News

The fall-out from rapid price declines for polysilicon and wafers due to weak demand and increasing overcapacity in materials and production has taken a new twist with legal action being touted by both REC and China Sunergy over a long-term (2009-2015) take-or-pay mono-wafer supply contract. Many poly and wafer suppliers have been forced to lower contract prices and adjust shipment quantities as spot prices fall below contract prices, disadvantaging cell producers that are tied to take-or-pay contracts compared to those without such contracts.

Abrisa, industrial glass fabrication products and precision thin-film optical coatings company, has named industry veteran Jim Veler as President and Chief Executive Officer.  The appointment became effective June 1, 2009, although the company only announced this news September 10.

Day4 Energy has appointed James Topham to the company's board of directors and audit committee.

Premier Power Renewable Energy has made progress on the first phase of its 20MW solar pipeline in located in the Puglia region of southern Italy. This is the first in a series of projects valued in excess of US$100 million that are being developed as a result of Premier Power's acquisition of Arco Energy in July this year.

Enfinity has been selected by the Chinese government to build China's first photovoltaic power station. The 10MW project will be located in Dunhuang City, capable of producing 16.37 million kWh annually.

SunPower Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering, inspiring and motivating a new generation of solar leaders in communities around the world has now been launched. This is the first organization of its kind to be solely funded by a major solar company.

Robert J. Gillette has been appointed Chief Executive Officer at First Solar, succeeding Mike Ahearn.

Sharp Corporation is planning to make a big leap in a-Si thin film cell conversion efficiencies when it starts production at its nearly completed 1GW plant in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Anwell Technologies has produced its first a-Si thin-film solar panel at its 40MW solar plant in Henan, China using in-house technology.

First Solar has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government to build a multiphase solar power plant project in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, a site that will eventually reach 2GW in installed capacity. Once finalized, the agreement--the first of its kind between the Chinese authorities and a non-Chinese solar company--could also lead to the construction of First Solar moduling and supplier manufacturing facilities in the region.