Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News

On June 12th in Munich, 1,000 companies will be exhibiting products and services for the solar industry. More companies than ever before will be presenting their solar products and services on an exhibition area of 76,000sqm – an increase of 120% on last year. Exhibitors will be directed into the areas of solar thermal technology, photovoltaics and solar architecture. Read more >>

VLSI Research, the industry market research firm, has said that critical subsystems suppliers that provide components and larger integrated systems to semiconductor and photovoltaic equipments suppliers saw sales boosted by the growth in the PV industry and sales in the flat panel sector as revenues in semiconductor were lacklustre in 2007. Read more >>

An Ernst & Young report based on data from Dow Jones VentureOne noted that investments by U.S.-based venture capitalists in the solar energy sector reached $132.4 million in 1Q08, a 136 percent increase over the same period in 2007. Read more >>

Solar Power Conference & Expo 2008 looks set to build on its successful event in 2007 to provide a wealth of exhibitors, vendors, conference sessions and workshops at its event in San Diego’s Convention Center from October 13th to 16th. The event is expected to attract a record 12,000 professionals from more than 70 countries and 400 exhibitors from 14 countries. Read more >>

Polysilicon shortages are not only limiting the potential growth of the PV industry but are continuing to impact manufacturing costs, according to Dr. Henning Wicht, Senior Director and Principal Analyst, MEMS and PV for iSuppli. Costs are rising rather than falling, forcing PV manufacturers to establish their own polysilicon production as well as seek cost saving elsewhere. Read more >>

First Reserve Corporation, a private equity firm specializing in the energy industry, has said it will invest €600 million over five years into developing renewable energy generation assets. The private equity firm recently acquired Gamesa Solar, a major solar energy company in Spain, for €261 million as well as Italian PV power plant specialist Ener3. Read more >>

In a follow-up to LDK Solar’s announcement of its intention to raise $300 million funding, the company has announced that it has closed an offering of $400 million of 4.75% convertible senior notes, due 2013. LDK will fine a shelf registration statement for resale of the notes and LDK ordinary shares, according to the company. Read more >>

Market research firm Frost & Sullivan has given Suntech Power its Solar Energy Development Company of the Year award for 2008. Suntech was awarded for its R&D focus as well as its range of energy efficient solutions and products. Read more >>

Renewable Energy Corporation ASA has invested $40 million for a 20 percent shareholding in Mainstream Energy Corporation (MSE), a renewable energy company headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California. Read more >>

The 1ères Rencontres Photovoltaïque, France’s first venture into the world of hosting photovoltaics conferences, is to take place on April 9th, 2008. The one-day event looks set to cover the main aspects of the industry, with talks on market status, R&D trends, materials, economics and finance in the sector and governmental issues. Read more >>