Solar Cells Info

Yukiko Kanoh, Nikkei Electronics /Feb 29, 2008
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080229/148271/

Sharp’s solar cell production (Source: Sharp’s estimates based on IEA PVPS Annual Report 2007). The amount through 1998 is a cumulative total.   Sharp Corp has announced its cumulative production of solar cells surpassed 2GW at the end of 2007. Sharp said it is the first solar cell manufacturer that has ever marked cumulative production of 2GW across the world.
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Masaaki Maruyama, Industry-University Collaboration Managing Office /
Source: TechOn /Mar 3, 2008
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080303/148336/

Feasibility test of wavelength conversion material for solar cells using Eu complex. Tests on durability, etc, are being conducted at Sanvic’s Hosoe Plant (photo courtesy of AIST)  Nanoarchitectonics Research Center of Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) developed a light wavelength conversion material for use in crystalline silicon solar cells. (more…)

Yousuke Ogasawara, Nikkei Electronics, Mar 7, 2008
Source: TechOn
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080307/148677/

Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) developed a tandem type dye-sensitized solar cell with an energy conversion efficiency of 11.0%. The new solar cell outperforms any existing solar cells, according to AIST.  A tandem type solar cell has a structure in which two types of dye-sensitized solar cells are attached to each other. To enhance the conversion efficiency, AIST formed a highly transparent TiO2 electrode and used it in the upper cell. (more…)

Satoshi Ookubo, Nikkei Electronics /Feb 27, 2008
Source. TechOn.com
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080227/148136/

Peccell Technologies Inc prototyped a large-size solar cell module measuring 2.1 x 0.8m. The company developed a transparent conductive dye-sensitized solar cell using a plastic substrate in collaboration with Fujimori Kogyo Co Ltd and Showa Denko KK.

With the use of plastic substrate, the 0.5mm thick module is flexible and weighs only 800g/m2. According to Peccell, it is the lightest solar cell and the largest in the world for a dye-sensitized cell. The module conversion efficiency is expected to be approximately 3%. When installed indoors, the output voltage of the module exceeds 100V.  The module is on display at the 1st International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo (PV EXPO 2008) from Feb 27-28, 2008. (more…)

By Jason Simpkins, Associate Editor March 3, 2008
Source:MoneyMorning.com
http://www.moneymorning.com/2008/03/03/
solar-rivalry-heats-up-as-q-cells-moves-into-malaysia/

German solar cell maker Q-Cells announced strong full year results and said it plans to expand its production capacity by investing $263.2 million in its first production site in Asia.  Q-Cells said in February that it had become the world’s leading manufacturer of solar cells. In its 2007 preliminary results, the company reported full year sales of $1.26 billion, a 59% jump.
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by SolarIndustry Staff, 26 February 2008
Source: SolarIndustryMag.com
http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.1022

ersol Solar Energy AG says its consolidated revenue increased from 127.8 million euro in 2006 to 160.2 million euro in 2007, corresponding to growth of 25.4 %. Key drivers of the boost in revenue were increased cell production (from 40 MWp in 2006 to 53 MWp in 2007) and revenue from subsidiary aimex-solar GmbH in 2007. (more…)

Panos (London) /Yolandi Groenewald / 7 March 2008
Source. AllAfrica.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/200803070276.html

South Africa, Brazil and other emerging economies are likely to face emissions caps come 2012. Can South Africa’s solar energy ventures compete with its vast supply of cheap coal?  Stretched-out plains with dust devils and unrelenting sun are the trademarks of the barren Northern Cape in South Africa. Every year the province records some of the highest numbers of sunny days worldwide. Rainy days are as rare as hen’s teeth.
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Los Angeles, CA, March 6, 2008
Source: Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSN0565006420080306

Power plant builder and operator MMA Renewable Ventures, on Wednesday said it will build a solar electric system in Arizona to power a thin-film solar plant for manufacturer Global Solar.  MMA will finance a 750-kilowatt facility, which will power Global Solar’s Tucson, Arizona manufacturing plant. Global Solar agreed to buy electricity from MMA for 25 years.
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Tokyo,  Feb 27, 2008
Source: Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUST7784620080227

Japan’s Sharp Corp., which aims to become the world’s biggest maker of solar cells, is looking abroad to raise annual output of thin-film solar cells by sixfold to 6,000 megawatts after 2012 and beat silicon shortages.  Sharp aims to raise its annual thin-film solar cell production capacity “as soon as possible” after a planned new plant in Osaka, western Japan goes online by March 2010 with eventual output of 1,000 MW per year, Toshishige Hamano, corporate senior executive director, said on Wednesday.
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New York, Mar. 5, 2008
Source: Associated Press/CNNMoney.com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-23555617.htm

Makers of thin-film solar products are under pressure to increase efficiency levels if polysilicon costs fall as predicted in coming years.  Thin-film products have a leg up on silicon-based solar panels because they are relatively cheap. That’s because they are largely isolated from skyrocketing silicon costs, which have been propelled by surging demand in recent years.
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