SolarCity® today announced the availability of its award-winning solar leasing option (SolarLeaseT) to customers of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the nation's largest municipal utility. SolarCity's lease combines with LADWP's generous solar rebates, among the
highest of any U.S. utility, to make solar power as affordable for Los Angeles homeowners as anywhere in the nation. A SolarCity solar lease of a 4-kilowatt solar system, appropriate for a typical 3-bedroom home in Los Angeles, would start at $55 per month, with no money down, on approved
credit.
LADWP provides more than 1.4 million customers in the Los Angeles area with electricity. Erik Solter, a homeowner in Canoga Park in the San Fernando Valley, is among the first group of LADWP customers to sign up for SolarLease. "I've always wanted to be greener but I've been waiting for an
option that makes financial sense," says Solter. "With SolarCity's SolarLease I can adopt solar power for less than I used to pay for electricity and help LADWP conserve energy."
SolarCity's solar leasing option for LADWP customers is a 20-year lease with fixed monthly payments for the life of the lease, so savings increase over time if electricity rates rise. The first month's payment is due when the system is turned on. SolarCity's lease option includes financing,
design, installation, a performance guarantee, the company's Web-based SolarGuardT monitoring service, and repair service.
"LADWP and Mayor Villaraigosa are continually working to increase the use of solar power in Los Angeles," said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. "More than 1,000 LADWP customers have already inquired about our solar lease option, and we're hiring 25 new installers in the Los Angeles area to help meet the demand."
LADWP customers interested in SolarCity's new lease option can estimate their solar lease payment and potential electricity savings online by using SolarCity's solar calculator, available at www.solarcity.com. The solar calculator incorporates information about LADWP rates, incentives, local weather and solar production to create a customized estimate for each customer.
Source: Global Solar Technology
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Switzerland’s Largest Solar Module Production Started
• Oerlikon Solar’s Micromorph® end-to-end production line enabled rapid path to production
• Pramac Group facility could nearly double Switzerland’s solar photovoltaic capacity in just one year
• 150 high-tech jobs created in the region
Riazzino/Trubbach, 23 July 2009 – The Pramac Group and Oerlikon Solar announced today that production has begun at Switzerland’s largest solar module manufacturing facility. Oerlikon Solar’s leading Micromorph® endto- end manufacturing solution enabled Pramac to reach production just seven months after completing their facility. The plant, near Locarno, Switzerland, will produce 30 MWp (megawatt peak) of thin-film solar panels each year and create 150 high-tech jobs in the region.
“We are pleased to begin production so soon after building our factory, because it allows us to address the fast-growing solar market and gain a return on our investment more quickly,” said Paolo Campinotti, CEO of Pramac Group. “Pramac is benefitting from Oerlikon Solar’s renown technology, ramp-up experience and reputation to deliver in the solar world.”
In the capital-intensive solar module manufacturing business, it is important to minimize the amount of time between the start of construction and the start of commercial production and revenues. Implementing an end-to-end solution can reduce the delay and uncertainty of construction time, production ramp-up and module certification.
“We look forward to supporting Pramac as they further expand their production of
thin-film solar modules,” said Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar. “Working with our partners, we are committed to making solar power affordable and competitive with other forms of electricity generation. We are especially pleased to participate in launching Switzerland’s first thin-film silicon module volume production line based upon our Micromorph® technology, which was invented here in Switzerland, in Neuchâtel.”
A quarter of a million modules per year
This phase of the Pramac facility will produce approximately 250,000 solar modules each year. One year’s worth of output from the facility would be able to cover the approximate area of all of the currently installed photovoltaic installations in Switzerland.
With Oerlikon Solar’s innovative thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing technology, solar modules can be produced for 30 percent less than conventional siliconwafer- based technology. Based on predicted market growth, Pramac plans to expand the plant’s capacity over the coming years. The factory will employ nearly 150 people, and is Pramac’s first solar production location.
Oerlikon Solar Customer Momentum
Worldwide, 10 companies have contracted with Oerlikon Solar to build thin-film manufacturing lines since 2006. Oerlikon Solar’s customers will represent more than 600 megawatts of current thin-film solar production around the globe.
Several of them have signed long-term supply agreements to distribute the modules produced by Oerlikon Solar’s equipment, demonstrating strong market demand for thin-film silicon solar modules.
“Just one more milestone in Oerlikon Solar’s mission to make solar power economically viable “
A comprehensive press kit including further information, pictures of the Pramac facility and presentations is available in the media section at www.oerlikon.com
About Oerlikon Solar
Oerlikon Solar offers field proven equipment and end-to-end manufacturing lines for the mass production of thin film silicon solar modules. Engineered to reduce device cost and maximize productivity, its end-to-end solutions are fully automated, high yield, high uptime, and low maintenance.
The production lines are complete systems, yet modular and upgradeable in both throughput and process technology. As a global leader in thin film PV technology, the company provides its customers with extensive experience in both amorphous and high-efficiency Micromorph® tandem technology.
Oerlikon Solar is ranked “global number one solar turnkey line supplier” by VLSI and has been named winner of the 2009 CELL AWARD for the ”best technicalproduct for thin film module manufacturing”.
Oerlikon Solar is headquartered in Switzerland, has over 750 employees in 13 locations world wide and maintains sales and service centres in the USA, Europe and China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Japan.
About Pramac
Pramac is a leading company in the sector of the production and distribution of electrical generation systems and is also active in the sector of handling equipment. The Group is active globally with four production facilities, of which one in Italy (in Casole d’Elsa, Siena) and three abroad (Spain, France and China). It operates a distribution network comprised of 17 commercial branches and employs about 750 people at the Group level. It has recently signed a joint venture agreement with the Prosolia Group for the distribution and installation of photovoltaic panels.
Source: Oerlikon Solar
• Pramac Group facility could nearly double Switzerland’s solar photovoltaic capacity in just one year
• 150 high-tech jobs created in the region
Riazzino/Trubbach, 23 July 2009 – The Pramac Group and Oerlikon Solar announced today that production has begun at Switzerland’s largest solar module manufacturing facility. Oerlikon Solar’s leading Micromorph® endto- end manufacturing solution enabled Pramac to reach production just seven months after completing their facility. The plant, near Locarno, Switzerland, will produce 30 MWp (megawatt peak) of thin-film solar panels each year and create 150 high-tech jobs in the region.
“We are pleased to begin production so soon after building our factory, because it allows us to address the fast-growing solar market and gain a return on our investment more quickly,” said Paolo Campinotti, CEO of Pramac Group. “Pramac is benefitting from Oerlikon Solar’s renown technology, ramp-up experience and reputation to deliver in the solar world.”
In the capital-intensive solar module manufacturing business, it is important to minimize the amount of time between the start of construction and the start of commercial production and revenues. Implementing an end-to-end solution can reduce the delay and uncertainty of construction time, production ramp-up and module certification.
“We look forward to supporting Pramac as they further expand their production of
thin-film solar modules,” said Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar. “Working with our partners, we are committed to making solar power affordable and competitive with other forms of electricity generation. We are especially pleased to participate in launching Switzerland’s first thin-film silicon module volume production line based upon our Micromorph® technology, which was invented here in Switzerland, in Neuchâtel.”
A quarter of a million modules per year
This phase of the Pramac facility will produce approximately 250,000 solar modules each year. One year’s worth of output from the facility would be able to cover the approximate area of all of the currently installed photovoltaic installations in Switzerland.
With Oerlikon Solar’s innovative thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing technology, solar modules can be produced for 30 percent less than conventional siliconwafer- based technology. Based on predicted market growth, Pramac plans to expand the plant’s capacity over the coming years. The factory will employ nearly 150 people, and is Pramac’s first solar production location.
Oerlikon Solar Customer Momentum
Worldwide, 10 companies have contracted with Oerlikon Solar to build thin-film manufacturing lines since 2006. Oerlikon Solar’s customers will represent more than 600 megawatts of current thin-film solar production around the globe.
Several of them have signed long-term supply agreements to distribute the modules produced by Oerlikon Solar’s equipment, demonstrating strong market demand for thin-film silicon solar modules.
“Just one more milestone in Oerlikon Solar’s mission to make solar power economically viable “
A comprehensive press kit including further information, pictures of the Pramac facility and presentations is available in the media section at www.oerlikon.com
About Oerlikon Solar
Oerlikon Solar offers field proven equipment and end-to-end manufacturing lines for the mass production of thin film silicon solar modules. Engineered to reduce device cost and maximize productivity, its end-to-end solutions are fully automated, high yield, high uptime, and low maintenance.
The production lines are complete systems, yet modular and upgradeable in both throughput and process technology. As a global leader in thin film PV technology, the company provides its customers with extensive experience in both amorphous and high-efficiency Micromorph® tandem technology.
Oerlikon Solar is ranked “global number one solar turnkey line supplier” by VLSI and has been named winner of the 2009 CELL AWARD for the ”best technicalproduct for thin film module manufacturing”.
Oerlikon Solar is headquartered in Switzerland, has over 750 employees in 13 locations world wide and maintains sales and service centres in the USA, Europe and China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Japan.
About Pramac
Pramac is a leading company in the sector of the production and distribution of electrical generation systems and is also active in the sector of handling equipment. The Group is active globally with four production facilities, of which one in Italy (in Casole d’Elsa, Siena) and three abroad (Spain, France and China). It operates a distribution network comprised of 17 commercial branches and employs about 750 people at the Group level. It has recently signed a joint venture agreement with the Prosolia Group for the distribution and installation of photovoltaic panels.
Source: Oerlikon Solar
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuvalu Sets Goal of 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2020
The nation hopes its solar project will inspire climate talks.
by Ghita Benessahraoui & Terry Collins
Tuvalu [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Amid worsening climate change-related problems for small island states, Tuvalu has established a national goal of being powered entirely by renewable energy sources by 2020.
Government officials and the donors of Tuvalu's first large-scale solar energy system alike hope the moves help inspire much larger nations later this year in negotiations of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol agreement on climate change.
The solar system installed on the roof of Tuvalu's largest football stadium now supplies 5 percent of the electricity needed by that nation's capital, Funafuti.
In its first 14 months, the operation has reduced Tuvalu's consumption of generator fuel, shipped from New Zealand, by about 17,000 litres and reduced Tuvalu's carbon footprint by about 50 tonnes.
In the process, it has also reduced the risk of diesel spills around the archipelago of four low-lying coral islands and five atolls.
Based on the project's success, the country now aims to be powered entirely by renewable energy sources by 2020, a goal requiring an investment estimated at just over $20 million, according to government estimates.
At their summit earlier this month in Italy, the richer G8 countries committed to help finance efforts by poorer nations to battle climate change.
Tuvalu's first grid-connected, 40-kilowatt solar energy system was implemented under the leadership of Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co with the support of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, both members of the e8, an international non-profit organization of 10 leading power utilities from G8 countries.
"There may be other, larger solar power installations in the world but none could be more meaningful to customers than this one," says Takao Shiraishi, General Manager of the Kansai Electric Power Co.
"The plight of Tuvalu versus the rising tide vividly represents the worst early consequence of climate change," he adds. "For Tuvalu, after 3,000 years of history, the success of UN climate talks in Copenhagen this December may well be a matter of national survival."
The Tuvalu government is working to expand the initial US $410,000 e8 project from 40 to 60 kilowatts, and will extend solar power to outer islands, starting later this year with the commission of a US $800,000, 46-kilowatt solar power system for the Motufoua Secondary School in Vaitupu, being implemented with the support of the Italian government.
With a population of 12,000, Tuvalu is halfway between Hawaii and Australia, 26 square km in size, with a maximum elevation of just 4.5 meters and most of its land less than a meter above sea level.
Tuvalu is already experiencing flooding amid predictions of a large sea level rise this century.
Says Kausea Natano, Minister for Public Utilities and Industries: "We thank those who are helping Tuvalu reduce its carbon footprint as it will strengthen our voice in upcoming international negotiations. And we look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all – powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind."
The e8's Tuvalu project was initiated after a series of regional renewable energy feasibility workshops, jointly organized by the Pacific Power Association (PPA) and the e8.
e8 members agreed to donate and install the first facility, and are monitoring its success and building local expertise to ensure the project's sustainability.
Run by the state-owned Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC), the system in Funafuti today powers households, healthcare facilities, small-and medium-sized enterprises and other facilities.
Johane Meagher, Executive Director of the e8, expressed thanks for the support of the Pacific Power Association, with whom the e8 has established a long term collaboration to support development of small scale projects in the Pacific Islands and strengthen the capacity of the engineers and technicians of the islands' utilities to enhance renewable energy power in the Pacific region.
Meagher said, "We are proud of the role the e8 has played in creating this clean energy project, which was intended to generate far more than just electricity in Tuvalu. It is a message to the world about the urgent need to promote sustainable energy development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a massive scale."
Ghita Benessahraoui is Communications Coordinator of the e8 General Secretariat, Montreal and Mr. Terry Collins heads a Toronto-based firm specializing in international science communications.
Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com
by Ghita Benessahraoui & Terry Collins
Tuvalu [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Amid worsening climate change-related problems for small island states, Tuvalu has established a national goal of being powered entirely by renewable energy sources by 2020.
Government officials and the donors of Tuvalu's first large-scale solar energy system alike hope the moves help inspire much larger nations later this year in negotiations of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol agreement on climate change.
The solar system installed on the roof of Tuvalu's largest football stadium now supplies 5 percent of the electricity needed by that nation's capital, Funafuti.
In its first 14 months, the operation has reduced Tuvalu's consumption of generator fuel, shipped from New Zealand, by about 17,000 litres and reduced Tuvalu's carbon footprint by about 50 tonnes.
In the process, it has also reduced the risk of diesel spills around the archipelago of four low-lying coral islands and five atolls.
Based on the project's success, the country now aims to be powered entirely by renewable energy sources by 2020, a goal requiring an investment estimated at just over $20 million, according to government estimates.
At their summit earlier this month in Italy, the richer G8 countries committed to help finance efforts by poorer nations to battle climate change.
Tuvalu's first grid-connected, 40-kilowatt solar energy system was implemented under the leadership of Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co with the support of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, both members of the e8, an international non-profit organization of 10 leading power utilities from G8 countries.
"There may be other, larger solar power installations in the world but none could be more meaningful to customers than this one," says Takao Shiraishi, General Manager of the Kansai Electric Power Co.
"The plight of Tuvalu versus the rising tide vividly represents the worst early consequence of climate change," he adds. "For Tuvalu, after 3,000 years of history, the success of UN climate talks in Copenhagen this December may well be a matter of national survival."
The Tuvalu government is working to expand the initial US $410,000 e8 project from 40 to 60 kilowatts, and will extend solar power to outer islands, starting later this year with the commission of a US $800,000, 46-kilowatt solar power system for the Motufoua Secondary School in Vaitupu, being implemented with the support of the Italian government.
With a population of 12,000, Tuvalu is halfway between Hawaii and Australia, 26 square km in size, with a maximum elevation of just 4.5 meters and most of its land less than a meter above sea level.
Tuvalu is already experiencing flooding amid predictions of a large sea level rise this century.
Says Kausea Natano, Minister for Public Utilities and Industries: "We thank those who are helping Tuvalu reduce its carbon footprint as it will strengthen our voice in upcoming international negotiations. And we look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all – powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind."
The e8's Tuvalu project was initiated after a series of regional renewable energy feasibility workshops, jointly organized by the Pacific Power Association (PPA) and the e8.
e8 members agreed to donate and install the first facility, and are monitoring its success and building local expertise to ensure the project's sustainability.
Run by the state-owned Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC), the system in Funafuti today powers households, healthcare facilities, small-and medium-sized enterprises and other facilities.
Johane Meagher, Executive Director of the e8, expressed thanks for the support of the Pacific Power Association, with whom the e8 has established a long term collaboration to support development of small scale projects in the Pacific Islands and strengthen the capacity of the engineers and technicians of the islands' utilities to enhance renewable energy power in the Pacific region.
Meagher said, "We are proud of the role the e8 has played in creating this clean energy project, which was intended to generate far more than just electricity in Tuvalu. It is a message to the world about the urgent need to promote sustainable energy development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a massive scale."
Ghita Benessahraoui is Communications Coordinator of the e8 General Secretariat, Montreal and Mr. Terry Collins heads a Toronto-based firm specializing in international science communications.
Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com
Thursday, July 23, 2009
CERC to take up renewable energy tariff, clean tech sharing today
Sanjay Jog
Mumbai: The Central Electricity regulatory Commission (CERC) will hold hearing on Wednesday on the renewable energy tariff and CDM sharing. CERC’s move is crucial as it has prepared regulations for the tariff determination from renewable energy sources to be transported to more than one state and they were circulated for seeking objections and suggestions. At present, about 14,000 mw of renewable energy is installed in the country comprising 10,000 mw of wind power mostly confined to Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. About 4,000 capacity of micro hydel, cogeneration, solar and biomass are situated in various parts of the country.
According to CERC sources, the tariff for renewable energy technologies would be single part tariff consisting of fixed cost components that include return on equity; interest on loan capital; depreciation; interest on working capital and operation and maintenance expenses. The normative capital cost for the non-fossil fuel based cogeneration projects would be Rs 4.45 crore per mega watt for the first year of control period (FY 2009-10). The normative capital cost for setting up solar thermal power project would be Rs 13 crore per mega watt for FY 2009-10.
CERC’s draft says the proceeds of carbon credit from approved CDM project will be shared between generating company and concerned off-taker in the following manner, namely: 100% of the gross proceeds on account of CDM benefit to be retained by the project developer in the first year after the date of commercial operation of the generating station. Further, in the second year, the share of the beneficiaries shall be 10% which shall be progressively increased by 10% every year till it reaches 50%, where after the proceeds shall be shared in equal proportion, by the generating company and the beneficiaries. CERC has laid down draft notification for determining tariff for renewable energy which would be transported to more than one state.
However, industry sources admitted that CDM sharing is one of vital issue. DR Energy director D Radhakrishna told FE, “This is first United Nation project which is inviting direct private party participation for environmental benefits. States or for that matter discoms have no role to play in getting technological transfer or financial transfer as beneficiaries are directly negotiating CDM benefits. Also, CDM benefit is not only confined to electricity sector but also with agriculture sector and forest sector besides stand alone generator who are using it for self. Thus additionality of business need to be given to beneficiary. The Centre is already getting IT for this additional revenue. Thus, it will be wrong precedence to set up such example for other sectors.”
Moreover, industry sources said renewable energy obligations as laid down by CERC are state specific and is quite difficult for renewable energy promoters to function. “For instance, if biomass of 50 km area are falling between two states then same biomass is used but rates differ state to state. Take for example, biomass production at Gondia which is in Maharastra—if some one wants to generate power then for him the best choice will be Madhya Pradesh as they give better tariff than surrounding states of Chattisgarh and Maharastra. Similarly at Karnataka border where open access for sugar mills are allowed and sugar plant owners located at adjoining states of Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh get lower rates for Baggase by respective regulatory commissions,” he said.
Source: The Financial Express
Mumbai: The Central Electricity regulatory Commission (CERC) will hold hearing on Wednesday on the renewable energy tariff and CDM sharing. CERC’s move is crucial as it has prepared regulations for the tariff determination from renewable energy sources to be transported to more than one state and they were circulated for seeking objections and suggestions. At present, about 14,000 mw of renewable energy is installed in the country comprising 10,000 mw of wind power mostly confined to Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. About 4,000 capacity of micro hydel, cogeneration, solar and biomass are situated in various parts of the country.
According to CERC sources, the tariff for renewable energy technologies would be single part tariff consisting of fixed cost components that include return on equity; interest on loan capital; depreciation; interest on working capital and operation and maintenance expenses. The normative capital cost for the non-fossil fuel based cogeneration projects would be Rs 4.45 crore per mega watt for the first year of control period (FY 2009-10). The normative capital cost for setting up solar thermal power project would be Rs 13 crore per mega watt for FY 2009-10.
CERC’s draft says the proceeds of carbon credit from approved CDM project will be shared between generating company and concerned off-taker in the following manner, namely: 100% of the gross proceeds on account of CDM benefit to be retained by the project developer in the first year after the date of commercial operation of the generating station. Further, in the second year, the share of the beneficiaries shall be 10% which shall be progressively increased by 10% every year till it reaches 50%, where after the proceeds shall be shared in equal proportion, by the generating company and the beneficiaries. CERC has laid down draft notification for determining tariff for renewable energy which would be transported to more than one state.
However, industry sources admitted that CDM sharing is one of vital issue. DR Energy director D Radhakrishna told FE, “This is first United Nation project which is inviting direct private party participation for environmental benefits. States or for that matter discoms have no role to play in getting technological transfer or financial transfer as beneficiaries are directly negotiating CDM benefits. Also, CDM benefit is not only confined to electricity sector but also with agriculture sector and forest sector besides stand alone generator who are using it for self. Thus additionality of business need to be given to beneficiary. The Centre is already getting IT for this additional revenue. Thus, it will be wrong precedence to set up such example for other sectors.”
Moreover, industry sources said renewable energy obligations as laid down by CERC are state specific and is quite difficult for renewable energy promoters to function. “For instance, if biomass of 50 km area are falling between two states then same biomass is used but rates differ state to state. Take for example, biomass production at Gondia which is in Maharastra—if some one wants to generate power then for him the best choice will be Madhya Pradesh as they give better tariff than surrounding states of Chattisgarh and Maharastra. Similarly at Karnataka border where open access for sugar mills are allowed and sugar plant owners located at adjoining states of Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh get lower rates for Baggase by respective regulatory commissions,” he said.
Source: The Financial Express
SOLAR ENERGY FAIR 2009
SolarIndiaOnline.com plans to take an initiative in public awareness on Solar Products available in market and their uses. SolarIndiaOnline.com is providing a good platform to eminent players in solar sector to exhibit their solar products in a shopping mall, which would be displayed for the common man in SOLAR ENERGY FAIR 2009. This would be beneficial for both, distributors and the consumers.
SolarIndiaOnline.com plans to take an initiative in public awareness on Solar Products available in market and their uses. SolarIndiaOnline.com is providing a good platform to eminent players in solar sector to exhibit their solar products in a shopping mall, which would be displayed for the common man in SOLAR ENERGY FAIR 2009. This would be beneficial for both, distributors and the consumers.
Venue
METRO WALK - ADVENTURE ISLAND - ROHINI
METRO WALK is an 2-lac sq.ft of retail environment that hosts lot of brands and offers a perfect mix of Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Experience. Only Mall in Delhi with an amusement park. About 55,000 footfalls on weekends. Last year Mall witnessed footfall of about 85,000 on Independence day (15th August) and the mall is expected to have 1,00,000 visitors this year.
Activities
• Spreading Awareness on Solar Energy products
• Display of Products by Manufacturers.
• One to one interaction with more than 1,00,000 visitors.
• Media Coverage
Also Music Performances, Comedy Shows, Quiz Competition on 15th August 2009 and Live Rock Show on 16th of August 2009
Start Date : 15th August 2009
End Date : 16th August 2009
Venue : Rohini Metro Walk, New Delhi
SolarIndiaOnline.com plans to take an initiative in public awareness on Solar Products available in market and their uses. SolarIndiaOnline.com is providing a good platform to eminent players in solar sector to exhibit their solar products in a shopping mall, which would be displayed for the common man in SOLAR ENERGY FAIR 2009. This would be beneficial for both, distributors and the consumers.
Venue
METRO WALK - ADVENTURE ISLAND - ROHINI
METRO WALK is an 2-lac sq.ft of retail environment that hosts lot of brands and offers a perfect mix of Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Experience. Only Mall in Delhi with an amusement park. About 55,000 footfalls on weekends. Last year Mall witnessed footfall of about 85,000 on Independence day (15th August) and the mall is expected to have 1,00,000 visitors this year.
Activities
• Spreading Awareness on Solar Energy products
• Display of Products by Manufacturers.
• One to one interaction with more than 1,00,000 visitors.
• Media Coverage
Also Music Performances, Comedy Shows, Quiz Competition on 15th August 2009 and Live Rock Show on 16th of August 2009
Start Date : 15th August 2009
End Date : 16th August 2009
Venue : Rohini Metro Walk, New Delhi
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Q-Cells SE: Weak market development burdens Q2 result
- Business development falls short of expectations in second quarter: preliminary revenue of around 142 EURm, expected EBIT of approx. -62 EURm
- Reliable whole-year forecast not possible due to uncertainty of current market situation
- Management Board announces comprehensive package of measures
Bitterfeld-Wolfen, 14 July 2009 – The prolonged weak development of the global photovoltaics markets has continued to negatively impact the business development of Q-Cells SE (QCE; ISIN DE0005558662) in the second quarter. The seasonal market upturn which the industry had been anticipating to start in the second quarter has broadly not materialised for Q-Cells as yet. Lower sales volumes, the postponement of a large scale project to the third quarter and the continued downward trend in solar cell prices has led, according to preliminary calculations, to a reduced revenue of around 142 EURm (previous quarter: 225 EURm) and to a considerable decline in operating income (EBIT), to approx. -62 EURm (previous quarter: 15 EURm). Due to existing agreements with suppliers, it has thus far not been possible to fully adjust wafer prices in the immediate term to the lower price level of solar cells. Furthermore, the drop in cell and wafer prices has led to non-cash relevant devaluations of current assets. Despite this negative business development, Q-Cells maintains a considerable financial reserve (cash and short-term available credit lines) of approx. 520 EURm as of 30 June 2009.
In spite of an expected recovery in market volume in the second half of the year due to seasonal upturn a generally tough market environment is still being expected. Furthermore, the company expects the project business still to be largely dependent on the development of the financial markets. From a current standpoint, it will not be possible to attain the revenue and production levels which had been anticipated for the current business year. In light of this, the Management Board is not making new revenue and production forecasts for the current business year at this time.
In dealing with the negative impacts of the current business environment, the Management Board is developing a comprehensive programme of measures, made up essentially of the following five components:
- Further capacity alignments,
- Further optimisation and reduction of capital investment programme,
- Intensified cash flow and working capital management,
- Intensifying and accelerating the existing cost-cutting programme and
- Pushing ahead with the project business by cooperating more closely with selected financing partners.
After agreement has been reached with the Supervisory Board, details of this programme will be presented along with the publication of the half-year results on 13 August. Further information will be provided by the Executive Board of Q-Cells SE at a conference call for analysts and investors at 12.30 p.m. (CET). This conference call will also be available as a webcast from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website (www.q-cells.com).
Source: Q-Cells
- Reliable whole-year forecast not possible due to uncertainty of current market situation
- Management Board announces comprehensive package of measures
Bitterfeld-Wolfen, 14 July 2009 – The prolonged weak development of the global photovoltaics markets has continued to negatively impact the business development of Q-Cells SE (QCE; ISIN DE0005558662) in the second quarter. The seasonal market upturn which the industry had been anticipating to start in the second quarter has broadly not materialised for Q-Cells as yet. Lower sales volumes, the postponement of a large scale project to the third quarter and the continued downward trend in solar cell prices has led, according to preliminary calculations, to a reduced revenue of around 142 EURm (previous quarter: 225 EURm) and to a considerable decline in operating income (EBIT), to approx. -62 EURm (previous quarter: 15 EURm). Due to existing agreements with suppliers, it has thus far not been possible to fully adjust wafer prices in the immediate term to the lower price level of solar cells. Furthermore, the drop in cell and wafer prices has led to non-cash relevant devaluations of current assets. Despite this negative business development, Q-Cells maintains a considerable financial reserve (cash and short-term available credit lines) of approx. 520 EURm as of 30 June 2009.
In spite of an expected recovery in market volume in the second half of the year due to seasonal upturn a generally tough market environment is still being expected. Furthermore, the company expects the project business still to be largely dependent on the development of the financial markets. From a current standpoint, it will not be possible to attain the revenue and production levels which had been anticipated for the current business year. In light of this, the Management Board is not making new revenue and production forecasts for the current business year at this time.
In dealing with the negative impacts of the current business environment, the Management Board is developing a comprehensive programme of measures, made up essentially of the following five components:
- Further capacity alignments,
- Further optimisation and reduction of capital investment programme,
- Intensified cash flow and working capital management,
- Intensifying and accelerating the existing cost-cutting programme and
- Pushing ahead with the project business by cooperating more closely with selected financing partners.
After agreement has been reached with the Supervisory Board, details of this programme will be presented along with the publication of the half-year results on 13 August. Further information will be provided by the Executive Board of Q-Cells SE at a conference call for analysts and investors at 12.30 p.m. (CET). This conference call will also be available as a webcast from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website (www.q-cells.com).
Source: Q-Cells
Budget 2009-2010 – forgets the much talked about solar industry.
Wait on for National Solar Mission
The first budget for the second term of the UPA government, presented by the finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, clearly missed out to cheer anyone from the solar industry. Customs duty on biodiesel and for wind turbine manufacturers has been reduced but there was no mention of any investment in the much talked about solar industry in the latest budget.
The budget lowers customs duty from 7.5% to 5% on equipments for wind energy and reduction from 7.5% to 2.5% on bio diesel. Uncertainly, India's plan to invest huge amount in solar energy over the next 20 years was not mentioned in the budget.
On one hand where the newly elected US President Obama announced huge investments in solar energy as part of the $150bn clean tech investment just within few days of taking control, the Indian government again lacks behind. People were actually waiting to hear something about the National Solar Mission in the budget, which was one of the leading missions in the National Action Plan on Climate Change announced by Prime Minister on 30th June last year.
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh announced last year that a National Action Plan on Climate Change would be undertaken. National Solar Mission is the one of the 8 missions of the plan which aims to promote use of solar energy in the country. Its ultimate objective is to make solar competitive with fossil-based energy options. It aims to increase the production of photovoltaics to 1000 MW/year; and at least 1000 MW of solar thermal power generation.
Looking at people interest and awareness spread last year, this budget could have taken the opportunity to attract green investments, but has not done that. However, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee assured green groups that initiatives under the National Action Plan on Climate Change will be covered under the budget, he admitted that an exact figure would not be decided until the end of the year.
The Budget has also mentioned nothing about the other critical initiatives that are in the pipeline to promote energy efficiency in power generation, renewable energy technology programmes, and creating appropriate capacity at different levels of government.
Source: SolarIndiaOnline.com
The first budget for the second term of the UPA government, presented by the finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, clearly missed out to cheer anyone from the solar industry. Customs duty on biodiesel and for wind turbine manufacturers has been reduced but there was no mention of any investment in the much talked about solar industry in the latest budget.
The budget lowers customs duty from 7.5% to 5% on equipments for wind energy and reduction from 7.5% to 2.5% on bio diesel. Uncertainly, India's plan to invest huge amount in solar energy over the next 20 years was not mentioned in the budget.
On one hand where the newly elected US President Obama announced huge investments in solar energy as part of the $150bn clean tech investment just within few days of taking control, the Indian government again lacks behind. People were actually waiting to hear something about the National Solar Mission in the budget, which was one of the leading missions in the National Action Plan on Climate Change announced by Prime Minister on 30th June last year.
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh announced last year that a National Action Plan on Climate Change would be undertaken. National Solar Mission is the one of the 8 missions of the plan which aims to promote use of solar energy in the country. Its ultimate objective is to make solar competitive with fossil-based energy options. It aims to increase the production of photovoltaics to 1000 MW/year; and at least 1000 MW of solar thermal power generation.
Looking at people interest and awareness spread last year, this budget could have taken the opportunity to attract green investments, but has not done that. However, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee assured green groups that initiatives under the National Action Plan on Climate Change will be covered under the budget, he admitted that an exact figure would not be decided until the end of the year.
The Budget has also mentioned nothing about the other critical initiatives that are in the pipeline to promote energy efficiency in power generation, renewable energy technology programmes, and creating appropriate capacity at different levels of government.
Source: SolarIndiaOnline.com
Germany's Bauhaus University designs solar-powered cinema
The innovative 'Screenhaus.SOLAR', a modern movie theatre powered by solar technologies, will open in early July 2009 at Germany's Bauhaus-Universität in Weimar. The theatre seeks to demonstrate how architecture and civil engineering can interact with renewable energies and offer functioning, resource-saving solutions worldwide.
The team led by Professors Jürgen Ruth and Rainer Gumpp at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar wanted to create a climate-neutral, easy-to-set-up, yet sophisticated design consisting of renewable materials for the temporary building, Screenhaus.SOLAR. The resulting design is adaptable and easy to use worldwide.
The hull of the 13-metre long structure is both flexible and stable as a hyperboloid structure in three dimensions, two together at the tips of the converging cone. In order to achieve this form, wooden struts were selected and connected to create a strong honeycomb-like structure.
The real highlight of the Screenhaus.SOLAR is, however, the flexible photovoltaic modules, that are affixed to the honeycomb structure. Unlike rigid photovoltaic elements, these solar cells fit the elements of the latest generation of solar cells that envelope the building almost like an item of clothing.
This so-called solar-envelope, the roof system, delivers the electricity required throughout a night of cinema. During the day, the modules convert the sunlight into electrical current and feed it into the general network. The energy produced is then used to power the operation of the cinema during the evening hours.
“The goal is to provide the climate neutral screening of films exclusively from the captured sunlight,” explains Roth. “In the construction phase itself, the positive energy balance played a role for us. So it was necessary during the building work to also use solar energy.”
A structure well-suited for emergencies
The issue of resource conservation impacted the entire project. The wooden struts for the construction came from a wind power plant that was built in the past year on the campus of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Moreover, the draft of the screen house is easily transferable to other countries and continents. The structure can be completely dismantled and then easily transported in standard containers for use anywhere in the world.
The structure is created from simple, linear elements, allowing it to be built anywhere in a short time by non-professionals. This is particularly important in areas with weaker infrastructure or following a destructive event. In such situations, the Screenhaus can be used as emergency shelter or as a temporary hospital. The insulation can, if necessary, be easily retrofitted.
"The idea to build a climate-neutral integrated work of art came to us when contemporary construction projects were being sought for the Bauhaus-Jubilee 2009,” says Ruth. “Since we have already received a positive response from all sides with our wind power project, we wanted to further develop this concept.” Professors Ruth and Grumpp used the 5,000 euros in prize money they received for their wind project in 2008 in the framework of the Dr. Tyczka Energy Prize for development of the Screenhaus project.
The Screenhaus.SOLAR will open on 9th July with a screening of a student short film about solar power.
Source: www.german-info.com
The team led by Professors Jürgen Ruth and Rainer Gumpp at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar wanted to create a climate-neutral, easy-to-set-up, yet sophisticated design consisting of renewable materials for the temporary building, Screenhaus.SOLAR. The resulting design is adaptable and easy to use worldwide.
The hull of the 13-metre long structure is both flexible and stable as a hyperboloid structure in three dimensions, two together at the tips of the converging cone. In order to achieve this form, wooden struts were selected and connected to create a strong honeycomb-like structure.
The real highlight of the Screenhaus.SOLAR is, however, the flexible photovoltaic modules, that are affixed to the honeycomb structure. Unlike rigid photovoltaic elements, these solar cells fit the elements of the latest generation of solar cells that envelope the building almost like an item of clothing.
This so-called solar-envelope, the roof system, delivers the electricity required throughout a night of cinema. During the day, the modules convert the sunlight into electrical current and feed it into the general network. The energy produced is then used to power the operation of the cinema during the evening hours.
“The goal is to provide the climate neutral screening of films exclusively from the captured sunlight,” explains Roth. “In the construction phase itself, the positive energy balance played a role for us. So it was necessary during the building work to also use solar energy.”
A structure well-suited for emergencies
The issue of resource conservation impacted the entire project. The wooden struts for the construction came from a wind power plant that was built in the past year on the campus of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Moreover, the draft of the screen house is easily transferable to other countries and continents. The structure can be completely dismantled and then easily transported in standard containers for use anywhere in the world.
The structure is created from simple, linear elements, allowing it to be built anywhere in a short time by non-professionals. This is particularly important in areas with weaker infrastructure or following a destructive event. In such situations, the Screenhaus can be used as emergency shelter or as a temporary hospital. The insulation can, if necessary, be easily retrofitted.
"The idea to build a climate-neutral integrated work of art came to us when contemporary construction projects were being sought for the Bauhaus-Jubilee 2009,” says Ruth. “Since we have already received a positive response from all sides with our wind power project, we wanted to further develop this concept.” Professors Ruth and Grumpp used the 5,000 euros in prize money they received for their wind project in 2008 in the framework of the Dr. Tyczka Energy Prize for development of the Screenhaus project.
The Screenhaus.SOLAR will open on 9th July with a screening of a student short film about solar power.
Source: www.german-info.com
Venture Capital Investment In Green Technologies Rebounds
Greentech Media released the most recent quarterly data showing that venture capital investment in green technologies totaled $1.2 billion in 85 deals in the second quarter of 2009. This is up from $836 million in 59 deals in the first quarter of 2009.
"The recent quarter's balanced distribution of sectors that attracted capital underscores cleantech's breadth and diversity of opportunity, one of the key drivers behind why cleantech remains an enduring area," said Ira Ehrenpreis, General Partner at cleantech VC, Technology Partners.
Solar power was once again the leading investment segment at more than $330 million. Unlike previous quarters - the second quarter saw a much more balanced distribution across the various sectors with a marked increase in automotive (more than $202 million) and energy storage (more than $180 million).
One of the drivers for steady second quarter venture investment was the promise of stimulus monies offering startup investors a non-dilutive funding source. Meanwhile, early-stage and late-stage investments dominated, while mid-stage funding was harder to come by, and the average round sizes were slightly smaller.
There were no giant $100 million+ solar or biofuel rounds as in 2008.
"Despite the economic slump, VC investors remain optimistic about the greentech sector and eventual exits in this space," said Eric Wesoff, senior analyst at GTM Research and author of the Greentech Innovations Report, a monthly guide to investments and technology trends in greentech.
John Rockwell, founder and Managing Director of Element Partners adds, "The growing belief that credit markets and the economy are on the road to recovery has investors back in the market. Greentech markets are massive and diverse and investors are starting to pour additional money into the next wave of greentech opportunities."
"2009 will be a year of consolidation and development while 2010 and 2011 will be the year greentech breaks. Expect to see IPOs and acquisitions of VC funded firms in solar, smart grid, green buildings and biofuels," Wesoff added.
Source: Solar Daily
Friday, July 10, 2009
World's largest and CO2-neutral inverter factory inaugurated by SMA Solar Technology AG
July, 01, 2009
Today, SMA Solar Technology AG inaugurated its new solar inverter factory. With the inverter factory, SMA is extending its production capacities to four gigawatt and is continuously expanding its successful strategy of flexibility. In the opening speech Chief Executive Officer Günther Cramer pointed out that the new facilities were setting a new trend in terms of CO2 neutral fabrication sites.
About 500 guests attended the inauguration ceremony. Silke Lautenschläger, the Hessian Minister for Environment, Energy, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, gave the official speech.
SMA's new inverter factory which has already been producing since March of this year, is setting new standards in every respect: an annual production capacity of up to four gigawatt on 18,000 square meters make it the world's largest solar inverter factory.
The new factory has the lowest possible energy requirements together with the highest efficiency of consumed energy. Among other standards the building thus complies with the low-energy building concept. In addition, a reduced energy consumption of the production and testing facilities is achieved through efficiency measures in the production process. An optimal use of daylight, intelligent ventilation as well as the use of storage units for heating and cooling complement the energy and building concept.
The electricity and heat demand is covered by renewable energy sources: an integrated PV system with a power of around 1.1 megawatt and a combined heat and power plant fueled with bio-gas generates CO2-neutral electricity. "Green electricity" is additionally purchased in order to cover the total energy consumption of the production facilities. In the long run the CO2 balance will be zero by installing additional photovoltaic systems nearby.
The required heat is produced with the biogas-powered combined heat and power plant. At the same time, the waste heat coming from the compressor for the air powered tools and the lifting gear is utilized for the heating system. The additionally required heat demand is covered by using district heating from a nearby waste incineration plant.
Sufficient cooling is provided as well: an absorption refrigeration machine uses the heat of the combined heat and power plant for air conditioning.
In the new factory the process steps in the production have been completely re-designed in terms of efficiency. Entire production lines can be extended or reconfigured for other device types within shortest notice. This provides maximum flexibility in addition to the "just-in-time" production without warehouse.
"The inverters being the heart of every photovoltaic system already significantly contribute to an emission-free energy supply", Günther Cramer, Chief Executive Officer of SMA Solar Technology AG, explains. "With our CO2-neutral inverter production we even go one step further. Today we can show that an advanced production on industrial level can be done with a minimal environmental footprint. As the worldwide leading producer of solar inverters we now intend to initiate a trend towards CO2-neutral factories".
About SMA Solar Technology AG
With a turnover of more than 680 million euros in 2008, SMA is the global market leader for solar inverters, a central component of every solar power system. The SMA group is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented on four continents in ten countries. The group employs more than 3,000 people (including temporary employees). SMA produces a broad range of inverter types which offers suitable inverters for every photovoltaic module type used and for photovoltaic systems in all power ranges. The product portfolio includes inverters both for grid-connected photovoltaic systems and for stand-alone systems. Since June 27, 2008, the company has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92), and since September 22, 2008, the company's shares have been listed in the TecDAX. In the past recent years, SMA was recognized several times with awards for its outstanding performance as an employer.
Source: SMA Solar Technology
Today, SMA Solar Technology AG inaugurated its new solar inverter factory. With the inverter factory, SMA is extending its production capacities to four gigawatt and is continuously expanding its successful strategy of flexibility. In the opening speech Chief Executive Officer Günther Cramer pointed out that the new facilities were setting a new trend in terms of CO2 neutral fabrication sites.
About 500 guests attended the inauguration ceremony. Silke Lautenschläger, the Hessian Minister for Environment, Energy, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, gave the official speech.
SMA's new inverter factory which has already been producing since March of this year, is setting new standards in every respect: an annual production capacity of up to four gigawatt on 18,000 square meters make it the world's largest solar inverter factory.
The new factory has the lowest possible energy requirements together with the highest efficiency of consumed energy. Among other standards the building thus complies with the low-energy building concept. In addition, a reduced energy consumption of the production and testing facilities is achieved through efficiency measures in the production process. An optimal use of daylight, intelligent ventilation as well as the use of storage units for heating and cooling complement the energy and building concept.
The electricity and heat demand is covered by renewable energy sources: an integrated PV system with a power of around 1.1 megawatt and a combined heat and power plant fueled with bio-gas generates CO2-neutral electricity. "Green electricity" is additionally purchased in order to cover the total energy consumption of the production facilities. In the long run the CO2 balance will be zero by installing additional photovoltaic systems nearby.
The required heat is produced with the biogas-powered combined heat and power plant. At the same time, the waste heat coming from the compressor for the air powered tools and the lifting gear is utilized for the heating system. The additionally required heat demand is covered by using district heating from a nearby waste incineration plant.
Sufficient cooling is provided as well: an absorption refrigeration machine uses the heat of the combined heat and power plant for air conditioning.
In the new factory the process steps in the production have been completely re-designed in terms of efficiency. Entire production lines can be extended or reconfigured for other device types within shortest notice. This provides maximum flexibility in addition to the "just-in-time" production without warehouse.
"The inverters being the heart of every photovoltaic system already significantly contribute to an emission-free energy supply", Günther Cramer, Chief Executive Officer of SMA Solar Technology AG, explains. "With our CO2-neutral inverter production we even go one step further. Today we can show that an advanced production on industrial level can be done with a minimal environmental footprint. As the worldwide leading producer of solar inverters we now intend to initiate a trend towards CO2-neutral factories".
About SMA Solar Technology AG
With a turnover of more than 680 million euros in 2008, SMA is the global market leader for solar inverters, a central component of every solar power system. The SMA group is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented on four continents in ten countries. The group employs more than 3,000 people (including temporary employees). SMA produces a broad range of inverter types which offers suitable inverters for every photovoltaic module type used and for photovoltaic systems in all power ranges. The product portfolio includes inverters both for grid-connected photovoltaic systems and for stand-alone systems. Since June 27, 2008, the company has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92), and since September 22, 2008, the company's shares have been listed in the TecDAX. In the past recent years, SMA was recognized several times with awards for its outstanding performance as an employer.
Source: SMA Solar Technology
Q&A - 'Space-based solar power could solve energy crisis'
Peter Garretson is a futurist and transformational strategist. He previously served as the chief of Future Science and Technology Exploration for the
What is space-based solar power all about?
Though solar energy is one of the most popular renewable energy sources, the cost of tapping the same has always been comparatively more because of its diluted form, seasonal variations and non-availability for more than half of the day.
SBSP overcomes these issues by placing the solar collector panels in a geo-synchronous orbit in space and have the solar power beamed to earth before converting it to useful electricity. Solar energy could be beamed to earth as radio waves or coherent light (LASER).
Just to understand the enormity of energy availability, a kilometre-wide band at a geo-orbit experiences enough solar flux in one year to nearly equal the amount of energy contained within all known recoverable conventional oil reserves on earth today. And it is 99 per cent uninterrupted through the year.
How about commercial viability?
Commercial viability is a big unknown, and will be so until power starts being delivered. There are many ideas and proposals in many places around the world, but no working prototype has ever been built and flown on orbit.
Many believe there is a need for additional technical development and risk-reduction. Clearly, there are some companies who are already quite confident about its commercial viability, as witnessed by the deal finalised a few weeks ago in
The California Power Utility has agreed to buy 200 MW of electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric Company from 2016, which would be generated from a space-based solar station.
How does SBSP compare with other conventional energy sources in terms of fighting greenhouse gas emissions?
Space solar life cycle CO2 is 60 times better than a conventional coal-fired power plant. It's by far one of the cleanest energy forms available. Space-based solar power is so promising that it could well be the answer to the world's energy crisis.
How could
Former president A P J Abdul Kalam has suggested that SBSP be made a national and international goal.
The Aerospace Society of India (AeSI) has called for a global aerospace and energy mission, and articulated the need for a directed academic, industry and government study, as well as consideration of a leadership role in an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor-like experiment.
Some people i have talked with have mentioned putting it on the Indo-US strategic agenda as part of the renewable energy and space partnerships.
Source: The Times Of India
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ascent Solar Exceeds 10% Module Efficiency Milestone
THORNTON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of state-of-the-art flexible thin-film solar modules, today announced that it has achieved its initial target module efficiency goal of 10.0% for its flexible Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide (CIGS) monolithically integrated modules.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has independently verified that the modules measured as high as 10.4% in conversion efficiency. The modules tested at NREL were standard 429 cm2 modules produced by the company’s 1.5MW production line that was put into commercial production in the first quarter of 2009.
Dr. Prem Nath, Sr. Vice President of Production Operations for Ascent Solar, stated, “This is a significant breakthrough in demonstrating our ability to manufacture monolithically integrated flexible CIGS modules with greater than 10% module efficiency in commercial production. Ascent’s high-volume 30MW commercial plant is scheduled to commence initial production at the beginning of 2010. Module efficiency of 10.0% is a vital element for our low-cost-per-watt manufacturing goal in high volume and will establish Ascent Solar as a leader in the production of lightweight flexible photovoltaics used for portable power and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products.”
Dr. Harin S. Ullal, Senior Project Manager for the National Center for Photovoltaics at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, stated, “Ascent Solar has made progress in advancing the state-of-the-art flexible, lightweight thin-film CIGS PV technology. NREL has independently verified module conversion efficiency of more than 10.0% for several thin-film CIGS monolithically integrated modules deposited on flexible, lightweight plastic substrates.”
About National Renewable Energy Laboratory:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development (R&D). NREL is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
About Ascent Solar Technologies:
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules with substrate materials that can be more flexible and affordable than most traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into standard building materials, space applications, consumer electronics for portable power or configured as stand-alone modules for large-scale terrestrial deployment. Ascent Solar is headquartered in Thornton, Colo. Additional information can be found at www.ascentsolar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: www.ascentsolar.com
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has independently verified that the modules measured as high as 10.4% in conversion efficiency. The modules tested at NREL were standard 429 cm2 modules produced by the company’s 1.5MW production line that was put into commercial production in the first quarter of 2009.
Dr. Prem Nath, Sr. Vice President of Production Operations for Ascent Solar, stated, “This is a significant breakthrough in demonstrating our ability to manufacture monolithically integrated flexible CIGS modules with greater than 10% module efficiency in commercial production. Ascent’s high-volume 30MW commercial plant is scheduled to commence initial production at the beginning of 2010. Module efficiency of 10.0% is a vital element for our low-cost-per-watt manufacturing goal in high volume and will establish Ascent Solar as a leader in the production of lightweight flexible photovoltaics used for portable power and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products.”
Dr. Harin S. Ullal, Senior Project Manager for the National Center for Photovoltaics at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, stated, “Ascent Solar has made progress in advancing the state-of-the-art flexible, lightweight thin-film CIGS PV technology. NREL has independently verified module conversion efficiency of more than 10.0% for several thin-film CIGS monolithically integrated modules deposited on flexible, lightweight plastic substrates.”
About National Renewable Energy Laboratory:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development (R&D). NREL is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
About Ascent Solar Technologies:
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules with substrate materials that can be more flexible and affordable than most traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into standard building materials, space applications, consumer electronics for portable power or configured as stand-alone modules for large-scale terrestrial deployment. Ascent Solar is headquartered in Thornton, Colo. Additional information can be found at www.ascentsolar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: www.ascentsolar.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
QuantaSol unveils 28.3% efficient single-junction solar cell World Record
QuantaSol unveils 28.3% efficient single-junction solar cell World record made public at UK’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
Kingston-upon-Thames UK, June 30th 2009:
QuantaSol Ltd, a new independent designer and manufacturer of strain-balanced quantum-well solar cells, has developed what it believes to be the most efficient single junction solar cell ever manufactured. Developed in just two years, QuantaSol's single-junction device has been independently tested by Fraunhofer ISE as achieving 28.3% efficiency at greater than 500 suns.QuantaSol was established in June 2007 as a spin-out of Imperial College London to commercialise the University’s solar cell IP and offer devices to concentrator Photovoltaic (PV) systems developers. Imperial will be featuring a QuantaSol device as part of its presence at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition in London this week.
“Our technology is the industry’s best kept secret. This is the first time that anyone has successfully combined high efficiency with ease of manufacture, historically a bug-bear of the solar cell industry,” said Kevin Arthur, QuantaSol’s CEO. “We’re now gearing up to provide multi-junction cells of even higher efficiencies as early as Q1 2010.”
QuantaSol’s approach combines several nanostructures, of two or more different alloys, in order to obtain synthetic crystals that overcome the problems associated with current solar cell designs. It also greatly enhances the photovoltaic conversion efficiency.
The company, which has a development laboratory in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, completed a £2m second funding round last week. It will now concentrate on cutting the cost of ownership of solar energy by moving to multi-junction devices.
Source: http://www.quantasol.com/
Monday, July 6, 2009
First Solar goes for reduction in manufacturing cost
First Solar has indicated that its manufacturing cost has now fallen to 93 cents per watt, down 5% in three months and down 28% in a year.
By 2014, it expects to drive down cost per watt to make solar modules to fall to between 52 and 63 cents by 2014. The biggest driver of the lower costs is better efficiency, it said. Production per fabrication line is expected to nearly double over the next five years.
The company believes its ongoing focus on cost reduction enables continued growth even as subsidies decline.
Earlier this year, when the company had reduced its manufacturing cost for solar modules to 98 cents per watt, it had mentioned that its ongoing improvement plans are to continue to drive the efficiency that helps drive costs down, drive the run rates of the factories, and then of course continuing to focus on the raw material costs as it purchases them. Its manufacturing costs have declined two-thirds from over $3 per watt to less than $1 per watt since First Solar began full commercial operation of its initial manufacturing line in late 2004.
In terms of performance this year, First Solar’s first-quarter profits more than tripled as the company inked numerous new power projects and cut its production costs. The company earned $164.6 million in the first quarter, compared with $46.6 million for the same period last year. Quarterly sales were $418.2 million for the three months that ended March 28, up from $196.9 million during the same period last year.
Source: Thin Film Today
Friday, July 3, 2009
World's Largest Solar Power Station Officially Inaugurated
Bonn, Germany (SPX) Jul 03, 2009
On 1 July 2009 the solar-thermal power station Andasol 1, located in the Spanish province of Granada in Andalusia, was officially inaugurated. At the present time, Andasol 1 is the largest solar power station in the world. Researchers at the German Aerospace Centre were heavily involved in the development of key technologies and identified the most suitable location with the help of various tools, including satellite data.
They did this on behalf of Solar Millennium AG, the project development company. In addition, their measuring methods contributed towards the precision design of the parabolic trough collectors.
Climate-compatible power for 200 000 people
Andasol 1 delivers climate-compatible power for 200 000 people. This makes it possible to cut annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 150 000 tons.
There are more than 600 parabolic trough collectors distributed over a total surface area of about two square kilometres, each of which measures 150 metres in length and 5.7 metres in width. These mirrors have a total surface area in excess of 500 000 square metres.
There is also a heat accumulator located in the centre of this gigantic solar field. Here, two giant tanks, measuring 14 metres in height and 36 metres in diameter, are used to store surplus energy during the midday period using liquid salt.
This salt is heated by solar power to temperatures of up to 390 degrees Celsius and this stored heat enables the power station to operate at full power (50 megawatts) for up 7.5 hours after the Sun has set - a key requirement for the future use of solar power stations.
As well as Andasol 1, the first commercially operated power station of its kind, plans are well underway for a further two solar power station at the same location. In the course of this year, Andasol 2 is scheduled to come on stream, also rated for a capacity of 50 megawatts. Andasol 3, also with a 50 MW rating, is expected to follow in the course of 2011.
DLR researchers tasked with finding the ideal location
On behalf of Solar Millennium AG, the project development company, employees in the Solar Research department of the DLR Institute for Technical Thermodynamics (Institut fur Technische Thermodynamik; ITT) at the Plataforma Solar de Almer�a research station located about 50 kilometres from the Andasol site were tasked with identifying a suitable location for the new solar power station.
One key decision-making indicator took the form of the statistical mean values calculated from many years of sunlight readings taken by the DLR from meteorological measurements at ground stations, and sequential satellite data.
Precision boosts energy yield levels
When setting up this system, it is also possible to use high-speed optical measuring processes developed by the DLR for precision production control of the parabolic collectors. Precise and well-aligned parabolic mirrors are able to boost the energy yield by up to 10%, and this makes a key contribution to the cost-effectiveness of a plant of this kind.
Development of the actual collector technology was aided by the DLR taking a leading role in several projects sponsored by the German Environment Ministry. This meant that the industrial partners were supported during the design and testing of collector prototypes and absorber tubes by DLR employees working at the Spanish test centre of Plataforma Solar de Almer�a, located in Almeria.
The total cost of this power station is somewhere in the region of euros 300 million. A key form of early assistance for the Andasol 1 power station was also forthcoming from the European Union, which contributed euros 5 million of funding aid for the preparation and accompanying scientific research. Power from concentrated solar energy
Andasol 1 is a solar-thermal power station and what is known as a parabolic trough power station. In this configuration, the concentrating mirrors take the form of a very long trough with parabolic cross section. The individual elements of this trough, the collectors, are rotated to track the Sun as it moves from east to west.
Sunlight falling on the collector is reflected onto a focal line, where the light energy is concentrated by a factor of up to 80. Absorber tubes run down this focal line.
These steel tubes, surrounded by an evacuated, insulating glass tube, have a special surface coating which is highly effective at absorbing solar radiation and converting it into heat. In this process, temperatures substantially in excess of 400 degrees Celsius are developed on their surface. An oil known as 'thermo-oil' flows through the centre of each steel absorber tube.
This oil is heated to almost 400 degrees, and the collected heat is then directed to a thermal transfer unit in which steam is generated at high temperature and pressure. As in conventional power stations, this steam is then used to drive a turbine that - linked to a generator - then generates electrical power.
Source: Solar Daily
On 1 July 2009 the solar-thermal power station Andasol 1, located in the Spanish province of Granada in Andalusia, was officially inaugurated. At the present time, Andasol 1 is the largest solar power station in the world. Researchers at the German Aerospace Centre were heavily involved in the development of key technologies and identified the most suitable location with the help of various tools, including satellite data.
They did this on behalf of Solar Millennium AG, the project development company. In addition, their measuring methods contributed towards the precision design of the parabolic trough collectors.
Climate-compatible power for 200 000 people
Andasol 1 delivers climate-compatible power for 200 000 people. This makes it possible to cut annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 150 000 tons.
There are more than 600 parabolic trough collectors distributed over a total surface area of about two square kilometres, each of which measures 150 metres in length and 5.7 metres in width. These mirrors have a total surface area in excess of 500 000 square metres.
There is also a heat accumulator located in the centre of this gigantic solar field. Here, two giant tanks, measuring 14 metres in height and 36 metres in diameter, are used to store surplus energy during the midday period using liquid salt.
This salt is heated by solar power to temperatures of up to 390 degrees Celsius and this stored heat enables the power station to operate at full power (50 megawatts) for up 7.5 hours after the Sun has set - a key requirement for the future use of solar power stations.
As well as Andasol 1, the first commercially operated power station of its kind, plans are well underway for a further two solar power station at the same location. In the course of this year, Andasol 2 is scheduled to come on stream, also rated for a capacity of 50 megawatts. Andasol 3, also with a 50 MW rating, is expected to follow in the course of 2011.
DLR researchers tasked with finding the ideal location
On behalf of Solar Millennium AG, the project development company, employees in the Solar Research department of the DLR Institute for Technical Thermodynamics (Institut fur Technische Thermodynamik; ITT) at the Plataforma Solar de Almer�a research station located about 50 kilometres from the Andasol site were tasked with identifying a suitable location for the new solar power station.
One key decision-making indicator took the form of the statistical mean values calculated from many years of sunlight readings taken by the DLR from meteorological measurements at ground stations, and sequential satellite data.
Precision boosts energy yield levels
When setting up this system, it is also possible to use high-speed optical measuring processes developed by the DLR for precision production control of the parabolic collectors. Precise and well-aligned parabolic mirrors are able to boost the energy yield by up to 10%, and this makes a key contribution to the cost-effectiveness of a plant of this kind.
Development of the actual collector technology was aided by the DLR taking a leading role in several projects sponsored by the German Environment Ministry. This meant that the industrial partners were supported during the design and testing of collector prototypes and absorber tubes by DLR employees working at the Spanish test centre of Plataforma Solar de Almer�a, located in Almeria.
The total cost of this power station is somewhere in the region of euros 300 million. A key form of early assistance for the Andasol 1 power station was also forthcoming from the European Union, which contributed euros 5 million of funding aid for the preparation and accompanying scientific research. Power from concentrated solar energy
Andasol 1 is a solar-thermal power station and what is known as a parabolic trough power station. In this configuration, the concentrating mirrors take the form of a very long trough with parabolic cross section. The individual elements of this trough, the collectors, are rotated to track the Sun as it moves from east to west.
Sunlight falling on the collector is reflected onto a focal line, where the light energy is concentrated by a factor of up to 80. Absorber tubes run down this focal line.
These steel tubes, surrounded by an evacuated, insulating glass tube, have a special surface coating which is highly effective at absorbing solar radiation and converting it into heat. In this process, temperatures substantially in excess of 400 degrees Celsius are developed on their surface. An oil known as 'thermo-oil' flows through the centre of each steel absorber tube.
This oil is heated to almost 400 degrees, and the collected heat is then directed to a thermal transfer unit in which steam is generated at high temperature and pressure. As in conventional power stations, this steam is then used to drive a turbine that - linked to a generator - then generates electrical power.
Source: Solar Daily
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Record-breaking solar cells are tailored to their location
The burning hot sun at the equator is a far cry from the weak sunlight that reaches higher latitudes. To make the most of such different conditions you need specially tailored solar cells, according to UK firm Quantasol.
So the company has come up with a new solar cell design that can be tuned to the light at a particular latitude, and in the process broken a 21-year-old efficiency record for one type of solar cell.
Semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) are more efficient at converting light to electricity than the cheaper silicon cells most common today. First used in space, GaAs solar cells are beginning to find uses on Earth too.
But the uniform light conditions in space aren't matched on the ground. The atmosphere acts as a filter, so the light reaching Earth varies from place to place and with changing atmospheric conditions.
Tuned in
Quantasol has now created GaAs solar cells that can be tuned to the prevailing light conditions of a particular place, to get the most out of the cells wherever they are.
To do that, the firm added indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) to pores just a few nanometres across on the surface of their cells, called quantum wells. Like the GaAs that makes up the rest of the cell, they can absorb light to produce electric current. But they do so at very specific frequencies.
The pores can be tuned to absorb light at the frequencies that are most common in a particular place but aren't absorbed well by GaAs. Over time this strategy should extract more energy than an off-the-shelf solar cell.
World record
After the quantum wells have been tuned, the GaAs solar cell absorbs more of the incoming light than previous devices. The peak efficiency of the new cell is 28.3 per cent when exposed to light 500 times as strong as normal sunlight, a figure that has been confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy in Germany.
That may only be one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the previous world-record holder, but it's the first advance in 21 years.
Commercial silicon solar cells are much cheaper than GaAs, but have an efficiency of just 10 to 12 per cent and are also bulkier. The Quantasol device can cope with much brighter light without becoming overloaded, making it possible to use a very small solar cell to absorb light collected by a system of cheap lenses and mirrors.
But more important than the peak efficiency is that the new cells can generate more electrical energy over the course of days and weeks, says Kevin Arthur, Quantasol CEO.
"The commercial market doesn't just want high efficiency, they want the device to be optimised to the environment," he says. "In the past we measured performance in dollars per watt. Now it's cents per kilowatt-hour that's more important."
Quantasol will showcase its new device at the UK's Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London this week.
Source: www.newscientist.com
So the company has come up with a new solar cell design that can be tuned to the light at a particular latitude, and in the process broken a 21-year-old efficiency record for one type of solar cell.
Semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) are more efficient at converting light to electricity than the cheaper silicon cells most common today. First used in space, GaAs solar cells are beginning to find uses on Earth too.
But the uniform light conditions in space aren't matched on the ground. The atmosphere acts as a filter, so the light reaching Earth varies from place to place and with changing atmospheric conditions.
Tuned in
Quantasol has now created GaAs solar cells that can be tuned to the prevailing light conditions of a particular place, to get the most out of the cells wherever they are.
To do that, the firm added indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) to pores just a few nanometres across on the surface of their cells, called quantum wells. Like the GaAs that makes up the rest of the cell, they can absorb light to produce electric current. But they do so at very specific frequencies.
The pores can be tuned to absorb light at the frequencies that are most common in a particular place but aren't absorbed well by GaAs. Over time this strategy should extract more energy than an off-the-shelf solar cell.
World record
After the quantum wells have been tuned, the GaAs solar cell absorbs more of the incoming light than previous devices. The peak efficiency of the new cell is 28.3 per cent when exposed to light 500 times as strong as normal sunlight, a figure that has been confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy in Germany.
That may only be one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the previous world-record holder, but it's the first advance in 21 years.
Commercial silicon solar cells are much cheaper than GaAs, but have an efficiency of just 10 to 12 per cent and are also bulkier. The Quantasol device can cope with much brighter light without becoming overloaded, making it possible to use a very small solar cell to absorb light collected by a system of cheap lenses and mirrors.
But more important than the peak efficiency is that the new cells can generate more electrical energy over the course of days and weeks, says Kevin Arthur, Quantasol CEO.
"The commercial market doesn't just want high efficiency, they want the device to be optimised to the environment," he says. "In the past we measured performance in dollars per watt. Now it's cents per kilowatt-hour that's more important."
Quantasol will showcase its new device at the UK's Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London this week.
Source: www.newscientist.com
Swiss team unveil pioneering solar plane
Geneva (AFP) June 26, 2009
Round-the-world balloooning pioneer Bertrand Piccard unveiled his solar-powered aircraft in Switzerland on Friday, ready for another trend-setting circumnavigation of the globe powered solely by the sun.
The wasp-shaped prototype of Solar Impulse, with the wingspan of a jumbo jet, was rolled out before some 800 guests at an airfield near Zurich after six years of development.
Ten years after Piccard and Briton Brian Jones achieved the first non-stop flight around the globe in the Orbiter balloon, the Solar Impulse team are aiming to demonstrate that reliance on renewable energy is not a pipedream.
"If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled solely by solar energy, let no one come and claim that it is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems and computers," Piccard said.
Although computer simulations have been tried out, the prototype HB-SIA will make its maiden test flight by the end of this year.
Its mission is to test the feasibility of a complete flight sequence through two days and one night, propelled only by solar energy, and pave the say for a second aircraft's bid to fly around the world in five stages in 2012.
The Swiss adventurer -- who is again joined by Jones -- said the idea emerged after that 19 day hot air balloon trip, when Orbiter was partly kept aloft by fuel canisters even if the wind ensured its progress eastwards.
"That historic success could have turned sour because of the lack of fuel," Piccard said at the Dubendorf airfield.
"That's why we took the decision to to attempt a trip around the world without relying on fossil fuels," he explained.
The seemingly flimsy carbon fibre concentrate of new technology has a 63.4 metre wingspan but weighs little more than a medium sized car.
Some 12,000 solar cells spread over its slender wings are meant to keep it aloft, fuelling four tiny ten horsepower electric motors and 400 kilogrammes of batteries that are, unusually, meant to keep it going overnight.
Wedged in the narrow cockpit, the lone pilot will also be helped to fly Solar Impulse by some novel control technology.
"Those are the wings of hope. They are immense, as is the challenge we have to meet in climate protection," said Swiss Transport, Energy and Environment Minister Moritz Leunberger.
Source: Solar Daily
Round-the-world balloooning pioneer Bertrand Piccard unveiled his solar-powered aircraft in Switzerland on Friday, ready for another trend-setting circumnavigation of the globe powered solely by the sun.
The wasp-shaped prototype of Solar Impulse, with the wingspan of a jumbo jet, was rolled out before some 800 guests at an airfield near Zurich after six years of development.
Ten years after Piccard and Briton Brian Jones achieved the first non-stop flight around the globe in the Orbiter balloon, the Solar Impulse team are aiming to demonstrate that reliance on renewable energy is not a pipedream.
"If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled solely by solar energy, let no one come and claim that it is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems and computers," Piccard said.
Although computer simulations have been tried out, the prototype HB-SIA will make its maiden test flight by the end of this year.
Its mission is to test the feasibility of a complete flight sequence through two days and one night, propelled only by solar energy, and pave the say for a second aircraft's bid to fly around the world in five stages in 2012.
The Swiss adventurer -- who is again joined by Jones -- said the idea emerged after that 19 day hot air balloon trip, when Orbiter was partly kept aloft by fuel canisters even if the wind ensured its progress eastwards.
"That historic success could have turned sour because of the lack of fuel," Piccard said at the Dubendorf airfield.
"That's why we took the decision to to attempt a trip around the world without relying on fossil fuels," he explained.
The seemingly flimsy carbon fibre concentrate of new technology has a 63.4 metre wingspan but weighs little more than a medium sized car.
Some 12,000 solar cells spread over its slender wings are meant to keep it aloft, fuelling four tiny ten horsepower electric motors and 400 kilogrammes of batteries that are, unusually, meant to keep it going overnight.
Wedged in the narrow cockpit, the lone pilot will also be helped to fly Solar Impulse by some novel control technology.
"Those are the wings of hope. They are immense, as is the challenge we have to meet in climate protection," said Swiss Transport, Energy and Environment Minister Moritz Leunberger.
Source: Solar Daily
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
ADB Deems Clean Energy Projects as Risky
The thrust to create so-called “clean” energy projects is hampered by poor financial risk perception, need for big capital investments and policies that still favor conventional sources of energy, an official of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently announced.
Stating at the Asia Clean Energy Forum at the ADB headquarters this week, Private Sector Operations Department Director-General Philip Erquiaga said these three impediments are what the bank will take into consideration drafting a new energy policy.
Mr. Erquiaga explained the perception of risk is because of the view regarding clean energy technology is “experimental,” creating it financially risky as an investment.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Senior Vice-President for financial markets Marcelo E. Ayes agreed, evaluating that “many of the companies producing this technology are start-up and will have difficulty accessing credit because they don’t have a track record.”
Noting further that these projects are “capital-intensive,” Mr. Ayes stated the “risk is huge without certain profit even in the long term.”
He said that a well-designed feasibility study and a guarantee by the government, ADB or the World Bank are few of the factors that could better risk perception.
Energy Assistant Secretary Mario C. Marasigan, chief of the Renewable Energy Bureau, stated the government has addressed the concern over policy drawbacks, citing Republic Act 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which provides fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for renewable energy investors, involving tax credits on domestic capital equipment and services, special tax rates on equipment and machinery, amidst others.
This will bring down the price of technology and make ‘clean,’ renewable energy competitive with conventional energy. The law is a clear indicator that this government prioritizes renewable energy.
Source : Energy Business Daily
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