Solar Energy News Snapshot
CEC Desert Renewable Energy Projects, Best Management and Guidance Manual
The California Desert and Solar Working Group and the Large-Scale Solar Association have requested an extension of time in which to review and comment on the draft Best Management Practices and Guidance Manual, and the Renewable Energy Action Team has set a new date of November 20 for providing comments. Information at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/33by2020/documents/index.html#101309
3M Expanded Film Manufacturing
3M announced completion of expanded manufacturing capacity for 3M(TM) Scotchshield(TM) Film, a solar film used in the manufacturing of crystalline silicon PV modules. Press at: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Renewable/Energy/
Skyline Solar Working with Car Parts Maker
Skyline Solar has partnered with the Cosma International unit of global automotive supplier Magna International to start pilot commercial production of the racking and structural components of Skyline’s high gain solar system. Press at: Skyline Solar: http://www.skyline-solar.com/
Sharp 35.8% Triple-junction Compound Solar Cell
Sharp Corporation has achieved a conversion efficiency of 35.8% using a triple-junction compound solar cell. Press from Sharp at: http://www.sharp-world.com/corporate/news/091022.html
Signet Solar and BSC-Solar 1.8-MW Solar Farm, Czech Republic
Signet Solar and BSC-Solar announced that they are jointly developing a solar power plant in the Czech Republic located in South Moravia. Signet Solar will supply single-junction silicon thin-film PV modules totaling 1.8 MW. BSC-Solar will construct the PV farm, which will be completed and connected to the grid by the end of 2009. Press at Solarbuzz: http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsEUPR714.htm
BSC-Solar: http://www.BSC-Solar.com/
Signet Solar 400W Single Junction Silicon Thin Film Modules
Signet Solar announced the introduction of 400W power class modules using single-junction thin-film technology. Press at: Signet Solar: http://www.signetsolar.com/
LDK Solar Supply Contract with Enfinity
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. announced a supply contract with Enfinity for a 4.2-MWp rooftop installation project in Benelux. LDK will provide about 18,000 modules to be installed on the Balta Group’s factory rooftop in Sint-Baafs-Vijve, Belgium. Press at Solarbuzz: http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsEUPR715.htm
Trina Solar Module Supply for PROINSO
Trina Solar Limited announced it has entered into a sales agreement with PROINSO under which Trina Solar will supply PROINSO with approximately 108 MW of PV modules at predetermined prices. PROINSO has an option to purchase an additional 12 MW in the first quarter of 2010.
Trina Solar: http://www.trinasolar.com/
Amtech R&D Grant from Dutch Government
Amtech Systems, Inc. announced that its solar subsidiary, Tempress Systems, Inc.(R), recently received a $500,000 technology grant from the Dutch government for solar R&D. The grant was obtained jointly with one of Tempress’ European research partners and will be used for developing a process method to improve conversion efficiency. Press at: Amtech Systems: http://www.amtechsystems.com/
Ascent Solar Modules to FTL Solar for NYSERDA Project
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. announced that they will be providing modules to FTL Solar for their R&D contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The parties will work on the development of lightweight flexible structures that include energy production from solar electric modules produced by Ascent Solar. Ascent Solar: http://www.ascentsolar.com/
AE and Suntech Multi-year Agreement for Inverter Solutions
Advanced Energy(R) Industries, Inc. announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. for inverter solutions.
AE Advanced Energy: http://www.advanced-energy.com/en/SOLAR2009.html
Kyocera Solar Module Performance
Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced that its 1.135-MW solar array at the Alvarado Water Treatment Facility in San Diego, California, has exceeded performance expectations consistently since it began operating in February 2007. Press at: http://tinyurl.com/yhts3dt
Kyocera Solar: http://www.kyocerasolar.com/
Interview with Stefan Nowak, IEA PVPS Chairman
SolarPV.TV has posted an interview with Mr. Stefan Nowak, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the IEA PVPS Programme, at: http://tinyurl.com/yhbxbqm
VP and GM of Solarfun, North America
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. announced the appointment of Bruce A. Ludemann as Vice President and General Manager of Solarfun, North America. Solarfun: http://www.solarfun.com.cn
SolarTAC Update
For an update on the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC), see the story “Solar Technology Acceleration Center is Powering Up” at: http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2009/745.html SolarTAC: http://www.solartac.org
Energy Self-reliant States
See the story “States Can Generate Their Own Renewable Energy To Meet Their RPS” with coverage of Energy Self-Reliant States, at RenewableEnergyWorld: New Rules Project: http://www.newrules.org/
Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum
Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum is set for 19-20 November in Washington, D.C. Information at: http://www.acorephaseii.com/