Solarfun Power Holdings and Q-Cells International, a subsidiary of Q-Cells AG have entered into a supply deal that will see Solarfun supply a minimum of 100MW of PV modules per annum using PV cells supplied by Q-Cells from 2009 through 2011. The modules will be used for projects outside of Europe, Q-Cells said.
Solarfun Power Holdings has announced new megawatt production targets for 2009. The integrated cell and module manufacturer is on-track to expand nominal capacity to 360MW in 2008 and now plans to add a further 100MW in 2009 with an additional 100MW dedicated to a new module supply deal with Q-Cells International, a subsidiary of Q-Cells AG. Total capacity for 2009 is expected to reach 580MW.
Northfield Automation Systems, Inc. and German-based Solarcoating Machinery GmbH have formed a strategic partnership to offer turnkey roll-to-roll thin film production solutions. Start-up Solarcoating Machinery, offers roll-to-roll equipment needed for coating,
SunEdison will finance, install, operate,and maintain a 1.2-MW solar PV system on the rooftop of General Motors' White Marsh, MD, powertrain assembly plant. When the8700-panel system goes online in the third quarter of 2009, it will beone of the largest rooftop solar installations on the US East Coast,occupying about 300,000 square feet.
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. has, in a restructuring of its senior management, appointed a new COO in Johnson Chiang, and a new General Manager in Robin Chen, as well as announcing the departure of Frank Zhang, former General Manager of Suntech's Shanghai thin-film plant. Mr. Chiang takes over the role of COO from Graham Artes (pictured), who will now serve as Managing Director of KSL-Kuttler and as Suntech Corporate Vice President of Engineering, while Philip Yue has been appointed Vice President of Value Chain Development.
Bloo Solar, the California-based thin-film solar company, has added two new members to its Senior Advisory Board. The company has announced the addition of Kevin Davies (pictured) and Steve Harrer, who between them bring years of engineering and operations experience to the company from companies such as BP Solar.
Ascent Solar Technologies has placed an order with STANGL Semiconductor Equipment AG, a subsidiary of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, for eight roll-to-roll wet-chemical coating machines that will be used in Ascent’s volume ramp of its flexible thin film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells at a new manufacturing plant. The 8 STANGL ‘IMPEDIO’ systems will enable Ascent to reach a nominal capacity of 30MW, per annum.
Mitsubishi Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Energy Division, Prime Minister's Office (EDPMO) in Brunei Darussalam for the construction and 3-year evaluation of a 1.2 MW photovoltaic energy plant. The plant will use both crystalline solar cell and thin film modules. The plant will be built at the Seria Power Station in Seria, Brunei Darussalam.
Indian based module manufacturer, XL Telecom & Energy Limited has secured a 300MW multicrystalline silicon solar wafer supply deal with LDK Solar. The supply deal is for 5- years, commencing in the first quarter of 2009 and extending through 2013.
MacDermid, Incorporated has announced the formation of a new Photovoltaics business unit. Don Cullen, 20yr veteran of the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) industry will lead the new group. MacDermid already offers to PV manufacturers, wafer cleaning, conductor metallization to screen-printing and anti-reflective technologies.
