http://www.pv-tech.org/ Your daily dose of Photovoltaic Technology Developments and Solar News Copyright 2008, Semiconductor Media en-GB info@pv-tech.org Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:49:13 GMT 120 2038515http://www.feedburner.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Pageflakes http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/bailout_bill_passed_through_congress_includes_solar_tax_credits_first_solar Congress has passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 with the support of senators Obama and McCain. The news is welcomed by the solar industry but unusually was met by traders with a plunge in the value of solar stocks. While most will focus on the financial implications of the bailout bill the solar industry can finally plan ahead... Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:36:02 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/all_eyes_on_house_following_bipartisan_senate_passage_of_relief_legislation Senate Passes Relief Package 74-25 Commentary by Barclay's Capital Solar Energy Equity Research Analyst Vishal Shah OVERALL THOUGHTS: The Senate passed legislation that combines the House-failed TARP bill with an increase in FDIC insurance coverage (from $100k to $250k) and the Senate's (only partially paid-for) tax extender package.  Focus now shifts to the House, where obviously the legislation has faced a tougher hurdle. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:21:01 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/all_eggs_in_one_basket_solar_itc_rests_with_us_bailout_plan Just prior to going to press with this week’s newsletter, Reuters has reported that legislation extending tax credits for the solar industry gained new life on Wednesday as U.S. Senate leaders said they plan to attach the tax bill to a $700 billion economic rescue package. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:06:17 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/valencia_photos_highlights_the_feel_good_factor 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition held in Valencia, Spain last week was one of the best events I have attended in over 15 years of attending trade shows in most parts of the world. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:03:13 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/podcast_on_organic_photovoltaics It is nice to see that it’s not just the trade media that uses multimedia technologies in the photovoltaics industry. News arrived today that highlights a podcast has been made available from BASF on organic photovoltaics that includes a look at flexible and transparent solar cells. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:04:33 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/michael_phelps_six_gold_medals_a_pre_cursor_as_usa_goes_for_solar_gold The landmark announcement of PG&E yesterday to purchase power from facilities that will have a combined capacity of 800MW got me thinking about who is really going for gold among solar power generation centres around the world. The hypothesis: “The top sporting nations in the world also offer the best prospects for the implementation of solar energy in the mainstream.” Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:31:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/europe_thinks_big_on_solar_sahara Reports from the Euroscience Open Forum in Barcelona have once again focused on the potential of the Sahara desert region to produce ALL the electrical energy needs of Europe if a mass concentration of solar technology was to be established there. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:49:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/is_japan_back_on_the_map 2007 was not the best of years for Japanese PV manufacturers like Sharp. Capacity ramps halted and government subsidies, previously withdrawn, saw the market shrink in what had been the strongest region in the world for PV. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:01 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/a_gigawatt_tool_for_165_million Martin Roscheisen’s infrequent but welcomed blog over at Nanosolar’s website has posted an interesting video, showing the company’s proprietary nanoparticle ink dispensing tool that the company claims was running at a 100 feet-per-minute speed. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:04:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/intersolar_day_one_an_exhibition_to_remember As day one of the three-day Intersolar 2008 event in Munich drew to a close, there were a lot of tired but happy faces meandering through the halls. Tired, because of the sheer enormity of the Messe München means that you need sturdy, forgiving footwear to visit all seven halls, but happy because some of the exhibits on display here really are impressive. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:45:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/intersolar_the_first_day_from_tears_to_jubilation The 4th annual PV Industry Forum, forms the opening salvo of this years Intersolar conference and exhibition in Munich. Bringing together the great and the good of the PV industry, it gives the B2B big wigs a chance to mingle and “learn” before the main event starts on Thursday with the Intersolar Trade Fair. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:29:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/q_cells_makes_major_move_on_thin_film_in_first_solars_backyard The news that Q-Cells, the largest PV manufacturer in the world in 2007, will break ground on a major manufacturing complex in Mexicali, Mexico in 4Q08, marks several potential milestones for the emerging thin-film PV market. Tue, 27 May 2008 18:55:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/recession_dampens_solar_enthusiasm_first_quarter_akeena_and_first_solar_a_t It is a tale of two strategies when dealing with the U.S. solar markets, be they consumer or business markets. Both Akeena Solar and First Solar have announced their first quarter financial results recently. The scale of each company is worlds apart and their approaches to a growing market segment are at polar opposites, and it shows. These two companies cannot be directly compared; using these two companies is purely to highlight a growing trend among many solar companies of focussing on certain end-user segments of the solar market. Thu, 08 May 2008 15:38:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/q_cells_puts_the_pedal_to_the_metal Silicon solar cell producers should forget about the polysilicon shortages, while thin-film companies need not worry about silane supplies. Not because constrained supply issues are expected to ease and material costs to finally lower over the next two years, but because a potentially bigger concern is looming! Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:16:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/q_cells_welcomes_ibm_to_the_solar_sector_with_open_arms At the PV Fab Managers’ Forum in Dresden this week, IBM outlined its plans for partnering with the PV manufacturing industry to improve technology and manufacturing processes. Rainer Klaus Krause, IBM’s ISC Innovation Champion, presented to a high level audience of Fab managers and solar manufacturing executives the strategy to partner with manufacturers and technology providers to help the industry achieve price parity more quickly. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:56:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/former_emcore_insider_comments_on_emcore_cpv_ipo_from_outside Excellent observations from Jo Ann McDonald over at Compound Semiconductor Magazine and interestingly a former Director of Corporate Communications at Emcore notes that the intended IPO of its CPV business division may be happening too fast for the company. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:32:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/ldk_solars_polysilicon_production_goes_fluid Having announced very aggressive polysilicon production targets last year, LDK Solar turned heads, while also turning some market/financial analysts bearish on oversupply issues by 2010. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:25:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/cigs_sold_on_ebay Not your average eBay item up for grabs, rather a piece of photovoltaic technology history. Nanosolar, roll-to-roll Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) PV solar start-up, has put one of its first three production line commercially-produced PV modules (Panel #2) up for sale on eBay with a $10,300 starting price! Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:17:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/good_deal_hunting_at_applied_materials Applied Materials can't seem to leave the solar equipment business alone at the moment, as it continues its acquisition trail. The latest is Baccini S.p.A for a cool $330 million in greenbacks. Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:16:00 GMT http://www.pv-tech.org/editor_s_blog/article/applied_materials_v_oerlikon_solar_with_a_twist1 Applied Materials’ entry to the solar equipment manufacturing market just over a year ago is starting to make that market very interesting to watch and also to write about! Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:39:00 GMT