News

Signet Solar has selected Air Products to supply turnkey installation of gas delivery systems and services and related gas needs for a new, thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module production facility located in Mochau, Germany. The new plant will be on stream in the summer of 2008 and marks Air Products' entry into the thin-film photovoltaic industry.

China Sunergy has said that it has established its European sales andmarketing headquarters in Munich, Germany in response to a growingcustomer base, especially in Germany that includes aleo solar AG andasola.

centrotherm photovoltaics AG has established a branch in Taiwan as part of its strategy to expand its presence in regions with high growth expectations in PV adoption and manufacturing. The company cited Taiwan’s planned statutory subsidy program for renewable energies as a key reason for establishing a permanent presence in the country.

As part of its plans to begin production of its thin film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar modules later in 2008, HelioVolt has selected Eyelit's Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software suite for its 20MW facility.

Jeff Winzeler has been named as successor to the role of CFO for thecompany, a position previously held by Glenn Carnahan. Winzeler departsthe company’s franchise operation Yes! Solar, Inc., where he held therole of President.

Ascent SolarTechnologies has marked a major milestone in its move to volumeproduction of advanced, thin-film photovoltaic modules with the on-timedelivery and installation of all equipment required to complete theintegration of its initial 1.5 MW production facility.

As part of Solland Solar Cells’ planned capacity ramps, the crystallinesilicon cell producer has secured a new and extended multi-crystallinesilicon wafer supply deal with Renewable Energy Corp (REC) that runsthrough 2015 and is worth approximately €500 million to the company.The agreement is structured as a take-and-pay contract withpre-determined prices and volumes for the entire contract period.

An existing PV cell customer based in Taiwan has placed a follow-onorder with Amtech Systems worth $3.9 million for diffusion processingsystems. Amtech expects the follow-on order to ship in fiscal 2008.

Dr. Jürgen Dahmer is the newest appointee to the Board of Managementfor SCHOTT, while the company has also announced the extension of thecontract of Professor Udo Ungeheuer (pictured).  Professor Ungeheuer,who holds the post of Chairman of the Board of Management, has had histenure extended for a further five years.

SunPower Corporation has signed a five-year agreement with Jiawei SolarChina Co., Ltd. (Jiawei) to secure a supply of monocrystalline silicon ingots and silicon wafers, beginning in 2008. The deal is expected to enable SunPower to produce the equivalent of 900MW during the agreement period.