Solar Cells Info

October 11, 2007
Source: G24i.com/press release
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/691527/
* Advances in photovoltaics: Ionic Liquids for new class ofsolar cells
* Partnership to develop new formulations for increased efficiency of solar technology

G24 Innovations Limited (G24i) and BASF have today (Oct 11, 2007) announced a joint development agreement. The two companies will initiate a program to develop ionic liquids and formulations that further improve both performance and efficiency of G24is solar cells using a proprietary dye-sensitized thin film technology.  The photovoltaic cells produced by G24i are sensitive to far more of the visible spectrum of light than conventional solar cells, so that all sorts of light sources can be used to generate power, even at relatively low levels of light intensity. The photovoltaic process used is roughly analogous to photosynthesis in plants: a special ruthenium dye assumes the role of chlorophyll, turning light into electrical energy in a chemical process. Specifically adapted to the electrode and dye system, the ionic liquids are key to ensuring that the solar cell will generate power in a reliable and stable manner.
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By Farin Montañez, The Fresno Bee,  Sept 30, 2007
Source: FresnoBee.com
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/152171.html

During Fresno’s sweltering August, Steve Durbano watched his electricity meter spin backward when it was sunny, and he paid a mere $22.07 to PG&E — a savings of about $400.  His secret: 28 solar panels installed on the roof of his north Fresno home that create enough power for his family of five — and even provide additional electricity to the power grid most of the day. “I don’t dread the PG&E bill coming,” he said as he showed off his solar system Saturday during the third annual Fresno Solar Tour.
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By Sandra Upson
Source: IEEE Spectrum /Oct 7, 2007 issue
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/oct07/5568

It’s another brilliant day at the world headquarters of the hottest company on the planet. Some shirtless employees are playing a lunchtime game of volleyball while others stride across campus with laptops tucked under their arms. The place fairly crackles with energy, and in more ways than one.  Up here on a roof at Google’s leafy and sprawling Mountain View, Calif., campus, with the shouts of the volleyball game just barely audible, sunlight glints off 9212 polysilicon solar panels stretching out toward the horizon. Amid the irregular jumble of angular roofs, a single south-facing wave stands out, a pitch and roll frozen in place against a backdrop of foothills.
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by Ann Braybrooks, September 24, 2007
Source: Chronogram.com
http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2007/10/Community+Notebook/Solar-Attraction

Renewable energy. The arts. Combine the two to create a unique arts and business complex powered by sunlight, an existing waterfall, and possibly even recycled vegetable oil from local restaurants. Do this by rehabilitating and redeveloping a sprawling former box-board mill that straddles a section of the Stonycreek Kill, about a mile from the village of Chatham.

Add all kinds of cool things: artist studios; workshop space for ecofriendly woodworking, metalsmithing, and tilemaking businesses; and a huge green building center, where prefab homes with integrated energy-efficient systems can be manufactured. Maybe even construct a carbon-neutral ecovillage on the property adjacent to the mill, and simply move those energy-efficient, prefab dwellings down the road. Encourage residents to leave their cars in a lot off the main thoroughfare and use electric vehicles, or, better yet, their legs and feet, to get to their front doors. Some residents might even be able to walk from work to home if they hold one of the “green-collar” jobs at the Solaqua complex, or if they work at the restaurant or performance space envisaged for the property. (more…)

By David Ehrlich, cleantech.com, September 25, 2007 – Exclusive
http://media.cleantech.com/1825/suntech-takes-the-cake-at-solar-power-2007

Suntech gets manufacturing deals from Lumeta and Akeena, and introduces two new product lines.  The Solar Power 2007 conference in Long Beach, Calif., has only just begun, but China’s Suntech Power (NYSE: STP) is shining bright as an early winner.  The world’s third largest solar cell manufacturer in terms of production output, and the leader in China, racked up four announcements this week, taking on two new customers and releasing two new product lines at the conference.
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New Delhi, Sept 18, 2007
Source: Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/2382728.cms

Leading German renewable energy firms have shown interest to manufacture solar cells and air-conditioners in India, taking advantage of abundant solar energy in the country.  Prozop-Solar and Q-Cells have recently held talks with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, sharing their plans to set up manufacturing facilities in India. (more…)

by Steve Bush, 20 September 2007
Source: Electronics Weekly.com
http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2007/09/20/42228/

Durham University has made significant improvements in thin-film solar cells. “We have done a lot of work measuring recombination at grain boundaries and on the control and increase of grain size,” principal investigator Professor Ken Durose told EW.  Durose and his team are working on thin-film cells, three years into the Government’s sustainable power ‘Supergen’ project. (more…)

SCHOTT Solar plans to expand U.S. solar PV production by more than 60 MW. Company sees growing demand for both its photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies.
Roseville, CA, September 19, 2007
Source: PRWeb
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/9/prweb554889.htm

SCHOTT Solar made a major commitment to the U.S. solar power market today, as it announced plans to build a new photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility that will increase its domestic PV production by more than 60 MW. SCHOTT Solar is currently evaluating locations for the new facility, which is scheduled to go online in 2009.
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Oak Ridge, Tenn., Sep. 14, 2007
Source: ORNL /AllAmericanPatriots.com
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48732369_energy_solar_experts_gathering_ornl_summit

Solar energy will be in the spotlight as researchers, engineers, architects and other renewable energy experts from the region convene at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oct. 24-25 for the first Southeast Solar Summit.  Among the displays will be an Arizona Public Service 5-kilowatt photovoltaic solar array that will be providing electricity to one of the laboratory buildings. The array uses Memphis-based Sharp Solar’s photovoltaic modules. A concentrator photovoltaic system from JX Crystals will also be on display.

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When it comes to renewable energy, Australia is losing some of its best researchers and ideas, writes Judy Friedlander.
by Judy Friedlander
Source: Sydney Morning Herald /September 19, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/exodus-for-a-place-in-the-sun/
2007/09/18/1189881513715.html

In an Ernst & Young 2006 survey that ranked international markets by their attractiveness to renewable energy investors, Australia ranked 16th – fourth from the bottom. So it should come as no surprise that a significant number of Australians, well known in the sustainable energy industry, have been tempted by greener pastures.  Those names include David Hogg (see story right), David Mills from the University of Sydney, whose solar thermal technology is being funded in Silicon Valley, California, and the Australian citizen Zhengrong Shi, a PhD student from the University of NSW’s groundbreaking photovoltaics laboratory, who is now one of the richest men in mainland China.
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