Solar Cells Info

9 March 2007
Source: Semiconductor Today
http://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/NEWS_2007/MAR_07/SIA_090307.htm

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the selection of 13 industry-led solar technology development projects for funding of up to $168m (over fiscal 2007-2009). The aim is to accelerate the commercialization of US-produced solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The funding is the first to be made available as part of President Bush’s Solar America Initiative (SAI), which is a component of the Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI) announced in his 2006 State of the Union Address.
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9 March 2007
Source:
http://compoundsemiconductor.net/articles/news/11/3/10/1

As the two inventors of the multi-junction solar cell are honored with a $1 million international prize, development of the technology in the US receives a massive boost from the Department of Energy’s Solar America Initiative. The development of multi-junction solar cells based on compound semiconductors has received a major financial boost.

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SolarWorld AG surpasses own 2006 forecast with group sales of 515 million EUR and profits of 130 million EUR –  SolarWorld AG / Final Results

Feb 12, 2007
Source: SolarWorld AG press release
http://www.dgap.de/link.php?von=19970101&typ=adhoc&isin=DE0005108401&sprache=en&a=10&v=en&id=68828

In fiscal year 2006 SolarWorld AG profitably expanded and internationalized  its group-wide business volume both through organic growth along the entire solar value chain and also through the acquisition of the Shell solar activities. In comparison with the previous year group sales rose by 45 per cent to 515   (previous year: 356) million EUR which was more than forecast. Without taking into consideration one-off effects like the lucrative Shell solar acquisition the group generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 118 million EUR. The after-tax annual result adjusted for these effects amounted to 73 (previous year: 52) million EUR which, as predicted by the Board of Management, was 40 per cent above the previous year.
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1 March 2007
Source: SolarWorld group press release
http://www.dgap.de/link.php?von=19970101&typ=adhoc&isin=DE0005108401&sprache=en&a=10&v=en&id=70067

In Hillsboro in the US federal state of Oregon SolarWorld AG is beginning
to establish an integrated solar silicon wafer and solar cell production
which will reach a capacity of 500 MW until the year  2009 thus at the same
time building the largest solar factory on the American continent. At a
price of only 30 million EUR the solar technology group succeeded in taking
over the silicon wafer production of the Japanese Komatsu Group which had
invested some 600 million EUR at the Hillsboro location – in the immediate
vicinity of the world’s largest factory of the chip manufacturer Intel –
but had never gone into production with the new facility due to a weak
demand situation in the chip industry. The SolarWorld Group will further
develop the new site with an investment of 300 million EUR. The federal
state of Oregon will support these investments with funds from its
Anti-Global-Warming-Program. Following this acquisition the SolarWorld
Group will shift its solar crystallization activities from Vancouver to
Hillsboro and already start up production in the summer of 2007. In the
first stage of the expansion capacities will be enhanced to 100 MW. At the
same time the group will double the capacities of its specialized solar
module factory at the Camarillo/California production site to 100 MW.
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Pennington,N.J.-(Business Wire), March 5, 2007
Source: Worldwater & Power Corp. press release

WorldWater & Power Corp. (OTC BB: WWAT), developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, today announced that it has been awarded a contract worth $5.7 million by Bayshore Recycling Corp. for installation of a 700 kilowatt system at the company’s Keasbey, New Jersey, headquarters. Bayshore, a large regional recycler of construction debris, will utilize the solar installation to power a significant portion of its operations. The firm recycles concrete, asphalt, brick, block, and slag, which are processed and transformed into marketable products. The contract is subject to finanacing by the customer and approval of a rebate by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
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Pennington, N.J., February 20, 2007 (BUSIMESS WIRE)
Source: Worldwater & Power Corp. press release
http://www.worldwater.com/pages/worldwaternews.html#outlook2007

WorldWater & Power Corp. (OTC BB:WWAT.OB-News), developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, today provided guidance for 2007. The company, which estimates 2006 revenue of $17 million, expects to see sales nearly double this year – to $30-$35 million, representing 5 megaWatts of electricity. The company has a steady backlog of solar projects and is bidding on an active pipeline of opportunities. Seasonality will be similar to 2006, with higher revenue expected to be realized in the latter half of the year. However, each quarter is expected to show strong comparisons over 2006. The seasonality reflects both normal demand trends and a shift in the company’s focus to larger, multi-megaWatt projects. In addition, WorldWater anticipates showing a profit for the full year – a major accomplishment – as it leverages increasing opportunities and takes a growing share of the solar market.
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Solar panels in Australia following German shades.  Sunburnt country has few solar panels.
Peter Hannam /March 5, 2007
Source: Theage.com
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/solar-panels-in-german-shades/2007/03/04/1172943275976.html

SOLAR power may score near the top of any carbon-correctness measure but its potential to ease Australia’s looming electricity shortages is its main selling point, according to BP Solar, the country’s biggest producer of photovoltaic (PV) panels.  “The uncaptured value of solar PV is in peak electricity with the additional benefit that it’s carbon-free,” said Mark Twidell, regional director of BP Solar Australasia.  Peak load demand is now growing at four times the pace of base, or average, demand in some states, according to BP Solar, driven by the wider use of air-conditioning and warmer summers. Federal government estimates put the peak load investment needs at $25 billion, Mr Twidell said.
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Calgary, Alberta, March 5, 2007
Source: Sustainable Energy Technologies press release
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=638738

Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:STG), www.sustainableenergy.com reported its financial and operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. The Financial Statements, Management Discussion and Analysis can be found with the Company’s public documents on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Product sales revenues for the quarter ending December 31, 2006 were $321,300. While less than anticipated, the shortfall was, however, made up during January and February of this year, and total sales for the 4-month period ending February 28, 2007 are approximately $1 million.
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By New Mexico State University, 5 March 2007
Source:  Las Cruces Sun News
http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_5357794

New Mexico State University’s Institute for Energy and the Environment recently completed installation of a data acquisition system and information kiosk at PNM’s new Sunflower solar panel array at Algodones.  The 23-kilowatt photovoltaic generating facility is located near Interstate 25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The location was chosen to increase public awareness that a clean alternative, renewable energy resource is being used by the state’s largest utility. The array was designed to resemble environmentally friendly sunflowers.
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March 2, 2007 /Written by The Naib, The Sietch Blog
http://www.blog.thesietch.org/2007/03/02/city-of-san-diego-unveils-1-megawatt-solar-system-at-citys-alvarado-water-treatment-plant/

City of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders today launched a new 1.135 megawatt solar power installation at San Diego’s Alvarado Water Treatment Plant. The panels produce about 20 percent of the plant’s power, with annual electricity savings estimated at $40,000.  The Alvarado photovoltaic installation was built under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with SunEdison, North America’s largest solar services company. Under the agreement, San Diego citizens benefit from clean, solar energy with no upfront cost, thereby avoiding an estimated $6.5 million in capital installation. SunEdison built, owns and will maintain the solar system. SunEdison will sell the solar energy to the City’s Water Department at costs lower than SDG&E rates.
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