Solar Cells Info

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES, 26 June 2009
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090626PD200.html

Neo Solar Power, a Taiwan-based maker of crystalline silicon solar cells, will issue 30 million new shares to raise around NT$800 million (US$24.6 million) specifically for expanding its annual production capacity by 150MWp to 360MWp in the second half of 2009, according to the company.  Neo Solar’s board of directors approved the fund-raising plan at a meeting on June 25, the company indicated. According to industry sources, Neo Solar has been talking with potential clients in Japan via Daiwa Securities, its main shareholder. Neo Solar said it could not deny the reports

Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices, May 19, 2009
Souce: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090519/170318/

Polycrystalline Si solar cells manufactured by Kyocera Corp are used for the solar panel that comes as an option for the new Prius, which Toyota Motor Corp announced May 18, 2009, in Japan.  The solar panel is composed of a total of 36 cells arranged in six rows and six columns. Each cell is half the size of the standard 15 x 15cm cell. With a cell conversion efficiency of 16.5%, the maximum output of the entire panel reaches fifty-odd watts. The portions where three bus bars are believed to exist were covered with a black component. (more…)

Nikkei Electronics Asia, May 29, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090529/170990/

Sharp Corp has developed what it claims is the industry’s thinnest solar module, the LR0GC02. The module achieves a thickness of just 0.8mm by effective use of compact semiconductor packaging technology.  The solar cells that make up the module are based on polycrystalline silicon and deliver a maximum power of 300mW, and as an auxiliary power source for mobile devices, will contribute to saving energy. In addition, the electrode pattern on the cell surface can be formed to meet the requirements of device manufacturers, leading to increased design flexibility for mobile devices. The product will be introduced to the global market. Mass production is expected to start in July this year.

Nikkei Electronics Asia, Jun 24, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090624/172196/

National Semiconductor Corp announced that West Holdings has become its first Japanese photovoltaic (PV) business partner. In addition, the company announced that it has started shipping its SolarMagic power optimizers in Japan. West Holdings is Japan’s leading company in environment-compatible home remodeling and improvement businesses such as photovoltaic systems, all-electric home appliances and house insulation services. West Holdings began selling SolarMagic power optimizers on June 22 through House Care, one of its member companies. (more…)

Nikkei Electronics Asia, Jun 24, 2009
Source. TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090624/172197/

Shimane Sanyo Electric Co Ltd said it will start up an HIT solar cell production line, in anticipation of an active demand for photovoltaic systems worldwide stimulated by economic packages as represented by the Green New Deal. The production line will be installed on the second floor of Factory Building No.3 and is scheduled to begin operation in April 2010. (more…)

Tetsuo Nozawa, Nikkei Electronics, Jan 26, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090126/164568/

Nippon Oil Corp (Eneos) and Sanyo Electric Co Ltd established Sanyo Eneos Solar Co Ltd, a joint company for producing amorphous Si thin-film solar cells and marketing power generation systems, Jan 23, 2009.  The investment ratio is 50:50. Panasonic Corp, which became the parent company of Sanyo, has not made any direct investment at this point.  For the joint company, Sanyo will take charge of the development of manufacturing technologies for thin-film solar cells as well as the production of cells and modules. And Eneos will be responsible for the construction of large-scale power generation systems using the modules as well as the distribution and sale of the products. Eneos will also provide material technologies for gases (eg, hydrogen gas) required in the cell production, the company said. (more…)

Seoul, Korea Jun 16, 2009
Source: Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE55F19B20090616

 Flat-screen maker LG Display Co Ltd said on Tuesday it would invest 50 billion won ($40 million) in a pilot line and testing facility for solar power cells, aiming for commercial production in 2012.  LG Display, the world’s No. 2 maker of liquid crystal display screens, is one of many technology firms broadening their business to the high-potential renewable energy areas. (more…)

Exclusive two-year supply agreement calls for a minimum of 5.7 megawatts of Solar Power, Inc.’s modules with shipments to begin immediately. 
Roseville, CA, June 18, 2009
Source: Solar Power Inc press release
http://www.solarpowerinc.net/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=71

Solar Power, Inc. (“SPI”) (OTCBB: SOPW) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with the Australian solar developer Beyond Building Systems Pty Ltd. (“BBS”) for the purchase of SPI’s 170 – 220-watt solar modules. The agreement provides BBS with exclusive access to SPI’s highly rated panels for use throughout Australia.  The two-year supply agreement calls for a minimum purchase of 5.7 megawatts of SPI modules with shipments commencing in June. (more…)

Kyoto, Jun 19, 2009 
By Mayumi Negishi and Reiji Murai
Source: Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/
idUSTRE55I1EH20090619?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0
 
Kyocera Corp, fighting to hold its own in a competitive solar panel market, is banking on a revival of Japanese subsidies to bolster sales, and said orders for its panels in Japan have jumped this year.  Kyocera, which has been losing market share amid price competition with rivals Q-Cells, First Solar and Suntech, has also seen a slight recovery in orders for its solar panels in Europe, its president said on Friday. Japan is also home to Sharp Corp and Sanyo Electric Co, which along with Kyocera are pioneers in solar panels, but the market remains small amid on-again, off-again state support for the technology.  “There’s a strong tailwind in Japan,” Kyocera President Tetsuo Kuba told Reuters in an interview. “This year (the strength of orders) is completely different.” (more…)

Source: SolarPlaza.com, June 4, 2009

RGE Energy AG is partnering with BP Solar in planning one of the world’s largest solar projects. The large-scale PV installation with over 46 megawatt peak (MWp) will be built in Koethen, Saxony-Anhalt.  Around 210,000 crystalline photovoltaic modules with an output of 220 watt peak each will be supplied by BP Solar and installed by RGE Energy AG.  Reyad Fezzani, CEO of BP Solar, and Elias Issa, CEO of RGE Energy AG, announced the news in Munich at ‘Intersolar’, the world’s largest solar exhibition. (more…)