Solar Cells Info

By Jack Uldrich /December 22, 2006
Source:
http://www.fool.com/news/2006/12/22/suntech-power-danger-or-opportunity.aspx

The Chinese character for the word “crisis” has been said to include two elements that, individually, represent the terms for danger and opportunity. I don’t know whether this is true, but I do know that this saw can be a useful way to assess risky situations like the investment opportunity lurking in Suntech Power (NYSE: STP). To some, it might be considered a dangerous investment; to others, an opportunity. Who’s right?

Dangerous?
Suntech, a manufacturer of photovoltaic solar cells that’s based in China, is now one of the world’s largest solar companies and is a serious player in the emerging industry, along with BPSolar (owned by BP (NYSE: BP)), Kyocera (NYSE: KYO), Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDSa), Sharp, and Q-Cells.

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By Masaki Kondo TOKYO, Bloomberg / December 20, 2006
source: chinapost.com
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/business/20061220/98014.htm

Sanyo Electric Co., the world’s biggest maker of rechargeable batteries, said it will invest 19 billion yen (US$161 million) in solar cell production over the next two years as demand is increasing. Sanyo expects production capacity to double to 350 megawatts in the fiscal year starting April 2008, the Osaka-based company said in a statement Tuesday. Output of panels will probably total 260 megawatts next year, matching a forecast the company provided first in June.

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Himanshu Pandya / December 25th, 2006
source: financialnirvana.com
http://energy.financialnirvana.com/2006/12/25/everyone-is-going-solar/

According to DigiTimes, Taiwan based AU Optronics Corp. (NYSE: AUO) is getting into the Solar business. The company is said to have recruited a team of specialists to produce thin-film solar cells. AU Optronics Corp. engages in the design, development, manufacture, assemble, and marketing of thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels and other flat panel displays. The solar cell manufacturing is similar in nature and would only require an investment of $7.7 million to produce thin-film solar cells on a glass substrate base line.

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By Gargi Chakrabarty, Rocky Mountain News
December 19, 2006
source: Rocky Mountain News
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/energy/article/0,2777,DRMN_23914_5223106,00.html

A New York startup with local roots will announce plans today to build the world’s largest solar energy park in the San Luis Valley. The $2 billion park, christened SolarDunes by developer SkyFuel, would have a total capacity of 1,000 megawatts – enough electricity for more than 300,000 homes and businesses along the power-hungry Front Range.

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December 25, 2006
source: TheNews.com
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=35478

KARACHI: The Government of Sindh would introduce low cost scheme for provision of solar energy through modern technology in the next financial year. This was announced by the Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information Technology, Muhammad Noman Saigal, here on Wednesday.
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21 December 2006 /Santa Cruz, California
Press Release from Solar Energy International (solarenergy.org)

Take hold of the Sun this winter in Santa Cruz, California!! Scotts Valley, CA- Join Solar Energy International (SEI), in co-sponsorship NorCal Solar, Rahus Institute and Solar Technologies for a 6- day hands-on Solar Electric Design & Installation workshop. The time is ripe to learn how to design and install solar electric systems for our homes and businesses. This workshop is certified by the Institute of Sustainable Power and fulfills one of the requirements for national photovoltaic certification. Also, by receiving a ‘Certificate of Completion’ in either our two-week or six-day Photovoltaic Design & Installation workshops you qualify to take the NABCEP “PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge” exam. See www.nabcep.org for more information.
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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters)  /December 21, 2006
Source. Scientific American
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=5A1106FCB6C23317695F2F619988EF41

The California Pubic Utilities Commission on Thursday issued requirements and other details for a new energy program that aims to make the state one of the world’s biggest producers of solar energy. The CPUC issued a 92-page handbook to guide California’s investor-owned utilities, customers, contractors, and solar equipment sellers through the rules for installing and operating solar photovoltaic projects.

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By LAUREN MAYK
December 25. 2006
Source: Florida Herald Tribune
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061225/BUSINESS/612250336/1006/SPORTS

SARASOTA COUNTY — By next spring, a structure in Rothenbach Park is expected to produce enough energy to power 44 homes. Considering the several million customers that Florida Power & Light serves, that’s not a lot of juice.

But the solar project FPL is building east of Sarasota — on Bee Ridge Road, east of Interstate 75 — is still expected to be the largest solar array in Florida, covering half the size of a football field with panels about 5 feet by 3 feet each. It is being built to hold up FPL’s end of the bargain with customers who have signed up for its Sunshine Energy program. About 28,000 folks so far have agreed to fork over another $9.75 per month on their power bills to pay for power generated by renewable fuels such as wind and sunlight.
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Fact Sheet
US Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Washington, DC /October 31, 2006
http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2006/75369.htm

Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate:
Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation Task Force

The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate is a unique public-private initiative among government and private sector partners from Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States. In remarks delivered to experts representing all Partner nations gathered at the American Electric Power facility in Columbus, Ohio, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky today announced that the Partnership has begun a new implementation phase with the start of a series of multifaceted programs designed to promote cleaner, cost-effective energy technologies and practices among the Partner nations. The Partnership is identifying policies and deploying technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote healthier air quality, advance sustained economic growth, and reduce poverty. It is now embarking on implementing voluntary practical measures to create new investment opportunities, build local capacity, and improve economic and energy security. The Partnership involves countries that account for about half of the world’s population and more than half of the world’s economy and energy use.

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In Malaga solar panels will have to meet 70 per cent of a building’s hot water requirements – Planning permission can only be granted if plans allow for the use of renewable energy

Pilar R. Quirós
Source: SUR /Newspaper for southern spain
http://www.surinenglish.com/noticias.php?Noticia=9748

This autumn Spain has taken one step further towards the use of renewable energy. The new Technical Building Code, in force since September 28th, is quite demanding when it comes to new buildings. In fact, all the developers who have applied or apply for planning permission for a block of flats after that date have to produce plans for the construction of solar panels to supply the households with hot water.

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