Solar Cells Info

Tokyo, Jan 23, 2009, AFP/Google
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/
ALeqM5jt9WDoiC4m5dFViatAcn7z5zntkA

Japan’s Sanyo Electric Co. and Nippon Oil Corp. said Friday they would collaborate to produce thin-film solar cells for large-scale power generation.  The 50-50 joint venture will spend roughly 20 billion yen (226 million dollars) to build a factory in Japan that can annually produce enough solar cells to produce electricity worth 80 megawatts. The venture should have capacity of one gigawatt by March 2016 and two gigawatts by March 2021, when the companies estimate the solar cell market will be worth 10 trillion yen. (more…)

Source: The Armidale, Jan 21, 2009
http://armidale.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/sustainable-living-group-in-push-for-solar-rewards/1414837.aspx?storypage=0

THE LOCAL group Sustainable Living Armidale (SLA) has made a submission to the NSW Government, which is looking at how it might regulate and reward the production of solar power collected on house roofs.  SLA is responding to the call by the Government’s Task Force on the introduction of a feed-in tariff on renewable energy.  With a feed-in tariff, a household with solar panels and connected to the national electricity grid, will receive a guaranteed payment for the greenhouse gases saved by their production of energy. (more…)

By Chris Morrison, January 22nd, 2009
Source:BNET.com
http://industry.bnet.com/energy/1000470/what-the-masdar-deal-means-for-suntech/

Chinese solar panel maker Suntech received a reputation boost this week with the announcement that it would join thin-film solar firm First Solar in providing half of the first 10 megawatts of power for Masdar City, a zero-carbon community under development in Abu Dhabi.  Although some reports have suggested that Masdar has just “broken ground” on the 10MW plant, having seen it several days ago I can attest that the work is nearly complete. Workers for installer Enviromena Power Systems are currently putting up First Solar’s panels; the Suntech portion looks complete. The builders say it’s at 70 percent. (more…)

Colorado’s BrightPhase Energy says it can dramatically lower the total cost of solar power by exploiting photovoltaics, solar thermal and natural light.  The Photensity contains silicon solar cells rated at about an 18 percent efficiency that convert sunlight into electric power.
by: Michael Kanellos, January 19, 2009
Source: GreenTechMedia.com
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/cheaper-than-first-solar-5539.html

It’s the three-in-one solar system.  BrightPhase Energy has cross-bred a skylight with a venetian blind and a lot of solar technology to come up with what could turn out to be a highly efficient energy system for homes or low-slung commercial buildings.  Third, because the photovoltaic cells are mounted on separated strips that resemble the slats in venetian blinds, the Photensity also lets light into the building, reducing the need for internal lights. (more…)

California manufacturer of photovoltaic systems for commercial rooftops strengthens European presence
Fremont, CA, and Munich, Germany, January 19, 2009
Source: Solyndra Inc, press release
http://www.solyndra.com/News/Press-Release-011909

Solyndra, Inc. announced the opening of the company’s European headquarters near Munich in Holzkirchen, Germany in response to the high demand in Europe for their innovative photovoltaic (PV) systems which provide breakthrough solar electricity performance for commercial rooftops. As Managing Director and Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa Sales of Solyndra GmbH, Clemens Jargon will be responsible for overseeing the company’s sales and service operations throughout European countries with active PV markets such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, and France. (more…)

by Josie Garthwaite, 21 Jan 2009
Source: Earth2Tech.com
http://earth2tech.com/2009/01/21/
intel-tests-out-sharp-pv-for-solar-powered-data-center/

Chip giant Intel Corp. unveiled a 10-kilowatt solar installation near its New Mexico manufacturing plant this weekend, launching its latest foray into clean energy for power-hungry data centers. While energy generated by the array’s 64 Sharp solar panels will feed into the local electricity grid and tractor-trailer-sized test racks of computers — rather than directly powering the roughly 5,000 servers at Intel’s facility — the company said it hopes solar can eventually boost the data center’s power supply during times of peak demand. (more…)

Source: WaterSupply.com, Jan 16, 2009
http://www.watersupply.com/articles/DOE_Awards_0128382-160109.html

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that it has made three new technical assistance awards under the Solar America Showcases project, which is run by the Solar Energy Technologies Program. These awards provide technical assistance from solar energy experts to high-visibility, large-scale solar installations. (more…)

Residents can defer cost of installation
By Tanya Mannes Union-Tribune Staff Writer
Solana Beach, CA, January 20, 2009
Source: San Diego Union Tribune
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/20/
1m20solar23155-city-offers-solar-financing/

Edging ahead of San Diego, Solana Beach has become the first city in the region – and the third statewide – to launch a financing program that eventually will help homeowners and small businesses buy solar panels without paying the full price upfront.  The program will allow residents to pay for the “clean energy” systems over 20 years, with interest, through their property tax bills.  Solana Beach is part of a growing number of local governments trying to take advantage of Assembly Bill 811, a state solar law passed in July that authorizes cities and counties to establish the long-term payment plans. (more…)

by Alternative Energy Resource AER Staff, 06 January 2009 /Solar City
http://www.aer-online.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.2225

One Block off the Grid (1BOG), a San Francisco consumer advocacy group for residential renewable energy, and Foster City, Calif.-based SolarCity have announced a new community purchase program designed to extend special pricing and affordable financing options on residential solar systems to residents of the entire San Francisco Bay area. (more…)

Menlo Park, CA,
Source: ABCTV KGO TV -Local News
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/7_on_your_side&id=6482965

Lots of people would like to put solar panels on their homes, but find the investment is too great. But there is a way to do it without the big upfront costs.  It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to buy a solar power system. But what if you could rent them instead? A Bay Area company lets you do just that, and possibly save you a lot of money along the way.  Yvette and Steve Widdicombe enjoy their backyard swimming pool, but not the huge electric bills they got by running the pool pump. (more…)