Solar Cells Info

Binding letter of intent signed for acquisition of Discover Power Inc.

Montreal, Canada, January 17, 2007
Source: ICP Solar /Press release
http://www.icpsolar.com/4105/news_details.asp?news_id=18

ICP Solar Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ICPR), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of solar cells and products, announced today that it has executed a binding letter of intent pursuant to which ICP Solar has indicated its intention to purchase all the issued and outstanding shares of solar pioneer Discover Power Inc., located in San Diego, California.

“Discover Power’s team features over 18 years of experience in selling complete solar solutions for off-grid and grid-tie systems. Their location in Southern California is ideal given the Million Solar Roofs initiative being put into place by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Having installed the first ever solar roof shingle system in southern California and with a nationwide installer network, the Discover Power brand and organization will be a great addition in line with our growth plans” said ICP Solar CEO and Chairman Sass Peress.  “This revenue-generating acquisition compliments our strategy for rooftop solutions and creates immediate opportunities for ICP Solar’s retailer sales network to add significant off-grid and grid-tie solutionn offerings.”
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Thermo photovoltaic, TPV Cells Produce Electricity from Heat
16 Jan 2007
Source: Spire press release
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=76421&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=950469

BEDFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 16, 2007–Spire Corporation (NASDAQ: SPIR) today announced that it has received a $600,000 contract from NASA’s John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio to further develop a new type of thermo photovoltaic, TPV cell that produces electricity from heat. TPV cells have potential applications for NASA to generate electricity from heat produced by radioisotope sources for long duration space missions. Commercial applications of TPV cells include electricity generation using heat from combustion.

The work will be carried out in part at Bandwidth Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spire. Bandwidth already offers GaAs concentrator PV cells for converting the sun’s energy to electricity. These TPV cells use InGaAs, a variation of GaAs. Bandwidth Semiconductor has over ten years experience providing similar TPV cells to customers for special applications.

Bandwidth Semiconductor is a compound semiconductor foundry, specializing in wafer epitaxy, thick and thin film products and device fabrication for defense, biomedical, telecommunications and consumer markets.

16 January 2007
source: Prime Solar PRESS RELEASE
http://www.primesolar.com.au/

Prime Solar Pty Ltd will set up a polysilicon manufacturing facility at Bitterfeld in Germany to produce 7,000 Metric Tons of polysilicon per annum based on the conventional Siemens Technology.  Revealing the details of the project Dr Dilawar Singh, Managing Director and CEO said that “the polysilicon project will be completed in two Stages of 3,500 Metric Tons each and the first Stage will commence production in the second half of 2008. It will be a captive project producing polysilicon feedstock for Prime Solar’s wafers manufacturing facility of 765 MW per annum capacity to be set up at Thalheim, Germany.” The wafers
commonly known as silicon chips are the base components for the fabrication of solar cells and the wafers produced by Prime Solar will be used in the manufacture of silicon solar cells by a number of reputable solar cells manufacturers.
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Garbsen/Suhl, 15 January 2007
Source. LPKF Press release
http://www.lpkf.com/lpkf-group/press-center/press-releases-2007.htm

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG in Garbsen/Germany now sells laser systems for the structuring of thin film solar cells to enter the strongly growing photovoltaic market. First orders are already being processed. The systems are being developed in close co-operation with a subsidiary in Suhl/Germany LPKF Motion & Control. The system bears the trademark LPKFSolar.
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Paul Kilduff, Special to The San Francisco Chronicle  /January 6, 2007
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/06/HOGVMNCB361.DTL&hw=solarcity&sn=001&sc=1000

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to leave less of a carbon footprint on this overheated old orb of ours, no doubt you’ve considered going solar. That is, until you took a gander at the considerable costs of putting a rack of electricity-generating photovoltaic cells on your roof. After rebates for an average 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot home, it’ll cost you about $15,000. It’s enough to make you consider trading in your SUV for a used Prius instead.

But harnessing the sun’s power for your own electrical needs doesn’t have to be a solo project. As a group of homeowners in Portola Valley working with a new solar power company has demonstrated, economies of scale (i.e., getting a discount by buying in bulk) can apply to solar power installation as well. Working with SolarCity, 68 homeowners in Portola Valley signed up last month to convert their houses to solar power at a 25 to 30 percent discount over the cost of going it alone.
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January 15, 2007
Source: Kyocera Solar press release
http://www.kyocerasolar.com/news/news_detail.cfm?key=305

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is proud to announce a key distribution agreement with TESSCO Technologies Incorporated. TESSCO, a supplier of wireless communications and networking products and solutions, is set to begin the new relationship with Kyocera Solar, Inc. this month. With the distribution agreement, Kyocera Solar, Inc. will provide solar powered wireless communication solutions to TESSCO for resale through their various supply channels. Under the terms of the agreement, TESSCO will offer Kyocera’s wireless solutions, as well as provide training and support for the products.
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January 17, 2007
Source; Feature article/ Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/on-the-horizon-solarpowered-tankers-to-slake-sydneys-thirst/2007/01/16/1168709754693.html

Richard Macey reports on a plan to build ships using wind and solar energy to transport water from Tasmanian dams to parched mainland cities. THE dream of a transcontinental pipeline carrying water from Australia’s wet north to the drought-stricken southern cities appears all but dead.

Rising from its ashes is a proposal to ship water from Tasmania to Sydney.
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(written in German by Rosmarie Kayser, published at Bethlehem Mission Immensee, Switzerland
/translated by Wolfy Becker  / 15 January, 2007
Source: Livinginperu.com
http://www.livinginperu.com/blogs/features/246

At the beginning of January, Swiss solar energy engineer is flying to Peru and stay there for the next three years. On behalf of the Bethlehem Mission Immensee (http://www.bethlehem-mission.ch/) he will participate in a project that will introduce simple solar energy techniques to the population high up in the Andes.

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Employee-Volunteers of San Jose-Based Company Will Help Finish Two Local Homes

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec 15, 2006
source: SunPower press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=222605

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world’s highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, today announced that a team of SunPower volunteers will spend the day finalizing two of Habitat for Humanity’s homes located on Murphy Avenue in San Jose. The volunteers will assist with painting and landscaping, readying the home for their new occupants. SunPower has experienced significant growth since its move to San Jose earlier this year and now it’s time to step into a leadership role and give back to the community,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corporation. “With housing prices continuing to sky-rocket, it’s very rewarding to help these families realize their dream of owing their own home. We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity and to volunteer our time.”
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Lennar’s 650 New Homes Expected to Save 40 to 60 Percent on Electric Bills

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan 15, 2007
Source: SunPower Press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=225664

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world’s highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, and its subsidiary PowerLight Corporation, today announced the opening of the nation’s largest solar-powered neighborhood. Built by Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) in Roseville, Calif., the planned 650 homes will use SunPower’s roof-integrated SunTile(R) solar electric system, featuring the world’s most efficient solar cell. Lennar estimates that homeowners are expected to save an average of 40 to 60 percent on their monthly electric bills.
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