Solar Cells Info

Shanghai, China, July 14, 2008
Source: Solarfun Power Holdings, press release/Businesswire

Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: SOLF), an established manufacturer of photovoltaic (“PV”) cells, modules and ingots in China, today announced that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has entered into a 47.0 MW sales contract with Schüco International KG (“Schüco”), a leading PV system provider in Europe. Under the terms of the agreement, Solarfun has agreed to supply a total of 47.0 MW of PV modules to Schüco at a fixed price to be delivered according to a binding delivery schedule from December 2008 to October 2009. The PV modules are intended to be installed in major projects in south-east Europe and the Middle-East. (more…)

New Solar Electric System Using Kyocera Photovoltaic Modules Tests Above 100 Percent of Expected Projections
Scottsdaloe, AZ, July 15, 2008
Source: Kyocera Solar press release/BusinessWire

Kyocera Solar, Inc. and American Solar Electric, Inc. today announced that a recently unveiled 19.2 kilowatt solar electric power system has tested at 106 percent of expected projections. The new system — independently tested by Phoenix’s utility company, Salt River Project (SRP) — is installed at the Integrity Building Corp (IBC) headquarters in Mesa, Ariz., and has allowed the small business to save thousands of dollars on electricity. (more…)

Raises Contractual Backlog to Nearly $3 Billion
Marlboro, MA, July 15, 2008
Source: Evergreen Solar press release/BusinessWire
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080715005695&newsLang=en

Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR), a manufacturer of solar power panels with its proprietary, low-cost String Ribbon™ wafer technology, announced it has signed a new long-term sales contract valued at approximately $1.2 billion with German-based IBC SOLAR AG. This contract extends through 2013 and brings the company’s total contractual backlog to nearly $3 billion with 5 customers.  “We are very pleased to begin this significant long term relationship with IBC SOLAR, the largest PV distributor in the world”, said Richard M. Feldt, Evergreen Solar’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This contract represents the single largest contract in the history of our company and is one of the largest contracts ever between a panel manufacturer and a distributor.” (more…)

Source: Solarfun News / 30 June 2008
http://www.solarfun.com.cn/news_word.php?news_id=41

Under an agreement dated June 22, 2008, GCL Silicon Technology will supply Solarfun with virgin polysilicon sufficient to produce approximately 1.2 gigawatts (“GW”) of solar modules in aggregate over eight years. Deliveries begin immediately. This agreement provides further security for the Company’s ability to meet its polysilicon needs and reach its target of 160 to 180 MW of module shipments in 2008. (more…)

Source: Aleo Solar AG press release/ 30 May 2008
http://www.aleo-solar.de/en-presse/aleo-solar-ag-steps-up-presence-in-the-important-italian-m.html

Aleo solar AG today announced that it acquired numerous new customers at Solarexpo in Verona from 15 to 17 May, thus underscoring the growing importance the Italian market has for the company. Back in January, aleo solar AG had established a wholly-owned subsidiary, aleo solar Italia S.r.l., with the aim of expanding its business activities in Italy. The company has further stepped up its presence in the Italian market by opening a new office in Treviso, which will manage business in Italy from 29 May. (more…)

Sourcer: Aleo Solar AG press release/ 10 June 2008
http://www.aleo-solar.de/en-presse/aleo-solar-presents-pure-black-high-performance-modules.html

Aleo solar today announced that it has chosen this year’s Intersolar in Munich to premiere its new pure black product range, featuring the solar modules aleo S_73 and S_77. The new module types will be available exclusively in Germany, and in performance categories ranging from 160 to 190 watts. The modules are characterized by their distinctive visual appeal: in combining a black Tedlar film with a black anodized aluminum frame, aleo solar has managed to create a pure black module that is capable of meeting the highest aesthetic requirements. (more…)

Source: Aleo Solar AG press release / July 15, 2008
http://www.aleo-solar.de/en-presse/aleo-solar-ag-supplies-solar-modules-and-
photovoltaic-systems-worth-more-than-eur-35-million-to-european-coun.html

Aleo solar AG today announced that it continues to expand its market position in Europe. Customers from Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic have ordered solar modules and photovoltaic systems worth more than EUR 35 million for the current year. Together with the contracts previously reported, the current order volume of aleo solar AG for the year 2008 amounts to over EUR 185 million. (more…)

Thin-film solar cells are cheaper than traditional solar panels, such as those made of polycrystalline silicon, but the yield is lower. However, the combination of these properties is promising according to the Thin-Film Future conference organized recently by SolarPlaza in Munich. An impression of the heavily attended gathering.
By: Rijkert Knoppers
Source: GlassOnWeb.com
http://www.glassonweb.com/news/index/7986/

A solar installation over 6,000 m2 has been built in a field near to the German town of Waltenhofen. Its total power is 0.4 MW. Seven kilometers of electrical cable is required to transport the power generated by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industry thin-film solar panels. Another solar power plant has been produced next to this field in the same amount of space, but in this case using crystalline silicon solar panels. At 0.7 MV, the power from this plant is almost twice as much as that from the other installation. (more…)

New Funding Increases Access to Renewable Energy through CCEF’s Affordable Housing Initiative
Rocky Hill, Conn., July 9, 2008
Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?cid=2950&id=53014

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) board today announced authorization for an additional $2.5 million for CCEF’s Affordable Housing Initiative.  The Affordable Housing Initiative is an incentive program that helps make solar photovoltaic (PV) installations an attractive, affordable option for developers of both small and large-scale affordable housing projects.  Lise Dondy, president of CCEF, said, “We are excited to be rolling out this program on a large scale after our successful pilot.  The additional funding will allow us to make the program incentives available to more developers across the state.”  Dondy added, “As a result, more developers and tenants will now be able to enjoy the benefits of solar PV installations.” (more…)

Ewing, N.J., July 14, 2008
Source: BusinessWire/MarketWatch.com
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/worldwater–solar-technologies-announces/
story.aspx?guid=%7B60E2AA61-A604-48B7-BE69-EDD16FBB3178%7D&dist=hppr

WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp., developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, today announced that it has begun work on several solar installations for Ocean City. The systems, consisting of roof mounts on the Cultural Arts and Community Center, the new Public Works Complex building, the Vehicle Maintenance Center, the Sports and Civic Center and the Firehouse, are anticipated to produce nearly 550,000 kilowatt-hours of energy in their first year. Project completion is expected by the fourth quarter of 2008. (more…)