http://www.pv-tech.org/ Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News Copyright 2008, Semiconductor Media en-GB info@pv-tech.org Fri, 16 May 2008 11:33:07 GMT 120 http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/recession_dampens_solar_enthusiasm_first_quarter_akeena_and_first_solar_a_t It is a tale of two strategies when dealing with the U.S. solar markets, be they consumer or business markets. Both Akeena Solar and First Solar have announced their first quarter financial results recently. The scale of each company is worlds apart and their approaches to a growing market segment are at polar opposites, and it shows. These two companies cannot be directly compared; using these two companies is purely to highlight a growing trend among many solar companies of focussing on certain end-user segments of the solar market. Thu, 08 May 2008 15:38:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/q_cells_puts_the_pedal_to_the_metal Silicon solar cell producers should forget about the polysilicon shortages, while thin-film companies need not worry about silane supplies. Not because constrained supply issues are expected to ease and material costs to finally lower over the next two years, but because a potentially bigger concern is looming! Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:16:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/q_cells_welcomes_ibm_to_the_solar_sector_with_open_arms At the PV Fab Managers’ Forum in Dresden this week, IBM outlined its plans for partnering with the PV manufacturing industry to improve technology and manufacturing processes. Rainer Klaus Krause, IBM’s ISC Innovation Champion, presented to a high level audience of Fab managers and solar manufacturing executives the strategy to partner with manufacturers and technology providers to help the industry achieve price parity more quickly. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:56:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/former_emcore_insider_comments_on_emcore_cpv_ipo_from_outside Excellent observations from Jo Ann McDonald over at Compound Semiconductor Magazine and interestingly a former Director of Corporate Communications at Emcore notes that the intended IPO of its CPV business division may be happening too fast for the company. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:32:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/ldk_solars_polysilicon_production_goes_fluid Having announced very aggressive polysilicon production targets last year, LDK Solar turned heads, while also turning some market/financial analysts bearish on oversupply issues by 2010. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:25:01 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/cigs_sold_on_ebay Not your average eBay item up for grabs, rather a piece of photovoltaic technology history. Nanosolar, roll-to-roll Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) PV solar start-up, has put one of its first three production line commercially-produced PV modules (Panel #2) up for sale on eBay with a $10,300 starting price! Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:17:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/good_deal_hunting_at_applied_materials Applied Materials can't seem to leave the solar equipment business alone at the moment, as it continues its acquisition trail. The latest is Baccini S.p.A for a cool $330 million in greenbacks. Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:16:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/applied_materials_v_oerlikon_solar_with_a_twist1 Applied Materials’ entry to the solar equipment manufacturing market just over a year ago is starting to make that market very interesting to watch and also to write about! Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:39:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/intel_wants_fun_in_the_sun As rumors go, this is not as far-fetched as it seems! Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:23:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/old_fords_never_die An old automotive saying that well-built vehicles by Ford Motor Co. keep on going many years after competitors’ models have been scrapped can now be applied to old Ford assembly plants! Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:05:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/sunny_side_of_the_street It had to happen sooner rather than later for Applied Materials! What I mean is that they would inevitably win a contract in the solar power space to build a turnkey production line, front-to-back equipment and processes as well as automated factory software. Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:22:00 GMT