Patricia Johnson

Digitimes reports that the Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell producer E-Ton Solar Tech has received an order for 50MWp of solar cells from a previous client, with shipments to occur this year.

pvXchange has announced that Electrical Engingeer Martin Mesmer will be overseeing operations and sales as Sales Director for the North American PV-Market. Mr. Mesmer will be based in Oregon and California where he will be charged to develop the US business as one of the company’s core markets over the next few years.

Japanese utility Shikoku Electric Power Co. announced its plans to increase capacity at its only solar power plant by 4MW in stages by April 2010, according to Reuters.

Korea Advanced Materials (KMA), a joint venture between Hyundai Heavy and South Korean paint maker KCC Corp., has closed a US$600 million deal to supply polysilicon to Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. from 2010 to 2015.

ReneSola Ltd. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Sichuan ReneSola Material Co. Ltd., has signed a RMB800 million (about US$117 million) 5-year project loan agreement with China Construction Bank, Sichuan Branch. This loan will contribute to the funding of construction of a polysilicon manufacturing facility in Meishan, Sichuan province and will provide ReneSola with a steady, inexpensive supply of polysilicon.

Tigo Energy has announced that Professor Takashi Tomita, Mr. Yair Cohen and Dr. Nathan Zommer will join the company’s board of advisors.

Entech Solar has appointed Kent J. Van Houten as Chief Financial Officer, where he will manage the company’s financial strategy, corporate planning, treasury functions, internal controls, and SEC reporting.

Tore Torvund has been appointed as Executive Vice President of the REC Group to lead REC Silicon’s operations. He will also serve as a member of the REC Group Management Team.

ersol Solar Energy AG announced that former Chief Financial Officer Ekhard von Dewitz has suddenly died in a car accident.

First Solar, Inc. has announced its support of the new International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an organization created to globally promote renewable energy solutions for both industrialized and developing nations.