Solar Cells Info

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Rodney Chan, 29 October 2007
Source: DIGITIMES
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20071029PD203.html

Some Taiwan-based players who are developing thin-film solar cells are considering quitting the segment because of the high technological barrier, difficulties in sourcing funding and marketing concerns, according to market sources.  So far, nine Taiwan-based companies have said they are developing thin-film solar cells. But the sources indicated that the huge investments required for the development towards taking the conversion efficiency beyond the current 5-8% has been a major factor causing some of the makers to consider quitting the segment or look into selling their thin-film units.
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ICP Solar Technologies announces new Coleman® Solar Charger Program at Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club division. New Launch expands “eco friendly” partnership
Montreal, Canada, May 29, 2007
Source: ICP SOlar Technologies, Inc. press release

ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ICPR and FRANKFURT: K1U.F) today announced that it has launched its 2007 Coleman® Solar Charger programme at Wal-Mart’s (NYSE:WMT) Sam’s Club division for Samsclub.com. The new range of latest generation thin-film solar panels has recently begun to hit the warehouse club’s website at samsclub.com. This Coleman line of portable solar chargers is designed for outdoor enthusiasts to provide backup or primary power for vehicles such as automobiles, boats, RVs and also for remote living applications The Coleman panels are up to 50% more efficient than competitively branded thin-film amorphous solar chargers on similar “mass merchant” retail shelves in the USA. (more…)

Michael Hoffman, Nov. 4, 2007
Source: Dailytech.com
http://www.dailytech.com/article9345.htm

Sharp will try to snap a larger share of a growing market.   Sharp Corp. officials reported the company plans to increase production of thin-film silicon solar cells over the next year at a Sharp plant located in the Nara Prefecture, Japan.  The increased production is directly related to a global shortage of silicon, company officials said.  Sharp is currently the No. 1 maker of solar cells in the world. (more…)

Tokyo, Nov 5, 2007
Source: Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSTKG00285520071105

Japanese chemicals and silicon maker Tokuyama Corp. said on Monday the market for solar cells in in a bubble situation.  “The market is very feverish,” Managing Director Yukio Muranaga told Reuters in an interview. “I have no doubt that demand for solar batteries will grow, but I don’t think it will grow at 30 percent or 40 percent a year as people seem to think.”
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San Francisco, CA, Nov. 9 , 2007
Source: CNN Money. com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CNF03209112007-1.htm

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. , one of the world’s leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced the completion of the first stage of a 3MW solar energy system for WEPCO (Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.). WEPCO is a subsidiary of KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation), South Korea’s largest power company.
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by Jamie Welham, Oct. 26, 2007
Source: Islington Tribune
http://www.thecnj.co.uk/islington/2007/102607/inews102607_18.html

A SOLAR panel will be put on the roof of a primary school in the latest bid to cut carbon emissions. The council’s Climate Change Fund has secured just over £10,000 for the renewable energy project which will be part of a new classroom block at the Grafton Primary School in Holloway. It is one of four environmentally friendly installations at schools and community centres across the borough. (more…)

by Sion Barry, Western Mail, Oct 31 2007
Source. ICWales.co.uk
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/
2007/10/31/green-firm-s-solar-power-fridges-win-ghana-deal-91466-20035277/

RENEWABLE-ENERGY company Dulas has secured a major new order from Ghana’s health ministry for its solar-powered vaccine fridges.  The deal for the Machynlleth- based firm comes after promoting its vaccine fridge at the MedicAfrica exhibition in Lusaka, Zambia, two years ago.

One of these fridges was presented to the Zambian Government as a gift from the Welsh Assembly Government at the trade show and Dulas representatives also delivered a letter to Zambia’s President Mwanawasa from First Minister Rhodri Morgan.
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by Amy Westervelt, Nov 2, 2007
Source: Sustainable Industries.com
http://www.sustainableindustries.com/energy/10959551.html

Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY), already California’s largest commercial consumer of renewable energy, recently took steps to solidify its lead by switching the first of 23 planned stores over to solar power in early September 2007.   The 55,000-square-foot Dublin store now has 1,000 roof-top solar panels, which the company says will generate 7,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year. Safeway also buys wind energy to power its retail gas stations, and the company joined the Chicago Climate Exchange in 2006 with a pledge to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 390,000 tons below 2000 levels.
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International PV inverter manufacturer KACO confirms dedication to reducing use of fossil fuels
San Francisco, CA, 31 Oct. 2007
Source: Kaco Solar Inc, press release
http://www.kacosolar.com/zeroemissions.shtml
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story?id=50460

KACO Solar, Inc. and parent company KACO Geraetetechnik GmBH talk about their dedication to low carbon manufacturing processes and their zero emissions product.  KACO has been a leader in the PV inverter field for many years and as an industry leader has found it necessary to provide guidance to other manufacturers that have not yet realized that in the business of solar “it’s not just about what you do – but how you do it”, according to KACO President Ralf Hoffman.

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Hamilton Park Development’s 47 solar-powered homes selling rapidly
Huntington Beach, CA, 31 Oct 2007
Source: Sharp Solar Energy Solutions group press release

“By building homes that include solar electric power as a standard feature, Clarum is leading the way among homebuilders for the new energy standard in residential construction,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group. “We’re delighted that these homes are in such demand by discerning homebuyers that are concerned about their energy usage.”
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