Solar Cells Info

by Nicolas Mokhoff, EE Times
Manhasset, N.Y, 23 April 2008
Source: EETimes
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207401532

The Massachussets Institute of Technology is expanding its solar power research from a “boutique” option to an affordable, mainstream energy solution.  To that end, the Chesonis Family Foundation is helping MIT launch the Solar Revolution Project (SRP) with a $10 million gift. The project will explore new materials and systems that could dramatically accelerate the availability of solar energy. SRP will work with other solar projects at MIT, creating one of the largest unversity research efforts dedicated to solar energy. ‘ The gift will allow MIT to focus on three elements—capture, conversion and storage—that could help make solar power a viable, near-term energy source. “Think ‘solar’ and think ‘now. This is the revolution that is implied in the project name,” said Daniel Nocera, a professor of energy and chemistry at MIT, who will direct SRP. (more…)

by Robert Knox, Globe Correspondent / April 27, 2008
Source: Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/27/
milton_duxbury_are_bidding_for_solar_power_installations/

At least two South Shore towns are trying to qualify for a state-sponsored solar generator, to be installed on the municipal building of their choice.  Milton and Duxbury are competing in the Community Solar Challenge, the state-backed campaign that seeks to direct grass-roots enthusiasm for alternative energy into a concrete goal.  It works like this: When at least 150 donors from a town give $100 each for building new wind turbine projects, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative installs a 2 kilowatt solar array on a municipal building in that town. The installation is valued at $25,000.
(more…)

by Andrew Cannarsa, The Examiner /Apr 26, 200
Source: Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/a-1361018~Law_increases_Maryland_grants_for_residential_solar_power_systems.html?cid=temp-popular

Maryland’s solar energy market appears to have a bright future. Gov. Martin O’Malley on Thursday signed into law several bills aimed at lowering the cost of solar energy systems for Maryland homeowners.  The incentives were raised to encourage an increase in solar product sales, production and future job opportunities in the solar market.  “Gov. O’Malley has really stepped up to say that Maryland is going to be a leading state in solar energy,” said Peter Lowenthal, executive director of the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association. (more…)

Siseko Njobeni, Johannesburg / 25 April 2008
Source: AllAfrica.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/200804250214.html

ISRAEL-based solar energy company MST Technology plans to enter SA’s electricity generation industry.  It would build a turnkey solar power plant in Taung, North West, the company’s SA representative, MK Malefane, said yesterday.  The company said the R48bn project would add 1000MW in the first year and 5000MW in all by the end of the fifth year.  SA faces an unprecedented electricity supply shortage, which is expected to continue until at least 2013. (more…)

Kyocera to Deliver 1.6 MW of Andalay Solar Panels-
Los Gatos, CA, March 13, 2008
Source: Akeena Solar Inc, press release /BusinessWire
http://www.akeena.net/cm/Investor%20Relations/Home.html

Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, and Kyocera Solar Inc., one of the world’s largest producers and suppliers of solar energy products, have announced a strategic partnership to manufacture Andalay solar panels. Under the agreement Kyocera will manufacture Andalay solar panels utilizing Kyocera’s high efficiency solar cells and will deliver 1.6 MW of panels to Akeena during 2008. Kyocera has also been named Akeena’s preferred supplier for its commercial business. (more…)

Akeena Solar Brings Solar Power to Star Quality Concrete, Boosts Sustainable Concrete Recycling Process
Los Gatos, CA, April 23, 2008
Source: Akeena Solar, Inc press release /Businesswire
http://www.akeena.net/cm/Investor%20Relations/Home.html

Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, today announced the Star Quality Concrete project. This installation will be the largest commercial solar power system in San Jose.  The 410 KW Akeena Solar power system will house 1,890 Akeena solar panels on the roof of Star Quality Concrete in downtown San Jose. (more…)

By Tanya Rose, Contra Costa Times
Source: San Jose Mercury News, 25 April 2008
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9060225?nclick_check=1

Almost four years ago, fish shop owner and Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor installed a $60,000 set of energy-saving solar panels on top of his Tidewater Court home. He now runs his backyard Koi fish pond through the system — that’s two water pumps going around-the-clock, plus indoor electric appliances, running off of solar power. Last year, his electric bills totaled $538, down from about $6,000 per year in pre-panel days. “I have no regrets, even with the panels being so expensive,” he said. He got a $20,000 rebate as part of the California Solar Initiative, which was instituted in 2007 by the state and is available to every homeowner. That, plus other discounts, brought the cost of the panels down to $23,000. (more…)

by Solar Industry Staff , 17 April 2008
http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.1239

Taiwan-based CMC Magnetics Corp. has begun pilot operations on its 40 MWp thin-film solar PV manufacturing line, which was supplied by Oerlikon Solar.  The turnkey 40 MWp production facility is capable of producing approximately 500,000 amorphous silicon thin-film solar modules annually. The equipment covers the entire production process, from glass purification to the testing of finished solar modules. The project scope also includes the implementation of the metrology system for quality control, back-end module production and transparent conductive oxide technology. (more…)

Windsor, CA, March 17, 2008
Source: SPG Solar press release
http://www.spgsolar.com/press_GoSolarSonoma.html

Having just completed one of the most successful community discount programs in California as the exclusive solar provider for GoSolarMarin, SPG Solar responds to the requests of Sonoma County residents and offers GoSolarSonoma™. The SPG Solar GoSolarSonoma™ Community Discount Program offers a 10-20% discount to Sonoma County homeowners interested in going solar. (more…)

San Diego, CA, April 16, 2008
Source: Point Loma Nazarene Univ. / FoxBusiness
http://www.foxbusiness.com/article/point-loma-nazarene-university-announces-plan-build-450-kw-solar-energy-campus_566299_1.html

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) announced today plans to build a 450 kW solar energy system on its campus. What began as a student research project on the viability of solar energy for PLNU soon developed into a collaborative effort between students, staff and faculty that resulted in an official Request for Proposal and bidding process. With construction slated to begin this July, this will be the first large commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) system for a San Diego university. (more…)