Dr. Thomas Surek is known as a pioneer of terrestrial PV research who started his 37-year career with his growth of shaped silicon crystals at Harvard University in 1973. Recently, Surek has been appointed to Magnolia Solar’s technical advisory board (TAB) where he will be able to help the company further its promotion of PV systems as an alternative energy source. His experience in the field includes research at Mobil Tyco Solar Energy and a contributor to the large-scale commercialization of the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) process through his shaped crystal growth of silicon.
China-based polysilicon producer, Daqo New Energy, has reported its first financial year results as a public company, listed on the NYSE. Polysilicon shipments for 2010 were 3,650MT, module shipments were 3.5MW, after starting volume production in the fourth quarter. Revenues in the fourth quarter of 2010 were $81.9 million, an increase of 29.6% from the third quarter of 2010. The increase was mainly due to higher average selling prices for the polysilicon.
Enphase Energy’s two new European offices, located in France and Italy, have been established in order for the company to better accommodate growing demands of its microinverter system. Both France and Italy have been cited as areas with a burgeoning solar market that stand on the brink of better implementing microinverter technology.
As expected, the Italian cabinet signed off on a solar policy without a 8GW annual cap, but did institute a 1MW cap on farmland projects. Under the new policy, projects are required to be connected to the grid before May 31 to benefit from the current feed-in tarrifs. Any new FiT decision for projects beyond May would likely be made by April 30, according to published reports.
Global Solar Energy, a manufacturer of high-efficiency copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar material and an emerging leader in building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), has announced Dr. Urs Schoop as the company’s new chief technology officer (CTO). As CTO, Dr. Schoop will leverage his extensive expertise in the research and development of CIGS solar cell production.
PVT Solar has officially changed its name to EchoFirst. EchoFirst, who created Echo, a new solar energy system that delivers twice the energy of a basic solar electric PV system sates the name change more accurately reflects the company's core business: the design, manufacture, marketing, distribution and deployment of its patented Echo solar system.
Thomas Koerner has joined Astronergy (Chint Solar) as general manager North America. Koerner will be responsible for all related business activities including sales and market strategy, and will support the company in worldwide product strategy and marketing.
Auctioneer and appraisal company CIACPCC has publicized the upcoming one-day equipment auction for the assets and equipment contained within Sixtron’s Dorval (Montreal), Quebec facility in Canada. Running in conjunction with Asset Reliance International and Upstream Value Group, the webcast equipment auction will feature more than US$1.5 million worth of original equipment for solar manufacturers.
Solyndra has recently closed on its new US$75 million in secured credit facility, which was underwritten by current investors. The company stated that the financing will go towards furthering its pursuit of cost reductions and implementing its channel expansion, segment sales and marketing stratagems.
Hailed as a decisive move in terms of the company’s plans for the region, Phoenix Solar has formed its North American executive leadership team, working from its headquarters at the Bishop Ranch office park in San Ramon, California. Stepping into the role of president and CEO is Paul J. Caudill, who brings over 30 years’ power generation and industry experience to the company.
