Solar Cells Info

Valencia, Spain – 1 Sept. 2008
Source: Advent Solar Inc, press release

Advent Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative solar cells and modules, today announced the solar industry’s first cell-to-module solar architecture – Advent Solar® Ventura Technology™. Ventura Technology provides a platform-level design by combining Emitter-Wrap Through (EWT) back-contact cells with semiconductor device manufacturing methods to create a highly scalable platform for module manufacturing. With Ventura Technology, Advent Solar will develop solar cells and modules that deliver high energy output by optimizing silicon light capture, and dramatically improving cell and module-level connectivity to minimize resistive losses. The architecture provides higher cell-to-module efficiency, while using thinner silicon wafers to reduce costs. The company also launched a new logo and brand strategy to convey its new business and technology direction. (more…)

Shelton, CT and Toronto, ON, August 25, 2008
Source: OPEL international Inc, press release
http://www.opelinc.com/invest.htm

OPEL International Inc., a leading global developer and supplier of concentrating photovoltaic panels (CPVs),
today announced that the Company and its partners have applied for a permit to build a solar grid field in excess of 700 kW in Spain.  Following completion of the deployment, the grid field will be owned by a third-party group acting as power suppliers. Opel will supply the project with its Mk-I high efficiency concentrator panels and dual axis trackers. This combination of products will ensure that the grid field yields the maximum number of kilowatt hours attainable.

This opportunity in Spain is attributable to upcoming changes in Spain’s solar feed-in tariff structure. These changes, in conjunction with the deployment of OPEL’s high efficiency CPV panels, are expected to result in a favorable operating cost structure for the eventual operators of the grid field. Banking arrangements are already in place for the permit process filing.  « This is an important milestone for OPEL, » said Robert Pico, CEO of OPEL International. « Spain has taken a leadership position in promoting solar power and we’re excited about the opportunity to sell our CPV products and trackers into this exciting market. I look forward to reporting on our progress with this initiative in the near future. »

About OPEL International
With operations headquartered in Shelton, CT and Toronto, Ontario, Canada OPEL designs,
manufactures and markets innovative, state-of-the-art solar technology products designed to convert
solar energy into electricity – at the least possible cost and greatest efficiency. The Company’s products
are based on technology developed in cooperation with the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) and
the Canadian National Research Centre (Ottawa, ON).

Initiates Program with Broad Application in NortheastShelton, CT and Toronto, ON, June 18, 2008
Source. OPEL International, press release
http://www.opelinc.com/invest.htm

OPEL International, a leading global developer and supplier of concentrating photovoltaic panels (CPVs), today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Town of Plainville, CT, under which OPEL will install solar power panels on the roof of Linden Street School. Under this innovative 20-year program, OPEL will own and operate the installation and sell clean electricity to the Town at rates below those currently being paid, with no capital costs incurred by the Town.

« Plainville is thrilled to be a leading town in Connecticut introducing a solar power program for its schools, » said Robert Lee, Plainville Town Manager. « Not only are we reducing our electricity costs, we’re making a meaningful contribution to environmentally responsible energy consumption. We look forward to broadening our use of this innovative program and technology. ». « This agreement is the result of a concerted effort by Plainville’s leadership to incorporate clean solar power in our jurisdiction, » said Jason Rupaka, a member of Plainville’s town council. « I look forward to bringing this program to other schools and municipal buildings in our community. »

« We’re very excited about this initial installation, which represents a very attractive way for municipalities to reduce electricity costs in an environmentally responsible manner, » said Bob Malton, Manager of Business Development for OPEL. « We believe this is a template for a potential large scale program of similar installations that present a great win-win solution for both OPEL and municipalities across Connecticut and elsewhere. »

The solar panels, which OPEL sources under an agreement with Solarfun Power Holding Co. Ltd., are listed with both UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) and California’s Energy Commission, making them eligible to participate in the solar incentive programs of various states in the US. OPEL integrates the panels with its product line of solar trackers, resulting in an increase of up to 40% in the power output of the panels when compared with fixed mounted installations. This combination results in a faster payback and lower kilowatt-hour costs.

About OPEL International
With operations headquartered in Shelton, CT and Toronto, Ontario, Canada OPEL designs, manufactures and markets innovative, state-of-the-art solar technology products designed to convert solar energy into electricity – at the least possible cost and greatest efficiency. The Company’s products are based on technology developed in cooperation with the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) and the Canadian National Research Centre (Ottawa, ON). A leader in gallium arsenide and solar photovoltaic technology, the Company has been awarded 23 patents and has 23 more patents pending. OPEL’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange OPEL International Inc.

By WALTER O’BRIEN, STAFF WRITER
Readington, September 2, 2008
Source: Central Jersey.com
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/

The largest ground-mounted solar-power tracking system east of the Mississippi River is coming to the Whitehouse Station section of the township.  Merck & Co. is installing a 1.6-megawatt solar power tracking system utilizing about 7,000 solar panels covering seven acres of its 1,000-acre world headquarters site before the end of 2008. The project is expected to generate 2.5 million kilowatt-hours annually, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 1,300 tons each year. (more…)

By Robert Knox, Boston Globe Correspondent / September 4, 2008
Source. Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/09/04/
carver_seeks_to_put_solar_plant_on_route_44/

The town of Carver will ask state officials to consider its proposal to install a solar panel array along Route 44 to provide electricity for a town water-supply system. If the plan goes through, it would be the first time a state highway has hosted a solar power installation.  A conceptual design calls for a rectangular assembly of solar panels 40 feet high and 325 feet long to be built on an embankment along a piece of the “new” Route 44 built several years ago. The site borders the Cole property in North Carver, which the town bought two years ago for conservation and to provide water for the town’s first municipal water system. (more…)

Baoding, China, August 22, 2008
Soruce: Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd, press release
http://ir.yinglisolar.com/e/press_detail.php?itemid=00069

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) (“Yingli Green Energy” or the “Company”), one of the world’s leading vertically integrated photovoltaic (“PV”) product manufacturers, today announced that it has entered into a framework agreement with the local government of a county in Beijing regarding the proposed construction of a 10 MW solar power plant. Under the framework agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yingli Green Energy and an entity controlled by the county government would establish a new company to construct the plant. Subject to further negotiations, the construction of the project would be expected to begin in the second half of 2009. (more…)

American Capital Energy Chooses Satcon PowerGate(R) Inverters for
2.36 Megawatt Atlantic City Convention Center Solar Photovoltaic Power System
Boston, MA, Aug 20, 2008
Source: Satcon Technology Corp. press release
http://investor.satcon.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=328978

Satcon Technology Corporation (NASDAQ CM: SATC), a leading provider of utility scale distributed power solutions for the renewable energy market, announced today a 2.36 megawatt award from American Capital Energy of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA). The solar project, which will use 13,321 rooftop mounted panels on top of the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC), will be developed through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. The installed system, which will use Satcon’s 500kW PowerGate(R) high efficiency inverters, will be the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States, and is projected to provide the ACCC with energy savings of $4.4 million over the 20 years. (more…)

By Abigail L. Ho, Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Manila, Philippines, July 18, 2008

In an effort to promote renewable energy use and at the same time provide electricity to far-flung areas, the state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) has paid P17.2 million for the Solar Homes System Distribution Project of Shell Solar Philippines Corp.  Company president Antonio Cailao said PNOC aimed to lead in promoting solar energy use in the Philippines through this project. (more…)

By IT News Africa staff reporter, August 8, 2008
Source: ITNewsAfrica.com
http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=856

MEC for Education, Yousuf Gabru, opened the first solar-powered school computer laboratory today. The Khanya Project of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) installed the laboratory at Bernadino Heights Secondary School in Kraaifontein. The task is to install and support technology to enhance teaching and learning in the schools. Scarce energy and power resources and effect of technology on the ecology and the ever-rising cost to consumers of energy and power, makes the launch of the solar powered computer laboratory a significant event. (more…)

Posted by Elsa Wenzel, July 24, 2008
Source: GreenTech/CNet.com
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9998606-54.html

First Solar is teaming up with Sempra Generation to build in the Nevada desert what could become North America’s largest thin-film photovoltaic plant. The 10-megawatt project would be located 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas, next to Sempra’s natural gas plant in El Dorado. “As a result, the impact to the immediate environment is minimal and the project completion timeline will be shorter,” Mike Ahearn, CEO of First Solar, said in a statement. (more…)