Sharp Corporation will double its annual production capacity for crystalline solar cell modules to 500 MW at Sharp Manufacturing Company of U.K. (SUKM), its production base in the UK (Wrexham, Wales), starting December 2010, the company reports in a press release. SUKM began producing solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in the spring of 2004, becoming Sharp’s second international production base for solar modules following a facility in the US. To meet the growing demand for solar cells, SUKM’s production capacity will be gradually increased, starting December 2010, from the current level of 250 MW per year to 500 MW by February 2011. Read more...

Perhaps the greatest technical problem facing the increased adoption of solar power is to find ways to meet our expectations of electricity - that it be available upon demand, when we flip the switch - with the intermittent and variable nature of solar production. As critics of wide-scale adoption of solar energy technologies are quick to point out, there is not only every night, but a good portion of many days when the sun doesn't shine. While such statements miss the advances that have been made in accommodating the electricity grid to this natural phenomenon, various forms of energy storage are important for wider use of solar power. Read more...

700 000 Thin-layer modules and 38 inverter stations: The solar power plant between the towns of Lieberose and Turnow-Preilack in the regional district Spree-Neiße has an annual output of approximately 53 million kWh of clean power, which corresponds to about 15 000 households, i.e. to the electricity consumption of a small town Read more...

Solar Server: Can you please tell us about the Intersolar North America 2010 conference and how it has changed from last year's conference? Prof. Weber: This year’s exhibition has again grown at an impressive rate. There are almost 30 percent more exhibitors in 2010. The exhibition currently features more than 570 exhibitors and a further 120 plus PV exhibitors with SEMICON West Intersolar North America fills up all three levels of Moscone West, more than 130,000 net square feet, and that does not include the various programs taking place within the building lobbies, etc. We expect more than 20,000 solar professionals to walk the floor this year and our conference should see more than 1,600 attendees. We expect the conference to be a big hit. Read more...

Al Velosa: Several solar firms have highlighted to me their work on business development efforts outside of Germany, including setting up distribution, EPC, finance and sales capabilities or partners. Read more...