Hydro One Networks, NEC and ON Semiconductor have joined Semiconductor Research Corporation’s (SRC) global Energy Research Initiative (ERI) joining established members such as Applied Materials, Bosch, First Solar and IBM. The now 10 member ERI will continue to focus on finding new materials, devices and methodologies for power control/management and energy collection, conversion and storage.
The CPV solar cell business segment of Emcore accounted for US$19.1 million or 51% of the company's total revenue in its FY2012 first quarter, representing a decline of US$2 million from the prior quarter. However, Emcore reported a CPV cell order backlog of approximately US$51.7 million, an increase from US$43.5 million in the prior quarter. The order increase was due to the first order from its China-based JV CPV module operations, Suncore, which is starting assembly operations to meet a US$100 million project contract in the country.
Borrego Solar has again secured funding for US$47 million from US Bank and East West Bank for solar energy projects in California, US. The fund will be used to build 6MW of installations for three school districts and two plants in Massachusetts – the largest of which is expected to be 4.7MW. The company said these projects are expected to create 400 local jobs and generate enough electricity to power nearly 2,000 homes.
Organic PV thin films may hold a significant promise of low cost electricity generation but longevity has been a key weakness of the technology. However, Konarka Technologies has become the first OPV manufacturer to become certified in compliance with IEC 61646, an accelerated lifetime testing protocol by TÜV Rheinland.
In releasing full-year 2011 results, Showa Shell highlighted the successful roll-out of subsidiary, Solar Frontier’s CIS thin film modules in key markets such as Germany, US, Asia, Middle-East and Japan. The company noted a string of commercial and utility-scale project wins having started production at its 900MW plant in February, 2011. However, price decline of 40% were reported for the year with further price declines expected in 2012, due to oversupply, though current price declines were said to have slowed.
Dow Corning announced that it had contracted Bardawil Group to distribute its silicon-based solar solutions for the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Bardawil will market and support Dow Corning’s solar products while additionally representing the company at strategic conferences and exhibitions in the specified region.
Mercury Solar Systems has completed the installation of a 3.6MW solar system, with over 12,000 solar panels, in Manalapan, one of the largest ground-mounted, grid-interconnected solar systems in New Jersey.
Inline with previous guidance, PV equipment supplier, Amtech posted net revenue of US$24.7 million for its financial year first quarter, 2012, a decline of 59% compared to the previous quarter. The company reported minimal order cancellations but noted shipment push-outs as PV manufacturers tackle severe overcapacity. Revenue for FY2Q12 was guided down to be in the range of US$20 - US$22 million.
According to reports from Bloomberg, AES Gener, a division of AES Corp., is preparing to construct a US$572 million solar farm in northern Chile, which will help bring electricity to copper mines in the Atacama Desert. The company is pursuing a permit to build the farm in Chile’s Antogafasts region where, Bloomberg reports, BHP Billiton and state-owned Codelco, manage copper mines.
The US DOE has advised of a US$12 million investment in the SunShot Incubator program; funding which will go towards advancements in hardware, reduction of soft costs and the development of pilot manufacturing and production projects in the American solar energy and manufacturing industry. The Incubator program is best known as a launchpad for new start-ups and business units within existing companies to move solar technology development forward at a faster pace.
