Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News

Tigo Energy, a solar energy installation technology provider, has raised $6 million in a round of financing. The round was co-led by Matrix Partners and OVP Venture Partners, and the resulting funds will aid Tigo to increase its output and decrease cost of ownership on solar installations, and provide a more favourable return on investment for the company’s customers. Read more >>

Robert Bosch GmbH has acquired an initial 50.45 percent share holding in ersol Solar Energy AG, in a deal costing €546.4 million in cash. The sale was organized by Ventizz Capital, a major investor in ersol since 2004. Bosch is said to be submitting a public offer for the remaining ersol shares. The acquisition of ersol by Bosch is to enable the company to continue its activities in the renewable energy sector. “The Ventizz II fund has supported ersol during the set-up and rapid expansion stages. After becoming a major and profitable solar producer over the past four years... Read more >>

In an effort to provide greater transparency to the photovoltaics manufacturing industry, PHOTON Consulting has launched a paid subscription-based service, tracking high-purity silicon prices, both spot and contract, dubbed the PHOTON Consulting Silicon Price Index (PCSPI). Read more >>

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 >>