Solar Cells Info

Full-Scale Prototype Produced at 23.4 Percent
San Jose, CA., May 12, 2008
Source: SunPower Corp. press release/PRNewswire
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=309613

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced today that it has produced a full-scale, five inch prototype solar cell with an efficiency of 23.4 percent. This is a world-record for a large area solar cell. SunPower has reported improvements of its cell efficiency in the laboratory and in mass production since its first all-back contact solar cell prototype in 2003. (more…)

Thousand Oaks, CA., May 14, 2008
Source: SunPower Corp. press release /PRNewswire
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=310283
Hill Canyon Water Treatment Plant Will Save $100,000 Annually in Utility Costs
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, and MMA Renewable Ventures, owner and operator of renewable energy facilities, today dedicated a 584-kilowatt solar electric power system at the City of Thousand Oaks’ Hill Canyon Water Treatment Plant. (more…)

Source: RedOrbit.com/ 14 May 2008
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1385094/
kohls_to_power_its_stores_with_solar_energy/

Kohl’s Department Stores has announced that it plans to convert more than 50 of its existing New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland locations to solar power, representing nearly 80% of its locations in these three states.  The company said that it currently operates 34 stores in New Jersey, 17 in Connecticut and 16 in Maryland.
(more…)

Source: San Francisco Business Times /May 14, 2008
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/05/12/daily39.html

The largest solar project in the San Francisco and the third largest in the country is coming to a city rooftop near you.  San Francisco Public Utilities Commission authorized a new 5 megawatt solar power project that will grace the roofs of the newly retrofitted Sunset Reservoir and the Pier 96 which houses the NorCal Recycling Center. (more…)

Tokyo, May 14, 2008
Source: FoxNews
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355737,00.html

Can lingerie really empower women?  That’s what one company apparently was thinking in its quest to design a solar-powered bra capable of generating enough electricity to charge a cell phone or iPod, Reuters reported.  Triumph International Japan showed off its “Solar Power Bra” on Wednesday in Tokyo, but it will not be in stores just yet.
(more…)

by Mike Sunnucks, Phoenix Business Journal / May 6, 1008
Source: Phoenix Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/05/05/daily23.html

Arizona could be in line for as many as three dozen solar energy projects and facilities from Germany. But California, New Mexico, Oregon and other states also are in the fray as competition heats up for solar and other alternative energy projects.  At an international trade event in Scottsdale on Tuesday, Greater Phoenix Economic Council CEO Barry Broome said 34 German solar companies are looking at potential U.S. sites for energy facilities, and Arizona is in the running for those projects. (more…)

by Tetsuo Nozawa, Nikkei Electronics / May 8, 2008
Source: TechOn Column
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080508/151451/?P=1

I went to the US on business last week. Gasoline prices seem to have risen again and created a stir in Japan, but circumstances were no different in the US. In Los Angels, for example, TV news reported street pricing for gasoline exceeded US$4 per gallon (about 3.8L) in line with the rising oil price.  Compared with Japan, the price is still quite low as it corresponds to about ¥110 per liter at ¥105 per US dollar. Yet the price has risen surprisingly fast compared with less than US$2.5 per gallon two years ago or before that. (more…)

Amsterdam, 8 May 2008
Source: Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. press release
http://irpages2.equitystory.com/cgi-bin/show.ssp?
id=3210&companyName=amgnv&language=English&pressId=1217789&p_month=200805

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) announced that its 50.5% subsidiary Timminco Limited (TSX: TIM), has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bécancour Silicon Inc. (“BSI”), has signed a second agreement to supply solar grade silicon to Solar Power Industries, Inc.  In its press release, Timminco stated:   Bécancour Silicon Inc. (“BSI”), has signed a second agreement to supply solar grade silicon to Solar Power Industries, Inc. (“SPI”) based in Belle Vernon near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  SPI was BSI’s first long-term solar grade silicon customer, having entered into its initial supply agreement with BSI in March 2007. SPI was BSI’s largest customer in 2007. (more…)

Another Sunny Year for Solar Power

by Janet L. Sawin /May 9, 2008

Source: WolrdWatchInstitute / http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5449

Global production of photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells-which convert the sun’s light directly to electricity-increased 51 percent in 2007, to 3,733 megawatts.[1 According to early estimates, more than 2,935 megawatts of solar modules were installed that year, bringing cumulative global installations of PVs since 1996 to more than 9,740 megawatts-enough to meet the annual electricity demand of more than 3 million homes in Europe.[2]   Over the past five years, annual global production of PV cells has increased nearly sevenfold, and cumulative installations have grown more than fivefold.[3] (more…)

EJIOFOR ALIKE, 28 April, 2008
Source: BusinesDayOnline.com
http://www.businessdayonline.com/energy/8809.html

RAOUF SAIDI, technical director of Ecoru Group, a Netherlands-based solar energy solution provider, committed to being part of the solution to Nigeria’s energy problems, in this interview with EJIOFOR ALIKE, speaks on how his company plan to make solar energy systems affordable to the average Nigerian though the support of some Nigerian banks. (more…)