US: 360MW solar plant on tribal land approved
Federal authorities in the U.S. have approved the development of a 350 MW solar plant on an Indian reservation outside of Las Vegas. It will be the first commercial solar energy project on tribal land.
DuPont sues Heraeus over metallization paste
DuPont has filed a law suit against Heraeus Materials, and its client SolarWorld Industries America. DuPont alleges that Heraeus and SolarWorld have infringed on the DuPont patent relating to front-side sliver pastes.
Campbell Soup installs 9.8 MW plant
SunPower has supplied modules and a tracker system to a Campbell Soup Company site in Ohio. The ground-mounted system, called the SunPower Oasis, will supply 15 percent of the Campbell facilitys power.
MIT researchers develop all carbon cell
A new type of photovoltaic cell developed by MIT researchers holds the promise of being able to tap into the near-infrared region of the spectrum.
Canadian Solar purchases 200 MW of projects from SkyPower
One of Canadas largest solar project developers, SkyPower has sold approximately 200 megawatts (MW) of projects in Ontario to Chinese-Canadian manufacturer Canadian Solar. The companies have also launched a JV called CSI SkyPower.
First Solars AV Solar Ranch One moving forward
The vast 230-megawatt (MW) Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One project, supplied and installed by First Solar, is back on track, after an agreement was reached between the company and LA County, on the installation of its modules. The agreement will allow First Solar to continue construction on the plant, which is set to be completed in 2013.
REC issues shares, restructures debt and writes down inventory
Norway-based manufacturer REC carried out major financial restructuring today, issuing almost 870,000 million new shares, in an attempt to raise NOK1.3 billion (US$218 million). REC also refinanced its revolving debt facilities, into a NOK2 billion (US$335 million) facility.
Bisol Group plans further expansion on back of high production growth
Slovenia-based Bisol Group has recorded a 130 percent increase in production of its photovoltaic modules over the last year. A spokesperson tells pv magazine it is planning further expansion, and will add new automation machinery in the coming months.
Stion hits 13.4 percent CIGS module efficiency
U.S.-based thin film manufacturer, Stion has achieved a CIGS photovoltaic module efficiency of 13.4 percent, and an aperture efficiency of 14.8 percent. The results have been verified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
TSMC: Making a market entry
Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC took the decision three years ago to enter the solar market. The company licensed CIGS technology, built a fab and started shipping modules last quarter. Despite extremely competitive module prices, the company is confident that it has the backing, technology and process experience to prosper when the solar market turns the corner.
