Solar Cells Info

Toledo is fighting to become a leader in solar power.
Toledo, OH, December 15, 2008
Source: Vindy.com
http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/dec/15/toledo-turns-to-solar-panels-to-revive-city/

The smell of fresh paint drifts through an almost-empty warehouse. Near the back, researchers inspect a solar panel that’s lighter and more flexible than traditional models.  Within the last year, the number of employees at Xunlight Corp. has grown from 16 to 64. And there’s plenty of room for more. It’s among nine companies — from one of the world’s biggest solar panel makers to a handful of startups — that are turning this Rust Belt city battered by job losses into a research hub for converting sunlight into energy. “This is our chance,” said Xunming Deng, a physics professor who founded Xunlight. (more…)

by Max Jarman – Dec. 13, 2008
Source; The Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/
articles/2008/12/13/20081213biz-amtech1213.html

Substantial growth in sales of its solar-cell production equipment led to a much improved revenue and profit picture reported Wednesday by Amtech Systems Inc.  The Tempe-based producer of equipment used to make semiconductors and solar power cells said its revenue more than doubled to $26.8 million in its fourth quarter that ended Sept. 30. (more…)

By Nichola Groom, Los Angeles, Dec 18, 2008
Source: Reuters/Guardian UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8165544

As dismal as 2008 has been for solar stocks, next year doesn’t look any brighter.  Funding for solar projects and factory expansions remains scarce, prices on panels are falling faster than expected as supplies jump, and a dramatic drop in oil prices has tempered investor appetite for renewable energy stocks.  There is palpable optimism, however, that the new U.S. presidential administration will move rapidly on legislation to boost demand for alternative energy sources. Still, it remains to be seen how quickly that would get done and what form it will take.  “It will be a tumultuous year for most solar companies,” said Karina Funk, an analyst with Winslow Green Funds in Boston. (more…)

Source: Business Standar Reporter
Chennai/ Bangalore December 17, 2008, 20:24 IST

SEMI, the global industry body of the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic (PV) industries, has formally marked its presence in India by setting up an office in Bangalore.  Having the solar photovoltaic market as its initial area of focus out of India, SEMI will form a PV advisory committee comprising executives from major solar cell, module, equipment and material manufacturers to support various SEMI initiatives in India, Paul Davis, executive vice-president of SEMI, said. (more…)

Source: Azomaterials.com, Dec 18, 2008
http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=14993

Dow Corning Corporation announced today several billion dollars of investment to provide critical materials to the fast-growing solar technology industry. “Dow Corning and our Hemlock Semiconductor joint ventures hope to create a viable solar industry that produces new, high paying jobs, clean power technologies and a revitalized economy,” said Stephanie A. Burns, Dow Corning’s chairman, president and CEO. “We’re committing our resources, know-how and technology because we are confident that solar technology represents a tremendous opportunity for both clean energy and economic growth.” (more…)

Source: TradingMarkets.com, December 21, 2008
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2095252/

Nippon Yusen KK (TSE:9101) and Nippon Oil Corp. (TSE:5001) held a ceremony Friday to flip the switch on an oceangoing car carrier powered in part by solar cells.  The ship can transport as many as 6,200 cars, and its maiden voyage will be to the Middle East hauling cars made by Toyota Motor Corp. (TSE:7203). The deck of the carrier is fitted with 328 large solar modules which together can supply as much as 40kw of power. Nippon Oil developed the solar power system. This is the world’s first large ship to use solar cells as an integral power source. (more…)

Taipei, Taiwan,Oct 25, 2008 (Reuters)
Source: Auriasolar.com

Taiwan’s E-Ton Solar has joined with Lite-On Technology Corp, Hermes-Epitek Corp. and MiTAC-SYNNEX Group to establish a firm to make thin-film solar cells, the company said late on Thursday. E-Ton and photovoltaic parts maker Lite-On will be the largest shareholders with 23.9 percent each in the company,which will have an initial capacity of up to 60 megawatts (MW) and have the manufacturing facilities fully installed by theend of 2008, the company said in an e-mail statement. (more…)

Santa Fe, NM, Dec 16, 2008
Source: Signet Solar press release
http://www.signetsolar.com/pdf/Signet_Solar_Dec_16_2008_eng.pdf

Governor Bill Richardson today announced Signet Solar will build the company’s first North American solar panel production facility in Belen. The first phase of the plant will bring 200 high-wage jobs to the state and is scheduled to begin operations in 2010. Signet’s long-term plans call for expansion and the creation of a total of 600 jobs.  “As Governor, I’ve been dedicated to making New Mexico a national leader of renewable energy and the creation of green jobs,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “At a time of economic uncertainty, this project will create hundreds of jobs and reaffirm New Mexico as a clean energy state and major player in our nation’s effort build a new clean energy economy.” (more…)

Company Files International Patent for BioBacksheet™
Santa Clarita, CA – December 8, 2008
Source: BioSolar Inc press release
http://www.biosolar.com/view_news.php?id=40

BioSolar, Inc. (OTC BB: BSRC), the developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells, announced today that it has filed for worldwide patent protection of its proprietary BioBacksheet™. BioBacksheet is the world’s first solar cell backsheet made from renewable plant based materials, rather than expensive and environmentally unfriendly petroleum-based alternatives currently in use. (more…)

Three recent projects complete BP Solar’s portion of pilot project portfolio
Frederick, MD, 18 December 2008
Source: BP Solar USA press release
http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9019567&contentId=7049862

BP Solar today announced the completion of its solar power construction program for Wal-Mart. The company recently completed construction of three sites in California, including the 493.7 kilowatt (kW) solar power system at the Sam’s Club in La Habra, California, as well as systems at Wal-Mart Super Centers in Palm Springs (605.9 kW) and Beaumont (675.2 kW). The three systems totalling over 1.7 MW mark the final installations of BP Solar’s 4.1 MW commitment to Wal-Mart as part of the retailer’s solar pilot project. (more…)