Solar Cells Info

North East, MD, November 5, 2008
Source: Blue Square Energy.Com press release
http://www.bluesquareenergy.com/Default.aspx?DN=848bda84-29d7-4bd6-b19b-3ca06a9b08a0

Blue Square Energy, a developer and manufacturer of low-cost silicon solar cells, today announced that it has produced a 14.6 percent efficient solar cell with its patent-pending Bright Point technology.  BSE’s efficiency result is one of the highest in the world on upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon and has been verified independently by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (more…)

Nikkei Electronics Asia, Nov 26, 2008
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20081126/161869/

Emcore Corp has announced its first deployment of a concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) system in China with the XinAo Group, one of China’s energy companies. As part of an earlier agreement, the 50kW test and evaluation system is fully installed and operational, and is producing power in accordance with specifications. (more…)

by Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices, Nov 28, 2008
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20081128/162005/

Sharp announced that it will start full-scale mass production of its crystalline Si solar cells with a cell conversion efficiency of 20% in 2010.  “It is going to be more powerful than any other residential crystalline silicon solar cell,” said Toshishige Hamano, executive vice president of Sharp Corp.
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By Tom Cheyney, Nov 04, 2008
Source: PV-Tech.org
http://www.pv-tech.org/news/_a/
suniva_begins_production_announces_plans_for_second_solar_cell_line/

Suniva confirmed that it has successfully begun production on its 32-MW monocrystalline solar-cell production line in Norcross, GA. The company also said that it plans to install a second fab line next year with double the manufacturing capacity of the first line and will continue its turnkey partnership with centrotherm photovoltaics.  Once the new line is completed in mid-2009, the company will have a total cell-production capacity of 96 MW-peak, with both of the initial lines combining centrotherm integrated equipment and Suniva’s proprietary fabrication techniques. The cell manufacturer said it plans to push the capacity in its first factory to about 175 MWp by early 2010. (more…)

New Facility to Increase KYOCERA’s Global Output to 650 Megawatts Per Year by March 2012
KYOTO, Japan, Nov 14, 2008
Source: Kyocera Corp, press release/BUSINESS WIRE
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/KYOCERA-Announces-Construction-New-Solar/story.aspx?guid=%7B5273C543-7F20-494D-9435-97617222A9F9%7D

Kyocera Corporation (President: Makoto Kawamura) today announced plans to build a new large-scale solar cell manufacturing facility. The new plant, located in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, will be the Kyocera Group’s largest manufacturing facility in Japan.  Construction of the plant is planned to start in early 2009 and be completed by year’s end, with production scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010. Combined with Kyocera’s existing Yohkaichi plant, the new facility will permit the company to more than double its annual production of solar cells aEUR- from this year’s projected output of 300 megawatts (MW) to 650MW by March 2012. The new plant will manufacture Kyocera’s new back-contact cell, which yields 18.5% energy conversion efficiency. (more…)

Tokyo, November 27, 2008
Source: Reuters/International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/27/business/sharp.php

Sharp of Japan, Enel of Italy and a third manufacturer will invest more than $2.6 billion in Italian solar power ventures to tap growing demand for cleaner energy.  Top solar power firms are hurrying to expand capacity even as the sector smarts from a worsening global economy, which is drying up financing for new ventures and forcing smaller solar power firms to push back investment.  Sharp, the world’s No.2 maker of solar cells after the German company Q-Cells, said it and Enel planned to spend about ¥100 billion, or $1.05 billion, to set up solar power generating plants in Italy with a total generating capacity of 189 megawatts by the end of 2012. (more…)

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, Oct. 07, 2008
Source: Everphoton press release
http://www.everphoton.com/emsps.htm

As the awareness of environmentally-friendly concepts increases, Everphoton Energy Corporation has taken a further step in designing a Mobile Solar Power Supply (MSPS -1) to replace the conventional use of diesel generators.

The MSPS – 1 model of portable energy supply features zero pollution, noise free operations to commercial, industrial and even emergency applications. It took 6 month for the company to design and build and it was first appeared in Taiwan International Photovoltaic Forum & Exhibition from Oct. 7-8, 2008.

Being the very first prototype, the MSPS – 1 has the output power of the 1KW (CPV modules) to supply 110V A.C or 24V D.C, with battery capacity of 12V  400 Ah. Combining excellent engineering, high efficient components and the construction, Everphoton has once again set another example of its dedication in utilizing renewable energies and providing alternative solutions to save the environment. The company not only provides designs for costume-made specification, but the consultancy in regards to the mechanical work. The patent for MSPS – 1 has been filed in Asia, USA and Europe.

EVERPHOTON was founded in 2007 with investments from global top five LED packaging house Everlight Electronics and electronic material producer Yee Fong Chemical. Everlight is one of the major shareholders of EVERPHOTON and Epistar.

for further information, please visit www.everphoton.com