Solar Cells Info

Fremont, CA, March 31, 2009
Source: Solyndra Inc. press release
http://www.solyndra.com/News/Press-Release-033109

Solyndra Inc., a manufacturer of proprietary photovoltaic (PV) systems designed to optimize solar electricity production on commercial rooftops, announced the completion and full operation of a 132 kWp system by SPG Solar, Inc., on the rooftop of Cinema West’s Livermore Cinemas in Livermore, CA. This project is one of many major commercial installations that have been completed or are underway with Solyndra PV systems in the US and Europe.    (more…)

Fremont, CA, March 20, 2009
Source: Solyndra Inc press release
http://www.solyndra.com/News/

Solyndra, Inc. announced today that it is the first company to receive an offer for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  Solyndra, a Fremont, California-based manufacturer of innovative cylindrical photovoltaic systems, will use the proceeds of a $535 million loan from the U.S. Treasury’s Federal Financing Bank to expand its solar panel manufacturing capacity in California. (more…)

* European Patent Office revokes Swiss university’s patent
* Applied Materials had been accused of violating patent
SAN FRANCISCO, March 3, 2009
Source: Reuters-UK
(Reporting by Clare Baldwin; Editing by Edwin Chan and John Wallace)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUKN3142574820090331

The European Patent Office on Tuesday revoked a solar patent issued to a Swiss university in an apparent victory for chip gear-maker Applied Materials Inc (AMAT.O). The solar photovoltaic technology patent was issued to the University of Neuchatel and licensed exclusively to Oerlikon Corp (OERL.VX), a Swiss technology group, Applied Materials said. Oerlikon had alleged the patent was being violated by Germany’s SunFilm AG, a key customer of Applied Materials. (more…)

by Hiroshi Idegawa, Nikkei Monozukuri /Mar 24, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090324/167611/

Toray Industries Inc developed a new polymer donor material, a main material for organic thin-film solar cells, and realized an organic thin-film solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 5.5%. The conversion efficiency is higher than the 5.15%, the highest efficiency that has so far been announced in academic conferences. The company plans to further improve the material performance, aiming to commercialize an organic thin-film solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 7% until 2015. (more…)

Asia’s dominance in producing solar cells and panels is expected to grow as more European and American companies set up factories while Asian companies do the same, says a new solar report from Greentech Media.
by: Ucilia Wang, February 12, 2009
Source: GreenTechMedia.com
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/go-east-solar-companies-5679.html

Asia already has more solar equipment manufacturing capacity than other regions in the world. That dominance will likely grow.  By 2012, Asia (including Japan) could produce 82 percent of the world’s crystalline silicon solar cells, up from 71 percent in 2008, according to a new GTM Research report, “PV Technology, Production and Cost, 2009 Forecast: The Anatomy of a Shakeout.”  The news might not be embraced by those in the United States hoping to ensure that federal legislation is in place to help solar companies make their products in the U.S. instead of abroad. (more…)

Suntech’s Shi Zhengrong built one of the world’s biggest solar-power companies. Now, with economies slowing, he faces the challenge of a lifetime.
By Bill Powell, senior writer, February 11, 2009:
Source: CNNMoney.com/FORTUNE
http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/11/news/international/powell_shi.fortune/

On a chilly Saturday afternoon in mid-January, Shi Zhengrong, casually dressed and smiling as if he didn’t have a care in the world, walked into the stunning new building that is now the headquarters of Suntech Power Holdings, the company he founded and built from scratch just eight years ago.  (more…)

Tokyo, 10 Feb 2009
Source: AFP/Google News
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5iMqIODD8BGFa6g9cW_KIaf6qT7Qw

Sanyo Electric Co. said Tuesday it plans to build a new solar cell plant in Japan, as it aims to double its production of the technology to meet growing demand for clean energy.  Japanese companies are continuing to invest in the development of environmentally friendly products, vying for a share of a market they hope will buck the recession. (more…)

Solar pioneer’s approach to high-volume manufacturing provides foundation for new economy dominated by “green jobs”
Hillsboro, Ore., October 17, 2008
Source: Solar World, press release
http://www.solarworld-usa.com/SolarWorld-Opens-North.2679.0.html

SolarWorld, a world leader in high quality solar power technology, today opens North America’s largest solar cell manufacturing facility. The new plant is located in Hillsboro, Oregon and is expected to reach a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) by 2011.  Solar power is increasingly considered the most promising energy alternative because of advances in technology and high-volume manufacturing. Facilities like the one SolarWorld is pioneering will reduce the costs of solar power and increase the number of green jobs, accelerating commercial and residential installations of solar panels and overall economic growth. (more…)

Tokyo, January 23, 2009
Source: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd press release
http://www.sanyo.com/news/2009/01/23-1en.html

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. and Nippon Oil Corporation today announced that they have decided to launch a joint company for the production and sale of thin-film solar panels, to be named SANYO ENEOS Solar Co., Ltd. (more…)

Frisco, TX, January 15, 2009
Source: Sanyo Energy Corp. press release
http://us.sanyo.com/News/
SANYO-Exhibits-HIT-Double-Solar-Panels-at-The-New-American-Home-2009

SANYO Energy (U.S.A.) Corporation, a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO), will display its advanced HIT®* Double solar panels at The New American Home® 2009, while participating in the 2009 International Builders’ Show® (IBS), from January 20 – 23, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #C7759.  SANYO has donated 56 HIT Double bifacial solar panels to be integrated in trellis and awning structures for The New American Home®, which serves as the official showcase house of the IBS. (more…)