Advent Solar has teamed with Arizona State University to develop next-generation Emitter-Wrap Through (EWT) back-contact cell and Monolithic Module Assembly (MMA) technologies, which form the core aspects of Advent Solar’s cell-to-module architecture. Advent Solar is placing engineering staff at SkySong, ASU's Center for Innovation in Scottsdale.
A new 53MW solar power plant near the German city of Cottbus could well be unique and come to represent the explosive growth of thin-film solar leader First Solar in years to come. 700,000 modules will be required for the project, which would become the largest in Germany. The project is being organised by First Solar and Juwi Holding AG, having secured funding from a consortium of banks, with 162 hectares of land leased from the State of Brandenburg on very attractive terms. This was due to the site being a former Soviet Union Army training camp that is ‘littered’ with land mines, grenades and other munitions, according to a joint statement from the project developers.
Just over a month after Pacific Crest financial analyst, Mark Bachman revealed that First Solar had been selected for a massive extension to Sempra Generation’s 10MW solar power plant in Boulder City, Nevada, First Solar has announced the deal. First Solar is to design, engineer and construct a 48MW plant at the same location, with the project expected to be completed sometime in 2010, subject to Sempra obtaining a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a utility.
By the end of May, pvXdatabase, the largest global cross-manufacturer online database, should be launched carrying over 5,000 photovoltaic products. The database will make it easier for software suppliers to access a user-friendly updated database without having to form their own, and for producers, who seek new methods of interactive presentation of their products.
centrotherm photovoltaics AG, a service provider for solar cell and solar silicon manufacturing, named Dr. Frank Faller (pictured) the new Managing Director at the company’s US subsidiary, centrotherm photovoltaics Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., and Soleos Solar GmbH, a PV systems manufacturer and installer, have announced the two companies have agreed that, for the first half of 2009, Suntech will supply Soleos with at least 6MW of modules.
In an expected move to strengthen its financial position, LDK Solar has announced a new line of credit worth approximately US$146 million from the Agricultural Development Bank of China and a US$29 million loan from China Development Bank. LDK Solar said it had unused credit facilities totalling US$785 million as of April 14, 2009.
China based thin film start-up, CHINT Solar has selected Air Products to supply both bulk and specialty gases at its new thin-film photovoltaic (PV) facility in Binjiang District, Hangzhou, China. The contract includes the supply of hydrogen, nitrogen and argon, as well as specialty gases such as silane, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and dopant mixtures. CHINT Solar is planning to reach 210MW in thin film production in 2010 and 380MW production capacity in 2010 that includes crystalline silicon solar cells.
Fraunhofer ISE has announced that Gerhard Stryi-Hipp will take over as Head of Energy Policy and Group Leader of Thermal Collectors and Applications, beginning in July, addressing the company’s need for help in these areas.
Applied Solar, Inc. announced the start-up of the Solar Communities program in San Diego. This program plans to increase the number of homes using clean solar energy by getting rid of cost by eliminating the most expensive Tier 3 and Tier 4 energy purchases, which usually is at least 60% of the typical San Diego Gas & Electric customer’s yearly bill.
