Solar Cells Info

Cardiff, 15 Aug 2007
Source: NewsWales.co.uk
http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Community&F=1&id=12283

Wales is to make it easier to instal solar panel and wind turbines in Welsh homes. The Assembly Government aims to reduce the need for planning permission for such equipment, helping people and local communities to tackle climate change.

Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, said today: “Achieving sustainable energy production and consumption is key to tackling climate change, which is my number one priority. “I am putting forward these proposals to lift any potential barriers to allow for greater micro-generation in Wales.”
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Pfaffikon, Switzerland, July 26, 2007
Source: Businesswire/digital50.com
http://digital50.com/news/items/BW/2001/07/14/20070725006446/

Oerlikon Solar, leading global supplier of field-proven thin film production equipment, announced today it has signed a contract with Taiwan’s CMC Magnetics Corp. (CMC) for the supply of a 40-MWp thin-film solar cell production plant. This deal marks Oerlikon Solar’s first major order in Asia-Pacific and further highlights customer confidence in the thin-film solar global market leader’s technology. The first components will be shipped to CMC this year and production is planned for mid-2008. (more…)

Irvine, CA, Aug. 8, 2007
Source: PrimeNewswire/Money.CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/primenewswire/124525.htm

Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq:MSCC), a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, has introduced a new line of standard power modules for solar inverters utilizing its space saving compact SP3 package. The eight new Microsemi solar inverter modules feature full bridge configurations combining low saturation “Trench & Field Stop” IGBT top switches with fast NPT IGBT bottom switches for unipolar switching. The top IGBTs operate at line frequency, while the bottom IGBTs switch at frequencies from 15 kHz to 50 kHz. Total losses are minimized, enabling maximum solar inverter efficiency. (more…)

Aliso Viejo, CA, July 24, 2007
Source: PR Newswire /Money,CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLTU06824072007-1.htm

XsunX, Inc. , a developer of advanced manufacturing systems and cell structures for thin-film photovoltaic solar energy, provides insight to its solar module production plans and the roll out of initial marketing efforts for module sales. The Company’s plans for the build-out of a 100MW thin-film solar module production facility are proceeding on schedule, both internally and with its equipment vendors. Site selection is underway, engineering is scheduled to begin at the end of this month, and the first phase of system production is slated to begin later this year.
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175, 180, 185 and 190Wp panels have new features, lighter weight
Cypress Calif., August 14, 2007
Source: Mitsubishi Electric.com/press release
http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2007/ Mitsubishi_Electric_Introduces_UD5_Photovoltaic_Modules_8-14-07.html

Mitsubishi Electric, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of solar power technology, has introduced its new UD5 series of 100% lead-free solder PV modules. The UD5 series includes four of the most in-demand power outputs, with new engineering for optimal efficiency and reliability. (more…)

Bendigo, July 19, 2007
Source: Treasury Dept of Govt. of Central Victoria, Press release
http://www.treasurer.gov.au/tsr/content/pressreleases/2007/064.asp

Central Victoria is the location of the fifth successful Solar City in Australia, the Treasurer, Peter Costello, and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull announced today. The Central Victorian Solar City consortium will receive up to $15 million in Australian Government funding to help change the way individuals, communities, businesses and governments think about and use energy. (more…)

Tucson, Az, July 30, 2007
Source: Tucson Electric Power, press release
http://www.tucsonelectric.com/Company/News/PressReleases/ReleaseTemplate.asp?idRec=281

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has been awarded a $100,000 federal grant for developing new methods to evaluate how effectively solar energy systems can replace traditional utility generating resources. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Initiative, which supports research and development efforts to encourage the use of solar energy. (more…)

San Francisco, CA, July 12, 2007
Source: Earthtimes.org
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/82207.html

The U.S. Energy Department has picked a Santa Clara University-Pacific Gas & Electric team for an international competition to build a solar-powered home. SCU was chosen by the Energy Department to participate in the 2007 Solar Decathlon, a competition where colleges and universities from around the world design, build and operate energy-efficient solar-powered homes. SCU is one of only 20 institutions to participate in this challenge. (more…)

Chicago, July 30, 2007
Source: Acciona Energy press release
http://www.acciona-energia.es/default.asp?x=00020401&z=000105&item=263

ACCIONA Energy has announced it has closed a $266 million long-term project financing for  Nevada Solar One, its 64-megawatt Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, the largest solar power plant built in the world in 16 years. The deal represents the first leveraged lease structured financing for a CSP plant in the United States. The leveraged lease structure was financed by debt participants Banco Santander and BBVA, headquartered in Spain, and Caixa Geral de Depósitos, headquartered in Portugal, and equity investors JPMorgan Capital Corporation, Northern Trust and Wells Fargo. (more…)

Expansion investment boosted from $70 million to $97 million to increase capacity, create new jobs, and use sustainable building techniques -$100,000 commitment to Maryland solar schools program
Frederick, MD, 16 July 2007
Source: BP Solar press release
http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=3050551&contentId=7034815

BP Solar and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley break ground today on what is now a $97 million expansion project that will further bolster the facility’s output of solar energy products. Already the largest fully integrated solar plant in North America, the plan is to nearly double the current casting and sizing capacity to approximately 150 MW and will create approximately 70 new jobs.
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