Several of the most popular stories in the Power Generation section of PV-Tech were related to research on new technologies for the improvement of cell efficiencies. A very recent report by Greentech Media on First Solar’s apparent achievement of grid parity created ripples throughout the industry. Mark Bachman, a senior research analyst with Pacific Crest, presented his aggregated numbers via the report that claimed that First Solar has indeed reached the grid parity mecca.
With the emergence from stealth mode of a suite of thin-film companies, many U.S.-based, our North American contributing editor Tom Cheyney has been right in the thick of the reporting action all year. His ‘Chip Shots’ blog has proven such a massive hit in 2008 with PV-Tech readers that it is almost impossible to be selective in picking just a few to mention here in this review.
The PV industry has had another explosive growth year in 2008. As is often the case, news in only the last few months of the year have painted the perception that things are turning for the worse as the credit crunch manifested in the U.S. turns into a global economic recession, impacting the growth in the PV sector along the way. When reviewing the top news stories within the ‘Market Watch’ section, it was pleasing to see that there was a balanced mix between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ news that generated the most traffic.
China Sunergy has signed a one-year agreement to supply multicrystalline solar cells to privately owned Indian module manufacturer Ajit Solar. The deal calls for the PV manufacturer to deliver 12 MW of cells to Ajit next year.
Green Energy Technology has become the latest company--and the first in Taiwan--employing Applied Materials' SunFab amorphous-silicon thin-film PV module turnkey manufacturing line technology to achieve volume production status. The Taiwanese firm said it will reach an annualized capacity of 30 MW on its Generation 8.5 large-area glass line in the first quarter of 2009, and then ramp to 50 MW by the fourth quarter.
The materials sector of the photovoltaics industry saw quite a few developments in the past year. Polysilicon cost, especially given the ongoing economic downturn, had risen for most of 2008, but the expected rise in polysilicon supply has seen prices fall by around 50% over the course of the year.
First Solar has completed its first 10-MW ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant for Sempra Generation near Boulder City, NV, a project said to be the largest thin-film solar power plant in North America. Under the terms of a 20-year power purchase agreement with the El Dorado Energy subsidiary of Sempra, Pacific Gas and Electric will buy the solar-generated electricity produced by the plant, with first power deliveries expected by Jan. 1.
Yingli Green Energy has signed separate solar module sales agreements with two leading German PV system integrators, City Solar and Wirsol. The City Solar deal calls for the supply of 20 MW of modules in 2009, while the Wirsol contract commits the Chinese company to provide 15 MW of panels.
German manufacturer aleo solar has already signed 25 MW worth of solar PV module contracts with a number of European customers for 2009. The company says it has deals with specialist dealers, installers, and solar technology specialists in core markets throughout the continent.
BP Solar says it has completed the final three photovoltaic systems specified under the terms of its solar power construction program agreement with Wal-Mart. The company recently finished building a 493.7-KW system at the Sam's Club in La Habra, a 605.9-KW array at the Wal-Mart Super Center in Palm Springs, and a 675.2-KW system at the Beaumont Super Center.
