For the duration of a three-year collaborative research project, Suntech Power, Silex Solar and the University of New South Wales will research advanced technology for the enhancement of power conversion efficiencies in crystalline silicon solar cells. AU$5 million was granted to the project from the Australian Solar Institute, making this the largest grant for any grant applicant in the ASI funding call.
Crystalline-silicon module manufacturer, GlobalWatt had chosen KUKA Systems, advanced liquid encapsulant line for its new plant in Saginaw, Michigan. The initial semi-automated line is expected to cost under $10M and be operational by November 2010 with production to begin in the first quarter of 2011. GlobalWatt has a plan of a total capacity over the next three to five years of 500MW in module manufacturing.
Samsung has announced that it will invest US$21bn in renewable energy and healthcare over the next decade, identifying solar cells as one of its future growth drivers. The new investment plans will help Samsung challenge rival companies such as Philips Electronics, General Electric, and Sanyo Electric.
An exclusive agreement with Sixtron Advanced Materials will allow Air Liquide to offer advanced coating materials that tackle light-induced degradation (LID) problems for crystalline-silicon solar cells, which compliments Air Liquide’s own advanced precursor materials. The Silexium process solution combines proprietary precursor molecules with Sixtron’s ‘SunBox’ gas generation system to deposit solar cell films.
SolarWorld benefits from the development of the international solar markets in the first quarter of 2010, reporting a rise in shipments and a consolidated revenue increase in comparison to the first quarter of 2009. The Group's shipments rose by 22% to 139MW versus the same period of the previous year, while the consolidated revenue increased by 28% from €49.3 million to €225.6 million.
Secretary for the US Department of Energy, Steven Chu, announced the selection of thirteen projects, which combined will receive up to $62 million over five years for the research, development and demonstration of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems to provide low-cost electrical power. The projects will focus on improving component and design systems to extend the operation time to an average of 18 hours per day.
Thin-film PV firm Global Solar Energy said that modules using its cells are powering what it calls the largest CIGS rooftop installation in the world, a 820KW system at a plastics manufacturer in Orgiano, Italy. Spanish solar company Yohkon Energia produced the modules, and Espacasa unit CDM Italy installed the copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide-based solar energy system.
Returning to profitability (US$11.8 million) in the first quarter of 2010 was only one aspect in a busy quarter for ReneSola. Revenue of US$206.6 million was reached on record quarterly shipments of 242.4MW (12.6% growth QoQ), both exceeding previous guidance. ReneSola now expects total solar product shipments of 1.0GW to 1.1GW, up from the previous total solar product shipment estimate of 900MW to 950MW. Average cell conversion efficiency rates on monocrystalline and multicrystalline wafers reached 17.4% and 16%, respectively, up from 16% and 15%, respectively. The average amount of power per watt generated by each wafer has increased 5% to 8%, according to the company.
Spire has announced its new 6m × 1.3m solar simulator, the 6013, which was developed off of the company’s Single Long Pulse series. The first unit is scheduled to be delivered to SoloPower in San Jose, CA, for use in CIGS modules.
Kyocera announced that it will be supplying 9,000 solar modules for the Matsuyama solar power plant in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The modules will total 1.7MW for the spring 2011 on-line target of the plant. The Matsuyama plant is combining with the existing 2MW installation to become the biggest solar installation in Shikoku, Japan.
