Another day, another record, as new measurements made by NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) have confirmed that flexible CIGS thin-film solar modules from SoloPower have produced an aperture area efficiency of 13.4%, a record for the flexible substrate-based technology. The modules were produced at SoloPower's 20MW pilot production plant in San Jose, California.
A new research program to bring ‘Black Silicon’ antireflective layer process and materials to commercialization has been signed between Natcore Technology and material inventor, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with funding of US$150,000.
As energy prices continue to climb and solar rebates continue to attract a steady stream of customers, Antaris Solar has hired Robert McNamara as its new general manager for the United States in order to manage the regions increasing customer base. McNamara brings solar sales and management experience to his new role, coming from Solar Wholesale Products, which he led as president.
Nautilus Solar Energy commenced the construction of a new 1.9MW, roof-mounted PV project located on Antonio Avenue in Chino, California. The project is scheduled to begin commercial operation in May 2012 and the power generated will be sold to Southern California Edison under a 20-year purchase agreement.
Calisolar is morphing into a polysilicon producer with a name change that better reflects its future ambitions. Renamed, Silicor Materials Inc, the company has bagged a major supply deal for its purified silicon metal material with the PV industries largest module producer, Suntech Power Holdings.
Milwaukee-based high-efficiency monocrystalline PV module manufacturer, Helios Solar Works is the first founding member of the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), outside SolarWorld to declare itself a supporter of actions that will lead to duties being applied to solar cells and modules from China. Seven firms with manufacturing operations in the US were said to have formed CASM and petitioned US agencies to investigate module dumping allegations, though until now, only SolarWorld, which has led the campaign had declared involvement.
A trio of companies is attempting to reduce the waste caused by wafer-sawing processes by growing crystalline silicon on relatively cheap foil. NREL has teamed up with DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and c-Si thin-film technology company Ampulse with the aim of lowering the cost of solar panels.
New Jersey-based Petra Solar has opened its doors to the procurement arm of the US federal government with the signing of a Schedule 70 contract with the General Services Administration (GSA). This action will allow US military customers to purchase Petra Solar’s products and services, building on the company’s existing presence in the military sector.
Tioga Energy advised that it had completed the installation of a 249kW solar system at BJ Wholesale Club’s Deer park, New York location. This is the first of two projects Tioga is developing through an incentive from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Combined, the two projects will provide 850kW of renewable energy.
The 290MW Agua Caliente solar project in Arizona, being built by First Solar, will be utilizing over 400 SMA Sunny Central 720CP inverters. SMA American advised that its technology had been chosen for the plant, which is expected to reach operation in 2014. The company notes that its Sunny Central CP inverters were designed for use in large, open-field PV plants and are able to withstand ambient temperatures up to 50?C.
