Great strides in solar cell efficiency are the name of the game as Suntech has teamed up with an Australian university to focus on the development of solar cells that boast twice the efficiency but half the cost of conventional cells. Joining research forces with Swinburne University of Technology of Melbourne, Suntech’s CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi will lead the collaborative effort with the University’s Centre for Micro-Photonics Director, Professor Min Gu.
Following on from last week’s news of the introduction of a solar subsidy system for the Chinese market, Barclays Capital Solar has published an update, with details garnered from the Chinese Ministry of Finance’s announcement on March 31st. The reviewed announcement includes news of an annual decline in subsidies. The Barclays report states that contrary to the original release, the program covers both non-BIPV rooftop applications as well as BIPV, but that the incentive for the non-BIPV applications will be lower than the $2.90/W announced for BIPV.
Making a bold decision to focus on one product group, Entech Solar has announced that it is shutting down manufacturing operations for its current generation of concentrating solar systems. The company will now focus its efforts on the rapid development and commercialization of its next generation products, along with implementing aggressive cost cuts such as headcount reduction.
Metals and materials provider Elkem has named Helge Aasen as the replacement for Bjørn Wiggen as Managing Director following the latter’s appointment to a new role as President and CEO of SAPA, as well as his appointment to the role of Chairman of Elkem’s Board of Directors. Mr. Wiggen replaces Ole Enger, who was recently appointed as President and CEO of the Renewable Energy Corporation (REC).
Webel-SL Energy Systems Ltd. has, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, revealed it is to invest approximately 1.8 billion rupees ($35.7 million) to build a second cell and module manufacturing facility in Kolkata, eastern India. The facility will bring Webel’s annual manufacturing capacity from 12MW to 42MW.
It seems there may be collaboration on the cards for two of the major technology players, as Reuters has reported. Japan's Toshiba Corp. and Sharp Corp. are allegedly looking to start up a partnership agreement for their respective solar businesses in response to growing market demand for PV products and services.
In an effort to overcome obstacles being met with in the PV industry, representatives from both mainland China and Taiwan have signed a letter of intent to further technology cooperation. The move, reported in the Taiwan News, will see the establishment of uniform product standards and an across-the-board system for cell testing and certification.
The Chinese Treasury department has reviewed its solar program with the introduction of a new solar PV subsidy program. The move, which is a temporary measure, according to Barclays Capital Solar Energy, will offer 20RMB per Watt (~$2.90/W) incentives for systems of output greater than 50kW. The uncapped plan could prove to be a huge boon for Chinese solar companies such as Suntech, Yingli, Trina Solar and JA Solar.
HelioSphera’s expansion has received a boost with the news that the Greek Parliament has approved its subsidy application for €29,879,500. The subsidy will fund HelioSphera’s €180,000,000, 60MW production facility in Tripolis, Greece, which is expected to begin mass production in 3Q09.
SunPower teamed up with the Rancho California Water District (RCWD) for the development and construction of a 1.1-MW solar power system at the district's water treatment facility in Murrieta, which has now reached completion.
