Jon Haines

ATERSA, a subsidiary of Elecnor, ended its financial 2008 with commercialised power of 111 MWp, representing the growth of 33.7% compared to 83 MWp in 2007.  Sales were 24.8% greater than in 2007, totalling €422 million. 

Entech Solar, a leader in concentrating solar energy systems, reported that Chief Technology Officer Mark J. O’Neill will serve on its Board of Directors.  He was responsible for the co-founding of ENTECH, Inc. in 1983 with Robert Walters, the current VP of Marketing. 

All of Europe’s energy needs could be met by covering an area in the Sahara Desert with solar panels, it was announced in Copenhagen. With a solar farm as large as Ireland, Europe could realistically consider receiving 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., manufacturers of flexible thin-film solar modules, has announced it has started regular production of monolithically integrated flexible CIGS modules from its production line in Littleton, Colorado. 

NorSun AS, the Norwegian manufacturer of high-performance monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers, announced it has raised NOK1.15 billion to finance production of new silicon ingots and wafers for high efficiency solar cells.    

The solar product manufacturing company, Energy Innovations has announced that Joseph Budano will serve as the new CEO while also having a spot on the Board of Directors.  He brings over 25 years experience in corporate leadership.  

Butte College in Oroville, California is now the largest solar-producing campus in the state after revealing three new solar projects that will allow the campus to become carbon neutral by 2015.  The college, which hopes to save US$32.6 million in 20 years from reduced energy costs and a fixed energy-use fee, is currently 44% solar powered after installing the new energy-capturing panels.    

NV Energy, Inc. and Solar Millennium, LLC have agreed on a memorandum of understanding for the potential installation of possible solar power facilities in southern Nevada.  This agreement is in conjunction with Solar Millennium’s joint venture partner, MAN Ferrostaal Inc.  

Energy Innovations has announced that its RayTracker product group has been spun off to form RayTracker Inc. The new company will allow the team to take advantage of the growing demand for its RayTracker GC product line. The GC line was made to be cost-effective while boasting high efficiency and reliability. RayTracker had been included in over 2MW of installations in 2008.   

Craig Hunter, former general manager and founder of the thin-film solar business at Applied Materials, Inc. has joined Intermolecular, Inc. as vice president and general manager of solar business.