Merck and Dyesol have announced their plans to work together to create electrolytes for use in dye solar cells (DSC). The joint agreement is slated to be an indication of the potential for future commercial agreements, which would allow Merck to manufacture existing and next generation electrolytes for DSC applications such as photovoltaic renewable energy sources.
BrightSource Energy, Inc. has signed a contract with Siemens to purchase a steam turbine generator for BrightSource’s first 100MW plant at its Ivanpah Solar Power Complex in California’s Mojave Desert. Siemens will supply the 123MW fully solar-powered steam turbine generator, which claims to be the largest of its kind to date.
NATCO International, Inc. has received independent an third party report verifying the performance of its Lassen Hybrid Solar Panel. The tests showed that up to 208V and over 2,000W of power output were supplied. The test has met satisfied requirements for NATCO to be able to complete the share transfer and license agreement with Lassen and its affiliates as arranged in the 26 November 2008 Form 8K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
IMS Research has released a report, which speculates that the global PV inverter market will double in size for 2008. Considering that the PV inverter market is still quite young and heavily depends on each country’s legislation, for the first time the market is expected to exceed $2 billion. Recent analysis shows the PV inverter market grew by 110% in the first nine months of 2008 with Europe accounting for 80% of worldwide revenue. Spain, Italy and Germany all saw excellent performances and high demand this year in the market.
Effective as of 14 November 2008, Ravi Khanna (pictured), the Chief Executive of Moser Baer Photovoltaic, left the company to join Norway-based Scatec Solar. He had been with Moser for the past 18 months looking after acquisitions of technology firms and setting up a technology centre for emerging and disruptive technologies. Before Moser Baer he was with the Delphi Corporation serving in various positions including Country Manager for India and Thailand.
It has been reported that Sembawang Engineers & Constructors is going to venture into its first renewable energy project. According to Reuters, the company, a subsidiary of India-listed Punj Lloyd Group, will build an S$250 million plant in Brunei for thin-film solar modules.
The Digitimes reports that E-Ton Solar Tech is anticipated to sign with an Italian PV module producer for a four-year contract to supply solar cells totaling 100MWp. E-Ton reportedly declined to comment on the deal, but did acknowledge that Europe is abundant with business opportunities, especially in countries like Italy, Greece and France.
Solar-Fabrik AG has signed an agreement with JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. to supply 30MW of solar cells. Currently, the agreement calls for a one-year term, but both companies have shown interest that it be extended. This agreement also expands Solar-Fabrik’s market share and helps achieve its goal of increasing solar panel sales by 70% in fiscal 2009.
After a mere 10 months of building, Centrosolar Group AG has opened its Wismar, Germany, solar module facility, one of the largest in the area. Chairman Dr. Alexander Kirsch (pictured) was joined at the opening celebration by numerous guests that were part of the community and world political and economy scene. The investment volume of the factory totals around €23 million and has created 250 new jobs, making the fab one of the biggest employers in Wismar.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. has reached a company milestone today, announcing its achievement of greater than 9.5% efficiency for its flexible Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide (CIGS) monolithically integrated modules. The U.S. Department of Energy’s NREL independently verified that the modules measured as high as 9.64% in conversion efficiency. The modules tested are from Ascent’s 1.5MW pilot production line.
