Solar Cells Info

Submits proposal to Govt; investment at Rs 30,000 cr  – Kamal Narang
New Delhi, April 3, 2008
Source: The Hindu BusinessLine
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/04/04/stories/2008040452360100.htm

Marking the largest-ever project under the new semiconductor policy, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has approached the Government with plans to set up a semiconductor wafer fabrication plant and solar PV module unit, at a total outlay of over Rs 30,000 crore.  With this, the Government has now received a cumulative investment commitment of almost Rs 63,000 crore from six companies, under the scheme to promote semiconductor fabs and other micro and nano technology units. (more…)

Dublin, Ireland, Mar 30, 2008
SOURCE: Research and Markets /BUSINESS WIRE
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c87079
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/energy/article/2008-deep-research-report-global-china-film-solar-cell-industry-available_539086_11.html

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c87079) has announced the addition of 2008 Deep Research Report on Global and China Thin Film Solar Cell Industry to their offering.  In 2004, as the German government subsidized the solar industry, the subsequent huge demand brought about high profits for global polysilicon manufacturers. And in 2007, the great success of US First Solar brought a new era for thin film solar cells. Low cost–1.3$/W; high efficiency–almost 11%, meanwhile, a large number of orders from EU and North America regions and abundant raw materials in large-scale production promoted First Solar to achieve revenue expectations with high profits, revenue and reliability. This also meant the world had entered into the golden age of thin film solar. (more…)

An ambitious cross-subsidy scheme has given rise to a new industry
Source: The Economist  /Apr 3rd 2008 7ERFURT AND WOLFEN
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10961890

Q-CELLS, based in Wolfen, just north of Leipzig, is the world’s biggest maker of the photovoltaic cells used in solar panels. It overtook Sharp of Japan last year and announced big jumps in sales (up 59%) and profits (up 69%) on March 27th. Germany, which is not known for being sunny, seems an unusual place to find this industry leader. But the country leads the world in its installed capacity of renewable energy sources (see chart), and is the third-biggest producer of solar panels, after China and Japan. (more…)

part 2 of a 2-part series look at the leading photovoltaic players
by David Appleyard
Source: Renewable Energy World
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/reworld/story?id=52027

In this, the second of our two-part look at the world’s most influential PV players, the good news continues with a largely positive outlook among the world’s leading PV companies. David Appleyard reports. Although some supply chain issues have arisen in the solar photovoltaic sector with regard to raw materials such as silicon, the market continues to boom. Indeed, these supply constraints have been caused entirely by the fact that the market, and consequently demand, has accelerated at such a phenomenal pace that it has left the supply chain infrastructure lagging behind. However, this situation is expected to be rectified over the coming year as new silicon supply sources come on stream. This situation is inevitably reflected by the major players, some of which have struggled to expand as rapidly as the market would allow.
(more…)

part 1 of 2-part series on leading Photovoltaic players
by David Appleyard /April 13, 2008
Source: Renewable Energy World
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/reworld/story?id=51590

The weather may be gloomy in Europe right now, but the outlook for solar players on both sides of the Atlantic could hardly be better. With production capacity expansion a recurring theme and many players announcing record operating results, it is hard to imagine a cloud on the horizon for the PV industry. Here we present the first part of our look at the major players and events of 2007, and take a peek into what 2008 may hold. David Appleyard reports. (more…)

Berlin, February 26, 2008
Source. Solon AG press release

The Berlin-based firm SOLON AG für Solartechnik (ISIN DE0007471195) today published its preliminary results for 2007. They reveal that the company grew strongly once more last year, and it produced solar modules and power generation systems with a total output of 118 megawatts (2006: 84 megawatts). Consolidated revenue rose by 45 percent to EUR 503 million (2006: EUR 346.4 million), exceeding its revenue forecast for 2007, which was revised upward last November. EBITDA increased by 39 percent to EUR 43 million (2006: EUR 30.9 million). Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) totaled EUR 35 million, a year-on-year rise of 41 percent (2006: EUR 24.8 million). (more…)

Berlin, April 15, 2008
Source: Solon AG press release
http://www.solonag.com/
http://www.asp-center.de/irportal/news_list_live.jsp?lang=ENGLISCH

SOLON AG, headquartered in Berlin and one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of solar modules and photovoltaic systems, has sold several large-scale power plants in Spain to expand on the Company’s already strong position in the Spanish market.  The solar power plants were developed and implemented by SOLON Solar Investments GmbH, Freiburg, Germany, a SOLON subsidiary that specializes in planning large-scale power plant projects for financial investors. (more…)

By Yuliya Chernova, Dow Jones Newsletters
New York, April 09, 2008
source: Dow Jones /Money.CNN.Com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200804091313DOWJONESDJONLINE000905_FORTUNE5.htm

New York City plans to issue a request for proposals to solar-power system installers to bring two megawatts of solar power onto the roofs of city-owned buildings, but the initiative will have to cut through significant red tape and other challenges before it can take off.  While this move is significant in that it shows the city’s interest to test solar as part of its electricity supply, there are several issues that need resolution. On the one hand, the city’s electric utility, Consolidated Edison Inc. (ED), has a current limit of 10 kilowatts per installation of solar that it will accept on the grid, and that may be too small to accomplish the scale proposed by the city. On the other hand, the total size of the RFP is relatively small and the city would likely need to throw in a potentially longer-term relationship to attract some of the larger systems installers.
(more…)

SolarCity Recipient of Prestigious Aspen Energy and Environment Award
Foster City, CA, March 27, 2008
Source: Solar City press release /PRNewswire
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-27-2008/0004781449

SolarCity, California’s leading provider of solar energy systems, today announced that the company was chosen as part of a distinguished group of winners of the first annual Aspen Energy and Environment Awards, which will be presented at a ceremony on March 29, 2008, during the inaugural Aspen Environment Forum in Aspen, CO. (more…)

Intersolar 2008, June 12-14, 2008, Münich Trade Fair Center, Germany / Europe’s largest trade show for solar technology boasts record number of exhibitors
conf. website: http://www.intersolar.de/index.php?id=intersolar&L=1

Intersolar is the largest solar technology trade fair in E
urope and the annual meeting place for everyone the European and greater worldwide solar Industry. Intersolar focuses on the Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal and Solar Architecture branches. More than 850 exhibitors will be presenting their products and services across 76,000 m² of exhibitor floor space – an increase of more than 120% from 2007. This year, Intersolar expects more than 40,000 visitors. (more…)