Greek solar manufacturer HelioSphera will build a new photovoltaics module factory in Philadelphia’s historic Navy Yard mixed-use complex. Construction on the 160-MW production plant is scheduled to begin next year, with the factory coming online in 2011 and ramped to full capacity by 2012. Total cost of the project--which will benefit from a variety of state grants, loans, and tax breaks--will be approximately $500 million.
Citing an attractive 8% return on the investment, Solar Millennium is for the first time offering potential investors the opportunity to benefit from the returns on its 50MW Andasol 3 parabolic trough power plant, currently under construction, via a closed-end fund. The fund is aimed at investors domiciled in Germany, who can participate starting from a minimum amount of €5,000.
G-Energy and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University have entered into a contract with Dyesol to supply a BIPV dye solar cell (DSC) laboratory prototyping solution. The prototype solution will enable the collaboration partners to develop glass-based DSC product based on Dyesol technology and materials.
The 'World Games Stadium' or Kaohsiung Stadium in Taiwan was built to be complete in time for the opening of The World Games held in July 2009. Permission was given by the International World Games Association for the event to be held in Kaohsiung Taiwan, providing the building met International Federation standards. The stadium design was by Japanese architect Toyo Ito. The main stadium has a capacity of 40,000 seats and required a total of two years work. The construction crew overcame any technical difficulties presented and successfully installed spiral steel girders and integrated 8,844 solar panels on the roof.
Having recently had their organic solar cells verified by Fraunhofer ISE with a power conversion efficiency of 6.07% for a tandem solar cell (active area of 2cm²), Dresden-based Heliatek has received a new round of funding to the tune of US$27 million to build its first production facility in Dresden. The start up had previously noted that it planned to increase the conversation efficiencies to 10%. Heliatek is targeting in particular mobile market and architectural (BIPV) applications.
The cadmium telluride refiner and major supplier to First Solar, 5N Plus is diversifying into solar module recycling, according to a Wall Street Journal article. The company is setting up in a rented facility the system required initially to handle coated soda-lime glass and later the ability to recycle fully laminated modules. The new business is not connected to First Solar’s CdTe modules, according to the story, which quoted a First Solar spokesperson.
Romag's BIPV PowerGlaz technology, introduced in 2004, provides integrated solutions for architects and those involved in the design of PV systems for buildings. The product is designed with the aim of breaking down the aesthetic barrier often in place when considering the use of PV in building design.
The feed-in tariff rate in the Czech Republic of between €0.50/kWh and €0.52/kWh is locked in for 20 years, yet the Czech government has always held a possible annual cut for this rate, which has a maximum cost decrease of 5% per year. This 5% cut has now been announced and will be fully implemented at the beginning of 2010.
Hoku Materials and Jinko Solar have amended their polysilicon supply agreement. The companies said that, according to the terms of the amendment, both have agreed to reduce the term of the sales agreement by one year and to delay the first shipment date from Hoku's Pocatello, ID, plant from December 2009 to December 2010.
A new monosilane plant is being built by Evonik Industries and in partnership with Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation at a cost of €150 million. The plant, when operational in 2011 will supply electronics-grade monosilane for applications in thin-film photovoltaics, flat screens, and semiconductors electronics within Asia.
