Solar Cells Info

by Staff, Semiconductor International, June 25, 2009
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/295730-Ulvac_Rolls_PECVD_for_Tandem_PV_Cells.php

Ulvac Inc. (Chigasaki, Japan) has developed a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system for microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) deposition, aimed at tandem thin-film silicon photovoltaics. Ulvac, which sells turnkey lines for PV manufacturing, said the new system goes on sale next week and will be part of a turnkey line for tandem μc-Si solar cell production.  (more…)

Source: Prairie Business Magazine, July 01, 2009
http://www.prairiebizmag.com/articles/index.cfm?id=9691

The first solar motor was invented in 1861 by Auguste Mouchout, a steam engine powered entirely by the sun. Because the engine was expensive and England’s coal was cheap, enthusiasm for the invention quickly lost steam.  In 1876, William Grylls Adams discovered that light shining on selenium shed electrons, which created electricity. Albert Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics for research on the photoelectric effect, which is central to the generation of electricity through solar cells. (more…)

Tokyo, 29th June, 2009
Source: JapanToday.com
http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/
showa-shell-saudi-aramco-plan-joint-solar-power-project

Showa Shell Sekiyu KK will embark on a multibillion yen solar power generation project with Saudi Arabian Oil Co, a state-run firm known as Saudi Aramco, in 2010. The project, which will also involve the Japanese oil distributor’s wholly owned subsidiary, Showa Shell Solar Co, will seek to deliver electricity to families and schools, for example in regional areas in the oil-rich nation that lack sufficient power infrastructure, Showa Shell Sekiyu officials said.

Source: Environmental Leader.com, June 22, 2009
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/06/22/
toyota-tries-to-keep-wraps-under-solar-car/

Toyota reportedly is developing a car that would be charged solely by solar, reports the Associated Press. The futuristic car is years away from market, however, the report notes. From a story originally published in the Nikkei newspaper and not verified by Toyota, the automaker’s solar car would get some of its power from solar cells on the vehicle, and the rest from solar panels on the rooftop of the home where the car is parked. (more…)

By David Tan, George Town, July 4, 2009
Source: The Star Online
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?
file=/2009/7/4/business/4218713&sec=business

Companies in the northern region are now making strategic moves to enter into the solar power business, as the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) has identified solar power sector as a new source of growth for the economy.  Three public-listed companies in Penang, P. I.E. Industrial Bhd, Ire-Tex Corp Bhd, and Pentamaster Corp Bhd, have recently invested to tap into the growing market demand for solar products in the country and in the world.  The global revenue from solar panels (known also as photovoltaic panels) is expected to rise to US$17.8bil in 2010, up 38.2% from 2009. Revenue will rise by another 11.1% in 2011 and by 29.1% in 2012, according to US-based market research company, iSuppli Corp. (more…)

Source: Examiner.com/ July 4, 2009
http://www.examiner.com/x-8199-Breakthrough-Energy-Examiner~y2009m7d4-
First-spacetoearth-solar-power-station-targeted-for-Oct-2010

Sir Charles Shults of Xenotech Research describes their current projects, including assisting deployment of an orbital solar power station; ramping up for manufacturing of an affordable, modular 500W Solar Pod for purchase within six months; and designing a residential wind turbine expected to be 1/3 the cost of others.

Last Monday, I interviewed Sir Charles Shults III of Xenotech Research which has several projects under way:   1) moving near the New Mexico space port to expedite development of an orbital solar power project for deployment in Oct. 2010;   2) ramping up for manufacturing of an affordable, modular 500W Solar Pod for purchase within six months; 3) designing a residential wind turbine expected to be 1/3 the cost of others.  (more…)

Taipei, By Deborah Kuo /3 July 2009
Source: Central News Agency /eTaiwanNews
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?
id=993541&lang=eng_news&cate_img=35.jpg&cate_rss=news_Business

AxunTek Solar Energy, the first company in Taiwan to have developed cutting-edge CIGS thin-film technology for green energy, is set to upgrade and expand its production of CIGS thin-film solar cells and related products in a new plant, company officials said Friday.  The Export Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs gave the green light that day to a new investment plan proposed by AxunTek to build a manufacturing plant at an EPZ in the southernmost county of Pingtung for expanded research and production of CIGS thin-film solar cells. Under the plan, AxunTek will invest NT$6.99 billion (US$212.43 million) for the expansion of CIGS thin-film solar cell research and production, according to the EPZA. (more…)