Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News
Top Story
What credit crisis? LDK CFO refuses to cut capital spending in 2009
At the Credit Suisse Technology Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, LDK Solar Co. Ltd. CFO Jack Lai commented to investors about the company’s capital expenditure plans and operating profit outlook for next year. LDK is targeted to increase manufacturing capacity to 1.1 GW by the end of 2008. The announcement by Lai confirms LDK's commitment to achieving 2GW of production by the end of 2009, almost doubling its anticipated capacity at the end of this current year.
Lai told investors “his assumptions of 1.5GW of output at an average of $2 per watt were neither aggressive nor conservative.”
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Arise signs four-year deal to supply 80 MW of solar PV cells to Asola
The German subsidiary of Arise Technologies has signed a four-year contract to supply solar photovoltaic cells to Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems for integration into solar modules. The contract, which runs through Dec. 31, 2012, calls on Arise to supply approximately 80 MW of PV cells to Asola on a take-or-pay basis based on industry-standard pricing established for the life of the deal. The value of the contract is approximately $200 million (Canadian).
TEL Venture Capital makes further investment in solar industry
Tokyo Electron’s U.S. investment arm, TEL Venture Capital, has invested an undisclosed sum in Unidym, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) manufacturer. Accompanying this news was the announcement that Tokyo Electron and Unidym intend to enter into a program for the development of equipment used in the manufacture of Unidym’s carbon nanotube-based transparent, conductive films (TCFs), which are used in thin-film solar cells, as well as in other applications. The companies will also enter into an information-sharing agreement that will see them collaborate on Unidym’s printed electronics technology development and to work together to modify TEL's existing equipment to support Unidym's inks.
Solar-Fabrik and JA Solar enter into supply agreement
Solar-Fabrik AG has signed an agreement with JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. to supply 30MW of solar cells. Currently, the agreement calls for a one-year term, but both companies have shown interest that it be extended. This agreement also expands Solar-Fabrik’s market share and helps achieve its goal of increasing solar panel sales by 70% in fiscal 2009.
Centrosolar Group AG opens solar module factory
After a mere 10 months of building, Centrosolar Group AG has opened its Wismar, Germany, solar module facility, one of the largest in the area. Chairman Dr. Alexander Kirsch (pictured) was joined at the opening celebration by numerous guests that were part of the community and world political and economy scene. The investment volume of the factory totals around €23 million and has created 250 new jobs, making the fab one of the biggest employers in Wismar.
Surfect Technologies comments on third quarter business
Ascent Solar achieves 9.5% efficiency for its CIGS modules
Accident at Suntech solar PV module factory injures seven; no fatalities reported
Blogs
Sharp’s teeth
The news that Sharp and Enel are to build the world's first 1GW thin-film manufacturing plant in Europe (Italy) at a cost of over $1 billion, is a significant move by Sharp to remain a major force within the PV industry. From any angle the move is impressive and bold and reinforces the direction the industry is going, even if that trend is only in its infancy.
Asia Solar, Jianqiao Solar news report raises the question, what’s Mandarin for hype?
A story from JLM Pacific Epoch has put the Chip Shots hyperbole detector into overdrive. The report says that Taiwan-based Asia Solar Ltd. and Hong Kong's Jianqiao Solar have signed government contracts to invest $45 million and $90 million, respectively, thin-film photovoltaic projects in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, China. Even in today's challenging financial environment, a $135 million TFPV play merits attention but does not stretch credulity. But then the numbers, at least those reported, get a bit dicey.
Suntech America’s Roger Efird talks about manufacturing in the U.S., solar supply chain, and more
MiaSolé gets in touch with its inner cap, AMAT makes solar money, and First Solar’s IPO anniversary
Photonic convergence: Earnings season, China PV heebee geebies, CIGS gets Time nod, and more
Going Places
Founder of the Fraunhofer ISE turns 80 years old
On 29 November 2008, Professor Dr. Adolf Goetzberger, the founder of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, ISE turned 80 years old. In 1976, Goetzberger was well-known semiconductor expert and head of a research institute with 180 employees, but in 1981, he decided to head out on his own and start the Fraunhofer ISE with only 18 employees. Today the ISE has grown to employee more than 800 people for the advancement of solar energy.
SEMI names Jonathan Davis new North America president
SEMI has named a long-time employee as its new president of SEMI North America, appointing Jonathan Davis to succeed Victoria Hadfield, effective Jan. 1, 2009. Davis will assume responsibility for the group's North American programs, products, and services and will be responsible for relationships with SEMI members as well as industry, government, and academia in the region. Hadfield moves on to pursue personal interests but will remain with the trade association in an advisory role.
Alistair Jessop to head international power projects for SolarReserve
SolarReserve named Alistair Jessop as Vice President to oversee its European and other international markets. He will be developing solar power projects in the regions by utilizing SolarReserve’s technology.
Product Briefings
New Product: New solar inks from Five Star Technologies offer 80-100 micron grid lines
Product Briefing Outline: Five Star Technologies has introduced the ‘ElectroSperse’ S-series solar inks for use in crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Five Star’s S-500 series, silver-based conductive inks, will allow solar cell makers to lay out front side grid lines as narrow as 80-100 microns---much thinner than the 120-175-micron width of conventional contacts. The company’s S-600 products--low-bow, lead-free, aluminum-based pastes, intended for back surface field layers--have been designed to co-fire at temperatures compatible with the S-500 silver inks and thus simplify the latter’s adoption.
New Product: TITAN TRACKER designed for high accuracy zenithal tracking
Product Briefing Outline: The TITAN TRACKER 122-219 ATR PRECISION is a new concept in solar trackers and has been developed for flat-plate and high concentrating photovoltaics CPV). It breaks with the usual trend, based on mounted-pole systems, and is claimed to offer improved benefits during the whole life-cycle of the installation.
New Product: 3S XL Laminating Line handles high volume production with 40% cycle-time reduction
Product Briefing Outline: The new 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG XL Laminating Line is designed to provide a fully-automated high volume lamination process of solar modules at highest speed: cycle times can be reduced up to 40%, according to the company. The system has a total capacity of up to 34 modules per hour which equals an annual capacity of up to 60MWp. It combines two vacuum chambers with the patented hybrid heating plate of the 3S Laminator S3622 with a cooling press. The two vacuum chambers are separately controlled in terms of evacuation, ventilation and heating. The system can handle both c-Si and thin film sizes.
