Solar Cells Info

By Michael Kanellos, Staff Writer, CNET News.com / 15 August 2007
http://news.com.com/2100-11392_3-6202870.html
The specialist in CIGS solar cells plans to use the money to build factories for producing the panels.

Despite recent hiccups, the CIGS train rolls on. HelioVolt, which specializes in copper-indium-germanium-selenide (CIGS) solar cells, has raised $77 million in a second round of financing, some of which comes from a fund out of the oil-rich sultanate of Abu Dhabi.  The money will be used to build factories. HelioVolt hopes to start limited production in the middle of next year and ramp to full production by the first quarter of 2009, CEO B.J. Stanbery said in an interview. (more…)

Agreement to expand sale of UNI-SOLAR(R) products
Auburn Hills, Mich., July 24, 2007
Source: yahoo business news
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070724/cltu055.html?.v=101

United Solar Ovonic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER – News), announced today that it has signed a three-year distributor agreement with Advanced Green Technologies, Inc. for $108 Million of Photovoltaic (PV) products. A unit of Advanced Roofing, Inc., Advanced Green Technologies is offering sustainable building integrated solutions and renewable energy products for commercial and residential roofing applications using UNI-SOLAR® products. California and 12 other states have recently embraced energy efficiency initiatives and renewable energy policies in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
(more…)

Bendigo, July 19, 2007
Source: Treasury Dept of Govt. of Central Victoria, Press release
http://www.treasurer.gov.au/tsr/content/pressreleases/2007/064.asp

Central Victoria is the location of the fifth successful Solar City in Australia, the Treasurer, Peter Costello, and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull announced today. The Central Victorian Solar City consortium will receive up to $15 million in Australian Government funding to help change the way individuals, communities, businesses and governments think about and use energy. (more…)

Tucson, Az, July 30, 2007
Source: Tucson Electric Power, press release
http://www.tucsonelectric.com/Company/News/PressReleases/ReleaseTemplate.asp?idRec=281

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has been awarded a $100,000 federal grant for developing new methods to evaluate how effectively solar energy systems can replace traditional utility generating resources. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Initiative, which supports research and development efforts to encourage the use of solar energy. (more…)

by Staff Writers
Auburn Hills MI (SPX) Jul 30, 2007
Source: Solardaily.com

United Solar Ovonic has unveiled its new residential solar system in Traverse City, Mich. to power a Habitat for Humanity home. On July 22, Governors of several states participated in building a Habitat for Humanity home powered by the UNI-SOLAR lightweight, flexible thin-film solar panels. This aesthetically appealing residential solar system has low installation cost and short installation time. (more…)

San Francisco, CA, July 12, 2007
Source: Earthtimes.org
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/82207.html

The U.S. Energy Department has picked a Santa Clara University-Pacific Gas & Electric team for an international competition to build a solar-powered home. SCU was chosen by the Energy Department to participate in the 2007 Solar Decathlon, a competition where colleges and universities from around the world design, build and operate energy-efficient solar-powered homes. SCU is one of only 20 institutions to participate in this challenge. (more…)

Chicago, July 30, 2007
Source: Acciona Energy press release
http://www.acciona-energia.es/default.asp?x=00020401&z=000105&item=263

ACCIONA Energy has announced it has closed a $266 million long-term project financing for  Nevada Solar One, its 64-megawatt Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, the largest solar power plant built in the world in 16 years. The deal represents the first leveraged lease structured financing for a CSP plant in the United States. The leveraged lease structure was financed by debt participants Banco Santander and BBVA, headquartered in Spain, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos, headquartered in Portugal, and equity investors JPMorgan Capital Corporation, Northern Trust and Wells Fargo. (more…)

Expansion investment boosted from $70 million to $97 million to increase capacity, create new jobs, and use sustainable building techniques -$100,000 commitment to Maryland solar schools program
Frederick, MD, 16 July 2007
Source: BP Solar press release
http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=3050551&contentId=7034815

BP Solar and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley break ground today on what is now a $97 million expansion project that will further bolster the facility’s output of solar energy products. Already the largest fully integrated solar plant in North America, the plan is to nearly double the current casting and sizing capacity to approximately 150 MW and will create approximately 70 new jobs.
(more…)

Dayville, Connecticut – July 24, 2007
Source: Åmerican Capital Energy.com /press release
http://www.americancapitalenergy.com/news_detail.php?id=16
Installation of 1.19 Megawatt Solar Power System by American Capital Energy Expected to Provide 1.5 Gigawatt Hours Annually of Clean Energy Production
Extending its commitment to Environmentally Responsible Initiatives, United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) (the “Company”) today announced plans to install a 1.19 megawatt solar power system that will cover 175,000 square feet of rooftop at the Company’s 487,000 square foot distribution facility in Rocklin, CA. To develop and install the new solar power system, the Company contracted with American Capital Energy, a Massachusetts-based firm specializing in solar power project integration.
(more…)

Santa Rosa, Calif., July 26, 2007
Source: Earthtimes.org
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/87140.html

Hugh Futrell and SunPower have announced the opening of Sonoma County, Calif.’s first solar-electric new home community. California-based homebuilder Hugh Futrell Corp. and solar technology manufacturer SunPower teamed up to open the Bridge Trail at The North Village in Sonoma County. Each of Bridge Trail’s 43 homes feature a 1.9 kilowatt SunPower rooftop solar panel system, which qualifies homebuyers for a one-time federal tax credit of up to $2,000. (more…)