Solar Cells Info

Bangalore, 1 Aug, 2007
Source: The Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2247968.cms

BANGALORE: India may set up a 2,500 tonne polysilicon complex, estimated to cost more than Rs 1,000 crore, to give an impetus to the solar energy sector, a key Government official said.  Bangalore-headquartered Bharat Electronics Limited is expected to be the major player in promoting the facility, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, Dr R Chidambaram said. (more…)

1.9 Kilowatt SunPower Solar Electric Systems Included as Standard Feature
SANTA ROSA, Calif., July 25, 2007
Source: SunPower Corp. press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=256300

Homebuilder Hugh Futrell Corporation and SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced the opening of Bridge Trail at The North Village, Sonoma County’s first solar-electric new home community.  Each of the 43 homes at Bridge Trail features a 1.9 kilowatt SunPower rooftop solar panel system, which is expected to save homeowners 50 percent to 75 percent on their monthly electric bills. Additionally, the solar electric power systems qualify homebuyers for a one-time federal tax credit of up to $2,000. Over 30 years, each Bridge Trail home will offset the production of 39,500 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to planting 30 acres of trees or not driving 49,000 miles on California’s highways.
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Philippines President Macapagal Arroyo to Inaugurate New, Green Building Design
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 27, 2007
Source: SunPower Corp. press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=256947

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced the inauguration of its second solar cell fabrication facility, known as cell Fab 2, in the Philippines. The dedication of cell Fab 2 will take place on July 30, 2007 at the new plant, located in Batangas, south of Manila. President Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines and The Honorable Raphael P. M. Lotilla, secretary of energy, will be on hand to help inaugurate the facility which has been recognized by the International Energy Agency for its superior energy-efficient design.
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Leslie D’Monte in Mumbai, July 30, 2007
Source: Rediff.com
http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/jul/30sol.htm

India is becoming an attractive solar market and firms such as Moser Baer and US-based Signet Solar are confident of the growth in this market. The recent semiconductor policy sops that cover solar cells and photovoltaics (PVs) and the government policy for “off-grid” electrification are added incentives. Moser Baer’s $880 million (around Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion)) eight-year sourcing tie-up with Norway-based REC Group, for instance, simply furthers this line of thinking. The deal could get Moser Baer Photo Voltaic around $1 billion in revenues over the period of the contract. A company spokesperson, however, declined to put any figure to the deal.
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July 31, 2007 /Munich, Germany
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=49491

The difficulty in securing a feedstock supply to produce conventional wafer-based solar cells has encouraged a frenzy of industry projects related to thin-film solar cells.  WTC estimates that the market for thin-film cells is set to explode in the next few years, reaching $1.5 billion in 2012. While America has been steadily losing ground to Japan and Europe in wafer-based cells, about half of the thin-film cells are made by US companies and this share is expected to remain high. (more…)

Kingston, August 7, 2007
Source: poughkeepsiejournal.com
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070807/NEWS01/70807023

Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, has secured a $4 million investment from the House of Represntatives for research and development at the planned Solar Energy Consortium in Kingston.  The funds will be directed to C-9 Corporation, a company that plans to conduct its solar operation in partnership with consortium. Hinchey secured the funds for C-9 Corporation as part of the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which cleared the House on Sunday. (more…)

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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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…)

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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