Solar Cells Info

Source:  Fraunhofer ISE & Solarserver.de /17 Jan 2008
http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/news-e.html#news107

A maximum efficiency rating of 98.5 percent for photovoltaic inverters has been achieved by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in a test using prototype silicon carbide-based MOSFETs manufactured by CREE, Inc., USA. These are the highest efficiency results reported for photovoltaic inverters to date, ISE reports in a press release. (more…)

United Arab Emirates, Jan 27, 2009
Source: AMEInfo.com
http://www.ameinfo.com/144853.html

SolFocus, Inc., whose mission is to enable solar energy generation at cost parity with fossil fuels, announced its first major launch into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with its exhibit at the Future World Energy Summit 2008 in Abu Dhabi.  SolFocus showcased its Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) solar technology, which is ideally suited to providing the highest energy output and lowest cost of any solar technology available.
(more…)

by Michael Clancy, The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, AZ, Jan 14, 2008
Source: AZCentral.com
http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/0114phxsolar0114.html

The city is moving ahead on becoming a solar-friendly city. Already the city has solar installations at nine locations and a large project about to be installed in downtown Phoenix.  Further, the city has applied to the federal government for a $200,000 matching grant to promote solar energy.
(more…)

BuaNews (Tshwane), Johannesburg,  23 January 2008
Source: AllAfrica.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801230529.html

The Central Energy Fund has announced a massive drive to install solar-powered traffic lights at critical intersections in cities, to ease traffic congestion caused by load shedding. Mputumi Damane, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) Group of Companies said this was an urgent intervention to help alleviate the chaos on the roads which come as a result of load shedding and traffic lights going off. “Whenever there is load-shedding, it impacts negatively on the economy of our country,” said Mr Damane.
(more…)

I-Net Bridge, Jan 23, 2008
Source: The Times of Zambia
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=690040

Embattled energy utility Eskom intends to incentivise electricity users for switching from coal-generated electricity to solar power, South African state news agency BuaNews said. The report comes as South Africans face at least five years of power shortages as Eskom upgrades its electricity generation capacity to cater for booming demand. According to Eskom, the solar incentive programme will centre on solar water heating, which energy experts say account for between 30% and 50% of household electricity consumption. The incentive scheme, which could be rolled out within weeks, will see the selling price of solar systems reduced.
(more…)

by Gertrude Majyambere and John Gahamanyi
Kigali, 24 Jan 2008
Source: AllAfrica.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801240096.html

The European Union (EU) has pledged $10m (Frw7.9b) to supply rural areas with electricity. At the ministry of finance, on January 22, James Musoni, Rwandan minister of finance and economic planning, and Ambassador Dr. David MacRea, Head of Delegation of the European Commission, signed an agreement for a new energy programme that will cost Frw14b. The project will be financed on an equal basis by the government and the EU. Electricity will be supplied to rural health centres and schools through solar power and micro-hydro electricity plants.
(more…)

By Jennifer Sudick, Star Bulletin / Jan 22, 2008
Source: Star Bulletin
http://starbulletin.com/2008/01/22/business/story03.html

Hawaii will soon be home to two of the largest solar power systems in North America.  Hoku Scientific Inc. and James Campbell Co. yesterday announced plans to build a solar power plant near the Campbell Industrial Park that will be capable of generating 1.5 megawatts of photovoltaic power, making it Hoku’s largest project to date. The company is currently working on installing a 167-kilowatt solar power system at the Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Ward Avenue substation, as well as projects with Paradise Beverages Inc. and Bank of Hawaii.
(more…)

by Kimone Thompson, Sunday Observer, January 20, 2008
Source:The Jamaica Observer
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/
20080119T140000-0500_131589_OBS_SOME_JAMAICANS_BASKING_IN_SOLAR_ENERGY_.asp

WHILE most Jamaicans were ruing missed television programmes, the loss of unsaved computer data and wilting under uncomfortable heat on account of the recent islandwide blackout, there were a handful of persons who didn’t notice there was no electricity.  It was only when Michael Drakulich and Patricia Isaacs-Green, both of whom live in St Ann, and Kingstonians Dr Willard Pinnock and Paul Beswick saw that their neighbours’ houses were in darkness that they realised there was a power outage. And had they not installed alternative sources of power in their homes and business places years earlier, they would’ve been in darkness too.
(more…)

Source: News.bg Bulgaria / Jan 21, 2008
http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1710030857

Two solar station for the production of power will be constructed in Pirin by the end of the year, informed “Viara” newspaper.  So far 51 companies take care of 70 small water-power plants in the region. According to the experts there are no attractive places around the mountain streams for new plants to be built. Thus, the putting of panels which to transform the sunlight into power, is the most alternative method at the moment. A map of the country, which gives clarity as to where it is most proper the equipment to be put, has already been made.
(more…)

RENO, Nev., Jan. 22, 2008
Source: EPOD International Inc, press release/ PrimeNewswire
http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=134720

EPOD International Inc, a Grid-Integrated, eco-power utility and electric power systems provider, announced that it has received conditional approval for a 20 Megawatt solar power facility located in the Thunderbay area. EPOD estimates that the facility would generate aggregate revenue of approximately $300 million over a 20 year term. EPOD plans to continue to secure additional installation sites as part of its overall recurring revenue model.
(more…)