Solar Cells Info

Focusing Light on Silicon Beads : Placing tiny spheres of silicon in reflective trays could be the key to cheap, efficient solar cells.
By Duncan Graham-Rowe / November 13, 2007
Source: MIT Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/19696/

A company in Japan has developed a novel way of making solar cells that cuts production costs by as much as 50 percent. The photovoltaic (PV) cells are made up of arrays of thousands of tiny silicon spheres surrounded by hexagonal reflectors. The key advantage of the system is that it reduces the total amount of silicon required, says Mikio Murozono, president of Clean Venture 21 (CV21), based in Kyoto, Japan. “We use one-fifth of the raw silicon material compared with traditional PV cells,” he says.
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Source: Gizmag /November 13, 2007
http://www.gizmag.com/new-technology-promises-solar-cell-efficiency-boost/8339/

Global Warming Solutions has announced the development of new solar energy conversion technology based on a special coating that can be applied to existing solar cells. The company expects that application of the technology will increase increase efficiency by 11-15% and boost the market value of a solar cell by more than 60 cents per watt, while at the same time raising manufacturing expenses by just 10 cents a watt.
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Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam
Source: DIGITIMES 13 November 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20071113PD204.html

Besides posting quarterly sales grew by seven straight quarters, Neo Solar Power is attracting attention as its gross margin for in-house solar cell production has outgrown the industry average.  Having operations started in the first quarter of 2006, Neo Solar said its quarterly sales hit a record high for the past seven consecutive quarters. The solar cell maker recorded sales of NT$1.03 billion (US$31.8 million) in the third quarter of 2007, representing a sequential growth of 15.6%. Sales through October were NT$2.75 billion.
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Honda Soltec Commemorates Opening of Solar Cell Production Plant; Accelerating Honda’s Energy Creation Business
Tokyo, Japan, Nov 12, 2007
Source: JCN Network newswire
http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=16070

Honda Soltec Co., Ltd., Honda’s wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary, today commemorated the opening of its solar cell production plant with a ceremony attended by approximately 80 dignitaries, guests and Honda officials, including Yoshiko Shiotani, the governor of Kumamoto prefecture; Junichi Mitsuyama, the deputy general manager of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Department, Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI); and Isao Ieiri, the mayor of Ohzu-machi; as well as Takeo Fukui, the president and CEO of Honda.
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Tokyo, Nov 5, 2007
Source: Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSTKG00285520071105

Japanese chemicals and silicon maker Tokuyama Corp. said on Monday the market for solar cells in in a bubble situation.  “The market is very feverish,” Managing Director Yukio Muranaga told Reuters in an interview. “I have no doubt that demand for solar batteries will grow, but I don’t think it will grow at 30 percent or 40 percent a year as people seem to think.”
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San Francisco, CA, Nov. 9 , 2007
Source: CNN Money. com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CNF03209112007-1.htm

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. , one of the world’s leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, today announced the completion of the first stage of a 3MW solar energy system for WEPCO (Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.). WEPCO is a subsidiary of KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation), South Korea’s largest power company.
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by Sion Barry, Western Mail, Oct 31 2007
Source. ICWales.co.uk
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/
2007/10/31/green-firm-s-solar-power-fridges-win-ghana-deal-91466-20035277/

RENEWABLE-ENERGY company Dulas has secured a major new order from Ghana’s health ministry for its solar-powered vaccine fridges.  The deal for the Machynlleth- based firm comes after promoting its vaccine fridge at the MedicAfrica exhibition in Lusaka, Zambia, two years ago.

One of these fridges was presented to the Zambian Government as a gift from the Welsh Assembly Government at the trade show and Dulas representatives also delivered a letter to Zambia’s President Mwanawasa from First Minister Rhodri Morgan.
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International PV inverter manufacturer KACO confirms dedication to reducing use of fossil fuels
San Francisco, CA, 31 Oct. 2007
Source: Kaco Solar Inc, press release
http://www.kacosolar.com/zeroemissions.shtml
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story?id=50460

KACO Solar, Inc. and parent company KACO Geraetetechnik GmBH talk about their dedication to low carbon manufacturing processes and their zero emissions product.  KACO has been a leader in the PV inverter field for many years and as an industry leader has found it necessary to provide guidance to other manufacturers that have not yet realized that in the business of solar “it’s not just about what you do – but how you do it”, according to KACO President Ralf Hoffman.

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Hamilton Park Development’s 47 solar-powered homes selling rapidly
Huntington Beach, CA, 31 Oct 2007
Source: Sharp Solar Energy Solutions group press release

“By building homes that include solar electric power as a standard feature, Clarum is leading the way among homebuilders for the new energy standard in residential construction,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group. “We’re delighted that these homes are in such demand by discerning homebuyers that are concerned about their energy usage.”
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Washington, DC,  01 Nov.r 2007
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=50459

Large cities with high electricity demand can now apply to be a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2008 Solar City. Yesterday the DOE announced that the 2008 Solar America Cities program will fund up to twelve cities that demonstrate their commitment to building a sustainable solar infrastructure.
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