Solar Cells Info

Large Scale Solar Generation to Become Reality
Source: Stirling Energy Systems, Inc press release / 17 April 2008
http://www.stirlingenergy.com/downloads/
17-April-2008-Stirling-Energy-Systems-Announces-$100-Million-Investment-by-NTR-plc.pdf

Stirling Energy Systems, Inc. (SES), a Phoenix-based developer of utility-scale solar powered  electricity generation plants, today announces an agreement for NTR plc, a leading  international developer and operator in renewable energy and sustainable waste management,  to invest $100 million and take a controlling interest in the company.  SES is developing two of the world’s largest solar generating projects in the Imperial Valley
and Mojave Desert to bring clean, renewable power to Southern California. The partnership with NTR provides SES with the financial strength and commercial expertise to deliver these projects. (more…)

By Matt Nauman, Mercury News /April 22, 2008
Source: (Silicon Valley) Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/greenenergy/ci_9011289

A Pasadena company with plans to make small-scale solar power plants announced Monday it had raised $130 million, including money from Google’s charity wing.  ESolar said it would use the money from Google.org, Idealab and Oak Investment Partners to make and install prefabricated solar-thermal power plants near towns and cities. The company said its plants will generate up to 33 megawatts, typically enough power for up to 25,000 California homes, and that several of these plants could be connected to create a larger facility. (more…)

Govt of India sanctioned projects for installation of 1500 kWp capacity of grid connected solar photovoltaic power plants
Source: Govt of India press release /April 25, 2008
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=38004

During the Tenth Five Year Plan period, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had sanctioned projects for installation of 1500 kWp capacity of grid connected solar photovoltaic power plants in the country and projects for a total capacity of 900 kWp have been installed.
(more…)

by Rajesh Chhabara /23 Apr 2008
Source: ClimateChangeCorp.com
http://www.climatechangecorp.com/content.asp?contentid=5283

Muhammad Yunus harnesses the power of the carbon markets to put green energy in the hands of his country’s poor.  While world powers continue to debate climate change and who should take more responsibility for saving the world, an ambitious green energy program in Bangladesh is banking on the poor to find a sustainable solution.  Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has successfully extended his microfinance magic to power rural communities with renewable energy that creates more jobs and income for the poor and reduces greenhouse gases. (more…)

Kui Kinyanjui, Nairobi /22 April 2008
Source: AllAfrica.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/200804230297.html

As more technology companies seek to extend their reach in rural areas not served by the national power grid, infrastructure provider Kenya Data Networks (KDN) has announced a partnership that will see it provide alternatively powered computers.  The company will provide hardware as it meets new environmental standards.  KDN and US-based non-profit making organisation, Inveneo, plan to provide solar and battery powered computers in rural areas to allow users to access technology with better infrastructure in place. (more…)

by Nicolas Mokhoff, EE Times
Manhasset, N.Y, 23 April 2008
Source: EETimes
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207401532

The Massachussets Institute of Technology is expanding its solar power research from a “boutique” option to an affordable, mainstream energy solution.  To that end, the Chesonis Family Foundation is helping MIT launch the Solar Revolution Project (SRP) with a $10 million gift. The project will explore new materials and systems that could dramatically accelerate the availability of solar energy. SRP will work with other solar projects at MIT, creating one of the largest unversity research efforts dedicated to solar energy. ‘ The gift will allow MIT to focus on three elements—capture, conversion and storage—that could help make solar power a viable, near-term energy source. “Think ‘solar’ and think ‘now. This is the revolution that is implied in the project name,” said Daniel Nocera, a professor of energy and chemistry at MIT, who will direct SRP. (more…)

by Robert Knox, Globe Correspondent / April 27, 2008
Source: Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/27/
milton_duxbury_are_bidding_for_solar_power_installations/

At least two South Shore towns are trying to qualify for a state-sponsored solar generator, to be installed on the municipal building of their choice.  Milton and Duxbury are competing in the Community Solar Challenge, the state-backed campaign that seeks to direct grass-roots enthusiasm for alternative energy into a concrete goal.  It works like this: When at least 150 donors from a town give $100 each for building new wind turbine projects, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative installs a 2 kilowatt solar array on a municipal building in that town. The installation is valued at $25,000.
(more…)

by Andrew Cannarsa, The Examiner /Apr 26, 200
Source: Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/a-1361018~Law_increases_Maryland_grants_for_residential_solar_power_systems.html?cid=temp-popular

Maryland’s solar energy market appears to have a bright future. Gov. Martin O’Malley on Thursday signed into law several bills aimed at lowering the cost of solar energy systems for Maryland homeowners.  The incentives were raised to encourage an increase in solar product sales, production and future job opportunities in the solar market.  “Gov. O’Malley has really stepped up to say that Maryland is going to be a leading state in solar energy,” said Peter Lowenthal, executive director of the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association. (more…)

Siseko Njobeni, Johannesburg / 25 April 2008
Source: AllAfrica.com
http://allafrica.com/stories/200804250214.html

ISRAEL-based solar energy company MST Technology plans to enter SA’s electricity generation industry.  It would build a turnkey solar power plant in Taung, North West, the company’s SA representative, MK Malefane, said yesterday.  The company said the R48bn project would add 1000MW in the first year and 5000MW in all by the end of the fifth year.  SA faces an unprecedented electricity supply shortage, which is expected to continue until at least 2013. (more…)

By Tanya Rose, Contra Costa Times
Source: San Jose Mercury News, 25 April 2008
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9060225?nclick_check=1

Almost four years ago, fish shop owner and Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor installed a $60,000 set of energy-saving solar panels on top of his Tidewater Court home. He now runs his backyard Koi fish pond through the system — that’s two water pumps going around-the-clock, plus indoor electric appliances, running off of solar power. Last year, his electric bills totaled $538, down from about $6,000 per year in pre-panel days. “I have no regrets, even with the panels being so expensive,” he said. He got a $20,000 rebate as part of the California Solar Initiative, which was instituted in 2007 by the state and is available to every homeowner. That, plus other discounts, brought the cost of the panels down to $23,000. (more…)