Solar Cells Info

Improved loading capacity: 504 instead of 320 modules per truck
Freiburg, June 9, 2008
Source: Solar Fabrik AG press release
http://www.solar-fabrik.com/konzern-english/solar-fabrik-group/news-single/artikel/
?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=27&cHash=e4aa20e15b

Solar-Fabrik has adopted a new packaging system that will deliver immediate and substantial transport cost savings for customers. The new system allows vertical stacking and will accommodate 21 SF 200A series modules per pallet for a total of 504 modules per truck. Compared to 320 modules per truck under the old system, this translates as a huge 57% cost saving.  The new, patented system was developed in partnership by Solar-Fabrik AG and the manufacturer of the system. Twenty-one modules are loaded onto the pallet in upright position, secured with plastic corners, wrapped with stretch film and stabilised with strapping tape. The previously used cardboard boxes are no longer necessary. The pallet length (1.20 m) is the same as the length of a Europallet, the width is tailored to the dimension of the module. This allows optimum use of the available truck loading surface. (more…)

Freestanding installation with an output of 400 kW located close to Thessaloniki
Freiburg, 22 July 2008
Source: Solar-Fabrik AG press release
http://www.solar-fabrik.com/konzern-english/solar-fabrik-group/news-single/artikel/
?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=27&cHash=2b40a896fb

Solar modules manufactured by Solar-Fabrik AG have been installed in what is currently the largest solar installation in Greece. This freestanding installation with an output of 400 kW is located in Sidirokastron, a town 80 km north-east of Thessaloniki. The complete plant was supplied by Yoku Technology GmbH, an important business partner of Solar-Fabrik AG. Planning and installation was carried out by NRG-Orion, Thessaloniki. (more…)

Zuerich, July 9, 2008
Source: Reuters UK /Reporting by Eva Kuehnen; Editing by Quentin Bryar
http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKL0926484920080709

Intel Corp (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the world’s biggest maker of semiconductors, has strengthened its renewable energy activities by investing in a German solar module maker, the company said on Wednesday. Intel Capital, Intel’s venture capital arm, said it would invest 24 million euros ($37.7 million) in Sulfurcell, which makes thin-film solar modules using copper indium gallium selenide, or CIGS, technology to turn sunlight into electricity. Thin film is generally less expensive than versions relying on polysilicon. (more…)

by Ken Liu, Taipei, July 24, 2008
Source. CENS News
http://news.cens.com/cens/html/en/news/news_inner_24119.html

Arima Electronics Inc. recently won a contract to supply a Spanish power plant an undisclosed amount of solar cells. Industry watchers estimate the volume at 0.3 megawatts valued at around US$2.1 million.  Arima, which has left personal-computer manufacturing for photovoltaic business, will begin to deliver the contracted products some time in August. Industry watchers point out that the Spanish power plant plans to buy a total of 1.3-megawatt solar cells in four contracts. For Arima`s part, the company will supply, install and maintain the cells. (more…)

Rochester Hills, MI, July 8, 2008
Source: Energy Conversion Devices press release
http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2008-07/artikel-11229954.asp

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD), announced today that its UNI-SOLAR(R) thin-film flexible solar laminates will power the world’s largest rooftop solar power system. The 12-megawatt system is being installed on GM’s assembly plant in Figueruelas, Zaragoza, Spain and will become operational in the fall of 2008. ECD will supply the solar laminates through its wholly owned subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic, LLC.  When fully operational, the photovoltaic system will have a peak capacity of 12 megawatts, producing as much as 15 million kilowatt hours of “green” energy annually, enough to power approximately 4,500 homes. The Zaragoza facility marks the third major use of UNI-SOLAR laminates by GM. (News/Aktienkurs) UNI-SOLAR thin-film flexible solar laminates also power GM parts warehouses in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, California, two of the largest rooftop solar power installations in the United States. (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: 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…)

by Matthew L. Wald, July 8, 2008
Source: International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/08/business/solar.php

A Michigan company, Energy Conversion Devices, planned to announce Tuesday that it would provide the solar electric system for what it says will be the world’s largest rooftop array, on a General Motors assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain. The project will be 12 megawatts, a huge number in a field where most arrays are measured in kilowatts.  Solar cell arrays on houses are commonly a handful of kilowatts, or thousandths of a megawatt. On big commercial buildings, installations of one or two megawatts have become common. A one-megawatt installation will run about 1,000 window air-conditioners simultaneously, at least as long as the sun is shining. (more…)