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German PV researchers present screen-printed solar cells in Japan
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Organic dye solar cells: well suited for façade
integration.
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Members of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE; Freiburg; Germany) are traveling to Tokyo with bulky luggage these days. Their destination is Nanotech 2008, the
world’s largest trade fair for nanotechnology. The solar module, they will be presenting in the BMBF marketing campaign 'Nanotech Germany', is the size and shape of a door: two
meters high and sixty centimeters wide. The key component of the new photovoltaic module is an organic dye which in combination with nanoparticles converts sunlight into solar
electricity. Due to the small size of the nanoparticles, the modules are semi-transparent. This aspect makes them well suited for façade integration. The solar module
prototype manufactured by the researchers at Fraunhofer ISE is amber in color. It is possible, however, to produce the modules in other colors, or even to print images or text on the
module so that it serves as a decorative element. These design options open up an entirely new range of possible applications. Instead of mounting the solar module on the roof of a
building, the electricity producer could be integrated in the glass façade. Used in this way, the new technology not only prohibits direct sunlight from entering the building interior
but also generates electricity at the same time.
Wafer-thin electricity-generating film applied using screen printing technique
"We don’t see the dye solar cell as being a rival to the conventional silicon cell", says Fraunhofer ISE physicist Andreas Hinsch. The module prototypes only achieve an efficiency
of four percent, which is not sufficient for rooftop applications in comparison to the performance of crystalline silicon solar cells. On the other hand, dye solar cells have a clear
advantage when it comes to façade integration. The wafer-thin electricity-generating film, which lies between two glass panes, is produced from nanoparticles and applied using screen
printing technique. This technique makes it possible to integrate any desired image on the module. A glass facade made of this material can be given a decorative and promotionally
effective design, such as a colorful company logo, and delivers electricity into the bargain.
Fatigue tests demonstrate properly function even after several thousand hours
The dye solar module is still a prototype. The Fraunhofer researchers have developed it together with industry partners in the ColorSol project funded by the German Federal Ministry of
Education and Research BMBF. One particular challenge posed by the new technology is that the narrow gap between the two glass panes must be hermetically sealed so that no air can get
in and destroy the reactive substances inside. The Fraunhofer experts have come up with a special solution to this problem. Instead of using polymeric glue like their competitors, they
have decided to work with glass frit. To this end, glass powder is screen-printed onto the panes, and fuses with them at a temperature of around 600 degrees Celcius. Fatigue tests under
various weather conditions have shown that the solar cells still function properly even after several thousand hours. The long-term stability as such, however, has yet to be officially
certified.
2008-01-30 Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE.
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European Parliamentarians request strong implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies
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Mechtild Rothe: Frame-
work Directive for Re-
newables better than
expected.
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On January 29th 2008, the Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency organized by EUFORES brought together over 60 Parliamentarians from EU27 National
Parliaments as well as the European Parliament. The Parliamentarians discussed in two sessions the proposal of the new European Framework Directive for Renewables (RES) as well as the
status of the national Energy Efficiency Action Plans. During the meeting, Mechtild Rothe, EUFORES President and Vice-President of the European Parliament welcomed and supported the
proposal on the Renewable Energy Framework Directive. The proposal, tabled by the European Commission on January 23rd 2008, includes all three sectors: electricity, transport
and for the first time heating and cooling: "This long awaited proposal is better than we expected! Member States can only transfer guarantees of origin to another Member State if they
have fulfilled their interim targets. Now we have to take care of the details ensuring for instance that Member States can expect a clear penalty if they do not comply with their
interim targets !", Rothe emphasizes.
Successful national support schemes based on feed-in or premium systems
Du to Rothe there were big concerns about tendencies within the Commission to introduce an EU-wide mandatory certificate trading scheme for renewable energy. This would have endangered
and most likely destroyed successful national support schemes, such as feed-in or premium systems, which have already proven themselves as effective and cost efficient measures of
promoting a broad range of renewable energy technologies. "I welcome, that the Commission didn`t give in to the electricity lobbying from the big utilities by killing the successful
guaranteed price systems, because only guaranteed price systems allow small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in this market. And these SME have made Europe the leader of renewable
energy in the world!" said Claude Turmes, MEP and Vice-President of EUFORES.
National Energy Efficiency Action Plans delayed
Parliamentarians also discussed the status of EU's energy efficiency policy. By the end of June 2007, EU Member States were expected to table their national Energy Efficiency Action
Plans as laid out by the EU Energy Services Directive. So far, a few countries delivered comprehensive and promising plans to the European Commission. Many Member States are lagging
behind. Mechtild Rothe stressed. Energy efficiency has the cheapest and biggest potential for Europe to reduce energy import dependency and its CO2-emissions. The European Union cannot
accept any longer the lack of will among some Member States concerning the development and implementation of energy efficiency measures. Claude Turmes added. This shows again the gap
between climate combat lip service and the real lack of motivation to implement necessary measures by many Member States. The Commission has to act on this with infringement procedures
and new binding measures at EU level.
2008-01-30 Courtesy: EUFORES - European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: EUFORES
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WorldWater & Solar Technologies completes merger with concentrator PV producer ENTECH
WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. (Ewing, N.J.), developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, on January 28th 2008 announced that it has closed the merger
with ENTECH, Inc. of Keller (Texas). This transaction was made possible through agreement with one of WorldWater’s largest investors, the Quercus Trust (Quercus). Quercus
exchanged $ 19.7 million of its common shares of WorldWater for 19,700 shares of convertible preferred stock and supplied WWAT with a $ 6 million bridge loan. The 19.7 million common
shares and the bridge loan were subsequently utilized to complete the ENTECH merger. Pursuant to the exchange agreement, once a shareholders meeting is held and additional
common shares are authorized, a subsequent exchange with Quercus will be implemented. As a result, Quercus will receive 19.7 million common shares in exchange for the 19,700 shares of
convertible preferred stock previously issued.
20x concentrator PV systems at costs among the lowest of all solar suppliers
"The Quercus Trust, which has been an investor in our company since last spring, has demonstrated its strong commitment to both WorldWater and ENTECH by making this transaction possible
on an expedited basis", said Quentin T. Kelly, Chairman and CEO. "As our investors know, the merger with ENTECH, 19 months in the making, paves the way for our company to provide 20x
concentrator PV systems to the U.S. and international markets at costs among the lowest of all solar suppliers, including thin film manufacturers. Quercus made it possible to move
forward without further delays, allowing us to take advantage of the many opportunities now on the table across the globe. With solar energy taking on greater significance both in the
U.S. and overseas - and oil prices at near all-time highs - we simply could not wait any longer to merge our two companies and leverage the resulting synergies. Quercus enabled this to
happen."
Solar farms to make solar power affordable to millions
Dr. Walter Hesse, CEO of ENTECH, commented, "This is terrific. Now ENTECH and WorldWater & Solar Technologies can proceed with the production of our 20x concentrator lines. Together
with WorldWater, we will be able to supply 'solar farms' throughout the world with electricity production at costs and efficiencies that we believe change the current economics of solar
power - making it affordable to millions."
2008-01-30 Courtesy: WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: ENTECH, Inc.
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Solland Solar: Natural gas revenues for clean energy
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Back contact solar cell by Solland Solar.
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The government of the Netherlands should use the revenues from the sale of natural gas to speed up the changeover to clean, renewable forms of energy, asserted Gosse Boxhoorn, CEO of
Solland Solar, Netherlands’ largest producer of solar cells. In doing so the government would choose even more explicitly in favour of reducing CO2 emissions, Boxhoorn said during
the opening of Solland Solar’s new production hall in Heerlen. "The transition to sustainable energy will also make the Netherlands less dependent on politically unstable regions
such as Russia and the Middle East, which are currently the key suppliers of oil and gas", Boxhoorn added. The new hall will enable Solland Solar to treble photovoltaic production, from
60 MWp/a to 170 MWp/a. "By focusing more on clean forms of energy (solar, wind, water), the government is realising a more balanced energy policy", argued Gosse Boxhoorn. "The
Netherlands currently has some EUR 170 billion worth of natural gas still untapped. That money should not be allowed to ‘disappear’ into general resources, but rather be
used to intensify the efforts towards renewable energy. The government realises that an alternative is needed for oil and gas, but then concludes that coal is the answer. And we are not
talking about one, but five coal-fired power stations at once. Given the CO2 emissions, this is not where we want to be heading."
High-performance solar cell with an efficiency of some 16 percent
The high oil price, peaking at more than USD 100 a barrel at times, undoubtedly serves to promote solar energy as an increasingly plausible alternative. Moreover, Solland Solar manages
to extract more and more energy from its cells and will start production of a high-performance cell, with an efficiency of some 16 percent, before the end of the year. This is an
increase of one percent compared to existing cells; a significant improvement for this sector. The new cell will also help reduce the costs of producing solar panels.
Significant expansion of production
The new production hall is a mere pit stop along the route for Solland Solar, which has seen dramatic growth since its establishment at the end of 2005. The solar cell manufacturer
intends to increase production to 500 MWp/a in 2010. Another two production halls will be built to that end; the relevant subsidy has already been approved by the Ministry of Economic
Affairs. Solland Solar had applied for a subsidy of EUR 125 million.
2008-01-25 Courtesy: Solland Solar Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Solland Solar
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Solar thermal expects growth push from EU Directive
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Solar Thermal Action Plan
for Europe.
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The solar thermal sector welcomes the renewables Directive proposal published by the European Commission, today. For the first time, renewable heating and cooling will be fully
integrated into EU legislation. ESTIF welcomes particularly the obligation for new and refurbished buildings, from which solar thermal will benefit. Member States are called to improve
the framework for solar thermal now, without waiting for the adoption of the Directive. "This Directive proposal lets us start the new year with even greater confidence in
the growth of solar thermal", stated Gerhard Rabensteiner, ESTIF President. "For the first time, an EU legislative proposal has the explicit purpose of supporting all renewables,
including solar heating and cooling. The race to meet the targets has already started and we can contribute strongly and at low costs. The Member States should immediately improve their
support schemes for solar thermal, and not wait until the Directive is approved", Rabensteiner added.
Solar collectors could substitute 20 million tons of oil
Heating and cooling is responsible for 50% of Europe’s energy demand. Most solar thermal systems are smaller than the threshold for the Guarantees of Origin envisaged by the
proposal. However, integrating solar thermal into the millions of heating and cooling systems in Europe can save large amounts of energy: By 2020, solar collectors could produce more
than 20 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) per year, and much more in the longer term.
So far, solar thermal has not been supported by EU renewables legislation, which focused only on electricity and biofuels. Thus, political support was fragmented and discontinuous,
leading to a few frontrunner regions, with most EU countries still in the starting blocks of solar thermal adoption. The full integration of heating and cooling into the national
targets and Action Plans required by the proposed Directive is most welcome by the solar thermal sector.
The legislative proposal, which aims at ensuring that the agreed EU target of 20% renewables is reached by 2020, contains the requirement to use "minimum levels of energy from renewable
sources in all new or refurbished buildings", a measure already introduced in favour of solar thermal by a number of Member States and regions. Moreover, the proposal foresees
certification schemes for installers of renewables systems, including solar systems.
"ESTIF warmly welcomes these new measures. We support the general approach of the Directive and we hope it will be rapidly adopted, though a few changes of certain details seem to be
necessary, for instance on the exceptions from the obligation in new buildings, on quality specifications and on aspects of training certification scheme. We will develop proposals on
these issues", said Raffaele Piria, ESTIF Policy Director.
EU Directive proposal: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/climate_actions/doc/2008_res_directive_en.pdf
ESTIF’s Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe at: www.estif.org/stap
2008-01-24 Courtesy: ESTIF Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: ESTIF
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GE Global Research demonstrates scalable low cost, nano-based Solar Cell
GE Global Research (Niskayuna, N.Y.), the centralized research organization of the General Electric Company on January 16th 2008 announced that scientists on their Nano Photovoltaics
(PV) team have demonstrated a scalable silicon nanowire-based solar cell, which has the potential to achieve up to 18 % efficiency and be produced at a dramatically lower cost than
conventional solar cells. This demonstration represents a promising development in the effort to make PV systems more economically viable for consumers. GE reported its development
recently in the journal Applied Physics Letters. "GE’s demonstration of the silicon nanowire-based cell represents a significant breakthrough in our efforts to enable higher
efficiency cells that can be produced at much lower production costs", said Dr. Loucas Tsakalakos, Project Leader of GE’s Nano PV team. "Today, higher efficiency often
comes with a higher price tag. Through the unique processing and materials property benefits enabled by nanotechnology, we’re aiming to break that paradigm and pave the way to
making solar power more affordable for consumers while maintaining and even improving cell performance", he added.
Ecomagination: cleaner technology to address environmental and energy challenges
Increasing the affordability and availability of solar power is a key part of GE’s ecomagination initiative. Ecomagination represents the company’s commitment to develop
cleaner technology and product solutions to address the world’s toughest environmental and energy challenges. GE has committed to more than doubling its level of investment in
environmentally friendly technologies like solar from 0 million to .5 billion by the year 2010. GE is well on track to meet its commitment, surpassing the billion mark in R+D
spending this year. GE Energy markets and sells solar electric power systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. GE’s Global Research Center is actively
engaged in developing cutting-edge technologies that will advance the Company’s product portfolio. The work published in Applied Physics Letters was a result of collaboration
between researchers at GE Global Research and GE Energy-Solar Technologies.
GE’s Solar Technology Platform: Solutions to make solar power more affordable
GE’s solar research program is unique in that it involves a comprehensive examination across the entire solar industry value chain to enable technology solutions that will make
solar power more affordable and available in the U.S. and around the world. The program has a balanced mix of short and long-term technology initiatives to achieve its goals. The
research effort by Dr. Tsakalakos and the Nano PV team, which included Joleyn Balch, Jody Fronheiser, and Dr. Bas Korevaar from GE Global Research, as well as Dr. Oleg Sulima and Dr.
Jim Rand from GE Energy-Solar Technologies, represents some of the farthest reaching activities of GE’s comprehensive solar research program.
Solar America Initiative to make solar energy cost-competitive
GE has an ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the agency’s Solar America Initiative that is focused on more near-term low-cost PV solutions.
GE is managing a three-year, .7 million project that is looking across the entire value chain to make solar energy more cost effective and more readily available in the marketplace.
The program is evaluating three different technologies for the solar cell: high efficiency silicon-based cells, molded silicon wafers, and flexible thin films. DOE’s Solar America
Initiative is designed to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. Beyond this program, GE researchers are working on technologies to convert
solar energy into usable power that can be supplied to a house, building or to the electrical grid. As renewables like solar and wind achieve a higher penetration into the grid, new
technologies will be needed to smooth their transition.
2008-01-23 Courtesy: GE Global Research Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: GE Global Research
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Concentrix Solar awarded with "Innovation Award of the German Economy"
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First power plant installation of Concentrix
Solar in Spain.
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Concentrix Solar GmbH (Freiburg, Germany) received the 28th "Innovation Award of the German Economy" in the category of "Start-Up Companies", distinguishing it as the company with
the most promising innovation. The prize has been promoted annually since 1980 and is awarded by the Wirtschaftsclub Rhein-Main e.V. and the German weekly news magazine
"WirtschaftsWoche". It is the world-wide oldest distinction of its kind and is under the patronage of the Federal German Minister of Economy and Technology. The prize was given to
Concentrix for its innovative concentrator photovoltaic technology, which achieves almost twice the efficiency as compared to conventional PV technology and realizes cost savings for
electric power production of 10 - 20%, depending on the location, Concentrix emphasizes in a press release. "We are very happy about this success. It confirms our strategy to further
develop this technology for solar power production on a large scale", says CEO Hansjörg Lerchenmüller.
Solar cells with an average efficiency of 35 %.
The main differences to conventional photovoltaic technology are the high efficiency which can be attained as well as the realization of a completely new concept whereby sunlight is
optically concentrated on the solar cells using Fresnel lenses. With its "FLATCON" technology, Concentrix is one of the first companies to use highly efficient solar cells for
terrestrial rather than space applications. Today the average efficiency of these solar cells in production has already reached 35 %. For its module construction, Concentrix makes use
of the established production engineering techniques from the areas of circuit board technology and insulating glass technology. By using highly efficient solar cells, by concentrating
the sunlight and through the high precision attained when positioning the solar cells, Concentrix obtained module efficiencies above 26 %. This is approximately twice the module
efficiency of conventional silicon technology which ranges between about 13 - 14%.
Sunlight concentrated by a factor of almost 500
Concentrix Solar GmbH was founded in February 2005 as a spin-off company of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany. Since February 2006, Good
Energies, being one of the leading strategic investors in the field of renewable energies, has been taking a share in the young company. Concentrix manufactures concentrator power
plants for sunny locations. Using a Fresnel lens optic, sunlight is concentrated by a factor of almost 500 and focused onto a small highly-efficient solar cell. These solar cells
convert the concentrated light directly into electrical energy. In Freiburg, Concentrix operates a pilot production line with a nominal production capacity of 1 MW for manufacturing the
concentrator modules. Concentrix plans to put a 25 MW production line into operation by the middle of 2008 – thus steering this new photovoltaic technology towards large-scale
commercial production.
2008-01-22 Courtesy: Concentrix Solar GmbH Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Concentrix Solar GmbH
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aleo solar AG wins another large solar panel contract in Spain
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Photovoltaic production of aleo solar
in Spain.
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aleo solar AG (Oldenburg/Prenzlau; Germany) on January 21st 2007 announced that it has won another large contract from SOLARTIA. aleo solar will supply the Spanish project developer
with solar PV modules for a new solar farm in the Navarre province. This order is expected to generate sales worth nearly EUR 17 million. Together with the orders reported in December,
the total agreed volume of the Spanish project now amounts to nearly EUR 62 million. SOLARTIA also has the option of ordering another shipment of modules in 2008 worth nearly EUR 5
million. The new Valdegón project in Torres del Río will be the largest solar farm to exclusively use modules from aleo solar AG. The planned photovoltaic power plant, with more than
32,000 aleo modules, will cover 200,000 square metres and should be connected to the grid by September 2008 at the latest. Construction will start in February. Energy from
the Valdegón solar farm will supply over 2,200 households in sunny southern Europe, making it one of the largest photovoltaic installations in Spain.
Modules produced at Santa María de Palautordera exclusively for the Spanish market
In 2007, aleo supplied SOLARTIA with 24,000 modules for another solar farm in Viana. José Emilio Mendívil, managing director of SOLARTIA, explained that past experience with aleo solar
is what prompted his company to place a follow-up order with the German solar specialist. "The premium modules from aleo solar have met our high demands since going into operation. We
anticipate high energy yields throughout their entire lifecycle", Mendívil said this is why the companies are continuing their successful partnership.
The high-quality modules for the new Valdegón solar farm will be manufactured at the main aleo plant in Prenzlau, Germany, and in Santa María de Palautordera near Barcelona. aleo solar,
the first German solar module manufacturer in Spain, has been producing modules in its own plant there since early 2007. "Our presence in the country has given us permanent access to
the important Spanish market", said Jakobus Smit, CEO of aleo solar AG. "The expansion of our cooperation with large Spanish customers shows how highly the quality of our products is
valued." The aleo plant in Spain produces modules exclusively for the Spanish market.
2008-01-21 Courtesy: Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: aleo solar AG
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Hawaii plans to use solar power at 12 locations around state -plan highlights commitment to renewable energy
Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii, on January 9th 2008 announced an plan to develop large solar power arrays at 12 locations around the state, highlighting her Administration’s
commitment to developing renewable energy in Hawai‘i and her mandate that state government lead by example. Under the plan, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) - Airports
Division is soliciting proposals from private companies to develop photovoltaic systems that could generate as much as 34 megawatts of electricity at 11 DOT sites, as well as the
Hawai‘i Foreign-Trade Zone in downtown Honolulu. The DOT plans to have all 12 systems completed and operational within the next 24 months. "This is one of the largest, if not the
largest, state government solar initiatives in the nation", said Ted Liu, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Substituting 130,000 barrels of fuel oil by solar energy
A 34-megawatt photovoltaic system will reduce Hawai‘i’s need for approximately 130,000 barrels of fuel oil per year and would generate enough power to supply about 9,000
homes per year. "Our Administration is committed to developing renewable sources of power to reduce our reliance on imported oil, increase our energy independence and stabilize energy
costs", said Governor Lingle. "Constructing large solar power arrays at DOT sites and in downtown Honolulu capitalizes on one of Hawai‘i’s most abundant natural resources
and produces energy without polluting the environment. This project also shows that state government is leading by example in the critical areas of energy and the environment."
Public-private partnership to erect solar energy systems
The plan is based on a public-private partnership where private companies construct the photovoltaic systems and then enter into an agreement for the state to purchase all power
produced for a minimum of 20 years. This allows the state to avoid construction and operating costs while also establishing a stable, long-term power budget. There are also substantial
benefits for the private sector. "Any private company would be able to reduce project costs by taking advantage of state and federal energy tax credits not otherwise available to
government agencies", Liu said.
solar power for airports and harbors
The project originated when the DOT researched possible renewable energy sources for Kona International Airport in order to take advantage of the location’s year-round sunny
weather to help reduce electricity costs. The solar power project was then expanded to other DOT sites and installation work is now scheduled at DOT facilities at Honolulu, Kalaeloa,
Kahului, Līhu‘e, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i airports; Honolulu and Nawiliwili harbors; and DOT Highway Division district offices on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.
The "Lead by Example" initiative is part of Act 96, which was signed by Governor Lingle last year and reaffirms the state’s responsibility to establish a secure energy and
economic future for the people of Hawaii.
2008-01-21 Courtesy: Hawaii Department of Transportation Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA).
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MIP develops 15.4 MWp solar photovoltaic farm in Spain
Meinl International Power Ltd. (MIP; Jersey) has signed contracts for the development of a solar electric power plant in Andalusia (Spain), the company reports in a press release.
The PV-plant will be constructed in one of Europe’s most Southern and therefore sunniest regions by a consortium headed by Alpine Energie Deutschland GmbH. The solar farm is
designed for a total capacity of 15.4 MWp. The general contractor has agreed to complete the project by the end of September 2008 in order to be eligible for a favourable feed-in
tariff.
Investment volume around EUR 87 million
MIP relies on the considerable appeal of generating electricity from renewable energies and has thus decided to invest in wind and solar energy. Apart from signing agreements on the
establishment of its first wind farm in Germany and securing contractual rights to a wind farm project in Slovakia, MIP, by signing agreements for its first photovoltaic project, has
now taken an additional step towards promoting growth in the alternative energy area, the company emphasizes. The total investment volume for the solar farm project due to MIP amounts
to approximately € 87m. The photovoltaic park will be located in the middle of the province of Almeria, which is among the regions with the best solar radiation values in Spain.
The expected annual solar power output of around 24 million kWh generated at Almeria will suffice to supply around 6,000 average households. Around 91,000 photovoltaic modules will be
installed in an area of 300,000 m2, which corresponds to the size of 40 football fields.
Solar energy experts as development partners
The project developer New Energy Invest GmbH from Munich, Germany, is active in the solar sector in several European countries. Alpine Energie, a German subsidiary of the Austrian
company Alpine Bau, has agreed to act as general contractor. Another industry expert on board is Sinosol AG, project planner and module supplier. Due to MIP construction already started
at the beginning of January 2008 in order to enable completion of the project by the end of September 2008 which means that higher feed-in tariffs will apply.
An attractive market for solar farm projects
Spain is one of the sunniest countries in Europe and records the best solar radiation values. In addition, there are sufficient undeveloped and suitable areas for building such power
plants. As in Italy and Greece, renewable energy is strongly subsidised in Spain. For all plants that are registered and connected to the power system by September 28, 2008 at the
latest a feed-in tariff of around 41 c/kWh will apply. This favourable rate is guaranteed for a period of 25 years with annual adjustments for inflation. For the remaining life of the
power plant the tariff will be reduced by 20%. In addition, the establishment of photovoltaic plants is promoted by granting tax reliefs. "By starting operations at the photovoltaic
farm in Almeria before the end of September 2008 MIP could profit from the currently higher tariffs and generate cash flows quickly in a safe environment", MIP points out in its press
release.
Meinl International Power was founded in June 2006, as dedicated investor in projects in the energy sector. With its investments Meinl International Power is focused to the growth
markets in Central and Eastern Europe. By doing so, Meinl International Power may benefit from the long-term tradition of Meinl Group in the region and the Management’s and Meinl
Bank Group’s experience in the energy sector.
2008-01-21 Courtesy: Meinl International Power Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Day4 Energy completes 1 MW solar project with German energy supplier EnBW
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solar electric module by
Day4 Energy.
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Day4 Energy Inc. (BURNABY, British Columbia), manufacturer of solar electric modules, on January 17th 2008 announced the completion of the first two months of operation of a one
megawatt (MW) solar energy project with EnBW, one of Germany’s largest energy suppliers. Delivering reliable renewable energy to the German county of Sigmaringen, the photovoltaic
(PV) installation is the largest to date for both companies. Based on the system’s successful completion and favourable initial performance, EnBW had extended its contract with
Day4 and scheduled two additional large-scale projects set for construction in 2009 and 2010, Day4 Energy Inc. reports in a press release. "We chose to partner with Day4
Energy based on the high performance, quality and reliability of the company’s solar modules, all of which are critical to our ability to secure long-term return on investment for
a project like this", said Tim Morath, product manager for solar plant systems at EnBW Regional AG. "With an impressive execution schedule that took us from ground breaking to operation
in just three months, Day4 Energy has demonstrated that it has both the product quality and operational expertise to help us achieve EnBW’s aggressive solar energy targets",
Morath added.
Solar electricity for 300 German homes
Located in Riggenbach (Germany) the solar energy project was brought into operation in October 2007. Day4 Energy’s German project management subsidiary Day4 Systems supplied the
solar energy array’s more than 6,200 highly efficient Day4 48 MC solar modules on 2.3 hectares of a former landfill. The system will generate enough clean power to meet the energy
needs of 300 German homes per year and avoid approximately 750 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, the equivalent of removing 469 German cars from the road per year.
"Based on the excellent performance data from the solar energy system’s first two months of operation, we expect to see significantly more electricity generation than the stated
targets of one million kWh per year. That exceptional performance coupled with the speed and professionalism of the Day4 Energy team makes us eager to extend our cooperation through the
installation’s second and third phases", said Thomas Leibinger, director of environmental protection for the county of Sigmaringen.
2008-01-18 Courtesy: Day4 Energy Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Day4 Energy Inc.
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Fraunhofer ISE sets new record for solar PV inverter efficiency
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Inverter circuit board with
SiC components
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A maximum efficiency rating of 98.5 percent for photovoltaic inverters has been achieved by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in a test using prototype silicon
carbide-based MOSFETs manufactured by CREE, Inc., USA. These are the highest efficiency results reported for photovoltaic inverters to date, ISE reports in a press release. Fraunhofer
researchers succeeded in reducing the power dissipation of conventional inverters by 30 to 50 percent when compared with results obtained with traditional silicon-based transistors.
They are the first researchers worldwide to test the new semiconductor material for this application. Inverters transform direct current generated by photovoltaic systems into
alternating current and feed it into the public grid. The higher the efficiency rating of the inverter, the greater is the energy yield of the entire photovoltaic system. To achieve the
highest energy output over time, the efficiency rating should remain high over a wide range of power levels. During testing, the inverter with Cree SiC components also set a new
performance precedent across a wide range of power output values.
"We are thrilled to have achieved this record level of efficiency. Silicon carbide components switch faster and have a smaller forward bias power loss than traditional silicon-based
transistors", says Dr. Bruno Burger, head of the Power Electronics Group at Fraunhofer ISE. Fraunhofer ISE is the first organization known to test silicon carbide MOSFETs in this
application. "Our work involved characterizing the components and integrating them into existing inverters. If, in a further step, the inverter circuitry is optimized specifically for
silicon carbide, then even greater efficiencies could certainly be achieved." Currently, the semiconductor silicon carbide SiC is mainly applied in white LED, which are presently
revolutionizing the lighting technology. SiC diodes have been available for quite a while. However, the MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) which are necessary
for the power stage in inverters have not been available until now.
efficiency rating of a three-phase inverter raised from 95.1 to 97.5 percent
The Fraunhofer team achieved the efficiency rating record with a single-phase inverter with their patent-pending HERIC® topology and a nominal power rating of 5 kilowatts. They also
increased the efficiency rating of a three-phase inverter with a nominal power rating of 7 kilowatts from 95.1 to 97.5 percent. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is
a leader in the development of photovoltaic inverters. ISE engineers presented the first transformerless inverter 25 years ago and have continued to advance transformerless technology.
In the meantime, this technology has now become established in the field of solar power generation. Transformerless inverters are more efficient, cheaper and lighter than devices with
transformers.
2008-01-17 Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE
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SolFocus to install concentrating solar photovoltaic array for 3 MW Spanish CPV Project
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CPV System by SolFocus near Puertollano
(Spain)
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SolFocus Inc. - designer and manufacturer of solar energy systems including concentrator photovoltaic systems (CPV), intelligent tracking systems and solar thermal technology - and
Spain’s Institute of Concentration Photovoltaics Systems (ISFOC) on January 16th 2008 announced the installation of the first CPV array in the ISFOC’s 3 MW project in
Castilla-LaMancha. This is the first 200kW of five MW that SolFocus is going to install over the next few months for this worldwide solar initiative aimed at accelerating the
development and adoption of CPV technology. The ISFOC project is sponsored by the government of Castilla-La Mancha. SolFocus’ installation of the first power-producing
system in the project is a major milestone in achieving the objectives of the program, which supports participating companies by carrying out important R&D efforts on their
installed systems. This includes studies and norms, developments on measurement technology for large systems, reliability testing, maintenance, and analysis of solar radiation and
energy produced.
Official launch of the power-generation with CPV technologies
SolFocus broke ground at the ISFOC Puertollano site in October 2007 with the civil construction and underground electrical work. The SolFocus array that is installed is rated at 6.2 kW
and has performed over its design output, which is significant at the early stage of this project, the company emphasizes in a press release. According to Dr. Pedro Banda, Director
General of the ISFOC "This is a very important occasion as it brings the industry one step closer towards commercial deployment of CPV technologies. For this unprecedented and ambitious
program, the ISFOC has selected CPV technologies that are the most advanced and have the brightest futures". He added, "SolFocus’ first installation marks the official launch of
the power-generation phase of the program."
Moving solar energy towards a more cost-effective and scalable mainstream energy source
SolFocus, with European headquarters in Madrid and United States headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., has over 40 kW of test arrays installed at various sites. SolFocus selected the
ISFOC project for its first large-scale installation because of the project founders’ vision for CPV and plans to address the key challenges of commercializing this technology.
"We share the belief with the ISFOC leadership that CPV is the disruptive technology that will have a major impact in moving solar energy toward a more cost-effective and scalable
mainstream energy source", commented Pedro Ladrón de Guevara, SolFocus VP and General Manager, Tracker Division. "The focus of the ISFOC on addressing the most important components of
CPV, including performance, energy production, safety and reliability, is directly in line with SolFocus’ goals this year, as the company moves into full-scale commercial
deployment in late 2008."
2008-01-17 Courtesy: SolFocus Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SolFocus Inc.
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Japanese PV producer Kaneka plans to increase production capacity to 130 MW
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PV production at Kaneka Solartech
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PV producer Kaneka Corporation (Osaka; Japan), has increased its production capacity as planned at Kaneka Solartech Co., Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Kaneka) to 55 megawatts
(MW) by spring 2007, and is now aiming to raise the capacity to 70 MW by fall 2008. Total capital investment in the project is ¥2 billion, the company reports in a press release.
Moreover, in response to overwhelming demand, the Company is considering a plan to boost production capacity to 130 MW by 2010. The capital investment required, including for incidental
facilities, is estimated at ¥10 billion, Kaneka emphasizes. The world demand of photovoltaic-industry market exceeded the 1,000 MW mark in 2004, as PV is recognized as a
valuable new energy source that is effective in carbon-dioxide reduction and other environmental measures. The global PV production has continued to grow 20 - 25 % per year, and is
expected to exceed 3.000 MW by 2010. Especially in Europe, attractive feed-in tariff system has been adopted widespread in about 20 countries, including Germany, Spain and Italy. And
the European market has grown to represent 50 % of the global share. Also in Japan, PV system is applied to residential and industrial applications.
Examination of possible new processing facilities
As it expands its production facilities, Kaneka also increases capacity at its module-assembling factories. At its existing facility in the Czech Republic, the Company plans to increase
production capacity to 30MW from the current 20MW in 2008. To supply the expected increase in demand in North America and Southeast Asia, Kaneka is considering opening module-assembling
factories in Vietnam and Mexico, among others.
Success in achieving a world-top-class conversion efficiency of 13.4%
Kaneka established Kaneka Solartech in 1999. The subsidiary soon succeeded in the world’s first mass production of amorphous-silicon PV modules. Later, Kaneka developed a
revolutionary technology that raises conversion efficiency to 12 %. This was achieved by adding a newly developed intermediate layer to the prior tandem cell (a-Si / mc-Si). Kaneka thus
became a pioneering producer of thin-film silicon HYBRID modules with the thin film crystalline silicon solar cell, with some of the highest conversion efficiencies in the industry:
13.4% for modules in the 910mm x 455mm size. The Company is continuing its program of R&D with the aim of stabilizing quality in mass production. Simultaneously, the Company is
pressing ahead with improvements in productivity, as well as with process-related development, which together will enable substantial cost reductions. With this it is expected to
provide products of world-standard quality and cost.
PV makers the world over are striving to ramp up production as demand soars. Competition to obtain the poly-silicon materials required for crystalline PV modules is intensifying as a
result. Under these conditions, Kaneka is leveraging its advantage in New Hybrid PV modules to apply this technology as widely as possible and drive the expansion of its market share,
applying its products to free-land applications, roof applications and building-façade applications. In this way Kaneka bolsters its competitive position in thin-film silicon PV modules
as the top manufacturer.
2008-01-15 Courtesy: Kaneka Belgium N.V. German Office Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Kaneka Belgium N.V. German Office
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SunEdison activates large U.S. photovoltaic power plant for Xcel Energy
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photovoltaic power plant at
Alamosa.
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SunEdison, North America's largest solar energy services provider, announced that the 8.22-megawatt Alamosa, Colo., photovoltaic (PV) solar plant was activated on December 17th 2007,
ahead of its scheduled completion date. It is one of the largest solar PV plant in the United States supporting substation loads for a major public utility. The Alamosa solar plant is
on roughly 80 acres of land near the substation in Alamosa and San Luis Valley in Colorado. The facility will generate approximately 17,000 Megawatt hours annually, delivering enough
clean energy to power 1,500 homes. The Alamosa photovoltaic solar plant will generate enough clean energy to remove the carbon emissions produced by cars driving 765 million miles over
20 years. The solar plant was financed and built and will be maintained by SunEdison, under a Solar Power Services Agreement (SPSA). Under the SPSA, Xcel Energy will buy
renewable energy credits and the solar power generated by the Alamosa plant for 20 years. In March, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, signed into law legislation that requires utilities
such as Xcel Energy to derive 20 percent of its power from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Colorado advancing to a New Energy Economy
The groundbreaking for the new solar power system was held in April 2007 and was attended by Gov. Ritter, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, and executives from SunEdison and Xcel Energy. "Colorado
is advancing to a New Energy Economy through projects such as this in the San Luis Valley. It provides clean power to the state, protects our environment, and brings jobs and revenue to
rural communities. The SunEdison solar power plant is a great example of how our state is taking advantage of renewable energy", said Gov. Ritter. "With help from Governor Ritter and
leading organizations including Xcel Energy and SunEdison, Colorado is emerging as the renewable energy capital of the nation with the deployment of the Alamosa photovoltaic solar plant
and many other initiatives using solar, wind and bio-fuels", said United States Sen. Ken Salazar. "The development of renewable energy resources will help to secure our energy
independence, strengthen our national and economic security and conserve our natural resources while revitalizing our long-ignored rural communities. It is a win-win for
everyone."
Three distinct types of solar technologies
Building the solar power plant to support the substation created approximately 50 new jobs in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley. Now completed, the plant provides ongoing employment for a
small, locally based maintenance crew. The solar power plant near the substation is unique in that it consists of three distinct types of solar technologies: - Single axis tracking
array; Fixed-mount array; Dual axis tracking array with photovoltaic concentrator technology. According to Karen Hyde, vice president of resource planning and acquisition at Xcel
Energy, "This is a unique facility – three types of solar technologies have been deployed in parallel. Performance monitoring will allow us to study the system’s performance
and evaluate the relative benefits of each technology over the system’s expected 20-year lifespan."
2008-01-14 Courtesy: Xcel Energy; Sun Edison LLC Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Xcel Energy
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European Sustainable Energy Week: One full day dedicated to Photovoltaics
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European Sustainable Energy Week.
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Under the umbrella of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign (SEE), the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, the European Institutions, the
Slovenian Presidency and major stakeholders concerned with sustainable energy meet at the second EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW). Following unprecedented collaboration between the
European Commission and a wide array of private and public actors in 2007, the second EUSEW takes place between January 28th and February 1st 2008. January 31st 2008 is completely
dedicated to PV issues it starts with the morning session: "PV solar energy - the way forward" organized by the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform. The objective of
the conference is to introduce the "Updated Vision Report" of the EU PV Technology Platform, in order to elaborate on the multiple benefits of the photovoltaic solar energy and its
potential contribution to future 2020 targets and further.
Building Integrated PV – a market of the future
The afternoon session is hosted by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EOIA) and entitled "Buidling Integrated PV - a market segment with a huge potential". Photovoltaic
systems will increasingly contribute to improve the future energy balance of buildings, EPIA empasizes. On the occasion of this event, best practices in integration of PV systems in
buildings will be shown. In addition, best policies to support the development of this specific market segment will be presented by experts in the field.
· Info and registration for Buidling Integrated PV - a market segment with a huge potential". Venue: Brussels . EC Charlemagne Building, Room S1: http://www.eusew.eu/page.cfm?page=events&selEvent=90.
· Info and registration for "PV solar energy - the way forward" Venue: Brussels - EC Charlemagne Building, Room S2: http://www.eusew.eu/page.cfm?page=events&selEvent=91
Additional Information on the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) for Photovoltaic Technology in the Solarserver's Solar Magazine: index-e.html
2008-01-14 Courtesy: EPIA; EUSEW Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: EUSEW.
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SunPower to build an 8 megawatt solar power plant in Spain
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Solartracking system by SunPower.
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SunPower Corp. (SAN JOSE, Calif.), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, on January 04th 2008 announced that its Spanish
subsidiary will engineer, procure equipment for and construct an approximately 8 megawatt solar electric power plant in the Extremadura region of Spain. A corporate affiliate of The
Naturener Group, a Spanish-based company, will own the solar power plant, and SunPower expects the system will begin operating in September 2008. The Naturener project expands
SunPower's deployment in Spain to approximately 30 Megawatt, the company reports in a press release.
SunPower-Tracker optimizes land use and energy delivery
"Once again we are teaming with Naturener to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the rapidly expanding Spanish market. By using the industry-leading SunPower-Tracker technology,
Naturener will maximize the solar plant's energy delivery, while optimizing land use and reducing related costs", said Marco Antonio Northland, general manager of SunPower's European
operations. "SunPower's engineering, procurement and construction expertise will be key to meeting our budget and schedule targets," added Rafael Sanchez-Castillo, CEO of The Naturener
Group. "We are pleased to continue the solar power segment of our renewable energy portfolio in Spain", Sanchez-Castillo emphasizes.
2008-01-10 Courtesy: SunPower Corporation Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SunPower Corporation
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aleo solar AG set up megawatt solar park in East Frisia (Germany)
aleo solar AG (Oldenburg, Prenzlau, Germany) on January 7th 2008 announced that it has set up a solar farm with a peak output of 942 kilowatts in Friedeburg (East Frisia; Germany).
The greenfield project has been connected to the grid last year. Around EUR 4.5 million is being invested in this photovoltaic power plant, which will produce 850,000 kilowatt hours of
clean electricity each year using nearly 5,500 S_16 modules from aleo, the company reports I a press release. This is enough energy to supply around 250 three-person households, thus
saving 500 tons of CO2 every year. Constructor is a businessman from the Wittmund region. The power plant will be part of a larger energy park which will supply
environmentally friendly energy to an orchid plantation, among other things. A biogas plant is already in operation, and wind energy facilities are planned as well.
"The megawatt solar farm in Friedeburg proves that photovoltaic projects in northern Germany are economically feasible. We were able to complete the entire installation within three
months and connect it to the grid very quickly", said Norbert Schlesiger, Director Sales Germany at aleo solar AG. The company received the order in October, and all modules have been
installed on a mounting system by the end of the year. The solar energy will be fed through 26 inverters to a substation which was set up especially for the solar farm.
2008-01-07 Courtesy: aleo solar AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: aleo solar AG
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Oerlikon Solar expands position in both Asian-Pacific and European Markets for Thin-Film Solar Module Production Lines
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A robot discharges sheets of glass
coated by an Oerlikon TCO system
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Oerlikon Solar, a leading global supplier of automated solar manufacturing solutions for mass production of solar modules, announced at the end of December 2007 that it has been
awarded contracts with Taiwan's Auria Solar Co. Ltd. with a 60 MWp and as well Italian Pramac SpA with a 30 MWp thin-film solar module production lines. Together with these new
contracts Oerlikon has added more than 650 Mio. CHF ($ 586) worth of solar equipment to its order books for 2007. "The state-of-the art production lines include Oerlikon Solar's
innovative micromorph tandem technology that combines two different silicon materials - amorphous and microcrystalline - boosting energy conversion efficiency levels by up to 50 percent
compared to traditional amorphous single cells", the company reports in a press release. The agreement marks Oerlikon Solar's second major contract in Taiwan in 2007 and it's
first contract in Italy/Switzerland. "Exciting for Oerlikon Solar, is that the Italian based Pramac's manufacturing location will be in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. Oerlikon
Solar's Swiss manufacturing technology will be producing for the first time in Switzerland. With the Auria Solar contract, Taiwan will exceed a total production capacity of 100 MWp"
Oerlikon Solar emphasizes.
"The orders from Auria Solar and Pramac SpA confirms our leadership in supplying cost-effective, fully automated production lines for thin-film solar modules. With these additional
orders Oerlikon Solar has now exceeded all targets for 2007," said Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar. "Continued customer adoption of our solar solutions demonstrate this market's
growing confidence in our thin-film silicon solar technologies. The fact that no other manufacturer of solar module production equipment worldwide can match our state-of-the art
technology will enable us to further extend our market share," said Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO Oerlikon.
Turnkey end-to-end production solution for solar modules
The advanced Oerlikon Solar production line enables the manufacturing of thin-film silicon modules. The turnkey, end-to-end solution embraces the entire production process from glass
cleaning and in-line inspection to testing of the finished solar modules. Another differentiating element is that Oerlikon Solar will provide its full-service package for commissioning
the process equipment and securing production ramp-up as efficiently as possible. Both of these agreements also include the company's entire metrology system for quality control, the
"back end" of module production and its proprietary process technology. "Of critical importance are the Oerlikon Solar proprietary TCO layers that play a central role by trapping the
light in the photovoltaic thin-film maximizing the conversion efficiency. These unique capabilities enhance the performance of the solar modules and directly reduce the cost per watt
peak", the company points out in it's press release.
"There is a rapidly growing demand from our customers for solar modules. This requires innovative and proven technology, turnkey capabilities and customer service that will enable us to
increase production as quickly and efficiently as possible," said Dr. Tsai, CEO Auria Solar. "Oerlikon Solar offers the strongest combination of these qualities and has consistently
demonstrated that they are not only proven but as well have the capability to deliver systems on time."
"We made this important investment because we firmly believe in renewable energy - said Paolo Campinoti, Pramac's managing director - because it is still a very young market and will
allow us great growth. The new technology we are offering will provide lower costs and higher yields than the traditional system. In our view, this is an important step in the direction
of our company's natural development, and a further confirmation that we are keeping the promises we made at the time of the initial public offering", says Mr. Campinoti.
2008-01-07 Courtesy: Oerlikon Solar Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Oerlikon Solar
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SANYO to establish "Advanced Photovoltaics Development Center"
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The "Solar Ark" at Anpachi
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SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO; Tokyo) announced in December 2007 that it will establish a new "Advanced Photovoltaics Development Center" within its Gifu Plant in Japan. The plant,
located in Anpachi (Gifu prefecture) houses the Solar Ark, a large-scale solar power generation facility that stands as a monument to the world of SANYO's commitment and efforts to
create a clean energy-based society. SANYO is currently advancing the development of its solar technology, primarily focused on its proprietary "HIT" (Heterojunction with Intrinsic
Thin-layer) solar cells, at the Advanced Energy Research Center of R&D Headquarters and at the Solar Division of the Clean Energy Company. The "Advanced Photovoltaics Development
Center" will promote the development of next-generation thin-film silicon solar cells aiming at reducing the cost of solar power generation to match costs as low as electricity charges
applied to home-use.
Dr. Shinya Tsuda, SANYO's vice president and General Manager of R&D Headquarters, comments: "SANYO considers next-generation thin-film silicon solar cells as the third generation of
solar cells, following amorphous and HIT solar cells. With this third generation of products, we aim to commercialize them to decrease the cost of solar power generation to match or be
comparable to current home electricity bills in the future." He also added. "Based on a medium- and long-term perspective, we will begin full-scale development of next-generation
thin-film silicon solar cells in order to meet demand for highly efficient but much cheaper solar cells as well as HIT solar cells to meet higher-end needs demanding the world’s
best efficiency." Resources at the Gifu Plant already exist that can be utilized for next-generation thin-film silicon solar cells, including such things as a basis for technical
development of semiconductors and thin-film transistors, Tsuda emphasises.
Production capacity to be expanded up to 650 MW by 2010
To date, SANYO has always been at the forefront of solar cell technology development. Major achievements in solar advances include the world’s first commercialization of amorphous
silicon solar cells named “AMORTON” in 1980 and the launch of the highly efficient HIT solar cells through proprietary company technology in 1997. Looking at the global
solar market, demand for solar power-generation is expected to increase significantly as more and more countries are introducing systems that purchase electricity obtained from
renewable sources at preferential conditions, such as the feed-in tariff system adopted by the German Government. Aiming at a huge increase in sales, especially in the overseas market,
SANYO will invest 80 billion yen in HIT solar cells over the next three fiscal years and increase production capacity to 650 MW by FY2010, up 250 % from the current amount.
2008-01-03 Courtesy: SANYO Electric Co.,Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SANYO Electric Co.,Ltd.
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