Module overcapacity among weak demand dynamics in key markets has caused at least one customer of BTU International to put equipment ordered on hold. Planned capacity expansions are being revised for customers, according to the c-Si solar cell equipment supplier, forcing it to also lower its sales expectations for the short-term.
3S Photovoltaics, a division of Meyer Burger Technology, Sputnik Engineering and BE Netz have partnered for the development of Switzerland’s Umwelt Arena. Located in the town of Spreitenbach, near Zurich, the building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) project covers over 57,048 square feet of the arena’s rooftop and holds the possibility of generating 540,000kWh of solar energy every year.
Ion implant market leader Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates will be acquired by Applied Materials for approximately US$4.9 billion. The deal is said to enhance Applied’s product offerings for transistor formation for front-end semiconductor processing as IC process complexity, transistor scaling and 3-D design implementation require complete and integrated product and process offerings. The deal also offers Applied new market opportunities in solar, display and light emitting diodes, where Varian has made significant investments in recent years to broaden implant technologies market opportunities. Varian reported last week second-quarter 2011 revenue of US$330 million.
Jun Xu and his team of researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a 3-D nanocone-based solar cell, which is said to enhance the light-to-power conversion efficiency by almost 80%. The solar cell is constructed using n-type nanocones made from zinc oxide, which perform as the junction framework and electron conductor , and are enveloped by a p-type semiconductor consisting of polycrystalline cadmium telluride, which act as the principal photon absorber channel and hole conductor.
Georgia Power has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 1MW of solar PV energy projects that will be used as part of the company’s Green Energy program. Georgia Power is looking for solar PV systems that are at least 100kW and under a contract term of 10 years. The company will admit bids up to 15 cents per kWh including interconnection costs. Solar energy for the RFP is required on or before June 1, 2012.
Dow Corning veteran Robert Hansen, current company president, has been elected as the company’s new CEO, effective immediately. Hansen has been with Dow Corning for 29 years and was appointed as president of the company in November 2010. Dow Corning noted that Hansen will continue to serve as president, in addition to his role as CEO and that Stephanie Burns will remain chairman of the board of directors. “As chairman, I will remain deeply engaged providing counsel and advice on the company’s business strategy, as well as support to Bob as he transitions into his new role and I prepare for retirement,” remarked Burns.
NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NJR), has closed on a 21-year lease with the Village at Manalapan Solar for 13-acres of land in Manalapan, New Jersey. NJRCEV intends to develop a 3.6MW, US$18 million ground-mounted solar system at the New Jersey site, which will service the wholesale electric market. This is NJRCEV’s first ground-mounted solar installation, which has a completion and in-service date for sometime this fall.
Solar investments were hot in the first quarter, even if overall PV market demand cooled considerably; according to the latest quarter report on US venture capital (VC) investment in cleantech companies from Ernst & Young. Solar-based companies received US$362.7 million in new investments in the first quarter of 2011, up 162% compared to the same period a year ago. This accounted for 39% of the total dollars raised for the quarter, which is compiled from data provided by Dow Jones VentureSource.
Konarka Technologies is strengthening its management team with the appointment of Dr. James Buntaine as its executive vice president and chief technology officer. The new position adds weight behind the recent appointment of Kenneth McCauley as vice president of sales and marketing to transition the company into its commercial ramp phase. Dr Buntaine comes from Eastman Kodak after a 30-year career at the firm.
A massive 150MW PV project to be built in Arizona by Zachry Industrial will use Advanced Energy Industries (AE) ‘Solaron’ PV inverters and its ‘SafeGuard’ service program. The project would be one of the largest of its kind so far built in the US and is slated to begin construction in mid-2011 with completion in 2013. AE is also to be the inverter supplier at a 35MW project in California with Cupertino Electric.
