Solar Cells Info

by Ucilia Wang,  June 25, 2009
Source: GreenTechMedia.com
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/
suntech-power-plans-to-start-u.s.-panel-production-in-early-2010/

The Chinese solar company is now choosing among four sites for its first, 100-megawatt factory to build solar panels in the United States, says an executive. Suntech Power plans to announce in a few weeks the site of its first factory in the United States, and expects to start production in the first quarter of 2010, said Roger Efird, president of North American sales for Suntech Thursday. (more…)

by Staff, Semiconductor International, June 25, 2009
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/295730-Ulvac_Rolls_PECVD_for_Tandem_PV_Cells.php

Ulvac Inc. (Chigasaki, Japan) has developed a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system for microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si) deposition, aimed at tandem thin-film silicon photovoltaics. Ulvac, which sells turnkey lines for PV manufacturing, said the new system goes on sale next week and will be part of a turnkey line for tandem μc-Si solar cell production.  (more…)

Source: Prairie Business Magazine, July 01, 2009
http://www.prairiebizmag.com/articles/index.cfm?id=9691

The first solar motor was invented in 1861 by Auguste Mouchout, a steam engine powered entirely by the sun. Because the engine was expensive and England’s coal was cheap, enthusiasm for the invention quickly lost steam.  In 1876, William Grylls Adams discovered that light shining on selenium shed electrons, which created electricity. Albert Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics for research on the photoelectric effect, which is central to the generation of electricity through solar cells. (more…)

By David Tan, George Town, July 4, 2009
Source: The Star Online
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?
file=/2009/7/4/business/4218713&sec=business

Companies in the northern region are now making strategic moves to enter into the solar power business, as the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) has identified solar power sector as a new source of growth for the economy.  Three public-listed companies in Penang, P. I.E. Industrial Bhd, Ire-Tex Corp Bhd, and Pentamaster Corp Bhd, have recently invested to tap into the growing market demand for solar products in the country and in the world.  The global revenue from solar panels (known also as photovoltaic panels) is expected to rise to US$17.8bil in 2010, up 38.2% from 2009. Revenue will rise by another 11.1% in 2011 and by 29.1% in 2012, according to US-based market research company, iSuppli Corp. (more…)

by Liane Yvkoff, May 20, 2009
Source: Asia.Cnet.com
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/05/20/an-electric-motorcycle-powered-by-the-sun/

Richard Gryzch has developed what he believes to be the first completely solar-charged electric motorcycle.  The Solar Flyer–named after the famous Radio Flyer red wagon–is a modified motorcycle covered in solar panels that generate enough electricity to power the vehicle for 50 miles (about 80km) at a top speed of 90mph (about 144kmh).  Grych has been working on this project for the past two years, and he sold his house and other motorcycles to finance his dream. But the hobbyist from from Apache Junction, Ariz., isn’t finished tinkering with his zero-emissions bike–ultimately, he’d like the Solar Flyer to have a 300 mile (about 482km) range.

by Juniper Foo, May 26, 2009
Source: Asia.CNet.com
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/05/26/q-sound-s-solar-powered-bluetooth-headphones/

The solar-powered Q-Sound works via Bluetooth stereo pick up music or calls from your enabled device. But no worries if it has no Bluetooth. Engineering student Shepeleff Stephen has also designed in a 3.5mm jack for wired connections.  Ready for the Q-Sound? I’m not so sure I am. My idea of a Bluetooth stereo headset has to be extremely compact and portable. Romania-based Shepeleff Stephen’s solar-fed concept, on the other hand, packs silicon panels into the headband. Translated, that means over-the-head ear cans in order to fit the solar cells where they matter. What’s more, this’ll have to be sizeable enough to pack two removable NiMH rechargeable batteries within the headband to store the power. Still, anything eco gets a nod for effort. And who knows, by the time something like this rolls into production, the final release may well be a lightweight futuristic strip you won’t even notice.

TÜV InterCert grants TÜV-certificate to SI S1 modules from Signet Solar in accordance with IEC 61646 and IEC 61730 standards
Mochau, 27 May 2009
Source: SIgnetSolar Press release
http://www.signetsolar.com/in%20the%20news/index.htm

Signet Solar, producer of thin film silicon solar modules, today announced that the TÜV InterCert has granted TÜV certification to the SI-S1 photovoltaic modules from Signet Solar in accordance with IEC 61646 and IEC 61730. Now, all solar module formats that the company produces are TÜV certified. The SI-S1-Module, measuring 2.60 m x 2.20 m and nearly reaches the shop window format, successfully passed all tests required for IEC 61646 and 61730 certification at TÜV InterCert. Signet Solar is thereby the first world-wide producer of ultra-large thin film modules, which meet the high quality requirements of TÜV InterCert. (more…)

by Peter Lorenz, Thomas Seitz , Dickon Pinner
Source: PrimeSolar.com
http://www.primesolar.com/en/notizia.asp?idNotizia=33

Solar energy is becoming more economically attractive as technologies improve and the cost of electricity generated by fossil fuels rises. By 2020, hundreds of billions of dollars of investment capital will probably boost global solar-generating capacity 20 to 40 times higher than its current level.  New era for solar power is approaching. Long derided as uneconomic, it is gaining power as technologies improve and cost of traditional energy sources rises. Within three to seven years, unsubsidised solar power could cost no more to end customers in many markets, such as California or Italy, than electricity generated by fossil fuels or by renewable alternatives to solar. Solar power faces challenges that are common in emerging sectors. Several technologies are competing to win the lowest-cost laurels, and it’s not yet clear which is going to win. (more…)

Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices, May 13, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090512/169931/

Aeon Co Ltd, a leading retailer in Japan, and Kyocera Corp formed a business alliance for the marketing of solar cells.  “We have focused on door-to-door sales thus far. The alliance with Aeon will change our business model,” Kyocera President Tetsuo Kuba said, indicating the company’s aim to boost its solar cell sales by making the most of Aeon’s outlets, at which more than 10 million people shop every year.  Meanwhile, Aeon President Motoya Okada said, “We are aiming to enhance our reform business. In that process, solar cells will be a key product.” (more…)

Motonobu Kawai, Nikkei Microdevices, Jun 3, 2009
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090603/171170/

Michael R. Splinter, president and CEO of Applied Materials Inc (AMAT), discussed the prospects of the solar cell production equipment market at a press conference.  According to him, the market will start to pick up in early 2010 thanks to economic stimulus programs introduced in the US and China and other factors though it is experiencing a sharp downturn in 2009. But he also said that it is difficult to predict when the market will recover to the 2008 level.  Regarding the development of production equipment for new types of solar cells including CIGS solar cells, Splinter commented as follows. (more…)