Solar Cells Info

Dye-sensitive Solar Cells, developed at Ohio State Univ., could be future of Green Power
3 August 2007
Source: Casavaria.com
http://casavaria.com/sentido/environment/2007/07-0803-pink-solar.htm

As environmental groups, lobbyists and the general public push for more environmentally friendly industrial practices, scientists are finding innovative ways to bring down costs and increase the efficiency of renewable resources. The dye-sensitive solar cells (DSSC), with a pinkish sheen, now being developed at Ohio State University, are an example of the type of engineering innovation that could bring about a genuine green-power revolution.
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Iain Thomson, vnunet.com 01 Aug 2007
Source: vnunet.com
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2195442/solar-cells-break-efficiency

Researchers at the University of Delaware (UD) have developed a solar cell that can convert sunlight to power with 42.8 per cent efficiency – a new record.  Following the team’s success the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA) has authorised an extension to funding so that the team can built the machinery to manufacture the panels on a large scale.
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R. Colin Johnson, EE Times, August 1, 2007
Source: EETimes Online
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201202360

A new composite material for plastic solar cells, formulated at Ohio State University, offers what researchers there claim is the best bet yet for beating the relatively high cost of grid-supplied electricity. Building on the best aspects of previous attempts to construct organic dye-sensitized solar cells, these researchers promise to best today’s inorganic silicon-based solar cells, and beat the cost of traditional electricity generation sources in just a few years. (more…)

Vacaville, CA, Aug 07, 2007
source: SunPower Corp. press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=258645

Meritage Homes has opened a new home community in Vacaville, Calif. that features solar electric power systems from SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) as a standard feature. The homes are also built to exceed State and Federal energy efficiency standards by 35 percent or more. Meritage expects that the solar power systems, combined with the energy efficient features, will save homeowners up to 70 percent on their electric utility bills.
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EMCORE Announces Record Conversion Efficiency of Multi-Junction Concentrator Solar Cells Designed for Terrestrial Applications for Volume Production Achievement of Record 39% Conversion Efficiency at 1000x Concentrated Illumination Affirms EMCORE’s Position As a Leader in Advanced Terrestrial Photovoltaic Technology

Albuquerque, NM, August 6, 2007
Source: Emcore Corp. press release http://www.emcore.com/news/release.php?id=162

EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), announced today that it has attained a record 39% conversion efficiency under 1000x concentrated illumination on its multi-junction solar cell products currently in high volume production. These solar cells are for terrestrial Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) applications. EMCORE’s Concentrator Triple-Junction (CTJ) solar cells were designed and optimized for the most desirable operating conditions, i.e. 500-1000x concentration, for cost effective commercial CPV systems. The record conversion efficiency of 39% was measured on 1-cm2 production concentrator solar cells and at 1000x illumination. EMCORE is currently manufacturing ultra-high efficiency CTJ cells with a variety of form factors for multiple customers and has shipped several million concentrator solar cells to CPV system manufacturers worldwide. (more…)

Source: Memphis Business Journal, June 19, 2007
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2007/06/18/daily9.html

Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group installed solar modules at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. The unit of Sharp Electronics Corp. said in a statement this is the largest commercial solar electricity system in the U.S. to date.  In addition to roof-mounted arrays, the system also features a new structure that encompasses two carports with plug-ins for hybrid cars. Sharp provided 9,212 modules for the project. El Solutions of San Rafael, Calif. designed the 208-watt modules.
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Oldenburg/Prenzlau, June 26, 2007
Source: AleoSolar AG /press release
http://www.presseportal.de/pm/56282/1007148/aleo_solar_ag

Aleo solar AG can report firm new  orders and the expansion of existing orders in Germany for 2007: Aleo modules totalling EUR 20 million have been ordered by specialist dealers and fitters. Roof-mounted installations in particular will be built because these receive the highest subsidies in Germany. aleo  solar can significantly expand its current customer base of 200  specialist dealers and fitters in Germany. aleo solar AG´s total national order volume for 2007 is thus set to increase to approx. EUR
55 million.
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Larry Dignan/ June 22, 2007 /ZDNet Blogs
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=5473

Google says its solar power project at its Mountain View headquarters is more than 90 percent complete. Google also projects that it will meet 30 percent osolar1.pngf its peak electricity demand from solar panels.  In its corporate blog, Google outlined that in the last 24 hours it produced 9,967 kilowatt-hours of electricity from the sun. The panels reside on the rooftops of eight buildings and two carports at the Googleplex.

Google also provided a page where you can monitor the solar electricity generated daily.  Perhaps Google will use solar panels to power those fancy data centers it is building. See video on the effort.

28 June 2007
Source: SolarWorld AG press release
http://www.ad-hoc-news.de/CorporateNews/en/12294326/

SolarWorld AG has further strengthened both its national and international business at the world’s largest solar fair Intersolar. ‘The response to the presentation of our new products was enormous’, says Dipl.-Wirtschaftsingenieur Frank Henn, VP Sales (COO) of SolarWorld AG, looking back on the exhibition. ‘We have had intensive talks and closed business deals with many of our international clients. Particularly gratifying was the successful communication with new customers in strategically important growth markets.’
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Source: BBC News /June 20, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6767633.stm

A quarter of further education colleges have solar panels or are in the process of installing them, a survey examining eco-awareness suggests.  The Green Colleges survey shows that many buildings have been refurbished to incorporate features that are environmentally friendly.

A fifth of those surveyed are using biomass boilers and 70% have carried out an energy audit. The survey was carried out on behalf of the Association of Colleges.
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