Semprius has completed the installation of the first microcell-based HCPV research development and demonstration (RD&D) system at Tucson Electric Power (TEP). The installation, which was completed in August this year, combines Semprius' HCPV modules with an automated solar tracking system from Siemens. The TEP project is part of a joint development agreement signed by Semprius and Siemens at the beginning of 2010, which aims to achieve the deployment of numerous new HCPV systems at test sites around the world.
Emcore and San’an Optoelectronics Company have come together for an investment and cooperation agreement with the Huainan municipal government. Under the agreement, Emcore and San’an will register and operate their joint venture (JV), Suncore Photovoltaics, in Huainan City for the production of CPV components and systems for terrestrial solar power applications.
The Greater Toronto area will be home to a new solar panel manufacturing facility courtesy of Eclipsall Energy. The company is investing over CAN$10 million for the 64MWp plant, which is anticipated to be operational during the first half of 2011. The need for expansion of the manufacturing line will be evaluated later in 2011.
Unirac has been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 International Organization for Standardization certification for its quality management system. The year-long certification process, which involved internal and external audits across the business and customer support organizations, provides Unirac with international recognition for its attempts to continually monitor and improve its management structure.
Suss MicroTec and Rolith have come together to use Rolith’s disruptive nanolithography method in order to develop and construct nanostructuring equipment. Rolith’s nanolithography technology uses near-field optical lithography with cylindrically shaped rolling masks. Sub-wavelength resolution is reached by a phase-interference effect or plasmonic enhancement printing structures. Rolith advises that a continued operation yields a high throughput with low cost production.
Solar Power Partners and JCM Capital have joined forced for the creation of a fund that will develop, finance, own and operate 200MW of Ontario-based solar projects. Although the amount of the dedicated fund was undisclosed, the two companies have already started 20MW of projects, which will begin construction in 2011.
NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, is in the process of purchasing four solar PV projects, totaling 40MW from First Solar. First Solar will continue with the development of the Sombra and Moore Solar Energy Centers, using their own thin-film solar modules and upon the projects reaching an operational state, NextEra’s Canadian subsidiary, NextEra Energy Canada, will assume full ownership and operation of the four projects.
