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SRI Consulting publishes report on solar energy materials and technologies
SRI Consulting (SRIC; Menlo Park, California) on April 23rd, 2009 announced that it had published its new "Materials and Technologies for Solar Energy" report, which details the
solar materials and technologies used in 1st through 4th generation photovoltaic (PV) applications and includes an overview of solar thermal. The company reports that solar power
manufacturing, like other new energy processes, makes demands of chemicals during equipment manufacturing or operations. 1st and 2nd generation photovoltaic cells require
different forms of silicon, rare transition metals and metalloid elements. Because of increased silicon costs, the 3rd and 4th generation solar technologies focus on organic polymers or
nanomaterials and the lower manufacturing costs they offer. "Developments in organic photovoltaic technology have made significant improvements in recent years, with cell efficiencies
reaching over 5 percent. However, silicon based cells in the commercial photovoltaic industry are still the predominant technology because of higher efficiencies reaching over 25
percent", said Bob Davenport, Director of the Safe and Sustainable Chemicals series at SRIC.
Promising synergies with the printed electronics industry
According to the press release, the "Materials and Technologies for Solar Energy" report explores new applications where solar energy is being applied. Many opportunities are believed
to exist for companies in the solar energy area from material research to manufacturing where breakthrough developments are being made at a high rate. The developments in organic
manufacturing could pose promising synergies with the printed electronics industry, researchers believe. The number of specific technologies for producing photovoltaic solar cells is
said to be almost as high as the number of companies participating in the industry, and manufacturers have started to come together to establish industry standards. According to the
press release, the new report includes information on key manufacturers and major technologies.
Further Information: http://www.sriconsulting.com/
2009-04-30 Courtesy: SRI Consulting Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SRI Consulting
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OPEL International and BETASOL to build 2.375 MW solar farm in Spain
OPEL International Inc. (OPEL; Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Shelton, Connecticut), a global developer and supplier of high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems including
ground-mounted and rooftop tracker systems, on April 21st, 2009 announced that its Spanish partner BETASOL had expanded its HCPV opportunity in Spain and obtained a bank aval or
guarantee of more than 1,500,000 US-dollars (1,187,500 Euros) for a new HCPV solar project. According to the press release, BETASOL is currently applying for permits to build a new
utility grade solar farm for subsequent sale to investor groups. The projected solar farm is expected to have a nominal capacity of 2,375 megawatts (MW) using high
concentration photovoltaic panels on dual axis tracking systems. "Once the permits are obtained for this deployment, this will bring meaningful advancement and institutionalization of
HCPV installations into the region's solar marketplace and is another significant accomplishment for OPEL, internationally", said Robert Pico, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OPEL
International.
Concentrating solar panels and feed-in-tariffs to allow for high rates of return
According to company officials, OPEL will supply the grid connected solar farm with its original design "Mk-I" high concentration photovoltaic panels mounted on dual axis trackers
manufactured by OPEL. "The Mk-I HCPV panel design is highly cost effective and concentrates light from the sun more than 500 times", Pico said. "This product has conversion efficiency
up to twice that of silicon flat plate solar panels and more than three times that of thin film solar panels, making it the optimum solution for solar grid field installations", he
added. "The use of OPEL's energy efficient panels together with Spain's feed-in-tariff structure allows attractive rates of returns for solar projects." Jesus Cabetas, Managing Director
of BETASOL emphasized: "We at BETASOL are very pleased to expand our partnership with OPEL, one of the leading HCPV suppliers in the world. OPEL's outstanding panel efficiency allows
for increased investor interest and attractive rates of returns on our Spanish solar projects."
2009-04-30 Courtesy: OPEL International Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: OPEL International Inc.
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German PV producers Sunfilm AG and Sontor GmbH merge to become one of the leading manufacturers of silicon-based thin film modules in the world
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Sunfilm Headquarters in Großröhrsdorf,
Germany.
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Sunfilm AG (Grossroehrsdorf) and Sontor GmbH (Bitterfeld-Wolfen) merge to become one of the world’s largest providers of tandem junction silicon based thin film modules. The
new company will be named Sunfilm AG. In an increasingly competitive global photovoltaic market, Sunfilm will have the necessary size and expertise to significantly profit from the
growing segment of thin film solar, the companies emphasize in their press release. Q-Cells SE, Good Energies and NorSun AS will be the shareholders of the new Sunfilm and are firmly
committed to supporting the company on its future growth path. With an installed capacity of approximately 85 megawatts peak (MWp) at the two current production sites in
Bitterfeld-Wolfen and Grossroehrsdorf, plus an additional 60MWp of capacity under construction in Grossroehrsdorf, Sunfilm is already one of the world’s largest manufacturers of
tandem junction silicon-based thin film modules. "Thin film is one of the most significant growth areas within the photovoltaic industry. After the merger, the new Sunfilm will
participate significantly in this growth and we will establish our company as both a driving force in the market and as a technology leader", says Wolfgang Heinze, Chief Operating
Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Sunfilm AG.
Economies of scale and synergies to contribute to future growth
Sunfilm’s size and market position will enable the company to create a competitive advantage through economies of scale, despite facing an increasingly crowded market. In
addition, Sunfilm can achieve a variety of cost savings, including those from synergies in purchasing and those from consolidation of overlapping segments. The combined expertise in
research and development forms an additional clear competitive advantage. As a result, Sunfilm can accelerate the further development of thin film technology and reduce production costs
for solar energy in the midterm. "Sunfilm will take a top position in research and development and will significantly advance the technology of solar modules with an even higher
performance", according to Dr. Torsten Brammer, Chief Scientist and member of the Executive Board of the new Sunfilm.
Current shareholders continue to support new company
Q-Cells, the sole owner of Sontor, will hold 50 percent of the new Sunfilm shares. Q-Cells is a leader within the global photovoltaic industry and is the world’s largest producer
of solar cells. "The new Sunfilm forms a central pillar in Q-Cells’ global strategy for thin film technologies", says Dr. Florian Holzapfel, Board Member of Q-Cells, responsible
for New Technologies. "This powerful merger will create even more growth momentum in this thin film sector." Good Energies, a leading global investor in renewable energy and energy
efficiency industries, as well as NorSun AS, a Norwegian manufacturer of high performance monocrystalline silicon wafers, will also remain invested in Sunfilm and support the future
growth of the new company.
Good Energies will hold about 35 percent of the new company and about 15 percent will be owned by NorSun. "We believe the merger is the best way to capitalize on the enormous potential
of tandem junction thin film technology and to establish a leading company in the market", explains Dr. Sven Hansen, Chief Investment Officer of Good Energies and Chairman of the
Supervisory Board of Sunfilm.
Strengthening of Germany as a center of Photovoltaics
The new Sunfilm AG will have production sites in Grossroehrsdorf and Bitterfeld-Wolfen, while the center for research and development will be located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. The new
company now has approximately 400 employees, but additional jobs will be created in the midterm as the expansion in Grossroehrsdorf comes on-line. The merger of the two companies is
expected to become legally effective by the end of May 2009, but is still subject to approval by the competent antitrust agencies.
2009-04-29 Courtesy: Sunfilm AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Sunfilm AG
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BP Solar to supply PV systems for Wal-Mart in California through power purchase agreement
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PV rooftop systems at Wal-Mart and Sam's
Club, Chino, California.
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BP Solar (San Francisco, California) on April 22nd, 2009 announced that it had been selected to provide photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems for stores of the retailer Wal-Mart
(Bentonville, Arkansas) in California. Under the terms of a power purchase agreement (PPA), which had been negotiated for the projects, BP will finance, install and maintain the
photovoltaic systems and Wal-Mart will have access to clean solar electricity with no upfront capital cost. BP Solar reports that it will initially focus on building 10 to 20
rooftop systems at Wal-Mart locations in California and work evaluate the potential for additional projects with the retailer. The first set of projects, totaling up to 10 megawatts
(MW) of installed solar power, is expected to be completed within about 18 months.
PV-systems offer long-term reliability, cost-effective return on investment
"BP is pleased to expand our energy supply relationship with Wal-Mart through this series of new projects", said Reyad Fezzani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BP Solar. "BP's solar
power systems have been shown to reliably perform for more than 25 years and this reliability, when combined with no up front capital cost, will help drive further development of
large-scale solar projects in California and elsewhere." According to the press release, BP Solar has already completed the construction of solar energy systems with a capacity of 4.1
MW for seven Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs in California in 2008. Under the terms of the PPA, Wal-Mart agrees to purchase all of the energy produced by the solar power systems, while
BP Solar will operate and maintain them. BP Solar reports that it leverages its own capital, and that it will work closely with external finance partners to provide optimal value for
its customers.
Retailer to demonstrate affordability and benefits of solar power
"BP Solar has been a great partner, and we look forward to accelerating our efforts to utilize more affordable renewable energy in our operations", said Kim Saylors-Laster, Vice
President of energy at Wal-Mart. "As we partner on this larger scale, our goal is to show how using affordable solar power benefits the environment and makes good business sense",
Fezzani added that the proven long-term reliability of BP Solar's PV-systems, combined with the company's staying power, allow for a secure and cost-effective platform for large
customers to make significant investments in renewable energy. BP Solar reports that it guarantees its modules for 25 years.
2009-04-29 Courtesy: BP Solar Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Wal-Mart
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Chicago: Exelon and SunPower to develop 10 MW urban solar power plant
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Artist's rendering of the urban solar power
plant.
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Exelon Corporation (Chicago, Illinois) and SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California) on April 22nd, 2009 announced that they had signed an agreement to develop what the companies
believe to become the largest urban solar power plant in the USA at a former industrial site on Chicago's South Side. The 10 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) facility is scheduled
for completion by the end of this year, the companies report. According to the press release, the 60 million US-dollar project is contingent upon Exelon receiving a federal
loan guarantee under the recently passed federal economic stimulus legislation, which includes provisions for investment in green jobs and emissions reduction. SunPower reports that
Exelon is seeking a loan guarantee for up to 80 percent of the project cost from the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program Office (LGPO). Exelon plans to lease 39 acres of
the "brownfield" West Pullman Industrial Redevelopment Area from the City of Chicago for the solar power plant. Under the terms of the agreement with SunPower, Exelon Generation will
own and operate the plant and market the electricity and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) it generates. SunPower will in turn design, manufacture and install the solar
system.
32,800 solar panels to offset 31.2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions
"With nearly 2,000 megawatts of renewable power in our energy portfolio, including hydro-electricity, wind, landfill gas and solar, Exelon is investing aggressively but wisely in
renewables as part of our comprehensive environmental strategy 'Exelon 2020' ", said Exelon's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John W. Rowe. "As a provider of electrical
service in urban areas, we understand the importance of finding urban locations for renewable energy and we are pleased to bring the largest urban solar installation to West Pullman,
helping to revitalize an area where industry once thrived." According to the press release, the project's 32,800 solar panels will meet the annual electricity requirements of 1,200 to
1,500 homes per year. This means that the installation will displace approximately 31.2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, the companies report. "Today, SunPower's
solar PV technology can be implemented anywhere and at any scale", said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. "Delivering a 10-megawatt solar plant in a space-constrained, 39-acre area is only
possible using SunPower's high-efficiency solar technology, which generates more power per square foot than competing technologies."
Solar power project to create 200 jobs during construction
Exelon and SunPower's environmentally sustainable design supports the City of Chicago's efforts to create an environmental legacy for its residents. The project is expected to create
about 200 jobs at prevailing wage rates during construction, maximizing the use of local labor and providing job training opportunities. "Exelon's planned solar installation will
benefit the West Pullman community in many ways, including increased economic activity, new jobs, and the revitalization of these unused parcels of land", said Chicago 34th Ward
Alderman Carrie M. Austin. "Exelon has always been a great corporate citizen to Chicago, and I look forward to working with Exelon and the community to bring this high-tech solar plant
to the West Pullman area." SunPower reports that its solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar panels, and two to four times as much power as thin-film
solar technology.
2009-04-29 Courtesy: SunPower Corporation Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SunPower Corporation
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Photovoltaics: operational capacity in the European Union approaches 10 gigawatt-peak
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Germany, Spain and Italy are the biggest PV
markets in the EU.
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The European Union continues to drive photocell installation with an additional 4.6 gigawatt-peak (GWp) in the year 2008, equal to a 152 % growth over 2007, EurObserv’ER
reports in a press release. The European Union is leading the world photovoltaic market with about 80 % of the world’s installed capacity. In 2008, the European Union more than
doubled its newly installed PV capacity relative to the year before. According to preliminary estimates, the capacity installed rose from 1825.6 megawatt-peak in 2007) to 4592.3 MWp in
2008 (up 151.6 %). This additional capacity means that the Europe-wide capacity amounts to 9533.3 MWp, almost doubling the figure for 2007 (up 92.9 %). New in this
EurObserv’ER's "PV Barometer" is an overview of power purchase conditions for photovoltaic electricity in the main markets of the European Union, Information on renewable energy
policy and selected country, Industry news an outlook to 2010.
The EurObserv’ER barometer regularly provides publications of indicators reflecting the current dynamics in renewable energies (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biomass)
worldwide and within the European Union. In the consortium name, ‘ER’ refers to renewable energy in French: énergies renouvelables. In June 2009 the next EurObserv'ER
Barometer is expected, focusing on solar thermal energy. The EurObserv’ER barometer is a project supported by the European Commission within the DG TREN "Intelligent Energy
Europe" programme. It is also supported by Ademe, the French Environment and Energy management Agency.
Free download
The bilingual (French/English) EurObserv’ER Barometers are available for download in PDF format at http://www.eurobserv-er.org
2009-04-28 Courtesy: EurObserv'ER Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: EurObserv’ER
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REC Solar to become SunEdison's first channel partner to deliver solar power for commercial-scale project developments
SunEdison LLC. (Beltsville Maryland), North America's largest solar energy services provider, on April 22nd, 2009 announced that national integrator REC Solar (San Luis Obispo,
California) had been signed as the company's first channel partner. SunEdison reports that its solar channel partner program provides national installers and integrators increased
project financing capabilities, including the ability to deliver projects via solar power purchase agreements (PPAs). In addition, for photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems developed
under the program, SunEdison offers to provide service, maintenance and monitoring with control and management technologies. "We are excited to partner with SunEdison and to
benefit from the expertise they bring in structuring and financing large scale solar projects. Together, we can help government agencies, utilities and commercial customers generate
clean solar energy with no upfront capital costs while creating jobs in our local communities", said Matthew Woods, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at REC Solar.
More systems to be installed, and thus more local jobs created
Brian Jacolick, General Manager Americas with SunEdison noted, "We're building long-term sustainable partnerships through our solar channel partners program. This program will result in
more systems installed, and thus more local jobs for the industry and for our partners. Our partners bring the on-the-ground expertise and share our commitment to deliver PV solar
energy systems that meet rigorous engineering and construction standards." Cory Vaughan, SunEdison's Director for Channel Sales, added: "Customers have the best of both worlds. They
benefit from our partners' expertise and will realize more financial and energy savings through SunEdison's approach to long-term solar energy system management." According to the press
release, SunEdison's solar channel partners have to qualify for the program by exceeding two years of installation experience on commercial-scale systems and by meeting
industry-standard design and construction requirements.
2009-04-28 Courtesy: SunEdison LLC. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands reports record efficiency for innovative solar module
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New office building of ECN in Petten (Netherlands).
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Researchers of the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN; Petten) on April 17th, 2009 reported that they had achieved a premium conversion efficiency of 16.4 percent
(aperture area) on a full-size solar module, which the organization believes to set a new efficiency world-record for photovoltaic (PV) modules with multi-crystalline silicon solar
cells. The previous world-record was held by Sandia National Laboratory (USA), at 15.5 percent aperture-area efficiency. According to the press release, several modules with
aperture-area efficiencies beyond 16 percent had been manufactured with high-efficiency cells made from wafers supplied by REC Wafer Norway (Sandvika, Norway) and Deutsche Solar
(Freiberg). ECN reports that researchers had achieved the world record by using industrial-scale equipment for interconnection and encapsulation of rear-contact cells. The Dutch solar
cell manufacturer Solland Solar is expected to be the first to use the world-record technology in commercial production later this year. Research and development financing had been
acquired through the European Commission's "CrystalClear"-project, and by the Dutch government through "SenterNovem."
Rear-contacted cell designs allow for high efficiencies, optimal use of space
ECN reports that it had developed the new module design and manufacturing process based on a solar cell design with all contacts on the rear. This technology is based on metallization
wrap-through (MWT) solar cells, that are interconnected in modules using conductive adhesives and a patterned conductive foil, the organization reports. This process is comparable to
surface mounting of electronic components on a printed circuit board. In MWT cells, the front electrode is "wrapped through" small vias in the cell, so that it can be contacted at the
rear in parallel with the rear-side electrode. ECN believes that the MWT technology has several important benefits. First, it thinks that it can significantly improve the module
conversion efficiency. In conventional modules, the metal strips that connect the front of one cell with the rear of a neighboring cell block part of the incoming light, requiring
spaces between the cells which ultimately leads to a lower packing density of cells, and thus to a lower module efficiency. In addition, the MWT technology uses a patterned conductive
foil, which results in lower resistance losses than strips, which also leads to an increase in module efficiencies.
Gentle manufacturing process allows for use of 120 micron thin wafers
The second benefit of MWT is that very thin and fragile solar cells can be used, ECN reports. According to the press release, the world record module was built with 36 solar cells of
only 120 micron thickness, much thinner than the 180-200 micron thick wafers that the industry usually utilizes. This module was made on the industrial-scale equipment without any cell
breakage, demonstrating the potential of this technology for cost reduction. This is made possible by simplifying the module manufacturing process. The MWT technology uses
pick-and-place cell handling in combination with conductive adhesives, according to the press release. This gives a minimum of mechanical and thermal impact and stress throughout the
manufacturing process. The solar modules made with the new technology have passed several reliability tests, ECN reports. Outdoor and climate chamber tests are reported to have shown
excellent performance, and normal certification tests have already been passed.
2009-04-27 Courtesy: Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: ECN
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Suniva's founder Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi honored by U.S. EPA and ASES for lifetime achievement
After over thirty years of innovative research and discoveries in photovoltaic (PV) technology, Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, founder and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Suniva, Inc.
(Norcross, Georgia), was recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) for his contribution to making solar
technology a realistic, low-cost energy solution, the company reported in a press release on April 21st, 2009. According to the press release, the U.S. EPA honored Dr. Rohatgi
as an "Individual Climate Protection Award Winner" in a ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In addition, the company reports that ASES had selected Dr. Rohatgi as this
year's Hoyt Clarke Hottel Award Winner, for contributions in solar energy technology. ASES plans to also honor him at the SOLAR 2009 conference, in Buffalo, NY on May 11-16, 2009.
Honoree welcomes confluence of technology, political will and economic opportunities
Dr. Rohatgi is a regents professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta), where he founded the school's PV research program and later established the first University Center
of Excellence for Photovoltaic Research and Education (UCEP), a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2007, he founded Suniva to commercialize what the company calls the
world's most advanced low-cost high-efficiency solar cells. "This is a critical time in the history of solar research and deployment. Never before in my career have I seen today's
confluence of technological advances, political will and economic conditions necessary to bring solar into the mainstream. I'm honored to receive such recognitions as America and the
world embrace photovoltaics as a practical energy solution,", Rohatgi said. According to the press release, Dr. Rohatgi's career focused on pushing the frontiers of PV cell performance
and cost through research into the effects of impurities in silicon solar cells, the design and modeling of solar cells and the development of new fabrication techniques that
simultaneously speed manufacturing and reduce costs. Dr. Rohatgi has authored and co-authored over 375 technical papers about solar, set 14 solar cell world records and helped more than
40 of the world’s largest solar companies develop new technologies, Suniva reports.
Suniva sees itself fit for the US solar market
Dr. Rohatgi had also been selected by Washington, D.C.-based Aspen Institute's 2009 Energy and Environment Awards as one of five finalists, adding to previous honors received by him,
including the IEEE Cherry Award, Georgia Tech's Distinguished Professor Award and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Rappaport Award.
Dr. Rohatgi's company, Suniva, recently won the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2009 Envention Environmental Award and was recognized by the Technology Association of Georgia as one of the
Top 10 Innovative Georgia Technology Companies as well as by AlwaysOn as one of the Top 50 green technology companies in the Eastern U.S. "These awards from the business and scientific
communities validate the direction Suniva has chosen," said Suniva Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Baumstark. "The combination of renowned PV scientists and an executive team turning
their vision into a reality is quickly making solar a competitive energy technology and an important part of American industry." In March, Suniva was selected to be one of five clean
technology companies invited to the White House for an event where President Obama pledged his ongoing support of increased research and development funding to build America's new
energy economy.
2009-04-26 Courtesy: Suniva Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Suniva, Inc.
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Del Monte Foods inaugurates 1.9-MW solar rooftop system
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759 kW PV installation at Del Monte's
Kingsburg plant.
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Del Monte Foods (San Francisco, California) and SunPower Corp. (San Jose, California), on April 17th, 2009 announced the dedication of a new 1.9-megawatt (MW) solar power system that
had been installed at two of Del Monte's manufacturing plants. Combined, the two installations represent the largest solar rooftop system in California's Central Valley, the companies
report. The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 95 million pounds over 30 years, while saving Del Monte an estimated 500,000 US-dollars on electrical costs during
the first year of operation, and 25 million US-dollars over its expected 30-year lifetime. "With this new solar power system at our Hanford and Kingsburg plants, we recognize
Del Monte's continuing commitment to environmental sustainability and the communities in which we work, a commitment that literally extends from the fields to the grocery shelf", said
Del Monte Foods Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rick Wolford.
Solar power plant qualifies for California Solar Initiative
The inaugural celebration took place at Del Monte's Hanford, California plant where a 1.2-MW SunPower solar power plant had been installed. At the company's Kingsburg plant SunPower
designed and built a 759-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) installation. Combined, the solar systems feature 9,080 solar panels, covering nearly 200,000 square feet of rooftop, which is
roughly the equivalent of three and a half football fields, according to the press release. The system is expected to produce enough energy to power approximately 7,519 homes over the
next 30 years, while also making good business sense. Under the California Solar Initiative (CSI) program, the new system qualifies Del Monte for a rebate on utility rates for the first
five years of operations. Del Monte is realizing additional savings as a result of California's net metering program, which requires customers to pay only for the net amount of
electricity their regional utility company supplies over-and-above the amount of electricity generated by an on-site solar power system. "This SunPower system is powering Del Monte's
facilities with clean, renewable solar power during the times of day when demand is at its highest, easing stress on the utility grid when electricity is most needed and most
expensive," said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. "We applaud Del Monte's vision and commitment, which is serving to significantly reduce both operational costs and the levels of greenhouse
gases in our atmosphere."
2009-04-25 Courtesy: SunPower Corp. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: SunPower Corp.
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German automation specialist ACI-ecotec focuses on equipment for photovoltaic production
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Karl-Heinz Menauer,
Managing Director of
ACI-ecotec.
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The Shareholders of ACI-ecotec GmbH & Co. KG, located in St. Georgen, Germany, envisage the future of their newly founded company in the development and manufacture of turnkey
production systems away from the usual core business of automated selective soldering. Professor Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Schmutz and Dr.-Ing. Johann Dorner, together with Managing Director,
Dipl.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Menauer now place emphasis on the production of crystalline and thin film photovoltaic modules to offer cutting-edge manufacturing equipment world-wide, the
company reports in a press release. Since its formation, ACI-ecotec on own account has worked quickly to optimise the manufacturing processes with innovative developments in
the Photovoltaic Industry in the areas of wafer and cell production as well as thin film and crystalline modules. Amongst other products, this work has resulted in the patent-registered
"ecoSplit", a fully-automated system for wafer separation, the company accentuates. It significantly increases the turnover of silicon wafer production by minimising wafer
breakage.
Optimization of manufacturing processes
The "ecoCarrier" improves process reliability during manufacturing, transport and storage of silicon cells and wafers. With "ecoContact" the automation specialist achieved another
world-wide "First" development, a fully-automated and highly flexible contact line for thin film modules. Commenting on one advantage of the patented system, Karl-Heinz Menauer said:
"Through innovative technologies ecoContact allows the total contacting time of a module to be less than 40 seconds." In addition, the company located in the Black Forest, develops
turnkey solutions together with various key partners.
New capacities for new challenges
To be prepared for future challenges, the automation specialist will move into a new office and production building in the autumn of 2009. The Shareholders and the Managing Director not
only see new growth of further development and new solutions in the Photovoltaic and Automotive Industry, but also for other emerging technologies like fuel cells and plastic
electronics.
2009-04-24 Courtesy: ACI-ecotec GmbH & Co. KG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: ACI-ecotec GmbH & Co. KG
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Gartner analysis: PV industry's power center continues to shift
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Gartner's estimation of SunEdison's
projects on a state by state basis.
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Gartner, Inc. (Stamford, Connecticut), a leading information technology research and advisory company, on April 14th, 2009 reported that its analysis of the solar industry points to
a further increasing role for power purchase agreements (PPAs). On March 31st, 2009 SunEdison (Beltsville, Maryland) had announced that it had become the first U.S. owner/operator to
surpass 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in delivered solar photovoltaic electricity. SunEdison reported that it had raised more than 450 million US-dollars in project financing from
a variety of solar project investors. Gartner believes that SunEdison's announcement highlights the increasing importance of the photovoltaic (PV) power purchase agreements (PPA), as
the PV industry is looking for revenue growth models and increased channels into the U.S. market's potential.
Current economic environment causes vendors to lose power, financing seen as bottleneck
Gartner believes that shifts in power in the solar industry started when the economic downturn hit the market in the late third quarter of 2008. PV cell and poly silicon prices are
expected to continue to drop, while at the same time capacity plans have been canceled by vendors across all geographies. According to the analysis, vendors and their investors are
hoping that the U.S. stimulus package or demand in Europe will pick up to drive the market forward. In 2007 and during the first three quarters of 2008, vendors had been able to pick
which customers they would supply and they could dictate the terms that included upfront deposits. Startup firms had been able to introduce new products with confidence in finding
customers, with limited concerns on their pricing pressure, Gartner finds. Now, the company believes financing to be the bottleneck and that firms with access to capital can set the
terms. In particular, financing companies determine what technologies they are willing to accept or deny, based on the maturity of the technology and the viability of the vendor. This
situation, according to the market analysis, has set PV PPA companies (for example, SunEdison, Solar Power Partners, MMA Renewable Ventures, SolarCity, Tioga Energy, etc.) in a critical
position for the success of the U.S. PV market.
Established vendors, startups cautioned to increase efforts to meet PV PPA companies' needs
Even though those PV PPA companies have also been hit by the credit crisis, Gartner sees signs of improving project finance for them. The PV PPA firms that can continue to build their
financing pipeline are thought to be in a position to dictate the terms to the PV industry for the near-term future. Therefore, Gartner points out that both established vendors as well
as startups with products in the PV cell, inverter and monitoring markets will need to increase their efforts to address the PV PPA firms' concerns, as well as show both enhanced
financial returns and minimal risk. The main author of the latest Gartner report was analyst Alfonso Velosa.
2009-04-22 Courtesy: Gartner, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Gartner, Inc.
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GET certifies Applied Materials' SunFab thin film PV line for manufacturing in Taiwan
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Large solar photovoltaic panels reduce
installation time and costs.
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Green Energy Technology Inc., Ltd. (GET; Kuanyin, Taiwan) has successfully certified its new "SunFab"-thin film production line,
equipment manufacturer Applied Materials Inc. (Santa Clara, California) reported on April 16th, 2009. Equipped by Applied Materials GET produces Taiwan's largest solar photovoltaic (PV)
panels in Tao Yuan and has passed final acceptance testing with world-class panel efficiency, yield and throughput. "The key to success in the solar market is the ability to
drive down manufacturing cost by employing outstanding technology and manufacturing expertise", said Hurlon Lin, President of GET. "This is exactly what we've done with our SunFab line.
We've combined Green Energy's extensive production and manufacturing experience with Applied's advanced technology, process control and service support to set new factory
benchmarks."
Thin film solar panels available for large-scale commercial installations
According to the announcement, GET had begun pilot production of SunFab panels in late 2008 and ramped to volume production level of full-size 5.7 square meter SunFab-panels less than
five months later. It is now ready to serve applications for large-scale commercial rooftop installations and solar farms, the company reports. "Applied has a 20-year history of working
with leading semiconductor and flat panel display companies in Taiwan, and we are very pleased that our first SunFab certification in Southeast Asia is with Green Energy", said Dr.
Randhir Thakur, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the SunFab Thin Film Solar and Display Business Group at Applied Materials. "Our successful collaboration with Green Energy
resulted in a very rapid manufacturing ramp and we're confident that our long-term relationship will continue to drive exceptional factory performance."
2009-04-22 Courtesy: Applied Materials Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Applied Materials Inc.
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Trina Solar announces three new sales agreements with German PV companies
Trina Solar Limited (Changzhou, China), an integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, on April 20th, 2009 announced that it had entered into three sales agreements
totaling approximately 42 megawatts (MW) of PV modules for delivery in 2009 to customers in Germany, including 12 MW with the Bull Solar GmbH, subsidiary of the Bull Holding AG
(Bergheim, Germany). Trina Solar reports that it had signed these contracts during the first quarter of 2009 and that they reflect a continued demand for Trina Solar's products from
established customers in Germany. "We are pleased to see continued demand growth from traditional markets such as Germany", said Arturo Herrero, Trina Solar's Vice President
of Sales and Marketing. "With our recognized high quality and established low cost platform, we expect to capture more market share in both established and emerging PV markets, such as
Australia, the Benelux market, China, France, Greece, Korea and the United States." Trina Solar Limited is a manufacturer of high quality PV modules with a long history as a solar PV
pioneer since it was founded in 1997.
2009-04-21 Courtesy: Trina Solar Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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USA: Austin Company and Centrosolar America team up to deliver photovoltaic systems for commercial roofs
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Centrosolar and Austin targeting commercial
roofs in North America.
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The Austin Company (Cleveland, Ohio), an international design, engineering and construction firm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kajima USA (Rochelle Park, New Jersey) and
Centrosolar America, Inc. (Scottsdale, Arizona), a leading manufacturer and distributor of photovoltaic (PV) equipment and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Centrosolar Group AG (Munich,
Germany), on April 9th, 2009 announced that they had reached a multi-year teaming agreement to jointly deliver PV systems to commercial customers in North America. Mike
Pierce, Senior Vice President of The Austin Company, said: "Austin has always searched for collaboration with technology leaders who bring value to the built environment. Austin's
clients throughout the US are searching for reliable solutions to lower their energy costs and their carbon footprint. Teaming with Centrosolar enables us to bring their leading
technology into service for our clients enabling them to attain their goals. This is a strategy that works well for everyone involved."
German PV-company to expand US-operations
Ron Tovella, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Centrosolar America Inc. added: "Austin has a hundred-year tradition in the architectural design and construction industry,
which is greatly valued in the marketplace. We believe that commercial clients of Austin will increasingly recognize the value of adopting high-quality PV systems on their rooftops, as
we grow our US market presence and such systems become more affordable in the market." Centrosolar reports that it has a joint-venture with roofing company Pohlen (Geilenkirchen,
Germany) in Europe and that this had been very successful in executing several turnkey PV projects in multiple European countries. Centrosolar plans to leverage its expertise in
executing large turnkey projects to serve its new US customers.
2009-04-21 Courtesy: Centrosolar America, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Centrosolar America, Inc.
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Solar energy tapped to power world headquarters of pharmaceutical company Merck
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Solar PV tracking systems at Merck's
headquarters.
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One of the largest ground-mounted solar tracking systems built in a corporate setting is now powering energy to the world headquarters of Merck & Co., Inc. (Whitehouse Station,
New Jersey). The construction is complete and nearly 7,000 moving solar panels are tracking the sun to generate what the company expects to amount to 2.5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of
energy per year; Merck & Co. announces in a press release. "Supporting the use of clean, reliable solar power is good for our environment and makes good business sense",
said Merck's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard T. Clark. "This project is consistent with Merck's 'going green' efforts to reduce our environmental footprint
and to promote greater efficiency in our use of natural resources."
Power purchase agreement basis for Merck solar installation
Through arrangements that are making the installation of large solar systems more feasible, the system at Merck is owned and operated by Dome-Tech, Inc., a subsidiary of the Carrier
Corporation (Farmington, Connecticut). According to the press release, Dome-Tech will supply solar power to Merck under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). The project was partly
financed through initiatives offered under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, tax credits issued by the U.S. Federal Solar and Renewables Tax Credit Program, and support from the
Readington Township (New Jersey) Planning Board, the company reports. "I applaud Merck's responsible environmental efforts," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "New Jersey has one of the
strongest solar programs in the nation and this private sector project is a fine complement to our own energy master plan initiatives that are securing and strengthening the Garden
State's energy future."
Pharmaceutical company dedicated to environmental protection and renewable energy
Merck reports that it is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent by 2012 from a 2004 baseline. A solar project of the size at Whitehouse Station is expected to
avoid the emissions of more than 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The solar array is spread out over 7.5 acres, with panels moving to track the sun's movement throughout
the day. Power generated from the system is expected to cover about 7.5 percent of the electrical needs at the Merck site. Merck announces that it has received the "Green &
Sustainable Energy" award from the Hunterdon County Planning Board (Flemington, New Jersey) in recognition of the solar project. Merck reports that it had also recently been recognized
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for continued efforts to protect the environment.
2009-04-21 Courtesy: Merck & Co., Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Merck & Co., Inc.
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Sunfilm and Applied Materials achieve solar industry milestone with certification of world's first tandem junction "SunFab"-Line
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The "SunFab" at Sunfil's German facility
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Sunfilm, AG (Großröhrsdorf, Germany) and Applied Materials, Inc. (Santa Clara, California) on April 20th, 2009 announced that the world’s first tandem junction SunFab Thin Film
Line installed at Sunfilm's Grossroehrsdorf facility achieved factory acceptance on April 14th, 2009. Using 5.7m2 substrates, the line passed final acceptance test certification,
verifying that it has met specifications for producing solar photovoltaic modules with efficiencies of up to 8%, as well as yield and overall annual capacity specifications, the
companies report I a press release. The line is now beginning volume production. "We are pleased to have demonstrated that tandem junction technology is scalable to large-size
panels and that these higher efficiency panels can be produced at volumes that make them ideal for utility scale solar installations", said Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO of Applied
Materials. “The ramp of SunFab tandem junction lines is an important business and technological achievement that brings the industry another step closer to dramatically changing
the way the world generates energy."
"This is a major milestone in the ramp-up of our factory", said Wolfgang Heinze, Sunfilm’s COO and Chairman of the Executive Board. "The engineering teams from Sunfilm and Applied
Materials have worked together intensively to get our performance to this impressive level. We are proud to have the first tandem junction production line in the world where this
certification has been reached."
"This is an outstanding achievement for both Sunfilm and Applied. It demonstrates technical excellence and our ability to collaborate and execute to enable our customer’s
success", added Dr. Randhir Thakur, senior vice president, general manager SunFab Thin Film Solar and Display Products. "Rapidly driving leading edge technology into manufacturing is a
core capability of Applied and this milestone is another demonstration of our ability to quickly move tandem junction technology from the lab to commercial production."
A full-size panel will deliver about 450 Wp; a quarter module generates up to 115 Wp
Thin film tandem junction panels use about 1/50th of the amount of silicon per watt of electricity produced compared with traditional solar modules fabricated using crystalline silicon
wafers. By combining tandem junction technology with ultra-large 5.7m2 substrates and volume manufacturing capabilities, Sunfilm expects to meet a wide range of customer applications
for full-, half- and quarter-size panels, which can substantially reduce the cost of installed solar electricity. A quarter-size 1.4m2 module generates up to 115Wp, while a full-size
5.7m2 panel will deliver about 450Wp.
"This is excellent news for our existing and future customers", said Dr. Sicco W.T. Westra, Chief Business Development Officer of Sunfilm. “We can now begin delivery of our
products in larger quantities. With a total annualized capacity of over 120 MWp between this first production line and our second production line that we plan to start up later this
year, we are in a strong position to fulfill market demand." Sunfilm AG was established at the end of 2006 by Good Energies and NorSun and is located in Grossroehrsdorf, Germany. The
company develops, produces and markets photovoltaic modules based on high efficiency tandem junction silicon thin film technology.
2009-04-20 Courtesy: Applied Materials Inc.; Sunfilm AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Sunfilm AG
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Advent Solar reports solar cell efficiency milestones across multiple silicon types
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PV production at Advent Solar's facility.
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Advent Solar, Inc. (Albuquerque, New Mexico), a producer of "next generation" silicon-based photovoltaic technology, on April 14th, 2009 announced the expansion of its "Ventura
Technology" manufacturing capability across all silicon types, including multi-crystalline, mono-crystalline and upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG). Advent Solar reports that
its "Ventura Technology" is a comprehensive cell-to-module architecture that provides solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers with maximum flexibility in their approach to the market.
According to the press release, manufacturers are now able to select the silicon solution that will best address their customers' price and performance needs. "The
silicon-based photovoltaic solar industry is trapped in a cycle of providing decreasing efficiency gains, while at the same time increasing development costs", said Fares Bagh, Vice
President of engineering and technology at Advent Solar. "Advent Solar is focused on shattering this conventional approach by attacking the problem from a holistic system perspective.
Today, we achieved a significant milestone by developing a scalable manufacturing process that can produce high-efficiency solar cells using mono-crystalline, multi-crystalline and
low-cost UMG silicon wafers."
Cell efficiencies validated by Fraunhofer ISE, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) and Sandia Labs
Advent Solar reports that it had achieved superior cell efficiencies at industry-leading costs with its new manufacturing capabilities. According to the press release, solar cells based
on mainstream mono-silicon wafers provided 18.2 percent efficiency, while the multi-crystalline cells' efficiency was measured at 17.2 percent and UMG wafers were processed into solar
cells with 16.56 percent efficiency. The company reports that it had validated the cell efficiencies via round robin tests at the Fraunhofer ISE, NREL (National Renewable Energy
Laboratory) and Sandia Labs. "The solar industry today is debating which technology will dominate in the long term: silicon PV or thin film", said Peter Green, president and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of Advent Solar. "Currently, silicon PV still dominates the market, although thin film has made significant gains. The latest advancement in 'Ventura Technology'
with the lowest-cost silicon type, UMG, provides a capability that bridges the gap between thin-film costs and silicon PV efficiencies by hitting the industry target of 1 US-dollar per
watt at the cell level with excellent performance." Advent Solar reports that it provides its comprehensive cell-to-module architecture "Ventura Technology" through a licensing model
that the company believes can deliver the industry's best value for silicon PV modules.
2009-04-20 Courtesy: Advent Solar, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Advent Solar, Inc.
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Solar Energy Initiatives, Inc. announces 6.5 million US-dollar project
Solar Energy Initiatives, Inc. (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida), distributor of solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technologies, on April 7th, 2009 announced the company had signed a
6.5 million US-dollar Letter of Intent (LoI) to install solar panels on municipal buildings. This project will be for a western United States school district, and the installation is
expected to begin within the next few months, the company reports. A solar partner company is expected to supply the solar equipment and balance of system for the project, while Solar
Energy Initiatives plans to sell the newly generated solar energy to the school district at a discounted rate compared to the current electricity provider. Solar Energy
Initiatives reports that it will partner with an undisclosed funding source, allowing for the installation of the solar system at no 'out of pocket' cost to the municipality. Solar
Energy Initiatives plans to split the revenue of the energy sold to the school district and recognize energy sales over a 20-year period. "We are very pleased with how quickly our
company was able to generate its first multi-million dollar commercial contract," stated David Fann, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solar Energy Initiatives. "This agreement is proof
that our focused and compelling business model presents municipalities with efficient and immediate cost saving opportunities.”
2009-04-20 Courtesy: Solar Energy Initiatives, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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EPIA: Despite credit crunch, the solar photovoltaic industry is more than ever ready for further growth
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Solar photovoltaic industry is more than
ever ready for further growth
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Speakers at EPIA’s 3rd International Conference on Solar Photovoltaic Investments confirmed that, like all industries, the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector has not been spared by
the credit crunch. Medium to large scale PV plants are taking longer to be financed than ever before, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) reports in a press release.
They participants of the conference also stressed that the fundamentals of the PV sector remain intact, if not better than before, considering the price decrease of PV modules between
10 % and 20% since the beginning of 2009.
Lack of finance availability temporary slows down activities
Given the current world uncertainties, all banks have strongly reduced their credit loans and the solar PV sector has not escaped the trend. Project financing thus appears as a
challenge for the industry. While it required around 4 weeks to obtain debt financing in 2008, today it takes 8 to 10 weeks, on average. The perceived risk is higher, so that fewer
banks are engaged and they prefer smaller projects (less than 50 million euros). If the situation differs in all countries, PV pricing remains crucial. Companies being able to reduce
their prices and technology leaders should be the most successful. Experts also confirm that high-quality PV projects meeting all legal requirements, from the planning to the operating
phase, will be financed. "Financing is possible, but you need to be realistic", states Christian T. Junior from Commerzbank. Investors are very selective due to the low finance
availability, but they still see PV as a fantastic sector to invest in, both in PV projects and PV companies. Utilities such as EWE also underline the huge potential PV represents for
them and their willingness to engage more.
A reliable, calculable and low-risk investment
Given the government support programs (mainly Feed-in Tariffs) providing investor security in the long-term and warranties from module manufacturers, solar PV represents a low-risk
investment, EPIA emphasizes: "PV is a proven technology with a module lifetime of 25 to 40 years whereas the economic payback time of the investment is generally between 8 to 12 years.
PV is a secure, reliable and calculable investment over the years. With PV, we know how much energy we produce for at least 25 years, we know how much we receive from the Feed-in
Tariff, so that we can forecast our revenues over 20-25 years". "Investing in a PV system is like buying a car with a tank which is always full", said Hubert Aulich from PV Crystalox
Solar.
PV modules back on the learning curve
Due to the polysilicon shortage, PV has been above its historical learning curve[1] over the last 3-4 years. Seeing a major increase in polysilicon production, average polysilicon
prices have decreased significantly and are driving general costs down for silicon-based technologies. In addition, the industry unanimously recognised the module oversupply situation
in today’s PV market. As a result, module prices have dropped by 10% to 20% since the beginning of the year and this is very good news for the PV sector in general. We can
consider that "PV technology is now back on its learning curve", said Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, EPIA President.
A strong commitment from the industry
The PV industry hopes finance availability will improve in the coming months. In any case, PV fundamentals remain strong and the industry is committed to accelerating price decrease and
expects further penetration of the existing PV markets and an accelerated market development in new and emerging PV markets. In this context, the European PV industry has unanimously
agreed that photovoltaic energy could provide up to 12% of European electricity demand by 2020 and is strongly committed to becoming a significant energy supplier in Europe. "Through
this commitment and under the right framework conditions, we are able to reduce PV generation costs by 8% every year. This represents a decrease of 50% every 8 years - a sexy promise
for investors", concludes Hoffmann.
Organised in partnership with the Deutsche Börse Group, the 2-day conference gathered together investors and potential business partners in the financial city of Frankfurt on 7-8 April
2009. Presentations are available at: http://www.pvinvestmentconference.org/index.php?id=18
2009-04-19 Courtesy: EPIA Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: EPIA; BP Solar
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SunEdison activated 86 solar PV systems with a total capacity of 25.5 MWp in 2008
SunEdison LLC (Beltsville, Maryland), North America's largest solar energy services provider, on April 13th, 2009 announced that it had activated a record 86 photovoltaic (PV) solar
energy systems in the United States during 2008, with a total nominal capacity of 25.5 megawatts (MWp). In the fourth quarter of 2008 alone, the company reports that it had activated 37
PV systems in the United States for a combined capacity of 9.7 MW. Key to these activations had been the financing from Wells Fargo & Company, according to SunEdison. A
recent example is a Wells Fargo investment in a project jointly developed by SunEdison and Q-Cells (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) and hosted by Staples at its distribution center in
Rialto, California. The 441 kilowatt (kW) capacity solar system is operated by SunEdison and includes 1,960 solar modules using Q-Cells solar cell technology.
Investment in solar energy continues despite financial circumstances
"Wells Fargo recognizes long-term value in supporting renewable energy. Our advanced control and monitoring technologies provide both our partners and customers transparency into the
economic and energy savings that SunEdison solar provides", said Carlos Domenech, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SunEdison. "Despite the economic downturn, Wells Fargo continues to
invest in solar projects across the country because these investments help customers secure reliable, cost-effective power and help businesses access cleaner energy sources," said Barry
Neal, Director of Wells Fargo's Environmental Finance. "We look forward to helping the industry expand even further."
2009-04-18 Courtesy: SunEdison LLC Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Advanced Solar Photonics to manufacture thin film and mono-crystalline modules
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Cleanroom at Advanced Solar Photonics
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Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP; Lake Mary, Florida), a developer of laser marking, scribing, edge deletion and edge isolation systems for the solar industry, on April 13th, 2009
reported that its SolarFab project in Lake Mary, Florida will include production capabilities not only for thin film, but also for mono-crystalline solar modules. The company reports
that it had secured a 318,000 square foot facility and that it was in the assembly stage of developing the two manufacturing lines with a total production capacity of up to 90 megawatts
(MW). With clean rooms in place and equipment starting to arrive, ASP expects a pilot line to be up and running within the next few weeks. The first mono-crystalline panels
are slated to be available in July 2009, while a full thin film production is scheduled to ramp up by late 2010. "Originally, our SolarFab production plant would only manufacture thin
film modules, up to 40 MW. However, due to high response for our panels, Advanced Solar Photonics will not only be producing thin film, but also mono-crystalline panels", said Maureen
McHale, Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager for ASP. "This new silicon line would initially be 25 MW, ramping up to 50 MW in a fairly short span of time."
Instead of 200 new green jobs, new projections point to 500 jobs for central Florida
"Adding another dimension to the manufacturing plant not only allows us to meet customer demands, it also increases job creation for the Central Florida area. Up from projecting
approximately 200 green jobs, we now estimate SolarFab will employ 500 people," McHale said. With the dependence on foreign oil, environmental degradation and the vulnerability of power
networks, SolarFab's "SunPanels," both thin film and the new mono-crystalline, could help meet government and consumers' growing demand for increasingly efficient and cost- effective
solar power, according to the press release.
2009-04-17 Courtesy: Advanced Solar Photonics Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Advanced Solar Photonics
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Solar Thin Films announces acquisition of Hungarian BudaSolar
Solar Thin Films, Inc. (Dix Hills, New York) on April 8th, 2009 announced that it and its subsidiary KRAFT Elektronikai Zrt. (Kraft) of Budapest, Hungary, have agreed to acquire
BudaSolar Technologies Co. Ltd in a transaction that management believes will bring new process expertise to the combined company, as well as an enhanced customer pipeline. "In addition
to bringing a highly qualified team of engineers and technicians together, we are thrilled to be working together again with Dr. Istvan Krafcsik, who, with Kraft's Dr. Laszlo Farkas,
co-founded Kraft over a decade ago," a company spokesperson said. "Dr. Krafcsik is a well regarded scientist with a long background in the photovoltaic industry, who has
already been able to bring improvements to our existing offering." Subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, Kraft is expected to acquire 100 percent of the share
capital of BudaSolar and to issue to the BudaSolar stockholders 49 percent of the share capital of Kraft. The closing is scheduled to occur as soon as practicable, but in any event by
April 30, 2009.The company cautions that it can not yet assure that the share exchange will be consummated.
Merger of two teams causes re-arrangement of responsibilities
According to the press release, Kraft had entered into five year employment agreements with Dr. Istvan Krafcsik and with Attila Horvath as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief
Operating Officer (COO) of Kraft and its BudaSolar subsidiary, respectively. Solar Thin Films announced that its CEO, Peter Lewis, would step down to become the Group Vice President,
Equipment and Thin Films Division, so that he can better focus on the growing business opportunity afforded by Kraft's proposed acquisition of BudaSolar. "We are very happy to bring
together two complementary teams, both with significant expertise in equipment and processes associated with the production and installation of ‘turnkey’ amorphous silicon
lines using a process that yields among the lowest cost solar modules available today world-wide," said Bob Rubin, of Solar Thin Films. "We are confident that the combined pipeline and
marketing effort will yield positive results in the near future."
New product introductions, solid project pipeline and "turnkey" amorphous silicon manufacturing lines to be developed
"I am proud of the progress we have made at Kraft to migrate from an equipment supplier to a supplier of higher margin 'turnkey' amorphous silicon manufacturing lines," noted Lewis.
"Over the past 18 months, we have dramatically improved our product offering and quality assurance programs and have redirected our marketing effort at closing complete 'turnkey' lines.
Upon the consummation of the share exchange and the combination of the Kraft and BudaSolar teams, we intend to focus our future efforts on new product introductions and significantly
expanding our sales pipeline." As part of the reorganization, Bob Rubin, Chairman, will also assume the responsibility of CEO, and will focus on expanding the solar businesses of Solar
Thin Films beyond its Kraft and Solar Thin Power subsidiaries.
2009-04-17 Courtesy: Solar Thin Films, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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First Solar to build 48 MW photovoltaic power plant for Sempra Generation in Nevada
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Sempra Generation's 10 megawatt (MW) PV plant
"El Dorado Solar C."
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First Solar, Inc. (Tempe, Arizona) on April 15th, 2009 announced it has executed an agreement to build a 48 megawatt (MW) AC ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) power plant for Sempra
Generation. This project would expand the 10MW AC power plant First Solar completed for Sempra Generation in 2008, which is located near Boulder City, Nev. Due to the press release
First Solar will design, engineer and construct the PV power plant. The Company expects to begin construction in 2009. Once construction is completed in 2010, the combined 58 MW AC
project is expected to be the largest PV power plant in North America. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to expand this 10MW project to 58 MW - more than five times its
original size, advancing our mission of providing clean, affordable solar electricity", said John Carrington, First Solar's executive vice president of marketing and business
development.
As is the case with the original 10 MW AC solar plant, the 48 MW AC project will be constructed adjacent to Sempra Generation's existing 480 MW El Dorado Energy power plant, located
about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Sempra Generation will own and operate the PV power plant. The agreement is conditioned upon Sempra Generation executing a power purchase
agreement with a utility customer for the electricity generated by the PV power plant and applicable state and local regulatory approvals.
2009-04-16 Courtesy: First Solar, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: First Solar Inc
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Trina Solar completes 4.7 MW photovoltaic system in Italy
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4.7 MW photovoltaic installation in Serravalle, Italy
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Trina Solar Limited (Changzhou, China), an integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, on April 14th, 2009 announced, the company had completed a photovoltaic array
with a capacity of 4.7 megawatts (MW), that had been developed at the end of February by ErgyCapital S.p.A. (Milan, Italy). Trina Solar reports that it had been selected to be the sole
supplier of PV modules for the rooftop installation in the town of Serravalle Scrivia, in the Piemont region of Italy. According to the press release, the project is
currently Italy's largest photovoltaic facility and single roof-mounted solar system, involving approximately 38,000 square meters of solar panels. The system is expected to generate
approximately 5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of solar electricity per year, thereby benefiting the environment by reducing up to 2,500 tons of CO2 emissions.
Trina to continue to develop its brand in Italy
"We are excited to partner with ErgyCapital on the completion of the largest single rooftop installation project in Italy. This roof-mounted PV system is an excellent example of the
many projects that we look forward to working on with ErgyCapital in the future," stated Arturo Herrero, Trina Solar's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "We are pleased to work
with established Italian investment companies such as ErgyCapital that specialize in renewable energy as we continue to develop our well recognized brand in Italy by providing efficient
and clean solar energy in the years ahead."
2009-04-16 Courtesy: Trina Solar Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Trina Solar Ltd.
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Applied Solar launches "Solar Communities Program" in San Diego County to speed adoption without significant up-front cost
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PPAs are available for aesthetically pleasing solar tiles.
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Applied Solar, Inc. (San Diego, California), a developer of solar energy solutions, on April 13th, 2009 announced the launch of its "Solar Communities Program" in San Diego County.
According to the press release, the program aims to expedite the number of homes utilizing clean solar energy by overcoming what the company believes to be two of the most common
obstacles to solar adoption: cost and aesthetics. While Americans are increasingly interested in utilizing renewable energy, many are hesitant to make an investment in
rooftop solar panels due to the high upfront costs, the company reports. In addition, while state rebates and federal tax incentives have the potential to significantly defray the cost
of solar power, many homeowners are believed to be unable to take full advantage of these incentives, which is what Applied Solar intends to change. "While it is true that now, more
than ever, Americans are concerned about the environmental impact of their actions, they are also keenly focused on controlling their monthly household expenses," said David Field,
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Applied Solar. "Any proposition to switch to solar power must also entail a way to save on household costs in the near term. If we are
able to bring the payback period for solar down to three or four years versus the traditional 10 years, it makes a lot more financial sense for consumers."
New program allows for PPAs to include systems with BIPV solar tiles
According to the press release, power purchase agreements (PPAs) will be available for San Diego County homeowners through Applied Solar's "Solar Communities Program." PPAs first hit
the San Diego residential market in 2008, but were only available for the conventional rack-mounted solar panels that many rejected as unsightly, the company reports. Under the new
program, PPAs are now available for the first time on the more aesthetically pleasing, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar tiles, which blend into the color and texture of the
roof surface for a clean, seamless look. The company reports that it had developed the solar tiles, which are manufactured by Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Wuxi, China), one of the
world's largest solar module producers. Many of the nation's top builders utilize these solar tiles on account of their efficiency, reliability and visual appeal, the company
reports.
How it works:
Applied Solar explains how the "Solar Communities Program" is expected to work. According to the plan, a representative is first to identify the solar energy system best suited for the
needs of the particular homeowner. Then, the homeowner signs a PPA and pays only a portion of the upfront cost, which the company reports is typically about 2,000-3,000 US-dollars for a
2 kilowatt (kW) capacity system, as opposed to the 20,000 US-dollars or more the system would cost to purchase outright. The third step would be to install the solar power system to
generate clean, renewable electricity, which the homeowner would then purchase at fixed prices that lie below those of the utility San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E), Applied
Solar reports. The company or an affiliate will be responsible for all long-term operation and maintenance of the solar energy system, wile the homeowner can enjoy long-term affordable,
reliable solar energy.
San Diego Community Outreach
Applied Solar reports that it has partnered with San Diego-based Patriot Roofing, Inc. and solar integrator Clean Power Systems, Inc., to execute the initial "Solar Communities"
installations in San Diego County. While still available for new construction, the "Solar Communities Program" was expanded to offer affordable, attractive solar power to existing
homes, the company reports. "Partnering with a respected roofing company like Patriot provides an efficient, streamlined approach to converting more homes to solar energy," said Field.
"We are working with the same skilled tradesmen who built thousands of beautiful homes in the San Diego area to now install and maintain solar energy systems. In the process, we are
creating a whole new class of workers trained in the clean tech jobs of the future. It's a win-win formula for all involved."
2009-04-16 Courtesy: Applied Solar, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
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Photovoltaics: Florida Power & Light and Kitson & Partners to build one of the world's largest solar power plants
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An artists Rendering of Babcock Ranch.
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The US-real estate developer Kitson & Partners (K&P; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) on April 10th, 2009 announced that it had entered into an agreement with the electric
utility Florida Power & Light (FPL; Arcadia, Florida), to build what the companies believe is to become the world's largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Babcock Ranch,
Florida. According to the press release, the 17,000-acre city of Babcock Ranch is a development project which is expected to consume less power than the proposed FPL on-site solar
electric facilities (75 MW) will produce, allowing it to become the first city that will entirely be powered by zero-emission solar energy. Due to K&P, the city of
Babcock Ranch will also be home to an integrated "smart grid" that will provide greater efficiencies and allow residents and businesses to monitor and control their energy consumption.
All commercial buildings and homes in the new city will be certified as energy-efficient and constructed according to Florida Green Building Council standards, the company
reports.
City development expected to create 20,000 permanent jobs
A recent study conducted by the independent research firm Fishkind & Associates (Orlando, Florida) found that the city of Babcock Ranch will generate 20,000 permanent jobs across a
wide range of industries and income levels. Thousands of additional temporary jobs are expected to be created in construction and related fields over the next 20 years. "I believe clean
energy and sustainable development are the future of the American economy", said Syd Kitson, chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K&P, the developer of the city. "Babcock
Ranch will be a living laboratory for companies, workers and families ready to reap the rewards of innovation. No other place in America will be home to such a concentration of new jobs
and technologies, energy-saving advances and global economic leadership." Subject to State of Florida approvals, groundbreaking on the FPL solar facility is targeted for late 2009, with
construction of the city center scheduled for mid-2010. "FPL has secured the necessary land, local zoning and transmission access for a 75 megawatt project and could move forward with
construction as early as the end of the year pending such approvals", aid K&P Chief Development Officer Eric Silagy. "We believe large-scale solar projects like Babcock Ranch can
yield significant environmental benefits to the people of Florida, create sustainable job growth and stimulate the local economy." Babcock Ranch is expected to demonstrate that one can
have a vibrant, prosperous community without sacrificing clean air and water.
2009-04-15 Courtesy: Kitson & Partners Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Kitson & Partners
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P2 Solar, Inc. to build 25 MW solar power plant in Punjab, India
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(Left: Raj-Mohinder Gurm, CEO, P2 Solar;
Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister
of Punjab (3rd from left)
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The solar module manufacturer P2 Solar, Inc. (Surrey, British Columbia) on April 7th, 2009 announced that it had submitted plans to the Indian state of Punjab for the construction of
a 25 megawatt (MW) solar electric power plant. The company reports that it had received governmental approval to build the photovoltaic (PV) system on March 20th, 2009. According to the
press release, the present intention of the parties is to enter into a written agreement memorializing the terms of the project after May 20, 2009. P2 Solar reports that the
contract will include a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that will be valid over a period of 33 years. Mr. Raj-Mohinder Gurm, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of P2 Solar, Inc. said: "We are
extremely pleased to be working with the Indian government with its need for electrical power. This initial phase of 25 MW is part of a larger planned power station for the state of
Punjab, and is being closely watched by a number of additional Indian states. We would like to thank all of the local, state, and federal agencies that assisted in making this project
possible and look forward to working with them for years to come."
2009-04-15 Courtesy: P2 Solar, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: P2 Solar, Inc.
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Fraunhofer ISE starts pilot project on the optimization and manufacture of solar cells
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130 µm thin solar cell, slightly flexible,
and with an efficiency of 18 %
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In the Cluster of Excellence competition last year in September organized by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), the "Solar Valley Mitteldeutschland" was
one of five prize winners. After the authorization of the individual projects, the Cluster of Excellence pilot project began several weeks ago at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar
Energy Systems ISE. This research institute in Freiburg (Germany) is working on the optimization and manufacture of solar cells for the regionally oriented Cluster of Excellence winner.
Both minimizing material use by producing thinner cells as well as increasing the cell efficiency play essential roles in this project, which is the largest single project within the
Cluster.
Several record efficiencies with small laboratory cells; increasing the speed in achieving grid parity
The goal of the project "xμ Cells" is to develop procedures for manufacturing 130 micron (μm) thin wafers (on a time scale of 2 years) and 80 μm thin wafers (on a time scale of
5 years) on areas of at least 12.5 x 12.5 cm². To reach these milestones, the participating companies and institutes chose Fraunhofer ISE to be a scientific partner in the Cluster. The
researchers in Freiburg have already achieved several record efficiencies with small laboratory cells, including, for example, an efficiency of 20.4 % for a 1 cm² cell - the world-best
value to date for a multicrystalline silicon solar cell. "As the largest R&D partner in the project 'xμ Cells', we at Fraunhofer ISE are looking forward to increasing the speed
in achieving our goal of grid parity for solar electricity together with our long-time partners in Central Germany”, says Ralf Preu, Department Head of PV Production Technology
and Quality Assurance at Fraunhofer ISE. "In the area of near to industrial solar cell processing, we have already realized much success with the industry partners in the Cluster of
Excellence in the past", explains Preu. In total, about 200 employees at Fraunhofer ISE are presently working in this research area.
In the EU supported project Crystal Clear, Fraunhofer ISE together with SolarWorld manufactured 130μm thin solar cells (12.5 x 12.5 cm²) with a stable efficiency of 18.0 % on a
demonstration scale. "With this result, we could demonstrate the feasibility of an industrial production of such thin cells at a high power level for the first time. Now we intend to
build on these experiences and support the industrial partners in striving towards even higher efficiencies with new cell structures and processing technologies."
In the Cluster of Excellence, the area of cell development is embedded in other projects involving wafer and module technology. The over-all scientific coordination of the project is
carried out by the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle, which is a joint center belonging to the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Halle as
well as the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg.
2009-04-14 Courtesy: Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
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"Eagle Solar Roof" with Suntech solar tiles wins 50+ SMART CHOICE Award
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BIPV solution by Suntech and Eagle
Roofing Products
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Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Wuxi, China), manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Eagle Roofing Products (Rialto, California) on April 8th, 2009 announced that the
"Eagle Solar Roof" had been selected to be one of the "50+ SMART CHOICE Award" winners. The PV solar roof features "SolarBlend" roofing tiles from Suntech and is an innovative building
integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing solution. The solar tiles, available in three colors, can be installed along with Eagle's concrete roof tile to create a roof that
protects while creating energy for the home, the company reports. The "50+ SMART CHOICE Award" winners had been selected by the 50+ Housing Council and the Sales and Marketing Council
of Southern California (Mission Viejo). Winning products were chosen for being green, sustainable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly and innovative.
Building integrated solar system saves energy and increases home value
Monthly energy savings depend on electricity use, sun hours as well as the size and orientation of the PV system, Suntech reports. ''Now more than ever, those 50 years and older need to
make smart choices about conserving energy, not only for their own financial benefit, but for the protection and benefit of their children and grandchildren", said Jay Banister, Eagle's
national solar and marketing manager. Leonard May, Suntech's managing director of BIPV products, added: ''The 'Eagle Solar Roof' using Suntech's SolarBlend product is an excellent way
to reduce the household carbon footprint and engender sustainable living. We look forward to continuing to work with Eagle to bring this and other innovative solar solutions to more
households in the United States, Canada and Mexico.'' Eagle also announced that it plans to present the award winning Eagle Solar Roof during the SMART CHOICE honoree breakfast on April
16 in Newport Beach, California.
2009-04-14 Courtesy: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
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Italian PV producer Helios announces start of second solar cell production line
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Solar Cells by Helios Technology.
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Helios Technology S.p.A. (Carmignano di Brenta, Italy has reached its 60 MWp target, the company reports in a press release. This is the overall capacity of the cell production line
which recently came up to speed in the works of at Carmignano di Brenta (Padua) that has been operating in the world photovoltaic market for almost thirty years. Helios, a leading
Italian producer of photovoltaic cells and modules since 1981 and part of the Kerself Group since 2006, has also started up its new module production line which is to reach a capacity
of 50 MWp during the year. The cell production capacity reached 60 MWp per year when the second 30 MWp line - part of the one already installed last year - came up to
speed.
Both operate in a continuous cycle and are able to produce high-efficiency mono and polycrystalline photovoltaic cells with efficiencies above 16.5 % (polycrystalline) and better than
17.5 % (monocrystalline). The mono and polycrystalline wafers which constitute the raw materials are transformed by means of a chemical/physical process into cells capable of
transforming incident luminous energy (photons) into electrical power. All the stages of the process are controlled by means of in-line measuring instruments and sample measurements off
line. The quality of every single cell due to Helios is guaranteed by a final test during which the electrical performance and optical qualities are measured. Production is carried out
in a clean room where the temperature (25ºC), humidity (50%) and purity of the air are controlled on the basis of standard parameters.
Helios Technology has started up the new module production line with a capacity of 25 MWp and will reach a total production capacity of 50 MWp during the year (Q2-2009). The new
production unit is able to make modules composed of 60 mono and polycrystalline cells with maximum powers up to 235 Wp. Helios Technology's production activities are carried out with
the maximum respect for the environment, the company emphasizes. Helios has patented an integrated zero-discharge wastewater treatment system (cell manufacturing process) with low
environmental impact. Any system for producing photovoltaic cells from crystalline silicon consumes large quantities of water and generates some waste which has a high content of
hazardous, toxic and harmful components. The solution identified by Helios Technology involves carrying out specific treatments for the individual discharge flows and selectively
recovering the process water while preventing any possibility of detrimental interaction with the environment. Recovery not only regards the production machines but also all the
auxiliary systems required for the operation of the photovoltaic cell production line (scrubbers, demineralization lines, washing circuits, etc.). "The result is a truly integrated
zero-discharge wastewater treatment system capable of recovering more than 95 % of the water used by the production lines. This prevents discharges into the environment and the
possibility of accidents and other mishaps", Helios accentuates. The dangers deriving from the treatment itself are confined to the inside of the works. The sole element exiting the
system is solid waste composed of small quantities of inert sludge that can be shovelled and disposed of.
With consistent investments in innovation, Helios Technology, along with the entire Kerself Group, aims to further reinforce its leadership as the main Italian producer of photovoltaic
cells and modules.
2009-04-14 Courtesy: Helios Technology S.p.A. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Helios Technology S.p.A.
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Solar energy pioneer Adolf Goetzberger among the Finalists for "European Inventor of the Year 2009"
Prof. Adolf Goetzberger, founder of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, is one of the finalists for the European Inventor of the Year Award 2009. In March 2009,
the European Patent Office EPA and the European Commission announced the twelve nominees for this year’s prize. The themes of energy, environment and health dominate the nominated
inventions this year. The award is presented to outstanding inventors in four categories: industry, SME/research, non-European countries, lifetime achievement. The winners in each
category will be announced during a gala evening on 28th April 2009 in Prague, Czech Republic. Adolf Goetzberger’s achievements as the father of the commercial use of solar energy
and as founder of Fraunhofer ISE, the largest European solar energy research institute in Freiburg were acknowledged by the jury. Through his research and publications, he
has laid the foundations for alternative energy production using solar energy.
25 years of work in the field of semiconductors
Goetzberger has been nominated in the category "lifetime achievement". The European Inventor of the Year Award symbolizes the force of human innovation as the basis for technological,
economic and social progress. Past winners of the award include the Nobel Prize physicist Peter Grünberg (2006) and Erik de Clercq (2008), developer of the AIDS cocktail. Adolf
Goetzberger, who celebrated his 80th birthday last year at a gala with Fraunhofer ISE staff and his longtime companions, worked in the field of semiconductors during the first 25 years
of his professional life. He was employed at the top addresses in U.S. research: at the Shockley Laboratory in California with the Nobel Prize winner and co-inventor of the transistor
William Shockley and at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey.
From vision to reality: The second largest solar energy research institute
In 1968 the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft brought Goetzberger back to Germany. Up to the founding of Fraunhofer ISE, he served as the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid
State Physics IAF in Freiburg. In 1971, the University of Freiburg appointed him as honorary professor in the Department of Physics. Throughout his active professional life, he
supervised many diploma and doctoral students. At the end of the 1970’s, Goetzberger began making his vision a reality by planning a solar research institute within the
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. In 1981, Fraunhofer ISE was founded with a staff of 18. The amount of perseverance and pioneer spirit which lay behind the development of this project back then
is difficult to imagine in today’s world.
Later, Goetzberger succeeded in acquiring the financing for the Energy Self-Sufficient House - an inhabited laboratory using technologies that are still considered groundbreaking today.
It is Goetzberger’s efforts that are also responsible for bringing the residence of the world headquarters of the International Solar Energy Society ISES to locate in Freiburg.
When Prof. Goetzberger reached retirement age in 1993 and stepped down from his position as Institute Director, Fraunhofer ISE had already grown to take its place as the second largest
solar energy research institute in the world, following after the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the USA. Under the leadership of his successors Prof. Joachim Luther
(1993-2006) and Prof. Eicke R. Weber (since 2006), the Institute has continued to increase in size. Today with a staff of 830, it is the second largest institute within the
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
In 1983, Adolf Goetzberger was the first German to receive the J.J. Ebers Award from the IEEE Electron Devices Society for his superior technological achievements in the field of
electronic components. Many are the distinguished solar awards received by Adolf Goetzberger: Medal of Merit from the Land Baden-Württemberg (1989), Order of Merit of the Federal
Republic of Germany (1992), Achievement through Action Award (ISES, 1993), honorary doctoral title from the University Uppsala (1995), Farrington Daniels Award (ISES,1995), Karl Boer
Medal (1997), Bequerel Prize (1997), William R. Cherry Award (IEEE, 1997), Einstein Award 2006 of the Solar World AG (2006), European Solar Prize (EUROSOLAR, 2006).
Adolf Goetzberger remains actively involved in the field of solar energy. He serves as a consultant for Fraunhofer ISE, goes to work daily and continues to write publications and
patents.
The European Inventor of the Year 2009 award ceremony will be held in conjunction with the European Patent Forum and PATINNOVA 2009. At this festive gala the inventors and inventions
will be honored that have made an outstanding and enduring contribution to technological progress, and thus the strength of the economy, in Europe. The prize is cosponsored by the
European Commission and the European Patent Office EPA.
2009-04-14 Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Fraunhofer ISE
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Lux Research expects steady, but limited growth for building-integrated PV
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PV façade in Tübingen (Germany).
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Targeted subsidies and aesthetic appeal have helped lay a foundation for the building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) market. Modest but steady growth is expected to support future
opportunities for innovative cross-industry services and improved products. But a new report from Lux Research (Boston, Massachusetts), announced in a press release on April 7th, 2009,
concludes that today's 1.7 billion US-Dollar BIPV market's lack of standardization, low production volumes and formidable competition from building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) will
hinder broader adoption through 2013. BIPV components replace the look and function of a primary building material, whereas BAPV encompass a broader class of building-mounted
photovoltaics, including traditional roof-mounted PV systems. The Lux Research report, dubbed "Laying the Foundation for Building Integrated Photovoltaics," takes an analytical approach
to provide valuable insights for building materials, chemical and photovoltaics players.
BIPV market too small for big players, but holds opportunities for technology providers, architects and building envelope specialists
The report includes information about opportunities for entering the BIPV market, likely candidates for strategic partnerships, market developments, new technologies that could foster
success and an analysis how conventional and thin-film solar technologies are expected to compete in specific applications. "The market may be too small to be a central interest to big
players, but we see key opportunities for technology providers that can deliver BIPV components with an aesthetic differentiation, as opposed to a cost differentiation", said Johanna
Schmidtke, a Lux Research analyst and lead author of the report. "That also applies to architects and building envelope specialists who can distinguish their own businesses, while
raising awareness of BIPV." Lux Research reports that it had tapped its database of relevant solar PV technology providers and installations as well as intelligence gathered through 29
additional interviews with PV industry players for this study, to offer a comprehensive view of the BIPV market.
Key findings: BIPV seen as crossroads, moderate growth is likely
Lux Research expects high price points and a lack of standardization to slow the adoption of BIPV. Highly customized products and low production volumes are expected to put a drag on
the industry. High price points are expected to limit the growth to 5.7 billion USD over 694 MW in 2013, signifying just 3.7 percent by volume of the overall solar market. Lux Research
finds that improved regulation, building services and materials could all boost BIPV demand, but standardized regulations covering BIPV's dual role as building component and PV
technology could control customization issues, and reduce the technology's prohibitive price points, while BAPV is expected to dominate for the foreseeable future. PV module
manufacturers are shoring up the aesthetic gap, which may further pressure BIPV players to decrease the price premium they exact. "BIPV is nearing a crossroads," said Schmidtke. "It
will either continue to grow slowly as a highly specialized, aesthetic niche market, or bridge the gap between the PV and building industries. The latter path will require industry
standards, as well as innovation and investment. But it also offers genuine growth opportunities for well positioned parties."
2009-04-13 Courtesy: Lux Research Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Conergy AG
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Synopsys simulation tool to support solar cell research at Singapore's Solar Energy Research Institute
The Synopsys, Inc. (Mountain View, California), a producer of software for semiconductor design and manufacturing, on April 1st, 2009 announced that the Solar Energy Research
Institute of Singapore (SERIS) had adopted Synopsys' "Sentaurus TCAD" (Technology Computer-Aided Design) software to support its solar cell research and development programs. According
to the company's press release, the TCAD tools will initially be used to support SERIS' research on silicon-based solar cells. The tool simulates the fabrication steps and performance
of solar cells, allowing SERIS researchers to investigate and optimize current and new cell designs and to aim for higher PV efficiency and lower cost. "Solar cells are
demanding semiconductor devices. To bring down the cost of solar photovoltaic electricity, we need to realize advanced solar cell designs using inexpensive semiconductor materials and
surface coatings. Multi-dimensional computer simulation is a powerful tool to provide us with the physical insight needed to explore and optimize new designs", said Professor Armin
Aberle, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SERIS.
Center for photovoltaic and energy efficiency research to foster innovation in solar industry
SERIS is Singapore's national institute for applied solar energy research and is jointly sponsored by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the National University of
Singapore (NUS). According to the press release, the research at SERIS focuses on the development of materials, components, processes and systems for photovoltaic electricity generation
and energy-efficient buildings. Its establishment as a center for PV research in the Asia-Pacific region is believed to be an important step to foster innovation for the industry
locally, also because photovoltaic technologies are playing an increasing role in the sustainable energy supply. "We see a big role for simulation in the development of solar cells. The
work SERIS is carrying out with our Sentaurus TCAD tools not only improves the current state-of-the art, but also gives us a window into the future of photovoltaic research so we can
stay abreast of this rapidly changing field and continue to improve our capabilities", said Dr. Howard Ko, General Manager and Senior Vice President of the Silicon Engineering Group at
Synopsys.
2009-04-13 Courtesy: The Synopsys, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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44% plunge in clean energy investment as crisis catches up
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Michael Liebreich: The sector has been hit
by an oncoming train".
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The latest authoritative figures from the research company New Energy Finance (London) show that new investment in clean energy technology has collapsed to just .3bn in the first
quarter of 2009, down by no less than 44% on the fourth quarter of last year and 53% below the level achieved in the first quarter of 2008. Overall global investment in clean energy
reached 5bn in 2008, up slightly from 8bn in 2007, according to New Energy Finance data. Given the slowness of the first quarter of 2009, it will take a very sharp acceleration in
investment in the remaining three quarters for this year to match 2008 levels. It took until the first quarter of 2009 for the credit crunch and the recession to catch up
fully with investment in renewable energy, low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency, New Energy Finance reports in a press Release. Despite the sector's medium-term and long-terrn
growth prospects, it suffered in Q1 2009 from a severe shortage of bank finance for projects and the parlous state of overall stock market confidence. Over 0bn of stimulus spending
around the world has been earmarked for clean energy, but these figures show it has not started to flow fast enough to fill the current funding gap.
Asset finance of new-build projects such as wind farms, solar parks and biofuel plants down 44%
The unprecedented fall in recorded investment in Q1 2009 due to New Energy Finance reflects two influences. The first, and more significant, is a sharp drop in underlying activity. The
second is the fact that many deals are taking longer than usual to complete because of the state of financial markets, and had therefore not been closed by the last day of the quarter.
The biggest single element in clean energy investment is asset finance of new-build projects such as wind farms solar parks and biofuel plants. This amounted to just under .5bn in
the first three months of 2009, down 44% from Q4 2008 and half the figure for Q1 last year.
Venture capital and private equity finance for clean energy companies held up well last year, as funds put equity into expanding technology companies, some of which might have floated
in a healthier year for the stock market. However in the first quarter of 2009, VC/PE fell 22% compared with Q4 2008 to .8bn, its lowest in any quarter for more than two years.
The weakest segment of all was public market investment. Stock market investors contributed less than 0m to pure-play clean energy companies in Q1 2009, although a number of other
firms with a mixture of activities, some in clean energy and some not, did succeed in raising equity finance. Even in 2008's bear market, no quarter was as bleak as this for public
market investment - Q4 2008 saw .1bn raised for instance, and 01 2008 saw .1 bn raised.
Policy-makers and administrators in the US and elsewhere to ensure that stimulus funds start flowing immediately
Michael Liebreich, chairman and CEO of New Energy Finance, commented: "Green stimulus plans may represent the light at the end of the tunnel for clean energy companies, but meanwhile
the sector has been hit by an oncoming train. These figures highlight the need for policy-makers and administrators in the US and elsewhere to ensure that stimulus funds start flowing
immediately, not in a year or so. There is also a strong case for further measures, such as requiring state-supported banks to raise lending to the sector, providing capital gains tax
exemptions on investments in clean technology, creating a framework for Green Bonds and so on, all targeted at getting investment flowing. Many of the policies to achieve growth over
the medium term are already in place, including feed-in tariff regimes, mandatory renewable energy targets and tax incentives. There is far too much emphasis among policy-makers on
support mechanisms, and not enough on the urgent needs of investors right now."
Liebreich comments: "The medium-term and long-term outlook for clean energy is strong, given the imperatives for G20 economies to curb carbon emissions and improve energy security. We
forecast that on current policies annual investment in the sector will return to growth in due course and reach 0bn by 2020 - although as we showed in our recent Global Futures work,
even that is not sufficient to achieve a peak in carbon dioxide emissions before 2020. Right now, however, the industry has to get through some very difficult quarters until the
stimulus funds start to flow. Only then can we focus again on the longer term challenges."
New Energy Finance had also published a communique to G20 leaders meeting in London, based on the debates and recommendations of 275 senior decision-makers who attended the New Energy
Finance Summit in early March. The communique will detail the principles that policy-makers should follow to rapidly boost clean energy investment towards the levels that will be
required to contain climate change.
2009-04-13 Courtesy: New Energy Finance Limited Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: New Energy Finance Limited
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DRI Energy installs BIPV systems on two Target stores in Hawaii
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BIPV system by DRI Energy.
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DRI Energy (Irvine, California), a provider of turnkey solar installation services for commercial building owners and residential homebuilders, at the end of March 2009 announced
that it had completed two solar PV installations on "Target" store buildings in Hawaii. According to the press release, both the Honolulu West and Kapolei stores had been outfitted with
143 kilowatts (kW) DC capacity systems that they are fully integrated with the single ply roof system installed by DRI Commercial, the commercial roofing subsidiary of the parent DRI
Companies group. The main benefit for Target is that it only has to deal with one contractor for both the roof construction and the building integrated PV (BIPV) array and
that it can count on the warranties that had been issued for both. DRI Energy plans to complete a third installation at a Target store building on the Big Island of Hawaii in early
April.
Roofing installer offers building integrated solar PV-systems
"DRI has the infrastructure, scale and reach to assist national chains like Target in realizing their renewable energy goal", said Tim Davey, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
of DRI Companies. "We look forward to our continued relationship with Target for their roofing needs, as well as in reducing their carbon footprint by turning to solar energy
generation." DRI Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of DRI Companies, a 30-year-old construction firm specializing in roofing and renewable energy installations. Its clients include
Alcoa, Boeing, California Steel Industries, Costco, Home Depot, Longs Drugs, Macy's, Rite Aid, the United States Navy and many others, the company reports. According to the press
release, DRI Companies has been a preferred roofing contractor for Target stores for the last 15 years. During that time, DRI has installed and replaced roofing systems on more than 200
Target stores in nine states across the Western U.S.
2009-04-12 Courtesy: DRI Energy Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: DRI Energy
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House of Representatives: Chairmen Waxman and Markey release discussion draft of new clean energy legislation
Chairman Henry A. Waxman of the United States Energy and Commerce Committee (ECC) and Chairman Edward J. Markey of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee on April 1st, 2009 released
a draft on clean energy legislation that is expected to create jobs, help to end the US's dependence on foreign oil, and combat global warming. According to the ECC's press release, the
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) is a comprehensive approach to America's energy policy that charts a new course towards a clean energy economy. "This
legislation will create millions of clean energy jobs, put America on the path to energy independence, and cut global warming pollution", said Chairman Waxman. "Our goal is to
strengthen our economy by making America the world leader in new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies."
Four-title clean energy act aimed at a transition to "green" economy
"This legislation will create clean energy jobs that can't be shipped overseas, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and make America the global leader in energy technology", said
Chairman Markey, who held many hearings on the major issues in the bill. "Chairman Waxman and I will work with our colleagues to ensure that we are protecting American consumers and
that our clean energy future helps all parts of the country." ACES is expected to create clean energy jobs, save consumers energy costs, enhance the US's energy independence, and fight
global warming. To meet these goals, the legislation consists of four titles: The "clean energy" title is designed to promote renewable sources of energy, carbon capture and
sequestration technologies, low-carbon fuels, clean electric vehicles, and the smart grid and electricity transmission. The title of the act touching "energy efficiency" issues is
designed to increase energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, including buildings, appliances, transportation, and industry. A "global warming" title will places limits on
emissions of heat-trapping pollutants, and a "transitioning" title is designed to protect U.S. consumers and industry and promotes green jobs during the transition to a clean energy
economy.
2009-04-12 Courtesy: energycommerce.house.gov Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Inland Empire Utilities Agency and SunPower dedicate 3.5 MW PV installation
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Dedication of the solar trackers (in the
background).
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Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA; Chino, California), a municipal water agency, and SunPower Corp. (San Jose, California), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar
panels and solar electricity systems, on April 3rd, 2009 announced the completion of a 3.5-megawatt (MW) solar power installation at four IEUA facilities in Chino, Ontario and Rancho
Cucamonga. As a result of the installation, the agency expects to save a half million dollars per year in electricity costs. "With the completion of this new system, IEUA is
now producing nearly half of its electricity from alternative energy sources", said Patrick Shields, Executive Manager of operations at the IEUA. "SunPower provided high-efficiency
technology to ensure we are maximizing the energy produced on site, and completed the installation in just five months. The solar system furthers our commitment to sustainable
practices, and is a source of pride in the community."
SunPower solar installations using tracking and static PV systems
The highlight of the system is a 1-megawatt SunPower "T20 Tracker" system located just behind the agency's Chino headquarters. According to the press release, the "Trackers" follow the
path of the sun throughout the day, generating up to 30 percent more energy than conventional fixed-tilt solar power systems. This is said to maximize the total amount of energy that
can be delivered within the available space. About five miles away, at the agency's Regional Plant 1 in Ontario, a 700-kilowatt (kW) array of SunPower Trackers has been installed
alongside a 137 kW SunPower "T10 Solar Tile" system on top of a capped reservoir, the company reports. Solar tiles had also been installed at two more locations, a 624 kW array at the
IEUA's "Carbon Canyon Treatment Plant" in Chino, and a 1 MW system atop the "Inland Empire Regional Composting Authority" (IERCA) located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. According to
the press release, the modular solar tiles by SunPower are self-ballasted, which allows them to be installed without penetrating the roof. The 3.5-megawatt SunPower system is expected
to avoid more than 7.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually over the expected 30-year life of the system.
Power purchase agreement basis for solar installation
As an alternative to outright purchase of the solar power system, IEUA financed the project through Morgan Stanley under the SunPower "Access" power purchase agreement (PPA) program.
Under the terms of the agreement, the agency will purchase electricity generated from the system at fixed rates from the financier, which will own and operate the system. IEUA will own
the renewable energy credits associated with the system. "Solar makes good financial sense today for California's public agencies", said Tom Werner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
SunPower. "Our technology can be installed anywhere at any scale, and power purchase agreements such as SunPower 'Access' eliminate the upfront capital expenditure. We applaud the
District for hosting this showcase installation that demonstrates both good environmental and fiscal stewardship."
2009-04-11 Courtesy: SunPower Corp. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Inland Empire Utilities Agency
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California: Renewable Power Solutions awarded first exclusively solar apprenticeship program
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Apprenticeship program allows
for learning while earning.
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Renewable Power Solutions, Inc. (RPS; San Jose, California), a provider of solar energy installation services for residential, commercial, non-profit and governmental buildings, on
March 26th, 2009 announced that it had been awarded the first exclusively solar apprenticeship program by the State of California. The company reports that it had partnered with the San
Jose Metropolitan Education District's Central County Occupational Center (CCOC) to organize the in-classroom portion of the program. José Radzinsky, Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of RPS, said: "As the renewable energy industry, and solar panel installations in particular, are poised for explosive growth in the years ahead, we felt it was necessary to
address standards of workforce qualification and ultimately the quality of solar installations. These standards will provide the industry with the necessary and systematic training for
a successful future of the solar workforce."
Training-while-earning apprenticeship-program to prepare future clean energy workforce
The State of California apprenticeship program allows for learning while earning, combining training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school. The new program
developed by RPS is expected to provide accredited training to individuals seeking a career in the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The curriculum includes on-the-job learning, classroom
teaching and homework. The program requires the successful completion of 4,000 hours to achieve photovoltaic journeyman status and will typically take up to two years to complete, RPS
reports. Glen Forman, acting chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS; San Francisco, CA), added, "DAS offers an earn-while-you-learn model for talent development. It is
an age-old solution to workforce training that fits for today's innovative businesses. Partnering with business, DAS creates standards to establish uniform skill sets for positions
within an industry, helping to strengthen California's workforce."
2009-04-09 Courtesy: Renewable Power Solutions, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Renewable Power Solutions, Inc.
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First Solar completes acquisition of OptiSolar's photovoltaic project pipeline
US-manufacturer First Solar, Inc. (Tempe, Arizona) on April 3rd, 2009 announced that it had completed its acquisition of OptiSolar's photovoltaic (PV) project pipeline. First Solar
reports that it expects to construct the solar power plants in the pipeline over the next several years and sell them to a combination of regulated utilities, diversified energy
companies and other independent power producers. According to the press release, the core development team responsible for assembling and executing on the solar project
pipeline has joined the First Solar development team. First Solar had acquired all of OptiSolar's project development business in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately 400
million US-dollars. As a result of the closing, First Solar will issue approximately 3 million shares of common stock representing a dilution of about 3.5 percent. This is less than the
approximate 5 percent dilution expected when the acquisition was announced, due to recent appreciation in the price of shares of the company's common stock.
2009-04-09 Courtesy: First Solar, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Oregon BEST brokers 1.3 million US-Dollar investment in solar energy research facilities at two Oregon universities
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Oregon BEST researcher Frank Vignola with
some research tools and a solar array.
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The Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center (Oregon BEST; Portland) on March 31st, 2009 announced that it expects to boost the state's reputation as the North
American leader in solar energy systems manufacturing with a 1.34 million US-dollar (USD) investment in solar energy research at two Oregon universities. According to the press release,
the investment at the University of Oregon (UO; Eugene) and at Oregon State University (OSU; Corvallis) expands the Oregon BEST network of shared laboratories and equipment that serve
researchers across the Oregon University System (OUS) and offers the state's solar energy industry access to advanced research tools, faculty expertise and a workforce trained in solar
energy research and manufacturing. Officials said that the investment would help recruit solar energy companies to come to Oregon and to create new jobs. "Solar energy
companies considering locating here in Oregon need access to highly specialized research equipment, knowledgeable research experts and a workforce skilled and educated about solar
energy", said David Kenney, President and Executive Director of Oregon BEST. "Oregon has all of this and more distributed among our research universities, and Oregon BEST is proud to be
helping build this multi-institutional research network that ultimately benefits people all over the state."
New PV-laboratory at the University of Oregon to expand research network
Oregon BEST reports that the 1.3 million USD investment will expand its existing shared laboratory network which includes green building research facilities at two universities. The
portion of the 1.3 million USD solar research investment dedicated to UO amounts to 768,000 US-Dollars and, according to the press release, will be used to establish the "Photovoltaics
Laboratory" of the Oregon Support Network for Research and Innovation in Solar Energy (Oregon SuNRISE), an Oregon BEST network of shared facilities and expertise serving OUS and
industry clients. Mark Lonergan, a Professor of chemistry at the UO and director of Oregon SuNRISE said: "The goals of Oregon SuNRISE are fourfold. We provide vital infrastructure for
photovoltaics research and development, serve as a nexus for research collaboration, stimulate commercialization of state-of-the-art photovoltaics, and enhance the education of future
scientists and engineers who will work in the PV field."
Oregon State University to establish manufacturing process research facility
At OSU, the total investment amounts to 572,000 USD, Oregon BEST reports. It is expected to be used for the establishment of the Oregon Process Innovation Center (OPIC) for Sustainable
Solar Cell Manufacturing, a facility where researchers focus on improving current solar cell manufacturing processes to reduce costs and on developing novel manufacturing technologies
for next-generation solar cells. One project already underway at the new facility includes a team of researchers that is working on a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
"What we're doing here is quite unique," said OSU chemical engineering Professor Chih-hung Chang, who is leading a collaborative team of researchers that is using microchannel
technology to more efficiently synthesize and deposit functional thin films and nanomaterials for solar cells, a process that can dramatically reduce waste affiliated with current
deposition processes. "The Oregon BEST investment will benefit researchers in the PV industry," Chang said.
Shared photovoltaics research network to lure solar companies to Oregon
Kenney said that distributing the 1.34 million USD investment across more than one university enables Oregon to pool and leverage research expertise and equipment, positioning faculty
teams to be more competitive nationally when seeking research funding from federal and private sources. "When we team our universities, collaborate with industry, and invest public
funding strategically, we maximize the impact of research and provide critical support and value to Oregon's growing solar industry", Kenney said. In October, 2008, SolarWorld USA had
opened North America's largest solar manufacturing plant at its new regional headquarter in Hillsboro, Oregon, and a growing list of solar energy companies have a presence in the state,
Oregon BEST reports. A combination of business tax credits and access to university research facilities is expected to help lure these businesses to Oregon. "This is very good news for
SolarWorld and for other Oregon firms engaged in the solar energy sector", said Gordon Brinser, Vice President of Operations at the Solar World facility in Hillsboro. "By working
together to grow a network of solar research facilities accessible to both industry and academia, Oregon's universities have the opportunity to become much more than the sum of their
parts, and this helps position Oregon for more economic development around solar energy."
2009-04-08 Courtesy: Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Oregon BEST
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Manz Automation AG reacts to changed market conditions with short-time work and capacity adjustments
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Dieter Manz: grid
parity will increase
the pace of growth.
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The Managing Board of Manz Automation AG (Reutlingen, Germany), technology provider for systems for automation, quality assurance and laser process technology for the photovoltaic
industry and for automation and wet chemicals for the LCD industry, has announced that it will introduce short-time work at its German facilities in Reutlingen and Tübingen from May, in
agreement with its employee representatives. This will initially reduce working hours to 80 percent for an initial period of six months, the company reports in a press release.
Further reductions will be adjusted to changes in order intake. A significant amount of pressure was already taken off costs at the production facilities in Taiwan, China and
Slovakia at the start of the year by reducing overtime, shorttime work and adjusting staffing levels.
Managing Board expects a surge in demand in the solar sector, at the latest when the economic recovery begins
The company is thus reacting at an early stage to the current developments in its order intake and the overall economic situation. At the same time, the company is combining shorttime
work with a program for in-depth employee training. This is in line with the planned increase in research and development activities and the further optimization of workflows and
processes. The result will be the foundations needed to be able to offer leading automation and system solutions for the solar industry, and thus to continue to drive innovation in
future. It also ensures that the human resources the company has amassed remain stable, while taking pressure off the cost structure. The Managing Board believes that there will be a
surge in demand in the solar sector, at the latest when the economic recovery begins - and the company is keeping sufficient capacity available for this increase in demand.
Solar industry to return to double-digit growth rates when the economy returns to normal
"As things stand today, the photovoltaic market offers attractive opportunities for growth. Once end customers have their project financing back on a sound footing, there will be demand
for highly efficient system solutions in order to be able to combat the pressure on margins that solar cell manufacturers are under. The industry will benefit from the current
developments, and when grid parity is reached it will enjoy a renewed increase in the pace of growth", explained Dieter Manz, Manz Automation AG’s CEO. He added: "That is why we
don’t want to cut back the human resources and production capacity that we have built up – instead we are consistently training and educating our employees. We believe that
growth rates in the solar industry will be significantly double-digit when the economy returns to normal."
2009-04-08 Courtesy: Manz Automation AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Manz Automation AG
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aleo solar AG to expand sales operation in North America and supplies the US with solar modules
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aleo produces PV panels in its main
factory in Prenzlau (Germany).
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aleo solar AG (Oldenburg, Prenzlau, Germany) on April 7th, 2009 announced that it will expand its presence in the United States to capitalize on the emerging boom for renewable
energy in this market. In signing the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" in February, Barack Obama introduced a package of strategies that will also work as a catalyst for the
solar energy market, aleo solar emphasizes. The Act, with a volume of USD 787 billion, is designed to stimulate public transport, energy production and other infrastructure projects in
the United States. Several billion dollars have been allocated to green energy programs, with solar installations enjoying tax breaks and commercial systems receiving direct investment
subsidies of up to 30 percent.
US market is likely to more than double in size
aleo solar AG is anticipating a boom in photovoltaic plants as a result of the improved conditions. "The planned subsidy system is truly direct: anyone installing a solar power facility
will be handed a check shortly afterwards", said Jakobus Smit, aleo solar’s CEO, forecasting that "even in 2009, the US market is likely to more than double in size to at least
700 megawatts. By 2010 at the latest, the US solar market will really get into gear." Additionally, the high levels of insolation in many regions of the US provide an enormous potential
for photovoltaics.
"We will be present in the United States' key photovoltaic regions, supply high-yield modules and provide American installers with services ranging from system design and layout to
marketing support, in order to enable optimum system performance", announced Smit. aleo solar AG has maintained a sales presence in North America since 2006. In the last months the
solar module specialist has already supplied 325 kilowatts of solar modules for several contracts involving private consumer installations and industrial rooftop plants in the US state
of California and in Mexico, including a 174 kilowatt solar power plant on the roof of a Walmart supermarket in Aguascalientes. Each of aleo solar's authorized specialist dealers is a
member of the "aleo power network." Benefits of the network include the use of aleo solar's expertise in the systems business as inverters and mounting systems can be ordered in
addition to modules.
2009-04-07 Courtesy: aleo solar AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: aleo solar AG
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Invenergy to deliver one of the first U.S. wind projects with federal stimulus funds
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Wind turbines by GE Energy.
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Signaling a positive note for the U.S. wind industry, one of the first wind energy projects expected to benefit from President Obama's stimulus plan is to be developed by Invenergy
Wind (Chicago, Illinois) in LaSalle County, Ill. GE Energy (Atlanta, Georgia) states in a press release dated April 3rd, 2009, that it will supply 74 of its wind turbines each with a
capacity of 1.5-megawatts (MW) to start the expansion of the "Grand Ridge Energy Center," which upon completion is expected to increase the country's wind power capacity by over 110
MW. "With a White House and a Congress that support renewable energy and understand the importance of energy independence, Invenergy and GE are poised to make a significant
contribution to the growth of wind energy development in the U.S.", said Michael Polsky, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Invenergy. "Renewable energy is good for the
country, economically and environmentally. There is an abundance of wind power in the U.S. waiting to be harnessed into electricity that can be used to meet our growing energy demands,"
he added.
US stimulus bill helps the American wind industry to create jobs
Under the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly called the federal stimulus package, there are a number of provisions to encourage the development of wind
projects. "The availability of stimulus funds paves the way for a new wave of growth for the American wind industry", said John Krenicki, President and CEO of GE Energy, one of the
largest U.S. wind turbine suppliers. "We encourage others in the wind industry to follow Invenergy's example and move forward with their plans to develop new wind farms to help meet the
nation's demand for cleaner energy." According to the press release, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) called the U.S. wind industry "an economic and job creation dynamo," and
reports that 85,000 people were employed in the industry at the end of 2008, an increase of 35,000 from the previous year.
Wind energy investment expected to work as growth engine for economy
"It is obvious that a strong, vibrant wind industry can be a tremendous growth engine, playing a key role in building a strong future for our national economy", said Krenicki. "In 2008
alone, the wind industry channeled an investment of 17 billion US-dollars into the economy while adding more than eight gigawatts of new generating capacity, enough clean energy to
serve more than two million U.S. homes." With continuing government encouragement to accelerate its development, wind power is expected to provide a steadily increasing percentage of
U.S. electricity. "Wind energy works for our economy, our environment and our energy security", Krenicki said. Polsky added: "With this level of commitment from the government, and with
the support of the energy industry and the American public, our country is positioned to tackle and solve our energy and environmental challenges, even in these difficult economic
times."
2009-04-07 Courtesy: GE Energy Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: GE Energy
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Former Soviet President Gorbachev urges dramatic boost for solar energy
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"Solar Report Cards" by CGI.
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Green Cross International (GCI; Geneva, Switzerland) on March 30th, 2009 reported that its founder and the former President of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, had urged world
leaders and the private sector to make big investments in solar energy swiftly as a way out of the current economic crisis and as part of an emergency response to climate change.
According to the press release, Mr. Gorbachev held a press conference in San Antonio, Texas, where he addressed the 33rd NPRA International Petrochemical Conference. "The oil
industry is a key stakeholder. Their commitment is essential to turn the tide against the massive accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere", Mr. Gorbachev pointed out. "This
economic crisis must mark the beginning of a new sustainable development path that has been long overdue. Solar power needs big investments to expand and create significant effects. For
the 2 billion people currently living without electricity, the sun is the best hope."
Report card for countries gauges solar-related performance
Talking about the enormous potential that tapping solar energy holds, Mr. Gorbachev referred to GCI's "Global Solar Report Card." According to the press release, this first of its kind
grading system analyzes the investments in solar energy of 16 countries. "Solar is a key strategic investment that can help combat energy poverty, create economic growth and help fight
climate change", said Matt Petersen, Green Cross Energy Program Chair and President of Global Green USA. "We need governments to urgently shift subsidies for oil, gas and coal toward
solar and renewable technologies to create jobs, improve the lives of those in need, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions." Alexander Likhotal, President of GCI said: "The challenge
today is to embed Green Economic policy in national economies worldwide - leadership by one country or region is not enough."
Highlights of the "Solar Report Card" - top-four solar countries
According to the press release, the global solar report card outlines the successes and failures of 16 countries and California in designing policy frameworks for sustained solar
development. It finds that all countries are still in the early phases of solar deployment, including Germany which is currently setting the pace. The ranking is based on a 100-point
system that allocates a maximum of 30 points to the amount of solar installed so far, and the remaining 70 points to drivers for future growth. According to the analysis, Germany
received an A- because it has the most PV installed and because it has put in place promising "drivers for future growth". The state of California (B), scored well in 2nd place, and
Spain (C+) came in third. With the extension of its only federal-level financial support for solar, the United States (C+) has assured a long term commitment to the sector. Additional
support has since been allocated in the context of the stimulus package. Still, GCI believes that much more could be done in a country with such solar, financial and technological
resources.
The full report can be found at http://www.globalgreen.org/solarreportcard
2009-04-06 Courtesy: www.globalgreen.org Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: GCI
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Photovoltaics: Solyndra announces completion of commercial rooftop PV system in California
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PV systems (132 kWp) on the Livermore
Cinema's rooftop.
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Solyndra Inc. (Fremont, California), a manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial rooftops, on March 31st. 2009 announced the completion and full operation of a 132
kilowatt peak (kWp) photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of Cinema West's Livermore Cinemas, installed by SPG Solar, Inc. (Novato, California). Solyndra reports that this project is
only one of several solar PV systems the company has installed or currently plans to install in the United States and Europe. According to the press release, the system design
by Solyndra does not require roof-penetrating mounts or ballast to hold panels in place, which is why it is said to allow for maximum coverage and easy installation on commercial
low-slope rooftops. The Livermore installation took less than four days because of this design feature, the company reports. "No other system could offset as much power, the
installation was over before we knew it", said Dave Corkill, Owner of Livermore Cinemas.
Quick, non-penetrating installation saves time and money
According to the press release, the Livermore project involved covering a complex roof shape with many areas not aligned in the north/south direction. Whereas conventional PV panels
would have needed to be tilted facing southward to avoid significant energy loss, the orientation of the Solyndra panels are said to have minimal impact on overall energy yield. "The
Solyndra system allowed us to maximize the available roof space, minimize labor and installation costs and increase power production, which allowed us to optimize our client's
investment in solar", said Ted Walsh, Director of Commercial Development for SPG Solar. "The efficiency of the installation saved us time and money, and we were able to pass those
savings onto Cinema West. Solyndra's PV system is emerging as a truly innovative and excellent solution for rooftop solar applications", said Dan Thompson, Founder, President and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of SPG Solar.
2009-04-06 Courtesy: Solyndra, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Solyndra, Inc.
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Snohomish County Power Utility District announces solar incentive program
In response to growing customer interest in solar power and renewable energy, the Snohomish County Power Utility District (SCPUD; Washington) on March 26th, 2009 launched its "Solar
Express" program, which it reports offers cash incentives and educational support to help consumers and businesses with the installation of photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water
systems. According to the press release, this is the first program of its kind in the Puget Sound region. "We're very excited about launching this new program," said SCPUD General
Manager Steve Klein. "Solar power is a wise investment for the utility as we look to increase locally-generated green energy sources. It reduces our need to purchase new
energy as our region grows, and it gives customers a way of reducing their environmental impact, and their utility bill. We have many customers who are anxious to participate", Klein
said.
Cash incentives available for photovoltaic and solar hot water systems
SCPUD reports that residential customers can receive a cash incentive of up to 2,500 US-Dollars (USD; 1,890 Euro) or alternately, a 2.9 percent APR loan of up to 25,000 USD (18,900
Euro) for qualifying photovoltaic systems. For qualifying solar hot water systems, cash incentives of 500 USD (378 Euro) and 2.9 percent APR loans of up to 14,000 USD (10.600 Euro) are
also available. Business customers can qualify for incentives for photovoltaic and solar hot water systems under the new scheme. SCPUD offers customers to assist with finding solar
installers in the area and with accessing the Washington state production incentive. Free solar energy workshops are being planned to provide educational support during the spring and
summer of 2009. In addition, SCPUD plans to install its own solar demonstration system at its Everett headquarters, according to the press release.
2009-04-06 Courtesy: Snohomish County Power Utility District Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Glass Performance Days: Solar industry meets glass technology
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The Glass Performance Days 2009: an
encounter of solar and glass specialists.
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The 11th Glass Performance Days (GPD) in June 2009 will be held in Tampere, Finland, and feature a first encounter between solar specialists and glass professionals. According to a
press release this set-up is intended to lead to a further exchange of information that will contribute to the strong growth of solar technology applications and strengthen its
connections to architectural design. With a current annual growth rate of an average 30 - 40 % solar applications lead the way in the winning of new markets and commercial expansion in
these otherwise troubled times. "The rationale between the broad encounter of solar and glass specialists is that both need to know more about the visions and applications of
one another", says Jorma Vitkala, Chairman of the GPD organizing committee. "Solar specialists will benefit from the exposure to glass technology, architectural applications,
energy-economy and processing experiences in hands-on workshops. Glass specialists, for their part, are in need to know more about the future requirements of solar industry in order to
be able to support the continued growth of this industry with solutions and applications. For both categories of specialists it is vital to get the required input for product
development and the proper timing of required investments", Vitkala says.
Energy efficiency is the key
"We cannot just assume that building owners and architects automatically become aware of promising industrial breakthroughs in solar and glass technology", Jorma Vitkala emphasizes. "At
the GPD we intend to do something about this", he adds. "That is why we have included such a large solar and glass content in our conference program. In this way we offer solar
specialists a unique opportunity to familiarize themselves with the use of glass, its processing, coating characteristics, design parameters, architectural solutions and its properties
in the optimization of energy flows. The program includes a factory tour for hands-on studying of the processing technologies involved as well as the opportunities and constraints
related to them. This factory tour is part of the work-shop designed especially for solar specialists. The workshop module is, in fact, the first ever staged jointly for solar and glass
specialists and therefore offers a unique opportunity to learn about the status of both sectors through an exchange of state-of-the-art expert information."
Structural changes ahead
"The strong demand driving effect of solar applications is based on several independent product developments in the solar industry and the different glass characteristics needed for
each development”, the organizing committee of the GPD accentuates in the press release. Glass as a material has unique qualities as a cover shield for solar cells and little or
no effective competition from other materials. In the solar industry the best energetic value is sought for each solar module.
"The synergetic effects between solar and glass technologies especially in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are substantial. Since the knowledge of glass processing still leaves
a lot of room for improvement among solar specialists the opportunity to learn more is very welcome", comments Lèon Giesen, CEO of Scheuten from the Netherlands, an international
high-volume manufacturer of total solutions in glass and solar energy systems. "We have found that there is a lot of interaction between our divisions of solar and glass. There is much
more to learn, however. Most of today?s knowledge is related to product characteristics, not as much to glass processing due to the rapid development in this area."
"The many functions in glass, including energy saving, solar control, safety etc., combined with the opportunity for energy generation through photovoltaics will lead to a structural
change in the use of architectural glass", Lèon Giesen predicts. "BIPV will pioneer this change and also generate strong increases in market shares."
Further information: http://www.gpd.fi/
2009-04-05 Courtesy: Glass Performance Days Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Glass Performance Days.
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"FirstLook": Renewable energy software with more than 25,000 registered users
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Solar resources in the Western Hemisphere.
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3TIER Environmental Forecast Group, Inc. (Seattle, Washington), a global provider of renewable energy information services, on March 30th, 2009 announced that its 'FirstLook
Prospecting' tool had more than 25,000 registered users who regularly access the website for wind and solar energy resource information. The free online tool provides basic wind and
solar resource data with dynamic, clickable high-resolution resource maps, the company reports. "The fact that FirstLook has attracted such a large and loyal user base is a
testament to the continued growth and interest in renewable energy", said Kenneth Westrick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 3TIER. "From the largest wind farm developers in
the world to homeowners considering installing solar panels on their roofs, FirstLook is simply the easiest, most accurate, and most powerful tool out there for early-stage renewable
energy prospecting and basic assessment information."
Wind and solar potential evaluated by software tool
3TIER reports that the FirstLook application had been launched in 2007, and that it offers registered users scientifically derived data on the value of wind resources anywhere on the
globe as well as solar resources anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. Its purpose is to address the lack of information, according to Westrick. "The response has been tremendous. A large
percentage of our users visits the site on a daily basis", he said. FirstLook is said to save developers time in prospecting for viable sites for utility-scale renewable energy
developments and accelerates the process of determining where more in-depth resource assessments should be conducted. It is also said to be a consultative sales tool to help educate
customers on the value of their on-site renewable resources, inform hardware and installation decisions, and calculate returns-on-investment. In addition to FirstLook, 3TIER reports
that it also provides a full suite of assessment and forecasting products for wind, hydro, and solar energy projects.
2009-04-05 Courtesy: 3TIER Environmental Forecast Group, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: 3TIER Environmental Forecast Group, Inc.
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The MathWorks goes live with one of the Massachusetts' largest photovoltaic arrays
The MathWorks, Inc. (Natick, Massachusetts), a leading developer of mathematical computing software, on March 31st, 2009 announced the installation of one of Massachusetts' largest
photovoltaic (PV) arrays, which is expected to generate a portion of the company's electricity needs. According to the press release, the project, a 139.08-kilowatt (kW) PV array, had
been installed by Alteris Renewables (Wilton, Connecticut), and partially funded through the Commonwealth Solar rebate program of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust
(Westborough). It is expected that it will help reduce energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and promote research and development in the emerging technology industry. "The
Patrick Administration is proud to support The MathWorks solar power project through Commonwealth Solar, which is on course toward quadrupling the amount of installed solar electricity
in the state by the end of this year," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles. “By helping us to reach Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of 250 megawatts
of solar power by 2017, The MathWorks is acting as a clean energy leader.”
Solar array expected to reduce carbon emissions and energy cost
According to the press release, the PV array is expected to save an estimated seven percent of the total electricity used in one of three main buildings on the company's Natick,
Massachusetts campus. The company aims to reduce overall energy use and carbon emissions from energy generation by at least 20 percent within two years. Jeanne O'Keefe, The MathWorks'
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), said: "We assessed our environmental impact – both locally and globally – and, with the help of Alteris and the Commonwealth Solar rebate
program, are taking steps to minimize our footprint." Ron French, President of Alteris Renewables commented: “We are delighted to have partnered with The MathWorks on this
project, helping them to meet their clean energy goals.” The company reports that the new PV array installation consists of 456 SunPower SPR-305 modules that cover as much of the
available roof space as feasible. Each module is said to generate 305 watts, giving the system an overall capacity of 139.08 kilowatts (kW). The total energy production is estimated to
be 155,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. In addition to the PV array installation, The MathWorks reports that it had implemented programs to reduce energy consumption through changes
to lighting, heating/ventilation and computer equipment, the press release concludes.
2009-04-03 Courtesy: The MathWorks, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Plambeck Neue Energien AG takes wind farm Buchholz with 36 MW nominal output into operation
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Wind-energy system Vestas V90 (3,0 MW).
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The wind farm developer Plambeck Neue Energien AG (Cuxhaven) has taken the wind farm Buchholz into operation. In total, 18 wind-energy systems of the Vestas V90 type were installed.
The systems have a nominal output of 2 MW each, leading to a total output of the wind farm of 36 MW. The construction phase lasted only seven months. According to project manager Jens
Peters the project was thus completed in extremely short time given the scope of the wind farm. The wind-energy systems in Buchholz due to Plambeck can cover the annual energy
requirements of more than 20,000 private households. The wind farm contributes significantly to environmental protection since its eco-friendly power production avoids 43,000
tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, Plambeck Neue Energien emphasizes. Already back in February 2009 the company had announced the sale of the wind farm together with the
projects Schwienau II and Alt Zeschdorf to EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG. The deal includes a total nominal output of 52 MW. In addition to the sale, Plambeck Neue Energien AG will
also be in charge of the technical and commercial operational management for the next ten years.
Martin Billhardt, CEO of Plambeck Neue Energien, is delighted about the commissioning of the wind farm Buchholz: "We were able to complete the construction of the plant exceptionally
fast, especially when the size of the project is taken into consideration. This underscores our long-time experience in the field of wind farm projecting and was surely one of the
reasons why we were able to gain EnBW as our new customer." The operative success of Plambeck Neue Energien AG is also reflected in the financial results for fiscal year 2008, when the
company achieved its best EBIT in corporate history. A comprehensive overview about latest developments at Plambeck Neue Energien AG is provided by the annual report 2008, which is
available on the companies website.
2009-04-03 Courtesy: Plambeck Neue Energien AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Vestas Central Europe A/S
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Yingli Green Energy announces potential new credit facilities
Yingli Green Energy Holding, Ltd. (Yingli; Baoding, China), a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) product manufacturer, on March 27th, 2009 announced that its affiliate company
Baoding Yingli Group Ltd. (Yingli Group) had entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hebei Branch of the Bank of China. According to the press release, the bank
considers credit facilities in the aggregate maximum amount of 6 billion China Yuan Renminbi (CYN; 878 million US-Dollars) to be granted to entities affiliated with the Yingli Group,
including three subsidiaries of Yingli Green Energy in the People's Republic of China. Under the terms of the strategic cooperation agreement, the Hebei Branch of the Bank of
China expects to grant credit facilities with an aggregate maximum amount of 2 billion CYN (293 million US-Dollars) to the Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd. and
credit facilities with an aggregate maximum amount of 1.5 billion CYN (219 million US-Dollars) to Yingli Energy Co., Ltd., as well as credit facilities with an aggregate maximum amount
of 1.8 billion CYN (293 million US-Dollars) to Fine Silicon Co., Ltd., among others.
Details of agreements need to be negotiated further
Each of the three Chinese subsidiaries of Yingli Green Energy will need to negotiate the detailed terms of the credit facilities and related credit agreements before the relevant credit
facilities may be granted, the company reports. Therefore, no assurance can be given yet that the credit facilities will be granted to the companies as currently contemplated in the
strategic cooperation agreement or at all. "We are pleased that Yingli Group has entered into this strategic cooperation agreement, which we believe will benefit us in helping us secure
additional credit facilities, thereby providing us additional financial resources to expand our PV production capacity, commence our polysilicon production and further strengthen our
capital position as well as providing us with additional flexibility in business and financial planning," commented Zongwei Li, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Yingli Green Energy. "In
order to maintain cash flow flexibility in this challenging economic environment, we will continue to actively source long- and short-term financing both domestically and
internationally."
2009-04-02 Courtesy: Yingli Green Energy Holding Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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Prism Solar Technologies acquires new manufacturing facility
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PV module by Prism Solar.
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Prism Solar Technologies, Inc. (PST; Lake Katrine, New York), on March 29th, 2009 announced that it had acquired a new manufacturing site in upstate New York. According to the
company's press release, the new site is located in Highland and includes 6.5 acres of land and a 93,000 sq. ft manufacturing building. The facility due to PST had been purchased for
3,750,000 US-Dollars from PLASMACO and Prism intends to create over two hundred jobs there during the first few years, and up to 400 over five years. The Highland facility is expected
to ultimately produce 60 megawatts (MW) of solar modules for domestic markets and 1,000 MW of holographic planar concentrator (HPC) films for sale to other solar module
manufacturers. "We are extremely excited to have purchased this unique facility", said Rick Lewandowski, Prism's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "This will allow us to
jump-start our operations and will immediately begin renovating the facility to allow a quick transition to our module manufacturing pilot line and then on to full production."
Equipment to be modified to produce thin film and crystalline photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules
Prism's reports that its new plant includes features that would normally be found in a purpose-built site, such as glass handling and glass cleaning equipment, a compete machine shop,
specialty optical equipment, 30,000 sq. ft of clean-rooms, a wet lab, facility-wide security and building management systems. Some equipment is said to be able to get modified to
produce thin film and crystalline photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. "We value this facility, including its equipment and clean rooms, to be over ten times what we paid", stated Tom
Kacandes, Prism's Director of Operations. Lewandowski thanked the Prism staff, and the network of government and non-governmental people including Congressman Maurice Hinchey, The Solar
Energy Consortium (TSEC), the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and County Executive Mike Hein. "Prism is exactly the kind of solar industry partner that TSEC had hoped
to attract to the Mid-Hudson Valley" , said Vincent Cozzolino, TSEC's President.
One million $ funding through TSEC as well as by the Omnibus Budget bill
According to the press release, Congressman Hinchey had facilitated a 1,000,000 US-Dollar grant for Prism Solar through The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC). Additional funding for Prism
was included in the Omnibus Budget bill passed by the Congress earlier this year. "These are the moments we hoped for and expected when we created TSEC two years ago and the reason we
made subsequent federal investments", Hinchey said. "With Prism's expansive new facility in place, hundreds of new jobs will steadily be created over the next several years in Ulster
County. Prism and the rest of TSEC's partners will help grow our local economy while also helping to free our country of its dependence on foreign oil and other fossil fuels."
2009-04-02 Courtesy: Prism Solar Technologies, Inc. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Prism Solar Technologies, Inc.
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CPV Today expects multi-junction solar cell efficiency to reach 50% by 2015
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World record solar cell (5.09 mm²) made
of Ga0.35In0.65P/Ga0.83In0.17As/Ge.
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CPV Today, a division of First Conferences Ltd., London, UK, on March 30th, 2009, announced the release of a study on the technological challenges to the commercial development of
concentrator photovoltaics (CPV). The research had been carried out by the University of Jaén (Spain) and CPV Today and it concludes that efficiencies of solar cells used in CPV systems
are likely to reach 50 percent by 2015, the company reports in a press release. Recently, a multi-junction solar cell made out of GaInP/GaInAs/ Ge (gallium indium phosphide, gallium
indium arsenide on a germanium substrate of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE; Freiburg, Germany) had achieved a record efficiency of 41.1 percent at 454 suns,
making cells based on so called III-V semiconductor layers the most efficient photovoltaic (PV) devices to date. According to CPV Today, the importance of this high capacity
to convert sunlight into electricity is magnified by the fact that multi-junction cell efficiencies tend to increase with the concentration factor because their performance is
particularly resilient to increases in cell temperature. The only photovoltaic technology with a better temperature coefficient is amourphous silicone (a-Si) thin film but this
technology has a much lower efficiency, CPV Today explains. Currently, useful concentration ranges from 2 to 1,000 suns. However, as methods of cooling cells have improved and new
materials are being employed in building multi-junction, the concentration factor could be increased to take full advantage of high efficiency cells.
30 percent CPV system efficiency possible
The CPV Today report explains which factors affect the efficiency of CPV cells, and discusses the materials employed in them in detail. Currently, high efficiency silicon cells and
multi-junction cells are being used in concentrating systems. At present, multi-junction cells have not achieved the same level of marketing development and industrialization as those
made of silicon, the report notes. CPV Today's predictions are, according to the press release, based on analysis of the state of the art, on the historical evolution of systems and on
the objectives depicted by manufacturers as well as on the analysis of the public institutions involved in the promotion of technology. "Commercial cells will reach efficiency levels up
to 45 percent, modules up to 35 percent and systems up to 30 percent, which will imply a substantial reduction of costs," the report claims. It also elaborates on historical
efficiencies of CPV cells and forecast for efficiency improvement.
Further Information: http://www.cpvtoday.com/eu09/reports.shtml
2009-04-01 Courtesy: First Conferences Ltd. Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
Picture Courtesy: Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
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The Linde Group to supply gases to Masdar PV’s photovoltaic plant in Erfurt
The technology group The Linde Group has been awarded a long-term contract to supply all the gases for next-generation thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module production at Masdar’s
manufacturing site in Erfurt, Germany. Under the turnkey contract, Linde will provide a complete gas storage and distribution system, as well as on-site gas management services. Linde
will also supply nitrogen (N2), hydrogen (H2), silane (SiH4) and chamber cleaning gases, as well as argon (Ar) and helium (He). Masdar PV is a fully-owned subsidiary of Masdar, Abu
Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative for energy of the future, launched and owned by the Mubadala Development Company. The company is currently investing approximately 200 million US
dollars (around 150 million euro) in the photovoltaic plant in Ichtershausen near Erfurt. A further 400 million US dollars (300 million euro) is being invested in the second plant in
Taweelah near Abu Dhabi. Together, the two plants will have a target annual production capacity of 210 MWp (megawatt peak). The plants will produce 5.7 m² PV modules, which
have an excellent cost-benefit ratio. Because they use the latest tandem technology (a-Si/a-Si), these modules are up to 10 percent more efficient than conventional a-Si (amorphous
silicon) modules.
"Masdar’s goal to become a world leader in renewable energy resonates strongly with our own corporate philosophy. We look forward to acting as Masdar’s technology partner on
this journey", said Dr Aldo Belloni, member of the Executive Board of Linde AG. "This collaboration reinforces Linde’s commitment to the rapid development of sustainable energy,
not only in the field of PV, but also in hydrogen, carbon capture & storage and biofuels."
"Linde has an outstanding reputation among PV manufacturers for the development of gas technology", said Dr Rainer Gegenwart, CEO of Masdar PV GmbH. "Our company deals exclusively with
strong, experienced partners with whom we can explore new areas such as the enhancement of environmental protection. Therefore, Linde is a key partner for us in this project." Linde has
established a leading position in gases supply to thin-film silicon solar module manufacturers, in key markets including Germany, Spain, Italy, China, Taiwan and India. To date, Linde
has partnered customers on projects with a target capacity of more than 1GWp (gigawatt peak).
2009-04-01 Courtesy: The Linde Group Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH
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