnkey lines for PV manufacturing, said the new system goes on sale next week and will be part of a turnkey line for tandem μc-Si solar cell production.  (more…)

Source: Environmental Leader.com, June 22, 2009
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/06/22/
toyota-tries-to-keep-wraps-under-solar-car/

Toyota reportedly is developing a car that would be charged solely by solar, reports the Associated Press. The futuristic car is years away from market, however, the report notes. From a story originally published in the Nikkei newspaper and not verified by Toyota, the automaker’s solar car would get some of its power from solar cells on the vehicle, and the rest from solar panels on the rooftop of the home where the car is parked. (more…)

By David Tan, George Town, July 4, 2009
Source: The Star Online
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?
file=/2009/7/4/business/4218713&sec=business

Companies in the northern region are now making strategic moves to enter into the solar power business, as the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) has identified solar power sector as a new source of growth for the economy.  Three public-listed companies in Penang, P. I.E. Industrial Bhd, Ire-Tex Corp Bhd, and Pentamaster Corp Bhd, have recently invested to tap into the growing market demand for solar products in the country and in the world.  The global revenue from solar panels (known also as photovoltaic panels) is expected to rise to US$17.8bil in 2010, up 38.2% from 2009. Revenue will rise by another 11.1% in 2011 and by 29.1% in 2012, according to US-based market research company, iSuppli Corp. (more…)

by Liane Yvkoff, May 20, 2009
Source: Asia.Cnet.com
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/05/20/an-electric-motorcycle-powered-by-the-sun/

Richard Gryzch has developed what he believes to be the first completely solar-charged electric motorcycle.  The Solar Flyer–named after the famous Radio Flyer red wagon–is a modified motorcycle covered in solar panels that generate enough electricity to power the vehicle for 50 miles (about 80km) at a top speed of 90mph (about 144kmh).  Grych has been working on this project for the past two years, and he sold his house and other motorcycles to finance his dream. But the hobbyist from from Apache Junction, Ariz., isn’t finished tinkering with his zero-emissions bike–ultimately, he’d like the Solar Flyer to have a 300 mile (about 482km) range.

by Peter Lorenz, Thomas Seitz , Dickon Pinner
Source: PrimeSolar.com
http://www.primesolar.com/en/notizia.asp?idNotizia=33

Solar energy is becoming more economically attractive as technologies improve and the cost of electricity generated by fossil fuels rises. By 2020, hundreds of billions of dollars of investment capital will probably boost global solar-generating capacity 20 to 40 times higher than its current level.  New era for solar power is approaching. Long derided as uneconomic, it is gaining power as technologies improve and cost of traditional energy sources rises. Within three to seven years, unsubsidised solar power could cost no more to end customers in many markets, such as California or Italy, than electricity generated by fossil fuels or by renewable alternatives to solar. Solar power faces challenges that are common in emerging sectors. Several technologies are competing to win the lowest-cost laurels, and it’s not yet clear which is going to win. (more…)

Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices, Jun 3, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090603/171170/

Michael R. Splinter, president and CEO of Applied Materials Inc (AMAT), discussed the prospects of the solar cell production equipment market at a press conference.  According to him, the market will start to pick up in early 2010 thanks to economic stimulus programs introduced in the US and China and other factors though it is experiencing a sharp downturn in 2009. But he also said that it is difficult to predict when the market will recover to the 2008 level.  Regarding the development of production equipment for new types of solar cells including CIGS solar cells, Splinter commented as follows. (more…)

Toledo, Ohio – April 25, 2008 
Source: Xunlight press release

Xunlight Corporation, a leader in the development of low cost and flexible thin-film silicon solar modules, today announced the company and Dr. Alvin D. Compaan established  Xunlight 26 Solar, LLC (“X26” ) to develop and commercialize lightweight and flexible solar cells based on cadmium telluride and other II-VI compound semiconductors.  Xunlight’s Board of Directors approved the formation and investment in X26 to start the research and development work in the related areas. Dr. Xunming Deng, President and CEO, Xunlight, Dr. Compaan, Distinguished University Professor of Physics, University of Toledo, and Mr. Matthew Longthorne, Vice  President of Corporate Development and Strategies, were elected to be the Board of Directors of X26.  Initially, Mr. Longthorne serves as X26’s President and Dr. Compaan serves as its Chief Technology Officer.   (more…)