Solar Cells Info

by Aaron Hand, Executive Editor, Electronic Media, Sept 2, 2008
Source: Semiconductor International
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA6591790.html

Particularly with this year’s European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) taking place in Valencia, Spain, presenters and attendees alike are up in arms over the latest draft of the Spanish incentives for its solar industry. Spain’s current feed-in regulations for photovoltaic plants will run out at the end of this month, and the incentives are expected to be cut drastically — from a current cap of 1 GW to one of only 300 MW, which is expected to be about one-third of the country’s market size in 2008. (more…)

by Mark Selfe / 02 September 2008
Source: RedHerring.com
http://www.redherring.com/blogs/24784

It was the Greek philosopher Plato who first coined the phrase ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and given the current global food shortage and ever increasing population trend, his old adage could never be more appropriately illustrated than with the latest plan to bring life to the barren sands of the Sahara.  The ingenious plan, known as the Sahara Forest Project is simple: combine huge greenhouses with concentrated solar power (CSP) and plain old seawater. The solar power provides electricity for the farm of greenhouses, the desalination of the seawater provides both the freshwater and cooling required to grow a wide variety of crops. (more…)

Source: http://www.artemide.us/    Sept. 4, 2008
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/solar_tree_to_debut_in_venice_10997.asp

Solar Tree, created by Ross Lovegrove, was developed and produced by Artemide in collaboration with Sharp Solar, world leader in solar cells production. This revolutionary urban lighting project works with the most advanced solar technology respecting not only environmental issues but also cultural and social aspects of today’s world. Solar Tree demanded very complex studies and analyses which Artemide has conducted with great commitment and sensitivity regarding ecological demands.

“Artemide has been considering social responsibility and sustainability for a long while now” says Ernesto Gismondi, the President of Artemide. “Respecting life, environment and all the natural resources available means facing the energy saving issue in a very serious way. Consequently advanced and high technical capacity technologies are created”. “Solar Tree is a project that celebrates design, nature and art”, says Ross Lovegrove, one of the most famous contemporary designers.

“Solar Tree represents the DNA of our time and it also shows it is possible to create beautiful things using the most advanced technology” Solar Tree is a sinuous tree made of steel pipes each one supporting a light bubble, to which there are 38 sophisticated solar cells connected to a battery system and to an electronic device hidden in its base. The light source consists of an array of LEDs which is the most advanced technology in lighting today.

After the great success obtained at MAK in Vienna (October 2007), in one of the most prestigious squares in Milano – Piazza della Scala – (November 2007) and in the wonderful Champs Elysees in Paris (February 2008), Solar Tree’s european tour continues. From April 6th will be in Frankfurt-am-Main at Light + Building 2008

Ross Lovegrove’s Solar Trees have been on tour in cities across Europe and make their next stop in Venice at the Biennale dell’ Architettura. Designed to resemble a bouquet of flowers, the petals are lined with LED bulbs and photovoltaic cells. During the day the flower absorbs energy to recharge a battery pack which illuminates the LED bulbs at dusk.

Arguably this is not a new idea, every year designers and design students pump out their version of this concept but it seems it’s going to take the efforts of prominent design figure Lovegrove and heavyweight lighting manufacture Artemide to raise the public awareness.

Source: Environmental Research Web.com / Sept 2, 2008
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/futures/35662

Solar energy can make a large contribution to the energy needs of two-thirds of the world’s population by 2030, including those in remote areas. That’s according to Solar Generation, a report from Greenpeace and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).  “Solar photovoltaic electricity has the potential to supply energy to more than four billion people by 2030 if adequate policy measures are put in place today,” said Ernesto Macias, EPIA president, as the report was presented at the 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference in Valencia, Spain.

By the end of 2007 more than 9,200 MW of solar photovoltaic systems had been installed around the world. But by 2030 Solar Generation estimates that more than 1800 GW of photovoltaic systems will have been installed worldwide, creating more than 2600 TWh of the electricity produced per year – or 14% of global electricity demand. The power would be enough to supply more than 1.3 billion people in developed areas and at least 3 billion people in remote rural areas who currently have no access to mains electricity. (more…)

Valencia, Spain – 1 Sept. 2008
Source: Advent Solar Inc, press release

Advent Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative solar cells and modules, today announced the solar industry’s first cell-to-module solar architecture – Advent Solar® Ventura Technology™. Ventura Technology provides a platform-level design by combining Emitter-Wrap Through (EWT) back-contact cells with semiconductor device manufacturing methods to create a highly scalable platform for module manufacturing. With Ventura Technology, Advent Solar will develop solar cells and modules that deliver high energy output by optimizing silicon light capture, and dramatically improving cell and module-level connectivity to minimize resistive losses. The architecture provides higher cell-to-module efficiency, while using thinner silicon wafers to reduce costs. The company also launched a new logo and brand strategy to convey its new business and technology direction. (more…)

Source: Energy Efficiency News.com / 04 sept 2008
http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/power-generation/i/1223/

Photovoltaic (PV) technology could generate enough electricity to meet 14% of global demand and cut CO2 emissions by 1.6 billion tonnes – equivalent to 450 coal-fired power plants – by 2030, according a joint report from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and Greenpeace International. “Solar photovoltaic electricity has the potential to supply energy to over 4 billion people by 2030 if adequate policy measures are put in place today,” said EPIA President Ernesto Macias at the report launch in Spain. (more…)

Shelton, Conn and Toronto, Canada, Sept. 03, 2008
Source: OPEL International Inc, press release/MarketWatch

OPEL International Inc. (CA:OPL: news, chart, profile) (“OPEL” or “the Company”), a leading global developer and supplier of high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) and other solar products, today announced that testing of its Mk-I HCPV solar panel verified that it qualifies under the provisions of the IEC 62108 standard. With the achievement of this milestone, OPEL has positioned itself to be a leading supplier of HCPV panels in the important European market and beyond.

OPEL’s Mk-I will now ship bearing the CE label indicating compliance with European market requirements, meeting the quality standard for PV products and other solar equipment in European markets. The CE certification of OPEL’s Mk-I product will allow OPEL’s customers to apply for permits and feed-in-tariff contracts, thereby accelerating the deployment of their planned installations.
In addition, with CE qualification completed, a number of market opportunities are now open for OPEL’s Mk-I

HCPV panels in other markets that use European standards as guidelines for their own installations.
“With this CE Qualification, we have achieved a very ambitious milestone that we set for ourselves earlier in the year, and done so ahead of schedule,” said Dr Javier Berrios, OPEL’s Vice President of Engineering. “I can’t be more pleased with our Qualification and the performance of the high efficiency Mk-I HCPV panel. Most importantly, our customers in Europe, Asia and the Mid-East will now receive Mk-I HCPV panels with CE labels for their applications.”

The Mk-I concentrates light more than 600 times and has one of the highest efficiencies of concentrators in commercial production today. The Mk-I was shipped to customers in the Czech Republic, France, Spain, Korea and the United States, for large scale solar grid field applications.

Shelton, CT and Toronto, ON, August 25, 2008
Source: OPEL international Inc, press release
http://www.opelinc.com/invest.htm

OPEL International Inc., a leading global developer and supplier of concentrating photovoltaic panels (CPVs),
today announced that the Company and its partners have applied for a permit to build a solar grid field in excess of 700 kW in Spain.  Following completion of the deployment, the grid field will be owned by a third-party group acting as power suppliers. Opel will supply the project with its Mk-I high efficiency concentrator panels and dual axis trackers. This combination of products will ensure that the grid field yields the maximum number of kilowatt hours attainable.

This opportunity in Spain is attributable to upcoming changes in Spain’s solar feed-in tariff structure. These changes, in conjunction with the deployment of OPEL’s high efficiency CPV panels, are expected to result in a favorable operating cost structure for the eventual operators of the grid field. Banking arrangements are already in place for the permit process filing.  « This is an important milestone for OPEL, » said Robert Pico, CEO of OPEL International. « Spain has taken a leadership position in promoting solar power and we’re excited about the opportunity to sell our CPV products and trackers into this exciting market. I look forward to reporting on our progress with this initiative in the near future. »

About OPEL International
With operations headquartered in Shelton, CT and Toronto, Ontario, Canada OPEL designs,
manufactures and markets innovative, state-of-the-art solar technology products designed to convert
solar energy into electricity – at the least possible cost and greatest efficiency. The Company’s products
are based on technology developed in cooperation with the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) and
the Canadian National Research Centre (Ottawa, ON).

Initiates Program with Broad Application in NortheastShelton, CT and Toronto, ON, June 18, 2008
Source. OPEL International, press release
http://www.opelinc.com/invest.htm

OPEL International, a leading global developer and supplier of concentrating photovoltaic panels (CPVs), today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Town of Plainville, CT, under which OPEL will install solar power panels on the roof of Linden Street School. Under this innovative 20-year program, OPEL will own and operate the installation and sell clean electricity to the Town at rates below those currently being paid, with no capital costs incurred by the Town.

« Plainville is thrilled to be a leading town in Connecticut introducing a solar power program for its schools, » said Robert Lee, Plainville Town Manager. « Not only are we reducing our electricity costs, we’re making a meaningful contribution to environmentally responsible energy consumption. We look forward to broadening our use of this innovative program and technology. ». « This agreement is the result of a concerted effort by Plainville’s leadership to incorporate clean solar power in our jurisdiction, » said Jason Rupaka, a member of Plainville’s town council. « I look forward to bringing this program to other schools and municipal buildings in our community. »

« We’re very excited about this initial installation, which represents a very attractive way for municipalities to reduce electricity costs in an environmentally responsible manner, » said Bob Malton, Manager of Business Development for OPEL. « We believe this is a template for a potential large scale program of similar installations that present a great win-win solution for both OPEL and municipalities across Connecticut and elsewhere. »

The solar panels, which OPEL sources under an agreement with Solarfun Power Holding Co. Ltd., are listed with both UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) and California’s Energy Commission, making them eligible to participate in the solar incentive programs of various states in the US. OPEL integrates the panels with its product line of solar trackers, resulting in an increase of up to 40% in the power output of the panels when compared with fixed mounted installations. This combination results in a faster payback and lower kilowatt-hour costs.

About OPEL International
With operations headquartered in Shelton, CT and Toronto, Ontario, Canada OPEL designs, manufactures and markets innovative, state-of-the-art solar technology products designed to convert solar energy into electricity – at the least possible cost and greatest efficiency. The Company’s products are based on technology developed in cooperation with the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) and the Canadian National Research Centre (Ottawa, ON). A leader in gallium arsenide and solar photovoltaic technology, the Company has been awarded 23 patents and has 23 more patents pending. OPEL’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange OPEL International Inc.

By WALTER O’BRIEN, STAFF WRITER
Readington, September 2, 2008
Source: Central Jersey.com
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/

The largest ground-mounted solar-power tracking system east of the Mississippi River is coming to the Whitehouse Station section of the township.  Merck & Co. is installing a 1.6-megawatt solar power tracking system utilizing about 7,000 solar panels covering seven acres of its 1,000-acre world headquarters site before the end of 2008. The project is expected to generate 2.5 million kilowatt-hours annually, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 1,300 tons each year. (more…)