Solar Cells Info

Garbsen/Suhl, 15 January 2007
Source. LPKF Press release
http://www.lpkf.com/lpkf-group/press-center/press-releases-2007.htm

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG in Garbsen/Germany now sells laser systems for the structuring of thin film solar cells to enter the strongly growing photovoltaic market. First orders are already being processed. The systems are being developed in close co-operation with a subsidiary in Suhl/Germany LPKF Motion & Control. The system bears the trademark LPKFSolar.
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Source: azobuild.com  /5th January 2007
http://www.azobuild.com/news.asp?newsID=2940
http://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/resources/pressoffice/news.aspx?id=1238&r=0&t=0

Going green and installing energy efficient renewable technologies – like solar panels – should no longer be the preserve of the middle class, or for politicians to point score, the UK’s largest housing and regeneration group said today. “Places for People”, which is responsible for around 60,000 properties across the UK, warned the government that the looming threat posed by climate change could only be tackled if greater financial incentives were made available to housing groups and people on low incomes.

The call comes as the company announces a unique tie-in with leading solar panel manufacturer Viridian Solar, placing an order for up to 250 low-cost solar panels to be installed in affordable homes across the UK next year. It is thought to be the single biggest commitment to installing solar panels by a UK housing group. The installation of the first 50 solar panels will take place in Summer 2007 at McCutcheon Court – a flagship regeneration scheme in Walker Riverside, Newcastle.
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Esther Lam, DigiTimes.com, Taipei / 15 January 2007
source. DigiTimes Taiwan
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070115VL208.html

Already billed as the as the top solar cell maker, Sharp plans to further expand both its silicon and solar cell capacity and aims to house a total capacity of 710 megawatts (MW) power annually, according to the company. Sharp announced on January 12 that it is opening a new site for its solar systems group in Toyama City, Toyama prefecture in Japan. The company plans to invest five billion yen with an approximate annual silicon capacity of a thousand tons of silicon. Production at the site is slated to start in January 2007.
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Paul Kilduff, Special to The San Francisco Chronicle  /January 6, 2007
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/06/HOGVMNCB361.DTL&hw=solarcity&sn=001&sc=1000

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to leave less of a carbon footprint on this overheated old orb of ours, no doubt you’ve considered going solar. That is, until you took a gander at the considerable costs of putting a rack of electricity-generating photovoltaic cells on your roof. After rebates for an average 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot home, it’ll cost you about $15,000. It’s enough to make you consider trading in your SUV for a used Prius instead.

But harnessing the sun’s power for your own electrical needs doesn’t have to be a solo project. As a group of homeowners in Portola Valley working with a new solar power company has demonstrated, economies of scale (i.e., getting a discount by buying in bulk) can apply to solar power installation as well. Working with SolarCity, 68 homeowners in Portola Valley signed up last month to convert their houses to solar power at a 25 to 30 percent discount over the cost of going it alone.
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Foster City, CA – January 8, 2007
Source: SolarCity Announcement
http://www.solarcity.com/spacex.aspx

SolarCity, a provider of comprehensive solar solutions, has completed phase one of a commercial solar power system for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX). The move marks the company’s entry into the Southern California commercial solar market.  SolarCity installed an initial 29 kW roof-mounted solar array at SpaceX’s El Segundo facility in only four-and-a-half days, and expects it will quadruple the system’s size in subsequent stages. The SpaceX solar system uses unique patented hardware, which mounts quickly and requires no roof penetration.
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January 15, 2007
Source: Kyocera Solar press release
http://www.kyocerasolar.com/news/news_detail.cfm?key=305

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is proud to announce a key distribution agreement with TESSCO Technologies Incorporated. TESSCO, a supplier of wireless communications and networking products and solutions, is set to begin the new relationship with Kyocera Solar, Inc. this month. With the distribution agreement, Kyocera Solar, Inc. will provide solar powered wireless communication solutions to TESSCO for resale through their various supply channels. Under the terms of the agreement, TESSCO will offer Kyocera’s wireless solutions, as well as provide training and support for the products.
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January 17, 2007
Source; Feature article/ Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/on-the-horizon-solarpowered-tankers-to-slake-sydneys-thirst/2007/01/16/1168709754693.html

Richard Macey reports on a plan to build ships using wind and solar energy to transport water from Tasmanian dams to parched mainland cities. THE dream of a transcontinental pipeline carrying water from Australia’s wet north to the drought-stricken southern cities appears all but dead.

Rising from its ashes is a proposal to ship water from Tasmania to Sydney.
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(written in German by Rosmarie Kayser, published at Bethlehem Mission Immensee, Switzerland
/translated by Wolfy Becker  / 15 January, 2007
Source: Livinginperu.com
http://www.livinginperu.com/blogs/features/246

At the beginning of January, Swiss solar energy engineer is flying to Peru and stay there for the next three years. On behalf of the Bethlehem Mission Immensee (http://www.bethlehem-mission.ch/) he will participate in a project that will introduce simple solar energy techniques to the population high up in the Andes.

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Employee-Volunteers of San Jose-Based Company Will Help Finish Two Local Homes

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec 15, 2006
source: SunPower press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=222605

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world’s highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, today announced that a team of SunPower volunteers will spend the day finalizing two of Habitat for Humanity’s homes located on Murphy Avenue in San Jose. The volunteers will assist with painting and landscaping, readying the home for their new occupants. SunPower has experienced significant growth since its move to San Jose earlier this year and now it’s time to step into a leadership role and give back to the community,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corporation. “With housing prices continuing to sky-rocket, it’s very rewarding to help these families realize their dream of owing their own home. We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity and to volunteer our time.”
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Lennar’s 650 New Homes Expected to Save 40 to 60 Percent on Electric Bills

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan 15, 2007
Source: SunPower Press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=225664

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world’s highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, and its subsidiary PowerLight Corporation, today announced the opening of the nation’s largest solar-powered neighborhood. Built by Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) in Roseville, Calif., the planned 650 homes will use SunPower’s roof-integrated SunTile(R) solar electric system, featuring the world’s most efficient solar cell. Lennar estimates that homeowners are expected to save an average of 40 to 60 percent on their monthly electric bills.
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