Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News
Top Story
LDK Solar revises capacity expansion plans amid slowing market demand
LDK Solar has succumbed to the slowing demand for solar wafers from its customer base that includes Q-Cells, Sharp and Suntech, having revised revenue estimates significantly downwards for its fourth quarter guidance. The revised revenue is between US$425 to US$435 million, compared to its previous projection of between US$555 to $565 million. Wafer shipments were previously projected to be in the range of 260 to 270MW but are now expected to be in the range of 245 to 255MW. Gross margins have also been seriously affected with guidance revised to between 10% & 13%, compared to gross margins of between 18% and 21%, issued previously.
News
SunEdison, Developers Diversifed Realty partner on large-scale solar distributed generation program
SunEdison and Developers Diversified Realty have embarked on what is being called the largest solar distributed generation program of its kind. The North American solar energy services provider has obtained the rights to deploy PV systems at more than 200 shopping centers developed and managed by the Cleveland-based real estate investment trust. The potential capacity of the program could run as high as 259 MW on locations in 24 states and Puerto Rico, covering up to an estimated 30 million square feet.
Sharp shuffles new thin film plant production schedule
Sharp Corporation is to bring forward the planned production of its next generation solar thin film plant, based in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, according to Reuters, which cited a company spokesman. Sharp had planned production to start at the 1GW capacity facility in March 2010, but cited an increase in demand for the revised start, expected by the end of 2009.
Long Island Power Authority expands Solar Pioneer program to US$14.4million
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy through the adoption of its 2009 operating budget. The budget provides incentives of up to US$14.4 million through ...
EMCORE to cut workforce due to liquidity issues
Loss making EMCORE Corporation, said in an SEC filing that its is planning a sweeping range of cost cutting measures and refinancing moves to improve the company’s financial liquidity. A workforce reduction will be made to lower operating costs, though how deep the cuts will be was not disclosed.
SunPower completes and dedicates Hawaii’s 1.2MW solar farm
Day4 Energy to cut jobs at Burnaby production facility
Solar Power, Inc. completes first module sale to German integrator
Amtech’s Tempress subsidiary receives $5 million in orders
Blogs
Acciona’s Portuguese PV plant may be big, but one of the numbers just doesn’t add up
The newly activated photovoltaic power plant run by Acciona Energy in Portugal, with its 46 MWp capacity, sets the bar higher than ever for ground-based solar farms. With more than 262,000 crystalline-silicon-based modules deployed on some 2500 tracker arrays spread out over 250 hectares (that's alot of soccer pitches), the installation is physically very impressive--a heady holiday gift for the entire renewables community. But one of the numbers cited in the company's press release strains credulity, because it's flat-out wrong. Unfortunately, most of the media reports about the project just picked up the erroneous info without blinking--or thinking.
Solar deal stirs controversy in L.A., while EuPD and Applied Materials show their charitable sides
A news story in the Los Angeles Times reports that a consultant's study casts doubt on the economics of upcoming local ballot Measure B, a key component of the Solar L.A. initiative. On the brighter side, EuPD Research and Applied Materials both show their charitable sides during the holiday season.
Solar Santa: Ohio doles out millions in development dollars to local PV companies
Recession, what recession? Cavalcade of solar PV, renewable investments total billions in a day
Wal-Mart continues solar push with thin-film, building-integrated PV initiative
Going Places
Thin-film solar PV firm Odersun taps former NXP exec Van der Zeeuw as new CEO
Thin-film solar PV manufacturer Odersun has appointed former NXP Semiconductors exec Hein van der Zeeuw as its new CEO. Van der Zeeuw has 26 years of experience in the electronic components and semiconductor industry and is a former member of the board of management of Philips spin-out NXP, which he resigned from in July, 2008 after serving as executive VP of operations.
JA Solar rings in New Year with new CFO
JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. has brought on board a new Chief Financial Officer to steer the company’s finances for 2009 and beyond. Anthea Chung will replace Daniel Lui as CFO, while Mr. Lui switches roles to become the company's new chief strategy officer, in which role he will pursue strategic business opportunities worldwide. Ms. Chung joins JA Solar from her former CFO role at Solar Enertech Corp.
Legal expert Hoil Kim joins GT Solar as General Counsel
GT Solar International, Inc. has added Hoil Kim’s 20 years’ expertise in the legal and business field to its team by enlisting him as Vice President and General Counsel. Reporting to company President and CEO, Tom Zarrella, Mr. Kim replaces Edwin (Ned) L. Lewis who has decided to depart the company to pursue other opportunities.
Product Briefings
New Product: Pasan SA’s new electronic load enables higher accuracy solar cell/module testing
Product Briefing Outline: Pasan SA has introduced a new electronic load that is more accurate and offers several additional features for the testing of solar cells and modules. This electronic load not only is fitted to module and cell flashers, but also can be combined with continuous light sources. Furthermore the equipment is suitable for outdoor testing.
New Product: Bekaert offers turnkey solution for rotating cylindrical magnetron applications
Product Briefing Outline: Bekaert Advanced Coatings, a total solution provider for rotatable sputter technology, has developed a series of flexible and high performing sputter hardware components for rotating cylindrical magnetron applications. With these key components a customized and complete sputter solution can be worked out in close collaboration with the customer. Whether it concerns an existing coater in an upgrade/rebuild project or a new coater in a green field project, maximum flexibility can be offered for building in all critical components needed for sustaining a controlled process to realize high end products.
Top 5 new product reviews of 2008
In our first full year online, we have steadily increased the number of new products we have reviewed and also seen the new products section gain increasingly greater traffic levels throughout the year. Looking through the traffic numbers, we have identified the Top 5 most popular reviews of new products for your enjoyment.
Recruitment News
GT Solar starts breaking ground for expansion
ECN and partners set up Solar Academy
Oerlikon Solar to start skilled recruitment drive
