FIRST SOLAR - Wettbewerber TF - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[meinolf67]

Hallo Leute,

da FSLR aktuell der 1.600 Pfund Gorilla der TF-Hersteller ist und da die nachrückenden Firmen bisher größtenteils nicht notiert sind, würde ich vorschlagen, in diesem Nebenthread Infos zu denen zu sammeln.

Auf die Art kann man Infos, die einem mal über den Weg laufen, an einem definierten Platz ablegen, so dass man sie bei Bedarf leichter wiederfindet.

Außerdem ist es sicher auch aus FSLR-Investorensicht interessant, den Wettbewerb im Auge zu behalten.

Würde mich freuen, wenn auch andere hier posten...

[meinolf67]

Zuerst:

Welche Technologien gibt es überhaupt?

1) CdTe
2) CIGS
3) amorphes/micromorphes SI
4) Exoten


CdTe wird von Firstsolar hergestellt und scheint sich am besten zur Herstellkostensenkung zu eignen.

Relativ hohe theoretische Wirkungsgrade.


CIGS ist die Technologie mit dem potentiell höchsten Wirkungsgrad, aber offenbar fertigungstechnisch sehr schwierig zu beherrschen.

a-SI hat als single-junction sehr niedrige Wirkungsgrade (ca. 5-8%) und wird schon seit langem (z.B. in der Untehraltungselektronik) eingesetzt. Wenn man eine zweite Schicht (Junction) hinzufügt, wird ein größerer Teil des Spektrums genutzt und es sollen Wirkungsgrade von deutlich >10% erricht werden

Exoten sind -zumindest für mich- z.B. die Farbstoffzelle (Graetzel), Quantum-Dotes, etc...

[meinolf67]

Welche Player sind bereits börsennotiert:

1) CdTe
First Solar
Calyxo (über Q-Cells)

2) CIGS
Global Solar (über SOLON)
Ascent Solar
Johanna (über Aleo)
Solibro (über Q-Cells)
Solar Thin Films; Zulieferer
Pfeiffer; Zulieferer

3) a-SI
United Solar Ovonics (ist eine Tochter von ECD; PPVX-Mitglied)
Powerfilm (PPVX-Mitglied)
SHARP
ErSol
Moser Baer
Brilliant 234. (über Q-Cells)
Oerlikon; Zulieferer
Applied Materials; Zulieferer


4) Exoten
Dyesol; Zulieferer


Fettgedruckte Firmen produzieren bereits kommerziell

[meinolf67]

Welche Player produzieren bereits kommerziell, sind aber noch weder selbst noch indirekt börsennotiert?

1) CdTe
Antec

2) CIGS
Würth
Sulfurcell

3) a-SI

4) Exoten
keiner

[meinolf67]

Welche Projekte sind in der Pipeline?

Tonnenweise. Deshalb werde ich die Technologien auf einzelne Posts aufteilen und dort auch die bereits fortgeschrittenen nochmal mit nennen.

KEINERLEI Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit, Korrektheit oder Aktualisierung....

[meinolf67]

CdTe-Projekte


kommerziell produzieren:
First Solar
Antec


in Kürze erwartet:
Calyxo


noch weiter weg:
AVA Solar

[meinolf67]

CIGS-Projekte


kommerziell produzieren:
Würth
GlobalSolar
Sulfurcell


in "Kürze" erwartet:
Solibro
Ascent
Honda
Nanosolar
Johanna
Odersun


noch weiter weg:
Miasole
Heliovolt
Avancis
Solarion
PV-Flex
Solopower

[meinolf67]

a-SI auf AMAT-Basis:

Green Energy to break ground on thin-film solar module plant, says paper


Latest news
Apple Daily, November 7; Rodney Chan, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 7 November 2007]

Green Energy Technology[/b] is scheduled to break ground on November 16 for its first thin-film solar module plant at Kuanyin in Taiwan's northern county of Taoyuan, according to the Chinese-language Apple Daily newspaper.

The plant, with equipment installation slated for mid-2008 and production for the second half of 2008, will reach an annual capacity of 30MWp in the fourth quarter of 2008, which will be ramped further up to 50MWp by the fourth quarter of 2009, the paper added.

[meinolf67]

a-SI double junction:


Lite-On and E-ton form solar cell joint venture

Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Emily Chuang, DIGITIMES [Friday 26 October 2007]

E-ton Solar Tech and Lite-On Electronics on October 25 jointly announced the companies are forming an a-Si (thin-film) solar module joint venture, called Aruia, with E-ton and Lite-On each securing 23.9% of the shares in the new company, according to the companies.

Lite-On said the investment of NT$498 million in Aruia is the company's first venture into the solar industry.

Equipment maker Hermes Epitek will have 12% of the stock in the joint venture while MiTAC-Synnex Group will have 6% of the shares in the company, according to sources.

Aruia will be located in the Southern Taiwan Science Park and the initial capital of the company will be NT$1.4 billion. The capital will increase to nearly NT$4 billion by 2008. The new company will focus on non crystalline/micromorph cell production. The facility for the joint venture will be completed by the end of 2008 with capacity for the single line being 60 million peak megawatt (MWp). An additional 60MWp capacity will be added each year. The efficiency of conversion will exceed 10% in 2010, said the companies.

[meinolf67]

vermute a-SI:

Innovalight predicts its silicon ink will dramatically cut cost of solar power
START-UP MUM ON HOW IT MAKES SILICON INK


Conrad Burke, the CEO of Innovalight, walked into a room with a small solar cell in one hand and a bottle of black liquid in the other. He's betting that liquid will revolutionize the solar panel industry and help his company grab a big share of the booming green energy market.

The liquid is silicon ink, a secret nanotechnology recipe it developed that the company says lets it make solar cells that are more efficient than current models, at a lower price.

"We have embarked upon . . . a new frontier of silicon," said Burke, who joined Innovalight as president and chief executive in 2005.

Innovalight comes out of stealth mode today. It will announce $28 million in new funding as well as plans to open a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale early next year.

The company, based in Santa Clara, intends to start selling its solar cells in 2009.

It'll enter a booming market. Solar sales, according to researcher CLSA, will grow from $15 billion in 2006 to $36 billion in 2010. Much of that development is coming from Silicon Valley companies, including SunPower, Nanosolar, MiaSole, Solyndra, SoloPower and others.

The distinction for Innovalight, said Burke, an Irishman who previously worked in manufacturing and operations management for several companies as well as a stint as a venture partner with Sevin Rosen Funds, is how it makes its cells and how much they'll sell for.

In an interview this week, Burke described the
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company's manufacturing process in only general terms but said Innovalight has "a lock on how we do this. We describe ourselves as having the Coca-Cola formula."

Innovalight creates nanoparticles of silicon that it uses to make ink "and we can end up with something that looks not very different from what a solar cell looks like today, except we got there substantially faster and cheaper, and we use less material," he said.

The goal is to achieve "double digit" efficiency, higher than current levels for other thin-film-based solar cells, although Burke wouldn't reveal a specific number. The industry standard is 14 or 15 percent, although some companies talk about reaching 20 percent efficiency. Efficiency measures the percentage of absorbed light converted to electricity.

As far as price, Burke talks about producing solar cells that are an order of magnitude cheaper than what's available today. "Certainly, long term, we believe this technology has the potential to get well below 50 cents a watt," he said. The Web site solarbuzz.com says the retail price per watt in the United States is $4.84 this month.

That combination of new, affordable technology makes Innovalight interesting to the Department of Energy. The agency has worked closely with Innovalight on collaborative research, said Craig Cornelius, its program manager for solar technology.

"We see great promise in the company," said Cornelius. "They're building a great science team."

Innovalight's $28 million in third-round funding was led by Convexa Capital of Norway. "The company's silicon ink process to make cheaper solar cells offers huge potential to help accelerate the growth in the overall solar market," said Bjorge Gretland, Convexa's managing partner who will join Innovalight's board.

[meinolf67]

Exot (Konarka ist Lizenzgeber für G24; die wiederum bei Dyesol kaufen):

Konarka Secures $45 Million in Private Capital Financing
Leading Investors Back Clean Energy Innovator with Commercialization of
Organic Photovoltaics

Lowell, Mass. – Oct. 1, 2007 – Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in development and commercialization of Power Plastic®, a material that converts light to energy, today announced it has raised $45 million in private capital financing. The financing was led by Mackenzie Financial Corporation, a leading investment management firm with over $60 billion in assets under management, and was co-led by existing investor, Good Energies, a leading investor in the renewable energy industry. Lead investors from prior rounds also participated, including Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Asenqua Ventures, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and 3i. Other participating current investors include Vanguard Ventures, Chevron Ventures, Massachusetts Green Energy Fund, NGEN Partners and Angeleno Group. The financing was agented by Lehman Brothers.

“Konarka has aggressive plans to accelerate the development and commercialization of our polymer-based organic photovoltaic (OPV) technologies for consumer, commercial, BIPV and electronic applications,” commented Rick Hess, president and CEO of Konarka. “This latest round of financing will help to accelerate our plan to bring Konarka’s organic photovoltaic material, Power Plastic, to market.”

Howard Berke, executive chairman of the board at Konarka, stated, “This funding further strengthens our balance sheet as we scale up to introduce Power Plastic commercially. We are in an optimal financial position to launch our renewable energy technology into a variety of markets.”

About Mackenzie Financial Corporation
Mackenzie Financial Corporation is a part of IGM Financial Inc., which trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “IGM”, and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. Mackenzie, founded in 1967, manages approximately $63.7 billion of assets for more than one million investors. For more information, visit http://www.mackenziefinancial.com/.

[meinolf67]

Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production
After going nowhere for years, thin-film solar production has taken off in the United States. But is First Solar just a fluke?
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow November 16, 2007

Thin-film solar technologies might make up a small portion of the world's solar panels today, but they made up almost half of the solar cells produced in the United States last year, Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute, said at Greentech Media's Solar Market Outlook this week.
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According to Bradford, U.S. companies produced 92.5 megawatts of thin films, compared with a total of 201.6 megawatts of solar panels. Worldwide, thin films, which use little or no silicon, have grown from 4 percent of the solar market a few years ago to about 7 percent today, he said.

Thin films made up of amorphous silicon account for the largest chunk of the production, reaching 97.7 megawatts in 2006, while cadmium-telluride made up 68 megawatts and copper-indium-selenide and copper-indium-gallium-selenide made up only 4.9 megawatts, according to Bradford's presentation.

First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride films, has quickly grown to be the largest supplier of solar cells by far, with 60 megawatts of production in 2006 and a 31 percent market share, Bradford said.

The company has been "a bright spot" in a rough year, what with falling panel prices and spot prices for solar-grade silicon rumored to have grown as high as $400 per kilogram, Bradford said.

First Solar shares (NSDQ:FSLR) have increased a whopping 17.9 percent so far this month, closing at $185.39 per share Wednesday, after the company announced a $1 billion sales deal, heftily beat third-quarter earnings expectations and said it was adding another 480 megawatts of annual capacity to its current 210 megawatts (see Thin-Film Solar Production to Leap Forward, Thin-Film Solar Gets Another Boost).

Even as some companies have announced decreasing margins, First Solar posted a third-quarter gross margin of 51.6 percent, up from 39.9 percent in the year-ago period, and said it expects to retain an operating margin of 25 percent and gross margins of 35 to 40 percent in the long term.

While glass packaging keeps the company from targeting new applications that require more flexible panels and could potentially keep First Solar from reaching the lowest prices in the future, it hasn't been an issue so far, Bradford said.

"First Solar says, 'We don't need long-term price declination; we can [get costs to] less than $1.25 per watt today,'" Bradford said, adding the company expects its costs will drop below $1 per watt by 2009.

If it achieves those costs, First Solar probably will be "within spitting distance" of 1 gigawatt by 2010 -- and with decent margins, considering it has contracts to supply its panels for $1.85 per watt, he said.

The company already has changed the game in the worldwide shortage of solar-grade silicon, Bradford said.

"You're hardly able to make a wafer for $1.85 a watt, much less a cell or a module," he said.

The company's performance may have encouraged other companies to pursue thin films more aggressively as well.

Sharp Corp. said it is building a 1-gigawatt thin-film plant in Japan, and Oerlikon and Applied Materials customers also have announced plans that amount to another 1 gigawatt of capacity, to name just a few examples (see Thin-Film Solar Production to Leap Forward, Thin-Film Solar Gets Another Boost).

The shorter lead times for building thin-film solar manufacturing capacity could be an advantage in the next few years, as the solar industry sees shrinking margins, Bradford predicts.

First Solar might take between nine and 15 months to build a new plant, compared with the three years or more that it takes to build polysilicon plants, he said.

That means thin-film companies can be more responsive to demand, a considerable advantage in a volatile market, he said.

However, not everyone holds the same view.

While advocates say thin films have the potential to produce panels for less, very few companies have reached mass production after decades of research.

First Solar could be a sign the problems that have kept predecessors from success, including difficulties manufacturing thin films cheaply at high volumes, are solvable. Or the company could be an exception to the rule.

"I agree First Solar's a phenomenal company; I just question who will be Second Solar," said Jeff Osborne, a managing director and analyst at Thomas Weisel Partners.

After all, even First Solar developed its technology over 10 years, explored three different technologies and changing its name four times during that period, he said.

Another problem?

"There are no investable assets in thin-film," Osborne said.

While First Solar investors clearly value thin-film technology highly now, Osborne wonders how much of that value is due to being "the only player of note in a niche market" and whether the higher value accorded to thin-film companies would drop if more of them went public.

"I question whether 80 players will get the funding to expand like that," he said. "I would venture to guess that half of them will fail."

Plenty of companies are ramping up now in the hope of becoming part of the other half.

[meinolf67]

Unimicron-UMC thin-film solar affiliate to start volume production in mid 2008

Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES [Friday 16 November 2007]

NexPower Technology, a solar-cell company co-established by Unimicron Technology and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), will begin volume production of thin-film solar cells in mid 2008. Annual capacity is estimated at 12.5 peak megawatt (MWp), according to company general manager SM Wang at a recent technology forum held by the Monte Jade Science & Technology Association of Taiwan.

Construction of NexPower's plant at the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) in Taichung will be completed soon with equipment installation slated for early 2008. The first production line is expected to house an annual capacity of 12.5MWp and will start volume production in mid 2008. A second line will be installed by 2009, bringing total capacity to 25MWp, Wang detailed.

Many industry players have questioned the relatively high challenges involved in thin-film solar cell production and marketing and Wang echoed the sentiment, adding that the challenges have indeed been greater than expected, especially in terms of capital expenditure (capex). But he remarked that NexPower has professionals from sectors including semiconductor, solar, LCD and LED who are able to overcome the associated challenges.

The first goal of NexPower will be technology enhancement in order to reach volume production, Wang said. The company aims to grow its power conversion rate by 1-2 percentage points per year, he added. For each percentage point of power conversion efficiency, costs are reduced by 16%, Wang was cited as saying in a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.

NexPower will plan for next-stage capacity only when it meets the power conversion efficiency guided by equipment suppliers. Despite seeing stiff challenges on thin-film solar cell production, Wang stressed that non-crystalline silicon based solar cells are more suitable for long-term investment.

NexPower has already rented another eight-hectare plot of land at the same site where it intends to build a total of three thin-film solar production plants. Total investment amount will be NT$3 billion, the EDN report quoted Wang as saying.

Wang remarked that NexPower exhibited its products during a recent photovoltaic (PV) applications show in Milan, Italy with satisfactory feedback. Current order rates are good, he noted.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.469.695 von meinolf67 am 18.11.07 15:05:41

...ist ein a-SI Projekt

[meinolf67]

CIGS

...wenn das stimmt, sind Sie die größten weltweit in dieser Sparte...

November 12, 2007

Tokyo, Japan: Honda Soltec Opens Thin Film Production Plant

Honda Soltec Co., Ltd., Honda's wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary, today commemorated the opening of its solar cell production plant with a ceremony attended by approximately 80 dignitaries, guests and Honda officials, including Yoshiko Shiotani, the governor of Kumamoto prefecture; Junichi Mitsuyama, the deputy general manager of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Department, Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI); and Isao Ieiri, the mayor of Ohzu-machi; as well as Takeo Fukui, the president and CEO of Honda.

Using thin film made from a compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) instead of silicon, Honda's next-generation solar cell achieves a major reduction of approximately 50% in the amount of energy consumed during the manufacturing process compared to what is required to produce conventional crystal silicon solar cells. This makes Honda's solar cell more environmentally-responsible even during the production stage.

Honda Soltec began mass production of solar cells in October, and the annual production will reach the full capacity of 27.5 megawatts (an equivalent amount of electricity to power approximately 9,000 houses) by next spring.

The company has also begun sales of solar cells for homes throughout Japan with 80 distributor locations and plans to accelerate sales by increasing the number of distributor locations to more than 200 within 2008. Honda will also work to begin exports of Honda solar cells from its new operation based in Kumamoto.

In 2006, Honda announced a global CO2 reduction target for its products and the manufacturing of those products. In addition to its effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda is focusing on the development and sales of energy-creation products such as cogeneration units and thin film solar cells in order to further accelerate its efforts to reduce the threat of global warming. To reduce its environmental footprint, Honda has been proactively pursuing voluntary targets to make its automobiles, motorcycles, and power products cleaner and to reduce CO2 emissions.

At the same time, Honda has been committed to develop technology for a clean energy source which does not use fossil fuels. In addition to the development of new technology to produce ethanol from cellulose, and development and sales of fuel cell vehicles and household cogeneration units in Japan and the U.S., the commercialization of the next-generation solar cells enables Honda to accelerate its efforts to contribute to the realization of an environmentally-responsible and sustainable society.

[meinolf67]

???:

Green Energy to break ground on thin-film solar module plant, says paper

Nov 07, 2007

Green Energy Technology is scheduled to break ground on November 16 for its first thin-film solar module plant at Kuanyin in Taiwan's northern county of Taoyuan, according to the Chinese-language Apple Daily newspaper.

The plant, with equipment installation slated for mid-2008 and production for the second half of 2008, will reach an annual capacity of
30MWp in the fourth quarter of 2008, which will be ramped further up to 50MWp by the fourth quarter of 2009, the paper added.

[meinolf67]

a-SI Supplier:


Oerlikon: Over half of equipment orders in 2008 to support micromorph tandem technology

Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES [Friday 23 November 2007]

Oerlikon is making further progress in its micromorph tandem technology and expects over half of the orders it receives in 2008 will be for solar cell production equipment supporting the technology, which will offer a power conversion rate of 10%, according to the company.

Oerlikon introduced its micromorph tandem technology in early September and claimed that it can achieve efficiencies of 10% and higher in the near future. By combining two silicon materials, amorph and microcrystalline (µc-Si), both visible sunlight and the near infrared spectrum can be absorbed and converted, resulting in a boost in the power efficiency rate by 50% over traditional amorphous (a-Si) single cells.

Company executives indicated that its first customer has placed orders for equipment supporting this new technology with delivery to be completed in the second quarter of 2008 and production slated to begin in the third quarter. The customer is from Europe, the executives added.

Oerlikon anticipates that the power conversion rate offered by the technology will be 8.5% in 2008 and will rise further to 9.7% in 2009. Industry players in Taiwan's solar cell industry noted that the power conversion rate of 6-6.5% guaranteed by thin-film solar cell equipment makers can hardly compare with that of crystalline-based solar cells, and so look forward towards the penetration of micromorph tandem technology-supported equipment.

Given that the company strongly believes that power conversion rate enhancement is an urgent task for all thin-film solar cell industry players, the executives noted that almost all customers who approached the company were looking for equipment that support the new micromorph tandem technology. They anticipate that orders for the equipment will account for half of total equipment orders in 2008 accordingly.

In an attempt to help guarantee smooth volume production by customers, Oerlikon confirmed recent speculation that the company would establish a laboratory in Asia. The company executives said Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore are all potential locations. Oerlikon said it also remains open to any equipment/parts/materials subcontracting.

On a separate note, Oerlikon said its thin-film solar cell equipment is mostly fabricated at a fifth-generation (5G) line. As the company believes power efficiency is more critical than size, the company has no plan to migrate to a more advanced generation line in near future.

[StLaurent]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.380.659 von meinolf67 am 11.11.07 13:06:33

@meinolf67

Bei CdTe fehlt noch PrimestarSolar aus den USA. An denen hat GE wohl ca. 20% Anteil neulich eingekauft. Enge Kooperartion bei Techonolgie mit NREL

[StLaurent]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.380.677 von meinolf67 am 11.11.07 13:09:26

bei CIGS fehlt u.a. Showa Shell. Deren Module waren auf der Intersolar 2007 schon auf einigen Ständen zu sehen (d.h. da sollte schon ne Produktion angelaufen sein).

[StLaurent]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.545.537 von StLaurent am 23.11.07 22:20:29

Bei a-Si hätten wir u.a. (nach Produktionsequipment-Hersteller sortiert): Liste nicht unbedingt komplett....

AMAT:
- Sunfilm
- Signet Solar
- Moser Baer
- E-Ton
- Suntech (?)
- T-Solar (Spanien)
- Malibu (JV Schüco+E.ON)
- SolarMorph (?)
- GET (?)


Unaxis/Oerlikon
- Schott Solar
- Ersol
- Inventux
- CMC Magnetics




Ulvac:
- Kaneka
- MHI
- NexPower

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.545.648 von StLaurent am 23.11.07 22:30:26

ThX!

[meinolf67]

EXOTEN

BioSolar Announces Successful Scale Up Production Run of Biobased Plastic Film for Solar Cells

Santa Clarita, CA – December 3, 2007 – BioSolar™, Inc. (OTC BB:BSRC), developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bioplastic materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells, today announces that the company has successfully completed a scale up production run of high quality biobased plastic film intended for use as a backing sheet for photovoltaic cells.

In explaining the significance of this latest step toward commercialization of BioSolar’s bioplastic materials, Dr. David Lee, CEO, said “BioSolar has previously developed its biobased polymer which significantly improves the film's impact resistance and thermal performance. The film was successfully extruded at a narrow width. In order to check for possible scale up problems, we conducted an extrusion run at the full production width of 55 inches. There were essentially no scale up problems, and very high quality film was produced."

This is a key milestone in the development of the company’s bio based backsheet product as the 55 inch wide rolls of film exceed the industry maximum width requirement. Photovoltaic modules are expected to last for 20 years or more, and experimental modules made with this film are currently being tested to ensure that the film meets the longevity requirement. The test includes 45 day temperature-humidity test as mandated by Underwriters Laboratories.

“As we continue to hit our targets in our research and development work, we are guided by input from our commercial strategic partners in the photovoltaic field,” continued Dr. Lee. “This successful ramp-up to production scale film width moves us another step closer to commercial sales of our product.”

[meinolf67]

a-SI

http://www.pv-tech.org/content/view/182/37/

Sharp starts construction of new thin film PV plant Print E-mail
Monday, 03 December 2007
SharpSharp Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony for its next multi-application manufacturing plant in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan that it calls a "Manufacturing Complex for the 21st Century." Sharp is maintaining its vertically integrated business model that will see both thin-film solar panels and Gen 10 LCD panels (2,850 mm x 3,050 mm) manufactured at a massive new (1.27 million m2) site that will house a complex of plants and support buildings at a cost of 380 billion yen.

The solar cell plant is set to start production by March 2010. Annual production is expected to be 1,000 MW (one million kW) a year for thin-film solar cells, Sharp announced.

Sharp

[meinolf67]

ORGANISCH

...und ganz exotisch:

Sanyo Electric Co Ltd presented the development status of organic thin-film solar cell for the first time at an international conference.

The company's presentation has been drawing attention since before the conference, as participants were curious about "how Sanyo would utilize the technologies accumulated in the development of OLED" (an attendee from a competing manufacturer).

Sanyo developed an organic thin-film solar cell using tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP) for the P-type semiconductor and C60 for the N-type. The company achieved a conversion efficiency of 3.6% with the use of the cell measuring 0.033cm2.

Thus far, CuPc has been generally employed as the P-type semiconductor in many organic thin-film solar cells using a low molecular material. The company also prototyped a 0.026cm2 organic thin-film solar cell using CuPc, but its conversion efficiency was only 1.4%.

Sanyo launched full-scale research on organic thin-film solar cell two years ago. DBP is a material synthesized in the course of the development of OLED. It is formed on ITO by vapor deposition.

The production cost can be reduced when a polymer is used for the P-type semiconductor because it can be formed by a coating method. Sanyo, however, plans to continue the development of low molecular materials because the company found "low molecular materials to be more promising through its experiences in the development of OLED" (Sanyo).

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.380.659 von meinolf67 am 11.11.07 13:06:33

CdTe-Projekte


kommerziell produzieren:
First Solar
Antec


in Kürze erwartet:
Calyxo


noch weiter weg:
AVA Solar
Prime Star Solar (GE-Beteiligung)

[meinolf67]

OK, am besten ist vielleicht ein Standardübersichtsposting:

Das DÜNNSCHICHT-Universum
=========================

CdTe
First Solar
Antec Solar
AVA Solar
Prime Star Solar
Calyxo

CI(G)S
Glas
Würth
Avancis
Solibro
Showa Shell

Flex
Global Solar
Sulfurcell
Ascent
Nanosolar
Miasole
Heliovolt
Odersun
Solarion
PV-Flex
Solopower

unklar
Honda
Johanna


a-SI
Uni-Solar
Powerfilm
SHARP

AMAT:
- Sunfilm
- Signet Solar
- Moser Baer
- E-Ton
- Suntech (?)
- Brilliant 234.
- T-Solar (Spanien)
- Malibu (JV Schüco+E.ON)
- SolarMorph (?)
- GET Green Energy Technology

Unaxis/Oerlikon:
- Schott Solar
- Ersol
- Inventux
- CMC Magnetics

Ulvac:
- Kaneka
- MHI
- NexPower


EXOTEN:
Konarka
G24
Biosolar


Zulieferer:
Solar Thin Films
Pfeiffer
Applied Materials
Oerlikon
Dyesol

[meinolf67]

a-SI?

Rebecca Kuo and Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam
Source: DIGITIMES, 3 September 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20070903PD202.html

Following a recent announcement of investing in its solar affiliate, Kenmos Technology is expected to start volume production of thin-film solar cells in the third quarter of 2008, according to the company. With a 45% direct stake in this affiliate, Kenmos will partner with NanoPV on solar cell production. The backlight unit (BLU) maker will sign a partnership contract with NanoPV on September 6. Kenmos and its related companies hold a total stake of about 60% in this affiliate, according to Kenmos.

NanoPV has sales channels in both Europe and the US, which implies that sales channels are guaranteed, according to Kenmos as cited by a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. The company also noted that validation via NanoPV only requires three to four months, which could help speed up its time-to-market schedule.

Investment is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2007. Related production facilities will be located at Kenmos’ present production plant in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. Capacity should be available in 2008 with an initial capacity of 10 peak megawatt (MWp) and later to expand to 30MWp.

Industry sources indicated that Kenmos is going to produce thin-film solar cells in dimensions of 0.635×1.4m, a dimension that fits US standards and is easy for assembly. This dimension is also the mainstream with a global market share of 60%, they added.

Chun-I Wu, Kenmos chairman, was cited by the Commercial Times report as saying that NanoPV delivers a power conversion efficiency of 8%, versus the market average of 5-6%. He anticipates the developed solar cells could be later applied to consumer electronics.

A persistent shortage of polysilicon is drawing more companies to shift to developing thin-film solar cells. In Taiwan, Green Energy Technology tied up with Applied Materials on related field development. NexPower Technology, which is co-established by Unimicron Technology and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), inherits its thin-film solar cell production technology from Ulvac. NanoWin Technology and CMC Magnetics landed their thin-film solar cell production technology from Oerlikon.

[meinolf67]

E-Ton Solar, Kenmos Technology Enter Into Thin Film Solar Cell Business
2007/09/07


Taipei, Sept. 7, 2007 (CENS)--E-Ton Solar Tech and Kenmos Technology Co., Ltd. recently separately unveiled their plans to enter into manufacturing of thin-film solar cells.

Kenmos announced it will open thin-film solar-cell venture at cost of NT$1 billion (US$30 million at US$1:NT$33) and it alone will put NT$450 million (US$13.6 million) into the venture.

Kenmos` executives said their company had invited U.S. solar-cell supplier NanoPV Corp. and some solar-cell equipment suppliers to join it in the investment. NanoPV and the equipment suppliers, they said, will sign investment agreement next Thursday to acquire a 20% stake and a 10% stake in the venture, respectively.

They said the solar-cell venture will begin production and shipments next year, with initial output capacity set at 10 megawatts of cells a year. In two years, the output will be boosted to 30 megawatts.

Kenmos` executives pointed out that the company began around a year ago identifying potential business outside its core backlighting-module manufacturing as part of its plan to boost revenue. Finally, the company decided to look for greener pastures in thin-film solar-cell business after extensive evaluation.

They went on that their company cooperates with NanoPV in this case on ground that the U.S. company specializes in TCO glass technology, which is essential in the production of thin-film solar cells. In addition, the company has set up distribution channels in Europe and the United States.

Kenmos` executives noted that although competition in the market of the cells is already stiff, NanoPV is one of the handful suppliers making money. NanoPV`s large-area thin-film solar modules now report conversion efficiency of 8.5%, higher than average 5-6% achieved by the company`s rival products.

They said the solar-cell venture will initially develop products targeting applications including notebook computers, solar lamps, rechargers, small stand-alone power generators and solar-powered buildings. Major markets for the startup will be the United States, Germany, mainland China, Australia, Britain, Israel and Japan.

The executives pointed out that although investments in manufacturing equipment of the cells are pricier than that in equipment for making polysilicon solar cells, production costs at Taiwanese thin-film solar cell factories are likely to largely pare down in near future since 70% of local equipment suppliers catering to thin-film cell makers are able to make the equipment by themselves.

E-Tone plans to open a thin-film cell factory at the Southern Taiwan Science Park, allowing it to expand into the new area from polysilicon-cell sector.

Industry watchers pointed out that thin film is a new-generation solar technology, which eliminates the need for silicon crystal as raw material in the manufacturing. Nevertheless, the new solar methodology poses higher technological challenge than does polysilicon technology.

However, many solar-energy entrants are embracing thin-film products considering escalating shortage of polysilicon materials.

Industry watchers pointed out boom business has recently prompted the island`s thin-film cell makers to poach talents from liquid-crystal display (LCD) manufacturers. They said LCD talents tend to defect to thin-film cell manufacturers on ground that solar-cell industry is believed to be more profitable than LCD since it has still infant, leaving a huge room for future growth.

Company
Volume production schedule
Initial output volume (unit:megawatt)
Capacity increase planning
Technology sources

Green Energy Technology
Late 2008
30
50 megawatts until late 2009
Applied Materials

NextPower Technology
1st Q 2008
25
100 megawatts in three years
ULVAC

NanoWin Technology
1st Q 2008
5.5
35 megawatts until 2008
NanoPV

Formosun Technology
Late 2007
5.5
NA
EPV

[meinolf67]

a-SI:


Formosun


ca. Okt-2006

Press Release – Contract Signing Ceremony between American Energy PhotoVoltaics, Inc. (EPV) and Formosun Technology Corp.

　　An agreement between EPV and Formosun Technology Corp. for production technology transfer and authorizing the latter to manufacture Thin Film PV Modules in Taiwan before the end of the year has been reached. The contract will be officially signed between the two companies in the Crane Room, located on the 3rd floor of the Grand Hyatt Taipei. The ceremony signifies the beginning of full cooperation between the two companies.

　　EPV, a leading solar energy company in USA, has more than ten years of experience in the manufacturing of Thin Film PV Modules. EPV’s products have been qualified and certified per UL/IEC 61646 standards and sold worldwide. Their latest product, Building of Integrated PV (BIPV), has been applied on the building of Microsoft’s School of Future (as photo), and as such EPV was chosen as the major BIPV supplier. Due to its limited production capacity, EPV’s production schedule is full until May next year.

　　Unlike single or multiple crystalline silicon solar cells, thin film PV solar modules use glass plates, therefore eliminating the problem caused by wafer shortage. The thin film PV module can be applied on objects with large surface area such as BIPV on glass-walled buildings. Also, the thickness of silicon needed for the module is only several hundredths that of wafers, thus significantly reducing the production cost.

　　Under the agreement, EPV will provide a turn-key package, which includes thin film PV module production technology and facilities and assistance in product certifications to Formosun Technology Corporation.

　　With extensive experiences in TFT and SEMI foundries, Formosun Technology is positioning to increase its production yields and capacity while reducing production costs so that thin film PV products can be utilized in more commercial applications.

　　The first production line with an annual capacity of 5.5MW is slated to commence operation before the end of next year. The company also plans to gradually expand its production capacity to meet the growing market demands.

[meinolf67]

a-SI

11. Mai 2007
Nanowin Breaks Ground for Thin-Film Solar Cell Plant

Nuying Huang, Taipei [Digitimes] Nanowin Technology, a newcomer to the solar cell industry, yesterday broke ground for a thin-film solar cell plant at the Tainan Science Park (TSP) in southern Taiwan, with equipment installation scheduled for October 2007 and volume production for the first-quarter of 2008.

[meinolf67]

ULVAC WINS ORDER FROM NexPower Technology Corporation FOR COMPLETE SOLAR CELL MANUFACTURING PLANT TO BE BUILT IN TAIWAN

Deal will include all manufacturing peripheral equipment and production training

Chigasaki, Japan.-March 23, 2007-ULVAC, Inc.

Following a 2 year period of study and preparation, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) subsidiary NexPower Technology Corporation has decided to establish a new solar cell manufacturing plant in Taiwan. They have signed an agreement today to use ULVAC's full-scale thin film manufacturing line equipment which will include all solar cell manufacturing peripheral equipment such as plasma CVD equipment, laser scribing equipment, sputtering equipment, and sealing equipment, etc. In addition, ULVAC will provide all the actual production training and start-up of the manufacturing line which will handle 1.1m x 1.4m size substrates, suitable for main power electric generation.

Prior to today's agreement, ULVAC already conducted process verification with small size substrates, and has now started to process the large 1.1m x 1.4m size substrates in their Chigasaki factory. This phase of the project will be com pleted by mid-2007. At the same time, ULVAC is developing micro-crystalline Si process and tandem structure followed by an a-Si process in order to improve power generation efficiency. NexPower Technology Corporation is expected to operate the factory at a production volume rate of 12.5MW per year with a-Si and plans to expand production volume gradually from that point. The ultimate production goal is 100MW/year with micro-crystalline and tandem structure. The plant will be located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and will begin operations in Q1-2008. It is expected that this $2 billion Taiwanese dollar capital investment will make NexPower the leading producer of the largest size solar cells in Taiwan.

ULVAC has been mainly providing solar cell manufacturing equipment to companies in Japan since the early 1980's. In the 1990's, ULVAC focused heavily on the commercialization of TFT-LCD based FPD manufacturing equipment and technology. Today, as a result of increased inquiries from prospective customers about thin film solar cell manufacturing equipment, ULVAC is once again focusing on solar cell manufacturing technology and plans to bring their extensive FPD manufacturing line expertise over to the solar cell manufacturing side of their business. Few, if any companies are able to match ULVAC's breadth and depth of thin film production equipment experience and the handling of large, fragile substrates in a high volume manufacturing line environment.

[meinolf67]

Das DÜNNSCHICHT-Universum (neue fett)
=========================

CdTe
First Solar
Antec Solar
AVA Solar
Prime Star Solar
Calyxo

CI(G)S
Glas
Würth
Avancis
Solibro
Showa Shell

Flex
Global Solar
Sulfurcell
Ascent
Nanosolar
Miasole
Heliovolt
Odersun
Solarion
PV-Flex
Solopower

unklar
Honda
Johanna


a-SI
Uni-Solar
Powerfilm
SHARP
Formosun
Nanowin
Kenmos

AMAT:
- Sunfilm
- Signet Solar
- Moser Baer
- E-Ton
- Suntech (?)
- Brilliant 234.
- T-Solar (Spanien)
- Malibu (JV Schüco+E.ON)
- SolarMorph (?)
- GET Green Energy Technology

Unaxis/Oerlikon:
- Schott Solar
- Ersol
- Inventux
- CMC Magnetics

Ulvac:
- Kaneka
- MHI
- NexPower


EXOTEN:
Konarka
G24
Biosolar


Zulieferer:
Solar Thin Films
Pfeiffer
Applied Materials
Oerlikon
Dyesol
ULVAC

[meinolf67]

noch ein AMAT-Kunde:

XinAo Enters Solar Market with Contract for Applied Materials' SunFab Thin Film Line

By BusinessWire
HEIBEI, China, BUSINESS WIRE -- XinAo Group announced its entry into the solar energy market with its plan to establish China's leading photovoltaic (PV) module production line. As part of this strategy, XinAo has signed a contract with Applied Materials, Inc. for an Applied SunFab(TM) Thin Film production line with state-of-the-art PV technology using 5.7m2 glass substrates. With an optional tandem junction upgrade, the line will be capable of producing modules to generate more than 50MW of electricity, as the first phase of a planned 500MW capacity plant in China.

XinAo celebrated the signing of this contract at an event on November 13, 2007, attended by Mr. Wang Yusuo, chairman of XinAo and Franz Janker, executive vice president of Applied Materials.

Mr. Wang commented, "Photovoltaic module manufacturing is a very important part of our strategy to provide clean energy to China and other countries of the world. We are leveraging our history of innovation and experience in energy production and utilization to develop this renewable alternative energy solution at competitive pricing. We have selected Applied Materials as a key contributor to this project because of its leadership in ultra-large area processing and its successful 23 year history of providing systems and support to China's semiconductor manufacturers."

"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with XinAo on their first solar project and we value their trust in our ability to help make this new venture a success," said Mr. Janker. "Since the Applied SunFab Thin Film Line uses 5.7m2 substrates that are four times bigger than today's typical solar modules, XinAo can use efficiencies of scale to lower both manufacturing and installation costs. These large substrates will accelerate the development of a cost-effective solution for clean renewable energy."

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology(TM) solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. Applied Materials applies Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

XinAo Group is a leading company in clean energy integration solutions led by technology innovation. Xinao Group has built an energy industrial value chain consisting of energy exploitation, energy transformation and energy distribution. XinAo has more than 20,000 employees and total assets of RMB18 billion. It has more than 100 subsidiaries and offices in over 60 cities in China and in other countries including Australia, U.K. and the U.S.A. Learn more at www.xinaogroup.com.

[meinolf67]

a-SI:


China Solar Power Enters Thin Film Solar Cell Market in China by Forging Strategic Alliance with ULVAC, Inc. of Japan

October 26, 2007　ULVAC, Inc.

China Solar Power (Holdings) Ltd. (“CSP”), a subsidiary of Tano China Capital Management, Inc. (TCCMI), a private equity investment management company focusing on Chinese companies and industries, enters the thin film solar cell market in China by partnering with ULVAC, Inc. of Japan. ULVAC is a leading solar cell manufacturer headquartered in Chigasaki, Japan. ULVAC’s President and CEO is Mr. Hidenori Suwa. TCCMI’s Managing Directors are Messrs. Charles E. Johnson and Chi-Jen Frank Liu.

ULVAC, CSP and its affiliate Tano China Private Equity Fund II signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement in Chigasaki on October 17, 2007. The objective of the Strategic Alliance is to collaborate to enhance ULVAC’s position as a leading provider of thin film photovoltaic (PV) production lines worldwide and CSP’s position as the leading thin film solar cell manufacturer in China. CSP has selected Yantai, in Shandong Province in Northwest China as the site of its first manufacturing facilities.

The PV Production Lines supplied by ULVAC utilize Generation 5 (G5) sized glass substrates (1100 x 1400 mm) designed for full-scale solar power generation plants. The lines are first of a kind large-sized manufacturing lines to be produced in China for the Chinese and worldwide markets. The plant will initially produce modules based on single junction amorphous silicon (a-Si) technology with an annual capacity of about 50 MW. CSP will quickly transition the production lines to produce tandem junction modules with a higher-efficiency rating. The annual capacity for the line with the higher efficiency module is expected to increase from 50 MW to approximately 64MW in 2010.

The lines will incorporate plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) equipment, laser scribers, sputtering equipment and encapsulation equipment. ULVAC will install and commission the production lines at CSP’s Yantai plant and train CSP’s operations personnel.

ULVAC has invested approximately 3,000 million yen to set up a new thin film solar cell manufacturing demonstration line utilizing G5 size substrates at its Chigasaki headquarters. ULVAC has already started experimenting with real substrates and plans to operate fully by November 2007. ULVAC’s demonstration line can manufacture and evaluate a-Si thin film solar cells as well as a-Si/μ-c Si tandem structure thin film solar cells stacked with μ-c Si films. The latter generates higher power generation efficiency of at least 9%.

Since the early 1980s, ULVAC has supplied manufacturing equipment for solar cells largely to domestic Japanese companies. Since 1990, Flat Panel Display (FPD) manufacturing equipment technology and in particular TFT-LCD technology, has rapidly evolved and added value to solar cell manufacturing equipment. This has led to greatly increased market demand worldwide for solar cell manufacturing lines. ULVAC has supplied not only the solar cell manufacturing lines but also installation and commissioning of the lines and training for customer personnel.

•China Solar Power Ltd
China Solar Power Ltd was founded in 2007 as a solar cell manufacturing company specializing in thin film technologies. It is sponsored by Tano China Capital Management, Inc., a private equity investment management company jointed owned by Tano Capital, LLC (Mr. Charles E. Johnson of the U.S.) and an investment group headed by Mr. Chi-Jen Frank Liu of Taiwan.

•Tano China Private Equity Fund Ⅱ L.P.
Limited partnership organized in 2007 under the laws of the Cayman Islands whose primary focus is on investing in Chinese companies and industries

•ULVAC, Inc.
Date of Foundation: August 23, 1952
Capital: 13,467,790,000 Yen
Consolidated Net Sales: 212,500,000,000 Yen（June 2006）
CEO: Hidenori Suwa
Location: 2500 Hagizono, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, 253-8543

[meinolf67]

ULVAC

Asia Pulse, November 19, 2007 Monday 2:27 PM EST


Ulvac Inc. (TSE:6728) is gearing up to mass produce manufacturing equipment for thin-film solar cells.

The company spent 3 billion yen ($27US.2 million) to build a dedicated production line for the manufacturing equipment in its main plant in Kanagawa Prefecture. Installation was completed in September. At present, mass production of solar cells is being tested and production quality is being confirmed.

The equipment uses glass substrates of 1.1 x 1.4 meters from which solar cells capable of generating 100 watts of electricity can be produced.

Ulvac has already clinched orders for two Taiwanese solar cell producers, and two sets of integrated manufacturing systems have also been ordered by a Chinese solar cell producer.

Ulvac plans to turn out 20 sets in the year ending June 2012 and aims to boost sales to 100 billion yen.

Although less efficient than conventional solar cells, thin-film solar cells are in demand because they use less silicon and thus are cheaper to produce.

(Nikkei)

[meinolf67]

PV in Japan: Ulvac's thin-film push, Kyocera takes orders

November 21, 2007 - Ulvac is gearing up for mass production of thin-film solar cells, having spent 3B yen (~$27.2M) for a dedicated production line at its main plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, where after equipment installation in September, production is currently being tested and quality confirmed, notes the Nikkei Business Daily. The equipment utilizes 1.1m x 1.4m glass substrates, from which about 100W worth of solar cells can be produced.

The company already has orders in hand from two Taiwan solar cell producers, plus two sets of systems going to a Chinese solar cell firm. About 20 units are planned to be produced by the year ending 2012, with sales topping 100B yen (~$901M), the paper notes.


Meanwhile, Sekisui Chemical, a resin processor and prefabricated-home builder, is diversifying its sources of solar power systems, now aiming to buy 30% of its needs from Kyocera in addition to longtime supplier Sharp, notes the Nikkei daily. Sharp's monocrystalline cells cost about 2M yen ($18K) to install in a typical single-family home, while Kyocera's polycrystalline systems should cost about 3.5% less, the paper notes.

[meinolf67]

HelioVolt on Nanosolar's Heels
Less than a week after Nanosolar announced it had begun thin-film production, another copper-indium-gallium-selenide company selects a location for its first factory.
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow December 20, 2007
Vinod Khosla
HelioVolt's CIGS can be incorporated into roof tiles and building materials, making the solar technology invisible and the benefits it offers cheap.
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Advertisement

In another sign of growth for thin-film solar, HelioVolt Corp. on Thursday said it has pinned down a location for its first manufacturing facility.

The 20-megawatt factory, expected to begin production next year, is slated for the Expo Business Park in Austin, Texas. In October, HelioVolt -- also based in Austin -- closed a $101 million Series B round of venture-capital funding, which it will use to finance the construction (see HelioVolt Gets More Cash for Thin Solar).

"We are delighted to be entering the next stage of growth with our first factory," HelioVolt CEO B.J. Stanbery said in a written statement.

The details about HelioVolt's thin-film plant come on the heels of an announcement earlier this week that Nanosolar had begun production of its first commercial thin-film panels (see Nanosolar Begins Production).

Thin-film solar technologies use little or no silicon, a potential advantage in today's worldwide shortage of solar-grade silicon. Instead of slicing wafers of silicon crystals to make solar cells, thin-film companies coat plastics, glass or other substrates with thin films of material that convert sunlight into electricity.

Advocates say such technologies could drastically reduce the cost of solar power. But in spite of decades of research, thin films had proven difficult to produce cost-effectively until last year, when First Solar churned out 60 megawatts of cadmium-telluride films.

In 2006, thin-film solar grew from 5.8 to 7.5 percent of the worldwide solar-electric equipment production, according to a report by Greentech Media Research and the Prometheus Institute. The report projected that thin films would continue to gain market share, reaching about 20 percent by 2010, making up 2.5 gigawatts of capacity and nearly $5 billion in module sales.

Still, many thin-film technologies -- including cadmium-telluride -- have lower conversion efficiencies than traditional solar cells, meaning they convert sunlight into electricity less efficiently (see Does Going Organic Require Exaggeration?).

HelioVolt and Nanosolar are among the companies pursuing a copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) film, a technology which has converted sunlight into electricity more efficiently than other thin-film technologies in tests.

[meinolf67]

Nanosolar said Tuesday it has begun production at its San Jose, Calif., facility and has shipped its commercial thin-film panels to its first customer, Beck Energy.

The thin-film startup also announced that it has been selected to supply its Nanosolar Utility Panels for a 1-megawatt solar-power plant, being put together by Beck, on the site of a former landfill in eastern Germany.

"This is the first time that a solar-electricity cell and panel have been designed entirely and specifically for utility-scale power generation," Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen said in a written statement. "It will set the standard for green power generation at utility scale."

On the Web site, Roscheisen called the news "a major milestone" helping to define the industry and said the company had had to overcome what "appeared to be mile-high concrete walls in our path" during five years of product development to get to this point.

Roscheisen claims Nanosolar's copper-indium-gallium-diselenide panels are the world's most efficient and lowest cost thin-film panels and have the lowest accompanying balance-of-system costs (the nonpanel costs, including installation).

He didn't give a number for the efficiency of the panels, but wrote that the panels deliver five times the electric current of any other thin-film panel on the market today.

He added that Nanosolar could profitably sell solar panels for as little as 99 cents per watt, but didn't give information about the price range Nanosolar actually expects to offer -- instead saying that pricing will be based on supply and demand "as in any business."

"Some market segments require lower price points that others," he wrote in an e-mail. "You're going to see a mix of prices. As we ramp volume, you're going to see lower and lower prices in the marketplace. In general, we have no interest in starting a price war with First Solar."

Instead of slicing wafers of silicon crystals to make solar cells, thin-film companies coat plastics, glass or other substrates with thin films of material that convert sunlight into electricity. Thin films can potentially use far less photovoltaic material, an advantage during a worldwide shortage of solar-grade silicon.

But in spite of decades of research, thin films had proven difficult and expensive to produce and had gone nowhere for years. Then companies began bringing new technologies from other high-tech areas, such as semiconductors, and production began growing last year.

Nanosolar isn't the first thin-film company to reach the market.

Last year, First Solar churned out 60 megawatts of its cadmium-telluride cells, becoming the largest solar producer in the United States, according to Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute, a Greentech Media Research partner (see Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production). The company has since grown its annual capacity to 210 megawatts and has announced plans to add another 480 megawatts of capacity (see Thin-Film Solar Production to Leap Forward).

And United Solar Ovonic and Schott Solar are among those producing amorphous-silicon films. United has the capacity to produce 28 megawatts and Schott, which announced that it began production last month, expects to have the capacity to produce up to 33 megawatts by next year (see Thin-Film Solar Gets Another Boost).

But Nanosolar is among the first to market with copper-indium-gallium-diselenide, which is potentially more efficient than other thin-film materials. The company also said last week it was nearing production at its German facility (see Nanosolar Chooses German Town for Solar Plant).

"This could signal the beginning of thin-film solar's ascension -- earlier than most people anticipated," said Eric Wesoff, a senior analyst at Greentech Media.

Wesoff said the efficiency of the units is important to know, but added that if Nanosolar can really sell the panels and make a profit at 99 cents per watt, then Roscheisen and his investors "have kicked absolute ass."

"They have tamed an ornery materials system, scaled up a tricky new manufacturing process and opened a hungry sales channel," he said. "Despite the naysayers -- myself included -- and technical challenges, if these panels ship at the right price in 2008, Nanosolar is a tribute to Silicon Valley technologists and entrepreneurs and VC risk takers."

If things go well, Wesoff also said he would expect a liquidity event in 2008 or 2009. But Nanosolar isn't out of the woods yet, he added.

"On the other hand, these first three commercial units might be conspicuous [in] their lonesomeness and their rarity worthy of an eBay collectible if a lot of things don't go right as they scale to volume production," he said.

One of the company's first three commercial panels is being auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to charitable causes.

[MontPelerin]

Hi Meinolf,

großartiger Thread! Danke dafür.

Bei Antec und Inventux ist eine indirekte Beteiligung über die börsennotierte Capital Stage möglich.

Als Zulieferer für CIS will sich in Zukunft Centrotherm etablieren.

Dazu folgendes aus einer Centro-Analyse:

Besides the wafer-based business, centrotherm is also planning to offer a turn-key 30MW CIS
thin-film fab with guaranteed module efficiencies. Such a solution is currently unrivalled. We note
that it was mainly the efficiency guarantee that led to centrotherm photovoltaics’s prime market
position in wafer-based solar five years ago. At that time, the company started with 13.7%
conversion efficiency at SolarWorld Deutsche Solar and Q-Cells. Demand for a turn-key line
should be high as the technology avoids the expensive polysilicon and the production technology
is tough to master for new entrants. Solartech’s subsidiary Sunshine is centrotherm’s first
customer for this product offering and has placed a €40m order.
However, this could also pose a big risk to centrotherm photovoltaics as it has so far only
supplied CIS equipment to Berlin-based Hahn-Meitner institute and its spin-off Sulfurcell.
Established players like Avancis (Shell & Saint Gobain), Showa Shell, Solibro, or Würth Solar
needed many years of development to reach a stable production on a bigger scale. Recently,
also Johanna Solar had to admit delays in its production ramp-up. Nevertheless, we believe it
only a question of time until the manufacturing know-how transfers from the producers to the
equipment suppliers, as has happened in nearly all of the wafer-based equipment and
amourphous silicon thin-films.


Company Technology Capacity target 2008 (MW)

Ascent Solar CIS 1.5
Avancis CIS 20
DayStar Technologies CIGS 20
Global Solar Energy CIS 30
HelioVolt CIS n.a.
Honda CIS 27.5
Johanna Solar CIGSSe 30
Miasole CIS 50
Nanosolar CIGS n.a.
Odersun CISCuT 5
Showa Shell CIS 20
Solibro CIGS 30
Sulfurcell CIS 5
Würth Solar CIGS 30

[Kaufangebot]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.852.022 von MontPelerin am 23.12.07 13:04:42

Bei Antec und Inventux ist eine indirekte Beteiligung über die börsennotierte Capital Stage möglich.

Bei Antec auch über die Ecovest AG (WKN 685820).
s. http://www.schnigge.de/quote-center/telefonhandel-kurse.html

[Snakedevil]

Wann denkt ihr kommt eine Kurskorrektur?

[Maverick22]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.854.265 von Snakedevil am 23.12.07 16:47:07

bei dieser Aktie gibt es keine korrektur!!

[meinolf67]

Oerlikon Solar Expands in Asia-Pacific, European Markets
1 02, 2008 16:57
Nikkei Electronics Asia

Oerlikon Solar said it has been awarded contracts by Taiwan's Auria Solar Co Ltd with a 60MWp thin-film solar module production line and Italy's Pramac SpA with a 30MWp thin-film solar module production lines.

These production lines include Oerlikon Solar's micromorph tandem technology that combines two different silicon materials - amorph and microcrystalline - boosting energy conversion efficiency levels by up to 50% compared to traditional amorphous single cells.

The agreement marks the company's second major contract in Taiwan in 2007.
With the Auria Solar contract, Taiwan will exceed a total production capacity of 100MWp. As the company's first contract in Italy/Switzerland, it also marks the first time for Oerlikon Solar's Swiss manufacturing technology to be produced in Switzerland.

[sonnenschein_07]

Hi an alle
Kennt einer von euch noch eine Aktie die genau so viel wachspotenzial hat wie First Solar?
das wäre net von euch
Danke

[meinolf67]

Jan 04, 2008

Tatung Corp., United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) and CMC Magnetics Corp. will start putting their thin-film solar-cell ventures into volume production soon in 2008, becoming Taiwan's top three suppliers of the cells.

CMC's Sun Well Solar Corp. is expected to become the first of the three to begin the volume production, with its production date
set in April. The company will fit itself out with two production lines in the initial stage, turning out 40 megawatts of cells a year. It has ordered the equipment from some international heavyweight suppliers.

Sun Well estimates its revenue for 2008 at NT$4 billion (US$125 million at US$1:NT$32) and expects to turn profitable in 2009.

Sun Well is planning to upgrade its cell's photovoltaic conversion ratio to 12% from barely 10% and boost its output to one gigawatt of cells in 2012, making it tie with No.1 player Sharp.

Tatung's Green Energy Technology Inc. began photovoltaic business with crystalline-ingot production and has recently expanded into thin-film solar cell production. The company plans to install a production line some time in the first half of 2008 to turn out 30 megawatts of cells a year and boost the output to over 50 megawatts in 2009, when the company will likely begin making money.

Green Energy expected new business to help its revenue for 2008 soar past the NT$10 billion (US$312 million) land. The company's crystalline-ingot business now puts out 200 megawatts of products a year, becoming Taiwan's No.1 producer of the material.

Tatung is also eying wind-power business, making it one of the few Taiwanese household-appliance makers striding into clean-energy and information-technology sectors.

UMC's NextPower Technology Corp. is planning to begin volume production by the end of the second quarter of 2008. The company will double output to 25 megawatts by the end of 2008 from 12.5 megawatts planned for the initial stage.

Industry watchers pointed out that strained supplies of poly crystalline silicon, a major material for making solar cells, have inspired solar-cell makers to seek thin films as alternative to poly silicon. They noted that poly silicon has been bidden up to US$400 a kilogram in price.

Thin-film substrates, which are mostly made of plastic, glass or metal, use only one hundredth of the silicon volume that a poly silicon substrate requires, making them price competitive.

Cell-making equipment suppliers estimate thin-film business will likely create a market pie worth of over NT$100 billion (US$3.12 billion) a year for them once the film become a mainstream material. Currently, thin-film cells have taken up only a minor 3% of global solar-cell market.

According to the government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), global demands for solar cells will post a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4% between 2006 and 2010. In 2010, global installations of the cells are estimated at 15,340 megawatts, or, by value, US$46.8 billion.

source & copyright: CENS

[meinolf67]

Fertigungslinien für Photovoltaik-Dünnschichtsolarmodule: Oerlikon Solar baut Marktposition aus
Ein Roboter entlädt mit einer Oerlikon-Anlage beschichtete Glasplatten

Ein Roboter entlädt mit einer
Oerlikon-Anlage beschichtete
Glasplatten


Oerlikon Solar (Trübbach, Schweiz), führender Anbieter von Micromorph-Tandem-Produktionslösungen für Dünnschichtsolarzellen, liefert Fertigungslinien mit einer Produktionskapazität von 60 Megawatt (MWp) an Taiwans die Auria Solar Co. Ltd. und mit 30 MWp an die in Italien ansässige PRAMAC SpA. Oerlikon habe mit diesen neuen Verträgen im Jahr 2007 insgesamt Solar-Produktionsanlagen im Umfang von über 650 Millionen Schweizer Franken (rund 297 Mio. EUR) in die Auftragsbücher gebucht, berichtet das Unternehmen in einer Pressemitteilung. Die modernsten Fertigungslinien enthalten die innovative mikromorphe Tandem-Technologie von Oerlikon Solar, welche zwei unterschiedliche Siliziummaterialien verbindet (amorph und mikrokristallin). Dadurch werde der Wirkungsgrad gegenüber traditionellen amorphen Einzelzellen um bis zu 50 Prozent gesteigert. Die abgeschlossen Verträge stellen Oerlikon Solars zweiten Großauftrag in Taiwan im Jahr 2007 und den ersten Auftrag in Italien/Schweiz dar. Erfreulich für Oerlikon Solar sei, dass die Produktionsanlagen der in Italien beheimateten Pramac im Kanton Tessin (Schweiz) angesiedelt werde. Die Schweizer Herstellungstechnologie von Oerlikon Solar werde nun zum ersten Mal in der Schweiz selbst in Produktion gehen. Mit dem Vertrag von Auria Solar werde Taiwan eine Gesamtproduktionskapazität von 100 MWp überschreiten.


Ziele für 2007 mit neuen Großaufträgen übertroffen

"Die Aufträge von Auria Solar und Pramac SpA unterstreichen unsere führende Position kosteneffiziente, vollautomatisierte Fertigungslinien für Dünnschicht-Solarmodule anzubieten. Mit diesen zusätzlichen Aufträgen hat Oerlikon Solar jetzt alle Ziele für 2007 übertroffen", kommentiert Jeannine Sargent, Vorstandsvorsitzende von Oerlikon Solar. Die kundenspezifischen Solarlösungen demonstrierten das wachsende Marktvertrauen in die Dünnschichtsilizium-Solartechnologie des Unternehmens. "Die Tatsache, dass es weltweit keinen anderen Hersteller von Produktionsanlagen für Solarmodule gibt, der an unsere hochmodernen Technologien herankommt, erlaubt uns unsere Marktanteile weiter auszubauen," so Dr. Uwe Krüger, Vorstand von Oerlikon.


Komplette Solarmodul-Fertigungslösung

Die hochmoderne Oerlikon Solar-Fertigungslinie erlaubt die Herstellung von Dünnschichtsilizium-Solarmodulen. Diese schlüsselfertige, durchgehende Fertigungslösung umfasst den gesamten Produktionsprozess, von der Glasreinigung und der In-Line-Inspektion bis zur Prüfung der fertigen Solarmodule. Ein zusätzliches Unterscheidungsmerkmal sei, dass Oerlikon Solar für die Inbetriebnahme der Anlagen und die effiziente Sicherstellung des Produktionsaufbaus ein Gesamtpaket inklusive Services anbiete. Beide Verträge enthalten nach Angaben des Unternehmens zudem die gesamte Oerlikon-Messtechnik zur Qualitätskontrolle, das "Back End" der Modulherstellung und die eigene Prozesstechnologie. Von höchster Bedeutung seien die von Oerlikon Solar patentrechtlich geschützten TCO-Schichten. Diese spielten beim Lichteinfang in die dünne photovoltaische Schicht eine zentrale Rolle und optimierten so den Wirkungsgrad. "Diese einzigartigen Eigenschaften verbessern die Leistung der Solarmodule und reduzieren direkt die Kosten pro Watt peak", heißt es in der Pressemitteilung.

"Die Kundennachfrage für Solarmodule wächst rasch. Das setzt innovative und bewährte Technologien, schlüsselfertige Lösungen und Kundenservice voraus, der uns erlauben wird, die Produktion so schnell und effizient wie möglich zu steigern", sagte Dr. Tsai, CEO von Auria Solar. "Oerlikon Solar bietet die stärkste Kombination dieser Qualitäten an und hat mehrfach bewiesen, dass sich ihre Anlagen nicht nur in der Praxis bewährt haben, sondern dass sie auch fähig sind, die Systeme zeitgerecht zu liefern", so Tsai weiter.

"Wir haben diese wichtige Investition getätigt, weil wir fest an erneuerbare Energie glauben", sagte Paolo Campinoti, Geschäftsführer von Pramac. "Es handelt sich dabei nach wie vor um einen jungen Markt, der uns erlaubt, großes Wachstum zu erzielen. Die neue Technologie, die wir anbieten, wird niedrigere Kosten und höhere Erträge liefern, als die traditionellen Systeme. In unseren Augen ist dies ein wichtiger Schritt unserer konsequenten Geschäftsentwicklung und eine zusätzliche Bestätigung dafür, dass wir die Versprechen, die wir anlässlich des Börsenganges gemacht haben, jetzt einlösen," so Campinoti.

07.01.2008 Quelle: Oerlikon Solar

[meinolf67]

ULVAC Production Lines To Support Taiwan-Based Thin-Film PV Operation
in News Departments > Projects & Contracts
by SI Staff on Monday 07 January 2008
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Gueishan, Taiwan-based Fortune Group is establishing an affiliated company, Sunner Solar Corp., to start production of thin-film solar cells in summer 2008 in Taiwan. To commence operations, the company has concluded a package contract for the purchase and introduction of thin-film production lines with Japan-based ULVAC Inc.

Sunner Solar says it expects to increase production within three years by expanding in China, to achieve a total production scale of 100 MW. ULVAC will participate in this expansion with its thin-film solar cell technology incorporating a tandem structure with a microcrystal (u-Si) layer.

The company adds that it will use fifth-generation glass substrates in production lines composed of a thin-film formation process, including CVD, laser processing and sputtering systems, and a subsequent assembly process. ULVAC will supply the equipment and start-up production training.

[meinolf67]

SCHOTT Supplies First Shipments From New Thin-Film Factory
in News Departments > Products & Technology
by SI Staff on Thursday 10 January 2008
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SCHOTT Solar says its sales partners have received their first deliveries of the new SCHOTT ASI 86 thin-film solar modules, produced at the company's new manufacturing facility in Jena, Germany.

"The production quantities for 2008 are almost all sold already," says Michael Schmidt, sales manager at SCHOTT Solar. "We have to thank our sales partners for their support and the trust they've placed in us."

The SCHOTT ASI 86 is well-suited for large roofs and open spaces, and produces around 86 W of nominal power output. Especially with a less favourable roof orientation and in warmer regions, the ASI modules produce a higher energy yield than crystalline modules, the company says. Convenient installation is also a positive economic factor, SCHOTT adds. The ready-to-use, lightweight ASI 86 glass foil modules are designed for simple and inexpensive system integration.

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.010.855 von meinolf67 am 10.01.08 18:59:13

Wissen wir da etwas über den Anlagenbauer oder macht Schott alles selbst?

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.011.036 von MontPelerin am 10.01.08 19:11:17

Schott ist meines Wissens der erste Oerlikon-Kunde; dann kam ErSol,

irgendwann API (wer weiß noch wer das war?),...

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.012.665 von meinolf67 am 10.01.08 21:08:00

Ja, so steht es ja auch in allen Übersichten in diesem Thread. Manchmal bin ich blind...


Unaxis Solar erhält weiteren Großauftrag
Die Solar-Sparte des schweizerischen Mischkonzerns Unaxis Holding AG (ISIN CH0000816824/ WKN 863037) hat von der deutschen SCHOTT Solar GmbH einen Großauftrag erhalten.


Wie der Industriekonzern am Dienstag bekannt gab, beinhaltet das Abkommen die Lieferung von zwei integrierten Produktionsanlagen (KAI 1200 PECVD) und der dazu gehörigen Laser Scribing Systeme. Unaxis Solar liefert dabei sowohl die kompletten Fertigungsanlagen als auch das komplexe Prozess-Know-how, das für die Produktion der Solarmodule mindestens ebenso wichtig ist wie die maschinelle Hardware, teilte der Konzern weiter mit.

Das Auftragsvolumen wurde auf 50 Mio. Schweizer Franken (CHF) beziffert. Damit konte Unaxis Solar bereits innrerhalb kürzester Zeit den zweiten Großauftrag verbuchen. Zuvor hatte die ErSol Solar Energy AG (ISIN DE0006627532/ WKN 662753) einen Letter of Intent (LOI) über Fertigungsanlagen für Silizium-Dünnschichtmodule mit Unaxis Solar unterzeichnet.


zu API:

Pfäffikon SZ, December 6, 2006 - Oerlikon Solar has been awarded a contract totalling CHF 320 million from German API GmbH in Offenbach. The order includes eight Kai 1200 systems, 40 laser scribing and 16 TCO systems as well as the associated processing equipment. Oerlikon Solar will supply turnkey production systems with an annual produced capacity of 160 MW. API will use these systems to construct the largest European plant for the manufacture of thin-film solar modules in Germany. API is backed by a group of Saudi investors who are entering the future market of thin-film solar power with this initial investment.

The expansion of Oerlikon's new solar business is exceeding all expectations. This division, which was only founded in early 2006, has already posted major orders from Schott Solar GmbH as well as ErSol Thinfilm GmbH with an order volume of over CHF 100 million. "The present order brings us into entirely new dimensions, both in sheer investment volume as well as in the customer base," says Thomas Limberger, CEO of Oerlikon. "This order also demonstrates the potential of Oerlikon thin-film technology, with its powerful growth rate and profit margins high up in the two-digit range."

...usw...


API ist eigentlich recht interessant, weil es so ein ganz klassisches Turn-Key-Ding ist. Viel Geld und sonst nichts. Meinolf, Du siehst ja solche Projekte kritisch, wie ich weiß. Anhand der weiteren Entwicklung von API könnte man ganz gut sehen, wie groß die Schwierigkeiten für branchenframde Investoren ohne eigenes Technologie-know-how sind.
Derzeit weiß ich aber über API eigentlich gar nichts. Der Auftrag für Oerlikon war jedenfalls wirklich fett.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.014.991 von MontPelerin am 11.01.08 07:49:35

Also ich denke, API war nur heiße Luft.

Man hat nie wieder was von denen gehört.

[meinolf67]

11.01.2008 08:04
Oerlikon to set up solar panel facility in Singapore

ZURICH (Thomson Financial) - OC Oerlikon Corporation AG (News/Aktienkurs) said it will set up a solar panel facility in Singapore, a move that the Swiss industrial group said will boost its presence and proximity to customers in Asia.

The facility will be the second solar panel facility after the one set up at its its headquarters in Switzerland.

The facility will initially employ approximately 100 people and is planned to be completed within a year.

Oerlikon's solar unit's sales have exceeded this years planning and are expected to rise to more than 700 mln sfr in 2008, with growth rates exceeding 50 pct over the next years, said the group.

According to market forecasts, Asia is expected to become one of the leading areas for solar panel production.

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.016.341 von meinolf67 am 11.01.08 10:19:40

Ich weiß nicht... ich würde die noch nicht abschreiben. Der Auftrag an Oerlikon ist noch nicht sehr alt und vielleicht kann man aus dem Oerlikon-Geschäftsbericht für 2007 dann etwas ableiten. Der müsste Ende März kommen.

Jedenfalls hatte Oerlikon zum Halbjahr 2007 in der Solarsparte 127 Mio. Franken Umsatz abgerechnet und zum Jahresende wollen sie 300 Mio. erzielen - davon die Masse im vierten Quartal (zum dritten Q gabs keine Details).

Da könnte ja einiges von API bei sein - ein Jahr nach Auftragserteilung - nicht sehr schnell, aber realistisch.

Jedenfalls denke ich, dass die Scheichs bei einem so hohen Einsatz Erfolg haben wollen - sie hätten dafür verdammt viele Rennpferde kaufen können.

Also, ich meine, wir hören 2008 bestimmt was von API - aber holprig wirds wahrscheinlich schon. Die geplante Dimension ist aber auf jeden Fall relevant.

[MontPelerin]

Ob sich diese Sorgen vor allem auf CIGS beziehen? Ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass CdTe relativ schnell ein Ressourcenproblem bekommt, während CIGS doch für ein paar dutzend Gigawatt gut sein könnte.


BOSTON, Jan 15, 2008 (Thomson Financial via COMTEX) -- AMAT | news | PowerRating | PR Charts -- Semiconductor capital equipment companies are facing a weak capital spending environment, according to Pacific Crest Securities, which said Applied Materials Inc. could benefit from better-than-expected flat-panel-display business and progress in its solar efforts.

"While we have several long-term concerns about Applied Materials' solar strategy, we believe the stock could move up meaningfully on positive solar news at the company's analyst event on Jan. 17," Pacific Crest said.

The firm suggested such news could include new contracts for Applied's SunFab thin-film line, meaningful progress against milestones for its first SunFab, the formal introduction of roll-to-roll or other new solar technology, or solar cost-per-watt progress toward $1 per watt.

Pacific Crest said investors with a short-term horizon may do well to buy shares ahead of Applied's analyst event because downside risk is limited and the stock may benefit from flat-panel-display strength and solar progress.

However, Pacific maintained a sector perform rating on the stock because it is concerned that Applied may be focusing on the wrong approach to solar in the long term. The firm said it fears the company's SunFab line may not be cost-competitive with other emerging thin-film solar technologies, which could affect the long-term health of its solar division.

Shares of Applied Materials, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based manufacturer of semiconductor fabrication equipment, rose 31 cents to $16.71. Greg Saulnier gs/vj

[MontPelerin]

Einer weniger?

Oder will man nur die Altlasten einer unrühmlichen Vergangenheit entsorgen und neu anfangen?



Hamburg (aktiencheck.de AG) - Die Capital Stage AG (ISIN DE0006095003 / WKN 609500), Hamburg, gibt bekannt, dass ein Unternehmen ihres Beteiligungsportfolios, die ANTEC Solar Energy International AG, Arnstadt, einen Antrag auf Eröffnung des Insolvenzverfahrens beim Amtsgericht Erfurt gestellt hat.

Die Capital Stage AG ist mit 23,6% an der ANTEC Solar Energy International AG beteiligt. An einem Fortführungskonzept wird derzeit gearbeitet. Sollte das Fortführungskonzept nicht erfolgreich umgesetzt werden können, könnte eine vollständige Wertberichtigung erforderlich werden.

[HansOhlemasse]

Chinese solar firm plotting IPO
Qiangsheng Photovoltaic Technology Co Ltd signals plans for $250m IPO

BusinessGreen Staff, BusinessGreen, 24 Jan 2008
China-based thin film solar panel manufacturer Qiangsheng Photovoltaic Technology Co Ltd has become the latest renewable energy firm to signal an interest in a stock market floatation as it seeks to fund its expansion plans.

According to Reuters' reports, the company is planning a $250m Nasdaq IPO later this year or early next. Company chairman Sha Xiaolin said that a listing represented the "only way to fulfil our expansion ambition".

The company, which manufactures thin film solar cells and panels that require significantly less costly silicon than conventional systems, recently opened its first production line boasting a capacity of 25MW a year, but aims to produce 500MW a year by 2010.

Despite the current stock market volatility, the company said that it was already in talks with European and US banks about underwriting its IPO and was confident it would float by "the first quarter of 2009 at the latest".

Thin film solar technologies have attracted considerable investor interest in recent years as supply constraints have caused an increase in the price of silicon.

"There's much more room to make profits for thin-film cell makers, than silicon-based ones," Xiaolin told Reuters, adding that the company expects to generate $10 million in net profit this year, rising to $50 million in 2009.

[meinolf67]

CIGS


Global Solar Energy claims new CIGS performance and manufacturing figures Print E-mail
Monday, 28 January 2008
ImageGlobal Solar Energy has claimed that in December, 2007 it became the first Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) thin-film solar manufacturer to achieve an average of 10 percent solar cell efficiency on a flexible substrate over ‘several production runs.’

“A number of CIGS thin film companies have exceeded 10 percent efficiency in the lab or in individual cells, but achieving 10 percent average solar cell efficiency over the course of several sustained, continuous production runs is a significant achievement,” said Dr. Jeffrey Britt, Ph.D., Vice President of Technology at GSE. “This is the culmination of three full years of being in production and evolving our proprietary production techniques to continuously improve the efficiency and output of our production.”

The CIGS manufacturer said that it also manufactured and shipped 4MW of photovoltaic products worldwide in 2007, which was a new record for the company since starting production in 2004.

[meinolf67]

Moser Baer plans 600 MW Thin Film PV capacity with an estimated investment of over $ 1.5 bn

Saturday, February 09, 2008 : Moser Baer India Limited today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, PV Technologies India Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading global equipment supplier to secure supply of critical equipment for a 565 MW phased expansion of its Thin Film photovoltaic modules manufacturing capacity, which together with the current project capacity of 40 MW will take the total manufacturing capacity to over 600 MW by 2010.

Ravi Khanna, CEO, PV said, “Leaders in the PV industry will continue to emerge on the strengths of rapid scale up and technology differentiation. We see an increasingly significant role for Thin Film technologies in meeting peaking power requirements and now aim to be a significant player in this arena.”
Thin film solar modules are ideal for energy farms, rural applications and building integrated Photovoltaic markets. Photovoltaic modules based on large area Thin Film technology provide a path to cost parity between solar generation and grid power. According to market estimates, the Thin Film based solar modules will see large emerging applications and a robust demand that, according to industry estimates is expected to grow ten fold from 250 MW currently to 2GW with a market size of $5 bn by 2010.

[Kurpfaelzer]

Übermorgen -am 13.Febr.- sollen doch die Zahlen kommen.

Was meint ihr ?

Top oder Flop ?

[MontPelerin]

Applied scheint wirklich gut unterwegs zu sein...


Magdeburg/Osterweddingen. Die E.ON AG, Düsseldorf, und die Schüco International KG, Bielefeld, gaben den Startschuss zum Bau einer Produktionsanlage für Solarmodule in Magdeburg/ Osterweddingen. Den Grundstein für das neue Werk der Malibu GmbH & Co. KG (an der Schüco und E.ON mit je 50 Prozent beteiligt sind) legten gemeinsam Wirtschaftsminister Dr. Reiner Haseloff, Magdeburgs Oberbürgermeister Dr. Lutz Trümper, Bürgermeister Erich Wasserthal (Sülzetal-Osterweddingen), Dirk U. Hindrichs (Schüco) sowie die Malibu-Geschäftsführer Markus Ewert und Konrad Kaiser. Bereits ab Herbst 2008 sollen hier neuartige, sogenannte „Dünnschichtmodule“ zur Stromerzeugung produziert werden. Mit dieser Investition in Höhe von 100 Mio. Euro werden rund 150 neue Arbeitsplätze am Standort Osterweddingen geschaffen. Am Standort Bielefeld kommen nochmals 30 Forschungs- und Entwicklungsplätze hinzu.

Das neue Werk entsteht derzeit auf einer Fläche von rund 100.000 Quadratmetern, dies entspricht rund 14 Fußballfeldern, und ist ver-kehrsgünstig an der Autobahn A14 gelegen. Bereits ab Herbst 2008 sollen hier bis zu 5,7 Quadratmeter (2,20 x 2,60 Meter) große Photovoltaik-Module der Marke Schüco mit einer Leistung bis zu 460 Watt entstehen. Die Jahreskapazität der Anlage beträgt 40 Megawatt (MW). Herzstück der Anlage ist eine Maschine des amerikanischen Unternehmens Applied Materials. Applied Materials ist der weltweit führende Maschinenhersteller für die Abscheidung von aktiven Schichten.

Click here to find out more!

Klares Investitionsziel

Zukünftig sollen auch Gebäude einen größeren Beitrag zum Klimaschutz leisten. Schließlich verbrauchen sie mehr als 30 Prozent der gesamten Energie – allein in Deutschland. Maßnahmen zur Energieeinsparung in Kombination mit klimaneutraler Sonnenenergie tragen erheblich dazu bei, den Kohlendioxid (CO2)-Ausstoß nachhaltig zu senken.

Schüco, Spezialist für die Integration von Photovoltaik in modernste Metall-Glas-Fassaden, und die E.ON AG, wollen deshalb die Nutzung des Sonnenstroms künftig wirtschaftlicher machen. Die dazu im Sommer 2007 gegründete Gesellschaft Malibu will die besonders aussichtsreiche Dünnschichttechnologie weiter vorantreiben, so dass sich das Kosten-Nutzen-Verhältnis bei der Integration von Dünnschichtmodulen in die Fassade eines Hauses entscheidend verbessert. Schüco und E.ON sehen ein großes Potential vor allem bei Büro- und Verwaltungsgebäuden, die über zahlreiche Flächen verfügen, die für Photovoltaik genutzt werden können. Malibu soll diese effizienteren Dünnschichtmodule in Bielefeld selbst weiter entwickeln und in Osterweddingen herstellen.

„Immer mehr Architekten beschäftigen sich mit den neuen ästhetischen Möglichkeiten, aber auch mit dem klimaneutralen Beitrag der Solarenergie. Ich bin sicher, dass Solaranlagen bereits in naher Zukunft zum natürlichen Erscheinungsbild eines Gebäudes gehören werden. Mit unserer umfassenden Vision ‚Energy² - Energie gewinnen und Energie sparen’, tragen wir diesem Prozess bereits heute Rechnung“, so Dirk U. Hindrichs, geschäftsführender und persönlich haftender Gesellschafter der Schüco International KG.

Dr. Markus Ewert, Geschäftsführer Malibu: „Die Kraft der Sonne so effizient wie möglich nutzen – das ist das Credo von E.ON als Partner in der Malibu-Solarstromproduktion. Wenn wir die Potenziale der innovativen Dünnschichttechnik konsequent ausnutzen, kann Solarstrom ein wichtiger Teil der Energieversorgung moderner Gebäude werden.“

[meinolf67]

13.02.2008 15:01
OC Oerlikon to provide turnkey solution for Italian co Pramac's solar plant

ZURICH (Thomson Financial) - OC Oerlikon Corporation AG (News/Aktienkurs) said it has signed a deal with Italian firm Pramac SpA (News) to provide a turnkey technology solution for the latter's solar module production plant at a site near Lugano.

The annual capacity of the plant will be 30 megawatt peak, with expansions planned for the coming years, the Swiss industrial group said.

[meinolf67]

Moser Baer to invest over $1.7 billion in expanding thin film photovoltaic capacity
By Surojit Chatterjee
Posted 13 February 2008 @ 10:44 pm EST


NEW DELHI - One of the world's largest manufacturer of optical and magnetic storage, New Delhi-based Moser Baer India is set to invest over $1.7 billion (Rs.6900 crore) in expanding its thin film photovoltaic (PV) capacity by 565 megawatt (MW).

A market leader in making PV modules, Moser Baer Photo Voltaic (MBPV) Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Moser Baer India, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a US-based equipment supplier to secure supply of critical equipment for phased expansion of its thin film PV modules manufacturing capacity in Greater Noida and Chennai.

The MoU will help to increase the company's current manufacturing capacity of 40 MW to 600 MW by 2010, a company official said, adding that the money for expansion will be raised through a mix of debt and equity.

The company will be targeting an annual capacity of 80 MW in the first phase, the official said.

Thin film PV modules use little to no silicon and are known to be less productive than traditional solar panels. Thin film modules are thin material layers ranging from fraction of a nanometer to several micrometers in thickness and are known to use a variety of light absorbing materials like cadmium telluride and are a cost-effective way of converting solar energy into power than the traditional method using crystalline or multi-crystalline silicon wafers.

Even though the efficiency of thin film solar modules is 50-70 percent lower than silicon wafers, the cost reduction can be as high as 50 percent through thin film. Moreover, thin film modules last longer in warmer climes like that of India.

"Leaders in the PV industry will continue to emerge on the strengths of rapid scale up and technology differentiation. We see an increasingly significant role for thin film technologies in meeting peaking power requirements and now aim to be a significant player in this arena," a company statement quoted Ravi Khanna, CEO, MBPV, as saying.

"Thin film solar modules are ideal for energy farms, rural applications and building integrated PV markets. PV modules based on large area thin film technology provide a path to cost parity between solar generation and grid power. According to market estimates, the thin film based solar modules will see large emerging applications and a robust demand that, according to industry estimates is expected to grow ten fold from 250 MW currently to 2GW with a market size of $5 billion by 2010," the company statement said.

And, the capacity expansion would make MBPV, which is seeking a 30 percent market share, a global market leader.

"Thin film solar modules are ideal for energy farms, rural applications and building integrated PV markets. PV panels based on large area thin film technology provide a path to cost parity between solar grid power," the company said in a regulatory filing.

According to a research report by BCC Research Analysis, the global PV market that stood at $12.9 billion in 2007, will grow to an estimated $16 billion by the end of 2008 and is projected to grow to $32.2 billion by 2012.

The rapid growth of PV market will be driven by the global demand for energy of all kinds, the potential problems of climate change, the renewable features of solar energy and improvements in PV technology and materials, it said.

Silicon technology, which accounted for about 89 percent of the PV market in 2007, will continue to dominate, but will represent only 79 percent of the market by 2013.

The research firm estimated that worldwide market for thin film raw materials was at $7.1 billion in 2004 and is projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2009. It said thin films, which accounted for 10 percent of the PV market in 2007, will grow at a 45 percent rate through 2013, driven by improvements in their efficiency and the advent of flexible substrates. Thin films will account for almost 19 percent of the global PV market by 2012, the report said.

MBPV has ambitions of being a major player in the PV business that helps solar energy, which could emerge as a hot business area in the coming years as concerns over global warming makes demand grow for alternative energy sources.

Last year, MBPV invested a lot in consolidating its leadership in the industry. In September it announced that it would set up a solar thin film PV fabrication facility in Chennai for $500 million. At that time, Deepak Puri, managing director, Moser Baer India, said that the total investment throughout India would rise to about $2-2.5 billion in a few years.

In November, the company said it would be investing $150 million in the coming financial year. It also announced that it was setting up a $25 million solar power project in the western state of Rajasthan with an estimated generation capacity of 1-5 MW.

In July, MBPV inked $880 million deal with the Norway-based REC Group for sale and delivery of high-quality, multi-crystalline silicon wafers by REC to MBPV over an eight-year period beginning 2008. REC Silicon and REC Wafer of REC Group are the world's largest producers of polysilicon and wafers for solar applications.

Earlier, MBPV inked a strategic sourcing deal with Deutsche Solar and also acquired a 40 percent equity stake in the Slovenia-based Solarvalue Proizvodnja d.d. which plans to set up a capacity of 4,400 ton solar-grade silicon by end-2008.

Moser Baer is not the only company that wants to enter the game. The shortage of silicon has led to a flurry of investments and interest in creating affordable thin film solar technologies.

Phoenix-based First Solar has proved itself to be one of the leading companies in the arena, particularly after it inked $1 billion in agreements with Babcock & Brown and Ecostream Switzerland last November. First Solar, which is already the largest solar producer in the United States, with a capacity of 60 MW, now has plans to add another 480 MW of capacity.

About Photovoltaic

Photovoltaics (PVs) produce electricity from a light source - sunlight, for instance. A basic photovoltaic, also known as a solar cell, is made by materials such as silicon and thin filaments, commonly used in the micro-electronics industry. Solar cells that are connected together mounted on a frame or platform are called PV modules.

MBPV makes both solar cells as well as modules.

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.363.630 von meinolf67 am 14.02.08 09:47:09

Meinolf, das kann nur AMAT sein, oder?

Tja, die Kapazitäten... Wo ist die Bremse? Das Silangas vielleicht? Ist sicher nicht so schwer herzustellen, wie Solar-Si, oder?

Wenn es keine Bremse gibt, krachen uns die Margen doch zusammen.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.364.511 von MontPelerin am 14.02.08 10:43:20

Also ich denke, Silan ist eher sogar schwerer als SI.

Margen: solange die Tandem-Zellen nicht funktionieren, mache ich mir über a-SI wenig sorgen.

FSLR finde ich auch deswegen so beeindruckend, weiil sie inzwischen bei 10,6% Wirkungsgrad sind.

[Tefel]

Hi! habe gerade erst angefangen mich mit dem thema dünnschicht auseinanderzusetzen... deswegen schon mal sorry, falls meine fragen etwas dumm sind...
Welche TEchnologie erachtet ihr denn für am besten? nach allem was ich bisher gelesen habe scheint ja CIGS am besten zu sein. ABer zur Produktionsreif hat es ja wohl noch keiner gebracht...
Schlussendlich bleibt für mich ja die frage, in welches unternehmen ich investieren soll. Die anzahl der player im markt erscheint mir momentan unglaublich groß. Daher von mir folgender Gedanke: warum nicht in die produzenten der rohstoffe von CIGS investieren? was meint ihr dazu ?
was mir auch noch nicht klar ist: wenn CIGS marktreif wird und wirklich so günstig ist, dann wird es ja jeder nehmen. folglich sollte die rohstoffe (indium, gallium...) ja sehr gefragt sein und auch im preis steigen. dies würde dann aber wiederum doch die CIGS module wieder teurer machen, oder?
Ich bin etwas verwirrt von dem ganzen thema ehrlich gesagt..
Wer ist denn euer Favorit im CIGS bereich?

noch eine frage: welche rohstoffe sind umweltschädlich und müssen irgendwann teuer entsorgt werden? welche technologie ist unter diesem aspekt am günstigsten?
Oerlikon produziert ja auf silizium basis. die wissen vielleicht waruM?

so, würde mich über antworten sehr freuen.
mfg

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.385.934 von Tefel am 15.02.08 20:09:52

Deine Fragen sind nicht zu dumm, sondern zu schwer.

Ein Marktführer bei CIGS könnte(!) vielleicht(!) Nanosolar werden - schau Dir halt mal die Website an. Aber die sind nicht börsennotiert und werden es vermutlich auch lange nicht sein. Die bekommen ja genug Geld von den Google-Jungs.

Bei CIGS könnte vor allem Indium ein Problem sein, aber die Panikberichte, die man darüber hin und wieder liest, könnten falsch sein.

Habe gelesen, es gibt 3x mehr Indium als Silber, also wirklich riesen Mengen, nur die Gewinnung wird immer teurer, je mehr man braucht, denn man löst es vor allem aus Kupfer heraus. Ab einem bestimmten Preis lohnt sich das halt auch, wenn es nur in ganz geringen Mengen im Kupfer enthalten ist.

Ich glaube nicht, dass der Indium-Preis die CIGS-Produktion auf absehbare Sicht bremsen könnte.

Da es aber noch keine CIGS-Industrieproduktion gibt, ist derzeit Tellur vielleicht das spannendere Thema...

Wenn Du auf Dünnschicht setzen willst, ist es derzeit schwer. First Solar ist wahrscheinlich schon deutlich zu teuer - außerdem ist da das Tellur-Problem.

CIGS gibts nix, außer Ascent, die noch nicht mal ne Pilotlinie haben...

Vielleicht Centrotherm als CIGS-Maschinenlieferant (die haben da zumindest was in Arbeit).

Oder - und das ist meine beste Idee, so banal sie ist - Q-Cells - die haben alles an Dünnschicht, was es gibt - aber alles bisher nur Pilotlinien.

Suntech Power baut ab Mitte 2008 ein a-Si-Produktion auf. Da das eh ein tolles Unternehmen ist, wäre das auch ein Gedanke wert.

Die 2. First Solar? Tja, die such ich auch. Bisher vergeblich...

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.385.934 von Tefel am 15.02.08 20:09:52

Wenn Du in Indium als Rohstoff investieren willst, schau' Dir mal Dowa an.

WKN 858423

[Tefel]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.389.229 von meinolf67 am 16.02.08 00:21:04

Hallo! vielen dank erst mal für die schnellen antworten zu diesem extrem spannenden thema!!

Was ist denn Tellur? wird in der technik von First solar verwendet? giftig?

Centrotherm hab ich auch schon überlegt. Auch Oerlikon macht auf mich einen guten eindruck.
Neben Ascent Solar, hab ich mir überlegt, könnte Aleo Solar was sein. Die sind ja an Johanna solar beteiligt. und diese Johanna solar scheinen ja auch recht weit zu sein... was meint ihr?

Im Dowa Thread war ich auch schon.
Falls man hier am Beginn der Kette investiert, stellt sich ja noch folgende Frage: Investiert man in die Rohstoffe selbst (es gibt jetzt ein "rare metal zertifikat von ABN") oder in die Unternehmen (z.b. Dowa) ? Kennt ihr euch mit dem verbrauch der rohstoffe beim bau der solarmodule aus? man müsste das vielleicht mal hochrechnen...
naja, konnte jetzt wenig beitragen. werde versuchen dran zu bleiben und evtl. mal was hochzurechnen. De facto, erscheint mir ein investment am beginn der kette evtl. die sichere variante zu sein. aber dazu müssen wir vielleicht wirklich mal ein paar zahlen und hochrechnungen anstellen.
mfg

[Kaufangebot]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.390.246 von Tefel am 16.02.08 10:12:55

First Solar Recycling:

http://www.firstsolar.com/de/environment_plcm_recycling.php

[Kaufangebot]

5N PLUS: CdTe Lieferant

[Tefel]

zum thema indium folgender artikel (leider schon älter):
http://www.nzz.ch/magazin/dossiers/podium_rohstoffe/sorge_um…
wenn das so stimmt, dann wird s aber nix mit CIGS ..

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.393.751 von Tefel am 17.02.08 00:45:09

Es gibt aber auch diese Sichtweise:

http://www.indium.com/_dynamo/download.php?docid=552

[Tefel]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.395.712 von MontPelerin am 17.02.08 17:43:49

Wenn das stimmt (siehe beitrag von MontPelerin), dann dürfte CIGS eine große Zukunft haben.
Am sichersten wäre es dann vielleicht wirklich in die Indium/Gallium produzenten zu investieren. Habt ihr neben Dowa noch weiter Tips. New Jersey Mining Company?! Gold Canyon Resources?!

[Kaufangebot]

Indiumpreise sind massiv gefallen in den letzten 9 Monaten.

[Tefel]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.402.119 von Kaufangebot am 18.02.08 15:48:18

Muss ja nicht zwangsläufig negativ für Indium produzenten sein. Wenn die Produzenten mehr verkaufen können, weil der preis "günstig" (für CIGS) bleibt....

[meinolf67]

26.02.2008

Veröffentlichung einer Corporate News, übermittelt durch die DGAP - ein Unternehmen der EquityStory AG. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Phoenix Solar AG schließt Modulliefervertrag mit Signet Solar GmbH

- Neue Generation von Dünnschichtmodulen - Weltweit größte Solarmodule

Sulzemoos 26.02.2008 / Die Phoenix Solar AG hat mit dem Solarmodulhersteller Signet Solar einen Rahmenvertrag bis zum Jahr 2011 über die Lieferung von Solarmodulen mit einer Spitzenleistung von rund 50 Megawatt unterzeichnet. Vereinbart wurde die Lieferung von Dünnschichtmodulen einer neuen Generation mit einer Größe von bis zu 5,7 Quadratmeter.

Signet Solar ist ein Modulproduzent, der im vergangenen Juni den ersten Spatenstich für seine Modulfabrik in Döbeln/Sachsen gefeiert hat. Döbeln wird auch das europäische Stammwerk des kalifornischen Technologieunternehmens sein. Der Produktionsstart für die Modulfertigung ist für Mitte 2008 geplant.

Die Produktionsanlagen für die neuen Dünnschichtmodule stammen von der Applied Materials GmbH & Co. KG mit Sitz in Alzenau. Die Muttergesellschaft Applied Materials Inc. zählt zu den weltweit führenden Herstellern von Maschinen zur Fertigung von Computerchips und Flachbildschirmen. Mit den Fertigungsanlagen für die weltweit größten Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodule können Module mit Kosten pro Watt produziert werden, die zu den niedrigsten weltweit zählen.

Phoenix Solar wird ab September 2008 von Signet Solar Dünnschichtmodule aus amorphem Silizium beziehen, ab 2010 werden auch Module mit mikromorpher Siliziumtechnologie dazu kommen. Die amorphen Solarmodule haben Nennleistungen von jeweils über 80, 160 und 340 Watt und werden je nach Leistung in unterschiedlichen Abmessungen angeboten. Das größte Modul mit 2,2 m x 2,6 m ist hervorragend geeignet für den Einsatz bei großen Freiflächenanlagen.

'Mit diesem langfristigen Rahmenvertrag sichern wir uns weitere Modulmengen für Freiflächenanlagen, ein Geschäftsfeld, in dem Phoenix Solar europaweit zu den führenden Unternehmen zählt. Die Größe der Module stellt einen Technologiesprung dar, der bei den Systemkosten signifikante Kostensenkungen ermöglicht' so Manfred Bächler, Vorstand Technik der Phoenix Solar AG.

'Mit Phoenix Solar haben wir einen Partner, der langjährige Erfahrung im Bau von Freiflächenanlagen hat - und als eines der ersten Unternehmen auf Dünnschichttechnologie gesetzt hat. Wir freuen uns sehr, dass wir unseren ersten großen Liefervertrag mit Phoenix unterzeichnen', so Gunter Ziegenbalg, Geschäftsführer der Signet Solar GmbH.

Über die Phoenix Solar AG Die Phoenix Solar AG mit Sitz in Sulzemoos bei München ist ein international führendes Photovoltaik-Systemhaus. Bis Juni 2007 firmierte das 1999 gegründete Unternehmen als Phönix SonnenStrom AG. Für das Geschäftsjahr 2008 erwartet der Phoenix Solar Konzern im In- und Ausland einen Umsatz von deutlich mehr als 300 Millionen Euro. Phoenix Solar plant, baut und übernimmt die Betriebsführung von Photovoltaik-Großkraftwerken und ist Fachgroßhändler für Sonnenstrom Komplettanlagen, Solarmodule und Zubehör. Führend ist der Konzern in der Photovoltaik-Systemtechnik. Dabei liegt der Fokus auf der konsequenten Senkung der Systemkosten. Mit einem deutschlandweiten Vertrieb und Tochtergesellschaften in Spanien und Singapur sowie einer Beteiligung in Italien hat der Konzern derzeit über 160 Beschäftigte. Die Aktien der Phoenix Solar AG (ISIN DE000A0BVU93) sind im Amtlichen Markt (Prime Standard) an der Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse gelistet.

Über Signet Solar Signet Solar Inc. wurde 2006 in den USA gegründet und ist ein global agierendes Technologieunternehmen, das großflächige, preis- und leistungsoptimierte Dünnschicht-Solarmodule entwickelt. Der Fokus des Unternehmens liegt auf der stetigen Erhöhung der Energieleistungen der Module und der Senkung der Kosten pro Watt. In Döbeln bei Dresden entsteht derzeit der europäische Stammsitz des Unternehmens. Ab Sommer 2008 wird Signet Solar in Sachsen die weltweit größten Solarmodule mit neuester Dünnschicht-Solartechnologie produzieren. Das an den Produktionsstandort angeschlossene Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum wird die Solarmodulentwicklung vorantreiben und weiterentwickeln. Verwendung finden die Solarmodule im Mega-Format vor allem in Solarkraftwerken, gebäudeintegrierten Installationen und freistehenden Solaranlagen. Weitere Informationen über Signet Solar finden Sie auf www.signetsolar.com oder wenden Sie sich direkt an Frau Penkawa (siehe rechts).

[meinolf67]

France Telecom forms JV with Moser Baer
Email Print

France Telecom-owned Orange Business Services has finalized a joint venture partnership with Indian storage devices manufacturer Moser Baer to foray into the long distance telephony segment. The company is awaiting clearance from the Department of Telecom for obtaining the license, reports Business Line.



Orange Business Services has been offering enterprise communication solutions to large multinationals in India. However, it has now applied for a license after the Government made it mandatory for companies to obtain a national long distance licence for offering IP-based services such as virtual private network.



France Telecom is one of the largest telecom service providers in Europe. It had earlier exited from the Indian market after it sold out its stake in BPL Mobile.



However, recently, it had acquired GTL`s IT unit in a bid to enhance its offering in the country.



Indian enterprise communications segment has become highly competitive with the entry of global telecom companies including AT&T, BT and Cable & Wireless. While AT&T and BT have already launched their services, others including Verizon are in the process of obtaining Government clearances. Orange Business has already got the permission from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.



There are also Internet service providers including Tulip IT and Sify fighting for the same pie. Indian telecom players Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communication and Tata Telservices are also in the fray as large multinational companies expand their business network into the country.


Shares of Moser Baer gained Rs 4.4, or 2.55%, to trade at Rs 176.95. The total volume of shares traded was 17,828 at the BSE. (10.28 a.m., Wednesday)

[meinolf67]

sorry, für den letzten... war falsch...


Solarzellen: Sharp will Ausstoß versechsfachen


27.02.08 (www.emfis.com) Sharp will die Produktionskapazitäten im Bereich Solarzellen bis zum Jahr 2012 versechsfachen. Dies erklärte heute ein Sprecher des Unternehmens auf der International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo. Die Jahresproduktion soll dann bei einer installierbaren Kapazität von 6000 Megawatt liegen.

Wie der Sharp-Repräsentant erklärte, wolle das Unternehmen vor allem im Bereich Dünnfilm-Beschichtungen stark wachsen. Diese Produktions-Technologie schränke den Silizium-Bedarf deutlich ein und senke damit die Herstellungskosten. 2010 werde nahe Osaka ein neues Werk in Betrieb gehen, das pro Jahr Dünnfilm-Solarzellen mit einer installierbaren Leistung von 1000 Megawatt herstellen soll. Derzeit liege die Jahresproduktion Sharps hier bei lediglich 150 Megawatt-Stunden.

[meinolf67]

Würde Suntech jetzt als AMAT-Kunden einsortieren, da im CC von letzter Woche von knapp 6m2 Modulen und zielen auf den BIPV-Markt gesprochen wurde....

[meinolf67]

(02/18/2008 9:49 AM EST)

BENGALURU, India — The Indian government has approved an additional five companies to take part in projects in Fab City, a proposed semiconductor manufacturing location near Hyderabad. This would take the total investment in Fab City to $7 billion, Minister of State for Commerce, Jairam Ramesh said here Monday (Feb. 18), speaking at the two-day India Semiconductor Association summit.

The focus of the latest investments is on solar energy conversion he said but added that the Indian government has many further projects either with in-principle approval or under considerations which could bring further investments to Fab City.

Fab City, set up in 2006 to encourage the genesis of chip manufacturing in India, is now betting big on photovoltaic products. The five latest projects are all focused on the solar energy business and about half of the proposed projects for Fab City are now in the photovoltaic area.

The five projects are the India-based Titan Energy Systems Ltd. proposing an investment of $50 million in solar photovoltaic cells; NanoTech Silicon India with an investment of $2.1 billion to manufacture thin film solar cell fab; India-based XL Telecom & Energy Ltd., which is investing $76.25 million to set up a unit for solar cells and solar modules; KSK Energy Ventures Ltd. (Hyderabad, India) a venture capital fund that plans to set up a unit for solar photovoltaic panels with an investment of $70.25 million; and the Indian subsidiary of the Canada-based Embedded IT Solutions is planning to set up a PCB manufacturing project with an investment of $5 million.

Two earlier Fab City announcements were the $3 billion SemIndia project to create a world-class wafer fab and the Hyderabad-based Solar Semiconductor Ltd. which said it would be investing $1.1 billion over a 10-year period. The first phase is set to cover manufacture of solar cells and solar panels. The second phase is set to focus on solar thin film technology while the third would scale up manufacturing capacity to one gigawatt per annum.

The Indian government has also given an in-principle approval to five other projects worth a further investment of $7 billion. Yet another five proposals, also worth between $6 billion and $7 billion are under active consideration, Ramesh said during the opening of the ISA summit.

In-principle allotments have been given to five other Indian companies: Chandradeep Solar for an R&D unit, Neotech Solutions, Photon Energy Systems, Surana Ventures and RamTerra Solar Pvt. Ltd. for several photovoltaic modules unit.

Among other companies that are under consideration but which are yet to finalize their location are the Indian consumer electronics giant, Videocon which is looking at an investment of $250 million and Hindustan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (HSMC), which has partnered with Infineon Technologies AG (Munich, Germany) to set up a semiconductor manufacturing plant.

The proposed investment of $1 billion for the HSMC unit would focus on chipsets for mobile phones, direct to home TV set top boxes, automotive and smart cards, The company has yet to finalize the location where it will build a wafer fab.

Among other companies with an interest in Fab City is Moser Baer, a maker of optical storage devices that has joined forces with Allied Materials Inc. for photovoltaic cells and has set up a manufacturing unit at Sriperumbudur on the outskirts of the southern port city of Chennai. Given the momentum behind semiconductor manufacturing Air Liquide of France has proposed a facility for the supply of gases and chemicals while BOC announced plans to set up a chemical plant in Hyderabad last year.

"Setting up a plant for a wrong reason, say just because the money is available, will not work," said Malcolm Penn, CEO of analysis firm Future Horizons (Sevenoaks, England). He said some of the proposals would work out and some would not. "You have to set up a plant for the right reasons — have a workable business plan in place and check out all the challenges in terms of manpower, infrastructure and the market. It should not be merely a sweatshop set here today because it is cheaper to do it here and then move on but a plant fully integrated into your system." he added.

[meinolf67]

SUNWELL // a-SI // Oerlikon // Taiwan

schon älter...


Sun Well to complete thin-film solar module plant soon
October 16th, 2007 by kalyan89 in R&D reports, Press Releases, Reports, PV-General

Jimmy Hsu, Taipei; Esther Lam
Source; DigiTimes, 16 October 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20071015PD201.html

Sun Well Technology is about to complete construction of its production plant for thin-film solar cell production in Taiwan in mid-November with volume production slated to follow in the second quarter of 2008. The company is confident about its competitive technology edge, as well as an early presence in the industry, and aims to be one of the top-five thin-film solar cell makers in the future.

The CMC Magnetics thin-film solar cell subsidiary, which held a ground breaking ceremony in July, will soon complete construction of its thin-film solar cell plant. One production line will be installed at this plant initially and the glass substrate size will be 1,100×1,300mm. As equipment is supplied by the leading thin-film solar cell equipment maker Oerlikon, which has practical experience in mass production, trial production should be ready in small volume in the first quarter of 2008.

CMC company spokesperson Yin-Yi Hsiao updated that Sun Well will house an initial capacity of 15 peak megawatt (MWp) and that construction of a second production line will depend on demand. He added in saying that sampling to customers is slated for the second quarter of 2008 and expects Sun Well to start posting a profit from 2009.

CMC can apply its experience in sputtering technology to optical glass for thin-film coating, said Hsiao. Oerlikon delivers competitive transparent conductive oxide (TCO) coating technology for better sunlight absorption and the equipment leads rivals in terms of overall technology by 1-1.5 years, which helps Sun Well to make an earlier presence and leading role in technology. Hsiao added in saying that other competitors may take a minimum of two years to develop TCO technology.

With power conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells now averaging at about 7%, CMC company chairman Robert Wong said Sun Well plans to upgrade production to micromorph cell production technology in the future, boosting the conversion rate to 9-12%. According to Oerlikon, a micromorph cell has an additional micro-crystalline absorber which can convert energy of the red and near infrared spectrum, allowing an efficiency increase of approximately 30%.

While Sun Well aims to be one of the top-five thin-film solar cell suppliers, Wong reiterated that the advantage of tapping into this business earlier, as the present thin-film solar cell market is dominated by two players respectively in Japan and Germany. Sun Well is aggressively seeking partnership with research institutions for thin-film solar cell development, he noted.

[Cat2810]

Hallo,
kann mir mal jemand sagen, was heute bei First Solar los ist?
Wenn ich auf Onvista schaue, haben die da einen Nasdaq Kurs von 100 USD, ein Minus von über 50%! Habe keine Info bzgl. eines Aktiensplits. Weiß hier irgend jemand was?

[Cat2810]

Hat sich erledigt, der Kurs ist jetzt wieder bei 210 USD. War wohl irgend ein Fehler auf der Seite. Hatte schon nen halben Herzinfakt.

[meinolf67]

SIGNET // a-SI // AMAT


Signet Solar beginnt mit Installation von Photovoltaik-Fertigungsequipment in Mochau
Künftige Photovoltaik-Fabrik von Signet Solar nahe Dresden

Künftige Photovoltaik-Fabrik von
Signet Solar nahe Dresden


Die Signet Solar GmbH brachte am 25.02.2008 die ersten Produktionsmaschinen in die neue Fabrik für amorphe Dünnschichtmodule in Mochau ein, berichtet das Unternehmen in einer Pressemitteilung. Das kalifornische Technologie-Unternehmen läutet damit nach nur siebenmonatiger Bauphase die "Tool-Move-In"-Phase für die Photovoltaik-Fertigungsanlagen ein. Als erste Anlage werde zwei Wochen vor dem Plan eine CVD-Beschichtungsanlage (Chemical Vapor Deposition) des US-amerikanischen Unternehmens Applied Materials, einem weltweit führenden Anbieter von Dünnschichtanlagen, installiert. Sie wird künftig die Abscheidung der amorphen Siliziumschicht ermöglichen. In den kommenden Wochen werde die komplette Produktionslinie in die Fertigungsstätte der Signet Solar GmbH eingebracht. Darunter sind so genannte PVD-Systeme (Physical Vapor Deposition) für die Rückseitenbeschichtung, Laser-Systeme sowie die damit verbundenen Anlagen zur Fertigung von Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen.



Erste großformatige Solarmodule sollen im Sommer 2008 vom Band laufen

"Mit dem offiziellen Beginn des Move-In liegen wir genau im Zeitplan", zeigt sich Gunter Ziegenbalg, Geschäftsführer der Signet Solar GmbH erfreut über diesen wichtigen Schritt beim Aufbau des neuen Werkes. "Basierend auf diesem Equipment werden wir zukünftig mit den hier entwickelten Technologien die Kosten für Solarmodule drastisch senken und innerhalb von drei Jahren Kostenparität erreichen", so der Photovoltaik-Unternehmer weiter. In den Bau der Forschungs- und Produktionsstätte für Dünnschicht-Module vor den Toren von Dresden investiert Signet Solar 50 Millionen Euro. Die ersten Solarmodule mit den Abmessungen 2,20 m x 2,60 m sollen im Sommer 2008 vom Band laufen. Die Fertigung für die nächsten Jahre sei bereits mit Lieferverträgen untersetzt, betont das Unternehmen. Noch in diesem Jahr soll die Belegschaft von derzeit 25 auf 130 Beschäftigte anwachsen.


Weltweit größte Solarmodule mit neuester Dünnschicht-Technologie

Signet Solar wurde 2006 in den USA gegründet und entwickelt großflächige, preis- und leistungsoptimierte Dünnschicht-Solarmodule. Der Fokus des Unternehmens liegt auf der stetigen Erhöhung der Energieleistung der Module und der Senkung der Kosten pro Watt. In Döbeln bei Dresden entsteht derzeit der europäische Stammsitz des Unternehmens. Ab Sommer 2008 will Signet Solar in Sachsen die weltweit größten Solarmodule mit neuester Dünnschicht-Technologie produzieren. Das an den Produktionsstandort angeschlossene Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum soll die Solarmodulentwicklung vorantreiben und weiterentwickeln. Verwendung sollen die Module im Mega-Format vor allem in Solarkraftwerken finden sowie in gebäudeintegrierten Installationen und großen kommerziellen Photovoltaik-Anlagen.

[meinolf67]

nochmal Signet

Signet Solar schließt mehrjährigen Rahmenvertrag mit Soleg

Signet Solar (Dresden) und Soleg (Zwiesel) haben am 03.02.2008 bekanntgegeben, dass beide Unternehmen einen Rahmenvertrag über die Lieferung von Dünnschichtmodulen mit einer Leistung von 12 MW bis zum Jahr 2010 abgeschlossen haben. Die Soleg GmbH will die Module von Signet Solar in mehreren großen Photovoltaik-Projekten installieren. "Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Soleg sein Vertrauen in uns setzt und sich für Module von Signet Solar entschieden hat", sagte Gunter Ziegenbalg, Geschäftsführer der Signet Solar GmbH. "Die Weiterentwicklung des Dünnschichtverfahrens und die Erhöhung des Wirkungsgrads unserer Solarmodule sind entscheidende Aspekte, weshalb wir zukünftig in Mochau Module mit Kosten pro Watt produzieren, die zu den niedrigsten weltweit zählen werden", so Ziegenbalg weiter.

Dünnschichtmodule ergänzen Solegs Portfolio

Für die Soleg GmbH, einen international tätigen Großhändler und Projektentwickler für Solarwärme und Photovoltaik-Anlagen mit Sitz im bayrischen Zwiesel, ist dieses Lieferabkommen ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt bei der Entwicklung zuverlässiger Solarenergieanlagen. "Signet Solar bietet Dünnschichtmodule, die unser Portfolio an Solarprodukten ausgezeichnet ergänzen. Über den Abschluss sind wir sehr erfreut, weil wir Photovoltaik-Projekte so langfristig und mit der erforderlichen Liefersicherheit planen können", erklärte Josef Weindl, Geschäftsführer der Soleg GmbH.

[solarauktion]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.550.178 von meinolf67 am 04.03.08 20:52:57

alles schön und gut -

Fakt aber ist: FIRST SOLAR INC.säuft immer weiter ab. Schau dir den Chart an. Tendenz: weiter steil abfallend. Keine Unterstützung in Sicht.

Mein KZ: 10 Euro.

SOlI

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.550.368 von solarauktion am 04.03.08 21:06:07

Kannst Du lesen? Ich denke, wohl eher nicht...


siehe Posting #1 !!! & Thread TITEL!!!

[meinolf67]

WOWWWWWWW!!!

AMAT // a-SI // 8K von heute:

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

Applied Materials, Inc. (“Applied”) announces that it has entered into sales agreements with a privately-held corporation based outside the United States (“Buyer”), under which Applied will supply equipment and installation/warranty services for multiple solar factories to be constructed by Buyer. The factories, which will feature Applied SunFab™ thin film tandem junction production equipment, collectively are expected to produce an annual output of solar photovoltaic modules capable of generating electricity on a gigawatt scale. The aggregate purchase price for the equipment and related services (exclusive of post-warranty services) to be provided by Applied under the agreements is approximately US$1.9 billion.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.550.442 von meinolf67 am 04.03.08 21:11:14

....Analyst Timothy Arcuri of Citigroup said the plan is part of a major project in Suzhou, China, "that includes wealthy individuals related to the solar industry, a big component of government sponsorship and may also include some existing solar ventures."

[meinolf67]

neues CdTe-Projekt:

Bonn, 5. März 2008
Die „grüne“ Beteiligungsgesellschaft beteiligt sich an der CTF Solar AG, die eine Produktionslinie für Cadmium-Tellurid-(CdTe)-Dünnschichtmodule aufbauen wird.



Die CTF Solar AG stößt damit in einen Markt mit vielversprechenden Aussichten vor. Derzeit ist lediglich First Solar als Pure Player im CdTe-Dünnschichtgeschäft vertreten. Dabei besitzt die Technologie Eigenschaften, die ihr kurz- bis mittelfristig durch effiziente Umwandlung von Licht in elektrischen Strom, vor allem aber durch Kostenvorteile bei der Produktion zu Vorteilen gegenüber kristallinen Siliziumtechnologien verhelfen. Mit zunehmendem Absatz erhöht sich für alle PV-Hersteller der Kostendruck, so dass die Produktionstechnologie immer entscheidender für die Marktfähigkeit der Produkte sein wird. Die CTF Solar AG geht davon aus, die Produktionskosten bis 2010 auf unter 1,00 $/Wp reduzieren zu können.

Durch die niedrigen Energierücklaufzeiten fällt die ökologische Bilanz für Dünnschichtmodule günstig aus – sie sind damit auch ein Beitrag zur Schonung von Umwelt und Klima.

Murphy&Spitz Research geht davon aus, dass das Kostenreduktionspotential der CdTe-Dünnschicht-Technologie höher liegt als bei konkurrierenden Technologien. Darüber hinaus benötigt die CTF Solar AG für ihre Fertigung nicht das knappe Silizium, was die Rohstoffkosten schont. Der Produktionsprozess, bei dem die photoaktive Schicht direkt auf ein Substrat (Glas) aufgebracht wird, eignet sich gut für die industrielle Massenproduktion.



Die Murphy&Spitz Green Capital AG erwirbt 22,5% an der CTF Solar AG im Rahmen der Gründung und unterstützt bei der weiteren Finanzierung zum Aufbau einer vollautomatischen Fertigungslinie.

Mit Dr. Michael Harr konnte dazu ein außerordentlich fähiger Spezialist für das Gelingen des Projektes gewonnen werden.
Dr. Harr gehört zu den aktiven Entwicklern der CdTe-Dünnnschicht-Technologie und besitzt dedizierte Erfahrung mit der Implementierung der Technologie in kommerzielle Produktionsabläufe.



Mit dem Engagement baut die Murphy&Spitz Green Capital AG das Portfolio deutlich aus und forciert damit den zukünftigen Einsatz erneuerbarer Energien.


Die M&S Green Capital AG ist eine Private Equity Gesellschaft, fokussiert auf Beteiligungen in erneuerbare Energien und nachwachsende Rohstoffe. Die Kompetenz des langjährigen Investors baut auf ein erfahrenes Netzwerk im Bereich des Sustainability Investments auf. Zu Murphy&Spitz gehört das UAD Deutschland, das mit einer Performance von +17,99% im jährlichen Durchschnitt zu den besten Nachhaltigkeitsportfolios in Europa zählt.

[MontPelerin]

Competition for First Solar?
Global Solar Energy expects to open a 40-megawatt copper-indium-gallium-diselenide thin-film plant Thursday after Nanosolar in December began production of the same material and HelioVolt announced it would begin production this year. Will any of these companies give First Solar a run for its money?
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow March 05, 2008

Global Solar Energy plans to officially open a 40-megawatt thin-film plant in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday.

The company already has been making strings of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) cells at a 4.2-megawatt demonstration plant the past three years. But the new plant will be the Tucson-based company’s first step into mass production.
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"The opening of [Global Solar’s] plant in Tucson is a remarkable event," said Tom Kimbis, acting director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technology Program, in a written statement. "Production from this facility will help satisfy the strong demand for solar product across the world."

Global Solar expects to begin production at the new plant this month, producing 20 megawatts of thin-film strings this year before ramping up to 40 megawatts, said Jeffery Britt, vice president of technology.

And the planned 40-megawatt capacity is only the first phase of construction at the facility. The company already is beginning to purchase tools to add the capacity for 100 megawatts more by the end of 2009 or early 2010, he said.

Global Solar also said it is commissioning a 35-megawatt facility in Berlin and is breaking ground on a 750-kilowatt solar field connected to its Arizona plant. The field is expected to produce about 25 percent of the facility’s power needs during the day, with any surplus flowing out to the grid under a contract with Tucson Electric Power Co., which previously owned Global Solar.

The Global Solar announcements are signs that thin-film solar competition could finally be heating up.

After all, First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), which makes cadmium-telluride (CdTe) films, has had nearly all of the thin-film market to itself in the last couple of years (see First Solar Rides High, Hedge Fund Picks: Solar, Energy Storage, Water … and Biofuels, Solar Sector Heading For a Shakeout and Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production).

The company has 210 megawatts of annual capacity -- by far the world’s highest thin-film capacity -- and has announced plans to add 480 megawatts more in the next few years (see Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production and Thin-Film Solar Production to Leap Forward).

"Frankly, I’m really surprised that nobody has put up a big challenge to First Solar," said Rob Romero, a managing partner at Connective Capital, at a conference last week.

CIGS developers hope to give First Solar a run for its money.

One such company, HelioVolt Corp., in December said it planned to begin production at a 20-megawatt factory this year, and Nanosolar, another CIGS manufacturer, also in December said it had begun production at a plant in San Jose, Calif. (see Nanosolar Begins Production and HelioVolt on Nanosolar’s Heels).

The plant is expected to reach a production capacity of 430 megawatts per year, once it’s fully ramped up, but the company didn’t release its initial production capacity in December. The only hint Nanosolar gave was an announcement that it was supplying thin films for a 1-megawatt plant in Germany for Beck Energy, implying a production capacity of at least 1 megawatt.

The company also is building a solar-panel-assembly plant in Luckenwalde, Germany, expected to have the capacity to produce "multi-100" megawatts of panels (see Nanosolar Chooses German Town for Solar Plant).

[meinolf67]

Nexpower // a-SI // ULVAC

Firm To Supply Gases To Thin-Film Solar Plant In Taiwan
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Wednesday 05 March 2008
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BOC Lien Hwa (BOCLH) has been selected to supply high-purity gases to Taiwan's first large-scale thin-film solar cell manufacturing plant: NexPower in Taichung. The plant is expected to begin operations by the second quarter of 2008.

"BOCLH is excited to be a part of this new and developing technology, which we believe will have an expanding role in Taiwan's power supply infrastructure in the coming years," says Alex Tong, president of BOCLH.

Under a long-term agreement, BOCLH will provide NexPower with turnkey installation of the special gases supply systems and ongoing delivery of the gases essential to making thin-film solar cells. These gases include large volumes of silane and hydrogen gas, used to deposit silicon light absorber layers on large sheets of glass, and cleaning gases used to remove silicon deposits from the process chambers.

[meinolf67]

Global Solar // CIGS

Global Solar Energy Opens Landmark Plant
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Thursday 06 March 2008
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Global Solar Energy, a Tucson, Ariz.-based manufacturer of highly efficient thin-film solar cells for glass modules or flexible material products, has officially opened its new manufacturing plant. According to the company, the plant's phase-one, full-production capacity of 40 MW in annual U.S. production sets new industry records for CIGS production capacity and enables Global Solar to meet heavy demands for solar adoption worldwide.

Global Solar is simultaneously breaking ground on what will be one of the world's largest CIGS solar fields, at 750 kW, and commissioning its 35 MW plant in Berlin, Germany, to open this fall.

With plans to put an additional 100 MW into production at the end of 2009, Global Solar is poised to bring its total global capacity to 175 MW in 2010. The company says this growth will enable it to continue to deliver CIGS solar cells for use in traditional glass module manufacturing as well as develop new business channels for its CIGS material for integration into products targeted at the emerging building-integrated photovoltaic market.

[carlos48]

Dachte, als Deutscher könnte man hier irgendwelche Erkenntnisse gewinnen, scheine aber leider auf einer anglo-Seite gelandet zu sein.Na dann Gute Nacht Deutschland.FS halte ich eigentlich für eine solide Aktie. Auch sie kann sich dem Trend sicher nicht ganz widersetzen, also eindecken !
Carlos

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.583.715 von carlos48 am 07.03.08 21:10:08

Tut mir leid, aber es wäre wohl doch ein bißchen viel verlangt, alles übersetzt bekommen zu wollen, oder?

Wir scannen alle Quellen, die wir finden können und davon sind nun mal viele in Englisch.

Der eigentliche FSLR-Hauptthread ist aber sowieso der andere, ältere. Dieser dient der Wettbewerbsbeobahtung; siehe Posting #1

[meinolf67]

Malibu (Schüco) // a-SI // AMAT

Schuco, E.ON Begin Thin-Film Solar PV Plant Construction
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Wednesday 05 March 2008
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Malibu, the joint venture launched in 2007 by Schuco International KG and E.ON AG to develop and produce photovoltaic modules, has initiated construction of a new production plant in Osterweddingen, Germany. Production of thin-film modules is expected to begin as early as autumn 2008.

The 40 MW plant, featuring production equipment from Applied Materials, is approximately 1,076,000 square feet. It will produce photovoltaic modules measuring up to 5.7 square meters that can produce up to 460 W of electricity.

[meinolf67]

TAIWAN: Thin-film technology, a growing solar PV trend
Wednesday, 05 March 2008

(EnergyAsia, March 5, Wednesday) --- Taiwan has always been a major place for thin-film technology and the semiconductor industry. Big players in the Taiwanese industry are now using this experience to explore and start new thin-film silicon solar production initiatives.

The share of thin-film in the global supply of solar cells and modules is likely to grow from around 8% in 2007 to 20% or more in 2010.

After 2010, the production capacity in Taiwan could exceed one GW per year. This will make Taiwan one of the leading suppliers of thin-film silicon cells and modules in the multi- billion euro global market.

To explore the business opportunities in this rapidly growing thin-film industry, SolarPlaza organised an international PV trade mission to Taiwan last month.

Together with the Taiwanese Photovoltaic Industry Association, a program was set up including a symposium with several thin-film company presentations and company visits to E-Ton, NexPower Technology, Sinonar and Green Energy Technology. All of these companies are starting, or have started, major thin-film production activities.

A list of the currently-known major new thin-film initiatives in Taiwan shows that for 2008 a total initial production capacity of at least 310 MWp is scheduled, ramping up to more than 800 MWp in two years time.

Sun Well, one of the participating companies in the programme, is aiming to boost its capacity to more than 1 GW by 2012. Some of the other companies are involved in crystalline silicon technology as well, such as the major wafer manufacturer Green Energy Technology and cell manufacturer E-ton, both of which companies will be visited.

The thin-film manufacturers will use a variety of technologies as supplied by Applied Materials, Oerlikon Solar, Ulvac as well as the technology of EPV from the US.

With these manufacturers predicting production cost levels of less than $ 1/Wp within five years, these products will easily find their way in the growing global market. This cost level however will open up opportunities for ‘grid parity’ in many new markets as well, creating an infinite market potential.

That is why several of these manufacturers are already sold out for the coming years, even before their first thin-film modules are produced.

After the success of the second PV trade mission to California in January 2008, which also demonstrated a trend towards cheaper thin-film technologies, it is now time to discover the business opportunities in one of the world’s fastest growing PV industry regions: Taiwan.

The Taiwanese government is supporting the growth of its solar energy industry and has designated solar energy as a strategic industry for Taiwan. It forecasts that the total value will hit $12.5 billion in 2015, compared to $652 million in 2006, according to a Taipei Times report.

Taiwan's External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) expects the nation to account for 7% of global solar-power generation equipment by 2015.

This PV tour is the eighth one organised by SolarPlaza.com, the global PV marketplace. Previous trade missions visited China, Spain, California, Italy and Greece.

[meinolf67]

Daystar // CIGS ????


juwi solar to partner with DayStar Technologies on utility-scale PV projects
07 March 2008 - News


DayStarjuwi solar GmbH, a renewable energy project company, has signed a letter of intent with CIGS thin film PV manufacturer DayStar Technologies to support the test, evaluation and field installations of its PV modules for large-scale utility power plants. Upon a successful collaboration, juwi solar will commit to purchasing up to 25 percent of DayStar's production through 2011.

"Engaging DayStar at this important stage of their commercialization is critical to ensuring our well designed and cost-effective system solutions," said Lars Falck, Managing Director of juwi solar. "We believe DayStar's CIGS modules can offer us a competitive cost and performance advantage in meeting our aggressive growth plans for the future."

[meinolf67]

AVA // CdTe


March 7, 2008

Fort Collins, CO, USA: AVA Solar Selects Location for Thin Film Production

AVA Solar, Inc., a cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film photovoltaic start up, has decided to shift its initial large-scale manufacturing facility from a new site to be developed at the southwest corner of I-25 and Prospect in Fort Collins, Colorado, to an existing facility located in Northern Colorado. In addition, the company announced that it intends to begin pilot production in its existing Fort Collins facility in the second half of 2008.

“Several factors came together in the past two months that caused us to rethink our ramp-up strategy,” explained Dave Halter, Vice President of AVA Solar. “First, we were able to lease the building next door to us in Fort Collins, giving us the space necessary to get into production in 2008 earlier than we thought. Second, it became clear that building a new facility from scratch would take longer than we could afford given existing market conditions. Third, we identified an existing building perfect for our needs that could start receiving production equipment arriving in April of this year.”

“We are very happy with our initial pre-production runs and have decided to move up production plans on our existing manufacturing line,” said Pascal Noronha, President and CEO of AVA Solar. “Although this will be relatively limited production, we intend to accelerate our production learning curve and get our products into the market faster than we thought possible last year.”

AVA Solar reiterated its commitment to Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.

“Although we have decided to move the location of our initial production facility, very little has changed from our perspective,” explained Pascal Noronha. “We will go into large-scale production in Northern Colorado; we will keep our headquarters here; and we see our local headcount growing as has been previously announced. We currently estimate over 150 employees in Fort Collins by the end of this year and up to 500 in the region by the end of 2009.”

AVA Solar had been working with WW Reynolds Company and Neenan Archistruction to develop its initial manufacturing facility. “We have enjoyed working with AVA Solar, and while we are pleased they have found an interim solution, we hope to work with them in Fort Collins in the future,” said Bill Reynolds of WW Reynolds Company.

[meinolf67]

Next Solar // a-SI // Oerlikon

Swiss technology group OC Oerlikon Corp (News/Aktienkurs) said it won a contract to build a production line for solar panel unit Next Solar in Greece.

No financial details were disclosed.

The production line will start making thin-film solar panels in early 2009, with an annual capacity of 30 MW, Oerlikon said in a statement.

Next Solar has an option to upgrade to 60 MW, it said.

[MontPelerin]

In der "Neue Energie" vom März 2008 wird die Kooperation Ersol / Schott im a-Si-Bereich gemeldet. Interessant ist an der kleinen Meldung aber gewesen, dass ein Sprecher (ich glaube von Schott) mit der Aussage zitiert wird, man gehe nunmehr davon aus, in einem Jahr einen Industriefertigungsprozess im Griff zu haben (Tandem natürlich).

In einem Jahr also...

So viel zum Thema Oerlikon und Turnkey...

(man, war ich mal blauäugig)

[meinolf67]

SIGNET // a-SI // AMAT


Signet Solar To Locate Second Thin-Film PV Plant In India
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Tuesday 18 March 2008


Signet Solar, a manufacturer of silicon thin-film photovoltaic modules, is planning to locate its second manufacturing site in the Sriperembudur Special Economic Zone near Chennai, India.

Signet Solar's decision to expand manufacturing in India follows more than $400 million in advance orders for the first three years of production. The company's Germany plant, scheduled to start production by the third quarter, will have a total annual production capacity of 60 MW. Additional production lines will be added to increase manufacturing capacity to over 100 MW in Germany by 2010.

"We are on schedule to start shipping products from our Dresden, Germany, manufacturing plant by the third quarter of 2008 and plan to begin shipments from India by 2010, with a goal of achieving grid parity pricing within the next five years," says Rajeeva Lahri, CEO and founder of Signet Solar.

[Z0815]

Ich schwanke zur Zeit zwischen First Solar und REC,

kann mir hier jemand meine 3 Bedenken zur First Solar ausräumen?

1. Die zu geringe Effiziens der Technologie.
2. Die Giftigkeit des Tellurids.
3. Aber vor allem die Verfügbarkeit des Dotierungsmaterial's, was bei dem überdurchschnittlichen Wachstum von FS ganz schnell zum Problem wird.

Danke!

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.754.447 von Z0815 am 28.03.08 19:51:13

Alle drei bedenken sind valide.

Dagegen stehen Wachstum und Profitabilität...

Und jetzt kommst Du

[meinolf67]

CHINA xxx // a-SI // China

5 MW Thin-Film Factory Comes Online In China
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Thursday 03 April 2008
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China Stream Fund Solar Energy Co. has formally initiated production at its 5 MW thin-film amorphous silicon solar module manufacturing line in Changzhou, China. According to the company's expansion plan, 30 additional 5 MW production lines with an output capacity of 150 MW will be completed by the end of the year.

"We are continuing to devote our best effort to accelerate the quality assurance testing and certification process of our final product, which is planned to be available on the market by the end of the second quarter of this year," says Alan Li, chairman and CEO of China Technology Development Group Corp., a strategic partner in the venture.

[sticky]

...nach seiner Bear Stearns "Panne" ist der gute Kramer zwar angeschlagen, aber für die First Solar Freunde sollten dies gute Nachrichten sein...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/23937881

[meinolf67]

Thin-Film Solar Expands
Schuco, E.ON, China Stream Fund Solar Energy and XsunX push forward with their manufacturing-facility plans.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow April 03, 2008

Schuco International and E.ON will build a $135 million factory to produce the world’s largest thin-film panels, the companies said Thursday.

The two Germany companies, which have formed a joint venture called Malibu, said they expect the manufacturing facility, to be built in Magdeburg, Germany, to start producing panels in the fall.
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The announcement was part of a succession of thin-film production announcements Thursday.

China Stream Fund Solar Energy Co. has started up a 5-megawatt thin-film solar-panel manufacturing line in Changzhou, China, according to the trade magazine Solar Industry.

The company plans to add 30 more 5-megawatt lines with a total capacity of 150 megawatts by the end of the year, the publication reported.

Bulletin-board-traded XsunX also said Thursday that it will build its first thin-film panel plant in a 90,000 square-foot building in Wood Village, a town east of Portland, Ore.

While constructing a building from scratch would have made it easier to design floor space that met the company’s needs, the Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based firm decided it would save money by using an existing building, according to a written statement by XsunX CEO Tom Djokovich.

XsunX expects its plant to have a capacity of 25 megawatts.

As traditional solar makers feel the continued pinch of a silicon shortage, thin-film companies are pushing their technology, which uses little or no silicon, into the marketplace.

Those efforts are paying off. In November, Greentech Media reported that thin-film solar panels grew from 4 percent of the solar market a few years ago to about 7 percent (see Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production).

But the bulk of that growth has come from one company, First Solar. Other companies, including those mentioned above and Nanosolar, which began production in December and announced Wednesday it had raised $50 million, are hoping to take some of its market share.

But at least one industry watcher wonders if the market will be big enough to absorb the increase in production.

"I haven’t seen a demand for thin-film installations in any significant magnitude that would warrant these kinds of manufacturing investments," said Joel Makower, co-founder of cleantech research firm Clean Edge.

"It’s certainly a vote of confidence," he said. "I just hope it’s not a vote of overconfidence."

[meinolf67]

Nanosolar // CIGS


March 14, 2008 4:23 AM PDT
Rumor: Nanosolar worth $2 billion, Solyndra $1 billion
Posted by Michael Kanellos | Post a comment

CIGS looks like it could pay off.

Nanosolar and Solyndra, which both develop copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) solar cells, are looking at raising additional funds, according to sources, and both companies have put large valuations on themselves.

According to sources, Nanosolar is telling investors it will have a valuation, after another round of funds, of around $2 billion. Solyndra says it is worth $1 billion. Not bad for companies with combined current revenues at the moment that probably would have difficulty rivaling the take of a reasonably located convenience store. Nanosolar just started shipping a few solar cells to customers at the end of 2007, and Solyndra is ramping up toward production.

I haven't confirmed these rumors, and they might be wrong, but they have been consistent.

Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen has said that Nanosolar does not have a term sheet, a document that provides details about business prospects and a funding proposal, at the moment. Roscheisen, however, has not discussed valuation.

Both Nanosolar and Solyndra were contacted for official comment, but no response has yet been received. Companies generally don't comment this early on financial issues such as valuation.

The high valuations seem to be driven by the current dynamics of the solar business. Demand continues to outstrip supply. The shortage of silicon continues to hamper manufacturers of silicon solar panels. CIGS solar panels aren't as efficient for converting sunlight into electricity as silicon panels, but advocates say they will cost less. The active materials in CIGS panels also aren't in dire supply at the moment either.

The love affair that investors have had with First Solar, which makes thin film solar panels with cadmium telluride, also persists, which lends some glow to CIGS companies. First Solar went public at $20 per share in late 2006 and now trades at $207. (Before the recent swoon on Wall Street, it hit $283.) First Solar has also seen tremendous growth in revenue and earnings with each passing quarter.

When it went public, First Solar was valued at close to $2 billion. It currently is valued at $16.3 billion. Some believe the company is overvalued, but those are the numbers.

First Solar, however, was not your ordinary start-up. The company's founders started tinkering with cadmium telluride technology in the 1980s. By the time the company went public, First Solar had already begun mass production.

[meinolf67]

China Nuovo Solar // CIGS // China


China Nuvo Solar Energy plans CIGS thin-film pilot line
09 April 2008 - News


China Nuvo Solar Energy, with its collaboration partner, Pioneer Materials, Inc. (PMI) has said that the planned pilot line in Chengdu, China will be used for the development of higher efficiency stacked solar cells using copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) thin-film materials.

China Nuvo had previously noted the planned development of cadmium telluride thin-film solar cell technology on their website.

[meinolf67]

China Nuvo, PMI Pursue Thin-Film CIGS Solar Process
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Wednesday 09 April 2008
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China Nuvo Solar Energy Inc. says it will be developing a low-cost solar cell based on thin-film copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) technology with its collaboration partner, Pioneer Materials Inc. (PMI), at its pilot production facility in Chengdu, China.

The company believes that thin-film CIGS represents second-generation solar technology when compared to traditional polysilicon manufacturing technology. When compared to polysilicon, the company believes CIGS provides significantly reduced wafer thicknesses with a significant increase in per-kilogram wattage production.

The initial project focus is to develop a single-junction solar cell with commercial efficiency utilizing materials provided by PMI and incorporated into the China Nuvo's ceramic sleeve solar technology. The company believes this will provide the baseline for development of a multi-stacked solar cell that could provide an even higher degree of efficiency.

[MontPelerin]

China Nuvo had previously noted the planned development of cadmium telluride thin-film solar cell technology on their website.

Mal sehen, was sie morgen wollen...

Würth ist offenbar eine der ganzen wenigen CI(G)S-Firmen, die nennenswerte Mengen produziert. Wer noch? Global Solar vielleicht?

Ich hoffe ja für nächstes Jahr auf Solibro...


Der Berliner Hauptbahnhof gilt hierzulande als beeindruckend groß. Dies vor Augen, muss man den Südbahnhof von Peking wohl als gigantisch bezeichnen. Das Bauwerk, dessen auf den 4. August terminierte Eröffnung mutmaßlich im allgemeinen Trubel um die vier Tage später beginnenden olympischen Sommerspiele in Chinas Hauptstadt untergehen wird, ist mit 220.000 Quadratmetern Geschossfläche gut dreimal so groß wie sein Berliner Pendant.
Gemeinsam ist aber beiden Bahnhöfen die Solarstromanlage im Dach. Während in Berlin Module der nicht mehr bestehenden Firma Flabeg Solar mit kristallinen Siliziumzellen zum Einsatz kamen, wird Peking bald die weltweit größte gebäudeintegrierte Photovoltaikanlage mit CIS-Modulen sein Eigen nennen. Die Stromerzeuger auf Basis von Kupferindiumselenid liefert die Würth Solar GmbH aus Schwäbisch Hall. Insgesamt 5.200 Module mit jeweils 75 Watt leisten gemeinsam rund 390 Kilowatt. In Feldern zwischen 9 und 18 Stück sollen sie das Glasdach der Aufenthaltshalle des Bahnhofs schachbrettartig durchziehen.
Für die Planung der Anlage zeichnet in Kooperation mit Würth die Ruihua Construction Corporation verantwortlich, deren Tochterunternehmen Resun Solar die Montage übernimmt. Der Bahnhof ist seit 2006 im Bau, der Beschluss zur Integration von Solarzellen fiel nach chinesischen Medienberichten aber erst im vergangenen Mai. Zum Auftragsvolumen haben die beteiligten Firmen nach Angaben von Würth Solar Vertraulichkeit vereinbart.

[meinolf67]

The State of the Thin-Film Photovoltaic Industry
by: Andrew Ling posted on: April 13, 2008 | about stocks: AMAT / FSLR

There are currently three major thin film players (defined as the three companies with over $1 billion in thin-film assets): First Solar (FSLR), Sharp (SHCAY.PK) and Applied Materials (AMAT). There are numerous other thin-film startups that are in such early phases of development that it's difficult to analyze potential production and capex costs if their technology ever matures. These are mostly CIGS companies and include Nanosolar, Miasole, Heliovolt, Ascent Solar (ASTI), DayStar Technologies (DSTI) and countless others. Most have struggled to get manufacturing efficiencies over 6% for industrial usage. This doesn't include the aerospace panels which can achieve 20% but are incredibly expensive.

FSLR has been the industry leader for years, but can they maintain their advantages in the face of such fierce competition? All signs indicate that they indeed can. It has been common knowledge that FSLR's technology is about two years ahead of all competitors. Many of the CIGS startups are at the same stage that FSLR was in 2006. They're all operating in the test-plant phase before scaling up mass production.

Cramer has been bullish on FSLR since the summer of last year when it was trading at $50. I've been buying aggresively since it was at $33 and it now accounts for the majority of my invesment holdings. Cramer recently became so emphatic about buying FSLR that he went bearish on all other solar stocks, with the exception of AMAT,, on the belief that FSLR would eat everyone's lunch.

So, according to Cramer, AMAT is positioned #2 in the solar industry. As a supplier of production machinery, they are not in direct competitors with numerous thin-film producers and don't have to worry about raising the heavy capital required for production. AMAT plans on selling $1.7 billion in thin-film equipment by 2009. This is a staggering amout which surpasses even FSLR. At first, this seems like very bad news for FSLR. When digging through the numbers, however, it may turn out to be quite the opposite. AMAT's capex/watt is stated at $3/watt as opposed to FSLR's $1/watt. Sharp's capex has been reported at approximately $2 billion/GW, or $2/watt. This may or may not be accurate, since Sharp is also considering purchasing AMAT product.

Basically, $1.5 billion in AMAT equipment will have the annual production of $500 million in FSLR equipment. The fact that so many competitors are willing to pay triple for AMAT's equipment shows the incredible lead FSLR has on the rest of the field. Secondly, AMAT has stated a goal of getting manufacturing costs of the panels down to $1/watt by 2010. FSLR, by comparison, has a goal of approximately $.60/watt by 2010 according to their grid parity roadmap. As of the end of 2007, FSLR's manufacturing cost/watt was already at $1.12. Unless the dollar crashes further, which would slightly increase costs but greatly increase profits, they should break below $1/watt this year. Another indication of their two-year lead: reports are that 40% of the cost in manufacturing conventional solar panels comes from the silicon. At $1/watt, FSLR's manufacturing costs would rival conventional PV even if their silicon was free. Recent forecasts indicate further polysilicon shortages well into 2009.

With $700 million in cash and the ability to raise billions more, it's hard to imagine any of the smaller competitors chipping into FSLR's two-year lead. The only thing that concerns me is whether bigger players with tens of billions in capital to invest, such as GE (GE) or BP (BP), get into the thin-film game. At their current pace of growth, FSLR's lead may be insurmoutable in a few years when grid parity is acheived. With a three year backlog in product and a 30% operating margin, I feel FSLR has been too conservative in its growth plans. During their secondary offering last July, they diluted shares outstanding by 10% in order to essentially triple output by 2009. I had expected them to announce another stock offering and at least four new 160 MW plants in the first half of this year. This is in line with analyst expectations, judging by 2010 earnings estimates which top $8/share. There's still a chance this might be announced upon earnings next month. The first to reach grid parity will see such explosive growth that their competitors will probably be relugated to "also-ran" status. In the solar arena, grid parity will be the same sort of monopolistic turning point which allowed Intel (INTC) and Microsoft (MSFT) to crush its competition in the late 80s/early 90s. Energy, a $5 trillion annual industry worldwide, is potentially even more rewarding.

[MontPelerin]

CMC Magnetics / Oerlikon / a-Si

Mit der CMC Magnetics Corp. beginnt nun auch in Asien der erste Kunde von Oerlikon Solar, seine Produktion hochzufahren. Die schlüsselfertige 40 Megawatt-Produktionslinie wurde in den vergangenen Monaten von Trübbach (Schweiz) nach Taiwan überführt, zusammengebaut und eingestellt, um zum 17.04.2008 den Pilotbetrieb aufzunehmen, berichtet Oerlikon Solar in einer Pressemitteilung. Oerlikon-Experten begleiten den gesamten Prozess bis zum endgültigen Produktionsstart in der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2008. "Oerlikon Solar hat einen hervorragenden Job gemacht. Alle Zielvereinbarungen wurden eingehalten oder übererfüllt - so stellen wir uns eine erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit vor", zeigt sich Bob Wong, Chairman von CMC erfreut. Die jetzt installierte Anlage sei der Beginn einer langfristig angelegten Partnerschaft zwischen CMC und Oerlikon im Solarmarkt, die auch gemeinsame Entwicklungsprojekte umfasst. Der Start der ersten asiatischen Produktionslinie bedeutet für Oerlikon Solar einen weiteren Meilenstein in der jüngsten Erfolgsgeschichte. Die hochmoderne Anlage ist die erste ihrer Art, die im schnell wachsenden asiatischen Dünnschicht- Photovoltaik Markt die Fabrikation aufnehmen wird. "Wir sind stolz der langjährigen Erfolgsgeschichte unserer Partnerschaft mit CMC ein neues Kapitel beifügen zu können", sagt Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO von Oerlikon.


500.000 Solarmodule jährlich

Die schlüsselfertige 40 MWp-Produktionsanlage zur Herstellung amorpher (a-si) Dünnschicht-Silizium-Solarmodule ermöglicht eine Jahresproduktion von rund 500.000 Modulen, berichtet Oerlikon Solar. Sie umfasst den gesamten Fertigungsprozess von der Glasreinigung bis zum Testen der Solarmodule. Ebenfalls enthalten im Lieferumfang sei die Implementierung der gesamten Messtechnik zur Qualitätskontrolle, das "Back End" der Modulfertigung, sowie die TCO-Technologie (Transparent Conductive Oxide). Eine Erweiterung der bestehenden Herstellungskapazität sei bereits angedacht. Im nächsten Schritt soll eine schlüsselfertige 60 MWp Micromorph Tandem-Linie - die neueste Oerlikon Solar PV-Technologie - das CMC Produktionsvolumen am bestehenden Standort in Taiwan ausweiten.


Micromorph Tandem: 50 Prozent Effizienzsteigerung

Nach der Etablierung der amorphen Dünnschichttechnologie hat Oerlikon Solar im vergangenen September auch die mikromorphe Tandemzelle zur Marktreife gebracht. Verglichen mit der amorphen Zelle besitzt die zweite Generation der Dünnschichttechnologie eine zusätzliche mikrokristalline Siliziumschicht. Das Lichtspektrum der Sonne wird mit dieser Anordnung optimal ausgenutzt, da die Kombination beider Zellen das gesamte Spektrum der Sonnenstrahlung sowohl im sichtbaren als auch im infraroten Bereich in elektrische Spannung umwandelt. Deshalb hat die micromorphe Tandemzelle einen um etwa 50 Prozent höheren Wirkungsgrad als die amorphe Zelle und soll bis 2010 Wirkungsgrade von über 10 Prozent erreichen.


CMC-Produktionskapazität soll in wenigen Jahren Gigawatt-Größenordnung erreichen

Berücksichtige man den so bereits eingeleiteten Übergang von der amorphen zur mikromorphen Technologie, würden viele positive Einzeleffekte wie sinkende Aufwendungen für Materialien, verbesserte Taktzeiten oder höhere Effizienz der Module dazu beitragen, dass bereits 2010 in weiten Bereichen des Sonnengürtels Netzparität (grid parity) erreicht wird, betont Oerlikon Solar. So sei es auch CMCs mittelfristiges Ziel, eine jährliche Produktionsleistung von einem Gigawatt zu erreichen. Diese technologisch ehrgeizigen Pläne gingen einher mit großen wirtschaftlichen und ökologischen Zielen. "Wir von CMC wollen einen aktiven Beitrag leisten, der globalen Klimaerwärmung entgegenzuwirken", so Wong. Weil dies weltweit einer der zukunftsträchtigsten Wachstumsmärkte sie, denke CMC in größeren Dimensionen. In nur wenigen Jahren will das Unternehmen eine Produktionskapazität von über einem GWp aufbauen und weltweit zu den Top 3-Anbietern für Dünnschicht-Silizium- Solartechnologie werden. Oerlikon sei in dieser Strategie als Technologielieferant fest eingeplant. "CMC und Oerlikon werden jetzt die Erfolgsstory, die wir gemeinsam im Markt für optische Speicher geschrieben haben, im Solarbereich wiederholen - und vielleicht sogar weit übertreffen", so Wong weiter.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 33.910.049 von MontPelerin am 17.04.08 17:00:56

Meine Notizen zu CMC vom Solarplaza Intro-Tag der Taiwan-Tour, 18.2.2008:


"ramp-up" im März 2008...

Produktionskapazität 960MW in 2012, 1200 Mw in 2015...

Name des Vehikels: SunWell

[meinolf67]

Thin-Film Solar PV Firm Receives Equity Investment
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Wednesday 16 April 2008
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Sencera International Corp., a photovoltaic thin-film module and systems developer, has secured a $3.6 million equity investment from The Quercus Trust. The funds will be used to accelerate increases in cell efficiency and to complete process integration of Sencera's Viper manufacturing platform - a process projected to manufacture solar modules at a cost less than $1 per watt.

Established in 2003, Sencera customers included the U.S. Army and the U.S. Display Consortium. Its plasma processes and hardware were successfully utilized in thin-film transistor and integrated circuit applications. In 2006, Sencera began contract work for leading CIGS solar cell developers, and last year embarked on the development of proprietary thin-film amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon solar cells.

The company plans to build a prototype 1 MW thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing platform. Work will also center on solar-cell efficiency milestones. Upon the completion of the demonstration phase, Sencera will begin construction of a 35 MW - 50 MW PV module manufacturing line.

[MontPelerin]

Inventux / Oerlikon / m-Si

Die Inventux Technologies AG (Berlin) - ein Photovoltaik-Unternehmen, das sich auf die Entwicklung, Produktion und Vermarktung von Dünnschicht-Modulen spezialisiert - hat von seinem Technologiepartner Oerlikon Solar die ersten Anlagen zur Produktion innovativer Dünnschicht-Photovoltaik-Module erhalten. "Knapp ein Jahr nach Gründung unseres Unternehmens haben wir heute einen wichtigen Meilenstein erreicht. Damit liegen wir voll im Zeitplan", erklärte der Vorstandsvorsitzende der Inventux Technologies AG, Volko Löwenstein. Am Fabriktor des Unternehmenssitzes im Berliner Stadtteil Marzahn zerschnitten Volko Löwenstein und Christopher Smith, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales & Customer Support von Oerlikon Solar gemeinsam in einem symbolischen Akt zur "Tool-Move-In"-Zeremonie ein gelbes Band. Neben dem Bezirksstadtrat für Wirtschaft, Tiefbau, Bürgerdienste und öffentliche Ordnung, Christian Gräff, nahmen auch Vertreter von Kapitalgebern, Projektpartnern sowie Mitglieder der Geschäftsführung des Schweizer High-Tech-Lieferanten Oerlikon teil.

Beschichtungs- und Strukturierungsanlagen für mikromorphe Dünnschicht-Solarmodule

Mitarbeiter von Inventux und Oerlikon werden unverzüglich mit der Installation der Produktionsanlagen beginnen. Noch vor Ende des Jahres sollen nach erfolgreichen Test- und Qualitätssicherungsphasen die ersten Solarmodule ausgeliefert werden. Bis dahin plant Inventux über 40 Millionen Euro in den Auf- und Ausbau der Solarfabrik zu investieren. Bei den Anlagen handelt es sich um große Beschichtungs- und Strukturierungsmaschinen für Reinräume, mit denen die neuartigen mikromorphen Dünnschicht-Solarmodule hergestellt werden. Die genutzte Technologie wird bisher bei der Produktion von Flachbildschirmen eingesetzt. Sie wurde weiterentwickelt, um eine industrielle Serienfertigung von technologisch führenden Solarmodulen auf Basis von Silizium zu ermöglichen.

"Unser Führungsteam verfügt über langjährige Branchenerfahrung sowie tiefgreifende Technologie- und Prozesskompetenz. Es wird uns gelingen, die Herstellung von Photovoltaikmodulen radikal zu vereinfachen, die Produktionskosten der Module und in der Folge die Kosten für die Erzeugung von Solarstrom nachhaltig zu senken", machte Volko Löwenstein deutlich.

18.04.2008 Quelle: Inventux Technologies AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH


Dass Inventux bis Jahresende die ersten mikromorphen Module baut, kann ich mir vorstellen. Aber ob das wirklich viel mehr als Laborproduktion ist?

Ich vermute, die ersten echten mikromorphen (Klein)serien-Module aus europäischer Produktion kommen von Sontor...

[meinolf67]

Berlin - Sind die Deutschen die längste Zeit Solar-Weltmeister gewesen? "In zwei Jahren wird Deutschland nicht mehr der größte Markt für Photovoltaik-Anlagen sein", erwartet Erik Oldekop vom amerikanischen Solarhersteller Nanosolar. Ende Jahres wird nach seiner Einschätzung ein neuer Player groß ins Geschäft mit der Energiequelle Sonne einsteigen. "Mit der neuen Administration in Washington wird sich die US-Energiepolitik völlig verändern", sah der Nanosolar-Manager voraus, dessen Unternehmen derzeit im brandenburgischen Luckenwalde eine Solarfabrik errichtet.

Dennoch war die Diskussion der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Wirtschaftsvereinigung GABA in der Berliner Investitionsbank von keiner Krisenstimmung geprägt. Der globale Markt ist groß auch für solare Newcomer. Im letzten Jahr hatte die weltweite Photovoltaik-Produktion ein Volumen, dass damit die Dächer aller Häuser im Silicon Valley hätten bestückt werden können, gab Oldekop als Vergleichsgröße vor: "Es gibt also noch viele Märkte für uns". Die Größe des deutschen Marktes, der zurzeit noch die Hälfte aller weltweit hergestellten Solaranlagen aufnimmt, war daher auch der Grund für das kalifornische Unternehmen Nanosolar, in Deutschland zu investieren.

Auch beim Unternehmen Inventux, das in Pankow für über 40 Mio. Euro eine Solarproduktion aufbaut, erwartet man kein Ende des Booms. "Wir sehen keine Abschwächung des Marktes in den nächsten zwei Jahren", sagte Inventux-Marketingchef Thorsten Ronge. Für die Produktion seiner besonderen Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodule gebe es schon eine Vielzahl von Bestellungen. Letzte Woche wurden die ersten Produktionsmaschinen vom Schweizer Maschinenbauer Oerlikon angeliefert. Noch vor Ende des Jahres sollen die ersten Solarmodule ausgeliefert werden. Nach wie vor ist Inventux mit dem Berliner Standort zufrieden. Gleich nach der öffentlichen Ankündigung des Projekts im vergangenen September wurde das Unternehmen mit Stellenbewerbungen überschüttet. "Auf die jetzt 60 Arbeitsplätze kamen 900 Bewerbungen", berichtete Runge.

Auch die nächste Phase hat das Pankower Unternehmen, das eine neue Generation von Silizium-Modulen (mikromorph) produziert, schon im Visier. Die nächste Stufe nach den 33 Megawatt Jahresproduktion, mit der man jetzt beginne, werde eher im Bereich 100 statt 50 Megawatt liegen, verriet Runge.

Nanosolar in Luckenwalde hat sich ebenfalls auf eine Marktnische spezialisiert: Die Ausrüstung von kleinen städtischen Elektrizitätswerken mit Solaranlagen zwischen ein und 10 Megawatt Leistung.

[meinolf67]

Heliovolt // CIGS // proprietary


Former DuPont photonics executive joins HelioVolt as new CTO
21 April 2008


[Louay Eldada] HelioVolt Corporation has hired Louay Eldada, Ph.D from E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (DuPont) where he served as CTO, vice president of technology, vice president of engineering and board director for DuPont Photonics Technologies to the role of CTO at HelioVolt.


“HelioVolt has consistently hit its milestones for bringing our advanced solar technology to the global energy market, momentum that we aim to sustain as we launch and diversify our product offering,” said HelioVolt CEO and founder Dr. BJ Stanbery. “Louay brings a unique combination of Fortune 500 operational expertise, entrepreneurial drive and technical achievement, experience that makes him well-suited to align technology development with the needs of our partners and customers as we continue to execute on our plan for strategic growth.”

In the new position at HelioVolt, Dr. Eldada will direct strategic technology planning and development for the company’s advanced thin film solar energy products.

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS // USA

..so kann es auch gehen:


April 28, 2008 9:53 PM PDT
Miasole out, Global Solar in on solar contract
Posted by Michael Kanellos | 1 comment

Life is just not getting better for Miasole.

Dow Chemical announced Monday that it has selected Global Solar to provide copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) solar cells for its solar roofing project with the Department of Energy. Last May, the Department of Energy gave Dow a three-year, $9 million grant to develop solar roofing under the Solar America program.

Global Solar Energy replaced Dow's original CIGS solar cell provider. And who was that? Miasole.

Rumors also swirl that a three-year research grant under the Solar America program made directly Miasole is coming to an end. The company received $5.8 million in the first year of the program, which started last year, and could qualify for up to $20 million over a three-year period, assuming it met its goals. (Miasole was participating directly, and as a partner with Dow, in Solar America.). Sources close to the Energy Department, however, have said that the Miasole grant isn't being renewed.

Fifteen months ago, Miasole seemed headed for success. The company had pulled in more than $56 million in venture capital and said it was set to begin production of thin film CIGS cells in 2007. Many believed the company would be the first to come out with CIGS commercially. But by spring 2007, Miasole encountered a number of problems in bringing its products to market last year. The solar cells coming off of the company's initial production line were on average only able to convert 4 percent to 6 percent of the sunlight that struck them into electricity, below the company's 8 percent to 10 percent goal.

The company also had to lay off employees and swapped management teams.

By contrast, Global Solar moved into commercial production late last year, around the same time as Nanosolar, and says it is producing CIGS cells with 10 percent plus efficiency. Global uses evaporation techniques to deposit the CIGS materials onto film. It's less high tech than some of the processes used by Miasole and other CIGS firms, but Global likes to point out that it does work.

Again, we have not spoken to Miasole. We do not have a clear understanding why Dow switched CIGS providers and have not officially confirmed that the grant made directly to Miasole under the Solar America program will not be renewed. The Global Solar/Dow announcement, however, is somewhat unambiguous.

[MontPelerin]

nur ein Gerücht - aufgeschnappt im LDK-Thread:

LDK CEO Starts Thin-Film Firm
The LDK Investor Group says Best Solar, a thin-film startup founded by LDK CEO Xiaofeng Peng, placed the $1.9 billion order that Applied Materials reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March.
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow April 29, 2008

Rumors about Applied Materials’ (NSDQ: AMAT) mystery customer have been flying ever since the company reported a $1.9 billion sales agreement “with a privately held corporation based outside the United States” in March.
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Some industry insiders thought the purchaser was Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s alternative-energy company, which later that month announced it would build $1.2 billion worth of concentrating solar projects in the south of Spain. Others guessed it was Moser Baer, which in February had said it would pump $1.5 billion into thin-film solar, and still others thought it was Chinese solar-wafer manufacturer LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK).

Now, the LDK Investor Group thinks it has solved the mystery.

In a report released Tuesday, Hakan Telenius, the group’s organizer, said the buyer is Best Solar, a new company set up by LDK CEO Xiaofeng Peng.

Best Solar is an independent company that is unrelated to LDK -- other than sharing a founder -- and that aims to become the world’s largest supplier of thin-film solar panels, according to the report.

“I’m sure this is correct,” said Telenius, who wouldn’t disclose his source but said it was “a direct source” and that the information was confirmed by “lots” of other unnamed sources. “I also knew the news was spreading – lots of people, including at least one analyst, were well aware of what was happening – and we felt we had to release the information to all shareholders.”

Jesse Pichel, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, said he believes the report is correct, based on his own information. The theory also fits in with LDK’s annual report, which states that Peng and his family members “are considering and may invest or otherwise participate in his personal capacity in several alternative-energy projects, including projects involving thin-film solar technology, solar-thermal, wind energy and biofuels.”

“If true, it means the CEO’s personal business is directly competing with LDK shareholders,” Pichel said. “It’s a competing technology – one’s thin-film and one’s polycrystalline. And given that Peng’s the driver of the company, his attention may be diluted now that he’s having to run a big private company. He’s ramping a 1.5-gigawatt poly plant, a 1.5-gigawatt wafer plant and a gigawatt of thin film all at the same time.”

Officials at LDK didn’t return a call and e-mails by press time, and Applied Materials spokesperson David Miller said he couldn’t confirm or deny the information. “Applied continues to have no comment beyond our earlier filing,” he said.

LDK earlier this month said it was raising $400 million to build a 15,000-ton polysilicon plant and to expand its wafer production (see LDK to Raise $400M, LDK Wants $300M and LDK Seeks Big-Time Capital).

Telenius also mentioned the possibility of competition.

“If you’re selling solar panels through regular technology and thin-film technology, you’re kind of competing,” he said. “I wish we knew the strategy behind it all. And there may not be a strategy.”

He said he hopes Peng is considering a merger that would integrate LDK and Best Solar, diversifying its technology. But client relationships might prevent that if LDK has agreed not to get into the solar-panel business, he said.

usw...

[meinolf67]

Xunlight // flex a-SI // USA

könnte die alte MWOE sein...


Xunlight Raises Funds For Thin-Film Solar Commercialization
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Friday 25 April 2008
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Xunlight Corp., a company developing flexible thin-film silicon solar modules, has raised $22 million in a Series B financing investment led by Trident Capital, with participation from Emerald Technology Ventures and NGP Energy Technology Partners. The proceeds will be used to build commercial manufacturing capacity.

Founded as a technology spin-off from the University of Toledo, Xunlight commercialized its technology with significant assistance from the state of Ohio's Third Frontier Project.

"With its strong management team and technology base, as well as its connection with the University of Toledo, we expect Xunlight to become a global leader in the fast growing building integrated photovoltaic market," says Mark Iwanowski of Trident Capital.

[meinolf67]

JV - TF solar u.a. // ??? // Indien, Hyderabad


Goldstone forms JV with TF Solar, Jusung
BS Reporter / Hyderabad April 29, 2008

To set up solar panel unit in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad-based Goldstone Infratech (formerly Goldstone Teleservices), the country's largest manufacturer and supplier of composite insulators, has formed a joint venture with TF SolarPower and Korea-based equipment supplier Jusung Engineering to set up a Rs 2,800 crore thin-film photovoltaic panels (PV) manufacturing unit in Hyderabad.

While Goldstone will hold a 54 per cent stake in the JV project, the first fab in any kind at the Fab City in Hyderabad, TF SolarPower and Jusung will jointly hold the remaining.

The JV will leverage the expertise of TF SolarPower, a company promoted by June Min of South Korean firm Intellect Inc that had set up foundry semiconductor fabs for fabless companies in the US, China and South Korea, for the execution of the project.

It will deploy Jusung's patented 3D cell design and manufacturing technology for making thin-film PV panels.

"The PV plant will have a capacity to produce 350 megawatt with an estimated project cost of Rs 2,800 crore over the next 4-5 years. This could be scaled up to 1,000 mw involving an investment of Rs 16,000 crore after a certain period of time," NK Rawal, chief executive officer, GoldStone Group of Companies, told mediapersons here on Monday.

"The initial fab capacity will be 52 mw with an investment of Rs 600 crore for the first fab of the project with the debt-equity ratio of 1.5:1. We are in the process of raising funds through internal accruals and equity expansion in Goldstone," Rawal said, adding construction work on the project had already begun and the first batch of PV panel products will be delivered in the first quarter of 2009.

[meinolf67]

Optisolar // a-SI // USA


Can OptiSolar Make Thin-Film Dreams Real?
With more than 700 megawatts of projects in its pipeline and at least $71.7 million in funding, Optisolar has big plans for thin film. So why have you heard so little about them?
by: Tyler Hamilton
Bullet Arrow April 30, 2008

A low-key California solar startup with links to Canada’s oil sands industry is emerging as a dark horse in the increasingly competitive market for thin-film solar cells.
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But some observers wonder whether three-year-old OptiSolar can deliver where others have struggled.

OptiSolar, of Hayward, Calif., unveiled plans last week to build a 550-megawatt solar PV park in San Luis Obispo County, Calif. Construction on the massive $1 billion project is expected to begin in 2010, with the company’s silicon-based thin-film panels blanketing about 9.5 square miles of flatlands on the Carissa Plains -- not far from Ausra’s proposed 177-megawatt solar-thermal plant.

Meanwhile, OptiSolar aims to break ground next month on the first of several solar parks it plans to construct in Ontario, Canada. The company has signed 21 contracts with the local power authority to sell more than 200 megawatts of solar electricity into the Ontario grid. The province pays a premium of 42 Canadian cents per kilowatt-hour under its European-style standard offer program.

Peter Carrie, vice president of OptiSolar’s Canadian subsidiary, OptiSolar Farms Canada, says the first 10 megawatts of its largest project -- the 60-megawatt “Solar Sarnia” park -- will be operational by the end of this year.

“Our project management team is already mobilizing,” Carrie said. “We’ll build out the balance in 2009.”

The projects in Ontario and California alone account for more than 700 megawatts of solar capacity, an impressive pipeline for a thin-film startup yet to establish volume manufacturing or an industry track record.

“If they’re developing their own thin-film technology, you might expect that to take more than three years,” said Jenny Chase, lead solar analyst with New Energy Finance. She said producing quality thin-film modules has been the holy grail of the solar industry for 30 years. “It’s not trivial. There are a number of companies that have hit the stage where OptiSolar is right now and haven’t produced enough to build a 550-megawatt project.”

First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), with its cadmium-telluride thin-film modules, is a standout exception. Even Nanosolar, which has a three-year head start on OptiSolar and has raised $150 million over the past two years, only began production of its copper-indium-gallium-diselenide panels in December.

OptiSolar, however, has a vertically integrated business model that makes it somewhat unique among its peers. Its biggest customer appears to be itself, meaning it can assure access to low-cost modules as it embarks on a plan to construct multi-megawatt solar parks around the world.

Its revenues will come from long-term power-purchase agreements, and any progress in lowering module and installation costs go directly to the bottom line.

The strategy makes it easier for OptiSolar to attract capital for its large solar parks, because it theoretically can guarantee a better return on investment than a company such as SunEdison, which must buy marked-up product from third-party suppliers.

So far, OptiSolar has done a decent job of attracting capital, most of it under the radar. Chase said the company – formerly named Gen 3 Solar Inc. -- has raised $71.7 million in venture capital since December 2006, though some have reported figures as high as $89 million.

Even so, Chase said she suspects the company will run into difficulty supplying its own projects and may need to buy modules from other manufacturers to bridge the gap.

Carrie dismissed the possibility.

“Our plans are to use our own modules for all our projects, including the initial ones,” he said. “You don’t need to speculate about that.”

Initial modules for Ontario will be manufactured out of OptiSolar’s California facility. The company also is constructing a 600,000-square-foot “high-volume” manufacturing plant in Sacramento, Calif., where the county is offering a $20 million economic incentive to make the site more attractive.

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS // USA

Miasolé Drops Out of DOE Program
The thin-film solar company has turned down up to $20 million in funding for one DOE project and partner Dow Chemical has selected a competitor, Global Solar, to take its place in another.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow April 30, 2008

Thin-film solar developer Miasolé has dropped out of a government funding program that would have given the company up to $20 million for research and development, according to Scott Stephens, a government contractor who spoke on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday.
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"Miasolé decided it wasn't aligned with what they wanted to do as a company," said Stephens, who helps oversee the DOE solar-research program Technology Pathway Partnership and also is a senior engineer with the consulting group Sentech.

Last year, the DOE announced it had selected Miasolé, along with 12 others, to receive a up to $168 million for technology development. Miasolé was expected to use its funding, which was to be dispensed over three years, to develop flexible thin-film modules with integrated electronics and to advance solar installation technologies.

After Dow Chemical earlier this week announced it was replacing Miasolé with competitor Global Solar as its partner on another DOE project, CNET reported that the Miasolé grant isn't being renewed. Rumors abounded that the DOE had dropped Miasole from the program.

But Stephens said those rumors simply aren't true. The DOE and Miasolé were still hashing out what is called the "statement of project objectives" late last year when the solar company decided to walk away, he said.

Stephens said there is no bad blood between the two, and that Miasolé was entitled to back away during the negotiation period.

And Miasolé CEO Joseph Laia said the company also backed away from the Dow Chemical deal, instead of the other way around.

That's because both deals, which were submitted to the DOE before he started at the company in September, required Miasolé to develop flexible building-integrated photovoltaic technology.

Laia said integrating this type of thin-film solar into building materials is difficult because it is particularly exposed to the elements and requires a special membrane to keep water from getting into the cells.

The problem is that the barrier isn’t available today, and probably won’t be economical for another two years, he said.

Laia said he decided to turn down the DOE projects because he wanted to keep the company focused on improving cell efficiency and manufacturing its current technology.

Speculation about technology problems at Miasolé have run rampant since the startup laid off about 40 employees in December (see Former Employees Confirm Cuts and Layoffs Raise Questions About Technology).

At the time, Paul Maycock, president of the solar-electric consulting and research firm Photovoltaic Energy Systems, said the layoffs were a sign that company had run into technical difficulties. “It’s very difficult to make thin film,” he said in December.

But Laia said the company isn’t having any more technological problems than everyone else. The company is working to increase the efficiency with its thin-film cells that convert sunlight into electricity and is tightening up the manufacturing process to reduce excess waste.

Laia said Miasolé is producing panels with 9 to 10 percent efficiency. "But you don't have to take my word," he said. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is verifying Miasolé’s conversion rate and Laia said he hopes to receive the lab’s results in the next three weeks.

The company's competitor, Global Solar, has reached an average efficiency of 10 percent for its cells (it’s not making panels). Silicon-based crystalline cells often have efficiencies of 12 to 15 percent.

[meinolf67]

Baoding Tianwei // a-SI // Oerlikon // China

Oerlikon Solar wins turnkey thin-film PV module deal from Baoding Tianwei

Oerlikon Solar and Chinese company Baoding Tianwei have inked a deal for a turnkey thin-film PV module production line in Bao Ding, China. The comprehensive agreement will see the provision of all production equipment and testing facilities, which will be shipped in the next few months and installed by Oerlikon Solar. Initial production capacity for the line will be 46.5MWp per annum.

“With this major order we expand our footprint in Asia entering one of the most attractive solar markets worldwide,” said Dr. Uwe Krüger, Oerlikon CEO.

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.012.233 von meinolf67 am 02.05.08 00:43:00

Das ist die Mutter von Yingli, oder?

Kennen wir den schon?

Sunovia / CdTe / USA

Sunovia announced yesterday that it had completed its next round of financing and was devoting these resources to the company’s plans for manufacturing CdTe solar cells. More than $25 million has been invested into the companies' core CdTe research, development and design for the high-throughput CdTe-based manufacturing facility.

Sunovia’s move to mainstream commercial solar is a departure from its background as a supplier of niche solar products for NASA and the military. Sunovia claims to have developed an advanced manufacturing process for CdTe cells that will reduce the footprint of a 100MW facility to only 10,000 square feet. This reduction could enable them to compete with larger scale producers in the future as their ability to ramp could be greatly enhanced by the new process.

Obvious comparisons will be drawn between Sunovia’s goals and the current CdTe incumbent First Solar who has attracted enormous coverage recently for its higher-than-expected first quarter results. For 2008, the company expects sales from $975 million to $1.05 billion, well over analysts' estimates of $954.9 million.

Commenting on the first quarter result, Chief Executive Michael Ahearn said in a conference call, "Demand for our products remained robust during the quarter, and we continued to experience market demand in excess of supply.” First Solar is looking to reach 1GW of production by 2009.

There can be no doubt that Sunovia has high expectations for the future. "Initially, the high-efficiency CdTe-based solar cells are targeted at concentrated solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that support the commercial and utility-scale renewable energy markets. After demonstrating the scalable 10 MW high-throughput CdTe manufacturing system, we believe that the company will be ideally positioned to add additional capacity within a relatively short period of time in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the core manufacturing system is designed to have a very small footprint and can be scaled to meet the increasing demands, which are anticipated for this market throughout the foreseeable future," said Carl Smith, CEO of Sunovia. "Our aim is to achieve, or even undercut, the cost-per-watt manufacturing targets and timeframes, which are identified within the Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative, and we believe that we are uniquely positioned to accomplish this."

There is no doubt that demand will continue to grow for CdTe-based products, particularly in the utility grade CPV sector. The question is: who will be the one meeting that demand in three years’ time?

---------------

The company, based in Sarasota, Florida, is trade on the over-the-counter bulletin board as SUNV.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.012.380 von MontPelerin am 02.05.08 06:51:05

Bin mir nicht ganz sicher, die Firmierung der Mutter laut Prospekt lautet:

Baoding Tianwei Boabian Electric;

als Kurzform wird Tianwei Baobian verwendet.

Insoweit würde ich eher auf "Nein" tippen...




Sunovia ist mir neu. Danke!



Und bei Te bin ich nicht weniger skeptisch geworden. Im CC waren erstmals mehr Fragen zur Rohstoffversorgung und da sind die Antworten sehr schmallippig gewesen.

Habe im Hauptthread ein paar Infos zu Te-Preisen und Versorgungslage gepostet, die ich auf einer für mich neuen interesanten Seite (www.metal-pages.com) gefunden habe. Leider teuer und nur ein einwöchiges Testabo möglich...

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.013.836 von meinolf67 am 02.05.08 10:54:13

Baoding Tianwei Boabian oder Tianwei Baobian... Die Chinesen wollen mich fertig machen.

[macsoja]

Im Kamikaze-Artikel der EUROamS
http://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/Die_Solar_Luege_EuramS__71…

tauchen auf:
-> norwegischer Solarkonzern REC
----> gemeint ist die REC-GROUP (1,7 Mrd. Umsatz in Q1/08)
----> http://www.recgroup.com/
-> chinesisches Unternehmen Suntech
----> haben wir schon

Ist schon interessant, was so eine Studie für einen Widerhall finden kann und wird...

[meinolf67]

Polysilicon shortages will spur thin film CAGR of 70 percent through 2010,

iSuppliPolysilicon shortages are not only limiting the potential growth of the PV industry but are continuing to impact manufacturing costs, according to Dr. Henning Wicht, Senior Director and Principal Analyst, MEMS and PV for iSuppli. Costs are rising rather than falling, forcing PV manufacturers to establish their own polysilicon production as well as seek cost saving elsewhere.

“Polysilicon shortages are driving prices up,” noted Wicht. “For companies attempting to expand their PV fabs to meet rising demand, it’s becoming very difficult to secure low-priced silicon.”

Wicht noted that PV companies must pay polysilicon suppliers between 10 and 20 percent of their total contract costs up front to secure availability of the key raw material. This has made cost reduction mandatory for the PV industry.

The alternative of course is not to be dependent on silicon for solar cell production. Wicht pointed out that the growth in thin-film technologies is expected to outgrow the sector. He expects thin-film technologies to rise to 20 percent of the total PV market in 2010, up from 5 percent in 2007. Thin-film PV will grow by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 70 percent from 2007 to 2010.

In its preliminary forecast, global revenue for PV cells is projected to increase to as much as $22.1 billion in 2012, up from $9.6 billion in 2007. By 2020, about 50,000 megawatts worth of PV systems (MWp) will be installed annually, up by a factor of nearly 20 from 2,538MWp in 2007.

With these projected levels of growth, PV manufacturers dependent on polysilicon are being forced to become more vertically integrated. Cost reductions must also be implemented across the entire PV system supply chain, including polysilicon, wafers, cells, modules and finished systems, noted Wicht.

[meinolf67]

5. Mai 2008
Oerlikon Gets Contract For Thin Film in China
Beijing, China [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Oerlikon Solar and Baoding Tianwei announced they have signed a contract for a turnkey thin-film solar module production line. The initial production capacity will be 46.5 megawatts (MW) per year.

"Our capabilities to enhance the efficiency of proven thin-film silicon solar modules result in a direct reduction of cost of ownership. This is a major advantage for our customers in gaining market share."

-- Jeannine Sargent, CEO, Oerlikon Solar

The deal includes all major thin-film solar module production equipment including metrology and testing facilities. In the coming months the machinery will be shipped, installed and commissioned by a team of Oerlikon Solar experts. The project site is located in Bao Ding.

"Our capabilities to enhance the efficiency of proven thin-film silicon solar modules result in a direct reduction of cost of ownership. This is a major advantage for our customers in gaining market share," said Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar.

[meinolf67]

Sunovia // CdTe // USA

Sunovia set to take on First Solar in two years?
01 May 2008 - Solar Cell - News
Popular Articles
Sunovia set to take on First Solar in two years? - 01 May 2008

SunoviaSunovia announced yesterday that it had completed its next round of financing and was devoting these resources to the company’s plans for manufacturing CdTe solar cells. More than $25 million has been invested into the companies' core CdTe research, development and design for the high-throughput CdTe-based manufacturing facility.

Sunovia’s move to mainstream commercial solar is a departure from its background as a supplier of niche solar products for NASA and the military. Sunovia claims to have developed an advanced manufacturing process for CdTe cells that will reduce the footprint of a 100MW facility to only 10,000 square feet. This reduction could enable them to compete with larger scale producers in the future as their ability to ramp could be greatly enhanced by the new process.

Obvious comparisons will be drawn between Sunovia’s goals and the current CdTe incumbent First Solar who has attracted enormous coverage recently for its higher-than-expected first quarter results. For 2008, the company expects sales from $975 million to $1.05 billion, well over analysts' estimates of $954.9 million.

Commenting on the first quarter result, Chief Executive Michael Ahearn said in a conference call, "Demand for our products remained robust during the quarter, and we continued to experience market demand in excess of supply.” First Solar is looking to reach 1GW of production by 2009.

There can be no doubt that Sunovia has high expectations for the future. "Initially, the high-efficiency CdTe-based solar cells are targeted at concentrated solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that support the commercial and utility-scale renewable energy markets. After demonstrating the scalable 10 MW high-throughput CdTe manufacturing system, we believe that the company will be ideally positioned to add additional capacity within a relatively short period of time in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the core manufacturing system is designed to have a very small footprint and can be scaled to meet the increasing demands, which are anticipated for this market throughout the foreseeable future," said Carl Smith, CEO of Sunovia. "Our aim is to achieve, or even undercut, the cost-per-watt manufacturing targets and timeframes, which are identified within the Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative, and we believe that we are uniquely positioned to accomplish this."

There is no doubt that demand will continue to grow for CdTe-based products, particularly in the utility grade CPV sector. The question is: who will be the one meeting that demand in three years’ time?

[meinolf67]

Heliovolt // CIGS // USA


HelioVolt aims thin-film sales at integrated building systems
07 May 2008 - PV Modules - News

HelioVoltHelioVolt Corporation has teamed with Architectural Glass & Aluminum Co. to develop and offer building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products for its thin-film PV modules. According to NanoMarkets, a market research firm, BIPV products are one of the largest market opportunities for thin-film products, and are expected to constitute about $800 million in 2011. HelioVolt’s agreement with AGA marks the company’s first partnership for delivering BIPV products to market.

“Driven by the inherent value of being able to generate clean electricity at the same place it’s being consumed, the market for distributed solar energy is developing at breakneck speed,” said HelioVolt CEO Dr. B.J. Stanbery. “In addition to offering advances over the typical solar panel products that dominate the market today, HelioVolt’s manufacturing process enables next-generation smart building materials capable of powering cities of the future.”

“AGA has a 40-year history of delivering specialized curtain wall products and services to our customers throughout the Western United States. This new solar-enabled product line will add value and innovation to our already trusted offering,” said Joe Brescia, CEO of AGA. “HelioVolt’s unique manufacturing process and quality of the resulting CIGS thin film make the company a valued partner as we move into a new category of BIPV products.”

HelioVolt is currently constructing a manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas to produce its CIGS thin-film products after raising more than $100 million in 2007.

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS //USA


Miasolé Clears the Air
In an attempt to lay rumors of technical difficulties to rest, the thin-film developer opens its doors to Greentech Media. CEO Joseph Laia says he expects to start shipping thin-film solar panels before the year's end.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow May 09, 2008
CEO Joseph Laia says his company will start shipping thin-film solar panels by the end of this year.
Rachel Barron
Advertisement

Miasolé plans to ship its first commercial thin-film solar panels to customers by the end of this year, CEO Joseph Laia told Greentech Media this week.

After contending with layoffs, an executive change and months of rumors that the thin-film developer had been suffering technical setbacks, usually tight-lipped Laia said Miasolé has improved its efficiency and is ready to grow.

The company, which has the capacity to produce 40 megawatts per year from its pilot line and two production lines at its headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., expects to expand its annual California capacity to 120 megawatts next year, Laia said. He added the company will be building a larger second factory in the western United States next year and that it should be up and running by 2010.

But the company isn’t exactly known for keeping its promises.

Miasolé previously said it planned to reach 50 megawatts of capacity by 2007 and 200 megawatts by 2008 (see The Energy Blog, Red Herring and CNET).

What’s different? For one thing, Laia himself, who took over after former CEO David Pearce stepped down from the top spot in September and left the company in December.

Laia said that when he came on board the company was producing cells with an average 5 percent efficiency, meaning the cells converted about 5 percent of the sunlight that hit them into electricity.

That's a far cry from the conversion efficiency of thin-film darling First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), which is the world’s largest thin-film company (see Wall Street's Love Affair with First Solar Continues and Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production).

First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride films, reached an average cell efficiency of 10.6 percent at the end of the fourth quarter, Jesse Pichel, a senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray, wrote in a research note.

Laia said that since he took the helm, Miasolé has been working to increase cell efficiency and tighten up the manufacturing process to reduce excess waste. And, according to him, it’s worked: Miasolé is producing panels with 9 to 10 percent efficiency, he said.

Now, Laia said, Miasolé isn’t having more technological problems than anyone else.

"This isn't easy," he said about going after high efficiency while keeping costs under control. "I don't think anybody has figured it out because you can't buy a good [copper-indium-gallium-selenide] module at a low price from anybody in the world."

Thin-film solar cells use little or no silicon, the costliest part of most solar cells. Advocates claim the technology can potentially lower costs beyond that of silicon-based cells.

Miasolé makes copper-indium-gallium-diselenide films, also known as CIGS. In laboratory tests, CIGS films have reached the highest efficiency, compared with other thin films. The approach also is being used by HelioVolt, Nanosolar, Global Solar and others.

But so far, none of the CIGS companies has managed to reach mass-market production – or to beat First Solar’s costs or efficiency outside of the lab.

And Miasolé doesn’t expect to do that right away, either.

Tom Hecht, Miasolé's director of sales and marketing, said the company will be producing panels at a higher cost than that of First Solar at first, but eventually expects to become competitive.

First Solar reported a manufacturing cost of $1.12 per watt in the fourth quarter of last year.

With First Solar dominating the thin-film market and churning out impressive profits to boot, the heat is on for companies like Miasolé to bring their products to the market fast.

Brian Yerger, a research analyst with Jesup & Lamont, said the market is ripe for thin-film solar.

If a company can reach high efficiencies at the right price point, "then you have a ready-made market where you can sell all you can produce," he said.

Paul Maycock, president of solar-electric consulting and research firm Photovoltaic Energy Systems, said that CIGS-based solar films, such as Miasolé’s, should theoretically be more efficient than cadmium-telluride films such as First Solar’s.

In labs, CIGS films have reached efficiencies of nearly 20 percent, while cadmium-telluride films have topped out at about 16.5 percent.

"We have been hearing from all the CIGS (companies) and nobody is shipping yet in any quantity," he said. "It's very easy to set goals. But the proof will be in the eating."

[meinolf67]

AMAT // turn-key-supplier // USA
T-Solar Global // a-SI // Spanien

Applied Materials Announces Powerful SunFab Performance Service; Signs Multiyear Agreement with T-Solar
Monday May 12, 7:30 am ET

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Applied Materials, Inc. today announced another first for the solar industry with its SunFab Performance Service™ program. This unique service solution guarantees the performance cost and output of the Applied SunFab™ Thin Film Line for producing solar modules, enabling continuous cost reduction based on megawatt output. As the most comprehensive integrated support solution in the solar industry, the SunFab Performance Service allows customers to quickly ramp to volume production and optimize the efficiency and productivity of their SunFab™ Line.

ADVERTISEMENT
Applied has signed a multiyear agreement to provide the SunFab Performance Service to T-Solar Global S.A. of Spain for the Applied SunFab Thin Film Line. Using 5.7m2 glass panels, the SunFab Line can reduce the cost of utility-scale photovoltaic installations by more than 20%. “Based on Applied’s proven track record of providing service and technology to the chip industry, we are very confident that we have made the best choice for this key project,” said Juan Laso, general manager of T-Solar.

As part of this service agreement, Applied will manage and optimize T-Solar’s SunFab Line performance with a wide variety of engineering, logistics, technology and automation software solutions. In addition to all preventive and corrective maintenance and complete parts management, Applied will provide continuous improvement programs and total factory optimization to enable low operating cost and on-going productivity gains.

“By entrusting the equipment, maintenance and performance of our solar production line to Applied, we are guaranteed specific results that minimize our risk, shorten our time to production, and meet our profit goals,” stated Cesar Alberte, fab director of T-Solar. “We view this as the most economic solution to running our solar fab that over time will allow us to drop the cost per watt of solar energy.”

“Guaranteeing performance through cost of operation and associated megawatt output represents a major shift from the traditional service model,” said Manfred Kerschbaum, senior vice president and general manager of Applied Global Services. “We are pleased to pioneer the way in providing customers like T-Solar with a comprehensive service program that represents a step function improvement in value and the most complete and dependable choice for maintaining and optimizing their investment.”

In 2007, T-Solar became the first company in Europe to order an Applied SunFab Thin Film production line. The line is expected to have a nominal rated capacity of 40 megawatts per year when fully operational, enabling T-Solar to capitalize on the rapidly expanding market in Spain for photovoltaic installations.

T-Solar Global S.A. is an industrial group based in Spain focused on photovoltaic technologies. In addition to investing in next-generation manufacturing, T-Solar installs and operates its own PV power generation plants. At T-Solar, we are passionate about what we do, as we sow the seeds of a better world; it is our genuine belief that PV technology will in the long run significantly contribute to a more sustainable approach to power generation.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT - News) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.075.423 von meinolf67 am 12.05.08 13:48:58

tja, kann man so oder so interpretieren:

a) AMAT ist so toll, dass alle nur drauf fliegen
b) T-Solar ist anpxxßt und sagt, "nun seht mal zu, daß Euer Kram auch läuft"...


Welche Version mag wohl stimmen?

[meinolf67]

Ein Zulieferer; Futter für AMAT & Co.??


Sencera ships first its first ViPeR Platform

Sencera, a Charlotte, NC based company focused on the development, production and sale of high performance plasma sources, photovoltaic (solar energy) manufacturing tools, and thin film solar cells announced the first shipment of the ViPeR Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) and Etching platform. The fully automated ViPeR is a modular platform operated form a distributed control system. Users benefit from gas utilization in excess of 70% and increased deposition rates for a wide variety of films. The robust ViPeR platform can perform as an individual chamber, or be combined with additional ViPeR’s for greater throughput. The platform features an integrated power source and handles both batch and roll to roll processes.

Dr. Russell Jewett, President of Sencera, says the ViPeR is the next generation of Sencera’s thin film deposition process technology. Increased deposition rates at lower temperatures allow plasma deposition work on new materials including many plastics.

“The ViPeR is one of the most economical tools available for semi-conductor quality PECVD. The platform uniformly deposits films on large area substrates over 0.4 meters wide, and can be scaled to several meters, as needed.”

The ViPeR supports applications in several industries. These include: Thin film solar cells, glass coating, metallization, and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD / Thin Flexible Display).

[meinolf67]

Sunovia // CdTe & SI ??? // USA


Sunovia and EPIR Announce Unprecedented Breakthrough in the Manufacturing of Single Crystalline Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) on Silicon
Thursday May 8, 12:24 pm ET

SARASOTA, Fla., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SUNV - News) and EPIR Technologies, Inc. (EPIR) are pleased to announce an unprecedented breakthrough in the manufacturing of Single Crystalline Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on silicon (Si), known as CdTe/Si. The companies have discovered a method to produce single crystalline CdTe/Si more rapidly than ever achieved before in any lab, even for a single isolated sample. The results have been independently validated and are readily reproducible with an extremely high yield and an unprecedented high crystal quality. This breakthrough paves the way for continued progress toward the large-scale manufacturing and commercialization of single crystalline epitaxial CdTe/Si, which the companies believe, as of today, has no competitors. This breakthrough again demonstrates the companies' continuing role as the leading developers of advanced night vision materials and ultra-high-efficiency solar cells based on CdTe/Si.

ADVERTISEMENT
This breakthrough validates the first reproducible, high-yield growth of high-quality CdTe/Si suitable for commercial manufacturing. The companies believe that this development alone will greatly reduce the cost of high-efficiency CdTe-based solar cells and night vision detectors and cameras. This breakthrough also dramatically improved the crystal quality of the CdTe produced. It created improvements in the crystal quality of three-inch CdTe wafers more than twice as great as all of the improvements achieved over the last decade. In addition, the improvement in uniformity across the wafer is even more striking than the great improvement in crystal quality at the center of the wafer. This indicates a high likelihood of being able to move rapidly to the commercial large-scale manufacturing of even larger area CdTe/Si wafers, further lowering costs and speeding up production. This is of prodigious importance to the companies' solar cell manufacturing program because that program has single crystal CdTe/Si as its fundamental base for creating even more efficient cells.

As explained in previous Sunovia press releases, the development of high-efficiency infrared materials and devices and that of photovoltaic (PV) devices are very similar, except that infrared device manufacturing is much more precise and difficult.

"I am very pleased for the shareholders and investors of Sunovia and EPIR to announce this unprecedented breakthrough," stated Dr. Siva Sivananthan, President and CEO of EPIR Technologies, Inc. "This accomplishment is a direct reflection of the incredible talent at EPIR, and the 'team first' attitude we share with Sunovia," added Sivananthan.

About Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. and EPIR Technologies, Inc.

Sunovia and EPIR own significant equity interests in one another. Sunovia is a Sarasota, Fla.-based renewable energy and energy conservation company that is working to develop one of the most advanced and cost-effective cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell technologies ever created. Sunovia is also the owner of the proprietary EvoLucia(TM) LED lighting product line; the incredibly energy efficient LED lighting solutions have received CE, FCC, TUV and IP23 regulatory approvals, and are now being marketed worldwide.

Illinois-based EPIR Technologies, Inc. ( http://www.epir.com ) is one of the most advanced IR sensor and imaging companies in the world. EPIR's knowledge, experience and expertise in the growth of CdTe, HgCdTe and other II-VI semiconductors equal or exceed those of any other company in the world. Their prowess in this area is unmatched and has been endorsed by the award of unprecedented Congressional funds for the development of a manufacturing capability for CdTe on Si and the award of a patent for growing CdTe directly on a Si readout integrated circuit, as well as other patents. Although currently entering manufacturing in order to maximize the profit from its distinguished R&D, EPIR is committed to protecting its strong R&D and technology base and is maintaining close collaborative relationships with Department of Defense, industrial, and university laboratories. EPIR is now ramping up its manufacturing of CdTe on Si and is manufacturing high quality HgCdTe infrared material, using the CdTe on Si as a low cost substrate. In addition, EPIR has developed a portfolio of specialty sensors that it has begun to produce; including both a variety of IR sensors and a biosensor and decontamination system.

Perhaps most important, EPIR now has leveraged its great expertise in the manufacturing of II-VI semiconductor materials and optoelectronic devices to enter the rapidly expanding field of solar energy. The same techniques learned in the growth of military-grade infrared materials are now being successfully applied to the production of solar cells. High-sensitivity infrared materials produced at low cost by EPIR are being used to obtain high solar cell efficiencies at low cost. EPIR's immediate plans include the manufacturing of solar cells for space applications and concentrator systems.

Sunovia Energy's Web site is located at www.sunoviaenergy.com . EPIR Technologies, Inc.'s Web site is located at www.epir.com . More information about this exclusive partnership may be viewed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), available online at www.sec.gov.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.075.819 von meinolf67 am 12.05.08 15:18:13

ups, falscher Thread, die sind schon börsennotiert...

Thread: Sunovia - Technologiegesellschaft auch mit Solar Products

[meinolf67]

Showa Shell // CIGS // Japan


:: Showa Shell to Quadruple Photovoltaic Module Production
+ 26.01.2008 + Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., a major Japanese oil company, announced August 15, 2007, that it is starting construction of its second CIS photovoltaic module plant, managed by its subsidiary, Showa Shell Solar K.K. (CIS refers to the ingredients copper, indium, and selenium).
With an annual production of 60 megawatts (MW), it will be the world's largest CIS photovoltaic module plant. Construction in Miyazaki begins in fiscal 2007, and manufacturing is scheduled to start in the first half of fiscal 2009.

The company launched commercial production at its first plant, also in Miyazaki and in operation since October 2006, which has a production capacity of 20 MW (see the related JFS article below). With the new plant, the company will increase current production by four times. The products manufactured will be sold mainly in the domestic market through Showa Shell Sekiyu's agent network.

The CIS photovoltaic module, marketed under the "Solacis" product name, is a thin-film compound solar module, mainly consisting of copper, indium, and selenium. Compared to conventional crystalline silicon-based solar modules, the CIS module requires no silicon (which is in short supply), so there are seldom shortages of raw materials, and less energy is required in the production process. Solacis won the Good Design Award (Ecology Design Award) for fiscal 2007, sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.

[meinolf67]

Pramac // a-Si // Italien // Oerlikon


14. Februar 2008 - 16:24 Diesen Artikel drucken Diesen Artikel versenden RSS Feed
Solarfabrik lässt Sonne scheinen
Gemeinsame Pressekonferenz von Oerlikon Solar und der Pramac-Gruppe.
Bildlegende: Gemeinsame Pressekonferenz von Oerlikon Solar und der Pramac-Gruppe. (Ti-Press)


Die italienische Pramac-Gruppe investiert 85 Millionen Euro in eine Fabrik zur Produktion von Solarmodulen im Tessin. Für die Standortwahl war der Brand "Made in Switzerland" mitentscheidend.

Für die Wirtschaft im Tessin und insbesondere das strukturschwache Locarnese ist dies eine gute Nachricht. 150 Arbeitsplätze entstehen im High-Tech-Sektor.

Die von Oerlikon Solar entwickelte Technologie zur Herstellung von Silizium Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen wird zum ersten Mal in der Schweiz selbst in Produktion gehen.

Nachdem diese Technologie bereits mehrfach ins Ausland verkauft wurde, unter anderem nach Deutschland, Taiwan und Singapur, hat sich die italienische Pramac-Gruppe entschlossen, eine solche Solarfabrik im Industriegebiet von Riazzino bei Locarno zu verwirklichen.

Der Bau der Fabrik soll bis Ende dieses Jahres abgeschlossen sein, wie Vertreter von Pramac und Oerlikon Solar diese Woche an einer gemeinsamen Medienkonferenz in Lugano erklärten. 150 Mitarbeiter werden eingestellt. Sie sollen möglichst in der Region angeworben werden, sagte Pramac-CEO Paolo Campinoti.
Standorte verglichen

Die Pramac-Gruppe hatte für die neue Solarfabrik mehrere Standorte geprüft, unter anderem in Süditalien, Osteuropa und Spanien. Laut Campinoti wurden teilweise wesentlich attraktivere Standortbedingungen und Fördermassnahmen angeboten als in der Schweiz.

Trotzdem habe man sich für das Tessin entschieden, vor allem wegen des Markenzeichens "Made in Switzerland". Dieses Qualitätslabel sei in einem Hochpreismarktsegment äusserst wichtig. Dazu kamen attraktive steuerliche Rahmenbedingungen, eine gute Infrastruktur, die Nähe zu universitären Forschungszentren sowie eine speditive Zusammenarbeit mit den Behörden.

Die Wirtschaftsförderung des Kantons Tessin unterstützt die Ansiedelung der neuen Solarfabrik aktiv. Über den konkreten Betrag kann Arnoldo Coduri, Chef des kantonalen Wirtschaftsamtes, aber noch keine Angaben machen, da der Grosse Rat zuerst noch den entsprechenden Rahmenkredit gewähren muss.
« Wir wollen Business machen. »

Cristian Cavazzoti, CEO Pramac Swiss
Produktion im Jahr 2009

Der Zeitplan ist straff, die Ambitionen sind hoch. Bereits im Januar 2009 sollen die ersten Module produziert werden. In einer Anfangsphase ist eine Jahresproduktion von 250'000 Modulen geplant. Die Jahreskapazität von 30 Megawatt (MW) soll möglichst bald schon verdoppelt werden und innert 2011 sogar 120 MW erreichen.

Die Produktionsanlagen werden von Oerlikon Solar mit Sitz in Trübbach geliefert, dem eigenen Angaben zufolge weltweit einzigen Anbieter felderprobter und schlüsselfertiger Lösungen für die Massenproduktion von Silizium Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen.

Diese Technologie ist im Vergleich zu den herkömmlichen Solarzellen günstiger und effizienter. Die Module können wie Fenster montiert oder zur Gebäudeverkleidung eingesetzt werden.
Solarenergie als Wachstumsmarkt

Die Pramac-Gruppe mit Sitz in Siena (Italien) ist als Hersteller von Stromgeneratoren und Flurfördergeräten bekannt. Das börsenkotierte Unternehmen generiert einen Umsatz von 220 Millionen Euro (2007).

Jetzt hofft die Firma, in Italien und Europa zu einem wichtigen Solarenergie-Lieferanten aufzusteigen. Firmenvertreter machten klar, dass sie diesen Zweig erneuerbarer Energielieferung nicht einfach aus reiner Liebe zur Umwelt auswählten, sondern ein gutes Geschäft wittern: "Wir wollen Business machen", sagt Cristian Cavazzoti, CEO von Pramac Swiss.

In der Tat hat die Photovoltaik-Branche in den letzten zehn Jahren stark zugelegt und Zuwachsraten von 20 bis 30 Prozent verbucht. Für Jeannine Sargent, seit letztem September CEO von Oerlikon Solar, wird die kostengünstigere und effizientere Produktionsweise von dünn beschichteten Modulen dazu führen, dass Solarenergie in einigen Jahren mit Energie aus konventionellen Energieträgern gleichziehen kann und nicht länger auf Subventionen angewiesen ist.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.075.967 von meinolf67 am 12.05.08 15:46:18

Schweiz! nicht Italien

siehe im Text: "made in switzerland" als Verkaufsargument

[meinolf67]

Moser Baer // a-Si // Indien // AMAT


Source: IRIS (12 May 2008)
Moser Baer announces successful trials of first gen. 8.5 thin film plant


Moser Baer India, a global technology company, announced on Monday that its subsidiary, Photo Voltaic Technologies India (PVTIL) successfully completed deposition trials for Gen 8.5 a-Si (Amorphous Silicon) thin film modules, at its new 40MW facility in Greater NOIDA on May 10, 2008.

``This is truly a major Landmark for us as it marks the completion of the first project for manufacture of a-Si thin film modules with Gen 8.5 technology. Achieving successful and stable thin film deposition capability for such large size panels in a record time further manifests our technology and project execution capabilities. We commenced equipment trials on schedule in March 2008 and are now on track for commencing commercial production on target``, said Ravi Khanna, CEO, Moser Baer PV.

Yogesh Mathur, group CEO, Moser Baer India said, ``We see an increasingly significant role for Thin Film technologies in meeting peaking power requirements and now aim to be a significant player in this segment. The 40 MW Film facility has met key project objectives and we continue with our significant capacity ramp up plans.``

Photo Voltaic Technologies has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a leading global equipment supplier to critical equipment for additional 565 MW phased expansion of its Thin film photovoltaic modules manufacturing capacity, which together with the current project capacity of 40 MW will take the total manufacturing capacity to over 600 MW by 2010.

Photovoltaic modules based on large area thin film technology provide a potential roadmap to significantly lower the cost of solar energy to consumers. The demand for thin film based solar modules is expected to grow at a robust pace with increasing applications. Thin film solar modules are ideal for solar farms, rural applications and building integrated Photovoltaic.

Shares of the company declined Rs 3.05, or 1.72%, to settle at Rs 174.15. The total volume of shares traded was 307,018 at the BSE. (Monday)

[meinolf67]

Heliovolt // CIGS // USA


HelioVolt Exceeds 12% Solar Thin Film Efficiency with Rapid, Scalable Printing Process

May 12, 2008... Industry-Leading CIGS Photovoltaic Cell Efficiency Announced at IEEE Conference

San Diego, California USA--In results presented at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, HelioVolt Corporation announces that its proprietary FASST® reactive transfer printing process has produced thin film solar cells with 12.2 percent conversion efficiencies in a record setting six minutes. The efficiencies place HelioVolt’s Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) devices among the highest performing solar thin film products on the market today. HelioVolt is currently optimizing FASST for further efficiency gains and scaling up the process to begin commercial manufacture of thin film solar modules and building integrated solar products.

“In the lab, CIGS is already achieving the highest efficiencies of any thin film solar material. The challenge of course is transferring that efficiency to a high throughput, high yield, low cost process capable of delivering gigawatts worth of quality commercial product,” said Dr. BJ Stanbery, CEO and founder of HelioVolt. “We view these high-performance results as an indicator of FASST’s potential to meet that need. We’re already producing CIGS devices that are comparable with the highest efficiency thin film products on the market today, and we still see plenty of room to improve from here.”

Thin film technologies aim to lower the cost of photovoltaic (PV) products by reducing the amount of material required to produce electricity from the sun. HelioVolt’s FASST process further reduces costs by manufacturing CIGS thin film products ten to one hundred times more rapidly than competitive processes including co-evaporation and two-stage selenization. Confirmed by independent testing at Colorado State University, the high-throughput printing process delivers a uniform photovoltaic cell with high conversion efficiency, or percentage of sun energy the device converts into electricity. HelioVolt’s 12.2 percent efficiency devices consisted of CIGS photovoltaic thin film layer applied to a glass substrate. The FASST process can also be used to print high efficiency, low-cost thin film material directly on glass substrates for solar modules or onto building products including architectural glass and roofing tiles.

Dr. Stanbery will present HelioVolt’s efficiency results today during his keynote address at the 33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, the industry's most respected global gathering of leading scientists and engineers. Delivering a presentation entitled “Entrepreneurship on the Road from Science to Sales,” Dr. Stanbery joins David Eaglesham, vice president of technology for First Solar and Richard Swanson, president and chief technical officer of SunPower Corporation in the keynote session.

In October 2007 HelioVolt closed a $101 Million Series B funding round with investments from Masdar Clean Tech Fund, Paladin Capital Group, Sequel Venture Partners, Noventi Ventures, Solúcar Energia, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Morgan Stanley Principal Investments, Sunton United Energy, Yellowstone Capital and Passport Capital. The company is currently using those funds to scale FASST at its first 20 MW commercial production line in Austin, Texas and pursue its aggressive international expansion goals.

About HelioVolt

HelioVolt Corporation, based in Austin, Texas, is a manufacturer of a new generation of thin film photovoltaic products based on its proprietary FASST® manufacturing process. The company’s low-cost, rapid production methods for CIGS synthesis are protected by nine issued US patents as well as numerous global patents pending. In 2007, HelioVolt raised over $100M in venture financing to fund the company’s move towards volume production and international expansion. For additional information, visit www.heliovolt.com.

Contacts
Antenna Group (for HelioVolt)
Rosalind Jackson, 415-977-1923

[meinolf67]

Sunfilm // a-SI // Deutschland // AMAT


May 13, 2008 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Permalink

To save a permanent link to this news, right-click the dateline (Ctl-click on a Mac) to copy the link.
Sunfilm to Expand Solar Module Production with 2nd SunFab Tandem Junction Line from Applied Materials

GROSSROEHRSDORF, Germany & SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Due to strong demand for its solar modules, Sunfilm AG announced today that it has awarded Applied Materials, Inc. a contract for a second Applied SunFab™ Thin Film Line. This second production line will be installed next to Sunfilm’s first line in Grossroehrsdorf, near Dresden, Germany. Sunfilm’s first Applied SunFab Line, ordered last year, is expected to begin initial production runs this July, with the second line scheduled for start up approximately one year later. This will bring Sunfilm’s annual capacity at this site to over 120MWp.

With these production lines, Sunfilm is setting a new benchmark for the solar industry by manufacturing the world’s first tandem junction, silicon thin film photovoltaic modules using 5.7m2 glass panels. These ultra-large substrates also offer the flexibility to produce finished solar modules of half and quarter size, depending on customer preferences.

“Developing cost-effective solar technology is critical for the future, and we must continue to find new ways to improve module performance in order to make solar energy more affordable for the end users,” said Dr. Sven Hansen, chairman of Sunfilm’s Supervisory Board. “Our first Applied SunFab Line is making excellent progress towards this goal.”

“Sunfilm’s lines will be a first in the industry, demonstrating the significant advantages of scale by applying large area nanomanufacturing technology and tandem junction efficiency to reduce cost,” said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied’s Energy and Environmental Solutions Group. “Sunfilm’s commitment to a second line affirms the readiness of 5.7m2 tandem junction technology for manufacturing.”

Applied Materials’ SunFab Thin Film Line features tandem junction cell technology that combines amorphous and microcrystalline layers to absorb both the shorter and longer wavelengths of sunlight. These tandem junction cells deliver significantly higher conversion efficiencies at a competitive cost per watt relative to single junction technologies. By combining tandem technology with ultra-large 5.7m2 substrates and volume manufacturing, Sunfilm expects to substantially reduce the cost of solar electricity.

Sunfilm AG was established at the end of 2006 by Good Energies and NorSun to manufacture the world’s first 5.7m2 tandem thin film photovoltaic modules on glass substrates on a production line supplied by Applied Materials, Inc. Sunfilm’s website is www.Sunfilmsolar.com.

[meinolf67]

Best Solar // a-Si // China // AMAT


Will LDK's New Company Create Competition for First Solar?
by: Trader Mark posted on: May 12, 2008 | about stocks: AMAT / FSLR / LDK


Intriguing news! Details still appear sketchy, but this young gun CEO seems like one of those guys you really want to hitch your wagon too based on where he has been, so early in life. I'd like to see details of the technology before commenting further.. and I'd like to note this news has nothing to do with LDK Solar itself... it's just the same founder. Just in case Best Solar IPOs in the US I better start watching it; it will be interesting to hear how far along they are and what First Solar (FSLR) management thinks of this (they do have a huge head start)...

That said, all these huge initiatives plays into my thesis that we are going to have a major industry shakeout and (shorter term) gluts somewhere in the 2010-2012 time frame. [Jan 3: The Long Term in Solar] Anytime Abu Dhabi jumps on the train with their unlimited pocketbook...

* The LDK Investor Group says Best Solar, a thin-film startup founded by LDK CEO Xiaofeng Peng, placed the $1.9 billion order that Applied Materials reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March.
* Rumors about Applied Materials’ (NSDQ: AMAT) mystery customer have been flying ever since the company reported a $1.9 billion sales agreement “with a privately held corporation based outside the United States” in March.
* Some industry insiders thought the purchaser was Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s alternative-energy company, which later that month announced it would build $1.2 billion worth of concentrating solar projects in the south of Spain. Others guessed it was Moser Baer, which in February had said it would pump $1.5 billion into thin-film solar, and still others thought it was Chinese solar-wafer manufacturer LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK).
* Best Solar is an independent company that is unrelated to LDK -- other than sharing a founder -- and that aims to become the world’s largest supplier of thin-film solar panels, according to the report. “I’m sure this is correct,” said Telenius, who wouldn’t disclose his source but said it was “a direct source” and that the information was confirmed by “lots” of other unnamed sources.
* Jesse Pichel, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, said he believes the report is correct, based on his own information. The theory also fits in with LDK’s annual report, which states that Peng and his family members “are considering and may invest or otherwise participate in his personal capacity in several alternative-energy projects, including projects involving thin-film solar technology, solar-thermal, wind energy and biofuels.”
* “If true, it means the CEO’s personal business is directly competing with LDK shareholders,” Pichel said. “It’s a competing technology – one’s thin-film and one’s polycrystalline. And given that Peng’s the driver of the company, his attention may be diluted now that he’s having to run a big private company. He’s ramping a 1.5-gigawatt poly plant, a 1.5-gigawatt wafer plant and a gigawatt of thin film all at the same time.” (very good points)
* In the report, Telenius wrote that distraction is a concern, but also found some silver lining: Peng “is reinforcing the impression we have of his ability to strike bold deals and launch large companies – a true entrepreneur – and that he is committed to building a strong solar industry in China.”
* Applied Materials’ technology is still a risky proposition, said Brian Yerger, a research analyst with Jesup & Lamont. “There’s a lot of promise and a lot of hype and market capacity built into their solar division, and they’re going to be spending a lot of money and [capital] to ramp it up, but in reality they don’t have any modules that generate power yet,” he said. “It’s unusual for someone so large with such a long history spending so much to take a large shot at solar. There’s always some risk that a startup could come up and find a game-changing technology that could make Applied Materials obsolete.”

Again, this is still too new to process without more detail but it is fascinating. We should also be hearing the drumbeat of how Applied Materials (AMAT) much like Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) is now a "solar company" - of course AMAT is much bigger than ENER...

Solar is going to be a very interesting space for many years to come - but the competition is going to be brutal.

[meinolf67]

CIGS-Player


Habe mir heute Daystar mal angesehen; der CEO machte auf mich einen wohltuend ruhigen Eindruck. Sie haben Ihre komplette geplante Produktion bis 2011 an Blitzstrom und Juwi verkauft.

Es gibt also inzwischen:
Würth
GlobalSolar
Solibro
Daystar
Ascent
Heliovolt
Miasolé
Nanosolar
Johanna
Avancis
Nanowin
x Centrotherm-Kunden
uvm...

Jeder von denen könnte die nächste FSLR sein; oder alle scheitern. ???

[meinolf67]

Moser Baer // a-Si & c-Si // Indien // AMAT + Xyz


Wednesday May 14, 06:02 PM
Moser Baer may list unit overseas in FY09


By Rakesh Sharma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Optical storage maker Moser Baer India Ltd may list its photovoltaic unit overseas during the current financial year to raise money for expansion, its managing director said on Wednesday.

Demand for renewable energy like solar power is increasing amid global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions blamed for contributing to global warming and as oil prices reach record highs.

Last year, China's LDK Solar raised $486 million for a listing in the New York Stock Exchange, while JA Solar Holdings raised $259 million for a Nasdaq listing, according to data from Dealogic.

"There is a possibility. We are prepared for it," Deepak Puri said of a potential listing of Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Ltd, which makes solar cells and modules used in producing electricity from sunlight.

"We are looking at Nasdaq, New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Singapore," he told Reuters in an interview at the outskirts of the Indian capital city.

Puri did not say how much the unit would be valued at and how much he would sell in a public issue, but in October last year Moser Baer Executive Director Ratul Puri had said it was worth at least $ 1 billion.

In March, two people with knowledge of the development had told Reuters Moser Baer was seeking to raise about $150 million by listing the unit on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

The photovoltaic unit contributed close to a tenth of Moser Baer's net sales of about 19 billion rupees in the year ending March 2008.

Moser Baer has outlined plans to spend 60 billion rupees in setting up photovoltaic plants with a capacity of 1.3 gigawatts.

"I am not desperate to take money today...We are looking for an appropriate time when the market is stable and valuations are highest," Puri said.

Shares in Moser Baer closed 0.2 percent higher at 185.10 rupees, having risen as much as 2.6 percent earlier, in a Mumbai market that gained 1.4 percent.

Email to friend |

[blacky bergfuchser]

Ein großes DANKESCHÖN für diesen Thread

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.092.735 von meinolf67 am 14.05.08 16:54:15

Würth
GlobalSolar
Solibro
Daystar
Ascent
Heliovolt
Miasolé
Nanosolar
Johanna
Avancis
Nanowin
x Centrotherm-Kunden
uvm...

es fehlten:
Solopower
Honda Soltec

[meinolf67]

Inventux // a-Si // Deutschland // Oerlikon

16.05.2008 16:13
DGAP-Adhoc: CapitalStage AG (deutsch)

Capital Stage AG:Erfolgreiche Syndizierung bei der Inventux Technologies AG

CapitalStage AG / Verkauf/Vertrag

16.05.2008

Veröffentlichung einer Ad-hoc-Mitteilung nach § 15 WpHG, übermittelt durch die DGAP - ein Unternehmen der EquityStory AG. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent verantwortlich. -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Hamburg, 16. 05.2008. Die Capital Stage AG, (News) Hamburg, (ISIN: DE 0006095003 // WKN: 609 500) gibt bekannt, dass sie wie geplant einen Anteil von 9,29% an der Inventux Technologies AG veräußert hat. Nach Abschluss der Transaktion hält die Capital Stage AG noch 30% an der Gesellschaft.

-------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Informationen und Erläuterungen des Emittenten zu dieser Mitteilung:

Die Capital Stage AG hat mit der Conetwork Erneuerbare Energien Holding GmbH & Co. KGaA ('CEE'), Hamburg, einen Kauf- und Syndizierungsvertrag geschlossen. Die CEE ist eine mit EUR 100 Mio. Eigenkapital ausgestattete Beteiligungsgesellschaft, die sich ausschließlich auf Unternehmen und Projekte im Bereich der Erneuerbaren Energien und Cleantech spezialisiert hat. Management-Gesellschaft und damit Geschäftsführer und persönlich haftender Gesellschafter ist die 'Conetwork Erneuerbare Energien Management GmbH', eine Tochtergesellschaft der zum Bankhaus Lampe gehörenden Lampe Corporate Finance GmbH. Sie bündelt deren langjähriges Know-how im Bereich Erneuerbare Energien/Cleantech.

Über Inhalte der Transaktion wurde Stillschweigen vereinbart. Der Kaufpreis spiegelt die erfolgreiche Entwicklung der Inventux seit Abschluss der Beteiligung wider.

Die Inventux Technologies AG ist ein Solarunternehmen, das sich auf die Entwicklung, Produktion und Vermarktung von mikromorphen Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen spezialisiert hat

Am Unternehmenssitz Berlin läuft der Aufbau der Fabrik zur industriellen Serienfertigung von Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen planmäßig. Die Gesellschaft hat inzwischen von ihrem Technologiepartner Oerlikon und anderen Lieferanten Anlagen zur Produktion mikromorpher Dünnschicht-Photovoltaik-Module erhalten. Die Installation und Integration der Maschinen hat begonnen. Die Inventux Technologies AG ist international eine der größten Unternehmensneugründungen in der stark wachsenden Solarbranche und beschäftigt aktuell rund 60 Mitarbeiter.

Volko Löwenstein, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Inventux zu der Transaktion: 'Wir freuen uns über einen weiteren branchenerfahrenen Finanzierungspartner und sind sicher, dass die Inventux von den Erfahrungen und dem Netzwerk der CEE im Bereich Erneuerbare Energien profitieren kann.' Detlef Schreiber und Olaf Lüdemann. Geschäftsführer der Conetwork Erneuerbare Energien Management GmbH: 'Die bisherigen Erfolge des Unternehmensaufbaus seit Gründung im letzten Jahr sind beachtlich. Wir sehen in Inventux ein interessantes und äußerst viel versprechendes Investment, das wir zukünftig nicht nur mit Kapital sondern auch mit unserem Netzwerk und Know How unterstützen möchten. Wir freuen uns auf die Zusammenarbeit.' Felix Goedhart, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Capital Stage AG: 'Die Syndizierung erfolgte ausschließlich im Rahmen der Risikoadjustierung des Beteiligungsportfolios der Capital Stage AG. Wir sind mit der Entwicklung der Inventux überaus zufrieden und freuen uns, mit der Conetwork einen weiteren kompetenten Partner gewonnen zu haben.'

Die Capital Stage AG ist eine börsennotierte Beteiligungsgesellschaft für wachstumsstarke Unternehmen mit Fokus auf Erneuerbare Energien / Umwelttechnologien.

Capital Stage AG Brodschrangen 4 20457 Hamburg Telefon: + 49 (0) 40 37 85 62-0 Telefax: + 49 (0) 40 37 85 62-129 www.capitalstage.com

[meinolf67]

Schott // a-SI // Deutschland // Oerlikon


Schott Spins Out Thin-Film Business
The German solar company claims the move will make it easier to snag financing.
by: Rachel Barron and Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow May 15, 2008
Interlaced in the skylight, Schott's thin-film panels help power an elementary school in Germany.
Schott
Advertisement

German solar manufacturer Schott has spun out its thin-film panel business in anticipation of further growth, a company spokesperson said Thursday.

Schott decided to transfer its thin-film business to its own company, a subsidiary called Schott Solar Thin Film, to make the business more transparent, said the spokesperson, Brian Lynch.

So why is this important? Lynch said such maneuverings help banks and investor groups feel more comfortable when investing. And it opens up more funding options for Schott's thin-film business, he added.

Schott sees tremendous opportunities in thin-film and harnessing it will take financing, Lynch said. To that end, "we are looking into a variety of options, but nothing is committed or finalized," he said.

Schott currently has a thin-film capacity of 36 megawatts annually and claims it will expand to 100 megawatts of capacity in the next few years.

According to Schott, Schott Solar Thin Film will continue to produce thin-film panels and parts from plants based in Jena and Putzbrunn, Germany.

In November, Schott announced it had invested €75 million ($116 million according to Thursday's exchange rate) in thin-film technology at the Jena location.

And in April, Schott and Germany's Ersol Solar Energy announced an agreement to develop micromorphous technology for thin-film solar cells. Micromorphous thin-film cells combine amorphous and microcrystalline materials in an approach that advocates say could convert more sunlight into energy than other thin films.

But Schott, or rather Schott Solar Thin Film, isn't the only one that sees big opportunities in thin film.

A number of thin-film companies have been running to get a foot in the door - and to give First Solar a run for its money.

Applied Materials, for example, on Tuesday announced a second order from Sunfilm in Germany. Sunfilm said it expects its first SunFab Thin Film Line to begin production in July, with the second line - which would bring its annual capacity to more than 120 megawatts - scheduled to start about a year later.

Applied Materials posted second-quarter earnings that fell 26 percent to $302.5 million this week, although the decline came from its chip equipment sales, not solar.

There's also Santa Clara, Calif.-based Miasolé, which said last week it plans to ship its first commercial thin-film solar panels to customers by the end of this year, and Austin, Texas-based HelioVolt, which bragged Monday that it had produced thin-film solar cells that can convert 12.2 percent of the sunlight that hit them into electricity (see Miasolé Clears the Air and HelioVolt Hits 12.2% Efficiency).

Other solar technologies also are picking up steam.

IBM Research on Thursday announced it has developed a concentrating-photovoltaic technology, based on a liquid metal, that can cool cells from 1,600 to 85 degrees, enabling systems that can concentrate the sun more than 1,000 times. Sunrgi, a startup in Los Angeles, last month said it had created a material that could enable concentrations of up to 2,000 times (see Sunrgi Keeps Solar Cool).

And concentrating solar-thermal company BrightSource on Wednesday announced it had raised an eyebrow-raising $115 million from Google.org, VantagePoint Venture Partners, BP Alternative Energy, Statoil Hydro Venture and Black River, as well as its returning investors DBL Investors, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Chevron Technology Ventures (see Green Light and VentureBeat posts).

[meinolf67]

Thin-film industry heats up by Becky Brun - 5.21.08
MAINZ, GERMANY

The second quarter of 2008 brought a flood of announcements from global companies entering the thin-film solar game.

German solar panel manufacturer Schott Solar in May launched an independent company for its thin-film photovoltaics (PV) business sector. The company expects, within the next few years, the annual production capacity at its two locations in Jena and Putzbrunn near Munich will expand from 36 to 100 megawatts. Meanwhile, DuPont (NYSE: DD) announced plans to enter the thin-film solar market with a new Hong Kong research center and a thin-film manufacturing facility in Shenzhen.

Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp Corp. and Italy's Enel SpA, which are teaming up to build solar power plants throughout Italy that would generate a combined capacity of more than 160 megawatts, also recently announced they are considering partnering on a thin-film PV plant in Italy.

The solar industry's silicon shortage have accelerated investments in thin-film technologies. San Jose, Calif.-based Nanosolar—which is backed by private investors including Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Benchmark Capital and Stanford University—shipped its first thin-film solar modules to a German power plant in December 2007 [see "Nanosolar ships first cells," SI, December 2007]. Austin, Tex.-based Heliovolt Corp., which raised over $100 million in venture financing in 2007, reported in May it has produced thin-film solar cells with 12.2 percent conversion efficiency in a record-setting six minutes.

The global market for thin-film PV is forecast to reach $7.2 billion by 2015, compared to just over $1.0 billion in 2007, according to a report by NanoMarkets, a market and technology research company based in Virginia.

[meinolf67]

Nexpower // a-Si // Taiwan // Ulvac


NexPower: Thin-film solar cell capacity completely booked



Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taichung; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES [Thursday 22 May 2008]

NexPower Technology, a thin-film solar cell company co-established by Unimicron Technology and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), today (May 21) hosted the opening ceremony for its plant in central Taiwan. Company executives expressed confidence that the company will start to earn profits from 2009 as present capacity has already been fully booked.

NexPower, so far, has customers from ten countries including China, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US. All of these customers have inked contracts with NexPower, meaning that capacity for the next two years is already completely booked. NexPower noted that it is aggressively seeking international certification, and expects products to be certified by two well-known standards bodies during August and September.

NexPower chairman Jia-Tsung Hung (transliterated from Chinese) indicated that the company currently houses a capacity of 12.5MWp and the amount will increase to 37.5MWp in October. Estimated output for 2008 is 13.5MWp. NexPower also started construction of a second plant on May 6 which is scheduled to complete by the end of the year, he detailed. Total capital expenditure (capex) for the two plants and equipment will be about NT$10 billion (US$32.9 million).

Hung added in saying that NexPower will start installing production lines for tandem junction solar cell production in February 2009, which will enhance the company's power conversion efficiency from the present 7% to 9%. Capacity for 2009 is estimated at 125MWp with an output of 80MWp. The company aims to grow capacity to 225MWp in 2010 and add 200MWp of capacity per year thereafter, he added.

NexPower currently houses a capital size of NT$1.3 billion, with UMC accounting for 34% and Unimicron 10%. The company said it hopes to raise an additional NT$2-3 billion, but did not reveal a timetable for the fund raising.

Robert Tsao, honorary chairman of UMC, who attended the event, indicated that UMC has been extending its presence from foundries to all kinds of IC design and design services, indicating that the company is deep-rooted in Taiwan's semiconductor industry. The investment in solar is motivated by environmental protection concerns, as well as growing energy costs. He stressed that UMC has ethical concerns for tapping the solar business.

John Hsuan, honorary vice chairman of UMC, echoed the sentiment, saying that renewable energy is of increasing importance as crude oil prices trend higher and higher. He added in saying that UMC does not rule out the possibility of entering further solar energy deployments in addition to amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells. Hung from NexPower, on the other hand, said the company has no plans for any other types of thin-film solar cell production, nor consolidation with downstream players yet. But he stressed that NexPower would not consider tapping into the crystallized solar cell business.

Hsuan noted that NexPower has support from the entire UMC group as it builds experience in a-Si solar cell deployment. Also the company has technological backup from Unipac Optoelectronics (Unipac merged with Acer Display Technology (ADT) to form AU Optronics (AUO)) prompting Hsuan to be confident NexPower will become the number one thin-film solar cell maker in future.

[meinolf67]

Kenmos // a-Si // Taiwan // Nano-PV


sign in to read real-time news updates.

Kenmos PV prepares thin-film solar cell production in 3Q


Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 20 May 2008]

With production equipment slated to be ready in late May, Kenmos PV, a joint venture of Kenmos Technology and NanoPV, said it plans for volume production of thin-film solar cells in the third quarter of 2008, with an initial annual capacity set at 10 peak megawatt (MWp).

Kenmos PV indicated that it will move into volume production in the third quarter when all equipment is ready in late May. The company adopts equipment from US-based NanoPV. Taking into consideration that thin-film solar cells are relatively new in the solar power industry, as well as the importance of power conversion efficiency, Kenmos said it plans for an initial annual capacity of just 10MWp. But it noted that next-phase expansion has been already planned. The company's solar cells currently deliver a power conversion efficiency of 5.5-7%.

Kenmos stressed that order visibility lasts through year-end of 2008. Key customers will be construction companies and customers located in southeast Asia. Since certification for thin-film solar cells takes about one year, Kenmos indicated that it would apply for certification once volume production started. The company said it has strong interest from customers, despite the company's products having not yet been certified by well-known authorities.

[Kurpfaelzer]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.153.694 von meinolf67 am 22.05.08 19:07:27

Kannste da mal eine zusammenfassende Wertung -nach deiner Meinung- auf deutsch geben ?

[Dr.Glocke]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.155.080 von Kurpfaelzer am 22.05.08 22:12:46

Ziemlich dumm gelaufen die letzten
drei Tage.

Okay?

Gruß

Dr.Glocke!

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.155.080 von Kurpfaelzer am 22.05.08 22:12:46

Hi Meinolf,

an so etwas habe ich auch schon gedacht - vielleicht eine Liste mit den Unternehmen, die operativ am weitesten sind und die schon irgendwie produzieren.

a-Si finde ich belanglos - Wirkungsgrade stimmen nicht. Also Tandem, CIGS und CdTe.

Was hältst Du davon? Vielleicht mit CdTe anfangen? Das dürfte am schnellsten gehen:

1.) First Solar - Industrieproduktion und Maßstab für alle und jeden.

2.) Calyxo - 8 MW Pilotfertigung läuft. Erweiterung auf 25 MW in Arbeit. Serienproduktion mit 25 MW für Sommer 2008 angekündigt. Industrieproduktion für Q2 / 2009 angekündigt.

3.) noch jemand zumindest im Pilotbetrieb? kenne keinen...

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.155.080 von Kurpfaelzer am 22.05.08 22:12:46

Was soll ich daran "werten"?

Ausrüstung fertig installiert Ende Mai
Beginn Volumenproduktion in Q3
Alles verkauft

[macsoja]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.023.264 von macsoja am 04.05.08 11:45:01

Hallo,

was meint Ihr zu den Norwegern siehe mein Post vom 4.5.

-> norwegischer Solarkonzern REC
----> gemeint ist die REC-GROUP (1,7 Mrd. Umsatz in Q1/08)
----> http://www.recgroup.com/

fragend
mac

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.155.372 von meinolf67 am 22.05.08 23:05:27

Ich hatte den Kurpfaelzer so verstanden, dass wir mal eine Art Auslese aus der Gesamtmasse der TF-Unternehmen bräuchten. Klar, das ist hier ein Sammelthread, aber es gibt "solche" und "solche".

[meinolf67]

...mal was auf Deutsch; leider etwas Retro...


Asiatische Tiger wollen bei Solarenergie mitreden

K.C. Krishnadas, Mark LaPedus
(07/06/2007 9:18 AM EDT)
URL: http://www.eetimes.eu/germany/200900719

Bislang gilt Deutschland weltweit als Hochburg der Solarindustrie. Doch das könnte sich ändern. Konkurrenten wie Indien und Singapur formieren bereits ihre Truppen.

Bislang gilt Deutschland weltweit als Hochburg der Solarindustrie. Doch das könnte sich ändern. Konkurrenten wie Indien und Singapur formieren bereits ihre Truppen.

In Indien gibt es landesweit noch nirgendwo eine Halbleiterproduktion, und die Meinungen im Land, ob eine solche notwendig sei, sind durchaus geteilt. Einhellig positiv wird dagegen die Erfordernis bewertet, eine eigene Solarzellenprodzution aufzuziehen - die häufigen Stromausfälle sprechen eine eindeutige Sprache.

Vor kurzer Zeit hat die indische Regierung Anreize für die Herstellung von Solarzellen geschaffen. Bis 2012 will man 10 Prozent des Energiebedarfs aus erneuerbaren Quellen decken. Diese Entwicklung hat eine Vielzahl von Unternehmen auf den Plan gerufen, die sich der noch im embryonalen Stadium befindlichen Solarenergie widmen wollen.

Signet Solar, ein Unternemen des EDA-Veteranen Prabhu Goel, hat die ehrgeizigsten Pläne vorgestellt: Mit einer Investitionssumme von 2 Milliarden Dollar über zehn Jahre will Goel in Indien drei Solarzellenfabriken aus dem Boden stampfen. Signet betreibt bereits eine Fertigung für Solarzellen in Deutschland. Mit den hier gewonnenn Erfahrungen will das Unternehmen den Produktionsaufbau in den neuen Fabriken beschleunigen. Dabei will Goel Forschung und Entwicklung sowohl in Deutschland als auch Indien betreiben; ein wesentliches Ziel ist es, die Kosten für die Solarzellenfertigung nach unten zu drücken. Goel hofft, Systemintegratoren und Erbauer von Sonnenfarmen als Kunden zu gewinnen.

Tata BP Solar, ein Joint Venture der indischen Tata Group und des britischen Erdöl-Ablegers BP Solar, betreibt nahe Bangalore eine der ältesten Unternehmen zur Herstellung von Anlagen für die Produktion von Solarzellen in Indien. Gegenwärtig wird die Fabrik mit einem Aufwand von rund 100 Millionen Dollar ausgebaut.

Auch der indische Speichersystem-Hersteller Moser Baer will in das Geschäft mit der Zukunftsindustrie einsteigen. Das Unternehmen hat angekündigt, in Nordindien mit einer Investitionssumme von 250 Millionen Dollar eine Produktionsstätte für Solarenergieprodukte aufbauen zu wollen. Dabei will Moser Baer Technik von Equipment-Hersteller Applied Materials einsetzen. "Der globale Markt für Photovoltaik wächst rapide; bis 2010 soll sich das Umsatzvolumen auf 40 Milliarden Dollar versechsfachen", erläutert Ravi Khanna, Chef der Moser Baer Photovoltaic Ltd. (MBPVL). "Unser Know-How aus verwandten Technikgebieten wird uns dabei helfen, eine führende Position in der globalen PV-Industrie zu erreichen."

MBPVL erwartet nach dem Anlaufen der Produktion Umsätze von jährlich um die 100 Millionen Dollar, und zwar zum größten Teil durch den Export seiner Solartechnik. "Das Photovoltaik-Geschäft ist nicht kapitalintensiv und verspricht hohe Erträge", lautet das Credo Khannas.

Das Interesse an der indischen PV-Technologie ist auch in den USA erwacht. Der Chiphersteller Cypress Semiconductor plant Berichten zufolge den Bau einer 50 Millionen Dollar teuren Anlage für die Herstellung von Solarzellen und Wafern in der Nähe der südindischen Stadt Hyderabad. Marktbeobachter gehen davon aus, dass das Cypress-Engagement über die Firma SunPower Corp. laufen wird, von der Cypress die Mehrheit besitzt.

Auch die Deutschen sind schon da. Über seine indische Tochter SunTechnics Energy betreibt die deutsche SunTechnics GmbH eine Fertigung in Bangalore; das Unternehmen trägt sich gegenwärtig mit Expansionsplänen. "Das Nachfragewachstum von rund 25 Prozent jährlich animiert verschiedene Marktteilnehmer, gigantische Summen zu investieren. Meist steht bei diesen Plänen der Export im Mittelpunkt, denn der globale Bedarf ist weit höher als unser Binnenbedarf", erläutert SunTechnics-Landeschef Rajesh Bhat.

Um der Solarenergie zum Durchbruch zu verhelfen, müssen aber die Preise für die Solarzellen noch fallen, ist Bhat überzeugt. Dabei werde die Nanotechnik eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Wichtiger noch seien attraktive Einspeisevergütungen. "Wenn die Regierung solche Vergütungen einführt, wird eneuerbare Energie zum nächsten boomenden Industriezweig in Indien, so wie jetzt die Softwarebranche", erklärt Bhat.

Auf Nanotechnologie als Mittel zur Senkung der Preise setzt auch Khanna von Moser Baer. Außerdem experimentiert das Unternehmen mit Methoden zur Konzentration des Lichts.

Neben Indien ist ein weiteres Land dabei, die Vorzüge der Solarenergie zu entdecken und einem industriellen Nutzen zuzuführen: Singapur. Das hier ansässige Beteiligungsunternehmen Equation Corp. hat kürzlich ein Unternehmen namens Solar Morph erworben, über welches es in den boomenden Markt für das Solarequipment einsteigen will.

Dazu soll Solar Morph eine Fabrik für Dünnfilm-Solarzellen bauen und betreiben. Bis Mitte 2008 soll eine Produktionslinie mit einer Kapazität von 20 Megawatt den Betrieb aufnehmen; bis 2010 soll die Kapazität auf 60 Megawatt verdreifacht werden.

Für die erste Ausbaustufe hat Solar Morph ein Investitionsvolumen von knapp 80 Millionen Dollar vorgesehen; bisher hat das Unternehmen von Finanziers gut 10 Millionen eingesammelt. "Die Zukunftaussichten für den Multimillardenmarkt Sonnenenergie sind einfach gigantisch", begeistert sich Eddie Chang, der als künftiger Chef von Solar Morph vorgesehen ist. "Singapur hat die richtige Infrastruktur, die Ressourcen und die entsprechende Politik seitens der Regierung, um die Führung im Bereich der Solarenergie in der gesamten Region zu übernehmen", so Chang.

Die Fabrik soll im Juli 2008 ihre Tätigkeit aufnehmen; die volle Produktionskapazit soll Anfang 2009 erreicht sein.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.156.193 von MontPelerin am 23.05.08 08:44:18

OK, so macht es einen gewissen Sinn.

Aber:

1) habe ich am Beginn des Threads so eine Übersicht gemacht
2) gebe ich genau deswegen immer die Einordnung mit Technik, Land, Lieferant
3) könnte man sicherlich die Übersicht mal aktualisieren, aber das ist auch ein Zeitproblem

Wenn sich mal die Gelegenheit ergibt, werde ich das aber gerne tun.


Was MIR hingegen nicht gefällt, ist Forderungen aufzustellen, ohne selbst beizutragen. Und: wer die Dünnschichtszene betrachten will, OHNE sich mit Englisch auseinanderzusetzen, wird schlicht scheitern.

[meinolf67]

MoserBaer // a-Si // Indien // AMAT


Moser Baer arm to raise USD 150 mn, get boards nod


Moser Baer Solar PLC, a subsidiary of the Moser Baer has plans to raise an amount equivalent to USD 150 Million and the board of the Moser bear has given their consent to do the same.

Moser Baer India, on consolidated basis swung to loss for the year ended in March 2008. The company posted a net loss of Rs 2,022.87 million for the year ended Mar. 31, 2008 as compared with profit of Rs 788.27 million for the year ended Mar. 31, 2007.

For the financial year ended March 2008, the company`s total income jumped 4.33% to Rs 20,700.10 million compared with Rs 19,840.37 million for the year ended March 2007.

Shares of the company gained Rs 1.5, or 0.79%, to trade at Rs 190.5. The total volume of shares traded was 13,594 at the BSE (10.06 a.m., Friday).

[MontPelerin]

Q-Cells (Solibro) / CIGS / Deutschland

Die Solibro GmbH weihte am Freitag, den 23. Mai 2008, ihre erste Photovoltaik-Produktionslinie in Bitterfeld-Wolfen ein. Nur acht Monate nach Beginn der Bauarbeiten konnte eine der weltweit ersten Fabriken für die Herstellung von Kupfer-Indium-Gallium-Diselenid-(CIGS-)-Dünnschichtmodulen die Arbeit aufnehmen, berichtet das Unternehmen in einer Pressemitteilung. Die Solibro GmbH ist ein Gemeinschaftsunternehmen der Q-Cells AG mit dem Unternehmen Solibro AB, welche die Technologie in Schweden entwickelt hat. In die Solar-Fabrik, die über eine Produktionskapazität von 25-30 Megawatt peak (MWp) verfügt, hat Solibro nach eigenen Angaben mehr als 60 Millionen Euro investiert. Die CIGS-Technologie zeichnet sich unter den verschiedenen Dünnschicht-Technologien durch ein besonders hohes Wirkungsgradpotenzial aus. Das habe Solibro auch bereits bewiesen: Nur wenige Tage nach Inbetriebnahme der ersten Beschichtungsanlage hat das Unternehmen nach eigenen Angaben Module mit einem Wirkungsgrad von mehr als 10 % produziert.


Sehr gute Ergebnisse in der Modulproduktion, bereits 130 Mitarbeiter in Bitterfeld-Wolfen

"Die sehr guten Ergebnisse aus der Testproduktion zeigen, dass wir auf die richtige Technologie setzen", sagt Dr. Johannes Segner, Chief Operating Officer (COO) von Solibro. "Mit der ersten Produktionslinie machen wir einen großen Schritt nach vorne auf unserem Wachstumskurs. Wir stoßen auf ein starkes Interesse am Markt und haben bereits einen großen Anteil der Produktion verkauft." Gegenwärtig beschäftigt Solibro am Standort Bitterfeld-Wolfen 134 Mitarbeiter sowie weitere 16 im Entwicklungszentrum im schwedischen Uppsala.

23.05.2008 Quelle: Q-Cells AG Solarserver.de © Heindl Server GmbH


Kommentar:

Bei Solibro habe ich subjektiv schon länger ein irre gutes Gefühl. Diese Meldung - die ich irgendwie noch nicht bei Q-Cells selber finde - spricht ausdrücklich nicht von Pilotproduktion, sondern von einer echten Produktionslinie und wahrscheinlich sind auch die ganzen 25 MW gemeint. Solibro hat eben schon viel Vorarbeit in Schweden geleistet...

Der Modulwirkungsgrad ist klasse - auch für CIGS. Sulfurcell ist m.E. bei 7% oder so.

Mal sehen, wann die Erweiterungsentscheidung getroffen wird.

[MontPelerin]

Ich will mal versuchen, die Gesamtübersicht vom Anfang des Threads weiterzuführen und zu ergänzen, in der es um das Thema "da geht schon was" geht.

Kriterium ist für mich eine Produktion jenseits des Labors mit mehr als 1 MW Jahreskapazität. Die Projekte sollten so weit sein, dass ein paar wesentliche Leistungsparameter aus dem Produktionsbetrieb bekannt sind, vor allem die Moduleffizienz.

Amorphes Silizium lasse ich weg. Ich finde die Technik nicht interessant, da der Wirkungsgrad zu klein ist und sie ziemlich sicher von der mikromorphen Technik abgelöst wird.


Cd/Te

Calyxo (Q-Cells)

Kapazität: 8 MW (Planung 25 MW in 2008, 85 MW in 2009)
Modulwirkungsgrad: 6,5%
Beteiligungsmöglichkeit: über Q-Cells (93%)


CI(G)S

Würth Solar

Technik: CIS auf Glas
Kapazität: 15 MW (Planung 30 MW in 2008)
Modulwirkungsgrad: 12% (sic!)
Beteiligungsmöglichkeit: keine

Global Solar

Technik: CIGS auf Glas
Kapazität: 4 MW (Planung 75 MW in 2008, 175 MW Ende 2009)
Modulwirkungsgrad: 8,5% (von mir geschätzt, angegeben werden 10% für Zelle)
Beteiligungsmöglichkeit: über Solon (19%)

Sulfurcell

Technik: CIS auf Glas
Kapazität: 1 MW (Planung 5 MW Ende 2008)
Modulwirkungsgrad: 7,5%
Beteiligungsmöglichkeit: keine

micromorphe Si-Dünnschicht

Kapazität: 8 MW (Planung 25 MW in 2008, 85 MW in 2009)
Modulwirkungsgrad: 7,5%
Beteiligungsmöglichkeit: über Q-Cells (100%)

- Kaneka?
- Energy Conversion Devices?

Da fehlen mir derzeit Daten...

Fazit

Derzeit noch kein ganz heißer FSLR-Jäger zu sehen. Würth hätte viel Potential, wird aber vermutlich aufgrund der Eigentümerstruktur beim Wachstum gebremst.
Bei Global Solar muss man abwarten, ob der Expansionsschrit von 4 MW auf 75 MW gelingt. Wenn ja, sieht das sehr gut aus.

Von Q-Cells könnte einiges kommen, aber: Calyxo mit (noch?) zu geringem Wirkungsgrad, Sontor mit Verzögerungen, Solibro noch "zu frisch". Abwarten.


Wer kann Vorschläge für weitere Ergänzungen machen? Wo sollte man noch auf Details schauen?
Wo habe ich Fehler gemacht?

[MontPelerin]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.166.480 von MontPelerin am 25.05.08 09:51:22

Eine Zeile bei den Tandems vergessen...

Nochmal:

micromorphe Si-Dünnschicht

Sontor (Q-Cells)

Kapazität: 8 MW (Planung 25 MW in 2008, 85 MW in 2009)
Modulwirkungsgrad: 7,5%
Beteiligungsmöglichkeit: über Q-Cells (100%)

- Kaneka?
- Energy Conversion Devices?

Da fehlen mir derzeit Daten...

[meinolf67]

Signet // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT


...da haben sie MoserBaer wohl überholt:

Signet Solar Fabricates Large Thin-Film Silicon PV Module
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Tuesday 27 May 2008
email the content item print the content item

Signet Solar, a manufacturer of silicon thin-film photovoltaic modules, has announced the fabrication of the industry's first-ever Gen 8.5 (5.7 m2) silicon thin-film solar PV module at its new factory near Dresden, Germany, in a record-setting 10 months from the start of construction.

After finishing construction of the 200,000 square-foot production facility in only seven months, Signet Solar completed installation of equipment and started initial fabrication in less than three months.

Signet Solar's technology lowers the cost of PV modules by combining proven silicon thin film technology, with very large area manufacturing and an industry-standard equipment set, the company explains. The initial modules from the fully automated module manufacturing line met the specification of the product and were confirmed by independent testing by Fraunhofer Institute. Signet will start prototype production in early June and will showcase the Gen 8.5 module product line at the Intersolar Conference in Munich.

"The concept of ultra-large modules was very attractive to our customers. We now have demonstrated the capability to produce ultra-large modules on a fully integrated line," says Dr. Rajeeva Lahri, CEO and founder of Signet Solar Inc. "This is a very important milestone for us as it sets the stage for a model manufacturing line which will be replicated globally to expand capacity."

Source: Signet Solar

[meinolf67]

Global Solar // CIGS-flex // USA


Veeco buys Mill Lane, gains key CIGS customer
By Tom Cheyney
23 May 2008 - Chip Shots

When I started perusing yesterday's announcement about Veeco's purchase of Mill Lane Engineering, a small Massachusetts-based manufacturer of web coating and deposition systems for flexible solar panels and other substrates, the name of the acquired firm rang a bell. When I saw that the company had an existing order with a "leading manufacturer of thin-film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells," I knew why that memory bell had rung: During my visit to Global Solar Energy's brand-spankin' fab south of Tucson, I had seen the Mill Lane gear on the factory floor.

At the beginning of the CIGS cell production line, Global's CTO and tour guide Jeff Britt showed me the two web sputtering tools, which are used to deposit the molybdenum back-contact layer as well as a very thin chromium film that promotes better adhesion of the "Moly" to the footwide stainless-steel-foil substrate. The 8-MW tools are capable of rolling at about a one-meter-per-minute process speed, according to Britt.

Although Mill Lane put the system together, he said that Global had its own ideas about what the equipment should be and took about a "80-90% complete design to the toolmaker. We knew very specifically what we wanted."

The overdue, much-anticipated write-up of my Global Solar experience will appear within the next week in Chip Shots (no, really!), so check back for more details of the CIGS company's new factory, process toolset and flow, and ramp plans.

[meinolf67]

Masdar // a-Si //UAE // AMAT oder Oerlikon




Masdar To Spend Over $2 Billion To Launch Thin Film Solar Co.

May 29, 2008: 10:19 AM EST


NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Abu Dhabi's Masdar Initiative intends to spend more than $2 billion to build a thin-film solar manufacturing subsidiary.

Masdar, managed by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Corp., is a multi-billion- dollar investment and development organization involved in the creation of a zero-carbon emission city, a university focused on clean technology research and development, private equity and venture capital investments in technology, and the development of renewable energy operating companies.

(This story also appeared in Clean Technology Investor, a daily newsletter published by Dow Jones & Co.)

The total investment of over $2 billion in Masdar PV is one of the largest single equity commitments made to a solar manufacturing company, and will finance a three-phased manufacturing process, according to the company.

"This is our first major play into a large-scale PV investment to build substantial capacity as Masdar," said Steven Geiger, head of special projects at Masdar.

Ultimately, Masdar hopes to produce 1 gigawatt of annual capacity by 2014 through capacity expansion and the development of thin-film manufacturing facilities around the world.

Initially, Masdar will invest $600 million in Masdar PV, which will operate as a holding company based in Abu Dhabi, with manufacturing subsidiaries in different countries. The first, Masdar PV GmbH, has already been set up in Erfurt, Germany.

That facility, which Masdar is looking to bring on line in the third quarter of 2009, will manufacture 70 megawatts of thin-film photovoltaic cells. Another, larger, facility is planned for Abu Dhabi, which will produce an additional 140 MW and is expected to put out its first solar cells by the second quarter of 2010.

After the first two plants get built, Geiger said the company would look to build a third facility in the southwestern U.S. Work on that project is expected to begin in the fourth quarter, or the first quarter of 2009.

According to an analyst who covers the solar industry, Masdar's thin-film technology is probably being bought from a company such as Santa Clara, Calif.- based Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) or Pfaffikon, Switzerland-based Oerlikon Group.

Both companies sell a one-stop shop for companies looking to manufacture thin- film solar cells. Basically, they offer solar-cell manufacturing capacity in a box, providing all of the tools necessary to manufacture large-scale solar cells using amorphous silicon.

According to Geiger, the multi-billion-dollar investment from Masdar will help drive down costs for solar cells. "This is a materials game," Geiger said. "The majority of the cost is the glass and the specialty gases." When Masdar PV buys bulk, it gets better deals on the gases and the glass, and can drive down its cost of production, Geiger said.

Deutsche Bank estimated the solar market at around $15 billion in 2007 and growing at 40% a year. Given that growth, Masdar PV has had no trouble finding takers for its first run of solar cells.

One analyst who follows the market questioned the value of committing to thin- film at a time when the solar market is facing so many uncertainties. Germany is discussing further reductions of its feed-in tariff, the analyst said, and polysilicon supplies are expected to ease, reducing costs for those manufacturers who use crystalline silicon rather than amorphous silicon to make their PV cells and arrays.

Given the expected cost reductions for crystalline cells, which are more efficient and convert more sunlight into energy than thin-film cells, it's a risky time to make such a big commitment to thin-film, he said.

"To me, that product fulfills this near-term need (as polysilicon prices remain tight) and I don't understand where it fits in the next five years," the analyst said.

Meanwhile, Masdar is moving full-speed ahead. Geiger said the company would sell to undisclosed European project developers and use the remainder of its capacity for the construction of its Masdar City, a planned zero-carbon emissions city located in Abu Dhabi.

"Once you see significant players like Abu Dhabi really reinvesting energy profits into the next generation of technologies it will significantly increase adoption," Geiger said.

In recent months private equity firms active in traditional energy markets have begun placing big bets on renewable energy. In March, independent energy producer AES Corp. and Riverstone LLC, a New York-based private equity firm, announced a $1 billion joint venture to create a solar project development company called AES Solar.

"What it portends," said Geiger, "is that serious energy capital is getting into the energy business at scale, and scale is the way to get this down to cost parity."

By Jonathan Shieber, Dow Jones Newsletters; 201-938-4305; jonathan.shieber@ dowjones.com

[meinolf67]

Masdar // a-Si // UAE // AMAT


jetzt scheint es klar:

May 30, 2008 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time


Applied Materials Selected by Abu Dhabi’s Masdar to Build 210MW of Solar Module Production Capacity

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its Masdar Initiative, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. is significantly expanding its investment in solar energy by contracting with Applied Materials to purchase three SunFab™ Thin Film Lines for producing solar modules. With an optional tandem junction upgrade, these SunFab lines are expected to annually produce modules with a targeted capacity of up to 210 megawatts (MW), or enough energy to power approximately 70,000 homes.

“The Masdar Initiative is focused on ensuring that renewable energies play a key role in the energy portfolio that the world needs now and into the future. We are doing this by applying scale, capital and commitment to the most promising technologies to accelerate the rapid adoption of renewable energy,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. “We are pleased to be working with Applied Materials.”

The Applied SunFab Line is the only integrated production line for manufacturing thin film silicon solar modules using ultra-large 5.7m2 glass panels. Ideally suited for utility-scale applications, these 2.2m x 2.6m panels can reduce installation cost by over 17% compared to smaller scale thin film panels. The SunFab line is designed to deliver leading-edge manufacturing capability with the world’s most advanced engineering and equipment.

One of the SunFab lines to be supplied by Applied will be located in Erfurt, Germany, and is expected to start up in the second half of 2009. The other two lines will be located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and are expected to start up in early 2010. These lines will help supply solar power to Masdar City, the world’s first zero carbon, zero waste city, designed to be fully powered by renewable energy, and also will help support the broader global need for clean sources of energy.

“Abu Dhabi Future Energy is leveraging its substantial resources and expertise in global energy markets to bring the first major photovoltaic manufacturing capability to the Middle East,” said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied’s Energy and Environmental Solutions Group. “We are very excited to be part of Abu Dhabi’s vision for the future in accelerating the adoption of solar energy to decrease the cost of electricity.”

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

[meinolf67]

Thin-Film Solar Has Bright Future
The Prometheus Institute expects thin solar technology will reach 9 gigawatts in four years, according to preliminary numbers presented at a Greentech Media conference this week.
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow May 29, 2008

At a Greentech Media conference Wednesday, Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute, forecasted that thin-film solar production will grow from 1 gigawatt this year to more than 9 gigawatts in 2012.

“We project increased penetration of all technologies – cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium diselenide and amorphous silicon – above even our aggressive forecasts in 2007,” said Bradford.

Cadmium-telluride films, led by First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), make up the largest portion of the thin-film market, he said, adding that he expects the company’s costs to drop from less than $1.25 per watt to less than $1 per watt by 2009.

However, those costs could be subject to the price of glass, which in turn depends on energy prices, he said. The cost of telluride, which is a mining byproduct of zinc, also has increased, he said.

“Cadmium telluride is the current leader,” he said. “There are some difficulties. But First Solar will continue to do well.”

According to Bradford, the big story of next year is likely to be copper-indium-gallium-diselenide – also known as CIGS – technologies.

Even though none of these companies have yet produced CIGS films in significant volumes, he said the technologies have potential.

“Many of these [technologies] are ready to go,” he said. “In some cases, it takes as much of a third of the capital less than First Solar to build a plant. … We think CIGS will be the big story on 2009 because we know how many companies are putting in multi megawatts of CIGS in 2009. We are convinced. Just like polysilicon was the big story of 2007 and First Solar is the big story of 2008, we believe in 2009 the big story will really be CIGS.”

Global Solar,Nanosolar, HelioVolt Corp. and Miasolé all have announced plans to expand production of CIGS in the last few months.

Meanwhile, Prometheus, which is a Greentech Media partner, expects amorphous-silicon films – such as those made by Applied Materials and Oerlikon – to stumble slightly in 2008 and 2009, as technologies get debugged and verified, before taking off in 2010, he said.

By 2012, the institute forecasts that amorphous silicon will make up the largest chunk of the thin-film pie with 4.5 gigawatts of production, with CIGS coming in second at more than 2.6 gigawatts.

The institute also named what it expects will be the top thin-film producers in 2012, starting with First Solar, Miasolé and Sharp.

“There are so many technologies, even if we’re wrong in one bucket, in one technology, there are a lot of different ways to hit 4 gigawatts in 2010 and our projections in 2012,” Bradford said.
Prometheus Institute (preliminary report)

[meinolf67]

Stealthy Stion to Raise Another Round
The thin-film startup plans to use the "fairly sizable" round to begin commercial production. The company hopes to bring its first films to the market in 2010.
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow May 28, 2008


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Stion Corp., a stealthy thin-film startup that raised $15 million last year and an undisclosed amount in 2006, plans to close its third round at the end of this year, Frank Yang, manager of business development, told Greentech Media on Wednesday.

He didn’t say how much it is seeking in its Series C round, other that to say it would be a “fairly sizable” round in the double digits. But the company expects the cash will be enough to launch it into production, he said.

San Jose, Calif.-based Stion expects to bring high-efficiency thin films to the market in early 2010, after developing a fully working prototype late this year or early next year, Yang said.

It plans to build a 5-megawatt pilot facility in 2009, then complete its first commercial line – with the capacity to produce 25 megawatts of films – a year later. Stion then plans to expand by duplicating that 25-megawatt line, he said.

Founded in 2006, the company claims it will be able to reach lower costs per watt than other solar-electric technologies.

It is targeting costs of $3 per watt for fully installed systems by 2011, which equates to 15 cents per watt-hour in the United States, on par with conventional electricity, Yang said in a presentation at a Greentech Media conference in Massachusetts.

While Stion lost a startup competition Wednesday, judged by three venture capitalists at the conference, two of the VCs said they liked what they heard from Stion.

“I like the approach, in spite of the mystery magic [material],” said Jay Fiske, a partner at the Massachusetts Green Energy Fund, a Greentech Media investor.

Jeff Andrews, a partner with Atlas Ventures, said he liked the quality of the people involved with the company. Stion was founded by Howard Lee, a solar researcher who established a reputation at California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and its CEO is Chet Farris, former president of Shell Solar.

Stion has been super secretive about the material it is developing.

Yang would only say that its quantum-dot technology has theoretical efficiencies of nearly 20 percent, and that it’s an inorganic material capable of making multi-junction cells. Multi-junction cells consist of different layers that capture different parts of the sunlight spectrum, potentially converting more of the light into electricity.

Yang said Stion expects its mystery material to be able to reach higher efficiencies than many traditional crystalline solar cells.

The company plans to eschew new equipment in favor of high-volume low-cost deposition technologies already on the market, he said.

It also plans to put its films on glass, matching the panels on the market today, and expects to target large rooftop systems of between 500 kilowatts and 1 megawatt, he said.

Stion expects its first product to have conversion efficiencies – the amount of sunlight that is can convert into electricity – in the “mid to low teens,” which would beat the films on the market today, he said. First Solar has achieved average efficiencies of 10.6 percent, according to Piper Jaffray.

But other startups – such as HelioVolt, which announced it hit 12.2 percent efficiency earlier this month – also expect to surpass that percentage once they reach the market, and First Solar isn’t standing still, either.

Yang said Stion’s technology can reach theoretical efficiencies as high as 33 percent in single-junction cells and 50 percent in multi-junction cells.

Most technologies achieve 40 to 50 percent of their theoretical efficiencies in commercial production, he said, indicating potential efficiencies of between 13.2 and 20 percent. The company has set a goal of 15-percent efficiency with its first generation of cells and 20-percent efficiency with its second.

Still, the company acknowledges it faces some risk.

“It’s a new material, and to sit here and try to predict 100 percent is impossible, but we’re certainly trying to do our homework as much as possible,” Yang said.

And Rob Day, a principal at @Ventures and the author of Greentech Media’s Cleantech Investing blog, said he was skeptical.

“If there’s anything we’ve learned from thin film, it’s that it takes two to three years longer than [companies] think,” he said, while judging the startup competition at the conferene. “So if [Stion] thinks it will be out in the market in 2010, it really will be out in 2012.”

Investors in Stion include Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst Partners, Khosla Ventures, Braemar Energy Ventures and Moser Baer Photovoltaic.

The company also is in the process of hiring a chief financial officer, Yang said, and expects to announce new technical hires next week.

[meinolf67]

Thin Film to Survive Solar Shakeout
As the solar industry prepares for solar-panels production to surpass silicon demand, thin-film companies are expected to endure less hardship, as long as they can actually deliver products.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow May 28, 2008
Deutsche Bank's Steve O'Rourke addresses the audience at Greentech Media's PV Annual 2008.
Alex Lewin
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Thin-film solar manufacturers are prepared to endure hard times better than traditional solar companies in the next few years, Stephen O'Rourke, managing director for Deutsche Bank Securities, said at a Greentech Media conference in Massachusetts on Wednesday.

While not everyone agrees, a number of analysts have been predicting a solar-industry shakeout starting anywhere from this year to five years from now as the silicon shortage ends and the solar industry finds itself with an oversupply of panels (see Solar Sector Heading for a Shakeout, Silicon Still a Hot Topic at Photon and Solar Margins About to Shrink?).

But not every solar manufacturer is expected to experience great hardship as a result, especially if the company makes thin-film solar cells, O'Rourke said.

O'Rourke, who forecasts a three- to four-year shakeout starting in the middle of 2009, claims that companies that make thin-film solar, which uses little or no silicon, won't have it nearly as bad as those manufacturing traditional, silicon-based solar technology.

Part of the reason is that thin films are dominated by a few key players, and the largest -- Wall Street darling First Solar -- already has locked in contracts for virtually all of its capacity for the next five years, he said.

First Solar, which already has one of the lowest costs in the industry at $1.10 per watt, expects to be able to compete with lower prices in the future. It already has set contracts with steadily declining prices through 2012, said Jeff Osborne, a managing director of research for Thomas Weisel Partners. The pricing pressure will result in even greater development of low-cost solutions, which today are thin-film-based, Osborne said.

But that doesn't mean thin-film companies will be able to avoid the shakeout entirely, O'Rourke said.

"Fundamentally, it will impact stocks," he said, adding that thin-film companies will not be immune from the solar industry's overall experience.

Still, O'Rourke said he doesn't expect to see demand for thin-film solar to fall.

The greater threat to thin film's future is the inability of some startups to prove their technologies work, Osborne said.

Of more than 80 thin-film startups, he said, more than half are what he calls "PowerPoint companies."

Without products or any real proof that their technologies work in the real world, Osborne speculates that as many as half of these companies could fail.

[meinolf67]

Signet // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT



Today's Date: Friday, May 30, 2008
Michael Kanellos
Signet Solar, or how the chip industry will colonize the solar business May 27, 2008 at 12:47 PM

Back in 2006, semiconductor equipment giant Applied Materials unfurled a strategy that the company said would reduce the time and cost of putting up solar panel factories.

The world is now seeing the results of that. Signet Solar announced last week that it erected a thin film solar facility in Dresden, Germany: it took about ten months to complete. Construction of the 200,000 square foot production facility took about seven months and the installation of equipment took less than three months. The factory is based around an integrated manufacturing process from Applied. In a sense, it’s like buying a solar factory in a box.

The plant is a generation 8.5 plant, meaning that it produces cells on sheets of glass measuring 5.7 square meters, or 2.2 meters by 2.6 meters. It’s the world’s first Gen 8.5 solar plant. In fact, most LCD TV makers haven’t even graduated to Gen 8.5 plants yet.

Signet will release prototypes in early June and full production will begin in the third quarter. The company hopes to expand production at the Dresden site to 100 megawatts in 2009. (Signet will discuss its Gen 8.5 plant at Intersolar, the solar hoedown taking place in June in Munich.)

And who is Signet Solar? It’s not an old-line solar company. It was formed in 2006 and is largely staffed by execs from the chip industry. Chairman and founder Prabhu Goel was a longtime exec at IBM and Cadence Design Systems, which makes software for designing chips. CEO Rajeeva Lahri came from Intersil. Vice president of business development Keshav Prasad comes from Applied Materials. (Side note: First Solar and DayStar Technologies have also recently hired Applied Materials/Solyndra alums.)

Signet will also open factories in India. Applied is also building turnkey factories for others.

One can argue that this is all smoke and mirrors. The chip industry is different than the solar industry and that there is no reason to think that newcomers can displace those with decades of experience. On the other hand, I am familiar with the chip industry. It is a competitive, unforgiving place. The industry thrives on cutting costs, grinding out technological advances at regular pace, ramping up production facilities rapidly and starting price wars. Applied helped a number of Taiwanese companies get into the semiconductor business in the 80s and now Taiwan is one of the top centers for chip innovation. Take it from me: the chip guys will change the solar industry.

Signet’s silicon thin film panels aren’t as efficient at generating power from the sun as crystalline solar panels. Signet says it will get about an eight to ten percent efficiency with its panels, close to half the efficiency of good crystalline panels. But the company says it uses much less raw materials and thus they cost less.

[meinolf67]

Masdar // a-Si // UAE // AMAT




Abu Dhabi plans £1bn solar energy project

30 May, 2008

By Sarah Richardson

Investment by Masdar will focus on 'thin film' photovoltaic technology which is applied to building surfaces

Abu Dhabi has unveiled plans to invest $2bn in a solar energy project which would reduce the region’s reliance on oil.
Abu Dhabi buildings
Credit: aekpani

The $2bn (£1.02bn) investment by Masdar, the state-sponsored renewable energy fund, will focus on the production of photovoltaic technology known as “thin film”, which can be applied to the surface of buildings to generate power.

This technology is in short supply globally because of increasing demand from the solar power industry.

The project will involve spending $600m on the development of two manufacturing facilities: one in Erfurt, Germany which will be operational by autumn 2009, and a much bigger plant to be built in Abu Dhabi by the spring of 2010.

According to Deutsche Bank, the global photovoltaic market is worth $15bn and is growing at a rate of 40% a year. “Thin film” is expected to constitute 20% of the market by 2010.

[meinolf67]

Solar Thin Films // CIGS+a-Si // USA+Ungarn // Lieferant


Solar Thin Films and China Singyes plan 100MW facility in China
30 May 2008 | Fab and Facilities: News

Solar Thin FilmsSolar manufacturing equipment company Solar Thin Films, Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with China Singyes Holding, Ltd. for the construction of a 100MW module manufacturing facility in China. Solar Thin Films will supply all equipment, technology and engineering services and will retain rights to market and distribute BIPV products outside of China.

The specific location of the planned facility was not disclosed.

By Síle Mc Mahon


About Solar Thin Films, Inc.

Solar Thin Films (www.solarthinfilms.com) develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of manufacturing equipment for the production of "thin-film" amorphous silicon and CIGS photovoltaic ("PV") modules, together with a wholly owned subsidiary based in Budapest, Hungary. Personnel associated with the company have been responsible for the setup of 14 thin-film photovoltaic factories worldwide. The Company sells equipment and turnkey systems to customers including EPV Solar (Hamilton, NJ, USA) and CG Solar (Weihai, China). Management believes that its line of cost-effective thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing equipment positions the Company to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for solar modules and an expected market shift towards "thin film" PV modules as part of a cost effective, "clean technology" energy solution.

[meinolf67]

Masdar // a-Si // UAE // AMAT


Unternehmensgruppe aus den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten errichtet Solarzellenfabrik in Thüringen

Erfolg für den Solarstandort Thüringen: Thüringens Wirtschaftsminister Jürgen Reinholz hat die heute bekanntgegebene Entscheidung der Masdar Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company begrüßt, in Thüringen ein Werk zur Herstellung von Dünnschicht-Solarzellen zu errichten. „Damit setzt ein internationaler Großinvestor auf Thüringen“, sagte Reinholz. Besonders erfreulich sei es, dass von Erfurt aus auch Forschung und Vertrieb gesteuert würden. „Das ist ein voller Erfolg für Thüringen als Wirtschafts- und High-Tech-Standort.“ Mit der Investition im Umfang von 140 Mio. € entstehen bis zum Jahr 2010 zunächst 180 hochqualifizierte Arbeitsplätze. Nach Angaben des Unternehmens sollen mittelfristig bis zu 600 Arbeitsplätze am Standort geschaffen werden.

Die Masdar-Gruppe mit Sitz in Abu Dhabi, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate, plant, am Stand­ort „Erfurter Kreuz“ auf einer Fläche von acht Hektar ein Werk zur Produktion von Dünn­schicht-Solarzellen zu errichten. Die Investition in Thüringen ist Bestandteil eines Investi­tionspakets im Bereich der Solartechnologie, im Rahmen dessen zwei Produktionsstätten errichtet werden. Das zweite Werk neben Erfurt entsteht in Abu Dhabi. Dabei sollen For­schung und Entwicklung sowie Marketing und Vertrieb zentral am Standort „Erfurter Kreuz“ angesiedelt werden.

Die Produktionskapazität des Werks ist zunächst auf eine Jahresleistung von 50 Megawatt ausgelegt. Eine Erhöhung dieser Kapazität auf bis zu 280 Megawatt ist geplant. Wirt­schaftsminister Reinholz erklärte, der Freistaat werde die Investition im Rahmen der EU-beihilferechtlichen Möglichkeiten unterstützen. Die Förderung bedarf noch der Genehmi­gung durch die Europäische Kommission. Der Produktionsbeginn der neuen Solarfabrik ist für das dritte Quartal 2009 vorgesehen. Masdar begründet seine Entscheidung für einen deutschen Standort mit der Tatsache, dass Deutschland das Zentrum der weltweiten Solarindustrie ist. Mit seinen Investitionen in die Solartechnologie strebt das Unternehmen eine führende Position im Bereich der erneuerbaren Energien an.

Mit der Investitionsentscheidung werde Thüringen als Top-Standort der Solarindustrie massiv gestärkt, sagte Wirtschaftsminister Reinholz weiter. Derzeit sind schon 47 Photo­voltaik-Unternehmen – darunter elf produzierende – in Thüringen ansässig, die die ge­samte Wertschöpfungskette vom Wafer bis zum Solarmodul abdecken – darunter viele global agierende Unternehmen wie PV Crystalox, die Ersol Solar AG, die Wacker Schott Solar GmbH, Schott Solar GmbH oder die Sunways AG. Insgesamt sind derzeit rund 2 500 Beschäftigte direkt oder indirekt in der Thüringer Solarbranche tätig, die einen Umsatz von mehr als 800 Mio. € erwirtschaften. Prognosen sagen eine Verdopplung der Mitarbeiter­zahl auf rund 5 000 Beschäftigte bis 2010 voraus.

[meinolf67]

Nanosolar // CIGS // USA

Spectacular growth is seen in thin-film solar cells throughout the world. By 2010, its market share is expected to have grown to 20% from the present 8%.

According to Martin Roscheisen, CEO of Nanosolar, "the future's bright for those who can deliver on cost below First Solar's -- such as printed CIGS; it's cloudy for those who don't -- such as high-vacuum CIGS or high-vacuum silicon."

Roscheisen knows what he is talking about; by his own admission, his company, Nanosolar, has succeeded in manufacturing the world's first sub-$1/W solar cell and panel using a (non-vacuum) printing process that is significantly faster than even most other (low-vacuum) processes. And it has been a success with high demand already outstripping production output for the next 12 months.

Roscheisen will be discussing Nanosolar's history and future at the conference entitled "Thin-Film Future - Shortcut to Grid-Parity?" which is being held on June 11 in Munich, where he will be one of the speakers. This conference is where the world's thin-film companies will be presenting their experiences, products, and technological developments and sharing their views on possible cost price reductions.

Among them are leading manufacturers, such as Nanosolar, Kaneka, Q-cells, Oerlikon Solar, Applied Materials, Nexpower, QS Solar, Moser Baer, First Solar and Phoenix Solar. The conference is to be held at the Sofitel in the center of Munich. For registration or further information, go to www.thethin-filmfuture.com.

The conference is scheduled just before the start of Intersolar, the world's largest technology trade fair for solar energy, which will be taking place in Munich from June 12 through to June 14, 2008.

[meinolf67]

Stion // stealth / USA


Solar startup Stion slips slightly out of stealth mode
By Tom Cheyney
03 June 2008 | Chip Shots

Although it is still won't divulge much about its process or materials set, San Jose-based next-gen thin-film photovoltaic startup Stion has come ever-so-slightly out of stealth mode. Unlike a few months back when I blogged about the stealthiness of Stion and used whatever scraps of information and speculative research I could dig up, the company has revealed a few more details during a presentation at Greentech Media's PV Annual 2008 conference last week and has just announced the hiring of two new vice presidents.

Frank Yang, Stion's manager of business development, sent me a copy of the presentation as well as the press releases about solar industry vets Robert Wieting and Steven Aragon joining the company. Wieting takes on the VP of R&D role after a stint at Regenesis Power, a turnkey PV systems firm. Before that, he worked with Stion's president/CEO Chet Farris at Shell Solar, where Wieting ran the tech team that set up the first fully qualifed, megawatt-scale manufacturing line of copper indium (di)selenide (CIS).

Aragon comes to the startup as VP of engineering, the same role he held at his previous job at Daystar Technologies, one of the many companies vying for CIGS thin-film legitimacy. Aragon worked at Advanced Energy before the Daystar gig, where he helped get that company's solar product lines going.

As for the presentation, the company offers the propositions that it "must be able to differentiate against major players" and that the "combination of cost and efficiency" are critical. It's targeting $3 per watt-peak for installed system cost (that's unsubsidized grid parity), or about 15 cents kilowatt-hour in the US. Unlike many companies in the thin-film PV domain, Stion says it doesn't want to get into "the equipment development business" and wants to use "proven high volume, low-cost deposition technologies." It also plans to deploy what it calls "readily available, environmentally benign materials."

Stion's primary market focus? "End-of-wire large rooftop systems" of 500 KW to 1 MW. It plans to "drive cycles of learning with a data-driven statistical approach" (something definitely not unique to the firm and sounding very semiconductor-ish) and to work in parallel on R&D, engineering, reliability and manufacturing.

Although Stion's scions will not say what kind of thin-film material they are using, speculation has centered on some application of quantum-dot technology, given the background of CTO Howard Lee and his work in that area. But the presentation does include two slides that shed a bit more light on what they're up to.

The first one shows a chart that posits Stion's single- and multijunction inorganic whats-its TFPV cells as having the "highest theoretical efficiency" of any nonconcentrator PVs out there. The company claims impressive theoretical maximums of 33% for its single-junction cells and 50% for its multijunction cells, with bandgap energies around 1.5 eV. The so-called company claims its product development roadmap includes efficiencies of >15% for the first generation and >20% for the second.

A slide depicting its "cutting-edge fourth-generation technology" reveals a generic film-stack cutaway, with two sets of transparent conductive oxide (TCO), window, absorber, and back-contact layers sandwiched together between two pieces of glass. The caption inelegantly reads "materials and device structure allow for combination of high efficiency and utilizing proven production technologies," but offers no film thicknesses or process flow info, let alone the materials components of any of those four layers. Since molybdenum is the most common back-contact film used in many TFPV processes, can we at least assume it might be used in Stion's stack as well? Apparently not...yet.

The presentation continues with a slide titled "Pursuing lowest installed system cost, showing Stion's gen-1 and gen-2 products comparing favorably, in terms of efficiency versus cost/watt, with thin-film leader First Solar, silicon stalwarts Sharp, Kyocera, Evergreen, Suntech, Sunpower, and Sanyo, as well as amorphous-silicon thin-film pioneer Uni-Solar. But the chart includes no percentages or dollar amounts on its y- and x-axes--the proverbial normalized graph.

The final slide, headlined "Future expansion strategy," says that Stion will "launch US-based production first, (then) partner globally." Whether that means an captive or outsource manufacturing strategy is not clear, although statements (see below) indicate the company will first build its own factories before deciding to do any production on an outside contract basis.

The next line reads "Decentralized approach enables maximum flexibility in changing market." A planetary map features bullseye-like circles colored green signifying the company's primary markets, and circles colored yellow for its secondary markets. The US, Europe, India (or is it Pakistan?), China, and Japan are tagged with the green dots (no surprise there), while South America (specifically Brazil), Southeast Asia (specifically Indonesia), Australia, and North Africa (looks like Libya) carry the yellow markers. The untapped Antarctican market apparently is not a part of Stion's gameplan.

Stion's Yang told Greentech Media last week that the company plans to close its Series C round of financing by the end of 2008, which should be enough to get the company into production, first with a 5-MW pilot facility by 2009 and a 25-MW commercial line the following year. He said the company expects to have its first working prototypes of its high-efficiency cells by the end of this year or beginning of next, and the first products on the market by early 2010.

It may not be much, but at least Stion has shed a little light on what it's up to, even if a few minor details like its enabling material technology remain a closely held secret.

[meinolf67]

GE ist bei Primestar beteiligt


By Scott Malone

NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Electric Co (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) expects its nascent solar-energy business to hit the $1 billion annual revenue mark over the next three years or so, with its key challenge to make the green energy source less costly, the head of the unit said on Monday.

"I'm very optimistic about solar. I think it will be a billion-dollar business for GE sooner rather than later," said John Krenicki, president and chief executive of GE Energy, which has businesses ranging from gas turbines to nuclear power to windmills.

Asked about how long it would take the solar arm to hit that mark, Krenicki told the Reuters Global Energy Summit: "In a three-year time horizon, which is kind of our planning period right now."

The unit, which sells photovoltaic cells that can be used to convert the sun's rays into electricity, currently has over $100 million in revenues.

Rocketing energy prices -- U.S. oil futures CLc1 last month topped $130 a barrel for the first time -- and concern about climate change have spurred global interest in alternative sources of energy, including solar and wind. Still, a big hurdle for many green energy sources is the high cost.

That is the biggest concern GE's solar business is facing, Krenicki said.

"If you think about the solar that's on the market today, it's six, seven times more expensive than wind," Krenicki said. "Solar requires material science breakthroughs, which is something that GE is good at."

GE, the second-largest U.S. company by market capitalization, entered the solar-energy business in 2004 when it acquired AstroPower, a maker of traditional photovoltaic cells and last year expanded into thin-film solar cells when it bought a minority stake in PrimeStar Solar.

That acquisition may prove to be a key step as the thin-film technology does not depend on silicon. Tight supplies of silicon have slowed the solar industry's growth.

"Thin film has a great chance to be the lowest cost scalable form of solar power generation," Krenicki said.

The Fairfield, Connecticut-based conglomerate is not counting on further acquisitions to hit its $1 billion target for solar, Krenicki said.

"If someone has technology that we don't have, then that would be of interest," he said. "But right now I think we have what we need, and we'd apply the wind business model, which is we'll do it organically once we've done the initial investments."

The solar sector has caught Wall Street's attention, with shares of major solar cell companies, including First Solar Inc (FSLR.O: Quote, Profile, Research), SunPower Corp (SPWR.O: Quote, Profile, Research), Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd (STP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Evergreen Solar Inc (ESLR.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rocketing up last year, only to cool in the first months of 2008 amid concerns their valuations had swelled too quickly.

"We're not going to dabble in the solar business," Krenicki said. "We will put the pedal to the accelerator once it is very clear what our competitive advantage is."

GE's wind business is on track to hit the $6 billion revenue mark this year. GE entered that business in 2002, buying the wind turbine assets of the former Enron.

Krenicki noted that GE now has orders for its electricity-generating wind turbines through 2011 and plans to continue to boost production capacity.

"We have pretty good visibility out about three years, and are building up our supply chain in that time period and beyond," he said.

GE's competitors in the energy industry include German conglomerate Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), Swiss engineering group ABB Ltd (ABBN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) and French industrial and power group Alstom Holdings SA (ALSO.PA: Quote, Profile, Research).

(Editing by Gerald E. McCormick/Jeffrey Benkoe)

[meinolf67]

Bluestar // a-Si // China


　　Bluestar Terra Photovoltaic Co., Ltd. is a Sino-American joint venture. The company is engaged in designing, researching, developing and manufacturing crystalline pv panel the A-SI solar thin –film module, BIPV material and the large PV power station.
Our company is located in the beautiful city -Weihai. It was founded in January 2005, occupied 150,000m2 on land. A 5MW A-SI solar panels production line and a BIPV modules production line are working now, our second project will be accomplished in 2008, the output capability will be 25MW, in 2010 the third project will be achieved, the output will expand to 100MW, and our products will cover crystalline pv panel A-Si thin-film PV module, CIGS PV module, large-area BIPV material and the application system.
Bluestar Terra Co. is working hard on developing and applying solar energy by our abundant researching and developing, intimate designing, scrupulous project constructing and perfect service to provide the cleanest energy.

[meinolf67]

MoserBaer // a-Si // Indien // AMAT

Moser Baer hopeful of cutting solar energy cost to Rs 4-6 a unit

Solar power could be the solution for energy crunch


Moumita Bakshi Chatterjee
Advertisement

New Delhi, June 3

At a time when crude prices are peaking, a reduction in solar power costs could brighten the energy scenario. The solar photovoltaic (PV) business, which incurs a generation cost of Rs 12-14 per unit, is looking at reducing it to Rs 4-6 a unit in the next three to five years.

The reduction would mainly be on the back of anticipated easing of global demand-supply imbalance of silicon, advances in thin-film PV, higher cell efficiency and other innovations.

“Depending on various factors, one MW of solar energy involves an investment of $5.5-7 million. This is going to come down to the $3.5-5 million range in short to medium term. In the next 10 years it may go as low as $2.5 million per MW. In terms of generation cost, today I can give power at about Rs 14 per unit, and our roadmap clearly shows us a visibility to hit Rs 4-6 per unit,” Mr Ravi Khanna, CEO of Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Ltd, said.
How it fares

In contrast, the average cost of generation at coal-fired thermal stations is around Rs 3 a unit. Gas-based generation costs higher at around Rs 4-5 a unit, while liquid fuel-based generation costs over Rs 7 a unit. However, industrial power purchasers are willing to shell out higher tariffs upwards of Rs 7 a unit to meet the peaking shortages at these high tariffs.

For instance, captive power owners in Maharashtra’s industrial townships such as Pune are getting requests for supply of excess power to industrial and domestic consumers during peak hours at close to Rs 10 a unit.
PV price parity outlook

So far, capacity constraints in silicon – the raw material for most solar panels, which in turn are used to generate solar power – have kept prices artificially high. However, now with capacity augmentation by silicon suppliers that is set to change. “Silicon accounts for close to 70 per cent of the panel cost, and it should ideally drop to 40 per cent,” said Mr Khanna adding that photovoltaic modules based on new Thin Film technology – using Silane gas as raw material – promise to significantly lower solar energy costs.

Moreover, Mr Khanna pointed out that optimisation in processes and equipments, customised for the PV business, could yield 25-50 per cent cost benefits.

“For instance, PV players have been procuring silicon wafers of very high purity level which is not ideally required, so we have invested in a firm in Slovenia where we are producing solar grade silicon and optimising quality,” he said.

The industry is also gunning for higher efficiencies in solar panels. “One MW, depending on solar conditions, results in 0.9-1.2 million units per year. If the efficiency level rises, the yield per MW could he much higher,” he said.

Globally, solar energy plants with huge capacities have started dotting the PV horizon. These include a 300 MW solar facility in New Mexico, US (New Solar Ventures and Solar Torx); 280 MW Solana Solar plant in Arizona (Abengoa Solar and Arizona Public Services Company); 154MW project near Mildura, Australia (TRUenergy and Solar systems). In India, Moser Baer Photo Voltaic has signed MoU with Rajasthan for setting up a large solar power project with an estimated generation capacity of 1-5 MW. The project would be the largest grid connected solar farm in India. Although the company refused to comment on the tariffs for the project, the subsidy level is likely to be about Rs 10-12 per unit.

[meinolf67]

Sunfilm // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT


Photovoltaik: Sunfilm AG beginnt mit der Errichtung seiner zweiten Solar-Fabrik in Großröhrsdorf/ Sachsen



Vor etwa einem Jahr, am 1. Juni 2007, hat der Photovoltaik-Hersteller Sunfilm den 1. Spatenstich für seine erste Fertigungslinie "FAB1" vollzogen. Für die zweite Fertigungslinie FAB2 war es diesmal ein Bagger, der den ersten "Spatenstich" ausführte. Dieser Umstand stehe symbolisch für das vom ersten Tag an vorgegebene Tempo, um den äußerst anspruchsvollen Zeitplan zu erfüllen, betont die Sunfilm AG in einer Pressemitteilung. Wie bereits berichtet, werden die Produktionsanlagen auch für diese neue Fertigungslinie von Applied Materials (USA) geliefert. Das neue 20.000 Quadratmeter große Werk soll bis Frühjahr 2009 fertig gestellt sein. Nach der Inbetriebnahme der zweiten Produktionslinie Mitte 2009 wird die Produktion bis Ende 2009 hochgefahren. Beide Fertigungslinien werden somit zusammen Anfang 2010 eine Kapazität von mindestens 120 Megawatt (MWp) für die Produktion von Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen in Tandem-Technologie auf Siliziumbasis erreichen.


Zweite Fertigungslinie schafft bis zu 200 weitere Arbeitsplätze

"Wir freuen uns außerordentlich über die Unterstützung, die wir auf lokaler Ebene und von den Behörden des Freistaates Sachsen bei dieser entscheidenden Erweiterung unserer Fertigungsstätte erhalten", sagt Wolfgang Heinze, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Sunfilm AG. "In diesem sich rasant entwickelnden Photovoltaik-Markt ist es unerlässlich, als Firma schnell auf die wachsende Nachfrage des Marktes zu antworten. Das schaffen wir mit unserer Fertigungsstätte in Großröhrsdorf."

Mit seinen beiden Fertigungslinien setzt Sunfilm einen neuen Maßstab in der Solar-Industrie und stellt die weltweit ersten hocheffizienten siliziumbasierten Dünnschichtmodule auf 5,7 m2 großen Glassubstraten her. Mit der zweiten Fertigungslinie werden bis zu 200 weitere Arbeitsplätze für verschiedenste berufliche Qualifikationen entstehen, einschließlich zehn Lehrstellen.

[meinolf67]

klingt eher nach Einkauf von PV-Komponeneten, aber wer weiß...


FTL Solar caps first round for thin-film solar
Jeremy Jacquot | June 4th, 2008

Another day, another thin-film solar startup getting serious cash: Here it’s New York-based FTL Solar, which just capped a first round of funding and is en route to raising $50 million by the end of the fourth quarter. The first round, which yielded an undisclosed amount, was led by Terra Firma Capital Group, the Josh Mailman Foundation and private investors.

In addition to private investments, the firm has also received a $200,000 matching grant from the state Energy Research Development Authority. The proceeds from this and future rounds will go towards expanding FTL Solar’s R&D, facilities and corporate initiatives. The company develops lightweight, transportable structures, which it dubs “photovoltaic (PV) pavillons,” that are embedded with solar cells for military and commercial use.

FTL Solar claims its energy generating units are easy-to-use, scalable and durable, lasting over 10 years with little to no maintenance required. They can be adapted for use in powering anything from homes and villages to cell phones and laptops.

Its products have already been employed by a variety of government and academic customers, including the Army and the Smithsonian Institution, and have generated over $2 billion in sales.

[meinolf67]

MoserBaer // a-SI + C-SI // Indien

Monday June 9, 01:01 PM
Moser Baer to set up Rs 2,000 crore plant at Oragadam


Data storage-devices manufacturer, Moser Baer, on Monday inked a pact with the Tamil Nadu government for setting up a Rs 2,000 crore plant at Oragadam, to produce nano materials and photovoltaic products.

State Industries Secretary MF Farooqui and Deepak Puri, CMD, Moser Baer India, signed the MoU in the presence of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, an official press release said in Chennai.

According to the release, the company's plant would come up at the Small Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) plant at Oragadam near here, and was expected to generate 3,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The government had signed a similar MoU with Signet Solar Inc in March, it said adding that with today's MoU with Moser Baer, Tamil Nadu was poised to become a hub in the production of photovoltaic products.

Moser Baer is also a player in the entertainment industry.

[meinolf67]

...interessant, hatte mal was von Patentfragen gehört, aber nicht gewußt, wer da die Tür zumachen will...:

11.06.2008, 16:41 Uhr Meldung drucken | Artikel empfehlen

Oerlikon Solar leitet rechtliche Schritte gegen Sunfilm AG ein

Trübbach, Schweiz - Die Schweizer OC Oerlikon hat beim Deutschen Landgericht in Düsseldorf wegen angeblicher Patentrechtsverletzungen Klage gegen die deutsche Sunfilm AG, Großröhrsdorf, eingereicht. Die Sunfilm AG will mit Tandem Photovoltaik Modulen in den Markt eintreten, worin Oerlikon aufgrund der bestehenden Exklusivlizenzen sein geistiges Eigentum verletzt sieht. Oerlikon ist der Ansicht, dass die in Sachsen, Deutschland, angesiedelte Sunfilm-Produktionsanlage darauf ausgelegt ist, sowohl die Methode als auch das Produkt gemäss EP 0 871 979 B1 zu verwenden. Neben seinen eigenen Patentrechten ist Oerlikon als weltweit einziger Hersteller exklusiver Lizenznehmer mehrerer Patentfamilien für Produktionssysteme zur Erzeugung von Dünnschicht Silizium Photovoltaik-Zellen auf Glas - insbesondere gemäss Patent EP 0 871 979 B1. Diese Exklusivität schließe das Recht ein, gegen Patentrechtsverletzungen durch Dritte rechtlich vorzugehen.

[meinolf67]

Oerlikon Solar Sues Sunfilm
Oerlikon, a Swiss maker of thin-film solar production equipment, says Sunfilm is violating its patent for making tandem junction solar panels.
by: Ucilia Wang
Bullet Arrow June 11, 2008

Oerlikon Solar said Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit in Germany against Sunfilm, claiming that Sunfilm has infringed on its patent for manufacturing thin-film solar panels.
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Oerlkon Solar, which develops and sells equipment for making thin-film solar panels, contends that Sunfilm is violating its patent for its micromorph tandem cell technology. Oerlikon, a Swiss firm and a leader in the market, acquired the technology from the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland in 2003.

Last year, Sunfilm announced its plans to enter the thin-film solar panel business. Since then, the German company has set up a production line and bought equipment from Santa Clara, Calif.-based Applied Materials. The production line is scheduled to go online next month. Sunfilm said in May that it has ordered more equipment from Applied Materials for a second line.

“Oerlikon’s intellectual property is being knowingly infringed upon by Sunfilm AG,” said Oerlikon Solar’s CEO Jeannine Sargent in a statement. “Our IP represents the cumulative work product of thousands of scientists and engineers for over 20 years, including millions of dollars in investment.”

The lawsuit reflects the growing competition in the thin-film solar market, which is much smaller than the one for solar panels made with conventional silicon. Making thin-film panels at a large scale is more difficult and expensive, though the technology promises to be cheaper and more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity one day. Thus far, only a handful of thin-film panel makers have brought their products to market.

Oerlikon sent Sunfilm a warning letter earlier this year about Sunfilm’s plans to make large, 5.7 square-meter tandem junction solar panels, which are made of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon layers on glass. According to Sunfilm, the two layers improve the ability of the panels to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.

Sunfilm representatives couldn’t be reached for comment on the lawsuit Wednesday.

The lawsuit raised questions about whether Oerlikon will also take legal action against its competitor Applied Materials (see Green Light post). An Oerlikon spokesman, Burkhard Boendel, said there is no plan to do so.

Applied Materials spokeswoman Patricia Zepeda Vera declined to comment.

The patent focuses on the design and engineering of the panels, Oerlikon’s Boendel said. The equipment that is used to make panels is just one piece of a complex manufacturing process.

“Irrespective of who supplies the equipment, Sunfilm’s decision to make tandem junction solar cells infringes on our license,” Boendel said.

Instead, Oerlikon is going after module makers. Several of them, including Sunfilm, have disputed Oerlikon’s patent by filing their objections with the European Patent Office. Sunfilm filed its notice with the patent office in March 2007. Other companies in dispute are Q-Cells in Germany and Kaneka in Japan.

Oerlikon filed the lawsuit against Sunfilm Tuesday in the German District Court in Düsseldorf. The Swiss firm is asking the court to stop Sunfilm from making the panels. Oerlikon has declined to say whether the company is pursuing monetary damages.

In the manufacturing equipment business, more Oerlikon systems are deployed than those from Applied Materials, said Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute and a partner of Greentech Media.

[meinolf67]

Global Solar // CIGS // USA

Global Solar Strings Thin-Film Market Together
The Tucson, Ariz.-based company will sell solar cells that can turn traditional silicon-based panel makers, into thin-film panel makers.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow June 11, 2008
Global Solar's thin-film cells are strung together and ready to be dropped into traditional silicon-based panel factory lines.
Global Solar Energy
Advertisement

Global Solar Energy said Wednesday it will start selling its thin-film cells in July, joining a small group of companies that have managed to bring thin-film solar to market.

The company, based in Tucson, Ariz., has been developing strings of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) cells for about three years. Unlike its competitors, Global Solar doesn’t assemble the cells into glass panels. The company claims that selling the lightweight strings makes it cheaper to transport than glass-encased cells.

The cells can be cut to match a variety of panel sizes and can be adopted into current panel factory lines, directly replacing traditional silicon-based cells, said Jeffrey Britt, Global Solar’s chief technology officer

"We have reached the point where we are ready for commercial partners and we are ready to provide them with strings on a significant quantity bases," Britt said.

Global Solar, founded in 1996, has been making thin-film cells for portable gadgets such as iPods, PDAs and cell phones. But it is jumping into the business of making thin-film cells for larger-scale projects, such as solar systems for buildings, because of its lucrative potential.

In early March, Global Solar said it was opening a 40-megawatt, mass production plant in Tucson, Ariz. Britt said the plant is expected to produce 20 megawatts of the films this year before ramping up to 40 megawatts of capacity in 2009 and 140 megawatts by 2010 (see Competition for First Solar?).

In late March, Global Solar began shipping cells that Britt said are "approaching" the efficiency levels of its prototype cells from its 4.3-megawatt demonstration plant. The cells went to customers, such as German panel-maker Solon, to test the products.

At the demonstration plant, Global Solar was able to produce cells with an average of 10 percent efficiency, meaning the cells converted about 10 percent of the sunlight that hit them into electricity.

Global Solar has also leased factory space from Solon to build a 35-megawatt thin-film production line in Berlin. Production is expected to begin by June next year, according to Britt.

Thin-film solar cells use little or no silicon, the costliest part of most solar cells. They remain more expensive to make on a large scale and less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity than silicon-based cells. But advocates contend that thin-film technology could become much cheaper one day and find new markets, such as building materials and textiles (see Thin-Film Solar Production to Leap Forward).

This potential has heated up the race to bring more thin-film cells to market. Currently only a few key players, like Wall Street darling First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), has managed such a feat (see First Solar Rides High, Solar Sector Heading For a Shakeout and Thin Films Lead U.S. Solar Production).

First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride films, reached an average cell efficiency of 10.6 percent at the end of last year, according to investment bank and institutional securities firm Piper Jaffray.

Looking to give First Solar some competition are companies like Miasolé, which plans to ship its first commercial thin-film solar panels to customers by the end of this year, and Nanosolar, which said in December it had begun shipping its commercial thin-film panels to its first customer (see Miasolé Clears the Air and Nanosolar Begins Production).

[meinolf67]

PrimeStar // CdTe // USA

GE Energy Assumes Majority Interest In PrimeStar Solar
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Thursday 12 June 2008
email the content item print the content item

GE Energy has increased its equity share in PrimeStar Solar Inc., an emerging solar thin-film technology and manufacturing company. GE already held a minority equity share of PrimeStar Solar, as announced in September 2007.

"Increasing our stake in PrimeStar Solar to a majority interest underscores our continuing commitment to solar energy," says Victor Abate, vice president of renewables, GE Energy. "GE Energy believes that renewable resources, including wind and solar, will play an ever-increasing role in the future of the global energy industry."

SOURCE: GE Energy

[meinolf67]

Moser Baer // a-si // Indien // AMAT



COLEXON Energy AG signs long-term delivery agreement with Moser Baer of micro-amorphous thin film modules until 2012

Für den Inhalt der folgenden Meldung ist nicht die Verivox GmbH sondern der Autor Colexon Energy AG verantwortlich.

(pressebox) Hamburg, 11.06.2008 - COLEXON Energy AG, a leading system integrator for turnkey solar power plants, today has signed a framework contract with Moser Baer Photo Voltaics Ltd on the delivery of solar modules of a total of over 130 Megawatt peak until the year 2012. The contract consists of a fixed and an optional volume which can be ordered according to market conditions. From the fourth quarter of 2008 until the first half of 2009, COLEXON will procure mostly amorphous modules, from the second half of 2009 onwards innovative micro-amorphous thin-film modules.

The production of mirco-amorphous thin-film modules is considered to be one of the most promising photovoltaic technologies. According to market experts, the advantages are to be seen in the cost effective production process which consumes fewer raw material as well as in the higher efficiency compared to amorphous modules. The large module size - with 5.7 sqm Moser Baer modules will be of the largest in the world - allows for considerable cost saving potential in sub-construction and cable material.

Depending on the installation (building-integrated, roof-top or open field), these modules can also be delivered half or quarter sized. The micro-amorphous modules will be manufactured in Moser Baer Photovoltaic's facilities in New Delhi India, using a fully automated Gen 8.5 production line of the US-based supplier Applied Materials.

As one of the first players of the industry, COLEXON has specialised on thin-film projects already since 2005. With this contract, COLEXON continues its strategy to consequently implement its expertise in thin-film technology.

About Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Ltd Moser Baer Photo Voltaic incorporated in New Delhi, a wholly owned subsidiary of Moser Baer India Ltd, in the business of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. MBPV plans to manufacture solar cells and modules by straddling multiple technologies including crystalline silicon, concentration and thin films. The manufacturing facilities are housed in a renewable energy SEZ at Greater Noida.

The parent company, Moser Baer India Limited is a global technology company. It is the second largest manufacturer of optical storage media in the world and has business interests in Solar Energy, Entertainment and IT Peripherals & Consumer Electronics. MBIL reported revenues of around Rs 2,000 cr in FY07. Please also see www.moserbaer.in; www.moserbaerpv.in

COLEXON Energy is one of the leading manufacturer-independent system integrators in the photovoltaic sector. The operative subsidiaries design and install turnkey photovoltaic plants for institutional and private investors in Germany and abroad. COLEXON Energy AG is listed in the Prime Standard at the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt.

COLEXON exhibts at INTERSOLAR in Munich from 11th to 13th June in hall C3, booth 550.

[meinolf67]

Inventux // a-Si // Deutschland // Oerlikon


Premiere zur Intersolar: Inventux präsentiert mikromorphes Dünnschichtmodul


(pressebox) München, 12.06.2008 - Die Inventux Technologies AG präsentiert sich auf der Intersolar 2008 erstmals dem Fachpublikum und zeigt ihr neues mikromorphes Solarmodul, dass sich vor allem durch optimierte Energieerträge auszeichnet.

Das Berliner Solarunternehmen, das sich auf die Entwicklung, Produktion und Vermarktung von Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodulen spezialisiert, zeigt auf der Leitmesse der Solarbranche mit dem 'X120' das erstmals in dieser Art in Europa gefertigte mikromorphe Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodul. Mit einer Fläche von 1,4 Quadratmetern und durch ein rahmenloses Glas/Glas-Design eignen sich die Module der 'X-Series-Micromorph' insbesondere für große, netzgekoppelte Photovoltaikanlagen bei ausgezeichnetem Kosten- Nutzen-Verhältnis.

Die Tandemzellen bestehen aus einer amorphen und einer mikrokristallinen Siliziumschicht. Bei einer Leistung von 120 Watt und einem stabilisierten Wirkungsgrad von 8,6% nehmen die Module ein besonders breites Lichtspektrum auf und sorgen für optimierte Energieerträge. Enge Leistungstoleranzen von +/-3% gewährleisten die bestmögliche Systemkonfiguration ohne zeitintensive Vorsortierung.

Die Inventux-Module werden in hochmodernen, automatisierten Produktionsanlagen hergestellt. Durch hohe Technologie- und Prozesskompetenz bei der kosteneffektiven Serienfertigung der technologisch führenden Dünnschichtmodule wird eine gleichbleibend hohe Produktqualität gesichert.

[meinolf67]

CIGS

BM and TOK team on CIGS thin-film materials and processes; target 15% efficiencies
16 June 2008 | R & D: News


IBMContinuing its strategy to leverage semiconductor and related technologies to the photovoltaics industry, IBM has said that IBM Research is targeting 15 percent plus conversion efficiencies for CIGS solar cell modules. Current CIGS thin-film cells achieve efficiencies in the range of 8 to 12 percent.

To reach its stated efficiency goals, IBM has teamed with Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK), a specialist chemicals company known well for photoresist materials used in lithography processes.

"Our goal is to develop more efficient photovoltaic structures that would reduce the cost, minimize the complexity, and improve the flexibility of producing solar electric power," said Dr. Tze-Chiang Chen, IBM Vice President of Science and Technology, IBM Research. "Now, IBM's advanced technology combined with TOK's expertise in equipment design and manufacture, have the potential to broaden the use of alternative energy sources."

Yoichi Nakamura, President and Chief Executive Officer of TOK, said, "We believe that this joint development is a great opportunity to expand the applications of our technologies into the photovoltaic industry, bringing a new solid business block for us."

The two companies are developing new, non-vacuum, solution-based manufacturing processes for CIGS that include equipment and materials.

[meinolf67]

Best Solar // a-Si // China // AMAT


Best Solar to invest $2.5 billion for 1GW thin-film capacity in 2010
16 June 2008 | Thin Film: News

Best Solar
Exhibiting for the first time at Intersolar last week was Best Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., the thin-film PV manufacturing start-up, created by LDK Solar’s founder and CEO Xiaofeng Peng. Brochures displayed by the company detailed the plans to spend $2.5 billion over the next three years to reach a capacity of over 1GW annually using Applied Materials’ ‘SunFab’ turnkey large 5.7m2 glass substrate (Si) thin-film technology. This would seem to give confirmation to the fact that Best Solar, a privately held company, was the un-named company that Applied Materials referred to in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing in March, 2008 as having placed a $1.9 billion order for its SunFab lines.

“By working closely with world leading Solar Equipment provider Applied Materials, the company is deploying the most advanced technology and equipments to thin film solar market,” was how the Best Solar brochure phrased the news.

Best Solar also stated that they were currently building one of the largest thin-film fabs in the world to date. An artist’s drawing of the manufacturing complex highlighted three side-by-side facilities each with a capacity of 350MW labeled Phase 1, 2 and 3. The facilities are being built in the Wuzhong Economic Development Park, Suzhou Jiangsu, China.

Using tandem junction technology with an expected conversion efficiency of 8.5 percent initially, Best Solar plans to reach 12 percent efficiency levels in 2011.

Initial production is planned for the end of 2008, and with the completion of certification in Europe and North America, shipments are expected in the first quarter of 2009.

Best Solar

[meinolf67]

PrimeStar (GE) // CdTe // USA



GE raises ante in thin-film PV game with PrimeStar Solar majority stake
12 June 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots

General Electric, through its Energy division, has increased its equity stake to a majority holding in cadmium-telluride (CdTe) thin-film start-up PrimeStar Solar, and in so doing, has raised the stakes in the photovoltaic solar contest. The move by GE puts First Solar, the market leader in TFPV, squarely in the competitive crosshairs of one of the largest industrial conglomerates and R&D powerhouses.

Although First Solar should be concerned, PrimeStar and its megacorporate benefactor have a huge task ahead of them. PrimeStar, which opened its doors in June 2006, does not have an operational pilot line and has several milestones yet to accomplish before it does, according to a recent review of its Solar America Initiative incubator program.

While the CdTe company qualified advanced window layer films earlier this year, it has yet to finish the design of its pilot line equipment or complete the optimization of its cell efficiencies on minimodule substrates, let alone optimize module efficiencies on those substrates or build and commission the pilot line gear, according to the report. I hope to get an update on PrimeStar's current status at next week's Photovoltaics Summit 2008 in San Diego, where the company's Fred Seymour will be presenting.

Contrast and compare that modest accomplishment set with Wall Street darling First Solar's dizzying capacity buildout, which will reach 495 MW this year and hit the 1-GW mark, with its Malaysian fabs coming online, by the end of 2009. It already boasts the lowest cost per manufactured watt in the PV arena and continues to drive that number down, while its conversion efficiencies keep increasing, slowly but surely. The several gigawatts' worth of long-term module supply contracts already on First Solar's books should quickly gobble up all that added manufacturing output.

PrimeStar is not the only CdTe wannabe chasing First Solar. AVA Solar has said it expects its 25-MW pilot facility to be operational by the second half of 2008. Q-Cells unit Calyxo, formed in part through the parent's acquisition of Solar Fields a few years back, already has a 8-MW demo line and is building a new plant that is scheduled to reach 60-MW capacity by 2009.

Still, GE, no stranger to the mainstream power generation marketplace, also knows how to take a promising renewable-energy business and turn it into a very lucrative one. Its windpower segment, largely built on the remnants of Enron's wind biz, is now a fast-growing multibillion-dollar cashmaking machine.

In solar, GE already has a $100 million-plus operation, some of which has roots in its AstroPower acquisition in March 2004, although the company has been investigating PV for decades. If it can help PrimeStar build on and fully exploit its strong intellectual property (much of which came from work at the National Renewable Energy Lab) and process/materials technology knowledge bases, the upstart CdTe player could eventually challenge First Solar--as well as the crystalline silicon-based solar stalwarts.

The questions of the European Community's stance on cadmium safety and the global availability (or scarcity, depending on one's viewpoint) of raw and processed tellurium loom over all of the CdTe PV players. But it's hard to imagine a company like GE getting even deeper into the market if it thought either of those issues presented insurmountably tall hurdles to PrimeStar's ultimate success and profitability.

It may take a few years, but the CdTe TFPV space could yet turn into more than a one-horse race.

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS // USA


Q&A: Miasolé CEO on Catching Up With First Solar
Miasolé CEO Joseph Laia talks about Wall Street's thin-film solar darling, First Solar, and how he plans to catch up.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow June 18, 2008
Miasolé CEO Joseph Laia
Rachel Barron
Advertisement

Nearly every time Miasolé CEO Joseph Laia runs into an analyst, the first question is the same: When will First Solar get some competition?

That's because Wall Street darling First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), by far the largest thin-film solar manufacturer, boasts better margins than the rest of the solar industry (see First Solar Rides High, Wall Street's Love Affair with First Solar Continues and Thin Film to Survive Solar Shakeout).

As a result, First Solar shares are soaring above $270 per share. And analysts say the company's picture could get even rosier as market trends are expected to press prices down, further favoring lower-cost technology such as First Solar's thin films (see Thin Film to Survive Solar Shakeout).

Laia certainly hopes to give First Solar some competition.

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Miasolé makes copper-indium-gallium-diselenide films, also known as CIGS, which have proven to be the most efficient of all the thin-film technologies at converting sunlight into electricity - at least in the labs.

So far, Miasolé has been able to produce panels with 9- to 10-percent efficiency, meaning the panels are able to convert 9 to 10 percent of the sunlight that hits them into electricity.

First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride films, reached an average cell efficiency of 10.6 percent at the end of the fourth quarter, according to investment bank Piper Jaffray.

Moreover, First Solar makes thin film at a lower cost than the reigning solar-power technology, crystalline-silicon panels.

Last month, Greentech Media sat down with the usually tight-lipped CEO, who shared his take on why competition hasn't caught up with First Solar, his thoughts on the increasing complaints about high solar valuations and Miasolé's plans to pursue building-integrated solar despite declining a $20 million government grant for the technology.

Q: Why are thin-film companies taking so long to catch up with First Solar?

A: There are two parts to that answer. First, anybody can go home and, in an Easy-Bake Oven, make 5- or 6-percent CIGS cells. But making it 10, 11, 12 percent, that's hard. It's hard to have high efficiency and your costs under control. I don't think anybody has figured it out because you can't buy a good CIGS module at a low price from anybody in the world. ... Why hasn't anybody [else aside from First Solar] figured out cadmium-telluride yet? The answer is it's hard. If it were easy than there would be gobs of guys out there.

Q: What's the other reason?

A: [First Solar] has been at it for more than 15 years. In my experience, if you want a brand-new machine to make a brand-new film -- just one film, not the sandwich (of films that are put together to make a cell) -- it typically takes four to five years to figure it out and it takes about $25 million a year. We have developed the hardware, the process, the packaging, the whole thing. For Miasolé it's been fourish years. So its not like it's taking a long time.

Q: When does Miasolé expect to be able to give customers an alternative to First Solar panels?

A: We think we can scale pretty quickly. We’ll start in 2009, bring the factory on and start shipping. Probably by 2010, people will say, ’The Miasolé guys can do it,’ or they will say, ’The Miasolé guys can’t do it.’

Q: As more money gets funneled into solar, industry watchers have complained that solar company valuations are too high. Is there any merit to the grumblings?

A: This is a really interesting question because [many are] pre-revenue companies. There are going to be winners and losers. Now the question becomes, what’s a pre-revenue company really worth when you know someone in there is likely to be another First Solar and have a market cap of $18 billion? [Editor’s note: First Solar’s market cap reached $22.51 billion Tuesday.] I think people are looking at what the opportunity is and, based on that opportunity, putting values on these companies. Is it too high? Maybe not. Is there risk involved? Absolutely.

Q: In April, Greentech Media reported that Miasolé declined $20 million in government funding for developing flexible building-integrated photovoltaic technology. Was it hard to give up all that money?

A: No. [To protect CIGS cells from the elements,] you need a top coat so it doesn’t let the water in. [The top coat] doesn’t exist. It won’t be commercially viable for two to three years. I guarantee if I’m working on products that can’t get to market in less than two years, I’m not going to be making a lot of progress on being a compelling manufacturer with products that look like First Solar’s.

Q: Does Miasolé have plans to develop flexible building-integrated photovoltaic technology?

A: Absolutely. It’s one of the inherent advantages of doing flexible substrates. [We’re not ready to focus on it now, but] within the next 18 months, we’ll have people dedicated to working with partners on what a building-integrated product looks like.

[meinolf67]

Xunlight (fka MWOE) // a-Si(+CdTe) // USA


April 25, 2008

Xunlight Establishes Xunlight 26 Solar to
Commercialize CdTe Photovoltaics

Toledo, Ohio – April 25, 2008 – Xunlight Corporation, a leader in the development of low cost and flexible
thin-film silicon solar modules, today announced the company and Dr. Alvin D. Compaan established
Xunlight 26 Solar, LLC (“X26” ) to develop and commercialize lightweight and flexible solar cells based on
cadmium telluride and other II-VI compound semiconductors.

Xunlight’s Board of Directors approved the formation and investment in X26 to start the research and
development work in the related areas. Dr. Xunming Deng, President and CEO, Xunlight, Dr. Compaan,
Distinguished University Professor of Physics, University of Toledo, and Mr. Matthew Longthorne, Vice
President of Corporate Development and Strategies, were elected to be the Board of Directors of X26.
Initially, Mr. Longthorne serves as X26’s President and Dr. Compaan serves as its Chief Technology
Officer.

X26 is pleased to announce it has received a $997,000 grant from the State of Ohio under the Alternative
Energy Program to continue its development of flexible CdTe solar cells. The project will be carried out in
collaboration of the University of Toledo and Akron Polymer Systems, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Al Compaan brings to X26 more than 20 years of experience in CdTe solar-cell research at the University
of Toledo where he has led a PV research program funded by various federal and State of Ohio programs
and has collaborated with a variety of industries. At UT, Dr. Compaan has helped build one of the
strongest PV faculties in the nation with world-class scientists covering the range of thin-film solar-cell
technologies.

“I am excited about the potential impact of Xunlight 26 Solar in the building-integrated, flexible PV market
and about the confidence placed in our team by Ohio’s Third Frontier Program and by the Board of
Directors of Xunlight Corporation,” said Dr. Compaan

”Al and I worked closely together at the University of Toledo in building a strong thin film photovoltaics
research program. We are now working together at Xunlight 26 in building a thin film cadmium telluride
based photovoltaics company in Toledo. This is great!” said Dr. Deng.

[meinolf67]

April 25, 2008

Xunlight Raises $22 million in Series B Financing

Toledo, Ohio – April 25, 2008 – Xunlight Corporation, a leader in the development of low cost and flexible
thin-film silicon solar modules, today announced it has raised $22 million in a Series B financing. The
investment was led by Trident Capital, a leading private equity and venture capital firm that has over $1.6
billion under management. Existing investors, Emerald Technology Ventures and NGP Energy
Technology Partners, participated in the round. The proceeds will be used to build commercial
manufacturing capacity for the production of lightweight and flexible thin film silicon solar modules.

Founded as a technology spin-off from the University of Toledo, Xunlight commercialized its technology
with significant assistance from the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Project. In a press conference to be
held at 10:15am today at Xunlight headquarters, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will explain how the State
of Ohio’s investment in technology has created high quality Ohio jobs.

“Trident is excited to have the opportunity to lead Xunlight's Series B financing. With its strong
management team and technology base as well as its connection with the University of Toledo, we
expect Xunlight to become a global leader in the fast growing building integrated photovoltaic market.
This is more than just an excellent investment opportunity. We are excited to support a company that can
make a difference toward the achievement of national energy independence while creating jobs for the
State of Ohio and the country”, said Mark Iwanowski of Trident Capital.

Emerald Technology Ventures, the lead investor in the Series A financing, increased its equity position in
the company in this round. “We are very pleased with the excellent performance of Xunlight and the
ability the company has demonstrated to attract top-class talents and new investors”, said Markus Moor,
Partner at Emerald and a current board member of Xunlight.

Chris Sorrells, Managing Director, NGP Energy Technology Partners, added, “We are excited to have
attracted an investor the calibre of Trident Capital to Xunlight. Dr. Deng and his team continue to execute
on their business plan and the new investment allows Xunlight to accelerate its commercial
manufacturing ramp-up.”

The new and existing investors well represent the cleantech investment area and have proven track
records of helping companies to build commercial success. “We are very pleased to attract investments

from these three leading venture capital and private equity investors in the cleantech space”, said
Xunlight Chief Executive Officer Dr. Xunming Deng. “The new round of investment will allow the company
to build a roll-to-roll production line and produce commercial PV products in high volume.”

Dr. Deng further noted, “The investment made by the State of Ohio through its Third Frontier Project has
helped to incubate the company through its early development stage. Governor Strickland’s proposal on
Energy, Jobs and Progress of Ohio will play a crucial role in creating many green collar jobs in the State.”

Xunlight was featured in the October 8, 2007 issue of Newsweek magazine and a March 24, 2008 report
of CNN News. Thomas Weisel Partners served as a financial advisor to Xunlight in connection with its
Series B financing.

[cmeise]

Stammt schon aus dem Mai:

Neue Studie zur Dünnschicht-Photovoltaik: EuPD Research sieht großes Potenzial in a-Si, CdTe, CIS & Co

Der Solarmarktforscher EuPD Research hat die Entwicklungen auf den globalen Märkten für Dünnschicht-Photovoltaik in einer neuen Studie analysiert. Basierend auf einer quantitativen Befragung unter Dünnschichtproduzenten und Markteinsteigern werden Zustand und wichtigste Trends dieser Boombranche systematisch beleuchtet. Bis 2010 rechnen die Autoren der Studie mit einem Dünnschicht-Produktionsvolumen von 3,5 Gigawatt (GW). Allerdings geht EuPD Research auch davon aus, dass weniger als die Hälfte der rund 60 Unternehmen, die vor 2010 mit der Massenproduktion beginnen wollen, ihre Zeitpläne einhalten können. An der Untersuchung nahmen alle aktuellen Dünnschichtproduzenten und 20 Prozent der Markteinsteiger teil.


Schwierigkeiten bei der Umsetzung der Ausbaupläne

Nach Einschätzung der befragten Photovoltaik-Unternehmen wird die Wettbewerbsintensität in der Branche zunehmen. Allerdings empfinden die Befragungsteilnehmer die große Anzahl von Neueinsteigern nicht als eine allzu starke Bedrohung. Denn die Schwierigkeit, den komplexen Produktionsprozess in den Griff zu kriegen, sei eine wichtige Herausforderung beim Start der Dünnschichtproduktion. "Es ist eine Sache, ambitionierte Ausbaupläne zu verkünden - aber eine ganz andere, die verschiedenen Produktionsschritte erfolgreich zu integrieren", sagt Markus A.W. Hoehner, Geschäftsführer von EuPD Research und betont: "An diesem Punkt trennt sich die Spreu vom Weizen".


Preissenkung und Produktdifferenzierung als wichtigste Branchentreiber

Was die Befragungsteilnehmer am meisten sorgt, ist die stagnierende globale Nachfrage, betont EuPD Research in einer Pressemitteilung. Das sinkende Niveau der Photovoltaikförderung in den wichtigsten europäischen Ländermärkten und die unsichere Marktentwicklung in Asien und den USA mache es fragwürdig, ob die Nachfrage nach Photovoltaikmodulen genau so stark wachsen wird wie die Produktionszahlen. In einem zunehmend komplizierten Marktumfeld habe die Dünnschicht-PV jedoch wichtige Vorteile gegenüber der kristallinen Konkurrenz. Zum einen sei das Potenzial für Senkungen der Produktionskosten höher, und zum anderen gebe es zahlreiche Möglichkeiten für Produktdifferenzierungen. So könnten durch die Verwendung flexibler Trägermaterialien (Substrate) neue Marktsegmente erschlossen werden. "Durch die Entwicklung kostengünstiger Produkte für neue Anwendungen eröffnen sich weitere Märkte für Dünnschichtmodule. Das sichert den Absatz, auch wenn die allgemeine Nachfrage stagnieren sollte", sagt Stephan Franz, Research Analyst bei EuPD Research. Durch das große Potenzial von a-Si, CdTe, CIS & Co sei also damit zu rechnen, dass diese Technologien eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle in der Solarbranche spielen werden.
http://www.solarserver.de/news/news-8900.html
---
Ein Überblicks pdf:
http://www.eupd-research.com/files/SurveyDoc/filename/EuPD_P…

[meinolf67]

June 23, 2008 04:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Permalink

To save a permanent link to this news, right-click the date and time (Ctl-click on a Mac) and choose the command to copy the link, link location or shortcut.
Applied Materials Releases Statement Regarding its SunFab™ Thin Film Solar Technology

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Applied Materials, Inc. today released the following statement regarding its thin film solar technology:


Applied Materials believes that its SunFab thin film solar tandem junction technology does not infringe European Patent No. EP 0 871 979 issued to the University of Neuchatel (the "Neuchatel patent"). Applied Materials' unique and proprietary manufacturing process and tandem junction cell structure are the result of substantial research and development. The SunFab line is the only integrated production line for manufacturing thin film solar modules using ultra-large 5.7 m2 glass panels.

Applied Materials' belief of non-infringement is based in part on differences between the SunFab tandem junction technology (as verified by scientific analyses such as Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy) and the claims of the Neuchatel patent.

In addition, the Neuchatel patent is already the subject of four separate opposition proceedings in the European Patent Office challenging its validity, based on prior art that was not disclosed or considered during the European patent examination process.

[meinolf67]

Nuon // a-Si??? // Niederlande


Dutch Energy Company Enters Solar Business

Dutch energy company Nuon has decided to start building a factory for the large-scale production of solar cell laminate. This production facility will be located on the Kleefse Waard industrial park in Arnhem, alongside the Nuon Helianthos test factory, which is currently under construction.

The construction of the test factory on the Kleefse Waard industrial park in Arnhem is on schedule.

Nuon Helianthos is developing a pliable laminate with thin-film solar cells. The solar cell laminate is light and flexible and therefore easy to integrate into all types of products.

Initially, the solar cell laminate of Nuon Helianthos will be produced for use in the building industry, such as incorporating it into roof covering and for cladding façade panels. Other uses may follow at a later stage.

The technology makes it possible to produce on a large scale at low cost. In this way solar energy will be a lot more attractive to business and consumers in the future.

"Parallel to the construction of the test factory we are working on the production process for the solar cell laminate," says Gert Jan Jongerden, director of Nuon Helianthos. "Both product and process will be further optimised in the test factory. In collaboration with several knowledge institutes we are working making the solar cell laminate even more efficient."

"We see great potential for this product," adds Øystein Løseth, chairman of the Management Board of Nuon, "especially in the light of our ambitions in the field of renewable dispersed generation. Although the product and the process have not yet been fully developed, the results to date are so promising that we want to make a start now on the construction of the production facility."

About Nuon

Nuon is an energy company, serving more than three million consumers and organisations with over 10,000 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Nuon produces, transports and delivers electricity, gas, heating and cooling, and engages in energy trading in the major international markets. Nuon also supplies additional services and technological innovations to businesses and consumers. In doing so, Nuon aims to provide a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply.

With a turnover of EUR 5.7 billion in 2007, Nuon occupies a prominent position in the Dutch energy market. The shares are held by local and regional authorities.

[meinolf67]

ja, ist a-SI:


www.nuon.com/Images/Helianthos%20brochure_tcm185-66850.pdf

[meinolf67]

EPV Solar // a-Si // Deutschland (Senftenberg)

EPV SOLAR Hires General Manager In Germany
in News Departments > People
by SI Staff on Monday 23 June 2008
email the content item print the content item

EPV SOLAR Inc., a thin-film solar module manufacturer, has appointed Franz Kemper general manager of its newly established Senftenberg, Germany, facility. He is presently overseeing the facility's start-up operations, including the hiring of management, engineers, technical teams and more than 200 production workers, and will assume overall responsibility for the plant's operations.

Kemper recently served as senior vice president of production for Qimonda AG, where he was responsible for production sites worldwide. Qimonda is a carve-out from Infineon Technologies AG, where Kemper was senior vice president of the memory products group. He started his career at Siemens AG's semiconductor group in testing and product engineering.

[Kurpfaelzer]

26. Juni 2008, 15:50 Uhr

OSTDEUTSCHLAND
Gewerkschaft geißelt Ausbeutung in Solarfirmen

Von Hannes Koch

Sonnenbranche in Image-Nöten: Laut einer gewerkschaftsnahen Studie zahlen Solarfirmen in Ostdeutschland Mini-Löhne, Tarifverträge gibt es nur in Ausnahmefällen, Betriebsräte werden systematisch behindert. Nutzen die Öko-Bosse die hohe Arbeitslosigkeit aus?

Berlin - Die deutsche Solarindustrie boomt. Hinter China und Japan ist Deutschland der drittgrößte Hersteller von Sonnenkraftwerken weltweit. Doch die ökologische Qualität geht nicht unbedingt einher mit hohen sozialen Standards. Das zeigt eine Studie des Berliner Instituts für Medienforschung und Urbanistik (IMU) im Auftrag der Otto-Brenner-Stiftung der Industriegewerkschaft Metall. Erstmals geben die Forscher einen Überblick über die junge und erfolgreiche Solarwirtschaft in den fünf östlichen Bundesländern.

Die Ergebnisse sind in vielen Fällen nicht schmeichelhaft für die Unternehmen. Die sozialen Standards erreichen nur ein Mindestmaß. Die Firmen halten zwar in aller Regel die gesetzlichen Bestimmungen ein, beschäftigten ihr Personal aber oft zu schlechteren Bedingungen, als sie in der Metall- und Chemieindustrie üblich sind.

Das IMU hat festgestellt, dass die ostdeutschen Solarfirmen meist keinem Arbeitgeberverband angehören und ihre Beschäftigten deshalb nicht nach Tarif bezahlen. Der Lohn liege "insgesamt etwa zehn Prozent unter dem Niveau ostdeutscher Branchentarifverträge" und oft mehr als 30 Prozent "unter dem westdeutschen Niveau".

Einen Grund für diesen Rückstand stellt die Studie besonders heraus: Nur in den wenigsten Solarbetrieben existieren Betriebsräte, die sich um die Verbesserung der Arbeitsbedingungen kümmern könnten. Und die Autoren erheben einen schweren Vorwurf: "Teilweise werden die Bemühungen der Beschäftigten und der Gewerkschaften zum Aufbau von betrieblichen Mitbestimmungsstrukturen systematisch unterlaufen und die Wahl von Betriebsräten verhindert."

Über ein derartiges Beispiel berichtet Peter Ernsdorf, der Bevollmächtigte der IG Metall in Ostbrandenburg. Beim Unternehmen First Solar in Frankfurt an der Oder kamen die Beschäftigten im vergangenen Februar zur Belegschaftsversammlung zusammen. Die Gewerkschaft plante, das Verfahren für die Wahl des Betriebsrates einzuleiten. Entgegen ihrer Erwartung fand jedoch eine Abstimmung statt, bei der sich die große Mehrheit der Beschäftigten gegen die Wahl eines Betriebsrates aussprach.

Dieses Verfahren sieht demokratisch aus, ist es nach Meinung der IG Metall aber nicht. Peter Ernsdorf verweist auf das Betriebsverfassungsgesetz. "Abstimmungen darüber, ob es einen Betriebsrat geben soll, sind nicht vorgesehen", sagt Ernsdorf. "Wir lassen die Bundesbürger ja auch nicht darüber abstimmen, ob sie eine Bundestagswahl abhalten wollen." Seiner Ansicht nach hat die Geschäftsführung von First Solar "darauf hingewirkt, dass kein Betriebsrat gewählt werden kann".

Das Unternehmen weist diesen Vorwurf zurück. "Zu keinem Zeitpunkt" habe die Firma die Wahl behindert, sagt Burghard von Westerholt, Werksleiter von First Solar in Frankfurt. "Ich habe gegenüber der Belegschaft stets betont, dass es sich hier um eine Entscheidung der Mitarbeiter handelt und die Geschäftsführung jedes Ergebnis akzeptieren wird." Außerdem existiere bereits eine Mitarbeitervertretung, die die Interessen der Beschäftigten wahrnehme. Diese sei aber nicht unabhängig, argumentiert Ernsdorf von der IG Metall.

Carsten Körnig, Geschäftsführer des Bundesverbands Solarwirtschaft, der die Firmen vertritt, hat keinen kompletten Überblick über die Mitbestimmungsaktivitäten seiner Mitglieder. Er sagt allerdings, dass die "großen Unternehmen der Branche Betriebsräte etabliert haben". In einigen Fällen stimmt das. Bei Solarworld im sächsischen Freiberg, einem der Marktführer, arbeitet ein Betriebsrat. 1000 von insgesamt 2000 Beschäftigten des Konzerns werden von ihm vertreten. Das ist allerdings die Ausnahme. Durch die gute Zusammenarbeit mit der Gewerkschaft IG Bergbau Chemie Energie hebt sich Solarworld positiv von anderen Unternehmen ab.


Was die Löhne betrifft, gibt Körnig zu, dass Tarifverträge kaum angewendet würden. "Ich habe aber den Eindruck, dass die Unternehmen sich um das Wohlergehen ihrer Beschäftigten kümmern." Dass die ostdeutsche Solarindustrie unterdurchschnittlich bezahlen würde, weist Körnig zurück.

In diesem Fall steht Aussage gegen Aussage. Wirklich aufklären kann die Studie die tatsächlichen Verhältnisse in der Branche nicht. Um die vermeintliche Behinderung der Betriebsratsarbeit und die schlechten Löhne zu belegen, nennen die Autoren nur wenige Beispiele. Ein umfassender statistischer Überblick über die Bedingungen in der Branche fehlt. Die Informationen stammen oft aus einzelnen Gesprächen mit Beschäftigten weniger Firmen.

Die hohe Arbeitslosigkeit kommt den Firmen gelegen

IMU-Mitarbeiterin Ursula Richter, eine der Studienautorinnen, begründet das so: "Die Branche ist sehr verschlossen." Die wenigsten Betriebe hätten ein Interesse daran, sich in die Karten schauen zu lassen. Insgesamt sind in der IMU-Studie 59 Solarunternehmen in den östlichen Bundesländern aufgeführt, in denen rund 8500 Beschäftigte arbeiten. Das sind etwa 40 Prozent der Mitarbeiter der gesamten deutschen Solarindustrie.

Die Gründe für die mitunter kärglichen Verhältnisse bei den Ostfirmen liegen auf der Hand. Die Arbeitslosigkeit ist hoch. Viele gut ausgebildete Fachkräfte suchen einen Job. Um einen zu bekommen, sind sie bereit, auch vergleichsweise armselige Bedingungen in Kauf zu nehmen. Zudem sind die meisten Firmen erst wenige Jahre alt. Sie wachsen rasant. Unter den zahlreichen neuen Beschäftigten müssen die Gewerkschaften erst einmal Mitglieder werben.

Neben den schlechten gibt es aber auch gute Beispiele - in Ost-, wie in Westdeutschland. Die Solarfabrik in Freiburg, eines der ältesten Unternehmen der Branche, hat inzwischen einen Betriebsrat. Im vergangenen Mai wurde dort mit einem Warnstreik eine Lohnerhöhung von 2,8 Prozent durchgesetzt. Und der Tarifvertrag erscheint in greifbarer Nähe.

http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,druck-562278,00.html

[meinolf67]

Wakonda // GaAs // USA


Interessant!


Wakonda hopes to disrupt solar market with its high-efficiency thin-film PV on foil
01 July 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots

Although there were plenty of "me-too" technologies discussed at the recent IntertechPira Photovoltaic Summit in San Diego, one start-up outfit's approach offers more disruptive potential than most thin-film PV wannabes. Wakonda Technologies, based in Fairport, NY (but soon moving to larger digs near Boston), has been working for about three years on an intriguing TFPV variant--high-efficiency germanium and gallium-arsenide-based cells made on a flexible metal-foil substrate which is potentially scaleable to high-volume roll-to-roll manufacturing.

FritzemeierWakondaPV08.bmp
Wakonda's Fritzemeier doesn't want "me-too" status.

President/CEO/founder Les Fritzemeier described a technology that combines the low materials and manufacturing costs of thin films, as well as much reduced systems and installation costs, with the high efficiencies of concentrating PV cells, producing significantly more power per unit area, per unit cost, and per unit weight. The key is what the company calls its "virtual single crystal" (VSC), which features a three-layer substrate with a low-cost, commodity metal base foil (this is the core tech, so its composition remains proprietary), an engineered buffer film, and a Ge growth layer on top, which also functions as the bottom cell layer. A III-V PV cell is then deposited on top of the stack.

In effect, the flexible, large-area substrate substitutes for single-crystal Ge or GaAs wafers. The processes are "relatively straightforward," according to Fritzemeier, and the goal is to process 25-inch-wide rolls of the metal foil, with several miles' worth on each roll. The company plans to leverage low-cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing, not in a continuous process sequence but more likely in a batch-serial approach, which is easier to calibrate on a factorywide level.

Prototype cell efficiencies of 5% were reached six months ago, but the company founder said the conversion number is moving quickly toward the goal of commercial efficiencies in the high-teens and twenties, like those for single-junction GaAs and multijunction III-V cells. In addition to the concentrating PV, aerospace/defense, and grid-tied market segments (what he called "the big play" in the long term) already targeted by the firm, the VSC substrate could have applications in the realms of hybrid organic/inorganic novel devices, flexible display and lighting, quantum dot enhancement, and a range of bandgap-engineered films.

One key to Wakonda's strategy is the use of already existing commercial infrastructure in the areas of materials, high-rate processing, and industrial-scale equipment. Because the technology is still at an early stage, Fritzemeier said the process that wins out could be vacuum or nonvacuum (or a hybrid of both), including even inkjet-printing wet solution approaches. But for now, the focus will be on R2R PVD for the most part, he added.

What's next for Wakonda? Although he wouldn't offer a prediction on when modules incorporating the company's cells would be on the market, Fritzemeier told the audience that they are in the midst of transitioning from small lab-scale efforts to their initial R2R pilot line over the next several months. When asked how the metal substrate will be interconnected to the rest of the device, he said there are several options, including monolithic or dielectric approaches, using (or not using) laser scribes.

He also said that the company who supplies the magic metal foil has plenty on hand for now--about 100 MW of capacity already in place--by in the longer term, other companies could be "taught" to do the manufacturing, when the time comes for securing a second or third source for the material.

Already the beneficiary of NREL's Clean Energy Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2007 and some $893,000 from the Department of Energy's next-gen solar energy program (as part of a $2.1 million project), Wakonda and its nascent breakthrough, which can take advantage of III-V level conversion efficiencies on a flexible substrate while keeping materials and manufacturing costs low, have staked a legitimate claim to the upper tier of the emerging PV technologies watchlist.

[SLGramann]

große Klappe, nichts dahinter?

Intico / a-Si(?) / Deutschland/Österreich


Die Wettbewerbskommission der EU hat die staatliche Fördersumme in Höhe von 73 Millionen für ein geplantes Werk der österreichischen Firma Intico Solar in Sachsen-Anhalt abgenickt. Mit einem Investitionsvolumen von insgesamt 585 Millionen Euro will Intico Solar in einem Gewerbegebiet in Queis bei Halle (Saale) eine Solarfabrik für Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodule bauen.

Kommissarin Neelie Kroes zeigte sich erfreut darüber, dass mit dieser großen Investition eintausend direkte und indirekte Arbeitsplätze in einer strukturschwachen Region entstehen werden. Für solche Regionen mit "sehr niedrigem Lebensstandard" und hoher Arbeitslosenquote erlaubt der Artikel 87(3)(a) des EU-Kommissions-Vertrages nationale Förderungen. Eine Wettbewerbsverzerrung entstünde durch diese Förderung nicht, Intico Solar bliebe auch nach der geplanten Investition bei unter 25 Prozent Weltmarktanteil bei Solarmodulen.

Einst war das Baugelände für BMW vorgesehen und die Stadt Halle hatte schon 30 Millionen Euro investiert, doch der Autobauer zog dann doch Leipzig vor. Seitdem lag das als "Goldacker" umschriebene Gebiet brach. Derzeit wird es vom Land für 50 Millionen Euro erschlossen. Wo genau das Werk hinkommen soll, ist nach Aussagen eines Firmensprechers noch nicht entschieden, drei Flächen stehen als Standort zur Auswahl. Auch wann mit dem Bau und der Produktion begonnen werden soll, ist noch unklar. Die Hallenser sind daher etwas beunruhigt, zumal auch Dell seine Arbeitsplatzversprechen in Halle nicht einlösen konnte.

Und den Hauptinvestoren von Intico Solar, Georg Stumpf und Ronny Pecik, die in Wien ein recht bekanntes und in der Finanzszene nicht unumstrittenes Paar sind (Szenename: Der Teufel und sein General), traut man auch nicht so recht. Da kommt dann gleich wieder die Hightech-Pleite in Frankfurt/Oder ins Gedächtnis. (as/c't)


------------------

Oerlikon wäre einerseits nahliegend, andererseits wiederum nicht...

Die EU-Kommission hat grünes Licht gegeben für die Übernahme der Kontrolle von OC Oerlikon durch Renova, die Beteiligungsgesellschaft des Russen Viktor Vekselberg. Die Prüfung der EU-Kommission erfolgte durch das vereinfachte Verfahren, wie die Behörde mitteilte. Vekselberg hatte im Vorfeld der Generalversammlung von Mitte Mai seinen Anteil auf fast 40 Prozent aufgestockt. Die Beteiligungsfirma Victory der beiden Wiener Finanzinvestoren Ronny Pecik und Georg Stumpf gab gleichzeitig ihre führende Rolle nach langem Machtkampf ab.

Nach monatelangem Ringen um die Führung des Schweizer Konzerns mussten Pecik und Stumpf am 13. Mai dem russischen Milliardär Vekselberg weichen. Vekselbergs Renova Industries Ltd hält jetzt 39,5% an Oerlikon, Pecik und Stumpf halten über die Victory noch ein Aktienpaket in Höhe von 13,5%, sowie bis zum Jahresende laufende Optionen auf Oerlikon-Aktien in Höhe von 20%. Georg Stumpf trat als Oerlikon-CEO infolge der geänderten Eigentumsverhältnisse zurück.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.427.812 von SLGramann am 03.07.08 10:15:01

Intico Solar plant neue Fabrik in Halle
02.07.2008: Das österreichische Start-up-Unternehmen Intico Solar AG aus Wien will
laut Informationen der Mitteldeutschen Zeitung 585 Millionen Euro in eine neue Fabrik
in Queis bei Halle investieren. Dadurch sollen 1.000 direkte und indirekte Arbeitsplätze
entstehen. Die Europäische Kommission habe gestern staatliche Beihilfen in Höhe
von 73 Millionen Euro genehmigt. CTO Lutz Mittelstädt bestätigte gegenüber
PHOTON, dass man Dünnschichtmodule auf Siliziumbasis produzieren wolle. Die
Produktionsanlagen kommen voraussichtlich von Oerlikon.
Quelle: PHOTON, Mitteldeutsche Zeitung

[meinolf67]

Showa Shell // CIGS(?) // Japan


Presse: Showa Shell investiert 100 Mrd. JPY in Solarfabrik

02.07.2008
aktiencheck.de

Tokio (aktiencheck.de AG) - Die Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. (ISIN JP3366800005 / WKN 858088), die japanische Raffinerie-Sparte der britisch-niederländischen Royal Dutch Shell Group plc (ISIN GB00B03MLX29 / WKN A0D94M), und der fünftgrößte Betreiber von Raffinerieanlagen in Japan, plant einem Pressebericht zufolge Investitionen in Höhe von über 100 Mrd. Japanische Yen (JPY) in den Bau einer der weltgrößten Fabriken für Solarpanels.

Wie die japanische Wirtschaftszeitung "Nikkei" am Mittwoch berichtet, soll die Anlage über eine jährliche Fertigungskapazität von 1.000 Megawatt verfügen. Die Arbeiten sollen im Jahr 2011 beginnen, wobei die Standortfrage noch offen sei. Neben Japan werden Standorte in Europa und dem Mittleren Osten erwägt.

Um die Produktionskosten niedrig zu halten, werde Showa Shell außerdem eine Kooperation mit dem japanischen Halbleiterausrüster Ulvac Inc. schließen. In diesem Zusammenhang sind Investitionen in Höhe von 7 Mrd. JPY in eine Forschungsanlage vorgesehen, so der Bericht.

Die Aktie von Showa Shell Sekiyu schloss heute in Tokio bei 1.189 JPY (+0,84 Prozent). (02.07.2008/ac/n/a)

[meinolf67]

Evolution Solar // ??? // USA

(scheint aber nur eine Börsenabzocke zu sein)


Evolution Solar Acquires Hong Kong Procurement Company
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Monday 30 June 2008
email the content item print the content item

Following its announcement of plans to develop thin-film solar modules, Evolution Solar Corp. recently signed a letter of intent to acquire a Hong Kong-based R&D and procurement company.

"The process of purchasing the Hong Kong-based R&D company is tracking well," says Robert Kaapke, CEO of Evolution Solar. "We believe better engineering and technological innovations are the keys to delivering increasingly cost-effective solar panels."

Evolution Solar says it is planning to establish a footprint with manufacturing capabilities in the Asian markets that can assist in the reduction in the manufacturing and procurement of materials in the heavy technology manufacturing providence of Shanghai, China.

SOURCE: Evolution Solar

[meinolf67]

zwei neue:
Gadir Solar // a-Si // Spanien // Oerlikon

Chint Solar // a-Si // China // Oerlikon


OC Oerlikon/Solar-Sparte erhält zwei Aufträge von Gadir Solar und Chint Solar
03.07 14:20

Trübbach (AWP) - Die OC-Oerlikon-Konzerngesellschaft Oerlikon Solar hat zwei neue Aufträge akquiriert. Mit Gadir Solar sei eine Order über eine komplette "a-Si"-Produktionsanlage abgeschlossen worden. Die chinesische Chint Solar hat eine so genannte micromorph-F&E-Linie und Produktionsanlagen für eine erste Phase bestellt. Zudem habe Chint Solar Pläne, die Produktionskapazität bis 2010 auf 180 MWp zu steigern, teilte die Konzerngesellschaft am Donnerstag mit. Die Aufträge würden 2009 zur Auslieferung kommen. Über das Auftragsvolumen wurde nichts bekannt gegeben.

"Die neu akquirierten Aufträge würden die Marktposition von Oerlikon Solar als führender Hersteller von Dünnfilm-Silizium-PV-Lösungen stärken", wird CEO Jeannine Sargent in der Mitteilung zitiert.

[meinolf67]

Genesis Energy // a-SI(?) // Ungarn // AMAT(?)

wegen der 5,7qm...


03.07.2008 15:48
IRW-News: Genesis Energy Investment AG

IRW-PRESS: Genesis Energy Investment AG (News) : Genesis Energy: Außerordentliche Bekanntmachung der Geschäftsführung

Genesis Energy: Außerordentliche Bekanntmachung der Geschäftsführung

Die Genesis Energy Nyrt und der Bauträger des Tatabánya Industrial Park haben eine Vereinbarung unterzeichnet, die dem Kaufvertrag von 75.000 m² Land im Tatabánya Industriepark vorausgeht.

Der endgültige Kaufvertrag wird abgeschlossen, sobald das Land den Bebauungsauflagen entspricht. Aus diesem Grund haben die Beteiligten eine Vor-Vereinbarung über die rechtliche Restrukturierung, die Landschaftsplanung und die Entwicklung der Infrastruktur unterzeichnet. Mit dieser Vor-Vereinbarung kann die Genesis Solar Hungary Kft. den Vertrag über die bereits zugesagten staatlichen Fördermittel abschließen. Nach derzeitigem Planungsstand wird die Genesis Solar Hungary Ltd. bis Ende des Jahres 2008 als Eigentümer eingetragen werden.

Auf dem 75.000 m² großen Grundstück soll eine Produktionsanlage für 5,7 m² große Dünnfilm-Solarmodule mit einer jährlichen Kapazität von 200 MWp gebaut. Die Vor-Vereinbarung beinhaltet auch eine 5 Jahre lange Kaufoption für mehr als 70.000 weitere Quadratmeter. Bei Ausübung der Kaufoption kann die Kapazität in einer zweiten Etappe auf 400 MWp verdoppelt werden.

In der benachbarten Umgebung befinden sich High-Tech-Fertigungsstätten von beispielsweise Bridgestone Tyre, Asahi Car Glass und die noch im Bau befindliche Anlage für Injektionsspritzen von Becton-Dickinson.

Budapest, der 2. Juli 2008.

[meinolf67]

Oerlikon Solar Signs Thin-Film Equipment Contracts In China, Spain
in News Departments > Projects & Contracts
by SI Staff on Thursday 03 July 2008
email the content item print the content item

Oerlikon Solar has signed a new contract with Spain-based Gadir Solar for a complete amorphous silicon end-to-end production line, as well as completed a deal with China-based Chint Solar for a micromorph R&D line and first-phase production equipment.

"By securing both contracts, Oerlikon Solar enlarges its share in important growth markets," says Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar. "This further strengthens our market-leading position as a provider of proven thin-film silicon PV solutions."

The first stage of Gadir Solar's thin-film site in Cadiz, Spain, will enable the production of over 300,000 panels per year, and subsequent expansion steps are already planned. Chint Solar is anticipating a mass-production expansion to 180 MWp in 2010. Equipment will be delivered this year, with a ramp-up in 2009.

SOURCE: Oerlikon Solar

[meinolf67]

Genesis // a-Si // Ungarn+Spanien / AMAT



04.07.2008 16:04
IRW-News: Genesis Energy Investment AG

IRW-PRESS: Genesis Energy Investment AG (News) : Genesis Energy Investment Plc. veröffentlicht Unternehmensnachrichten über Standard & Poor's Market Access Programm

Genesis Energy Investment Plc. veröffentlicht Unternehmensnachrichten über Standard & Poor's Market Access Programm

Die Genesis Energy Investment Plc. teilte heute mit, ihre Unternehmensnachrichten über das Standard & Poor's Market Access Programm zu veröffentlichen. Das Market Access Programm von Standard & Poor's ist ein Informationsverteildienst, der es öffentlich gehandelten Aktiengesellschaften ermöglicht, ihre Unternehmensnachrichten an die Nutzer des Programms Standard & Poor's Advisor Insight zu verteilen. Die Unternehmensnachrichten, die durch dieses Programm verbreitet werden, berichten über den Aktienpreis, den Umsatz, Dividenden, die Anzahl der ausgegebenen Aktien, die finanzielle Situation der Gesellschaft sowie die Einnahmen. Standard & Poor's Advisor Insight ist eine Internet-basierte Suchmaschine, die von mehr als 100.000 Anlageberatern genutzt wird. Eine für die Öffentlichkeit zugängliche Version ist unter www.advisorinsight.com erhältlich.

Unternehmensnachrichten des Standard & Poor's Market Access Programms sind auch über den S&P' Aktienführer verfügbar, der in elektronischer Form an praktisch alle bedeutenden Börsenmakler verteilt wird. Das Programm beinhaltet außerdem die Veröffentlichung einer vollständigen Beschreibung der Genesis Energy Plc. in der Rubrik Tagesnachrichten im Standard Corporation Records, einem anerkannten Handbuch über Wertpapiere des Sekundärhandels in ungefähr 38 Bundesstaaten nach den Gesetzen zur Verhinderung von Betrug bei Börsengeschäften (Blue Sky Laws).

Über Genesis Energy Investment Plc. Genesis Energy will den Bau von vorerst drei Produktionsstätten für Solarmodule in Dünnfilmtechnologie fertig stellen. Das Unternehmen ist an der ungarischen Börse in Budapest (BSE: GENESIS) gelistet und wird an einigen deutschen Börsen (OTC: NVT1) gehandelt. Genesis Energy (OTCQX: GEIVF) hat eine Vereinbarung mit Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. abgeschlossen, wonach die amerikanische Investmentbank die Rolle der Principal American Liason (PAL) an der internationalen Handelsplattform OTCQX (QX) für das ungarische Unternehmen übernimmt.

Standard & Poors geht davon aus, dass die über das Market Access Programm verteilten Unternehmensnachrichten zutreffen. Weder Standard & Poor's noch ihre Tochtergesellschaften garantieren die Vollständigkeit oder Richtigkeit der Informationen und rät davon ab, sich darauf zu berufen. Diese Veröffentlichungen sind weder eine Aufforderung noch ein Angebot zum Erwerb von Aktien oder eines anderen Finanzierungsinstrumentes einer Gesellschaft.

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS // USA



Miasole perhaps not so unhealthy after all — may get $200M investment
Chris Morrison | July 3rd, 2008

Miasole, the thin-film solar cell maker that is the third member of a triumvirate of heavily-funded CIGS startups including Heliovolt and Nanosolar, has been pretty quiet since losing its CEO and laying off 40 workers late last year. In the interim, there has been plenty of speculation that it was faltering, and might even close its doors.

Not even close, according to a report this morning. Instead, Miasole is about to close a round of between $200 and $220 million, a source has told VentureWire — and, even better, the company will have a sky-high valuation of $1.2 billion. If true, the investment would be the largest single venture funding any solar company has received to date, although the reported valuation would be lower than Nanosolar’s.

This raises some questions about what’s going on inside Miasole. Why would investors pour money into a company that, as recently as April, lost a high-profile contract to a rival? Miasole was supposed to be in full production mode by early last year, but slipped on the dates. It was also reportedly planning an IPO, but no more mention of that was made after early 2007.

For the last few months, the company had declined to talk with the media.

A giant round of funding may indicate that the company has spent the extra time honing its technology, perhaps even entirely changing its manufacturing process, which some have suggested is inferior to its competitors’ processes.

That would explain a comment an investor, Bill Reichert of Garage Technology Ventures, made to me a couple months back. Although he would say nothing specific about the state of Miasole’s technology, and admitted that the company had taken “longer than we wanted” to mature, Reichert said that it was still making progress. “We’re extremely optimistic that these guys will change the world,” he told me.

Unmentioned by VentureWire is whether the money will come entirely from venture sources, as it has in the past. Another possible scenario is that Miasole is getting ready to build a large production facility. For that, it would likely raise debt from sources like banks, rather than selling shares. But with sizable new late-stage cleantech investment funds around like the one Kleiner Perkins (another Miasole investor) just announced, a $200 million venture round is plausible.

No matter what Miasole is doing, it will face some stiff competition. Heliovolt recently hit a record cell efficiency, and Nanosolar followed up by announcing a next-generation production tool that would put it in First Solar’s league. And since Miasole first started getting press, a hoard of other companies emerged from hiding or started up in thin-film production, from ultra-stealthy Optisolar to IBM’s new CIGS research division.






rated 3.24 by 5 people [?

[meinolf67]

Nanosolar // CIGS-flex // USA


Nanosolar blows a raspberry at other solar CIGS startups
Chris Morrison | June 18th, 2008

Thin-film solar panel maker Nanosolar isn’t shy about tooting its own horn. The heavily-funded startup has made a series of advances over the past couple years, from building one of the world’s largest solar cell factories to printing its first cells, all the while claiming that it has the best technology around.

Well, maybe the claims are true. CEO Martin Rosencheisen today unveiled a new tool made by the company, an ultra-fast solar cell printer (video below), that he tells me will create “a new regime of capital efficiency in the solar industry”, leaving competitors in the dust.

Most thin-film startups, including Nanosolar, use a material called CIGS to convert sunlight into electricity (regular cells use various forms of silicon). In theory, you just need to put a CIGS layer atop a substrate like a plastic sheet to start generating energy. In practice, making cells that are both uniformly efficient and cheap has been a challenge for CIGS startups.

What Nanosolar has now, it says, is a $1.65 million printing tool that can churn out one gigawatt of cells each year, running out up to 2000 feet of material each minute (the average speed is 100 feet per minute). Rather than stuttering as it speeds up, Rosencheisen says the printer is more effective at higher speeds, producing cells of up to 14 percent efficiency, which blows a recent record HelioVolt laid claim to, of 12.2 percent efficiency, out of the water.

Putting all that in perspective, most thin-film startups are contemplating initial production lines of under 100 megawatts, with cells running from 6 to 12 percent efficiency. Nanosolar is claiming jaw-dropping figures for a single production line — and at the equipment price, bargain-basement cheap. The tool “not only allows for ultra-low product cost but also makes it possible to scale to large volume without requiring ever larger external funds,” says Rosencheisen.

Furthermore, the tool is boosting Nanosolar’s already-ambitious production potentials at its plants in San Jose, Calif. and Germany, although Rosencheisen didn’t say by how much. The company is still scaling up at its facilities now, and has not yet hit its full production schedule.

So what does the news mean for other CIGS startups? It definitely sets a high bar. Although Heliovolt seems to be doing well, and IBM just made a big splash with its entry into CIGS, when I asked Rosencheisen which of those companies he has his eye on as competitors, he said “none”. Nanosolar, he says, is only competing with First Solar, the successful manufacturer of thin-film CdTe cells.

It’s impossible to get specific figures out of Nanosolar at the moment, but it sounds like the company either has, or it close to breaking the $1 per watt price barrier widely considered competitive (so no subsidies would be required). And if it is now cheap for the company to expand its production, there could be a lot more thin-film cells on the market over the next few years than anticipated.

[meinolf67]

Thin film to take 28% of PV market by 2012

After years of heady growth in the photovoltaic market led largely by crystalline silicon, thin-film PV technology has reached critical mass and is poised to grow to $19.7bn in sales by 2012 (taking a 28% share of the solar market) due to low-cost materials and manufacturing processes, according to the new 137-page report ‘Solar State of the Market Q1 2008: The End of the Beginning’ from Lux Research.

Thin-film silicon technologies from turn-key vendors will be ramping up in large scale in second-half 2008, while cadmium telluride (CdTe) module producers such as market leader First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA - and new entrants Calyxo GmbH of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany and PrimeStar Solar Inc of Golden, CO - execute aggressive ramps. Meanwhile, copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) module manufacturers are approaching technology viability, with what Lux Research describes as ‘tremendous disruptive potential’.

The growth rate for thin-film technology will become more robust from second-half 2008 onwards. However, with over 100 companies developing inorganic thin-film solutions (most with unproven or undifferentiated technologies), clear winners and losers will rapidly emerge.

“CdTe module manufacturing costs are less than one third that of crystalline silicon, and the new amorphous silicon turn-key lines by Applied Materials and Oerlikon promise half the cost to start with further declines in the future,” says senior analyst Michael LoCascio. “These technologies will be the first choice for the burgeoning utility sector, squeezing out incumbent technology,” he adds.

The Lux Research report also finds that:

* High-concentrating PV systems (using high-efficiency but high-cost multi-junction PV cells) will disappoint through 2009, as system complexity, limited robustness in harsh deployment environments, and the need for great precision dashes the hopes of developers for a smooth, rapid ramp. Products will be mature enough for deployment thereafter, but installations using multi-junction PVs will reach just $1.23bn in 2012.

* Solar thermal technologies (concentrating solar power, or CSP), like those used at the 64 MW Nevada Solar One power plant that began operations last July, will begin to make an impact on the utility market for solar power, but face an uphill battle for adoption due to the limited power distribution infrastructure and the beginnings of regulatory aversion towards large-scale solar installations. By 2012, new annual solar thermal installations will reach 3.26GW, accounting for $9.34bn in revenue.

* Organic and Gratzel PV technologies, which promise much lower costs than any other approach (as well as the possibility of extremely flexible, and even wearable, solar cells) won’t mature in the next five years. However, beyond 2012 these technologies are likely to have a major impact, albeit in unexpected applications.

* By 2012, cost reductions will bring solar to peak power grid parity in some places, e.g. in countries with high insolation and growing low-cost domestic production, like India.

The report also finds important implications for start-up firms with disruptive technologies targeting the solar industry. “As roughly 100 thin-film developers race to market over the next few years, we expect most of them to fall by the wayside as technology hurdles overcome them - which will especially be the case for novel CIGS producers,” says senior analyst Ted Sullivan. “The remaining thin-film developers with viable technology will be snapped up by incumbent players eager to insert themselves into the growing new segment - as CIGS developer, Global Solar, has been by Solon,” he predicts. “Investors and market watchers should expect to see only one or two ‘home-run’ plays, similar to First Solar, coming out of the impending thin-film ramp.”

[meinolf67]

Sencera // a-Si // USA


Thin-film start-up Sencera invests $36.8 million in 38MW plant
08 July 2008 | Fab and Facilities: News


Amorphous and microcrystalline thin-film solar module manufacturing start-up Sencera International Corporation has announced plans to build a 38MW module plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. Sencera will invest $36.8 million and plans to use its proprietary ‘Viper’ plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technology to reach the 38MW capacity by 2011, creating 65 jobs in the process.

“We considered several different states and foreign countries. We’re glad we can remain in Charlotte. The Charlotte Chamber was extremely helpful in shepherding us through this process,” said Britt Weaver, COO of Sencera, “We’re grateful that our state and local public officials recognize the potential of both our company and what the solar industry brings to the city of Charlotte and North Carolina.”

Sencera will move its current headquarters and R&D operations to the new facility.

[meinolf67]

Global Solar // CIGS-flex // USA

07. Juli 2008 | 14:06 Uhr
Global Solar Energy to Present Innovative, Flexible Thin-Film Technology at Intersolar North America


Global Solar Energy:

WHAT:
Dr. Jeff Britt, chief technology officer at Global Solar Energy, is presenting the innovative applications of Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) thin-film technology on flexible substrates at Intersolar North America (Booth 9105). Dr.
Britt will present as part of the Photovoltaic portion of the conference: Innovative Concepts for Cells & Modules (Thin-Film), and join a follow-up panel with other thin-film solar leaders for an industry discussion.



Global Solar has developed a proprietary process for manufacturing thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells and modules, and is the only company reliably producing CIGS that can be encapsulated in traditional glass modules or in a flexible substrate. Dr. Britt will discuss Global Solar's unique production processes at its new Tucson, Ariz., manufacturing plant - the largest of its kind in the world with its phase-one annual production of 40 MW - as well as for a second plant in Berlin, Germany, with planned production capacity of 35 MW.


WHEN:


Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 5:10 p.m. PDT


WHERE:
Intersolar North America (in conjunction with SEMICON West)
InterContinental Hotel (adjacent the Moscone West Convention Center)


888 Howard Street, Level 3


San Francisco


WHO:


Dr. Jeff Britt, CTO, oversees Global Solar's research, development and engineering, and helped develop the Company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tucson. Dr. Britt has authored and co-authored more than 45 publications and holds two U.S. patents. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and his M.S. in Engineering Science from the University of South Florida, and a B.S. in Physics from the University of Florida.



Dr. Britt will be available during the conference for press interviews. To schedule a briefing or a teleconference before or after the event, please contact [e-mail].

ABOUT GLOBAL SOLAR ENERGY

Global Solar Energy is a solar industry leader that manufactures highly-efficient thin-film solar cells for glass module or flexible material products. Global Solar is the only Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) manufacturer in full-scale production on a flexible substrate and has achieved 10 percent average solar cell efficiency. Its thin-film CIGS strings are not dependent on silicon and instead use highly-available raw materials that are easily integrated into a wide range of applications for use in commercial, residential, utility-scale and government products. For more information, please visit www.globalsolar.com.

[SLGramann]

Sulfurcell / CIS / Deutschland

Intel investiert in deutschen Solarmodul-Hersteller

Intel Capital[1], die Beteiligungskapitalgesellschaft des US-amerikanischen Prozessorherstellers, investiert 24 Millionen Euro in den deutschen Solarmodul-Hersteller Sulfurcell[2]. Zusammen mit anderen Investitionen bekommt das deutsche Unternehmen in dieser Finanzierungsrunde insgesamt 85 Millionen Euro bereitgestellt, heißt es in einer Mitteilung von Intel Capital. Das Berliner Unternehmen stellt Dünnschicht-Solarmodule her. Mit dem zusätzlichen Kapital will es seine Produktionskapazitäten mit einer neuen Anlage in Berlin ausbauen.

Solarmodule wandeln Sonneneinstrahlung in elektrische Energie um. Sulfurcell entwickelt und produziert dafür monolithische Module, die dünn beschichtete Materialien aus der CIS/CIGSe- (Kupfer-Indium-Schwefel/Selen) Familie als Absorbermaterial verwenden. In der Pilotproduktion des Unternehmens werden Module mit hohem Wirkungsgrad und mit einem für die Massenproduktion geeigneten Herstellungsverfahren gefertigt, heißt es in der Intel-Mitteilung.

"Intel Capital investiert in Sulfurcell, da die auf CIS/CIGSe basierenden Solarmodule zu den effizientesten Dünnschichtmodulen gehören. Daneben eröffnen sich neue Anwendungsbereiche, wie integrierte Lösungen für Hausdächer oder Fassaden", erklärt Heiko von Dewitz, Investment Director von Intel Capital und verantwortlich für "Cleantech" in Europa und Israel. "Cleantech", zu dem Intel Solarenergie zählt, ist ein Hauptinvestitionsfeld von Intel Capital. Dabei geht es dem Unternehmen darum, alternative Energiequellen und deren Zukunftsfähigkeit zu fördern, die Emissionen zu senken und den Einsatz dieser Techniken auszuweiten. Mitte Juni hat sich Intel Capital an einer Finanzierungsrunde für den Solarzellen-Hersteller SpectraWatt beteiligt[3].
(anw[4]/c't)

------------------------


Sulfurcell dürfte wohl wirklich auf dem Weg zu einem ernsthaften Player im CIS-TF-Bereich sein.

Kürzlich habe ich aber gelesen, dass CIS/CIGS regelmäßig eine sehr teure Produktion erfordert (bis 2,50 Euro / Wp), zumindest wenn man herkömmlich (PECVD und/oder Kathodenzerstäubung) auf Fläche abscheidet.

Das mag bei Nanosolar anders aussehen, wenn die Rolle zu Rolle und Druckertechnik kombinieren. Nur funktionieren muss das dann eben auch noch...

Jedenfalls kann man wohl nicht davon ausgehen, dass CI(G)S-TF automatisch so billig funktioniert, wie Cd/Te oder a-Si usw. TF ist eben nicht gleich TF.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.469.008 von SLGramann am 09.07.08 12:08:32

muy interessante!

[meinolf67]

Sulfurcell // CIS // Deutschland


dazu auch:

Christoph Hammerschmidt
EE Times Europe
(07/09/2008 3:53 AM EDT)

MUNICH, Germany — Intel has invested €24 million (about $37.5 million) into Berlin-based solar module manufacturer Sulfurcell GmbH. The company produces monolithic solar modules that feature a high efficiency. The move is part of Intel's clean tech investment strategy.

Intel's investment that is executed via the company's VC unit Intel Capital. The microprocessor vendor is the largest single investor in Sulfurcell. The current financing round allocates a total sum of €85 million.

The list of the investors include Climate Change Private Equity, semiconductor production engineering company M+W Zander, Swedish electric utility Vattenfall's VC arm Europe Venture Capital, and the Berlin-based Hahn-Meitner Institute (HMI) of which Sulfurcell is a spin-off.

For its thin film modules, Sulfurtech uses materials of the CIS/CIGSe (Copper/Indium/Sulfur/Selenium) family as absorber materials. The company claims that in a pilot production line it already manufactures high efficiency modules. The production process is suitable for mass production.

"Investments into clean tech such as solar energy take center stage for Intel capital, in particular against the background of constantly rising energy costs for consumers and enterprises," explained in Intel Capital president Arvind Sodhani in a press release. "We invest in innovative technologies in order to boost alternative energy sources, reduce emissions and expand the usage of these technologies."

According to Heiko von Dewitz, investment director for Intel Capital, the semiconductor giant picked Sulfurcell for its investments because of the high efficiency of its thin film modules. In addition, Sulfurcell's technology opens perspectives for new application segments such as building integrated photovoltaics, for instance integrated solutions for rooftops and building fronts.

Sulfurcell was launched in 1999 by HMI graduate Nikolaus Meyer who serves as the company's CEO. Other members of the management team are COO Ruediger Stroh, formerly operations manager for NXP's wafer fab in Boeblingen, and Chief Manufacturing Officer Ulfert Ruehle, who joined the company after having gathered experience at Shell Solar in Camarillo, California.

[meinolf67]

Auria // a-Si // Taiwan // Oerlikon

und

GET // a-SI // Taiwan // AMAT


Taiwan thin-film solar module makers secure new orders


Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam, DIGITIMES [Monday 7 July 2008]

During a recent photovoltaic (PV) show in Germany, Auria Solar and Green Energy Technology secured thin-film solar module orders that exceed their available capacity, according to industry sources.

Auria Solar, a joint venture between E-ton Solar Tech and Lite-On Group, secured a batch of orders for 60 peak megawatt (MWp) during the show. There were even more orders but Auria decided not to take all after reviewing its capacity and volume production schedule, the sources said.

Sources at E-ton admitted that many customers approached Auria for thin-film solar modules during the show, while adding that the company's 60MWp capacity at its first production line has been fully booked. Auria is preparing to land orders for its second production line, the sources said.

Amid the new orders, Auria plans to bring forward its equipment installation schedule in September, implying that volume production may begin during late 2008, the sources noted.

Green Energy, in the meantime, secured a batch of thin-film solar module orders for 200MWp during the show. Since Green Energy produces modules in 8.5-generation (8.5G)-size panels, larger module sizes and fewer junction boxes are required, delivering a more competitive cost, the sources commented.

Green Energy president Hurlon Lin responded by indicated that the present booking amount is about six times more than capacity. The company has scheduled an annual capacity of 30MWp in 2008 and 50MWp in 2009, he detailed.

[meinolf67]

Moncada // a-SI // ITalien // AMAT


July 09, 2008 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Permalink

To save a permanent link to this news, right-click the date and time (Ctl-click on a Mac) and choose the command to copy the link, link location or shortcut.
Moncada Enters Solar Energy Market with Contract for Applied Materials’ SunFab Thin Film Line

ARAGONA, Sicily & SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Moncada Energy Group s.r.l., a leading private producer of renewable energy in Italy, has awarded Applied Materials, Inc. a contract to establish what will be Moncada’s first photovoltaic (PV) module production facility and Applied’s first SunFab™ line in Italy. The Applied SunFab Thin Film Line will produce large 5.7m2 single junction PV modules at a facility to be located in Campofranco, Sicily, and is expected to have an annual rated capacity of 40MW.

Applied’s SunFab production line will add to Moncada’s existing power production capacity of more than 105MW in wind energy, and will expand Italy’s growing infrastructure of renewable energy installations. Moncada plans to use the SunFab-produced modules to build solar farms on some of the same land where its wind turbines are located, effectively double-harvesting its clean energy resources.

“We believe that the large 5.7 square meter modules produced by the SunFab line will enable lower production and installation costs, making them an excellent solution for quickly achieving grid parity in Italy,” said Salvatore Moncada, CEO and founder of Moncada Energy Group. “Based on Applied’s strong leadership in manufacturing, and its capability to provide complete service support – which is unprecedented in today’s solar industry – we are confident that Applied can help us quickly start up our SunFab line and achieve production in 2010.”

Sized at 2.2 x 2.6 meters, the SunFab modules are four times larger than today’s typical solar panels, making them ideal for cost-saving power plant applications. Applied’s SunFab technology has recently been demonstrated to lower installation costs by over 17% compared to smaller area thin film panels.

“Applied Materials is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Moncada on its first solar venture and we appreciate their confidence in our capabilities,” said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied’s Energy and Environmental Solutions Group. “We are excited to expand our role in Italy – which has the geographic potential to realize early grid parity – from supplying crystalline silicon equipment through our Baccini business to producing the world’s largest thin film modules with our SunFab line.”

Moncada Energy Group s.r.l. is a leading private Italian producer of renewable energy through its wind farm technology. Moncada’s goal is to consolidate its expertise in engineering and wind energy to develop new business units focused on the production of electricity using solar, geothermal and biomass technologies. Visit Moncada’s website at www.moncadaenergy.it.

Applied Materials, Inc.

[meinolf67]

verschiedene CIGS-Player...


Who Will Crack the CIGS Nut in Thin Film?
by: Neal Dikeman posted on: July 09, 2008 | about stocks: ASTI / DSTI / HMC / IBM / SGFRF.PK


I've been saying for a while, that with enough money, someone is bound to crack the CIGS nut in thin film, and deliver the cleantech sector another First Solar (FSLR) like renaissance for the always around the corner technology.

That's not because it's easy, or even because it's a good idea to try, but when well over a billion dollars in investment pours into a given technology, something is bound to come out the other side - eventually. A seductively high efficiency potential technology with very low potential materials costs, CIGS has been just over the horizon for a decade or more, but has enjoyed a huge influx of capital and increase in the number of programs chasing in over the last 5 years. Similar to other solar thin film technologies, device complexity, effective yield, throughput, and process control issues are always the bugaboo.

Given its seductiveness, its somewhat capricious nature, and the siren filled history of the technology, perhaps we should think of CIGS like a woman, and all men need a few dating rules of the road to keep in mind before we jump in. Here are mine (for CIGS, not women):

Number one, like most thin film technologies, $100 mm in investment is the ante up to play the game. Just because you spend it doesn't mean you get real product out, and with CIGS, you tend not to know whether anything is workable until oh, say $50 to $100 mm is already spent.

Number two, what you think you know, you don't. Until the pilot plant has been operating for a few years, companies generally really underestimate what they don't know.

Number three, remember those experiments and great idea you sold your investors on, the hard part is not there, the hard (read risky) part is ALL in the "it's just engineering" end of the scale up process you told the investors was "fairly straightforward". This isn't IT, it's deposition with a very commoditized end product.

Number four, whatever the projection as far as timing, add 3 years, maybe 5. I'm not kidding here, I said years.

Number five, when the words "fast", "roll to roll", "reel to reel" or anything else equating to speed in the process are in the pitch deck, translate that to read excruciatingly slow in the development timeline, and lots of "issues" popping up in those nasty yield and process control areas.

Number six, when investing, be very careful about that "yield" number and the "capacity" numbers they made up based on it. All thin film development companies keep "little black books" with the data and charts on every process run they've ever made. Read every single one of those charts, and ask lots of stupid questions about why only 4% of the total square footage produced is above 6% efficiency in run XYZ. Think in terms of "effective total average yield". That's where the problems are hiding.

CIGS watchers have a number of darlings to follow:

* There's Miasole, which now under new management is rumored to have substantially tightened down its development discipline to take its shot,
* Nanosolar, another Silicon Valley venture darling that has been described by many observers along the lines of, "never met hype they didn't like", but with a seductively low cost printable process if they can get it to work,
* Solyndra, the "stealth" company with the big sign on I-880,
* Heliovolt, the Texas-based hot CIGS deal of last year, which burst on to the fundraising scene on the back of it's still extremely early stage "FASST" technology.

And those are just the largest of the US based venture backed deals, without including Honda (HMC), IBM (IBM), DayStar (DSTI), Ascent Solar (ASTI), Solopower, and literally dozens upon dozens of others around the world with significant backing (though all at a very, very early stage). Wikipedia has a decent cut at a list, though by no stretch of the imagination comprehensive.


My best estimate is that most of the venture investors in each of those deals personally looked in depth at the manufacturing process of single digit numbers of competing approaches before investing. And only read the little black book on two of them. That strategy was tried, with ahem, "mixed" results, in fuel cells a few years back. We'll see how well it works in thin film solar.

And of course, as with most things in solar, the major players should probably be watched more carefully than the startups. I've always liked larger companies to crack thin film issues, in no small part because the term "stage gate" tends to mean something to them.

But my personal favorite for front runner currently is Arizona based Global Solar, a solar company I have been following for years. Its announcement a few months ago of 10% efficiency in production runs, was pretty much lost in the crush of press around solar, for reasons unfathomable to me.

While admittedly not yet proven in a full production environment (the company is working on the scale up to 30 MW plants) it does have the massive advantage of having run virtually the only operating CIGS pilot plant in the world - and I believe has shipped more volume of CIGS product than anyone if not everyone else. True to form, that technology, which originally came out of the Tuscon Electric backed ITN Energy Systems labs in Colorado which later did Ascent Solar, has had an estimated $150-$200 mm plus invested in it over the last decade, before Solon AG (SGFRF.PK) bought the company for a reported $16 mm. Though to be fair, current management under CEO Mike Gering was brought on well into that process.

So while I'll keep my fingers crossed that some one will crack the CIGS nut, and continue to be flabbergasted at the $1 Bil plus valuations estimated to have been acheived by some of the startups named here for very large science projects, when it comes to the one to watch, Global Solar is my personal pick.

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.473.465 von meinolf67 am 09.07.08 19:17:07

CIGS watchers have a number of darlings to follow:

...

Ein klein bissel US-lastig vielleicht...

Ich schau da auch auf:

- Würth
- Sulfurcell
- Solibro

Denn die drei haben alle einen jahre- bzw. jahrzehntelangen wissenschaftlichen Background allererster Güte und alle drei haben mittlerweile (zumindest potentiell) sehr viel Geld zur Verfügung.

Das wird ein ganz spannendes Rennen, das vielleicht keinen so eindeutigen Primus produzieren wird, wie es FSLR im CdTe-Geschäft ist.

[SLGramann]

Sonne, Wind und Wärme hat in der aktuellen Ausgabe ein bissel Intersolar-Nachlese betrieben und einiges über TF berichtet
(einiges ist hier schon berichtet oder vermutet worden, aber ich fass mal trotzdem alles zusammen):

AMAT

Die ersten a-Si-Module im Format 5,7 qm sind produziert und zwar von Signet und von Moser Baer - jeweils Testproduktion.
Signet gibt einen Modulwirkungsgrad von 5,9% an und Moser will 6% erreichen.

Die "Milliarden-Dollar-Order" für AMAT kam von Best Solar aus China, einem neuen Projekt des LDK-Chefs Peng. Best Solar will nicht a-Si, sondern sofort mc-Si produzieren. Erste Module ab Q1/2009 mit Wirkungsgrad von 7,8 - 8% geplant.


Oerlikon

Schott erreicht mit einem speziellen a-Si-Modul jetzt 6,6% (zweifacher pn-Übergang aus amorphem Silizium).

CMC schafft mit "ganz normalem" a-Si 6,1%. Ersol schafft 5,9%.

Inventux hat mc-Si jetzt für den Jahresbeginn 2009 angekündigt. Damit hat Oerlikon im mc-Si-Bereich bei den Planungen der Kunden keinen Zeitvorsprung mehr gegenüber AMAT. Aber was sind schon Pläne...


mikromorph allgemein

Kaneka befindet sich erst in der Pilotproduktion - da hatte ich mehr vermutet.

Mitsubishi produziert seit April mc-Si-Module in kleinen Mengen.

Bei Sontor läuft die 25 MW-Linie jetzt wohl im regulären Betrieb.

Wirkungsgrade überall zunächst nur um 8%.

Sanyo hat seine Planung von 2010 auf 2012 verschoben.


CIGS / Centrotherm

Im Beitrag werden die Produktionskosten für CIGS mit üblicherweise "ungefähr" 1,50 Euro / Wp angegeben. Wie gesagt, hatte ich auch schon was von bis zu 2,50 Euro / Wp gelesen.

Centrotherm will nun mit seiner CIGS-Turnkey-Linie die Kosten auf 1 Euro / Wp und längerfristig auf 0,75 Euro runterholen und Wirkungsgrade von ca. 10% garantieren. Das Besondere bei Centrotherm ist wohl die Technik zum Aufdampfen des Selens.


Q-Cells schöne Töchter


Folgende Markteintrittsdaten sind genannt:

Solibro -> Module ab Juli 2008 mit 11,3%
Calyxo -> Module ab Juli 2008 mit 9%
Sontor -> Module ab August 2008 mit 8,2%


Anmerkung zum Wirkungsgrad

Die angegebenen Wirkungsgrade sind die leistungsstärksten Module. Die schwächsten Module weichen zum Teil deutlich nach unten ab - um bis zu 2% oder sogar etwas mehr.

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.476.393 von SLGramann am 10.07.08 07:48:12

Noch eine interessante Anmerkung zu Oerlikon / Inventux:

Laut SWW kommt die Inventux-Technik von "verschiedenen Lieferanten", Inventux produziere letztlich ausdrücklich nicht mit einer Turnkey-Komplettlösung von Oerlikon.

Nach den Merkwürdigkeiten bei Ersol kommt man immer mehr zu dem Schluss, dass im mc-Si-Bereich die "Turnkey"-Lösung von Oerlikon (noch) nicht vollständig funktioniert.

[meinolf67]

Showa Shell // CIS // Japan


Shell's Showa Solar Plans 1-Gigawatt Plant
The Japanese unit of Royal Dutch Shell reportedly will spend almost $1 billion to build one of the world's largest thin-film plants.
by: Rachel Barron
Bullet Arrow July 3, 2008

Showa Shell Sekiyu plans to spend about 100 billion yen ($944 million) to build a manufacturing plant capable of producing a whopping 1 gigawatt of thin-film solar panels per year, according to the Nikkei.
Advertisement

The Japanese subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell hasn’t officially announced the news or released further details, but Forbes reported Wednesday that the company confirmed it is considering building a large-scale solar plant.

Showa entered solar production last year with its first solar-cell plant, which has a production capacity of 20 megawatts. In August, the company said it would build a second factory with the capacity to produce 60 megawatts.

A gigawatt of capacity would be a significant leap. To put it in perspective, global solar-cell production reached a total of 3.7 gigawatts in 2007, according to the Prometheus Institute, which forecast that thin-film solar production would reach 1 gigawatt this year. Germany, the largest solar market, installed just over 1 gigawatt of solar capacity last year.

It’s not the first super-sized thin-film plant in the works, but it is the latest sign that companies plan to dramatically expand the size of the market.

Sharp Corp. in November said it is building a 1-gigawatt thin-film plant in Japan. Meanwhile, First Solar – the No. 1 thin-film manufacturer today, which makes cadmium-telluride films – plans to reach 1 gigawatt of capacity by 2009, and Oerlikon and Applied Materials have announced orders for amorphous-silicon-making equipment that amounts to another gigawatt of capacity (see Thin-Film Solar Production to Leap Forward).

According to Showa Shell’s Website, the company makes solar panels from copper, indium and selenium (CIS).

CIS is based on some of the same elements as the copper-indium-gallium-deselenide films that competitors such as Nanosolar, Miasolé, HelioVolt and Global Solar are developing. CIS films are easier – and potentially cheaper – to make than CIGS, according to Solid State Technology, but they also convert sunlight into electricity less efficiently.

A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2005 reported a record efficiency of 15 percent for CIS cells, meaning the “champion” cell was able to convert 15 percent of the sunlight that hit it into electricity, under laboratory conditions. That compares with a record-breaking CIGS cell with 19.9 percent efficiency that the lab announced in March.

Thin-film solar technologies use little or no silicon, a potential advantage given today's worldwide shortage of solar-grade silicon.

Cadmium-telluride films, led by First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), make up the largest portion of the thin-film market, followed by amorphous-silicon films.

Other thin-film companies, such as Miasolé, HelioVolt, Nanosolar and Global Solar, are pushing hard to grab a piece with CIGS. But so far, none of the CIGS companies has managed to reach mass-market production.

Rick Hanna, an equity analyst for Morningstar, said the timing of Showa’s news is interesting, as it comes a week after reports that Japan is considering bringing back solar subsidies (see Japan Wants to Resurrect Solar Incentives).

Hanna said government subsidies could catalyze demand in industries like solar. But he also doesn't think Showa's plans to build a 1-gigawatt plant is a game changer.

"It's one thing to announce big capacity, but it's another to have it on the floor," he said.

Showa has a lot of challenges ahead, including raising financing for such a large plant and facing plenty of competition as more companies enter thin-film.

"They are joining a crowded party," he said.

[meinolf67]

Sencera // a-Si // USA

Sencera Sees Need for Solar Speed
The North Carolina-based startup, which raised $3.6 million earlier this year and is seeking $35 million more, thinks its speedy deposition process for transistors and integrated circuits can deliver thin-film solar at less than $1 per watt.
by: Jeff St. John
Bullet Arrow July 11, 2008

Sencera International Corp. -- one of the latest companies to claim it can make thin-film solar modules at a cost of less than $1 per watt -- got there by way of a happy accident.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based startup, founded in 2003, initially provided thin-film transistor, integrated-circuit and liquid crystal display (LCD) panels to the U.S. Army and U.S. Display Consortium.

In early 2006 – “Just by chance,” said Britt Weaver, Sencera's chief operating officer -- one of those customers sent a Sencera silicon cell to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., for testing. The company learned that the chemical process behind its products laid down silicon in qualities, and at speeds, that could work for the thin-film solar market.

"It turned out the film we deposited was highly microcrystalline, and it just so happened that we deposited the film at a very high rate," Weaver said. "It was a very easy decision to say, let's take the resources of the company and apply it to the solar challenge."

Since then, the company raised $3.6 million from the Quercus Trust, a Newport Beach, Calif., venture-capital firm, in April to build a 1-megawatt-per-year thin-film test production line.

And in the next two years, the company hopes to have raised $35 million to build a 35-megawatt plant. It plans to build the plant in 7-megawatt increments, with the first line to start production by the summer of 2009.

“We're not reinventing the technology, we're applying hardware that can do the technology faster,” Weaver said.

Sencera plans to produce tandem-junction solar cells -- that is, cells made of two layers stacked on top of each other -- of amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon.

That's a key cost goal for thin-film solar cell makers, as it would put the emerging technology within reach of competing with conventional electricity generation. And those prices continue to rise with the cost of fossil fuels and environmental regulation.

But Sencera isn't the only company claiming such groundbreaking low costs. Whether it can deliver will depend on the strength of its technology, the execution of its move from testing to full-bore production and the investment community’s confidence in the company's competitiveness, said Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute, a Greentech Media partner.

“It's one thing to say you can do it and another thing to do it,” Bradford said. And even if the company can meet its technical promises, “having a production-scale technology is different than having a fully integrated solar-panel production and sales and marketing structure.”

Sencera's low-cost claims are rooted in the work of Russell Jewett, a nuclear engineer and former Sandia National Laboratories scientist who founded the company and now serves as its chief executive officer. Jewett's research in plasma chemical-vapor-deposition systems led to Sencera's initial line of products.

The company claims its process delivers speeds of up to 50 angstroms, or 5 nanometers, per second -- speeds currently unmatched in commercial production of thin-film solar cells.

That speed is what Sencera claims will enable it to produce cells at less than $1 per watt.

Thin-film competitors NanoSolar, Miasolé and Global Solar also claim they will eventually be able to reach costs that low once they increase production. And First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), the No. 1 thin-film maker today, reported it had already reached costs of $1.12 per watt in the fourth quarter.

Weaver added that Sencera will be able to produce finished tandem-junction panels that can convert 12.7 percent of the sunlight that hit them into electricity. That conversion efficiency is greater than any thin films now on the market. HelioVolt in May announced it had made a thin-film cell with 12.2 percent efficiency (see HelioVolt Hits 12.2% Efficiency).

Bradford noted that thin-film modules at 12.7 percent efficiency would be “pretty impressive” for an initial thin-film result. Sencera’s low production-cost claims, if they pan out, would place the company among the top players in the industry.

Sencera is also looking at applications to benefit from the fact that its plasma deposition process can work at lower temperatures than other current processes, such as building-integrated photovoltaic roof shingles, Weaver said.

The company also said it has successfully completed contract work for developers of copper-indium-gallium-selenide, or CIGS, solar cells, but Weaver declined to identify those companies beyond calling them ’recognizable’ competitors in the industry.

And Sencera last month ended a technology-development agreement it had signed with XsunX last year, paying back a $1.5 million loan from the Aliso Viejo, Calif., company that is seeking to produce amorphous-silicon films.

Weaver said both companies agreed to the termination. Sencera is now concentrating, not on contract work or on selling manufacturing lines to other companies, but on becoming a player in the solar-panel business itself, he said.

“The message we’re putting out there is: We’re a module company,” he said. “That’s what we accepted investment for.”

In the meantime, Bradford noted, Sencera is under tight time pressure to make good on its promises, if it wants to compete against both established thin-film companies – notably cadmium-telluride producer First Solar -- and against newcomers seeking to be the first to deliver amorphous-silicon with low costs and high efficiencies.

"The longer it tries to prove its technology, the more likely other companies will have already proven theirs," he said.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, for example, began producing its amorphous- and microcrystalline-silicon films in mid-2007. The company can pump them out at speeds of 2.3 nanometers per second, close to half Sencera’s throughput claims, with conversion efficiencies of 9.5 percent.

Sencera also faces semiconductor giants like Applied Materials, which is signing deals to sell SunFab amorphous-silicon thin-film production lines on the order of 278 megawatts of capacity in 2008 and 1.9 gigawatts of capacity in 2010, according to a Prometheus Institute tally.

IBM and, more recently, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, also have announced they are moving into thin-film technologies (see Companies Crowd Into CIGS Space and Shell’s Showa Solar Plans 1-Gigawatt Plant).

David Kirkpatrick, managing director and co-founder of venture-capital firm SJF Ventures, hosted an investor forum in New York last month at which Sencera CEO Jewett presented his company’s plans.

“It was a full house,” Kirkpatrick said, with participants in the forum expressing particular interest in Sencera’s ability to deposit silicon on a wide variety of materials, not just glass.

Still, Kirkpatrick said SJF Ventures, as a “downstream investor,” wasn’t looking to put money into Sencera, which he described as a “pre-revenue, tech-breakthrough” company.

“There are folks who’ve been more heavily funded and have been at it longer,” he said. “But it’s not always the first mover who is the winner.”

[meinolf67]

Sulfurcell // CIS // Deutschland


Sulfurcell sets sights on expansion following €85 million funding round
11 July 2008 | Market Watch: News

SulfurcellSulfurcell has announced its intention to expand its manufacturing capabilities following a successful equity funding round of €85 million. The company plans the construction of a new plant in Berlin for the production of CIS/CIGS thin-film solar modules. The plant will have an annual capacity of 75MW, with an intermediate expansion to 35MW.

The funding round was led by Intel Capital, which contributed €24 million. Other investors included Climate Change Capital Private Equity (London), AIG Investments (Zurich), Zouk Ventures (London), BankInvest Group (Copenhagen) and Conetwork (Hamburg).

[meinolf67]

es hört gar nicht mehr auf:

CMC-Sunwell // a-SI // Taiwan // Oerlikon



Thin Film PV Production Reaching a New High

San Francisco INTERSOLAR N.A., July 14, 2008 - Sunwell, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMC Magnetics, today announced that it has ordered another two end-to-end thin film silicon production lines from Oerlikon Solar. One 60 MW line will be delivered to the existing Sunwell production facility in Taiwan and the other 120 MW line will be shipped to a new site currently under construction. Both lines comprise Oerlikon Solar's latest tandem cell technology, micromorph® raising module efficiency by up to 50 percent. Start of production is scheduled in 2009. "This repeat order validates our leading edge technology and our unique ability to quickly implement and scale up commercially successful mass production", explains Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO of Oerlikon.

Since the original contract for their first amorphous line was signed in mid 2007, CMC has continued its ambitious plans to rapidly expand production capacity. Oerlikon Solar worked closely with CMC to develop a strategy to quickly upgrade to micromorph® and increase the output of the customer's existing facility. This resulted in a repeat order after only a few months.

With this order, yearly production capacity will reach 226 MW
The addition of 180 MW of micromorph® technology to its existing 46 MW of capacity will help to establish CMC as one of the largest thin film manufacturers in the world. However, CMC will not stop there. It already has plans to double this capacity in the near future.

"To execute our rapid growth plans it was crucial to identify the most competitive and responsive thin film PV equipment supplier. Oerlikon Solar is the right company to deliver on our demanding plans", states Bob Wong, Chairman of CMC Magnetics.

Gigawatt capacity is in sight
It is CMC's goal to reach an annual production output of one gigawatt as the demand for thin film solar panels continues its unprecedented growth. Oerlikon Solar is committed to its important role as a proven and competitive technology partner in the realization of CMC's plans. "With this order CMC signals a long term strategy to continue with Oerlikon's leading proprietary micromorph® tandem cell technology. This sets the stage for an aggressive roadmap to increase efficiency allowing them to head towards grid parity in the near future", says Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar.

Oerlikon Solar is addressing the surge in demand
Oerlikon Solar's leading edge production solutions are now having a major impact on the market as more and more companies launch or extend their thin film silicon PV production with Oerlikon's patented micromorph® technology. Oerlikon Solar is committed to the highest quality of customer support and is taking concrete actions today to ensure that its resources and delivery capabilities grow to meet the rapid expansion of the thin film solar marketplace.

[meinolf67]

Sunfilm // a-SI // Deutschland // AMAT


July 11, 2008

Grossroehrsdorf, Germany: Sunfilm AG Lays Cornerstone for New Thin Film Factory

Sunfilm AG has celebrated the "Cornerstone Ceremony" to mark the start of construction for its second production facility. The new production building will be located right next to Sunfilm's first one, which was completed just a few months ago.

The new 20.000 m2 plant will be ready by spring 2009. Pre-production is scheduled for mid 2009 and commercial production will start later that year. Having achieved full capacity in 2010, both plants together will be able to produce annually more than 120 MWp of thin film silicon photovoltaic modules.

Three German general contractors will be responsible for the completion of this facility: Eurovia VBU GmbH, Goldbeck Ost GmbH and Wisag Service Holding GmbH & Co. KG. The two Sunfilm plants will set a benchmark for high efficiency thin film silicon modules in an ultra-large format of up to 5.7m2. The second production line will create up to 200 new workplaces for a wide variety of skill levels including ten more apprenticeship positions.

As part of the Cornerstone Ceremony, Strasse E, which is the current address of Sunfilm was renamed to "Sunfilmstraße".

[meinolf67]

Sencera // a-Si // USA


Neufünfland ist überall...

July 8, 2008

Charlotte, NC, USA: Sencera Plans Thin Film Module Factory

Sencera International Corporation, a manufacturer of thin film solar modules is expanding in Charlotte. The company plans to invest $36.8 million and create 65 jobs over the next three years. It was made possible in part by a $62,000 One North Carolina Fund grant as well as local incentives from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Sencera, which is headquartered in Charlotte, develops and manufactures amorphous and microcrystalline thin film solar modules using its proprietary Viper plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition platform. The company also operates a research and development laboratory serving the solar energy industry.

The company, with 10 employees, is planning to construct a solar module facility that will produce solar cells and assemble them into photovoltaic panels. Total manufacturing capacity will exceed 38 megawatts by 2011. Sencera’s headquarters and present operations will move to the new facility.

“Sencera, a high tech company performing critical work in the pursuit of alternative energy, is just the kind of prospect we would target,” said Kit Cramer, VP of Economic Development for the Charlotte Chamber, who worked on retaining the company. “They product a cutting-edge product using highly skilled labor and are on the forefront of growth in their field. It is to everyone’s advantage that we could keep them in Charlotte.”

Salaries for the 65 new positions will vary by job type, but the average annual wage will be $73,462 not including benefits, substantially more than the Mecklenburg County average.

“We considered several different states and foreign countries. We’re glad we can remain in Charlotte. The Charlotte Chamber was extremely helpful in shepherding us through this process,” said Britt Weaver, COO of Sencera, “We’re grateful that our state and local public officials recognize the potential of both our company and what the solar industry brings to the city of Charlotte and North Carolina.”

The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial incentives to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund Grants require and are contingent upon local matching funds. Over a three-year period the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County match is projected to be a total of $1,039,721, which represents 90% of what the company will pay in property taxes during that time. Other partners that helped make this announcement possible include the Charlotte Regional Partnership, the local NC Department of Commerce office and Duke Energy.

[meinolf67]

Nexpower // a-Si // Taiwan // Ulvac


man findet Kunden:

July 10, 2008

Madrid, Spain: Ibersolar Signs a-Si Supply Agreement with NexPower

Ibersolar, a leading photovoltaic system integrator, has signed a supply agreement with the large Taiwanese PV module manufacturer, NexPower. The agreement guarantees Ibersolar up to 10 MW of the NX amorphous silicon module during 2008 and 2009 and complements the company's existing portfolio of high quality crystalline modules.

"We are very excited to have signed a strategic partnership with NexPower. Ibersolar continues to adapt its product range, providing our customers with an increasingly wide selection of solutions for changing market demands," remarked Nick Hall, Marketing Director at Ibersolar.

He added, "Our strength is our unrivalled know-how of PV systems and the quality of service that we offer our customers."

Due to its high conversion efficiency, high power output, and high voltage, the parties say the NX amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film module is most suitable for grid-connected systems. The modules outstanding capacity to absorb diffuse solar radiation means a higher energy yield over 12 months. Furthermore little production loss is suffered at higher temperatures, due to a low temperature coefficient. NexPower says the NX a-Si thin film module guarantees an excellent performance-to-cost ratio.

The modules are encapsulated with a certified backsheet (glass-to-glass encapsulation is optional) and other weatherproof components for optimum performance in all meteorological conditions. High quality junction boxes are used to ensure easy installation and stable performance.

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS // USA


CIGS solar PV start-up Miasole gets $20M lifeline from new ArcelorMittal clean tech fund
14 July 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots


Ascent Solar mulls faster capacity ramp in 2009; evaluates overseas production - 02 July 2008
Oerlikon Solar gains two new thin-film customers - 04 July 2008
Ascent Solar selected for multijunction solar cell development by U.S. Air Force - 01 July 2008
SunPower to construct largest power plant in the U.S. for Florida Power & Light Company - 10 July 2008
$20 billion could be invested in CSP energy through 2012 - 01 July 2008
MIT shines light on solar windows - 14 July 2008
Use of solar panels heats up - 14 July 2008
Solar research lab combines powers under one roof at ASU - 14 July 2008
Solar cells, turbo-diesels spell future for cars - 14 July 2008
Dainippon Screen to start selling solar-panel gear, Nikkei says - 14 July 2008
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ArcelorMittal, one of the planet's major steelmakers and materials/mining companies, is not the first (or second or third) company that comes to mind when one thinks about clean technology development. But the Luxembourg-based corporation has launched two new VC funds, one in clean tech and the other in the carbon credits area. The first renewable energy start-up to benefit from the fresh source of cash? Copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaics contender, Miasole, to the tune of a $20 million investment.

VC firms working with ArcelorMittal include Bessemer as well as Kleiner Perkins Caulfield and Byers, which have already ponied up millions for Miasole, so the new infusion represents renewed confidence in the CIGS company. Rumblings of more funding for Miasole surfaced last week, with VentureWire reporting numbers well north of the $20 million now confirmed, perhaps as much as $220 million.

Considering the intermittent rough patches that the Santa Clara-based company has gone through over the past year or so--including parting ways with former CEO David Pearce, laying off dozens of employees, missing production targets, and losing a DOE contract--the multimillion-dollar lifeline suggests that current CEO Joe Laia (who was brought in late last summer) and his team have been righting Miasole's corporate ship, pushing its proprietary roll-to-roll on stainless-steel foil, multisource CIGS sputtering process ever closer to commercial (volume?) production status.

In an interview with Greentech Media last month, Laia was asked when Miasole expects to provide what the reporter called "an alternative to First Solar panels." "We think we can scale pretty quickly," he replied. "We'll start in 2009, bring the factory on and start shipping. Probably by 2010, people will say, 'The Miasole guys can do it,' or they will say, 'The Miasole guys can't do it." Like most of the CIGS companies, 2009 looms as the critical make-it-or-break-it year for getting the company's manufacturing act together.

If the latest investment in Miasole turns out to be the first piece of a new slew of funding for the firm, and the numbers do reach into the $200 million range (and considering the initial investment of nearly $100 million, including $50 million in Series D monies last September), then it would become the biggest recipient of venture funding of any solar company to date.

Not bad for an outfit that some PV sector watchers had given up for dead, or at least comatose.

[meinolf67]

Wichtiger Wettbewerbsvorteil:

Mit Oerlikon Solar Anlagen hergestellte Module von ersol ab sofort zertifiziert

San Francisco, USA - Der TÜV Rheinland hat bestätigt, dass die mit Produktionsanlagen von Oerlikon Solar gefertigten amorphen Dünnschicht-Module der Firma ersol alle für die IEC-61646-Zertifizierung erforderlichen Tests bestanden haben. Dabei wurden die Module mehrere Monate lang umfangreichen Langzeittests unterzogen: darunter beschleunigte Lebensdauertestreihen wie Wärme- und Kältebeständigkeit, Wärmezyklen, Feuchtigkeits- und UV-Beständigkeit sowie mechanische Belastungsprüfungen. Alle Tests konnten erfolgreich abgeschlossen werden.

"Mit diesen Zertifizierungen bieten wir unseren End-to-End Kunden einen weiteren Vorteil: Die Markteinführungszeit wird um bis zu acht Monate verringert, womit bereits in weniger als sechs Wochen nach Produktionsstart zertifizierte Module ausgeliefert werden können - bei gleichzeitiger Garantie eines stabilen und verlässlichen Produktionsprozesses", sagt Jeannine Sargent, CEO von Oerlikon Solar.

[meinolf67]

exotisch:

Magnolia and Kopin to co-develop indium nitride-based quantum dot solar cells
15 July 2008 | R & D: News

Magnolia Optical Technologies and Dr. Roger Welser of the Kopin Corporation have announced their co-development of indium nitride-based quantum dot solar cells for NASA and defense applications. Magnolia and Kopin have carried out successful collaborative development of GaN-based materials in the past. The aim of the current research is to develop high-performance solar cells that can withstand such conditions as can be encountered in use in situations such as NASA space exploration and other defense applications.

“Quantum effects in nanostructured materials enable new innovative device concepts that can radically enhance the operation of traditional semiconductor devices,” said Dr. Ashok Sood, President of Magnolia. “For example, a larger fraction of the solar spectrum can be harnessed while maximizing the solar cell operating voltage by using quantum wells and quantum dots embedded in a higher band gap barrier material. Nanostructured devices thus provide a means to decouple the usual dependence of short circuit current on open circuit voltage that limits conventional solar cell design. Ultra-high conversion efficiencies are predicted for solar cells that collect both low and high energy photons from the solar spectrum while maintaining high voltage operation.”

[meinolf67]

Miasolé // CIGS // USA


July 16, 2008, 4:40 pm
How the VC game works

I reported in my recent feature on Kleiner Perkins that Miasole, a solar-panel company in Silicon Valley, was in the process of raising around $200 million at a valuation in the neighborhood of $1 billion. That turned out to be a conservative estimate. I’ve since heard authoritatively (though not from KP or Miasole) that the company completed its financing for about $250 million at a pre-money valuation (that means not counting the new cash) of $1.2 billion. To spell this out slowly and carefully, this means that Miasole, which has yet to start selling its product, is worth $1.2 billion before its cash injection. This is Miasole’s fifth round of financing, and its investors surely hope it’ll be the last before its IPO.

As I said, Miasole hasn’t commented on its funding yet, but one of its investors has. The steel company ArcelorMittal announced it has launched a clean technology fund and that its first investment is a $20-million stake in Miasole. Steel companies are massive polluters, of course, and ArcelorMittal operates globally. Promoting cleaner sources of electricity surely is in its interests.

What’s more interesting is if ArcelorMittal will ever make any money on its investment. Despite being pre-revenue, Miasole will already by in IPO mode with its banker, Morgan Stanley (MS), pushing valuations that are comparable to the relatively few solar-panel success stories in the market, like First Solar (FSLR) and SunPower (SPWR). Should Miasole succeed in going public in 2009 or 2010, the only big winners will be Kleiner Perkins and other early investors - unless the public valuation is significantly above a billion dollars.

Venture capital is about many things. They include stock promotion. VCs go to conferences, evangelize, meet with bankers, recruit employees with dreams of stock options and promote, promote, promote until the IPO can pay out for their investors. The IPO game may be off right now, but it won’t stay that way.

I’ll update the VC game as it progresses. It’ll be fun.

[meinolf67]

EPV-Solar // a-SI // USA


Robbinsville, NJ, USA: EPV SOLAR, Inc. a thin-film solar module manufacturer and photovoltaic systems provider headquartered in New Jersey, USA, announced today that it has entered into a long- term solar module supply agreement with City Solar Kraftwerke AG. City Solar, headquartered in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, is a tier-one international developer, installer and operator of large-scale photovoltaic power plants. The framework agreement allows City Solar to purchase 250 megawatts (MW) of amorphous silicon modules over a period of five years. City Solar plans to use EPV modules to further execute its growth strategy in Europe. A first 2 MW project with EPV modules will be realized in Germany before the end of 2008. To meet the project schedule, EPV SOLAR has already begun to ship against this contract from its New Jersey manufacturing facility. Later in the year, product will come from EPV SOLAR’s new 30 MW/year thin-film PV products manufacturing facility in Senftenberg, Germany which is scheduled to begin production in the fall of 2008.

Both companies are committed to the wide-scale adoption of solar energy. To date, City Solar has connected to the grid projects with capacity of more than 81 megawatts (MW), including a 20 MW installation in Beneixama (Spain), which is one of the world’s largest photovoltaic power plants. Steffen Kammler, CEO of City Solar, commented: “We have selected EPV SOLAR as our commercial partner because of their reliable, low cost amorphous silicon technology. We are confident that EPV SOLAR’s PV modules will deliver exceptional performance and value for our customers. City Solar looks forward to a long and prosperous relationship with EPV SOLAR and to expanding our partnership to include joint technology development and joint marketing efforts in other parts of the world.”
“We are very pleased with this strong endorsement by City Solar of our thin-film technology and products. This new contract validates our strategy of partnering with tier-one integrators in Europe,” stated Mr. Scott T. Massie, CEO of EPV SOLAR. “We are committed to providing thin-film PV modules that achieve the lowest cost PV electricity in the world. Our goal is to help our customers achieve ‘grid parity’ on an accelerated time scale,” Mr. Massie added.

Founded in 1991, EPV SOLAR is expanding its annual module manufacturing capacity to meet increased demand by its customers, including the demand under this contract. In addition to factories in Lawrenceville and Robbinsville, NJ, USA, EPV SOLAR expects to begin production at its Senftenberg facility in the fall of 2008. EPV SOLAR employs a vertically integrated model for the manufacture of thin-film solar modules, using its internally designed production equipment and batch manufacturing process. EPV SOLAR believes it enables a total installed system cost that is among the lowest in the industry.

[meinolf67]

Sulfurcell // CIS // Deutschland


Pressemitteilung vom 12.Juli 2008

Vattenfall und Gaz de France investieren in Sulfurcell Solartechnik

Berliner Unternehmen erhält Wachstumsfinanzierung von internationaler Investorengruppe und startet Aufbau der Serienproduktion

Der Solarstandort Berlin wird weiter gestärkt. Das innovative Unternehmen Sulfurcell Solartechnik GmbH mit Sitz in Berlin-Adlershof wächst in neue Dimensionen. Möglich wird dies durch eine internationale Gruppe von Investoren, die mit einer Wachstumsfinanzierung von insgesamt 85 Millionen Euro die Zukunftspläne von Sulfurcell unterstützen.

Die BEU (Berliner Energie Umweltfonds GbR) – ein gemeinsam von Vattenfall Europe und Gaz de France Deutschland GmbH aufgelegter Investitionsfonds, der in Zusammenarbeit mit der Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Gesundheit, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz gegründet wurde - hat den Solarmodulanbieter seit seiner Gründung im Jahre 2002 begleitet. Auch bei der Umsetzung der aktuellen Geschäftsstrategie wird die BEU aktiv. Mehr als 10 Millionen Euro stellen beide Unternehmen jetzt für Sulfurcell Solartechnik bereit. Damit ist die BEU der größte Altgesellschafter. Vattenfall ist darüber hinaus auch über seine Tochtergesellschaft Vattenfall Europe Venture, die bisher als führender Investor agiert hat, finanziell engagiert.

Das frische Kapital fließt in erster Linie in den Aufbau eines neuen Werkes, in dem Dünnschicht-Solarmodule aus dem Halbleiter CIS mit einer jährlichen Gesamtleistung von 75 Megawatt (MW) gefertigt werden sollen. In den letzten zwei Jahren hatte Sulfurcell in einer Pilotproduktion im Umfang von etwa zwei MW-Jahresleistung die Module zur industriellen Serienreife gebracht und dabei die Wirkungsgrade stetig verbessert und die Fertigungskosten gesenkt. Das Unternehmen ist bereits heute einer der weltweit wichtigsten Hersteller im Bereich der CIS/CIGSe-Technologie, bei der kein Silizium verwendet wird.

Sulfurcell beschäftigt derzeit 130 Mitarbeiter. Mit dem Aufbau des neuen Werkes und weiteren Aktivitäten in der Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeit werden etwa 100 neue Arbeitsplätze entstehen. Die Senatsverwaltung für Gesundheit, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz unterstützt dieses Vorhaben seit der Gründung der Gesellschaft aktiv. In Berlin ist damit die Grundlage für einen wettbewerbsstarken Photovoltaik-Standort geschaffen worden

Die beiden Geschäftsführer der Berliner Energie Umweltfonds GbR (BEU), Dr. Oliver Weinmann und Bernard Alran, betonen: „Wir waren von Anfang an von Sulfurcell und der Zukunftsfähigkeit der CIS/CIGSe-Technologie überzeugt. Der erfolgreiche Abschluss der jetzigen Finanzierungsrunde zur Ausweitung der Produktion bestätigt uns in vollem Umfang. Die BEU hat damit zugleich seine Zielsetzung erfüllt, innovative Umweltprojekte und Unternehmen in Berlin zu fördern.“

Auch Dr. Nikolaus Meyer, Geschäftsführer von Sulfurcell, ist optimistisch: „Die jetzt abgeschlossene Finanzierung ist für uns ein wichtiger Meilenstein auf dem Weg zum führenden Unternehmen für Dünnschicht-Solarmodule. In den letzten zwei Jahren konnten unsere Module in jeder Hinsicht optimiert werden. Damit sind wir optimal aufgestellt für den Beginn der Serienproduktion. Mit dem Ausbau reagieren wir auf die hohe Nachfrage unserer Kunden.“

"Ich freue mich über diese ökologische Investition in Adlershof und vor allem über die neu entstehenden Arbeitsplätze. Und natürlich hoffe ich, dass viele der hier produzierten Solardünnschichtmodule auch auf Berliner Dächern montiert werden", sagte Katrin Lompscher, Senatorin für Gesundheit, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz."

[meinolf67]

Odersun // CIGS // Deutschland


schon älter, aber hier bisher nicht erwähnt:


Frankfurt (Oder), 19. März, 2008 – Die Solarregion Brandenburg wächst weiter, denn die Odersun AG, Entwickler und Hersteller von Dünnschichtsolarzellen, -modulen und Anwendungen, legte heute den Grundstein für den Bau einer zweiten Solarfabrik SunTwo in Fürstenwalde/Spree unter Teilnahme von Bundesminister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Staatssekretär Clemens Appel und internationalen Investoren aus den USA, Großbritannien, Frankreich und China.

In der 30 Megawatt-Solarfabrik SunTwo werden bis zu 150 neue Jobs entstehen. Die Produktion fokussiert auf die Herstellung von Standardmodulen für Solarparks und Gebäudeintegration. „Ostdeutschland hat das Potential, sich als Leitregion der Solarindustrie zu entwickeln. Mit der Schaffung solch wettbewerbsfähiger Arbeitsplätze erhält der wirtschaftliche Aufschwung in den neuen Ländern einen gewaltigen Schub“, so Minister Tiefensee.

Odersun wird rund 50 Millionen Euro in den Bau von SunTwo investieren. Diese zweite Solarfabrik wird dabei in zwei separate Anlagen unterteilt, eine für die Zellproduktion sowie eine weitere für die Fabrikation der Module. Die Zellfabrik wird sich aus sechs Fertigungslinien zusammensetzen, welche der ersten Produktionslinie der SunOne gleichen. SunOne war im April 2007 eröffnet worden, um das nötige Know-How für nachfolgende größere Produktionseinheiten zu gewinnen. Im vierten Quartal dieses Jahres wird in den Fabrikanlagen der SunTwo die Produktion anlaufen, in dem die einzelnen Fertigungslinien nacheinander aufgebaut und eingefahren werden.

“Wir setzen unsere Wachstumsstrategie fort, in dem wir schrittweise die Produktion erweitern“, sagt Ramin Lavae Mokhtari, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Odersun AG, “um Risiken gering zu halten und so schnell wie möglich größere Kapazitäten aufzubauen”. Das Wachstum der Odersun AG wird durch eine Finanzierung in Höhe von 61 Millionen Euro (90 Millionen US-Dollar) ermöglicht. Darin enthalten sind 40 Millionen Euro aus einer zweiten Finanzierungsrunde mit internationalen Investoren sowie weitere 21 Millionen Euro Fördermittel. “Die neue Förderstrategie der Landesregierung erweist mit der heutigen Grundsteinlegung abermals ihre Wirksamkeit“, betont Staatssekretär Clemens Appel.

[meinolf67]

Global Solar // CIGS // USA


Global Solar ready to install modules, flip switch on CIGS solar field within months
21 July 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots


What may be the largest copper indium gallium (di)selenide--based photovoltaic-module field in the US will be sending electricity within a few months to the manufacturing plant of the company that made the flexible CIGS "stringer" cells powering the array.

Global Solar's Tim Teich told me at Intersolar North America in San Francisco last week that the several acres of desert scrub designated for the field, located across the parking lot from the company's South Tucson factory, have been "plowed, fenced, and racked" over the past six weeks. He said the panels have been fabricated and stacks of them are sitting, ready to be shipped, at Solon America's module-making facility a few miles down the road from Global.

The CIGS "modules are going on in August," noted Teich, "and the power will be turned on by November," although the switch could be flipped as soon as September, especially if an inverter they're waiting on shows up soon.

"It will be interesting to see the output of the field," he continued, which will be specified at 750 KW DC/1.1 MW AC and is expected to supply up to 25% of the Global fab's power needs. It will take a few weeks for the field to initially stabilize after it's activated.

"The light soak of CIGS happens in the first day," explained Teich. "Peak power is reached in about four weeks, and then it stabilizes after that." But he added that the precise period of stabilization and other system performance stats are still "speculation," since there have not been (m)any CIGS fields of this size, certainly not in the US.

The company will have a dashboard monitor running on a TV screen in its lobby, which will show a live feed of some of the installation's operational parameters--and provide a nice morale booster to the employees, no doubt. "By the end of the year, we will have good data [from the solar field]... and Tucson is a good place to test it," according to Teich, given the area's extremes of heat and cold, dry weather and monsoonal moisture, and the like.

For more reporting on Global Solar from Intersolar (customer orders, factory ramp status, latest conversion efficiencies, progress on barrier/encapsulation materials, the company's strategy for building-integrated PV--what Teich calls "energized building solutions, etc.), check out my colleagues' stories at Greentech Media and Solid State Technology.

[meinolf67]

Heliovolt // CIGS // USA



HelioVolt Corporation, a producer of highly-efficient thin film solar energy products, today announced that it has garnered an R&D 100 Award from Research & Development (R&D) Magazine for work performed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Known as the “Oscars of Invention,” the R&D 100 Awards celebrate the year’s most significant commercial innovations from around the world. HelioVolt and NREL received the award for demonstrating a simpler, faster end-to-end process for printing high quality thin film photovoltaic (PV) systems.

“This award-winning technology could have a significant impact on the penetration of solar energy in the marketplace,” NREL Director Dan Arvizu said. “Thin film technologies aim to lower costs by using significantly less material to produce electricity from the sun. We are proud to be working with innovators in the private sector to deliver the technologies and products that will make clean, renewable power a significant portion of our nation’s energy mix.”

The R&D 100 Award honored a hybrid process for producing large grain, high quality Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin film solar devices. While CIGS has long been used to make the highest performing solar thin film devices, the material’s unique nanostructure required to deliver this performance potential has generally made low-cost, large-scale manufacture an ongoing challenge. The award-winning collaboration employed a non-vacuum technique developed at NREL and licensed by HelioVolt to precisely apply liquid precursors under standard atmospheric conditions onto a printing plate and substrate which can be made from various building materials including glass, metals, roofing materials, and plastics. HelioVolt’s patented FASST process was then used to reactively bond the inks together into high-performance CIGS crystals, all in less than six minutes with a low thermal budget.

“HelioVolt's unique process expands the performance envelope of thin-film PV. This award marks an important milestone on the road from pilot line to wide-scale deployment,” said Dr. Arno Penzias, Nobel Laureate and advisory board member. Dr. B.J. Stanbery, founder and CEO of HelioVolt added, “This NREL collaboration establishes FASST’s unique ability to combine both vacuum and standard atmospheric deposition techniques, giving us unprecedented flexibility for further improving the end-to-end process performance and cost in future full-scale production lines which will be required to fulfill the goals of our global expansion strategy.”

The FASST reactive transfer printing process drives cost advantages by manufacturing high-quality CIGS thin film products ten to one hundred times more rapidly than competitive methods. FASST can be combined with vacuum evaporation, ink-jet printing, or ultrasonic spray deposition processes, allowing for industry-leading flexibility to achieve the lowest cost process. Confirmed through independent testing at Colorado State University, FASST has been proven to deliver solar cells exceeding 12 percent conversion efficiency in a record setting six minutes. These efficiencies place HelioVolt's CIGS devices among the highest performing solar thin film products on the market today. HelioVolt is using FASST to develop both conventional module and next-generation building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products for the global solar energy market.

Posted July 24th, 2008

[meinolf67]

Zulieferer


Intel Capital invests $12.5 million in thin-film materials producer Voltaix
29 July 2008 | Market Watch: News

J. de NeufvilleIntel Capital has invested $12.5 million in specialty gases firm Voltaix. The funds will be used to expand production capacity with the construction of a new plant to supply precursors for thin-film solar cell applications.

“We have provided critical materials for semiconductor and thin film solar applications for more than twenty-five years,” said Dr. John P. de Neufville (pictured), President of Voltaix and an early contributor to amorphous materials research. “We believe that thin-film solar cell production, particularly products that can support Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), is poised for significant expansion. This financing will help enable us to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to meet growing demand for thin film energy technologies.”

“Materials innovation is critical to enabling new capabilities in semiconductor device manufacturing,” said Arvind Sodhani, President of Intel Capital and Intel Executive Vice President. “Our financing of Voltaix is part of Intel Capital’s manufacturing strategy to foster innovation around integrated circuit manufacturing and complementary cleantech areas such as thin film photovoltaics.”

Voltaix recently signed a supply agreement with XsunX for high-purity germane to be used in tandem solar cell fabrication.

[meinolf67]

Xunlight // a-SI // USA


Xunlight Hires VP And General Counsel
in News Departments > People
by SI Staff on Tuesday 29 July 2008
email the content item print the content item

Xunlight Corp., a company focused on producing flexible thin-film silicon solar modules, has appointed W. Granger Souder Jr. vice president and general counsel. He will be responsible for the company's legal and regulatory affairs, including corporate compliance and governance, contract administration, and the legal aspects of joint ventures, strategic partnerships and financing activities.

Souder joins Xunlight after a 17-year career with Sky Financial Group Inc., an $18 billion diversified financial services holding company. As its executive vice president and general counsel, he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, and overseeing all legal affairs.

SOURCE: Xunlight

[meinolf67]

Signet Solar // a-SI // Deutschland // AMAT


Signet Solar expects final acceptance test of first thin-film PV line to be completed within 90 days
31 July 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots

During our Tuesday (July 29) chat at the company's modest global headquarters in Menlo Park, Signet Solar's founder-CEO Rajeeva Lahri and VP of manufacturing Bijan Moslehi updated me on the company's latest news and future plans, including the status of the ramp of their first production facility in Mochau, outside of Dresden. The chief exec told me that the final acceptance test, or FAT, should be completed on the initial 20-MW single-junction thin-film amorphous-silicon-on-glass line "within the next 90 days," with a subsequent ramp to 45 MW taking place soon thereafter.
photo_rajeeva.jpg

Signet Solar's Lahri has big glass on his mind.

"We should be a peak capacity" within that time, he said, and should end the year running volume production "with full capacity." Now, the factory team is going through what the two former semiconductor guys jokingly called "pipe cleaners," which include debugging, tuning up the automation, and establishing baseline manufacturing windows. Although the plant utilizes a single work shift now, a second one will soon be added, with plans for three-a-day, 24/7 operations once they get past the FAT.

Signet's fab is one of the first to feature deployment of Applied Materials' SunFab turnkey line and its 5.72 sq meter, 120-kg slabs of glass (2.2 x 2.6 m), an example of which was displayed at both the recent Intersolar Munich and North America trade shows.Despite rumors to the contrary, Moslehi assured me that the panel is indeed a working unit. "The first module off the line worked within spec at about 6% efficiency, plus-or-minus 10%." The inaugural panel was one of a batch of 10 that were fabricated in May, a mere 10 months after the start of construction on the factory.

Signet plans to move quickly to production of higher-efficiency tandem-junction a-Si panels. Because the floorplan of the fab was designed to eventually accommodate the additional process chambers required for production of the tandem modules, Moslehi expects the ramp to be quicker. Once operational, "line yields will be 90% or better, with at least 80-85% uptimes."

Lahri said that the company hopes to be at 65-70 MW capacity with the more efficient units by the end of 2009. That level of capacity translates into about 140,000 panels of annual output, if one calculates 2000 500-W panels needed for each megawatt of manufacturing capability.

Both the Signet execs put their stamp of approval on the Applied turnkey toolset, although Lahri admitted there were still "lessons to be learned" and enhancements that could be made. "We have shared lead-line data with them, which they are digesting. But we are very pleased with the AMAT tools--they all met their targets.... Applied will continue to be our tool provider." He also mentioned that one of the non-AMAT tools in the turnkey line that has come under suspicion in some quarters--the laser scriber--has been "a pleasant surprise."

One part of the line that "could use some improvements" is in the area of metrology and inspection, according to Moslehi. Lahri cited the need for a "semiconductor mindset" and the implementation of additional in- and offline monitoring systems and statistical process control measures. "Line 1 is running fine, but we still see lots of room for improvements across the board."

Lahri answered the question of how Signet hopes to differentiate itself from other companies employing the turnkey solar-fab strategy in a couple of different ways. First, he said that even with FAT, "there is still alot of engineering left to do. In the strictest sense, nothing's turnkey." For example, the company has its own supply chain, dealing directly with the glass companies and materials houses like Air Products, which provides the silane for the factory.

He also said that Signet will separate itself by having a "faster time to market and lower costs, being among the 'first movers,'" and through research and development efforts. "We are already filing patents in areas like nanocoatings and triple-junction cells, as well as [things like] productivity enhancements and higher efficiencies.

"We want to achieve 12-15% efficiencies using new materials and device architectures....we feel there is lots of room for improvement in micro/nanocrystalline silicon thin films. "With more critical mass, we may look at more disruptive technologies, either internally or through acquisition."

As for the longer-term value of the turnkey approach, Lahri thought it will be "interesting to see how the integrated line model works.... Once the licensees add a few lines, why would they keep with that model? How would it add value in the future?"

The two told me they got a kick out of my term "BAPV" (for "big-ass PV") to describe the huge glass panels they manufacture. Yet Lahri explained that initially, the majority of customers want the half- or quarter-size modules, while a "significant minority" ask for the full-size panels. He also did not discount the possibility of going to a smaller size substrate, say Gen 5 glass, in future factories that might be located in the developing world where infrastructure might limit the ability to transport the larger panels.

Although future plans call for the construction of a second 65-70 MW factory alongside the current plant in Mochau, another several hundred megawatt site in India, and perhaps a US-based fab too as part of what Lehri calls a "long-term regional strategy," the focus right now is on executing the first few factory ramps and moving product in volume to the customers. He believes Signet can get close to or reach about $3.50 per installed panel by 2010. He admits grid parity (more like $2.50 per) "is not one single number" and depends on location, policy, and other factors, but should be attainable by 2012.

In the next few months, the company will put its panels to the test--on its own factory roof. Installation of a 250-KW array should be done within 90 days, according to Lahri. Although both gents pointed out that the system will only provide a few percent of the factory's energy needs, the chief exec joked that "it's time to drink our own Kool-Aid."

[098cba]

FSLR jetzt besser verkaufen oder warten erst bei 492 USD?


Neues vom Chefredakteur Armin Brack. Der meint das folgende zu FSLR:

--------------------------


First Solar - Wie teuer darf eine Aktie sein!?


Armin Brack, Chefredakteur

Lieber Geldanleger,

kaum eine Aktie am US-Markt wird derzeit so heiß diskutiert wie die von First Solar, dem Hersteller von Dünnschicht-Solarzellen.

Oberflächlich betrachtet lautet die interessante Frage: Ist First Solar gerade dabei, den Solarmarkt zu revolutionieren?

Doch eigentlich ist das Thema ein viel Grundsätzlicheres: Das Papier liefert die perfekte Vorlage für den ewigen Kampf zwischen Wachstums- und wertorientierten Investoren, zwischen Tradern und Anlegern. Die eigentliche Frage lautet: Wie teuer darf eine gute Aktie sein?

Vorab für alle, die die Aktie/das Unternehmen nicht kennen ein kurzer Überblick: First Solar gelingt es mit seiner Cadmium-Tellurid-Technologie aktuell Solarzellen viel günstiger herzustellen als alle Konkurrenten. Wenn man weiß, dass sich in dieser Branche quasi alles um die Senkung der Herstellungskosten und damit letztlich die Erreichung der Kostenparität zu herkömmlich produziertem Strom dreht, dann ist das fast wie eine Lizenz zum Gelddrucken.

Zumal die Technologie patentiert ist und das wesentliche Unterscheidungsmerkmal quasi unumkehrbar ist: First Solar braucht im Gegensatz zu den meisten Konkurrenten kein teures Silizium zur Herstellung seiner Zellen.

Natürlich ist die Wirklichkeit viel komplexer. So ist der Wirkungsgrad von Dünnschichtzellen allgemein und damit auch der der First Solar-Zellen geringer als bei Silizium-Zellen. Diese sind somit nicht universell einsetzbar.

Doch um diese Details soll es heute nicht gehen. Vielmehr sollen am Beispiel First Solar die Chancen und Risiken von Ultrawachstums-Aktien erläutert und gleichzeitig gezeigt werden, wie Anleger richtig damit umgehen.

Schauen wir uns den Kursverlauf der Aktie mal genauer an: Im November 2006 emittiert, entwickelte sich das Papier nach verhaltenem Start ab Februar 2007 zu einer unglaublichen Erfolgsstory. Von knapp 25 US-Dollar hat sich First Solar bis auf aktuell 280 US-Dollar mehr als verzehnfacht - innerhalb von nur 18 Monaten! Im Gegensatz zu quasi allen anderen Solaraktien notiert das Papier auch nach der aktuellen Gesamtmarkt-Korrektur noch in der Nähe seines Allzeit-Hochs. "Best of the breed", nennen Amerikaner das!

• First Solar
• WKN / Kürzel

A0LEKM / FSLR


• Börsenwert
14,5 Mrd. EUR

• KGV 08e / 09e
97 / 49


• Div.-Rend. 08e
keine

• Akt. Kurs
280,74 USD / 184,00 EUR



First Solar ist eine typische Momentum-Aktie, die auf Grund einer faszinierenden Story viele Anleger anzieht und die gleichzeitig mit extremen Zuwächsen bei Umsatz und Gewinn überzeugt.

Hier ein paar Fakten aus dem jüngsten Quartalsbericht vom Mittwoch: Die Kalifornier haben einen Umsatz von 267 Millionen US-Dollar erzielt. Erwartet worden waren von der Wall Street im Schnitt 216,9 Millionen US-Dollar. Die ohnehin ambitionierten Analystenerwartungen wurden also klar geschlagen. Beeindruckend: Im Vorjahresquartal hatte First Solar nur 77 Millionen US-Dollar umgesetzt, also weniger als ein Drittel. Sogar die Steigerung von Quartal zu Quartal ist enorm: Im ersten Quartal 2008 waren es noch 197 Millionen US-Dollar, jetzt bereits 35 Prozent mehr.

Hier wird von "hohem sequentiellem Wachstum" (also auch hohes Wachstum von einem Quartal zum nächsten, nicht nur im Vergleich zum gleichen Quartal des Vorjahres) gesprochen, etwas, das in der Vergangenheit vor allem bei Internetaktien um die Jahrtausendwende zu beobachten war.

Im Gegensatz zu dieser Spezies arbeitet First Solar aber bereits hoch profitabel: Der operative Gewinn explodierte - und hier ist das arg strapazierte Wort wirklich gerechtfertigt - von 5,8 Millionen US-Dollar im Vorjahresquartal auf jetzt 88,7 Millionen US-Dollar. Im ersten Quartal 2008 waren es noch 58,1 Millionen US-Dollar. Das sequentielle Gewinnwachstum liegt also bei fast unglaublichen 53 Prozent.

Auch beim Gewinn hatten die Analysten einen "Zahlendreher" drin. Durchschnittlich hatten Sie einen Gewinn je Aktie von 58 Cent erwartet, geworden sind es 85 Cent. Das sind knapp 47 Prozent mehr!

Oh, bevor ich es vergesse: Auch die Umsatz-Prognose für das Gesamtjahr wurde nochmals angehoben: Circa 1,2 Milliarden US-Dollar sollen es nun werden statt wie geplant gut eine Milliarde US-Dollar. Analysten zeigten sich begeistert und überschlugen sich geradezu mit Kurszielanhebungen. Lazard Capital Markets sieht nun beispielsweise den fairen Wert je Aktie bei 400 US-Dollar nach zuvor 350 US-Dollar.

*Die überraschende Reaktion des Marktes

Was glauben Sie wohl, wie stark die Aktie am darauf folgenden Tag gestiegen ist: 10 Prozent? 20 Prozent? Weit gefehlt: Bei 285,03 US-Dollar schloss das Papier gerade einmal mickrige drei Cent höher als am Vortag, notierte de facto also unverändert.

Nach anfänglichen Kursgewinnen wurde das Papier abverkauft. "Gewinnmitnahmen", heißt es dann meist in Kommentaren als Begründung. Die tiefere Ursache des Problems ist - die meisten werden es erraten - die Bewertung der Aktie!

Was heißt "Bewertung" eigentlich genau? Börsianer setzen Umsätze, Gewinne, Cash-Flows, Buchwerte etc. eines Unternehmens ins Verhältnis zum Gesamtwert des Unternehmens, der sich in der sogenannten Marktkapitalisierung widerspiegelt. Daraus lassen sich nun Bewertungskennzahlen bilden, in dem beispielsweise der Gewinn ins Verhältnis zum Börsenwert gesetzt wird.

Wer aktuell die Aktie von First Solar kaufen möchte, muss dafür das 97-fache des für 2008 erwarteten Gewinns bezahlen. Man spricht von einem Kurs-Gewinn-Verhältnis von 97. Um die aktuelle Bewertung zu rechtfertigen muss das Unternehmen also - vereinfacht gesagt - noch 97 Jahre lang diesen Gewinn erzielen. "Normal" sind am Markt KGVs von 10 bis 20.

Je nach Wachstumsprognose, Bilanzstruktur etc. kann es enorme Ausreißer nach oben und unten geben.

First Solar-Aktionäre müssen also für die Wachstumsfantasie ihres Unternehmens einen vielfach höheren Preis bezahlen als für andere Unternehmen, die weniger "sexy" sind. First Solar muss noch viele Jahre starke Gewinnzuwächse verzeichnen, um in die aktuelle Bewertung "hineinzuwachsen".

Übrigens: Der Kurswert selbst sagt gar nichts über die Bewertung einer Aktie aus. Es ist Zufall, dass bei First Solar auch der nominale Kurswert von 280 US-Dollar außergewöhnlich hoch ist.

*Auch andere Kennzahlen sind sehr hoch

Eine weitere beliebte Methode, um einzuschätzen, ob eine Aktie gerade billig oder teuer ist, besteht darin, die Börsenbewertung des Papiers ins Verhältnis zu den erzielten Umsätzen zu setzen. First Solar will in 2008 1,2 Milliarden US-Dollar umsetzen, die Marktkapitalisierung liegt bei 22,7 Milliarden US-Dollar.

Daraus ergibt sich ein Kurs-Umsatz-Verhältnis von fast 19. Das heißt: Wer jetzt die Aktie kauft, muss knapp das 19-fache der für 2008 erwarteten Umsätze bezahlen. Zum Vergleich: Durchschnittlich werden US-Aktien momentan mit etwa dem 1,4-fachen der Umsätze bewertet, deutsche Aktien sogar nur mit dem 0,7-fachen.

Damit ist First Solar um das 13- bis 27-fache teurer als alle Aktien im Durchschnitt. Wobei der Vergleich sowohl beim KGV als auch beim KUV sogar noch etwas zugunsten von First Solar hinkt, weil die Durchschnittszahlen auf den Umsätzen/Gewinnen in den vergangenen vier Quartalen beruhen, während bei den Kaliforniern, die für 2008 insgesamt erwarteten Gewinne zugrunde gelegt worden sind.

Und jetzt kommt das Entscheidende: Wenn sich die Aktie so entwickelt, wie dies vom Markt aktuell erwartet wird, verdienen Sie immer noch kein Geld, wenn Sie die Aktie kaufen. Denn die erwartete Entwicklung ist ja bereits im Aktienkurs enthalten! Nur wenn First Solar es schafft, die Prognosen weiterhin zu toppen, wird die Aktie weiter steigen.

*Was die Statistik sagt

Kann man mit einer solchen Aktie wirklich Geld verdienen. Schauen wir uns die Statistik an. Die Referenz heißt hier James P. O`Shaughnessy, der über einen Zeitraum von 50 Jahren und mehr untersucht hat, wie sich fundamentale Bewertungskennzahlen auf die künftige Performance von Aktien auswirken.

Er hat hierzu alle börsennotierten Aktien im betreffenden Jahr - abgestuft nach der Bewertung - in Dezilen aufgeteilt. Das heißt: Die 10 Prozent aller Aktien mit der niedrigsten Bewertungskennzahl kamen in Dezile 1, die mit der nächsthöheren Bewertung in Dezile 2 etc. Der irisch-stämmige Wissenschaftler und erfolgreiche Fondsmanager hat sich dabei nicht auf Prognosen verlassen, sondern nur tatsächlich im letzten Jahr erzielte Gewinne und Umsätze verwendet.

Die Ergebnisse sind frappierend: Wer immer die Aktien mit niedrigen Bewertungskennzahlen kauft, fährt um ein Vielfaches besser als der, der auf Aktien mit hoher Bewertung setzt. Oder anders ausgedrückt: Fakten sind wichtiger als Wachstumsfantasie.

Dabei gilt diese Grundregel quer durch die verschiedenen fundamentalen Bewertungskennzahlen, also für die besprochenen KGV und KUV aber auch für das Kurs-Cash-Flow-Verhältnis (KCV) und das Kurs-Buchwert-Verhältnis (KBV).

Die Ergebnisse von O`Shaughnessy sind dabei äußerst signifikant. Beispiel KGV: Nicht nur ist die durchschnittlich erzielbare Rendite bei den 10 Prozent aller Aktien mit dem niedrigsten KGV deutlich höher als bei den teuersten 10 Prozent aller Aktien (15,36 Prozent kumulierter Ertrag per anno gegenüber 8,93 Prozent per anno). Die Rendite nimmt vom günstigsten bis zum teuersten Dezil konstant ab. Das erste Dezil ist besser als das Zweite besser als das Dritte besser als das Vierte etc.

Beim KUV sind die Renditeunterschiede sogar noch größer (17,46 Prozent kumulierter Ertrag per anno in der ersten Dezile gegenüber 3,12 Prozent per anno in der niedrigsten). Auch hier nimmt die erzielbare Rendite von Dezile zu Dezile konstant ab. Auch hier sind die Ergebnisse statistisch hoch signifikant.

Platisch wird das, wenn man das Ganze mal für den ganzen Studienzeitraum durchrechnet. Beispiel KUV: Wer am 1.1.1951 50 Aktien aus der Dezile mit dem damals niedrigsten KUV gekauft, ein Jahr gehalten und dann zu Beginn des Folgejahres das Ganze wiederholt hat, der hat aus einer Anfangsinvestition von 10.000 US-Dollar bis zum Jahr 2003 43 Millionen US-Dollar gemacht.

Wären dagegen jeweils am Jahresbeginn 50 Aktien aus der Dezile mit den höchsten KUVs erworben worden, wären 53 Jahre später aus 10.000 US-Dollar nur enttäuschende 49.482 US-Dollar geworden.

Bei der riesigen Differenz in absoluten Zahlen spielt natürlich der Zinseszins-Effekt eine wichtige Rolle. Trotzdem wird schön deutlich wie extrem die Performance-Unterschiede auf Dauer sind.

Das heißt im Ergebnis: Mittel- und langfristig ausgerichtete Anleger sollten Aktien wie First Solar eigentlich immer meiden!

*Warum teure Aktien sich auf Dauer schlecht entwickeln

Woran aber liegt es, dass sehr teure Aktien mittel- und langfristig so schlecht performen?

Hier gibt es einen ganzen Strauß von Gründen. Mit der wichtigste: Anleger machen den Fehler, das aktuelle Wachstum quasi unbeschränkt in die Zukunft fortzuschreiben und lassen sich von einer guten "Story" blenden.

Zurück zu First Solar. Auch wenn die Aussichten vordergründig glänzend sind, lauern hier verschiedene Risiken - branchenspezifisch und unternehmensspezifisch.

Die Gewinnmargen in der Branche selbst werden künftig unter Druck kommen, weil die Herstellungskosten immer weiter sinken und damit der mögliche Ertrag je produzierter Zelle oder produziertem Modul sinken. Auch die Preismacht von First Solar schrumpft damit.

Nach wie vor ist die Branche von Subventionen abhängig. Nach Deutschland hat nun auch Spanien eine deutliche Kürzung der staatlichen Unterstützung beschlossen. In den USA scheiterte im Parlament jüngst auch der siebte Versuch größere Steuergutschriften für Solar- und Windaktien durchzusetzen. Dies könnte das Wachstum im Sektor deutlich verlangsamen.

Hinzu kommt: Die technologische Weiterentwicklung im Solarsektor geht rasend schnell vonstatten. Noch gilt die Cadmium-Tellurid-Herstellungsmethode von First Solar als das Maß der Dinge. Aber am Horizont zeigen sich bereits interessante Weiterentwicklungen. First Solar dampft seine Dünnschicht immer noch auf herkömmliches dickes Glas auf, das zu schwer für Hausdächer ist.

Start-Up CSG Solar entwickelt eine Technologie bei der eine dünne Schicht amorphes Silizium direkt auf Glas aufgebracht wird. Wafer könnte so überflüssig werden. Das wäre revolutionär.

Ascent Solar und Miasole experimentieren mit einer Kupfer-Indium-Gallium- Dieslenid (CIGS)-Mischung bei der Herstellung von Solarzellen. Ist diese am Ende besser als das von First Solar verwendete Cadmium-Telluride?

Noch interessanter: Nano-Solar, das bereits zweistellige Millionensummen an Venture-Capital-Geldern erhalten hat, entwickelt eine Technologie mit der die CIGS-Mischung mit Hilfe von Nano-Tinte auf extrem stark leitende Folien aufgedruckt wird. Die Gründer von Google haben hier über ihre Firma beispielsweise in dieses Unternehmen investiert.

Last but not least wird momentan mit sogenannten Konzentratoren experimentiert. Dabei handelt es sich um Linsen, die die Strahlung der Sonne um das 100-fache vergrößern können und damit nie zuvor erreichte Wirkungsgrade aufweisen.

Auch wenn es momentan gar nicht danach aussieht: Vielleicht wird eine der beschriebenen Weiterentwicklungen die Technologie von First Solar irgendwann komplett obsolet machen. Vielleicht arbeitet auch irgendwo im Verborgenen ein Konkurrent an einer revolutionären Technologie, die heute noch gar nicht im Gespräch ist.

Derartige Möglichkeiten werden von den glühenden Verfechtern von Aktien wie First Solar meist gar nicht in Betracht gezogen. Aus Begeisterung über die tolle Entwicklung des "eigenen" Unternehmens werden externe Bedrohungen schlicht ignoriert. Das ist gefährlich.

*First Solar verkaufen?

Sollten Aktionäre die Aktie aber deswegen umgehend verkaufen? Nein, das sollten Sie nicht, und hier kommen wir wieder auf die eingangs gestellte Problemstellung zurück:

Auch wenn die Aktie bewertungstechnisch enorm teuer ist, die Statistik gegen das Papier spricht und in der Zukunft Gefahren durch neue Konkurrenz drohen dann kann die Aktie trotzdem kurzfristig weiter steigen.

Noch ist von einer Verlangsamung des Wachstums nichts zu erkennen. Noch werden die Prognosen der Analysten übererfüllt, noch wird die Umsatz- und Gewinnprognose regelmäßig erhöht. Noch notiert die Aktie in der Nähe ihrer Allzeit-Hochs. Wenn weitere gute News kommen, dürfte das Allzeit-Hoch bei 317 US-Dollar bald geknackt werden, was wiederum ein neues charttechnisches Kaufsignal nach sich zöge und damit weiteres Kaufinteresse von Tradern und Spekulanten.

Es ist auch nicht auszuschließen, dass die Aktie tatsächlich die neuen Kursziele der Analysten von bis zu 450 US-Dollar erreichen wird - und das womöglich in relativ kurzer Zeit.

Wichtig ist nur, dass Anleger wissen, was Sie tun! Das heißt, wenn Sie eine solche Rakete im Depot haben, sollten Sie auch entsprechende Sicherheitsvorkehrungen beachten: Sie sollten wissen, dass Sie eine schlechte Langfrist-Prognose mit einer Aktie haben, die so teuer ist wie First Solar und entsprechend mit relativ engen Stopps operieren. Reiten Sie den Bullen solange wie Sie sich im Sattel halten können. Aber ziehen Sie die Konsequenzen wenn Sie abgeworfen werden.

Ich erinnere mich mit Schaudern an Forumsbeiträge von CMGI-Aktionären, die im Freudentaumel über die damaligen Kursgewinne schrieben, Sie wollen die Aktie zehn Jahre und länger halten. Inzwischen hat der einstige Internet-Darling von seinen Hochs 99 Prozent an Wert verloren. Legendär ist auch der Ausruf eines Fondsmanagers mit Kursziel 1.000 Euro für die Morphosys-Aktie mitten im Biotech-Hype nach der Jahrtausendwende. Der aktuelle Kurs des Papiers: 47,40 Euro.


MEIN FAZIT:

- Die Bäume wachsen nicht in den Himmel - auch wenn es bei manchen Aktien kurzfristig so aussehen mag.

- Sehr hoch bewertete Aktien entwickeln sich mittel- und langfristig meist sehr schlecht.

- Kurzfristig können Sie jedoch hohe Gewinne mit solchen Papieren einfahren.

- Voraussetzung ist, dass Sie wissen, was Sie tun, die richtigen Einstiegssignale beachten, ein sinnvolles Positionsmanagement betreiben und konsequent verkaufen, wenn der Stopp-Loss erreicht ist.

[meinolf67]

Arendi srl // CdTe // Italien


July 30, 2008

Fontaniva, Italy: P.Energy to Install Cadmium Telluride Module Production Line

P.Energy srl located in Padua province (Italy) has signed a contract with Arendi srl (Marcegaglia Group) for a 20 MW back-end line for the production of PV module based on CdTE (Cadmium-Telluride) technology.

The full automated line will be installed in Lonate Pozzolo (Varese) during the first quarter 2009. This will be the first CdTE technology line installed in Italy

P.Energy S.r.l is headquartered in the North-East of Italy, in Veneto region, 60 km far from Venice.

P.Energy is a supplier of PV module assembling lines. The company provides assistance in the development of new PV businesses, research and supply of raw materials in the global market, together with intensive training and support.

[SLGramann]

Würth / CIS / Deutschland

Nur knapp zwei Jahre nach dem Start der Dünnschicht-Solarmodulproduktion im industriellen Maßstab hat Würth Solar die Produktionskapazität seiner "CISfab" bereits von 15 Megawatt auf 30 MW verdoppelt, berichtet das Unternehmen in einer Pressemitteilung.

http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/news.html#topbanner

Modulwirkungsgrad bei 12%.

[meinolf67]

Solar Thin Films // a-SI & CIGS // USA


Solar Thin Films, Inc. Enters Into Agreement With Ulster County, New York to Establish a Solar Module Manufacturing Facility
August 14, 2008 3:27 PM ET


Solar Thin Films, Inc. (OTCBB: SLTN), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of manufacturing equipment for the production of "thin-film" amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules, announced today the signing of an agreement with Ulster County, New York, for the establishment of a solar module manufacturing plant. The accord was negotiated with Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Ulster County officials, and representatives from the Ulster County Development Corporation (UCDC) and The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC). As part of the transaction, the Company will establish a new manufacturing facility in Ulster County. The facility will represent Solar Thin Films' first amorphous solar module manufacturing plant in the United States.

The Company will utilize solar module manufacturing machinery produced by Kraft Electronikai Srt., based in Budapest, Hungary, a subsidiary of Solar Thin Films. The Company anticipates that, once established, the facility will be capable of establishing six lines of equipment capable of producing 36 megawatts of module power. In addition, Solar Thin Films will also use its new Ulster County location for research into the enhancement of amorphous silicon module efficiency as well as the development of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) panels. The parties believe that the new facility will create a substantial number of new jobs in Ulster County over the next five years.

In his keynote statement, Congressman Hinchey said:

"Today we take another enormous step forward in our goal of establishing the Hudson Valley and all of New York as a national and international hub for solar research and development. I am especially pleased that Solar Thin Films uses amorphous silicon since it is the most well-developed thin film technology to-date and has a promising avenue of further development. Solar Thin Films is playing a critical role in the steady advancement of solar technology by increasing the efficiency of solar products and lowering their costs. I am excited to welcome into The Solar Energy Consortium, Solar Thin Films -- a firm dedicated to making solar technology more mainstream across the county, state and country."

"TSEC is to be complimented in making Solar Thin Films aware of the enormous potential available in Ulster County as the company pursues its goal to be a leading provider of amorphous silicon solar modules," Robert Rubin, Solar Thin Films' Chairman said. "TSEC and the Ulster County Development Corporation have assisted Solar Thin Films in finding an appropriate factory site, have assisted us in satisfying our financial needs and have been instrumental in forging potential power partnerships with local utilities. These steps will be instrumental in protecting the environment, reducing our need and utilization of oil and significantly alter the rate of the energy cost spiral. We hope to be a major employer in the county and more importantly a very good neighbor."

Solar Thin Films will formally apply for a $10 million industrial development bond with the assistance of the Ulster County Development Corporation in order to aid in the purchase of equipment. Ultimately, Solar Thin Films will invest approximately $60 million into the manufacturing and research components.

The amorphous silicon modules produced in Ulster County will be offered for sale worldwide.

About Solar Thin Films

Solar Thin Films (www.solarthinfilms.com) develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of manufacturing equipment for the production of "thin-film" amorphous silicon photovoltaic ("PV") modules, together with a wholly owned subsidiary based in Budapest, Hungary. Personnel associated with the company have been responsible for the setup of nearly a dozen amorphous silicon photovoltaic factories worldwide. The Company sells both "turnkey systems" to customers including CG Solar in China and Grupo Unisolar in Spain, and contracted equipment to customers including EPV Solar (Hamilton, NJ, USA). Its line of proven, cost-effective thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing equipment positions the Company to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for solar modules and an expected market shift towards "thin film" PV modules as part of a cost effective, "clean technology" energy solution.

[meinolf67]

AMAT

4 out of 8 ‘SunFab’ thin film lines up and running
14 August 2008 | Thin Film: News

SunFab Line Applied Materials executives said in their latest financial conference call that four of its eight ‘SunFab’ thin film production lines that are a various stages of readiness are now producing panels. At Intersolar Munich, in June this year, Signet Solar announced that they were the first SunFab customer to start production.


“We now have four customers that are producing solar panels,” stated Michael Splinter, President, Chief Executive Officer of Applied Materials. “We expect to get our first SunFab signed off this quarter with more to follow in the first part of fiscal ‘09.”

Splinter also noted in the conference call that business prospects remained strong for its thin film offerings.

“The solar industry continues to gain momentum and investment prospects remain strong with particularly rapid growth in Europe and Asia. During the quarter we announced two new contracts and one follow on for SunFab earning new customers and important emerging to solar markets like Italy and the Middle East. For SunFab interest remains strong and our customer pipeline is robust,” noted Splinter.

The company also said that it had already secured over $100 million in service contracts for both single and tandem junctions SunFab lines.

[meinolf67]

Global Solar // CIGS // USA



Global Solar has developed a proprietary process for manufacturing thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) PV cells and modules. Unlike traditional silicon solar cells that are rigid and fragile, Global Solar's steel-foil thin-film cells are lightweight and durable and can be integrated into both flexible and glass modules. The company's unique roll-to-roll fabrication process, now in volume production ramp, has garnered a great deal of interest and curiosity. While other companies deposit CIGS on glass substrates, Global Solar may be the only company with CIGS on flexible materials in actual production.

CIGS has a higher conversion efficiency than other thin-film PV materials and has the potential to deliver more electricity at a lower cost per watt. The material can also be integrated in a variety of form factors, from small PV chargers to building-integrated systems and large solar farms.

Tim Teich, VP at Global Solar, talks about the benefits of the roll-to-roll manufacturing process and the company's plans for the future. Global Solar is following an ambitious roadmap to achieve 13% efficiency from its modules within the next few years and to reach 170 MW of CIGS production capacity by 2010 at its main factory in Tucson, AZ, and new site in Berlin.

[meinolf67]

Ascent Solar // CIGS-flex // USA


SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES: STANGL erhält Großauftrag für 8 Anlagen für flexible CIGS Solarzellen auf Folie aus den USA
15. August 2008

Kahl am Main, 15.08.2008 – Die STANGL Semiconductor Equipment AG (STANGL), Tochtergesellschaft der SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Kahl am Main, meldet einen Großauftrag über 8 Roll-to-Roll Produktionsanlagen des Typs IMPEDIO für die nasschemische Beschichtung von Solarzellen auf der Basis der CIS/CIGS Technologie von Ascent Solar, Littleton, USA. Nach der Inbetriebnahme einer ersten CIGS Anlage IMPEDIO zur einseitigen Beschichtung von CdS auf CIGS Folien vor wenigen Wochen in einer Solar-Pilotproduktionslinie mit 1,5 MW, hat sich Ascent Solar für den Ausbau auf 30 MW für weitere 8 Anlagen von STANGL entschieden.

„STANGL hat mit der CIGS Dünnschichttechnik in der Beschichtung von Solarfolien einen Durchbruch in den USA erreicht“, sagte Stefan A. Baustert, CEO, SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES.

[meinolf67]

CdTe allgemein


While First Solar keeps on trucking, others in CdTe thin-film PV pack keep on muddling
20 August 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots

How does that additional 72 MW of cadmium-telluride thin-film PV module-making capacity planned by First Solar for its Perrysburg, OH, facilities stack up against the rest of the CdTe competition's current production levels? According to recent data compiled by NREL and presented at Intersolar North America/Semicon West, First's extra chunk of factory output would exceed the total megawatt-nameplate of AVA Solar, PrimeStar, Calyxo/Q-Cells, Antec, Avendi, and ASP combined. The same data show the CdTe Gang of Six Followers projected to reach 280 MW by 2010--by which time First will have passed the gigawatt mark.

One of those CdTe wannabe players, Calyxo, has apparently hit some bumps in its manufacturing ramp, according to information revealed in Q-Cells' first-half 2008 financial report issued last week. The German company, better known for its crystalline-silicon solar cell prowess, owns 93% of Calyxo (bought from US-based Solar Fields a few years ago, although the American unit still does R&D).

The CdTe concern makes up part of Q-Cells' overall thin-film technology platform that also includes equity interest and ownership in associated companies working on copper indium gallium (di)selenide (Solibro), micromorph silicon (Sontor), crystalline silicon on glass (CSG), and a-Si on flexible plastic (VHF-Technologies/Flexcell).

Q-Cells said in its ad hoc announcement (still don't get what's ad hoc about such carefully worded releases) that "with regard to the new technologies, a total production volume in all thin-film subsidiaries of between 10 and 20 MWp is expected for 2008 (previously [projected] between 25 and 50 MWp) due to the delayed production start-up, particularly at Calyxo" [emphasis added]. The company noted in its most recent overview report that the "optimization of [Calyxo's] first line" will continue "until the end of 2008," with the "ramp-up of the next line (60 MWp) starting from mid-2009."

The same report shows the efficiency of CdTe cells manufactured using Calyxo's atmospheric (as in nonvacuum) vapor deposition process still badly trail First Solar's module numbers. Although the Q-Cells' quasi-unit has seen lab efficiencies around 16%, its "current best own modules" aperture area figure is 6.5% and its short- to midterm module target range is 7-10%, as long as "normal expected" yields, uptimes, throughputs, and generally stable operating conditions prevail.

Calyxo figures it can break even with about 6% efficiencies, but what good is that if your big, market-leading competitor can achieve at least that level of conversion prowess on its worst factory-performance day? First Solar's chairman/CEO Michael Ahearn said in the most recent conference call that the company's average module conversion efficiencies were up to 10.7% for the quarter.

It doesn't take an Olympic gymnastics judge to see that 4.2% is a huge conversion-efficiency gap to overcome for Calyxo--and food for thought for any other CdTe early stager trying to get into the game.

Q-Cells capacity ramp plans for the next few years are aggressive on both its core cSi business and its thin-film forays. By the end of 2010, the company says it will have more than 2.5 GWp of total capacity, of which over 400 MW will come from the various TFPV concerns--including at least 85 MW from Calyxo. But as long as there are delays in qualifying the manufacturing process at its 25-MW pilot line, the likelihood of Calyxo adding its first volume plant (60 MW) by the end of 2009 remains in doubt.

As for other CdTe followers, AVA Solar claims it will have its pilot line up and running the second half of this year, with its volume production facility ready to go in 2009. PrimeStar, flush with resources from its now-majority owner General Electric, hasn't offered specifics of the company's production roadmap, other than to say it's in a "rapid ramp." Other players, such as Antec and Avendi, have been missing in action of late.

So the question remains: which of the CdTe Gang of Followers will be the first to offer a serious, production-worthy, commercial alternative to First Solar?

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.782.519 von meinolf67 am 20.08.08 19:58:30

...über die beiden Vögel: Avendi und ASP finde ich

Z E R O ...

wer kann helfen?

[meinolf67]

Inventux // a-Si // Deutschland // Oerlikon



German Solar Energy Corporation Inventux Awards Wide-Ranging Gas Supply Contract to Linde

Last update: 5:00 a.m. EDT Aug. 20, 2008
MUNICH, Germany, Aug 20, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Inventux Technologies AG, the Berlin-based thin-film solar module manufacturer, has contracted Linde Nippon Sanso (LNS), a company of The Linde Group, to provide the full range of high purity gases used in the manufacturing process of their new Berlin plant.
The long term contract comprises turn-key gas systems engineering plus exclusive supply of all gases to the solar cell production line including onsite generated bulk nitrogen (N(2)), oxygen (O(2)), hydrogen (H(2)) and silane (SiH(4)), as well as all cylinder gases. LNS will also provide an onsite Total Gas Management service. Gas was turned on at the end of June 2008, with the first thin-film modules expected to leave the 33 MWp factory soon after.
"We are extremely proud to be working with Inventux for this leading-edge project," said Andreas Guenther, President of Linde Nippon Sanso. "This collaboration with a pioneering manufacturer reinforces our goal to develop and apply advanced gas technologies to help solar cell and module manufacturers move toward grid parity."
Volko Loewenstein, CEO of Inventux, said "LNS impressed us as a partner who can help reduce the cost of thin film solar modules by deploying innovative gas technology in areas such as chamber cleaning gases. Additionally, with supplies from the state of the art electronic gases plant in Unterschleissheim, security of supply is assured."
Inventux is one of the earliest users of the micromorph tandem technology, a process that has the potential for high efficiencies and low production costs. Instead of a single light trapping layer, tandem uses two different layers in the cell - one working with the blue part of the light spectrum, and one with red - to boost efficiency by more than 40%.

[meinolf67]

täusche ich mich, oder ist in den letzten Wochen Ruhe an der TF-Front eingekehrt?

[meinolf67]

Honda Soltec // CIGS // Japan


Honda considers exporting home-use solar panels
Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:22am EDT


TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co, Japan's second-biggest auto maker, said on Wednesday it is considering exporting solar cells as it plans to expand the annual capacity of a solar cell factory to 27.5 mega watts by the year-end.

Production of solar panels is part of the company's drive towards a home-use energy business. Honda has not yet decided export details, spokesman Hideto Maehara said.

Unlike conventional solar cells made from silicon, Honda uses copper, indium, gallium and selenium, and the production process requires less energy and emits less carbon dioxide, he said.

While testing fuel cell-powered vehicles, Honda is also aiming to use solar cells as an energy source in a test project in the United States for next-generation gas stations for hydrogen made from water to power such vehicles, he said.

Honda Soltec Co, a wholly owned subsidiary based in Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, started producing solar panels in October 2007 and has so far sold panels for some 100 domestic households for slightly less than 2 million yen ($18,200), each with capacity of about 3 kilo watts.

[meinolf67]

Amelio Solar // a-SI (+CIGS) // USA


Thin Film Photovoltaic Technology: a Revolution in Solar Energy

Research on new thin film technology

Amelio Solar’s team are pioneers in the development, manufacturing and installation of thin-film photovoltaic modules. This technology is transforming the solar energy industry by making photovoltaic modules more affordable and accessible, shattering the cost and supply barriers of the traditional technology.

Traditional solar panels are comprised of interconnected Crystalline Silicon semiconductor wafers, a highly-processed material which is increasingly expensive due to its high manufacturing cost and a global supply shortage. Thin-film photovoltaic modules, however, are made by coating a pane of glass or other substrate with a very thin film of photovoltaic material, which does not contain Crystalline Silicon. The resulting product costs 50% to 70% less to manufacture (per Watt of module power output), performs longer each day and in lower light, and is more versatile than traditional photovoltaic modules.

Amelio Solar’s thin-film solutions include Amorphous Silicon and, now in testing, the new, more efficient Copper Indium Gallium DiSelenide (CIGS).

[meinolf67]

Masdar // a-SI // Deutschland // AMAT


Masdar breaks ground on German PV plant

Filed from Aberdeen 8/21/2008 12:31:53 PM GMT


Solar power plant

ICHTERSHAUSEN, GERMANY: Abu Dhabi-based Masdar broke ground on its first photovoltaic (PV) production plant in Ichtershausen, Germany. The plant will use advanced production technologies to bring PV closer towards grid parity, and enhance a local economy with a rich history of manufacturing and technology.

The US$230 million German plant marks the first phase of Masdar's US$2 billion investment in thin-film PV manufacturing, one of the largest investments ever made in solar. To be opened in the third quarter of next year, the plant has a targeted annual production capacity of 70 MW, and will create more than 180 jobs.

The German plant will act as a blueprint for technology and knowledge transfer to a 140 MW Abu Dhabi plant. Output from both facilities has already been committed to major PV system installers in Europe, and for Masdar's own energy generation needs.

[meinolf67]

21. August 2008
Japan Players Bet Big on Emerging Thin-film Solar
by Dr. Paula Doe, Contributing Editor, Solid-State Technology

While startups attract the clean tech venture capital millions in the U.S. for new kinds of thin-film solar technologies, some big established players in Japan are also putting significant money into major new efforts to move these emerging technologies into volume production in the next few years.

"Solar cells are electronics with chemistry, so they're a natural market for a chemical company like us to target aggressively."

-- Tokitaro Hoshijima, PV Project Director, Mitsubishi Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. is starting a big "Project PV," focusing on small-molecule organics solution coated on flexible substrates. Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. is putting US $70M into microcrystalline thin-film technology at its new Advanced Photovoltaics Development Center. The directors of both projects recently briefed SST partner Nikkei Microdevices on the details.

Mitsubishi Chemical already sells some US $18M/year worth of materials to the solar industry, and figures this will grow to a US $90M business by 2010. But it sees a bigger opportunity in putting this materials expertise to work in making the cells itself — targeting thin, light, flexible solar cells for portable applications that can be made cheaply with a roll-to-roll process. Right now there's little or no competition in this field from established product, and where required lifetimes are only in the more attainable 10-year range.

"Solar cells are electronics with chemistry, so they're a natural market for a chemical company like us to target aggressively," said Mitsubishi Chemical PV Project director Tokitaro Hoshijima.

The company plans to use a coating of small molecule organics, which delivers better performance than the more solution-processed polymers. Hoshijima told NMD that Mitsubishi has developed a unique technology for a material that can be simply coated on and then heat-treated, without need for more costly vacuum deposition. It uses tetrabenzoporphyrin for the p-type semiconductor and a transparent conductive fullerene for the n-type, with efficiency currently of about 3.4%.

Hoshijima says the company aims to sample a 7%-efficient product by 2010, and ultimately hopes to develop a tandem structure to perhaps double the efficiency. "Venture companies can't match the volume production capability of a major integrated chemical producer like Mitsubishi," he noted. Mitsubishi plans to produce the product in Japan, since the labor content in the continuous roll-to-roll process is minimal, and the rolls of product are lightweight and easy to ship.

Who's the main competition? "Because roll-to-roll printing technology is necessary, our rivals will be not the current solar cell makers, but the big chemical and printing companies," said Hoshijima. "The main competition looks like it will not be from the U.S., but rather from China and India."

Long-time crystalline solar cell producer Sanyo, meanwhile, is pouring significant resources into moving up introduction of its microcrystalline thin-film solar cells, with the recent opening of a new Advanced Photovoltaics Development Center in its Gifu chip plant. Center director Makoto Tanaka noted the company is focusing on improved microcrystalline silicon material, for which it has developed a plasma deposition technology with what he says is 10 times better throughput. The plan is to use the microcrystalline film in a tandem structure with an amorphous silicon layer.

"Our target date for volume production was 2012, but in order to move that up, we've decided to invest an additional US $14 million," said Tanaka, bringing total investment in the new center to some US $70M through 2010. He noted that the production ramp should be eased because part of the new process is very similar to that already used in Sanyo's mainstay heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer (HIT) cells, which sandwich a single-crystal silicon substrate between layers of amorphous silicon thin films.

The Gifu plant was the development site for Sanyo's now-discontinued OLED and low temperature poly Si TFT efforts, so its engineers also bring plenty of thin-film manufacturing experience to bear on the thin-film photovoltaics.

Sanyo's target is to reach 12% efficiency, surpassing other silicon thin films, and to cut module costs in half to $1.40/W when the product is introduced, Tanaka told NMD. The real challenge going forward, though, he noted, is to match CdTe thin film on cost.

Sanyo will continue to target its high-efficiency HIT cells (up to 22% in the lab) on space-constrained applications such as roof panels, while aiming the lower cost but less efficient thin-film cells at locations where size is less of an issue. The existing Advanced Energy Laboratory develops the company's crystalline HIT cells separately in Kobe.

[meinolf67]

Showa Shell // CIGS // Japan

aus dem Q-Bericht per 0.6.2008:

[Other businesses]
With regard to the CIS solar battery (a thin-film solar powered cells utilising copper, indium and selenium) business,
Showa Shell Solar K.K., a consolidated subsidiary, started mass production in the latter half of 2007 at the Miyazaki
plant, its first factory, and its second factory is currently under construction with operations scheduled to start in 2009.
“SOLACIS”, our CIS solar powered cells, which has won the second Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award, the Good Design Award for 2007, as well as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) New Energy Award for
2007, has been highly evaluated for its design and spirit of innovation.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.872.510 von meinolf67 am 27.08.08 00:09:25

ist sogar börsennotiert, deswegen habe ich eigenen Thread eingerichtet:

Thread: CIGS-Produzent: Showa Shell Sekiyu

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.872.522 von meinolf67 am 27.08.08 00:10:42

bei der Gelegenheit:

es gibt doch eine Menge mehr börsennotierter Dünnschichtplayer als ich dachte;

produzierende
-Energy Conversion Devices (a-SI)
-Sharp (a-SI)
-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (a-SI)
-Kaneka (a-SI)
-Showa Shell (CIGS)
-Powerfilm (a-SI flex)
-Ersol (a-SI/Oerlikon)

aspirierende
-Ascent (CIGS)
-Daystar (CIGS)


...wem fallen noch mehr ein?

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.872.612 von meinolf67 am 27.08.08 00:20:49

nach der Logik muß ich auch mit aufnehmen:

Q-Cells (a-SI, CdTe, CIGS)
Honda Soltec (CIGS)

[meinolf67]

Supplier

Northfield Automation and Solarcoating Machinery form turnkey roll-to-roll thin film partnership
27 August 2008 | Thin Film: News

Northfield Automation Systems, Inc. and German-based Solarcoating Machinery GmbH have formed a strategic partnership to offer turnkey roll-to-roll thin film production solutions. Start-up Solarcoating Machinery, offers roll-to-roll equipment needed for coating, printing, laminating, packaging and encapsulation of flexible solar cells, while Northfield Automation Systems designs, engineers and fabricates automation equipment for OEMs at all levels of manufacturing.


"We are each highly experienced in our corners of the world and plan to support and learn from each other," noted Brett Reese, President and CEO of Northfield Automation Systems. "We share a common business philosophy of excellent customer service and highly reliable, cost-effective manufacturing solutions that will bring true value to customers."

"We are always seeking innovative ways to meet the needs of the solar energy business community. Establishing a partnership for automation products and services in the United States was our next logical step," commented Thomas Kolbusch, Managing Director, Solarcoating Machinery GmbH.

The companies said that the partnership would create a one point of contact for potential customers, eliminating the need to engage with multiple vendors. The companies also plan to offer on-site technical support and spare parts distribution services.

[cmeise]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.872.612 von meinolf67 am 27.08.08 00:20:49

CIS Solartechnik // D

http://www.cis-solartechnik.de/

CIS Solartechnik ist ein Joint Venture, bei dem die Norddeutsche Affinerie zu 50% beteiligt ist. Ein Vorteil dürfte sein, dass Indium bei der Kupferproduktion mit anfällt. Ab 2009 soll eine 30 MW Produktion beginnen.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.879.350 von cmeise am 27.08.08 16:16:21

Danke, von denen hatte ich lange nichts gehört...

[cmeise]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.879.648 von meinolf67 am 27.08.08 16:34:43

Ja, man ist dort sehr zurückhaltend mit Infos. Heute gab es einen QBericht der Affinerie, dort heisst es lediglich:

Darüber hinaus haben wir die Entwicklung der CIS-Solarzelle zur Serienreife weiter vorangetrieben. Die Planungen für die Errichtung einer Produktionsanlage wurden fortgesetzt. Die endgültige Entscheidung über die Serienfertigung wird bis Jahresende erwartet.

[meinolf67]

AVA Solar // CdTe // USA


AVA Solar schließt Eigenkapitalfinanzierung über 104 Millionen Dollar ab

© Business Wire 2008

(PR-inside.com 28.08.2008 14:46:06)
Drucken Ausdrucken
Artikel weiter empfehlen Per e-Mail empfehlen
- AVA Solar, ein Hersteller für hoch entwickelte photovoltaische (PV) Dünnschichtmodule mit Sitz in Fort Collins, Colorado, verkündete heute, dass es seine zweite Runde zur institutionellen Eigenkapitalfinanzierung abgeschlossen hat. Diese Finanzierung in Höhe von 104 Millionen Dollar wurde vom DCM geleitet und implizierte neue Investoren wie Technology Partners, GLG Partners und Bohemian Companies, LLC, sowie frühere Investoren, einschließlich Invus, LP. Die Geldmittel werden dazu verwendet,
die erste Produktionsanlage von AVA Solar in Longmont, Colorado, fertig zu stellen, die über eine umfassende Kapazität verfügt, um 200 Megawatt an PV-Modulen pro Jahr herzustellen. ,,Ich freue mich sehr darüber, dass wir diese Finanzierung mit einer so angesehenen Gruppe von Investoren abgeschlossen haben", sagte Pascal Noronha, Hauptgeschäftsführer von AVA Solar. ,,Diese Finanzierung wird uns die Möglichkeit geben, umgehende Maßnahmen zu ergreifen, um unsere erste Produktionsanlage zur Herstellung von kosteneffizienten PV-Modulen aufzubauen." Tom Blaisdell, ein aktiver Teilhaber bei DCM, erläuterte dazu: ,,In den vergangenen Jahren haben wir viele Unternehmen kennen gelernt, die die Absicht besaßen, Produkte aus der Solarindustrie zu vermarkten. Unser Engagement gegenüber AVA Solar ist einerseits darauf begründet, dass das Produkt fertig zur Vermarktung ist, und andererseits auf der Tatsache, dass das Management und das Ingenieurteam bereits die Lieferfähigkeit bewiesen haben." Ira Ehrenpreis, ein aktiver Teilhaber bei Technology Partners, fügte hinzu, dass ,,die Herangehensweise von AVA bei dem Herstellungsverfahren einzigartig positioniert ist, um den Anforderungen des Markts gerecht zu werden und großflächige Installationen zu einem Kostenaufwand anbieten zu können, bei dem eine Gitterparität möglich ist." Über AVA Solar AVA Solar, Inc. wurde im Jahr 2007 gegründet, um einen hoch entwickelten Prozess zur Herstellung von photovoltaischen Dünnschichtmodulen marktfähig zu machen. Auf der Grundlage von 15 Jahren Forschung in dem Labor für Materialtechnik der Colorado State University hat AVA Solar ein robustes, kontinuierliches Verfahren im industriellen Maßstab zur Herstellung von Solar-PV-Modulen für einen Kostaufwand von weniger als einem Dollar/Watt entwickelt, durch das die Kosten zur Erzeugung von Solarstrom deutlich reduziert werden.

[meinolf67]

Sunwell // a-SI // Taiwan // Oerlikon

EUPVSEC/Valencia (Spain), 1 September 2008. - Sunwell, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMC Magnetics (Taiwan), today announced the start of mass production at its Taiwan based thin film PV plant. In the past month more than 10,000 solar panels were produced with an Oerlikon Solar end-to-end fabrication solution. All contract parameters for SOP (start of production) were met nearly one month early. This represents a "time to revenue" achievement of less than nine months from delivery of equipment. Once again, Oerlikon Solar is demonstrating that it can deliver on its promises. "It was amazing to see how quickly and professionally Oerlikon Solar experts were able to commission our facility. This experience gives us a great deal of confidence in our plans to expand Sunwell's manufacturing capacity to gigawatt level production in the coming years", states Bob Wong, Chairman of CMC Magnetics. The facility is based on amorphous silicon thin film technology and has a yearly production capacity of 40 MWp.

Sunwell is rapidly gaining market share. The initial tranche of modules is designated to be integrated in a large scale solar farm project; thousands of panels have already been shipped. "With Sunwell in mass production, Oerlikon Solar's first Asian customer is becoming a leading supplier in the rapidly growing Asian thin film solar panel market, and they're doing it with our technology. We see this as an important milestone for both Sunwell and Oerlikon Solar", says Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar.

Demonstration of true partnership
Sunwell and Oerlikon engineers worked in true partnership during installation and production ramp-up. Sunwell engineers have participated in the whole process and successfully resolved critical issues together with Oerlikon experts. In order to keep up with the schedule, the project team worked 24-7 to make sure all important milestones were achieved.

Sunwell has inherited its high quality mass production competitive advantage from its parent company, CMC Magnetics Corporation. CMC has been working with Oerlikon since the optical media days. Oerlikon Solar's state of the art equipment, design and technical assistance together with CMC/Sunwell's manufacturing execution and production optimization expertise produces impressive results. The startup of this facility is another example of world class teamwork between Sunwell and Oerlikon Solar.

Expansion to over 220 MWp underway
Two additional Oerlikon Solar end-to-end fab lines have already been purchased by Sunwell. This will increase Sunwell's yearly production capacity to over 220 MWp by 2010. The two new lines, one 60 MWp for the existing site in Taiwan and one 120 MWp for a second location currently under construction, will be based on the latest Oerlikon Solar technology - micromorph® - improving cell efficiency by up to 50 percent.

TÜV certification as added product value
As announced recently by TÜV Rhineland, one customer of Oerlikon Solar has already been granted IEC 61646 for its amorphous thin film module. TÜV certification provides immediate and significant value to the certificate holder. The time to market for certified modules produced on Oerlikon Solar equipment can be reduced by up to eight months.

Bob Wong: "In addition to reducing time to market, TÜV certification provides us with high level of assurance that modules produced on their equipment will be robustly manufactured." TÜV certified modules are able to command a considerably higher price. In much of the European market, currently the largest market for thin film PV modules, certification is necessary to qualify for renewable incentives.

[meinolf67]

Xunlight (MWOE) // a-SI flex // USA



Roll-to-roll start-up Xunlight gets $11 million of additional financing
01 September 2008 | Thin Film: News

Flexible thin-film, roll-to-roll start-up, Xunlight Corporation, has received a further $11 million in funding from Rabo Ventures, Trident Capital and Emerald Technology Ventures. The extra funds are to be used to help complete and start operations at a 25MW roll-to-roll production line. The firm currently has a 2MW pilot line in operation. Xunlight has received over $40 million in institutional funding during the past 16 months to build out its roll-to-roll production lines.

[meinolf67]

T-Solar // a-SI // Spanien // AMAT


Linde Nippon Sanso To Power Spain_s First Thin Film Solar Plant
Munich/Barcelona, 28 August, 2008 _ Linde Nippon Sanso today announced that it has been awarded the exclusive contract to supply high purity gases to Spain_s first thin film solar cell manufacturing plant set up by T-Solar S.A. in Ourense, Galicia (Spain).

Under this agreement, Linde Nippon Sanso will provide T-Solar with turnkey installation of the plant_s bulk and special gases supply systems and ongoing delivery of the gases essential to making thin film solar cells. These gases include large volumes of silane and hydrogen gas, used to deposit silicon light absorber layers on large area sheets of glass used in solar panels.

_As the search for renewable energy sources gains momentum globally, Linde Nippon Sanso_s collaboration with T-Solar is in line with our mission to enable solar energy to achieve grid parity and become more affordable for mass consumption,_ said Andreas Guenther, President, Linde Nippon Sanso. _T-Solar_s choice of Linde Nippon Sanso as the exclusive supplier reiterates our strengths in advanced gas technologies for thin film manufacturing._

The T-Solar plant, fully operational in mid-2008, is using a new technology that enables the production of giant solar panels _ more than five times larger than those currently produced. This thin film manufacturing technology is expected to lower the cost of solar electricity toward grid parity, making solar energy competitive with conventional grid-supplied electricity.

_The first thin film manufacturing plant places Spain among the front-runners in the global solar energy market,_ said Juan Laso, CEO, T-Solar. _It confirms T-Solar_s commitment to making photovoltaic technology a key contributor to a sustainable approach to power generation.

_We view Linde Nippon Sanso as a strategic long-term partner in our efforts to reduce the cost of thin-film solar cells as also minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing these _ as we strive to bring the benefits of solar energy to the mass-market,_ Laso added.

Solar panels have traditionally been made using silicon semiconductor wafers to absorb light. But standard wafer sizes limit panel size, and the amount of solar energy each panel can capture. Thin film solar production has adapted technology originally developed for the production of thin film, liquid crystal displays to create significantly larger panels that can deliver solar energy at a lower unit cost.

About Linde Nippon Sanso
Linde Nippon Sanso (LNS) is a joint venture of The Linde Group, a leading global gases and engineering group, and Japanese industrial gases company Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. LNS, headquartered in Pullach near Munich, Germany, offers gases, turnkey supply systems and services for numerous applications in semiconductor, solar cell, and optical fibre production.

[SLGramann]

Solibro / CIGS / Deutschland und Malaysia

September 2, 2008

Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany: Solibro Starts Shipments of CIGS Modules

Solibro GmbH has started shipments to customers of its CIGS thin film solar modules. The company has signed supply contracts for almost its entire production with photovoltaic systems market players like HaWi Energietechnik GmbH, SUNOVA AG, Geckologic GmbH, thermovolt AG, and SUNSET Energietechnik GmbH.

“We are excited too see our first modules being installed in the field now”, says Solibro COO Dr. Johannes Segner. “The data from our reference test sites make us confident that the field performance of our products will meet our customers’ demanding expectations.”

Only three months after the ground breaking in August 2007 Solibro started to move equipment in its new production site. In April the first full size module was made and measured. In the same month the company produced its first 11 % full area efficiency modules. Thanks to a smooth ramp-up of production the milestone “first MWp produced” was passed in Mid August. The key performance indicators of production – up-time, yield, throughput and efficiency – are all steadily improving according to plan.

As announced on 13 August by Q-Cells, Solibro will increase the capacity of its plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen from 30 MWp to 45 MWp and build a second production line with a production capacity of 90 MWp. Both expansion projects have already been initiated and first modules from the 90 MW site are expected in Q4 2009.

“The strong demand for Solibro products and the successful ramp-up of production was the basis for the expansion decision. We are eager to support the growth of our customers”, Dr. Segner concludes.

-------------------

Das hätte auch in den Q-Cells-Thread gepasst, aber da schreib ich nicht mehr, denn den hat ein Psycho kaputt gemacht.

Im Moment hat Solibro im Q-Cells-TF-Zoo scheinbar die Nase vorn. Die Erfolge dort halte ich für absolut bedeutsam. Sie sind aber so ca. 6 bis 12 Monate hinter Showa. Die Fab 2 von Showa wird im Juni 2009 laufen - und so wie ich Showa verstehe, dann auch schon richtig und nicht nur Beginn des ramp up (den schätze ich auf Anfang 2009).

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 34.950.831 von SLGramann am 02.09.08 18:51:31

habe ich heute nachmittag schon gemacht

lies' mal im SI-Projekt-Thread was ich ausgegraben habe...


laufende SI-Produktionen nach meiner Kenntnis:
Würth
Showa
Honda Soltec
Global Solar (flex)
Solibro


in Pilotproduktion bzw. Ausbauentscheidung getroffen:
Ascent (flex)
Daystar
Nanosolar
Sulfurcell (CIS)
Miasolé (flex)

lange nichts mehr gehört von:
Johanna
Avancis
Solarion
Odersun
Heliovolt
Centrotherm-Kunden


...wird auf jeden Fall eine spannende Zeit.

Und wer liefert das Indium?

=> Thread: führender INDIUM-Lieferant; Rohstoff für Dünnschichtsolarmodule

[meinolf67]

von New Energy Finance:

STRATEGIC INVESTORS BUY INTO THIN-FILM

The story of the summer for the PV sector has been a series of public market listings up and
down the value chain, with the most recent announcements of IPO plans coming from Swiss
company Edisun Power, Germany's Schott Solar and STR Holdings of the US.

However last week, one of PV’s brightest dark horses changed that script dramatically as
Nanosolar, a developer of copper indium gallium selenide thin-film products, quietly
announced that it had raised a whopping USD 300m in late stage venture capital from a host
of strategic and venture investors.

Nanosolar actually closed the round in March, and let word slip in modest fashion last week,
via a post by CEO Martin Roscheisen on the company blog.

California-based Nanosolar scooped the bulk of the funds from three renewable energy
heavyweights: Electricite de France subsidiary EDF Energies Nouvelles, Carlyle energy fund
Riverstone Holdings, and global solar project development fund AES Solar.

These strategic investors were joined by traditional venture capitalists as well, with new
entrants the Skoll Foundation and Ohana Holdings alongside returning investors GLG
Partners, Beck Energy and Grazia Equity.

A final investor, Lone Pine Capital, is perhaps the most curious, a USD 10bn Greenwich hedge
fund with neither a traditional venture bent, nor any possible strategic interest.

The deal provides a healthy wodge of cash to Nanosolar as it ramps up production from fabs
in the US and in eastern Germany, and also comes with module supply agreements and what
Roscheisen termed “strategic collaboration” – not unexpected given the nature of its biggest
investors.

Nanosolar, which has earlier made noises about its product sweet spot of 2-10MW ground-
mounted projects, has certainly found suitable partners to put its modules in the ground.

According to Roscheisen, the equity investment was the impetus behind AES and Riverstone
forming their JV for PV project development, AES Solar.

It looks to be a virtuous cycle for the thin-film cell-to-panel producer and the project
developers, and in all likelihood a safe play also for early-stage venture investors, who gain
less return-sensitive later-round funders with cash on hand for expansion.

And, while the deal might not immediately vault Nanosolar into the realm of thin film leader
First Solar, it should at least give it a hearty boost.

At a time when other PV firms are streaking towards possibly premature exits through the
public markets, Nanosolar’s strategy, its longer timeline and its burgeoning war chest may
give pause for though to those itching for an early exit.

[meinolf67]

TF-Zulieferer:

CTDC begins commercial production of tin-oxide baseplates for a-Si solar PV modules
05 September 2008 | PV Modules: News
China Technology Development Group (CTDC) has begun commercial production of tin-oxide (SnO2) solar baseplates, a transparent conductive oxide substrate used as a top electrode for amorphous-silicon thin-film photovoltaic solar cells and modules.

The company's first volume manufacturing line, located in the China Merchants Zhangzhou Development Zone near Xiamen, China, will have an annual run rate of 70,000–80,000 plates when it reaches full capacity. CTDC says it expects to expand its capacity to the equivalent of approximately 20-30 MW by 2009.

CTDC and its engineering partners, Terra Solar Global (licensor of the proprietary technology and manufacturing process) and Chinese United Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing, continue to develop advanced TCO processes. The joint efforts have led to the adoption of an advanced heating process and an improved SnO2 spray application, which will contribute to a 50% reduction in energy consumption and higher continuous working hours, as well as producing baseplates with greater electrical conductivity stability, according to the company. Because of the enhancements, the TCO substrates meet international commercial specifications and standards with high transmission, good conductivity, and high haze to better trap light into the amorphous silicon layer of the cell.

Hong Kong-based CTDC entered the solar energy sector in September 2007. The company began testing its products in May 2008 at its R&D pilot-line facility in Jiangsu, China, and shipped its first batch of SnO2 baseplates to China Stream Fund Solar in June.

"We are excited to have reached this milestone in less than a year. This is a big step toward our goal of reaching the full production capacity of our product in the near term," noted Alan Li, chairman/CEO of CTDC. "We expect to continue to meet the growing market demand for solar baseplates. In addition, the production and sales of the baseplates will become a new and stable profit growth point of the company. We aim to substantially raise production capacity of product and reduce production cost through expansion of the production lines, as well as steadily [incorporating] technical innovations."

[meinolf67]

SBD International // a-SI&CIGS // USA

SBD International, Inc. To Build Thin Film Solar Cell (PV) Manufacturing Facility
Friday September 5, 8:00 am ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Management of SBD International, Inc. (OTCBB:SBDL - News) has announced it is planning to build a thin film solar panel plant in Florida to serve the Caribbean and South American markets.


CEO C. Michael Nurse stated, "We have signed a Letter Of Intent with TGI/Solar Power Gr (TSPG) (http://www.tgisolargroup.com/thin-film.html) to be a licensee of their thin film solar panel product and to have TGI Solar 18 be the supplier for an 18 MW capacity plant in Florida. This will enable us to be vertically integrated as a manufacturer and installer of solar panels and related products.”

The plant, when completed in about 18 months, will employ over 200 skilled workers and will be located in Palm Beach County. It is expected that the plant will be partially funded by a bond issue. Bond Counsel or Bond Underwriters have not yet been selected.

Solar 18 thin film panels function in low light conditions, and can generate more energy than other technologies about 10-15% at the same capacity. The panels are encapsulated with EVA and have 100% protection from moisture.

Many States offer tax incentives or refunds for use of solar panels on residences or business. Florida offers up to $20,000 per residential use and up to 100,000 for commercial use.

SBD has identified a number of markets in the Caribbean and South America and the Caribbean which can support small solar facilities up to 5 MW or WTE facilities, and in the next few months management will be meeting with the local power authorities to discuss purchasing agreements for the power generating facilities.

[meinolf67]

Unisolar S.A. // a-SI // Spanien


Solar Thin Films Schedules Delivery and Installation Of 5MW Amorphous Silicon Module Manufacturing Plant For Grupo Unisolar, S.A.
Tuesday September 9, 8:00 am ET
Company Receives Balance of Initial 30% Installment Against $12.3 million Contract

DIX HILLS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Thin Films, Inc. (OTC BB:SLTN.OB - News), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of manufacturing equipment for the production of "thin-film" amorphous silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic modules, has received $3.6 million from Grupo Unisolar, S.A. (“Grupo Unisolar”) against the $12.3 million contract to build a 5MW turn-key amorphous silicon (a-Si) module thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing plant in Spain. With this 30% deposit, Solar Thin Films has moved beyond the planning stage, and has begun to fulfill the contract.

ADVERTISEMENT
Delivery and installation is expected to commence in late 2008 and to be completed during 2009. Solar Thin Films will receive an additional 50% of the $12.3 million dollar purchase price upon delivery of the equipment throughout 2009, and the remaining 20% upon completion and acceptance. Under the terms of the turnkey sale, Solar Thin Films will also provide certain installation and testing services to Grupo Unisolar.

“With this payment, we are ready to move beyond the initial phases of the project and schedule the first deliveries for the fourth quarter. We expect to deliver and install throughout 2009 and to have acceptance late next year,” said Peter Lewis, chief executive officer of Solar Thin Films. “This plant is another opportunity for Solar Thin Films to demonstrate its capabilities and process expertise in producing a complete line of cost-efficient manufacturing equipment for the production of thin-film amorphous silicon modules. The environmental and cost advantages of thin-film a-Si over crystalline silicon and other thin-film technologies is creating many opportunities for us to expand our share of the photovoltaics market and establish Solar Thin Films as a clear leader in supplying cost-effective, thin-film photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment. As thin-film technology continues to advance we anticipate it will play an increasing role relative to crystalline silicon and garner a growing share of the solar power market,” concluded Lewis.

[duckbill]

Hi,
schaue hier gelegentlich mal rein. Da gibt es doch diesen Deutsch-Ami (leider vergessen wie er heißt) der die Solarbeschichtungen aufdruckt, aber noch nicht börsennotiert ist (worüber sich wohl viele ärgern). - Wie findet ihr diese Meldung von Singulus ... da wird offensichtlich nicht gedruckt - aber gesprayt..
eine Expertenmeinung bzw. Bewertung würd mich mal interessieren!
Thanks

09.09.2008

Veröffentlichung einer Corporate News, übermittelt durch die DGAP - ein
Unternehmen der EquityStory AG.

Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pressemeldung
SINGULUS und STANGL
erfolgreich auf der Solarmesse in Valencia

•Neue Beschichtungsanlage für Si Solarzellen erfolgreich im Markt
vorgestellt
•STANGL erhält Auftrag über 4,5 Mio. EUR für nasschemische Anlagen für
Si-Solarzellen
•Großes Interesse an CIS / CIGS Anlagen für Dünnschicht- Solartechnik,
neues ILGAR Verfahren begeistert den Markt

Kahl am Main, 09.09. 2008 -SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG (SINGULUS) und die
STANGL Semiconductor Equipment AG (STANGL), melden eine erfolgreiche
Teilnahme auf der 23. Solarfachmesse in Valencia, Spanien.

Neue Beschichtungsanlage für Si Solarzellen erfolgreich im Markt
vorgestellt !
SINGULUS hat in Valencia mit der Markteinführung der neuen Inline
Beschichtungsanlage für Si-Solarzellen mit dem Produktnamen SINGULAR
begonnen. Die neue Inline-Beschichtungsanlage ist für
eine Kapazität von mehr als 3000 Si-Solarzellen/h ausgelegt. Das
revolutionäre Maschinenkonzept wurde allen bekannten Solarzellenherstellern
vorgestellt. Die Resonanz und die Anzahl der besprochenen Projekte
versprechen eine schnelle Markteinfügung.

Mit der neuen SINGULAR Beschichtungsanlage wird zukünftig die Produktion
der Antireflexschichten auf den Solarwafern automatisiert. Stefan A.
Baustert, CEO der SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG: 'Unser Konzept bietet
zahlreiche Vorteile gegenüber den bis heute verfügbaren Anlagen. SINGULUS
erschließt sich damit ein komplett neues Arbeitsgebiet in dem stark
wachsenden Solarmarkt. Die Si-Solartechnik wird noch über Jahre den weit
größeren Anteil an dem Gesamt-Solarmarkt besetzen.'

STANGL erhält Auftrag über 4.5 Mio. EUR
STANGL hat in Valencia einen Auftrag über SILEX Anlagen für die
nasschemische Reinigung von Si-Solarzellen zur Lieferung an einen großen
asiatischen Solarzellenproduzenten abgeschlossen. Weitere Projekte stehen
kurz vor dem Abschluss.

Großes Interesse an CIS / CIGS Anlagen, neues ILGAR Verfahren begeistert
den Markt
STANGL hat in der CIS / CIGS Dünnschichttechnik mit seinen TENUIS
Beschichtungsanlagen international eine führende Position erreicht. Die
hohe Nachfrage für CIS / CIGS Linien aus der ganzen Welt lässt eine aktive
Projekttätigkeit und ein starkes Nachmessegeschäft erwarten.

STANGL und das Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB),
früher Hahn-Meitner-Institut, haben auf der Solarmesse in Valencia,
Spanien, das neue Spray Ion Layer Gas Reaction Verfahren (ILGAR),
vorgestellt. Das ILGAR Verfahren wird zum Aufbringen von Pufferschichten
aus Indiumsulfid verwendet, die in der Lage sind, das Cadmiumsulfid bei
Dünnschicht-Solarzellen zu ersetzen. Das hohe Interesse während der Messe
zeigt, dass STANGL hier die richtigen Weichen für die wichtigste
Zukunftstechnologie bei der Produktion von CIS / CIGS
Dünnschicht-Solarzellen gesetzt hat.

Kurzprofil STANGL/SINGULUS
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES ist weltweiter Marktführer von Optical Disc
Produktionslinien für CD, DVD sowie Blu-Ray Disc und bietet als
einziger Hersteller die komplette Palette an: Mastering, Molding und
Replikationslinien. Neben der Weiterentwicklung des Kerngeschäftes Optical
Disc ist die Diversifikation in das Arbeitsgebiet Solar die wichtigste
strategische Zielsetzung.

STANGL und SINGULUS werden das Solargeschäft konsequent ausbauen. STANGL
ist heute einer der wenigen Anbieter nasschemischer Anlagen für die
kristalline Silizium-Solartechnik als auch für die
Dünnschicht-Solartechnik. SINGULUS vermarktet seit September dieses Jahres
seine eigene Solar-Beschichtungsanlage, die auf dem Know-how im
Kernbereich Optical Disc aufbaut. Dabei werden die Erfahrung und die
Marktkenntnisse von STANGL genutzt. Im März 2008 konnte für die Entwicklung
dieser neuen Anlage die Firma Q-Cells, der weltweit bedeutendste
Solarzellenhersteller, für eine Partnerschaft und als Schlüsselkunde
gewonnen werden.

In Kombination mit den Anlagen von STANGL wird SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES dann
mit der Nasschemie und der Vakuumbeschichtung gleich zwei wichtige
Anlagenbaugruppen einer Fertigungslinie für kristalline Siliziumsolarzellen
anbieten. Ziel ist es, bei Produktionsanlagen für kristalline Solarzellen
in den nächsten Jahren die Position weltweit auszubauen.

Für weitere Informationen wenden Sie sich bitte an:
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG/ STANGL Semiconductor Equipment
Bernhard Krause, Unternehmenssprecher,
Tel.: + 49 (0) 6181-9828020 / Mobil: + 49 (0) 170 920 29 24

09.09.2008 Finanznachrichten übermittelt durch die DGAP

[duckbill]

Diese Meldung erklärts vielleicht besser...


SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG / Sonstiges

03.09.2008

Veröffentlichung einer Corporate News, übermittelt durch die DGAP - ein
Unternehmen der EquityStory AG.

Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eichenau, 3. September 2008, STANGL Semiconductor Equipment AG (STANGL),
Tochtergesellschaft der SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, und das Helmholtz Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), früher Hahn-Meitner-Institut,
entwickeln ein neues Verfahren zur Anwendung in der Produktion von
Dünnschicht-Solarzellen. Dr. Allsop vom HZB stellt das neue Verfahren auf
der 23. Solarfachmesse in Valencia, Spanien vor.

Diese neu entwickelte Technologie erweitert das Portfolio von STANGL. Das
sogenannte Spray Ion Layer Gas Reaction Verfahren (ILGAR), ist eine neue
Methode für die Produktion von Dünnsschicht-Solarzellen, die am HZB
entwickelt und patentiert wurde. Das ILGAR Verfahren wurde zum Aufbringen
von Pufferschichten aus Indiumsulfid verwendet, die in der Lage sind, das
Cadmiumsulfid bei Dünnschicht-Solarzellen zu ersetzen. Die Spraytechnologie
ist reproduzierbar, schnell aufzubringen und kostengünstig.

STANGL ist heute einer der wenigen Anbieter nasschemischer Anlagen für die
kristalline Silizium-Solartechnik als auch für die
Dünnschicht-Solartechnik. STANGL ist international führend mit seiner
TENUIS Wet Processing Anlage für die Dünnschicht-Solartechnik auf Glas.

STANGL wird die neue Produktionsmaschine exklusiv für ILGAR
Dünnschicht-Solarzellen auf Glas und Folie vermarkten.

Kurzprofil STANGL/SINGULUS
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES ist weltweiter Marktführer von Optical Disc
Produktionslinien für CD, DVD sowie Blu-Ray Disc und bietet als einziger
Hersteller die komplette Palette an: Mastering, Molding und
Replikationslinien. Neben der Weiterentwicklung des Kerngeschäftes Optical
Disc ist die Diversifikation in das Arbeitsgebiet Solar die wichtigste
strategische Zielsetzung.

STANGL und SINGULUS werden das Solargeschäft konsequent ausbauen. STANGL
ist heute einer der wenigen Anbieter nasschemischer Anlagen für die
kristalline Silizium-Solartechnik als auch für die Dünnschicht-Solartechnik
mit jährlichen Wachstumsraten von über 40 %. Bereits 2008 wird von SINGULUS
eine eigene Solar-Beschichtungsanlage vorgestellt, die auf dem Know-how im
Kernbereich Optical Disc aufbaut. Dabei werden die Erfahrung und die
Marktkenntnisse von STANGL genutzt. Im März 2008 konnte für die Entwicklung
dieser neuen Anlage die Firma Q-Cells, der weltweit bedeutendste
Solarzellenhersteller, für eine Partnerschaft und als Schlüsselkunde
gewonnen werden.

In Kombination mit den Anlagen von STANGL wird SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES dann
mit der Nasschemie und der Vakuumbeschichtung gleich zwei wichtige
Anlagenbaugruppen einer Fertigungslinie für kristalline Siliziumsolarzellen
anbieten. Ziel ist es, bei Produktionsanlagen für kristalline Solarzellen
in den nächsten Jahren die Position weltweit auszubauen.

Für weitere Informationen wenden Sie sich bitte an:



STANGL Semiconductor Equipment/SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES
Bernhard Krause, Unternehmenssprecher,
Mobil: + 49 (0) 170 920 29 24

03.09.2008 Finanznachrichten übermittelt durch die DGAP


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sprache: Deutsch
Emittent: SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG
Hanauer Landstrasse 103
63796 Kahl am Main
Deutschland
Telefon: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.singulus.de
ISIN: DE0007238909
WKN: 723890
Börsen: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Stuttgart, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf

Ende der Mitteilung DGAP News-Service

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[meinolf67]

Formosun // a-SI // Taiwan // EPV

11 Sep 2008
Taiwan / Solar
Formosun receives thin film PV orders from major markets

Taiwanese thin film module maker Formosun Solar has received order for its thin film modules from major solar markets but did not mention specifics.

The company, which began production in May 2008 at its Hsinchu, Taiwan plant using technology licensed from US thin film module maker EPV Solar, also announced that it expects International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) approval for IEC61646, IEC61730-1 and IEC61730-2 certification of its products by the end of Q3 2008. Formosun also upped its production target for 2009 to 16MW from the previous 6MW due to “sufficient resources” having been acquired, according to the company’s statement.

[dmax1212]

First Solar hält sich zur Zeit ganz gut im Markt - mal
wieder eine positive Meldung von dem Unternehmen würde der "Kurspflege" auch mal wieder gut tun !

[meinolf67]

Sencera // a-Si // USA

Thin-Film Solar Firm Sencera Completes Equity Investment
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Friday 26 September 2008
email the content item print the content item

Sencera, a developer of photovoltaic modules and thin-film systems, has completed a three-stage, $15.6 million equity investment. The proceeds will be utilized to fund the company’s first 35 MW photovoltaic module factory, located in Charlotte, N.C. Sencera says it will also accelerate the development of its second-generation high-efficiency amorphous microcrystalline silicon solar module.

"This investment will help us outfit the first full manufacturing line and will accelerate process development on our thin-film, silicon-based photovoltaic modules," says Dr. Rusty Jewett, CEO of Sencera.

SOURCE: Sencera

[cmeise]

Solibro - QCells // CIGS // Thalheim

Q-Cells-Tochtergesellschaft Solibro: Kapazitätsausbau in Thalheim um 90 Megawatt, 250 weitere Arbeitsplätze

Die Solibro GmbH wird eine neue Fertigungsstätte für Photovoltaik-Module mit einer Produktionskapazität von 90 Megawatt (MWp) im "Solar Valley" Thalheim in Bitterfeld-Wolfen bauen. Solibro investiert nach eigenen Angaben rund 165 Millionen Euro in die Fabrik und wird damit 250 neue Arbeitsplätze in der Region schaffen, berichtet das Unternehmen in einer Pressemitteilung. Damit werde die Gesamtkapazität der Solibro GmbH am Standort Bitterfeld-Wolfen auf insgesamt 135 MWp erhöht. Der Baubeginn soll noch in diesem Jahr erfolgen und die Auslieferung der Module der neuen Fabrik ist bereits für das 4. Quartal 2009 geplant. Solibro produziert Dünnschicht-Photovoltaik-Module auf Basis einer Kupfer-Indium-Gallium-Diselenid-Technologie (CIGS), die am renommierten Ångström Solar Center an der Universität Uppsala (Schweden) entwickelt wurde. Diese Technologie zeichnet sich durch ein für Dünnschicht-Module relativ hohes Wirkungsgradpotenzial und eine ansprechende Ästhetik aus. Ausschlaggebend für die Entscheidung zum Produktionsausbau in Thalheim seien Standortvorteile, die bereits in der Vergangenheit das schnelle Wachstum des Photovoltaik-Standorts Thalheim begünstigt hätten, heißt es in der Pressemitteilung.

"Solar Valley Thalheim": Kompetenzzentrum der Photovoltaik-Branche

Dazu zähle neben den kurzen Genehmigungsfristen und der Unterstützung durch die lokalen Behörden auch die Förderung der Forschung und Entwicklung sowie der Mitarbeiterqualifikationen in der Solartechnologie durch die Landesregierung Sachsen-Anhalt. Auch dank dieser Unterstützung habe sich das „Solar Valley Thalheim“ zu einem bedeutenden Kompetenzzentrum der Photovoltaik-Branche entwickelt. "Mit dem Ausbauschritt wird die Zukunft des Unternehmens in einem rasch expandierenden Markt- und Wettbewerberumfeld gesichert", sagt Solibro-Geschäftsführer Dr. Johannes Segner. "Unser Fokus liegt auf dem Beschleunigen von verschiedenen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben zur Verbesserung der Produktionseffizienz und des Modulwirkungsgrades. Darüber hinaus bewirken umfangreiche Maßnahmen der Weiterqualifikation eine berufliche Entwicklung der Mitarbeiter auf höchstem Niveau", so Segner weiter.

Quelle: Solarserver.de

[meinolf67]

NeST Hi-Tek Park Pvt. // a-Si // Indien


EPV SOLAR To Build Solar Plant In India
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Friday 19 September 2008
email the content item print the content item

NeST Hi-Tek Park Pvt. Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding with EPV SOLAR to set up a manufacturing facility for silicon solar panels in India.

"The new facility is being designed to have a potential total annual capacity of up to 420 MW, which EPV anticipates can be achieved over three additional phases and within four years of commencing operations," according to NeST.

The facility will be built in the high-tech park being co-developed by NeST under an agreement with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Authority.

SOURCE: India Times

[meinolf67]

über Solyndra konnte man in den letzten Wochen so Einiges lesen; hier ein guter Überblick:

SOLYNDRA // CIGS-tubular // USA



Emerging from stealth, Part I: Solyndra rolls out solar PV cylinders to blanket commercial rooftops
07 October 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots


But Solyndra has finally let the sunshine in, decloaked, come out of the closet, opened up its kimono--even if it hasn't quite changed some of its stealthy ways. In a well-planned media and analyst rollout, the public now knows that for this copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film PV manufacturer, the world--or at least its solar-module form factor--is not flat.

While Solyndra, like many TFPV purveyors, still loves glass as a substrate, the company's meter-long CIGS-coated cylindrical modules look like a fluorescent light-bulb tube, not just another rectangular slab of the smooth stuff. OMG, Solyndra's cells are indeed tubular!

The company invited me to come by last week and see what all the fuss was about, as long as I honored the press embargo. No problem, though I did push for a facility tour as well as a sitdown with Solyndra muckedy-mucks. When I arrived, signing in and getting a visitor's badge for this secretive company involved touch-screening one of those standard Sili Valley NDAs and then standing still for a photo. First time I'd had a visitor's badge (OK, sticker) with my own mug insta-printed on it.

Chris Gronet and Kelly Truman, the company's CEO and VP of marketing/sales/business development (and both former Applied Materials men), told me how Solyndra is targeting the commercial rooftop sector. Gronet says the market potential adds up to 30 billion square feet in the U.S. alone, translating into potential electricity capacity of 150 GW and a PV market of around $650 billion.

With more than a billion square feet of CoolRoof and other reflective roofing material already being put down every year in the U.S., the opportunity to turn rooftop space into revenue-generating PV exists today. You'll get no argument from this reporter on whether there's ample space for putting PV on thousands and thousands of warehouse, retail, and manufacturing rooftops in the U.S. and elsewhere.

But Solyndra thinks its technology and installation advantages make it very competitive in what could be a most lucrative market opportunity.

Gronet pulled one of the tubular modules out of a metal carrier box, something looking similar to what might hold a pool cue or hunting rifle, to show me the critical element that has captured the attention of those venture capitalists and private equity investors who've sunk about $600 million so far into Solyndra.

The glass cylinder is black and about an inch or so in circumference, and is actually a tube within a tube. One can see that the inner CIGS portion of the monolithically integrated device has a series of swirling helical scribe lines, differentiating the 150 cells within. Between the inner and outer glass cylinders, a common industrial liquid described by the exec as an "optical coupling agent" fills the cavity and actually creates a modest concentrator effect--about 1.5x--when struck by sunlight.

There are no moving parts, as the sunlight automatically refracts through the outer tube to the inner substrate where the absorber layers do their thing. The endcaps are the only mechanical part, which are hermetically sealed using a proprietary glass-to-metal process (with no elastomers involved) that is moisture sealed and even helium-leak-tested, according to the chief exec.

Being tubular has its advantages when it comes to PV, says Gronet. Photons are not only collected directly from all angles, a kind of "self-tracking" mechanism, but diffused light is also harvested from almost every direction, and the sun's rays that don't get absorbed by the PV cylinder at first are captured when they reflect off the white membrane underneath. The circular design also provides convective cooling advantages, and the tubes don't get as dirty on the roof as conventional flat plate units.

When pressed about the thicknesses of the various film layers, Gronet claims Solyndra "has the thinnest layers of anyone out there...the absorber layer is about a factor of 2 thinner" than competing technologies. Since the CIGS stack is generally in the 1.0 to 2.5 micron range, and you can't go too much thinner than a micron, it's likely Solyndra is achieving something slightly submicron with its coevaporation process. By using less of the active materials, the company reduces its deposition process times and thus might boost throughputs and bring down overall manufacturing costs.

As for conversion efficiencies, the CEO cites figures in the "12-14% range" for the inner cell. But he wouldn't discuss the module or panel level numbers, saying that "we don't measure efficiency at the module level" because of the widely varying "rooftop efficiencies" caused by different temperature, wind, and sun conditions. He also stressed the company's focus on the system as a whole, not the components therein.

While much of the solar industry uses "module" and "panel" interchangeably, Solyndra has instituted its own differentiating nomenclature. Forty of the tubes or "modules" are mounted in what Solyndra calls its "panel," a 1.8 meter long by 1.08 meter wide, relatively simple nonpenetrating framework that sits flat about a foot off the roof. The whole shebang weighs about 32 kg (70 lbs).

solyndra_roofTraditionally, the total expense of installed PV comes about half from the price of the manufactured panel and half from the cost of installation. While Gronet would not disclose Solyndra's current or projected cost per manufactured watt for its modules and panels, he did tout the system's simple design, ease of installation, and superior electricity output per rooftop.

He says that customers have validated that the Solyndra racks can be installed in one-third the time of a normal flat plate PV system, at about half the cost. The panels are easy to carry, and the proprietary mount hardware can be bolted down with simple hand or power tools. It doesn't take much time to place the panels, plug in the DC connectors, and set up the ground strap. To connect one panel to another, a clip does the trick.

Each nonpenetrating system is self-ballasted. The mounting design follows the contours of the average not-so-flat flat roof, Truman told me, and allows the panels to sit over most low-lying obstructions.

A team of five workers can install about 40 KW of Solyndra panels in a day, according to Gronet, and the system is as easy to take apart as it is to put together, offering mobility and flexibility for those who might want to move the PV to another location or do some work on the roof itself.

There's a stellar view of the East Bay foothills and Solyndra's own 50-KW PV array atop the white reflective membrane-covered roof of the building next door to the CIGS fab. As you look off over the dozens of panels covering the space, the gaps between the tube modules begin to blur, especially as the sun dips lower, creating an illusion of flat-plate solidity.

Without too much imagination, one can envision acres and megawatts of tubular PV panels stretching over rooftop upon rooftop, transmitting renewable electrical juice to the buildings they perch on, while adding to Solyndra's burgeoning revenue stream.

When you enter Solyndra's Fab 1, you notice a few things right off the bat. It's a biggish facility, but not mega-scale, with about 180,000 square feet of factory floor and related manufacturing space. Floorspace is at a premium, with not much room left for any more tools. The conditions are tidy, but not ultraclean, nowhere near the stringent contamination control specs of a semiconductor or a hard-disk-drive fab. As a result, there's not a bunny-suited worker in sight, just employees garbed in the more comfortable mufti of booties, lab-coat smocks, goggles, and hardhats for the most part.

The place is loud but not cacophonous, bright but not migraine-inducing. Under the high ceiling, overhead cranes swing around, slick and shiny custom-made process machinery churns away (or not) within clear modular separation walls, and workers shout to each other or share a laugh.

The fab is highly automated, with robots and conveyor systems of various sizes and shapes--from AGVs scurrying past on the floor to large, strong-armed palletizing robots, their limbs moving around with that mindless yet almost anthropomorphic precision of the industrial robot class. Scores of 25-high stacks of tube-module trays, each holding 48 CIGS PV cylinders, are grouped on the floor in various spots.

The company took the keys to the Fremont facility in February 2007, and after some construction and equipment installation, had its first PV tube modules coming off the line by late summer of that year, according to my tour guide, company VP of sales/marketing/biz dev Kelly Truman. Over the next year, the team focused on improving tube performance and enhancing yields. His boss, CEO Chris Gronet, told me earlier that the first volume shipments of Solyndra's panels began in July 2008 and that 10 beta sites are running in the U.S. and Europe to validate the systems' performance.

The company puts a nameplate capacity of 110 MW on what it calls its "front-end" fab. It has borrowed this terminology from the chipmaking realm to differentiate its core CIGS tube production from the "back-end" processing down the road in Milpitas, where an outer tube sheaths the inner one, the units' endcaps are plugged in and sealed, the optical coupling liquid is injected between the inner and outer tubes, and the finished cylinder modules are inserted in the panel arrays, 40 at a time. (I didn't tour the back-end plant, but I have seen the video.)

Because Solyndra's front-end fab building once housed a succession of HDD fabs and thus has not been purpose built for the company's process-- or as my Truman put it, "the building was not built from scratch to fit the tools." The floorplan isn't bad, especially with the level of automation helping out, but the flow is less than optimal. He told me that in the second factory, they "will do the layout optimally for the logistics."

He leads me around to the large, multi-dunk-tank cleaning equipment where the incoming soda-lime glass tubes are cleaned and prepped for process. Truman pointed out that there's quite a bit of worldwide capacity with this kind of glass, since the medtech and pharma crowd have been switching over to plastic for their test tubes and vials.

"Unlike conventional panels, where there seems to be a bit of a fuss about the availability of flat panels of glass, we actually have a segment of the glass industry where there's an excess of supply," he related.

The robots transport the tubes to the molybdenum deposition tool, where, like with CIGS on flat glass or flexible foil, the metallic back contacts are put down on the glass substrates. The individually RFIDed tubes are rotated, with careful attention to film uniformity. The Solyndra fab boasts a proprietary manufacturing control system with an arsenal of sensors, creating a closed-loop metrology system reminiscent of a flat-panel display or chipmaking plant.

"We have alot of custom metrology in these things," Truman explained proudly. "At every step of the way every tube is tested, whether's it's in deposition or scribing for the monolithic integration. Even during our monolithic integration steps, there are metrology devices on the head of the scribing machines measuring a variety of properties as we go along. Every tube is tracked through the automation system and through every aspect of the deposition--each tube has its own identifier."

With six 70-MW lines slated for that new facility, soon to start construction just several hundred meters up Kato Road from Fab 1 on what is now a 30-acre vacant lot, the new place will be able to take full advantage of that touted full automation/advanced process control approach.

After the moly layers are deposited and a quick patterning-step stop, the PV cylinders are robotically schlepped to the most important equipment set on the floor--the CIGS absorber tool. Solyndra designed and built (with the help of subcontractors) the 45-MW system, which boasts an impressive footprint, stretching about 100 feet. The company uses the coevaporation approach to laying down its copper, indium, gallium, and (di)selenide, because, as CEO Chris Gronet reminded me, the highest conversion efficiencies for CIGS have been achieved using that type of deposition process.

Once the CIGS film stack has been put down (which Solyndra claims is a factor of two thinner than anyone else's layers), the tubes move to the junction partner/buffer layer tool. The company uses a proprietary wet solution process for this, in which the tubes are spray-coated with nanometer-scale layers of cadmium sulfide (although there's apparently work going on to make the buffer cadmium-free). Finally, the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) topcoat, reportedly an optimized i-ZnO/Al:ZnO cocktail, is sputtered as the last film in the process.

Then it's off to the laser-scribing tools (again based on Solyndra's own IP) for the monolithic integration process. Truman told me that the scribes, done six tubes at a time, are mostly helical, with "one linear scribe done at the very end to define each cell." He shows me how the individual cells, rather than being cylindrical per se, are slightly curved. Searching for a term descriptive of the shape, we hit on "croissant."

Before the cylinders are sent down to the back-end facility for packaging and paneling, each and every one of them is tested for its performance, electrical output, and the like on a tool familar to any PV manufacturer--the bright pulsing lights of the solar simulator.

Before we exited the factory floor, I asked Truman about the company's intellectual property and whether it might consider licensing its technology at some point. "We have a significant IP portfolio," he told me. "Four patents have been issued, multiple ones have been published, and there a large number of submitted applications. Among the ones that have been issued, there's one in particular that's very broad and fundamental, which basically says that if you put cells in series on an elongated object, the patent covers that.

"At this point, everything we've done is organic, we've not licensed anything internally nor have we approached anyone about licensing anything. We see the capacity expansion being done through own growth, not through licensing in the near term." Gronet said that once Fab 2 is built and running at volume, the company will eventually start looking for other manufacturing sites.

Now that Solyndra has emerged from stealth mode and I've seen its once-mysterious Fab 1 with my own eyes, the question growled in a Tom Waits' song a few years back, "what the hell are they building in there?" has been answered. While the facility may be impressive and the company's gameplan not without serious merit, there are unanswered questions and clarifications that Chris Gronet and this team will need to address at some point.

After hearing the Solyndra story from CEO Chris Gronet and VP Kelly Truman, touring the front-end factory floor, and seeing the 50-KW demonstration system on the roof, I must admit that I am impressed by the cylindrical CIGS company. The pairing of its unique and compelling form factor and significantly lower installation costs could be a winning combination in the lucrative low-slope commercial rooftop PV market.

But there are several areas of concern in need of clarification, so one can more comprehensively evaluate whether Solyndra's prospects for success are indeed, er, tubular.

For starters, I will make no attempt to analyze the possible impact of the current meltdown of the financial system on Solyndra, other than to state the obvious: it will be more difficult to raise capital and open lines of credit in the coming months.

But there is one place where dollars are involved that Solyndra needs to be more open about. Although there's been ample lip service paid to the company's ability to drive toward a variety of definitions of unsubsidized grid parity, Gronet and this team have yet to reveal any hard numbers as to the retail (or wholesale) price tags of the panels and systems. It would be helpful to know what the darn things cost!

They won't talk about their current cost-per-watt manufacturing metric, let alone the roadmap to getting to that buck-a-watt sweetspot and beyond. They may have a fully automated, highly controlled, even high yielding factory and a proprietary process that uses less absorber materials than other CIGS schemes, but what I saw on the fab floor did not strike me as a disruptively inexpensive approach. Three out of the four main process steps use vacuum deposition, the other (for the junction partner/buffer layer) employs a wet-spray technique--none of which screams "low-cost manufacturing solution."

The claimed 12-14% conversion efficiencies for Solyndra's tube modules are certainly competitive with other CIGS, CdTe, and amorphous-silicon TFPV players and even match up well with the low end of the crystalline silicon module spectrum. But what's lacking is a third-party, NREL or NREL-like evaluation of the tubes' efficiencies, let alone any efficiency numbers for the panels. And just because one's champion cells or modules achieve a certain conversion efficiency doesn't necessarily reflect the tightness of one's overall efficiency distribution curve.

Yes, the actual geographics and climatic placement of the PV systems have a big impact on their ultimate efficiencies and at the end of the day, it's about the electricity produced by the panels, not just how well they convert those photons to electrons. But there's a bit of gamesmanship in Solyndra's refusal to play by the established rules of stated conversion efficiencies. And speaking of the photovoltaically created voltage streaming from those panels, just how much juice might be flowing?

The ingenious glass-to-metal sealed end-cap on each tube seems to be an elegant, robust approach to keeping CIGS-killing moisture out. But can the hermetically sealed caps survive the necessary 20-25 years and demonstrate the level of reliability needed to compete with silicon and other thin-film PV? The Solyndra systems have all been run through their testing paces, and they apparently passed with flying colors. But testing's one thing, actual field life is another. And silicon's got a decades-long head start.

Then there's the question of scaleability. The initial 40-MW line in Fab 1 is running at a pretty high capacity, I'm told. The second line--the to-be-standard 70 MW--is still a work in progress, with a limited amount of product coming off of it and heading for the back-end facility. Some tools are still in what Truman called "various stages of startup." The plan is to build out capacity in the second fab (and future ones) in increments of 70 MW, cookie cutter-style.

But first the Solyndra crew has to crank up the initial 70-MW line in a timely, high-yielding manner. Some CIGS aficionados question the ultimate ability of a coevaporation-style process like that in use at the Fremont fab to scale economically to high volume. At the end of the day, nameplate ain't run rate. PV factories of many flavors are notorious for their low capacity utilization numbers, and CIGS companies still have yet to prove their high-volume, 100 MW-plus production mettle.

I ran some idealized numbers based on the limited production-metric data that have been provided by Solyndra, to see how the math worked on a unit versus megawatt basis. If the panels are 180 W peak and each panel contains 40 tube modules, then each tube is 4.5 W or so. A quick punch of the calculator reveals that it takes 5555 panels (with 222,000 tubes) to fill out a megawatt's worth of PV.

Solyndra has stated that it can run one tray of 48 tubes through the main process every 100 seconds or so. If we extrapolate that for a year, with the line running full bore 24/7, that comes out to 41,472 tubes per day, or 1036.8 panels, leading to an annual rate of 378,432 panels. Divide that 5555 into the larger number, and the answer comes to 68.1 MW, pretty darn close to that stated 70-MW nameplate capacity.

I know these are strictly back o' envelope calculations, with little relation to real world manufacturing conditions. I don't think Solyndra will hit 100% yields and achieve 100% uptimes with its toolsets. But it does offer a rough estimate.

Another figure cited by Solyndra is its supposed ability to process 50 panels per hour on its back-end line. So let's do the math: that's 1200 panels per day, 8400 per week, and 436,800 annually. Divide that hypothetical (very very hypothetical) yearly output figure by 5555 ppMW and you end up with 78.6 MW's worth of those cylindrically equipped panels--still a figure within the range of relatively benign deviation from that 70-MW mark.

Despite my outburst of number crunching, the theme underlying all these concerns remains this: Solyndrans, show us (more of) your data!

With $1.2 billion in orders already booked, the likes of customers Phoenix Solar and Solar Power Inc. must obviously believe in the company and its product, or they wouldn't have agreed to put up hundreds of millions of dollars to buy the stuff. But Solyndra must now demonstrate a First Solar-like laser focus on executing the ramp of its first fab and then building, equipping, and scaling its planned six-line, 420-MW factory in order to take its place in the photovoltaic pantheon.

[meinolf67]

Signet Solar // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT


October 13, 2008 05:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Signet Solar Starts Volume Production of Large Area Silicon Thin Film Solar PV
Modules
First Final Acceptance Test Certification of Applied Materials SunFab™ Thin Film Line Achieved in Only Seven
Months After Start of Installation
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Signet Solar, a global manufacturer of thin film silicon photovoltaic
(PV) modules, today announced that it has begun volume production at its manufacturing facility in Mochau,
Germany, after receiving Final Acceptance Test (FAT) certification from SGS Germany GmbH, one of Europe's
leading providers of certifications, accreditations and approvals. Applied Materials, Inc., a leading provider of
nanomanufacturing technology solutions and supplier of the SunFab™ production line to Signet, hailed the FAT
approval as a significant step in the industrialization of solar photovoltaics.
“Commencing volume production just 15 months after breaking ground has validated our strategy to bring
rapidly scalable and affordable thin film silicon PV technology to market with proven equipment set and
mainstream materials. Signet’s technology and manufacturing platform provides both gigawatt scale and low
cost, leading to grid parity,” said Rajeeva Lahri, CEO of Signet Solar. “We are delighted to work with Applied
Materials in this endeavor to make silicon thin film solar PV an affordable energy source for the mass market.”
Applied Materials is a leader in solar photovoltaic manufacturing systems and technology and is the only
supplier that can deliver a fully integrated production line capable of producing large 5.7m2 PV modules. In May
of 2008, Signet Solar fabricated the first 5.7m2 thin film solar PV module at its factory near Dresden--a record
setting ten months from the start of construction. Leveraging Applied Materials’ proven equipment and PV
technology expertise as the platform technology, Signet Solar’s engineering team has met all throughput,
uptime and line yield specifications just seven months after installing the SunFab line.
“We congratulate Signet on their management of such a fast and successful ramp,” said Mike Splinter,
president and CEO of Applied Materials. “Working together our teams have achieved this important industry
milestone. As the first production panels start to roll off the line we are demonstrating a strong new capability to
scale solar production to meet the world’s demand for cost-effective, clean electricity.”
Signet has produced over 2,000 solar PV modulesduring its pilot production period and expects to now ramp to
full production capacity of 20 MW per year. Signet plans to continue to increase capacity at the German facility
to reach up to 130 MW by the end of 2009. Through partnerships with Applied Materials, solar PV solution
providers and energy producers, Signet is working to become the global leader in thin film photovoltaic module
production and delivery. The applications of Signet Solar products include: solar farms, large commercial
installations, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and remote habitation.

[meinolf67]

Telio Solar // CIGS // USA+Korea


Michael Kanellos
A New CIGS Company Emerges: Telio Solar October 9, 2008 at 12:15 PM

Just when you thought the market for copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar panels might be overheated and overcrowded, here’s another name for you: Telio Solar Technologies.

Telio is a something of a South Korean-U.S. venture. It was founded by Gapseong Noh, a chip expert, and Chriss Hwang, an expert in OLED manufacturing. Both attended college in South Korea, grad school in the U.S. and have worked at various companies with operations in one or both countries. The same goes for several other members of the management team.

The company, which is based in Los Altos, recently completed the construction of pilot line in South Korea for manufacturing CIGS cell measuring 300 millimeters by 300. It wants to have a commercial manufacturing facility up and running by the first half of 2009 that will produce 600mm x 1200mm modules. The company hopes to have 10 MW of manufacturing capacity by next year and 30 MW in 2010.

The company’s Website says it can achieve efficiencies of 13 percent, which is higher than is currently being made by companies already making CIGS cells like Nanosolar. Telio uses thin-film deposition technology to deposit the chemicals. The above picture is a shot of their equipment. (note: we spoke to Peter Kim, vp of operations, later in the day. See more details here.)

It also has strong connections Stanford. The advisory panel includes William Miller (former Stanford Provost, CEO Emeritus of SRI, and active in the very intriguing startup Nanostellar), David Kreps (professor of economics) and Alan Fahrenbruch (longtime researcher at Stanford.). In that area code, Miller’s name alone is probably good enough to attract piles of VC money. I’m not sure who has invested in Telio, but I have a good guess and will try to tell you soon.

Although South Korea hasn’t been a strong player in solar yet – it will be. Solar panels are similar in many ways to LCD TVs and OLED screens and South Korea, largely due to LG and Samsung, is one of the leading centers in display research and manufacturing. LG this Summer announced that it will make solar panels while one of Samsung’s subsidiaries has started building solar power plants. Expect to hear more about Samsung manufacturing panels too.

In case you were wondering, CIGS funding is officially into the billions. Five CIGS companies raised over $344 million through 2007. This year, Nanosolar raised $300 million alone while Solydra says it has raised $600 million (that total includes $72 million raised before this year.) SoloPower raised $200 million, according to some reports, earlier this year.

And let’s not forget the big players like Avancis (a Shell- Saint Gobain joint venture) and BP Solar that participate in CIS and CIGS (CIS is CIGS without the gallium.) that can likely weather things like a global credit crunch better than any of the startups.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 35.572.376 von meinolf67 am 15.10.08 07:55:36

Telio Solar // CIGS // USA+Korea


Michael Kanellos
Telio Solar, Pt. 2: A Company Exec Details the Strategy October 9, 2008 at 3:16 PM

Our manufacturing is better.

That is, in essence, the business plan of Telio Solar Technologies, a relatively new and relatively unknown maker of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells. We wrote about the company earlier today and have now spoken to Vice President of Operations Peter Kim.

The company has devised a co-evaporation manufacturing process (evaporation plus chemical deposition) that will result in inexpensive CIGS cells with comparatively high efficiency, Kim said. The company has licensed its CIGS chemistry formula from the Institute of Energy Conversion at the University of Delaware. Telio’s own intellectual property revolves around how to manufacture cells in large volumes: executives from the company come from some of the large LCD makers in South Korea. (Side note: the IEC is also working on CIGS on flexible substrates with Dow Corning.)

Before the end of the year, Telio wants to produce a 300mm x 300mm prototype with around a 10 percent efficiency.

By the beginning of 2010, it wants to be in mass production with a 30-MW facility. The solar cells coming out of the factory then are expected to have an efficiency of 13 percent. Telio is also shooting to be on par with thin-film specialist First Solar. (First Solar hovers around $1 per watt for a module, not including the other costs that go into putting out a solar system.)

By 2015, the company wants to be producing solar cells with a 15 percent or higher efficiency for something close to 70 cents a watt. The shots below are from the prototype factory.

The company will primarily focus on producing large modules for utility solar farms, similar to the kinds of things being made by First Solar (cadmium telluride solar cells), Signet Solar and the other Applied Materials client states (amorphous silicon.)

“Our focus is on the large glass substrate,” Kim said. “We are really focused on mass manufacturing.”

The company was only started in late 2007. It raised $3 million and with that built a prototype production line in South Korea. In the CIGS world, that is both quick and cheap. It will try to raise another round soon. William Miller, the CEO Emeritus of SRI, is an adviser.

While the company still has a ways to go, it will be interesting to see what happens and how the collective experience it has in LCDs and semiconductors play out.

[meinolf67]

HelioVolt // CIGS-flex // USA


HelioVolt Hires Vice President Of Sales And Marketing
in News Departments > People
by SI Staff on Wednesday 17 September 2008
email the content item print the content item

HelioVolt Corp., a producer of thin-film solar energy products, has appointed Haresh P. Patel vice president of sales and marketing. He will direct the planning and execution of global sales and marketing efforts, along with driving related technology development for the company's solar products.

Patel joins HelioVolt with more than 20 years of sales experience at both emerging and established electronics technology companies, including Agilent Technology, PMC Sierra and Texas Instruments.

[meinolf67]

GlobalSolar // CIGS-flex // USA


Global Solar Energy Earns IEC Certification
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Wednesday 15 October 2008
email the content item print the content item

Global Solar Energy Inc., a manufacturer of thin-film solar cells for glass modules or flexible material products, says the International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) has awarded the company certification of its solar modules utilizing copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS).

Delivered by the Arizona State University Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory, the IEC 61646 certification confirms that Global Solar's modules adhere to the commission's stringent requirements for functional and mechanical capabilities for long-term operation and open-air environments.

Source: Global Solar Energy Inc.

[meinolf67]

Ritek+Scheuten // CIGS // Taiwan


Venlo, den 14. Oktober 2008


P R E S S E B E R I C H T

Joint-Venture zwischen Scheuten und Ritek betritt
Weltmarkt für Dünnfilm-Solarzellen


Die im August unterzeichnete strategische Vereinbarung zwischen Scheuten, einem weltweit
aktiven Hersteller von Solarmodulen, und Ritek, dem tonangebenden Produzenten optischer
Medien und OLEDs, wird fortgesetzt. Beide Parteien haben sich zu einer weitergehenden
Zusammenarbeit entschlossen und während der "Joint Venture Agreement Signing
Ceremony" im Taipei Sheraton am 14. Oktober 2008 einen Joint-Venture-Vertrag
unterzeichnet. Namens Scheuten unterschrieben Léon Giesen (CEO Scheuten Group) und
Frans van den Heuvel (CEO Scheuten Solar). Für Ritek war dies Gordon Yeh (CEO der
Gruppe). Scheuten und Ritek werden für die Herstellung von CIGS-Dünnfilm-Solarzellen ein
Joint-Venture mit einem Stammkapital von anfänglich NT$ 600 Mio. gründen, wovon beide
Parteien je die Hälfte einbringen.


Das neue Joint-venture wird seinen Sitz in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, haben. Produktionsanlagen
für 30 MW Jahreskapazität werden gegen Ende des Jahres 2008 fertig gestellt sein. Danach
soll die Produktion jährlich verdoppelt werden, um 2010 eine Kapazität von 120 MW zu
erreichen. Mit der Perspektive eines wachsenden Marktes besteht die Möglichkeit, die
Produktion auszuweiten.

Als strategische Partner haben Scheuten und Ritek eine gemeinsame Vision der Zukunft der
Solarindustrie sowie von ihren Rollen als Entwickler von neuen Technologien.
Scheuten hat dank ausgezeichneter Produkte einen weltweiten Kundenkreis für kristalline
Silizium- Solarmodule, und entwickelt selbst mit großem Aufwand zukunftsweisende
Dünnfilm- CIS- Module.
Dank der Dünnfilm-Technologie, die für die Produktion optischer Medien und OLEDs
notwendig ist und als Hersteller von Maschinen für CIGS Beschichtung verfügt Ritek über
ausgezeichnetes Know-how der Anwendung von CIGS Beschichtungen.

Die Synergie der strategischen Ausrichtungen beider Firmen wird dem Joint-venture wird zu
einer optimalen Wettbewerbsposition verhelfen.

[meinolf67]

Avancis // CIGS // Deutschland


Mit über 300 geladenen Gästen aus Wirtschaft und Politik feierte AVANCIS am 14. Oktober die Eröffnung seines Werkes in Torgau. Hier werden ab sofort dünnschichtige Solarmodule ohne Einsatz von Silizium gefertigt. Stattdessen bestehen die Schichten aus Kupfer, Indium und Selen. Diese so genannte CIS –Technologie wurde in der Münchner Forschungsabteilung des Unternehmens entwickelt.

In seiner Rede betonte der CEO von AVANCIS, Hartmut Fischer: "Diese Fabrik ist das fortschrittlichste, was zurzeit im CIS-Dünnschichtbereich in Produktion ist. Nirgendwo macht man es besser. Nicht einmal im Silicon Valley. Wir haben unsere langjährige Produktionserfahrung aus der 3 MW CIS-Fabrik in Camarillo im Staate Kalifornien und der Entwicklung in München in das Design des Produktes und des Werkes einfließen lassen. Entstanden ist ein Produkt der zweiten CIS-Dünnschichtgeneration mit schwerer Schneelast-Klasse und exzellentem Energieertrag. PowerMax® wird den höchsten Ansprüchen an Qualität, Wirtschaftlichkeit und Ästhetik gerecht."

AVANCIS hat in der ersten Stufe 85 neue Arbeitsplätze am Produktionsstandort Torgau geschaffen. Im kommenden Jahr werden laut Unternehmsangaben noch 45 dazukommen. Weitere 30 Mitarbeiter sind am Forschungs- und Entwicklungsstandort in München beschäftigt. Es wird mit einer Jahreskapazität von zwanzig Megawatt gerechnet.

AVANCIS ist ein Joint Venture von Shell und Saint-Gobain mit Sitz in Torgau, Sachsen. Das Unternehmen entwickelt und produziert Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodule auf CIS-Basis (Copper-Indium-Selenide). Der innovative Herstellungsprozess basiert auf der CIS-Technologie der zweiten Generation, die als potenziell hochwettbewerbsfähig gilt. Mit ihr wird man sich aus der Fertigung mit kristallinem Silizium lösen können, die in den letzten Jahren unter Rohstoffknappheit litt. AVANCIS kombiniert das umfangreiche Know-how aus Forschung und Produktion von Shell im Bereich CIS-Dünnschicht-Technologie und Saint-Gobains Wissen in der Herstellung von Glas und Baumaterialien.

[meinolf67]

Optisolar // a-SI flex? // USA


OptiSolar to Turn on Solar Power Soon
Written by Katie Fehrenbacher
5 Comments
Posted October 17th, 2008 at 12:00 am in Hitlines,Startups

While OptiSolar, the solar photovoltaic startup that scored that massive deal with California utility PG&E, is remaining mum on the details of its technology, the company did confirm with us that it expects its solar power plant in Sarnia, Ontario, to start producing power before the end of the year — that’s within a 10 week or so window. This is the first of six, 10 MW solar farms that the company plans to build and it is the first installation of OptiSolar’s technology.

We met up with Alan Bernheimer, OptiSolar’s V-P of corporate communications, this week at the Solar Power International conference in San Diego, where he told us that construction of this first phase of the Sarnia farm will likely be completed in early 2009. The company has a broader contract to sell more than 200 MW of power to Ontario Power Authority.

After Sarnia, OptiSolar will get cracking on its Topaz solar plant, in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., which looks to be the largest photovoltaic utility deal around with 550 MW. Construction on Topaz is planned to start in 2010, electricity generation could start in 2011, and the plant could be finished by 2013.

Bernheimer says the company isn’t worried about the financial turmoil as of late as the company won’t be raising financing to build its Topaz plant for another 12-18 months. OptiSolar appears to have already raised enough cash — reportedly close to $200 million — though it won’t comment on its financing. More important than the credit crunch, Bernheimer says was congress passing the renewable energy tax credits, which the entire industry is relieved about. Bernheimer noted that even their utility partner PG&E was concerned about that.

So what makes OptiSolar so special that it snagged a historic deal in the face of a lot of competition? We’re still not sure, but Bernheimer says their ability to produce their thin film photovoltaics at a low cost comes from “automated manufacturing,” and vertical integration of the company — including everything from installer to manufacturer. “PV is going to become a commodity product, you can’t win on just technology alone,” says Bernheimer. Neither OptiSolar, nor PG&E, will divulge the pricing of the power purchase agreement.

Large solar manufacturers adding installation and even financing arms is a long time trend. SunPower bought PowerLight back in 2006, and First Solar bought Ted Turner’s solar installer company Turner Renewable Energy, renamed DT Solar, back in 2007.

OptiSolar will soon turn on its first solar generation farm and will ramp up production of its solar gear with a new factory in Sacramento. The company says its one-million-square-foot Sacramento plant, which will go under construction in early 2009, and will be the largest PV manufacturing plant in North America when constructed with a capacity of 600 MW per year. The city of Sacramento seems happy about the plan, and is deferring certain taxes for OptiSolar, while the plant will offer close to 1,000 jobs when it is built in about 3 years time.

[meinolf67]

Nanosolar // CIGS-flex // USA

...modest, modest:


Solar and the Credit Crisis
October 17, 2008
By Martin Roscheisen, CEO

Three years ago, when asked to contribute an op-ed perspective to the solar industry’s main trade magazine, I thought it useful to focus it on how poor manufacturing capital efficiency is really a very critical issue facing the solar industry and how this is what Nanosolar is seeking to change using simple printing processes, nanotechnology, and other forms of high-productivity technologies.

Then a solar investment boom set in, and, during the past few years, it seemed as if capital is free and the only thing that mattered is rapid production capacity expansion at no matter what capital expenditure. Petrodollars and overvalued public company dollars fueled the construction of factories with readily available but incredibly capital-inefficient manufacturing process technology, that is, production technology that delivers very little product revenue relative to the amount of capital investment necessary for building the factory capacity to produce the revenue-generating product.

The most egregious examples of this have been the production tooling capital expenditure (capex) necessary for wafered silicon cells as well as the high-vacuum thin-film cells from companies such as Applied Materials where the revenue to capex ratio is barely 75 cents on the dollar in a realistic pricing environment. This means that at any revenue growth faster than 20% per year, these companies are eternal black holes in terms of cash flow; whatever cash orbits their vicinity disappears in them and is never to be seen again.

Of course, this has now begun to change — and rapidly so — through the credit crisis. Going forward, it will matter again whether someone asks a bank or an investor for $100 million or for $1 billion in capital to build a factory with each the same product revenue potential.

While already committed capital creates an overhang and presumably will still lead to the completion of a further number of factories based on low-productivity technology, subsequent expansion of such has now become more doubtful. In addition, the smartest system integrators in the industry will already react and question their strategic supply mix and security, which in turn only reinforces the healthy pressure towards more capital efficient and bankable production.

At Nanosolar, where we just recently have had our first profitable month (in good part due to frugal cost management), we are looking forward to demonstrating how fast growth and innovation in solar is possible in a sustainable, non-dilutive manner.

[meinolf67]

Solar Pro // a-Si // Bulgarien // Energosolar


Energosolar delivers thin-film factory to Solar Pro in Bulgaria

Solar Pro AD and Energosolar Hungary Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. announced today that Energosolar is starting to ship the first production equipments for Solar Pro’s new amorphous silicon (aSi) thin-film PV module manufacturing plant in Bulgaria.
Energosolar will deliver all the turn-key production equipments from the glass preparation until the final testing of the ready-to-install thin-film modules. The first phase of installation will be finished by end of 2008. The 18MW production line under delivery is expected to reach full capacity by mid 2009 producing some 400.000m2 of high quality thin film PV modules per year.
Key equipments of PE CVDs, lasers, sputtering machines, edge deletion equipments are made by Energosolar, and the deal and delivery also includes all the front- and back-end equipments, the installation and the training of the staff of Solar Pro.
Solar Pro’s management expressed its satisfaction with the current cooperation between both companies and is confident, that the project will be fully completed on time.
The Bulgarian company is close to complete on the preparation of the building the necessary utilities.
Energosolar has already running production lines in Hungary, China and equipped in Thailand one of the biggest amorphous silicon thin film PV module manufacturing plant in the world.
• About Solar Pro :
Solarpro finishes its new building, clean room and all the necessary facilities and is ready to install the Energosolar equipment. The first samples are expected in first quarter of 2009. Solarpro already signed the first contract for 2,4 MW solar powerplant situated in NorthEast part of Bulgaria
• About Energosolar:
Energosolar develops, manufactures, sells and implements turn-key factories for the production of amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film solar modules. The company offers scalable, reliable, low cost productions opportunity and proven end product for companies entering in silicon thin-film PV module business. The company has long experience in supplying thin-film production lines with some 60MW capacity already in production and more than 2,5 million modules produced in Asia and Europe. Energosolar expects to install further 120MW of production capacity in 2009

[meinolf67]

Showa Shell // CIGS // Japan
Sharp // a-SI // Japan
NexPower // a-Si // Taiwan // Ulvac
MoserBaer // a-Si // Indien // AMAT

12. September 2008
Explosive Growth Reshuffles Top 10 Solar Ranking
by Dr. Paula Doe, Contributing Editor, Solid-State Technology

The explosion of photovoltaics production across the globe completely reshuffled the top companies in Nomura Securities' annual ranking of the leading companies, knocking long established Japanese players out of the top spots and putting four Asian suppliers in the Top 10. Japan's leading solar companies outline their strategies for this changing market in this report from SST partner Nikkei Microdevices.

"With a plentiful supply of silicon available again, and revolutionary new technologies ready for market, 2010-2011 will be a crucial turning point. Companies who miss this window of opportunity will lose out to the competition."

-- says Yuichi Kuroda, Director of Planning, Showa Shell Solar

Fast growing Q-Cells AG became the world's largest solar cell maker in 2007, producing nearly 400 megawatts (MW) worth of product. Longtime solar industry leader Sharp found itself in second place as production slipped to roughly 370 MW, which the company blamed on a constrained supply of silicon. China's Suntech was close behind the leaders with more than 300 MW output, pushing Kyocera and its 200 MW to a distant third.

Four new companies jumped into the top ranks. CdTe-cell maker First Solar debuted at fifth place, the only US-based and only thin-film supplier on the list. Asian players Motech Industries (Taiwan), Yingli Green Energy (China), and JA Solar Holdings (China/Australia) rounded out the rankings, pushing aside some long-established players like Mitsubishi Electric, Schott AG, and BP Solar (see Figure 1, below).

Nomura notes that Japan's overall share of the solar cell market, at 50% a few years ago, is now down to about 20% and could well slip to 15% in the next few years as the rest of the world ramps up solar-cell production.


Figure 1: Big growth in solar market shakes up top 10 ranking. (Source: Nomura Securities, Nikkei Microdevices)


The major Japanese suppliers are aiming for major growth of their own in the next two years, with big expansions in capacity — on the gigawatt scale at Sharp and Showa Shell Solar KK — and on new technologies they say will significantly improve efficiency. "The next two years will determine the winners," AIST Research Center for Photovoltaics director Michio Kondo told Nikkei Microdevices. "Later entrants won't be able to catch up to those who put an all out effort now into technology and scale and speed. A year from now will be too late."

Sharp's comeback strategy is a major ramp of production capacity in both crystalline and thin-film cells, and an expansion across the entire solar value chain, to assure capturing the highest value-added parts of the business and the high value of integrating the whole system, reports Tetsuro Muramatsu, GM of the company's solar systems group. He says Sharp plans 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity for crystalline cells and another 1 GW of capacity of thin-film cells by 2010, counting on the economies-of-scale from the high-volume production to reduce costs enough to bring solar electricity down to close to the target $0.21/kWh.

Sharp figures the solar cells or modules themselves account for only 25% (for x-Si) to 40% (thin-film) of the added value of the finished total system, with materials as much as 20% (x-Si), and systems and engineering another 35%-40%. Accordingly, the firm has in recent months started its expansion across the value chain by forming a company to develop solar production equipment with Tokyo Electron, by signing on to solar power production deals with utilities in Japan and Italy, and by investing in developing large-capacity, low-cost storage batteries for solar systems through Japanese Li-ion venture ELIIY Power. The company eyes bringing solar systems to regions of the world with no electrical grid with government supported lease financing.


Crystalline silicon has led the way for solar PV, but future solar growth will mostly come from thin-film. (Source: Mizuho Securities, Nikkei Microdevices)


Also planning to ramp to 1 GW capacity by 2011 is Showa Shell Solar, which currently makes only 20 MW a year of its CIS thin-film cells. A second planned plant will bring total capacity to 60 MW by next year, and another much bigger plant will reach 1 GW by 2011, targeting as well a jump to 10%-12% CIS efficiency. The economies-of-scale of high-volume production will mean lower materials and facilities costs, argues director of planning Yuichi Kuroda. "Overseas rivals are moving towards gigawatt scale plants," he notes. "If we don't outpace them, we'll lose out." Showa Shell has so far relied on equipment it designed in-house, but to speed up development of better deposition technology for higher-efficiency film it is developing a next-generation high-volume tool set jointly with Ulvac.

Contributing to the rapid industry ramp-up of capacity are new players buying turnkey thin-film deposition lines from Applied Materials, Oerlikon Balzers, or Ulvac. Applied says it had contracted for sales totaling 1.7 GW of capacity across 10 customers as of June. Ulvac's Yoshio Sunaga, senior managing director and chief director of the FPD business, says it has orders for 217.5 MW worth, from NexPower Technology, Sunner Solar, China Solar Power, and another Chinese and another Korean customer, who altogether plan future expansions of 650 MW more. Ulvac is just starting to expand its marketing to Europe, India, and the Middle East. Sunaga reports Ulvac has installed capacity to produce 600 MW/year worth of tools at its Tohoku facility.

The initial turnkey lines have gotten up and running in a quick 16-19 months. Taiwan's NexPower ordered 37.5 MW capacity from Ulvac in March 2007 and started shipping 6.5% efficient cells in June 2008. Moser Baer Photovoltaic ordered 40 MW capacity from Applied in March 2007, started initial production in July 2008, and plans to start shipping product in September.


Big Japanese solar suppliers add thin film, high-efficiency x-Si capacity. (Source: Nikkei Microdevices)


Some question, however, how a company can distinguish itself in the long term if it makes the same product with the same turnkey production line as its competitors. NexPower president Semi Wang told Nikkei Microdevices his company planned to find its own ways to improve its future production lines itself to reduce costs, with its own developments and with equipment from other companies. Kaneka's Mikio Hatta, managing executive officer of the solar energy division, questions how producers making 6%-7% efficient cells on turnkey lines can compete with the 10%-11% efficient cells his company makes with equipment it developed itself.

Other major players Sanyo Electric, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Electric, Kaneka, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plan more modest capacity expansions over the next few years, concentrating instead primarily on developing their proprietary new technologies to make higher-efficiency cells at lower cost, often relying initially on specialty equipment developed in-house.

Kyocera and Mitsubishi Electric each plan to expand to 500 MW annual capacity for crystalline solar cells by 2010-2012, noting their growth plans are limited primarily by the amount of silicon they expect to be able to obtain. Both companies say they have no plans to start thin-film production in the foreseeable future, though both are continuing research efforts. Instead, they count on significantly improved efficiencies from new x-Si technologies. Kyocera solar energy marketing manager Ichiro Ikeda says his company plans to start production in April 2009 of its back-contact cells, which are now getting 18.5% efficiency in the lab. Solar systems manager Satoshi Ikeda reports Mitsubishi Electric plans volume production in 2010 of its honeycomb cells, currently with R&D efficiency of 18.6%.

"With a plentiful supply of silicon available again, and revolutionary new technologies ready for market, 2010-2011 will be a crucial turning point," says Showa Shell Solar's Kuroda. "Companies who miss this window of opportunity will lose out to the competition."

[meinolf67]

Heliovolt //CIGS-flex // USA

HelioVolt Opens First Thin-Film Plant
Austin-based CIGS startup opens the factory seven years after its inception to produce solar cells that HeliVolt claims can convert 10 percent to 14 percent of the sunlight into electricity.
by: Jeff St. John
Bullet Arrow October 24, 2008

HelioVolt Corp. opened its first manufacturing plant Thursday. The plant can produce up to 20 megawatts of solar thin-film panels, the company said.
Advertisement

The Austin-based startup said its hometown plant will make copper indium gallium selenium panels, or CIGS. The company has claimed that its CIGS cells can convert 10 percent to 12 percent of sunlight into energy.

That's among the highest efficiencies claimed by makers of CIGS cells; the thin-film technology competes against cheaper but less efficient cadmium-telluride and amorphous silicon thin-film technologies now in use.

HelioVolt financed the plant construction with a $101 million Series B round of venture capital funding it closed in October 2007 (see HelioVolt Gets More Cash for Thin Solar).

HelioVolt did not disclose how much its cells or modules will cost to make. But John Langdon, vice president of marketing, told Greentech Media in May that the company expected to drive its costs below $1 per watt.

"Since their inception they've done very well fundraising, and that's a really good sign for them" amidst a worldwide financial crisis and credit crunch, said Paul Karayan, analyst with Lux Research in New York. "I think for a CIGS technology, they look like they're pretty competitive."

HelioVolt has plenty of competition in the thin-film space, of course.

Thin-film leader First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), which makes cadmium-telluride films, expects to have 720 megawatts of production by the end of this year and more than 1 gigawatt by the end of 2009. The company has announced cell costs of about $1.14 per watt for the first quarter of the year and cell efficiencies of 10.5 percent.

According to a report by Greentech Media and the Prometheus Institute last month, First Solar should be closely followed in the thin-film production race at the end of 2010 by Sharp Corp., with 416 megawatts of estimated production of amorphous silicon panels.

United Solar Ovonic, with 254 megawatts of estimated production or amorphous silicon; Nanosolar, with 249 megawatts of estimated production of CIGS, and Miasolé, with 178 megawatts of estimated production of CIGS. (See Thin-Film Solar Set to Take Market Share From Crystalline Solar PV).

Since that report was released in September, Solyndra emerged from its stealth mode to announce that it had begun volume production of its CIGS panels in June (see Solyndra Rolls Out Tube-Shaped Thin Film). The Fremont, Calif. startup has signed $1.2 billion worth of contracts, including one with GeckoLogic that was announced Thursday (see Solyndra Signs $250M GeckoLogic Deal).

CIGS makers, while not as far advanced in production, do hold an efficiency advantage over their cadmium-telluride and amorphous silicon competitors, noted Paul Maycock, president of solar-electric consulting and research firm Photovoltaic Energy Systems in Williamsburg, Va.

"But their efficiency depends on closing the water problem," he said. CIGS cells are susceptible to being corroded by water, meaning they need to be carefully encapsulated to avoid early deterioration.

As far as HelioVolt's efficiency claims go, they aren't the highest in the CIGS space, Maycock noted.

Nanosolar said it has created tools that can produce CIGS cells with a 14.5 percent efficiency, but wouldn't say whether the figure applies to cells actually being produced (see Nanosolar Creates Largest Thin-Film Tool).

And Solyndra said the cells it makes in high-volume production can convert 12 percent to 14 percent of sunlight into electricity (see Solyndra Rolls Out Tube-Shaped Thin Film).

Additionally, HelioVolt is looking into the building-integrated photovoltaic field with a deal announced in May to work with Architectural Glass & Aluminum Co. to build HelioVolt's technology into exterior glass facades common in skyscrapers and other modern buildings (see HelioVolt Is In the Building).

A HelioVolt spokesman said Friday that the company plans to produce the aforementioned building-integrated products within the next few years.

[meinolf67]

Honda Soltec // CIGS // Japan

Honda Soltec Begins Sales of Thin-Film Solar Cells for Public and Industrial Use

Japan, October 23, 2008– Honda's wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary Honda Soltec Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto; President and CEO: Akio Kazusa) will begin sales throughout Japan of thin-film solar cells for public and industrial use on October 24, 2008. Having sold solar cells for home use since October 2007, Honda intends to expand its customer base by manufacturing and selling solar cells capable of the high-capacity electrical generation required by public and industrial facilities.

Honda Inaugurates Second Auto Plant in Japan


Honda public- and industrial-use solar cells


Using a thin film of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) to convert solar energy into electricity, the Honda-developed cells are environmentally responsible both in their manufacturing process and in use. With increased awareness of environmental issues, Honda is seeing growth in demand not only for private- but also public- and industrial-use solar cells and continues to strengthen its business foundation by expanding product line.

In addition, Honda's extensive experience in large-scale solar cell installations has prepared the company for the expansion of the product line to public and industrial uses. The following are examples of completed projects:

Honda Cars Automobile Dealership
A 9 kW solar cell system was installed as part of the upgrading and reopening of the Honda Cars Mito, Katsuta North automobile dealership in Ibaraki Prefecture. The system powers the showroom and office of the facility.

Kindergartens
The Solar Bear Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing environmental education to children and fighting global warming, selected at random three kindergartens from among applicants throughout Japan to receive a Honda solar cell system.

Automobile Transport Ship
Honda affiliate and automobile shipper ACT Maritime Co., Ltd. installed a 20 kW solar cell system on one of its large transport ships, powering on an experimental basis the cargo hold lighting system, etc., since November 2007 with the abundant solar energy available on long sea journeys.

Solar-Powered Hydrogen Station at Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Using a 6.7 kW solar cell system on an experimental basis, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. is electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen without any CO2 emissions.

New Motorcycle Production Facility at the Kumamoto Factory
This 116 kW solar cell system, at 1,000 modules Honda's largest in Japan, powers the office building of the new facility.

In addition to developing motorcycles, automobiles and power products that emit less CO2, Honda is creating energy-producing products and engaging in activities that help reduce global warming.

Comparison of Honda Solar Cell Modules

Public and Industrial Use

Home Use
HEM125PSA

HEM115PSA

HEM125PA

HEM115PA
Cell material
CIGS
Max. output per module (W)
125

115

125

115
Dimensions (W x D x H) (mm)
1,417 x 791 x 37
Weight (kg)
14.3
Nominal open-circuit voltage (V)
93.3

92.7

280

278
· Figures calculated by Honda based on air mass of 1.5, solar radiation of 1 kW/m2 and module temperature of 25º C.
· Actual output will depend on solar radiation, installation method (direction, angle and surrounding environment), geographic region and temperature.


Overview: Honda Soltec Co., Ltd.
Establishment:

December 1, 2006
Headquarters: 2042 Hirakawa, Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto, Japan
(located inside campus of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Kumamoto Factory)
Sales Office: Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
Capital Investment: 4 billion yen
Capitalization Ratio:

100% Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
President and CEO: Akio Kazusa
Employment: Approximately 150 associates at full production
Annual Capacity: Approximately 27.5 MW (equivalent to 3 kW systems for approximately 9,000 homes)

[dmax1212]

wird wohl morgen nichts gutes erwartet ?

[meinolf67]

Solar Technologies FZE // a-SI // Dubai //AMAT

...mußte ich zweimal lesen, aber die scheinen NEU zu sein:



Dubai starts ambitious 1GW PV production plan using Applied’s SunFab technology
27 October 2008 | By Mark Osborne | News > Thin Film


Mr. Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai WorldAt a two day event held in Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Mr. Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World (pictured), announced the establishment of a photovoltaics manufacturing company, dubbed Solar Technologies FZE, which will build an operate a 130MW production plant in Dubai’s Technopark. Future plans include establishing manufacturing facilities in China, Mexico and Bulgaria, which will increase the total production capacity to 1GW by 2015.


“The potential of solar energy is unbelievable. The energy from sunlight striking the earth for 40 minutes is equivalent to the global energy consumption for a whole year,” commented Mr. Dilip Rahulan, Chairman and CEO, Solar Technologies FZE. “The mission of Solar Technologies is to accelerate the adoption of solar photo voltaic by rapidly expanding manufacturing capacity and significantly reducing the cost of solar modules through innovations and manufacturing excellence. We intend to become one of the largest solar photo voltaic module manufacturing units in the world over a period of time.”

The Dubai news follows that of Masdar PV in May 2008 to invest initially $600 million in two separate ‘SunFab’ turnkey module production lines supplied by Applied Materials in Erfurt, Germany and in Abu Dhabi.

Like Masdar PV, Solar Technologies FZE is planning to use Applied Materials ‘SunFab’ thin film technology, as well as becoming a global player. The 130MW plant planned equates to two SunFab lines and will be operational by the end of 2010.

[meinolf67]

ENN Solar (XinAo) // a-SI // China // AMAT

November 7, 2008

Washington, DC, USA: IFC Invests in Chinese Thin Film Start Up

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing in ENN Solar Energy Co Ltd, part of China’s XinAo Group, in an effort to help drive down global prices for solar-generated electricity.

"IFC’s financing package will include a $45 million loan for its own account, additional loans syndicated from commercial banks and other lenders of up to $76 million, and the purchase of an IFC stake in ENN Energy for up to $15 million.

"The financing will support ENN Solar Energy’s implementation of China’s first large-scale, thin-film-based solar module manufacturing facility, helping to drive down production costs and stimulate the development of the local solar photovoltaic market. "IFC’s financing package will include a $45 million loan for its own account, additional loans syndicated from commercial banks and other lenders of up to $76 million, and the purchase of an IFC stake in ENN Solar Energy Co. Ltd for up to $15 million."

The thin-film solar photovoltaic module is a newer technology, which exists alongside the more traditional wafers of crystalline silicon. Partly derived from the semiconductor industry, it involves the deposition of thin layers of amorphous silicon on glass to convert the sun’s energy into electricity. Industry observers project that thin-film solar photovoltaic modules will account for about 30 percent of all installations by 2015.

Mr. Wang Yusuo, XinAo Group Chairman, said, “IFC’s financing will help us in this important new venture. In the midst of the global financial crisis, this support demonstrates a vote of confidence for our group’s strategy.”

The project is expected to produce about 60 megawatts of thin-film modules annually. Equipment installation is in its process, with the first commercial production scheduled for second Quarter of 2009.

Rashad Kaldany, IFC Vice President for Infrastructure, said, “IFC plays an important role in driving down global prices of solar energy to levels where the sun as a source of energy can compete with traditional fuels. The ENN Solar Energy project will help to reduce the costs of solar photovoltaic modules and reflects our commitment to the development of renewable energy sources.”

IFC has a longstanding relationship with the XinAo Group, including support for investments in gas distribution, coal-to-gas processing, and solar photovolataic manufacturing.

[meinolf67]

NanoGram // ??? // USA

NanoGram, Tokyo Electron sign thin-film solar PV joint development agreement
11 November 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Thin Film


NanoGram and Tokyo Electron have signed a joint technology agreement focused on the development of thin-film photovoltaic process equipment based on the cleantech company's proprietary laser reactive deposition (LRD) process for thin crystalline silicon films.

The LRD process (shown at left) has a distinct deposition-rate advantage with the capability to lay down highly uniform amorphous and microcrystalline silicon films significantly faster than conventional TFPV CVD processes, according to NanoGram. The JDA work is also expected to be complementary to NanoGram's low-cost multicrystalline SilFoil PV module business.

"This extended relationship with TEL is very important and exciting for us because it validates TEL's initial investment in NanoGram and the potential of our technology," said Kieran Drain, NanoGram's president/CEO. "This expanded relationship will help NanoGram accelerate the development of this technology to capture the demand for higher-rate silicon deposition tools."

"We are very happy with our investment in NanoGram and now this joint technology development even further establishes our relationship and creates new opportunities in key and target markets," added Mike Yanaguchi, president of TEL Venture Capital, which was one of the investors funding NanoGram's $32 million equity round earlier this year.

NanoGram has said it expects to commission its SilFoil solar module pilot plant--which it's building out with the help of OTB Engineering--in second-quarter 2009. The company plans to have 5 MW of capacity online at the Milpitas, CA, facility by the end of 2009.

TEL entered the solar manufacturing equipment sector in February via a partnership with Sharp to develop plasma CVD tools for TFPV cell production. The company recently said it had reorganized its FPD/PVE business division and is accelerating development efforts in order to have its first systems shipped in early 2009.

[meinolf67]

Signet Solar // a-Si // Deutschland-USA-Indien // AMAT

Signet Solar sucht Investoren
Von Ulrich Wolf

Dresden/Frankfurt (Oder). Der Solarmodulhersteller Solar Signet GmbH in Mochau (Kreis Mittelsachsen) bemüht sich um eine Finanzierung über 240 Millionen Euro. „Wir benötigen das Geld für den Ausbau unserer Produktion“, sagte Firmenchef Gunter Ziegenbalg gestern der SZ. Ende 2009, Anfang 2010 sei auch ein Börsengang möglich. Die Finanzierung für die Conergy-Solarfabrik in Frankfurt (Oder) hingegen ist wieder ungewiss.

Signet-Solar-Chef Ziegenbalg betonte, die Firma sei bei der Geldsuche „schon sehr weit“. Über die komplette Summe lägen Absichtserklärungen großer Finanzinstitutionen vor. Zusagen gebe es jedoch noch nicht. Wegen der Finanzkrise benötige man die doppelte Zeit, um solche Projekte zu stemmen.

Signet Solar hat in Mochau bereits 50 Millionen Euro privates Kapital investiert. Es stammt laut Ziegenbalg zum Großteil von indischen Geschäftsleuten. Die Firma beschäftigt 124 Mitarbeiter. Bis Ende 2009 sollen es zwischen 350 und 400 Leute sein. Wegen einiger „Anlaufschwierigkeiten“ schraubte Ziegenbalg den erwarteten Umsatz 2008 um gut drei auf fünf Millionen Euro zurück. 2009 plant er mit 53Millionen Euro. Signet Solar, deren Muttergesellschaft in Kalifornien sitzt, baut nach eigenen Angaben die größten Solarmodule der Welt. In Indien und den USA sind weitere Werke geplant.

Frankfurt (Oder) muss hingegen auf seine Solarfabrik warten. Der koreanische Konzern LG Electronics ließ das geplante Gemeinschaftsunternehmen mit der Hamburger Conergy AG zum Betrieb des Werks platzen. Die Koreaner begründeten ihren Rückzug mit der Finanzkrise. (mit ddp)

[meinolf67]

Solyndra // CIGS // USA


Solyndra Signs Long-Term Sales Contract With Carlisle Energy Services
in News Departments > Projects & Contracts
by SI Staff on Monday 17 November 2008
email the content item print the content item

Solyndra Inc., a manufacturer of photovoltaic systems, has signed a long-term sales contract with Carlisle Energy Services, a newly formed division of Carlisle Construction Materials.

The multi-year sales contract adds to Solyndra's previously announced order backlog, the company says. The solar panels for these contracts will be manufactured at Solyndra's facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, Calif.

Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin-film technology, Solyndra systems are designed to provide the lowest installed cost per system and the highest solar electrical energy output for typical low-slope commercial rooftops.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.003.722 von meinolf67 am 19.11.08 14:38:04

November 17, 2008

Fremont, CA, USA: Carlisle Energy Services and Solyndra Enter Contract to Deliver Photovoltaic Systems

Solyndra, Inc., a manufacturer of proprietary photovoltaic systems designed to optimize solar electricity production on commercial rooftops, has signed a long-term sales contract worth up to $320M with Carlisle Energy Services, a newly formed division of Carlisle Construction Materials, a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient single-ply roofing systems. The multi-year sales contract adds to Solyndra’s previously announced order backlog.

The solar panels for these contracts will be manufactured at Solyndra’s facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, California.

According to John Altmeyer, CEO of Carlisle Construction Materials, "The Solyndra PV system is a natural fit for our ENERGY STAR®-certified, cool roof systems. When installed on Carlisle’s white reflective TPO roofing membrane, the output of Solyndra PV system increases up to 20%. Further, the installation of a Solyndra system is exceptionally quick and economical, and can be easily accomplished by a roofing contractor along with the installation of an insulated cool roof. Together with Carlisle’s large network of roofing installers, we can rapidly deploy systems which provide both energy conservation and low-cost solar electricity generation."

“This agreement capitalizes on the Solyndra system’s benefits for reflective commercial rooftops,” says Chris Gronet, Solyndra CEO and founder. “As we enter this new channel, we are excited to work with Carlisle and to extend their leadership position serving the needs of commercial buildings owners.”

Insulated cool roofs, made of highly reflective and emissive materials, lower daytime air conditioning electricity usage by reflecting away sunlight and heat. The rapid adoption of cool roofs in the western and Sunbelt states of the U.S. has been helped by the support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR Program and by the requirements of the California Title 24 Energy Standard, which prescribes cool roofs to be employed whenever low-slope commercial roofs are constructed or replaced.

In addition to being designed specifically for commercial rooftop installation, Solyndra says it's PV system uniquely benefits from installation on a cool roof due to the collection of reflected, direct, and diffuse light. Due to the air flow through Solyndra’s panels, cool roofs remain much cooler than with other PV systems. Additionally, Solyndra’s lightweight and non-penetrating system eliminates the negative impact on roof life and performance associated with either penetrating or heavier, ballasted PV systems and allows for easy removal of the panels for roof maintenance or redeployment of the panels to another facility.

Carlisle is in the process of installing a commercial-scale Solyndra PV system on its TPO manufacturing facility in Tooele, UT. This installation will provide a well-situated showcase for prospective customers and business partners, in addition to reducing the facility’s conventional electricity usage.

[meinolf67]

Global Solar Energy // CIGS-flex-Cells // USA-Deutschland


Staatssekretär Müller weiht Dünnschichtfabrik ein
19.11.2008: Der Parlamentarische Staatssekretär im Bundesumweltministerium
Michael Müller hat heute in Berlin-Adlershof die neue Solarfabrik des Unternehmens
Global Solar Energy eingeweiht. Sie verfügt über eine Produktionskapazität von 30
Megawatt. Das Investitionsvolumen beträgt rund 30 Millionen Euro. Dadurch
entstehen etwa 100 neue Arbeitsplätze. Für die Herstellung der Solarzellen wird die
Materialkombination Kupfer-Indium-Gallium-Selenid (CIGS) verwendet. Die
Materialschichten werden auf eine flexible Stahlfolie aufgebracht.
Quelle: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit

[meinolf67]

poor old

Miasolé // CIGS-flex // USA

Miasolé's Chief Researcher Defects to SoloPower
Kannan Ramanathan, a CIGS whiz from NREL, has resigned as chief research officer at Miasolé to work for a rival.
by: Michael Kanellos
Bullet Arrow November 21, 2008

Miasolé, the sometimes troubled maker of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells, has lost its chief research officer to a rival down the road.
Advertisement

Kannan Ramanathan, who served as chief research officer at Miasolé from 2006 to 2008, became a senior researcher at SoloPower this month, according to sources. His LinkedIn profile, in fact, also confirms the move.

The move is certainly not good for Miasolé. Ramanathan is one of the top researchers in CIGS. Prior to Miasolé, Ramanathan worked at the National Renewable Energy Labs.

That makes the second well-known CIGS researcher to land at SoloPower. In February, Rommel Noufi joined the company from NREL, where he ran both the CIGS and cadmium telluride research programs. He headed up the teams tha set the world record for efficiency for both CIGS (19.9 percent) and CdTe (16.5 percent). A new CIGS record, however, is supposed to be announced soon.

Miasolé and CIGS both want to make planar, thin-film CIGS solar cells. Where they differ is manufacturing process. Miasolé sputters the active material onto sheets of glass and foil, similar to the way magnetic materials are sputtered onto hard drives. the company was founded by Dave Pearce, who worked in the drive industry for years.

SoloPower, meanwhile, wants to electroplate the materials onto a substrate. Electroplating is also being deployed by a new company called Bloo Solar, which electroplates CdTe onto microscopic, conductive posts.

Although an early U.S. pioneer in CIGS, Miasolé has seen its share of ups and downs. In 2006, with $56 million in venture funds, Miasolé said it would be able to enter commercial production that year. By the end of 2007, it said it might even be hitting a run rate of $100 million.

Product delays and lower-than-expected performance forced the company to postpone the commercial release. In late 2007, chip equipment veteran Joseph Laia replaced Pearce as CEO.

Although Miasolé has produced CIGS modules with a greater than 10 percent efficiency, it is still not in commercial production. That isn't expected to begin until 2009.

SoloPower, however, isn't in commercial production either. Only two of the U.S. startups, Global Solar and Nanosolar, have entered into commercial production and, reportedly, in somewhat small commodities.

The biggest threats for these companies, though, may lurk overseas. Honda, Shell and BP all have active CIGS or CIS programs. Honda's is particularly interesting, according to Travis Bradford of the Prometheus Institute, a Greentech Media partner.

Bradford expects CIGS and CIS (CIGS without the gallium) to move into larger volume production next year.

[meinolf67]

...ein Überblick zu "Nano":

Spencer Brown

Conventional solar
panels will remain the
best bet for users who
need to get the most
electricity from limited
space, says Gerber.

Friday, August 22, 2008
‘Nanoprinting’ is hot solar item
Technology pits efficiency vs. cost in panel market
San Francisco Business Times - by Amy Coombs
The solar industry is competing in a Space Age-like rush to develop the next
generation of solar panels. Thanks to a key summer finance deal and the
achievement of critical technology milestones, the thinnest and perhaps most
cost-effective new technology may soon hit the market.
In July, San Francisco’s ATEL Ventures provided $5 million in equipment
financing to Innovalight — a thin-film solar panel company that has developed
an ink made of silicon nanocrystals. The Sunnyvale startup hopes to make
electricity from light by printing sun-absorbing ink on a variety of materials.
“You can use your imagination — the solar panel can potentially be printed on
any kind of substrate,” said Ryan McCalley, an investment manager at ATEL.
Similar technologies are under development at the Austin, Texas-based
HelioVolt, which uses a metal-based ink. The company prints nanostructured light absorbent layers
onto metal and glass, potentially allowing the vertical sides of high-rise office buildings to be
converted into solar panels. Awnings, curtains and potentially even windows can also be coated.
“Our panel is about the same thickness as a human hair,” said John Langdon, vice president of
marketing at HelioVolt. “This is 300 times thinner than 90 percent of the panels on the market now.”
The company announced in May that it made panels with 12 percent efficiency, which is equivalent to
the lower-end models sold to consumers today. Efficiency is the percentage of energy hitting the solar
panel that is converted to electricity.
HelioVolt says efficiency will continue to increase as its technology is perfected. The company is
building a factory and says the first panels will hit the market during the first part of 2009. If it hits
that goal, HelioVolt’s product will be the first “nanoprint” solar panel available to consumers.
While Bay Area solar panel installers call the technology mind boggling, they advise consumers to
keep shopping for traditional products. The first nanoprint panels to leave the factory will have to
pass national certification tests before government subsidies can help pay for installation. Even then,
they may face an uphill battle. While high-end solar panels now boast 20 percent efficiency, nanoprint
technologies now top out at 12 percent.
According to Gary Gerber, president of the Berkeley-based Sun Light and Power, conventional
solar panels will remain the best option for city dwellers.
“When rooftop space is limited, you need to maximize efficiency, and nanoprint panels don’t cut it
yet,” said Gerber. Attaching panels to the sides of buildings remains one advantage of the technology, but in latitudes like the Bay Area — about 38 degrees north of the equator — vertical panels are only
likely to pick up 60 percent of the light rays caught by comparable rooftop systems. “There are also a
lot of unanswered questions when it comes to wiring and installing vertical systems,” Gerber said.
On the flip side of the coin, nanoprint methods are touted as faster, cheaper and more
environmentally friendly than standard solar panels. The ink can be made with no cadmium or other
common toxic ingredients, and running a printing press takes much less energy than the costly
heating stages used to crystallize traditional photon-absorbent silicon wafers. In fact, thin-film panels
use virtually no silicon — a huge benefit given recent shortages of purified silicon wafers.
“These new methods aren’t even comparable to traditional methods,” Langdon said. In the case of
HelioVolt, a 2- by 4-foot absorbent layer can be printed in six minutes, and an entire panel within two
hours. HelioVolt plans to print on glass panels. Other thin-film companies print on rolls, much like
newsprint, and the final product is flexible and easy to manipulate like plastic. “It’s the nanoprinting
that allows us to process panels so quickly, and effectively” said Langdon, “it’s the rate-determining
step.”
Like many nanoprint platforms, HelioVolt’s technology also allows for single-site production. In
contrast, standard photovoltaic panels are often made overseas, where environmental regulations are
less strict. After production, the silicon wafers are shipped across continents to be pieced into modules
and framed.
“Even though they take more energy to produce, standard solar panels will pay back this energy debt
in one to three years because they are more efficient,” Gerber said. But he also agrees that
nanoprinting could be more ecologically sound across the board.
Even if nanoprint panels soon hit the market, analysts say the race is still open to a wide variety of
alternative platforms. According to Steven Rea, the executive vice president at ATEL, nanoprinting is
just one of many solar methods being developed. “Given how fast the market is expanding, it’s likely
there will be many influential technologies in the end,” he said. “We predict nanoprinting will be
disruptive, but so will a lot of developing technologies.” Other companies with nanoprinting platforms
include the San Jose’s Nanosolar, which has raised more than $100 million over the past two years.
But Northern California is also home to companies like Sacramento-based Bloo Solar, which grows
vertical nanocables on thin-film panels. The result resembles a brush, with each “bristle” capturing
light. Palo Alto-based Nanosys is also trying out various nanostructures with the hope of making
thin-film solar panels.
While some believe they are faster, nanoscale methods are not the only way to mass produce thin-film
panels. First Solar in Tempe, Ariz., brought thin-film panels to the market in 2004, selling mainly to
European consumers. First Solar doesn’t use nanoprinting.
Rea and McCalley believe there will be a lot of consolidation in the industry in the next few years. “We
are in a race for grid parity, and the goal is to get off fossil fuels,” said McCalley. “It’s an exciting time
to be involved in the market.”

[meinolf67]

Bloo Solar // nano-cables (CdTe?) // USA

Q1 NanoSystems renamed Bloo Solar

Solar technology company takes new name to reflect revolutionary new ultra thin
film photovoltaic products


West Sacramento, CA January 17, 2008 – Q1 NanoSystems, a West
Sacramento renewable solar energy company, announced today the renaming of
the company to Bloo Solar, and the simultaneous launch of its new website,
www.bloosolar.com.

“The name change to Bloo Solar reflects the company’s new look, and it
represents Bloo’s products which capture and convert more of the sun’s power
than anything available in the marketplace today”, said Larry Bawden, President
and CEO of Bloo Solar.

Bloo Solar products are made from ultra thin film photovoltaic materials. “Ultra
thin films are the future of the solar industry. Bloo’s products use 90% less
material than current crystalline silicon based products, but produce much higher
levels of clean, renewable energy from the sun”, said Bawden. “The result is a
solar panel that is far less costly to produce, making it available to everyone at a
realistic price.”

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.046.835 von meinolf67 am 23.11.08 12:49:46

Was mir schonmal nicht gefällt, ist daß sie nicht angeben, welches Material sie nutzen.

" Bloo FAQs
What is the Bloo Solar Brush?

* Bloo’s Solar Brush is a ultra thin film solar photovoltaic product. The product is called a brush because it uses billions of vertically grown nano cables to improve the photovoltaic process.

Why is Bloo’s Solar Brush so revolutionary?

* Bloo’s Solar Brush makes solar electricity available at a price competitive to that of current fossil fuel based electricity sources. This lower cost will reduce the need for governmental subsidies and complicated rebate structures.

How does Bloo’s Brush achieve this level of performance?

* Bloo’s technology “grows” billions of nano PV cells on a low cost thin film material. These cells capture and convert more sunlight through multiple reflections and capture of the sun’s energy.

How does Bloo's Brush harness the sun?

* The Solar Brush converts the sun’s energy from sun-up to sun-down. Even under low and diffuse light, the Solar Brush continues to convert the sun’s clean and renewable energy throughout the day."

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.046.835 von meinolf67 am 23.11.08 12:49:46

Painting solar Bloo
February 11, 2008 - Exclusive By Dallas Kachan, Cleantech Group
view counter


With 10 million tiny, inexpensive nano-bristles per square centimeter, stealthy startup Bloo thinks it can make lots of green.

A small team in Sacramento, California that has been working stealthily for three years has joined the fray of companies applying nanotechnology to help make solar photovoltaics more efficient.

Bloo Solar [ed.: spelled correct] plans to use billions of nano-structured photovoltaic cells to capture light and boost the overall daily power output of solar modules.

By increasing the amount of light captured using vertical nano structures it calls "bristles," Bloo plans to enable modules to generate twice as much power as they do over an entire day today, at dramatically lower materials and systems costs.

While Bloo says its technology allows for 90 percent thinner substrates, it claims to not be dependent on any specific material.

"What we have is a brand new substrate, materials system-neutral," said CEO Larry Bawden to the Cleantech Group, suggesting the company could make nano bristles out of virtually any photovoltaic compound.

Initially, the company has picked cadmium telluride (CdTe) to commercialize. "We're very similar to First Solar. We picked that one [cadmium telluride] for the ability to have very low cost manufacturing capabilities," said Bawden.

The company claims its 10 million nano-bristles per square centimeter have set a world's record for light capture. And while that, in theory, should translate into substantially more power per module, Bloo's Bawden was reluctant to share exact figures.

"We're not publicizing efficiencies yet. We'd don't want it out in our financing."

Bloo is not the first to be investigating nano applications in solar.

* Researchers at General Electric, Harvard and RPI have been applying the light amplification capability of nanostructures for some time, as has Khosla Ventures-backed Stion, formerly NStructures
* A company called NewCyte is bringing to market light amplification nanotube technology from Georgia Tech (see the Cleantech Group's 3D solar cells boost efficiency, reduce size)
* Innovative Thin Films of Toledo, Ohio (see Cool companies at Cleantech 2007) is using nanotech to help keep conventional modules cleaner
* And just last week a University of California Santa Cruz researcher revealed nanotech innovations that appear to boost the efficiency of solar applications (see the Cleantech Group's Challenging silicon's grip on solar)

But Bloo claims it will be the first to achieve high light gathering for solar applications, regardless of substrate type, at an all-time low dollar per watt.

And that should translate into good levels of power output at much lower cost, according to the company.

"We want to get the same performance as a flat planel with dual axis tracking, but with no moving parts," said Bawden.

The company is forecasting commercialization of its technology at the beginning of 2010, envisioning an initial 25-30 megawatt fab in California with as-yet unnamed partners helping scale manufacturing.

Last week, it secured the intellectual property to its innovations in a royalty-based licensing deal with the University of California at Davis, where Bloo co-founders Ruxandra Vidu, Brian Argo and John Argo developed the technology with professors Pieter Stroeve and Saif Islam.

Bawden joined Bloo as CEO in August of last year. Previously, he was a founder and former president and CEO of Jadoo Power Systems, a leading portable fuel cell company.

As to the name Bloo, to those who might speculate he only works for companies with a double-o at the end of their names (until last month, Bloo was called Q1 NanoSystems), Bawden says the name Bloo has two meanings.

"We think we've got a solid chance of taking solar somewhere it's never been before, kind of like how the deep blue ocean is largely unexplored. It also evokes the blue light spectrum that we magnify."

The company is in the process of raising an A round from investors.

[meinolf67]

Signet Solar // a-SI // Deutschland // AMAT


Signet Solar’s Mochau, Germany facility ships initial customer orders for thin-film modules
21 November 2008 | By Syanne Olson | News > Thin Film


Signet Solar has produced and shipped its first MW of panels from its Mochau, Germany manufacturing facility only one month after it became the first licensee of Applied Material’s SunFab thin-film modules. The first shipments are being sent to Hannover-based alfsolar Vertriebsgesellschaft GmbH. Other Signet customers include Phoenix Solar AG, Soleg GmbH, Goldbeck Solar GmbH and SolarMarkt AG.

“Alfasolar is committed to developing renewable energy projects. Signet Solar provided us large-area panels at a price that further drives down the cost of solar energy for our customers. Set for operation in December 2008, this project is a great step forward in Western Pomerania’s adoption of renewable energy,” said Martin Denz, CEO of alfasolar Vertriebsgesellschaft GmbH.

The company’s Mochau facility is eligible for full production capacity of 20MW per year and in order to meet its customer commitments of over $400 million, Signet want to expand its installed production capacity to 130MW by the end of 2009. Since the company started volume production it has produced more than 11,000 modules with an efficiency of over 6.25%.

Signet’s large format modules are can be utilized in solar farms, large commercial installations, BIPV and remote habitation.

[meinolf67]

OptiSolar // a-SI // USA


Solar panel firm delays its factory construction
Published: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 | Page 7B

Hayward-based OptiSolar Inc., a producer of solar power panels and related components, has temporarily suspended construction of a manufacturing facility in McClellan Park.

However, company spokesman Alan Bernheimer said installation of equipment will continue, and construction – primarily retrofitting an existing 1 million-square-foot warehouse – is scheduled to resume Jan. 5.

"Some modifications of equipment are being done offshore, so we can continue with the installation (part) of the project, and we don't have to rush ahead with the construction while those modifications are being made."

Bernheimer said the temporary suspension would not hurt the construction budget.

When finished, the McClellan Park facility will produce solar panels. OptiSolar said the local plant will be the largest photovoltaic solar panel plant in North America.

OptiSolar also has a manufacturing facility at its Hayward headquarters.

[meinolf67]

Tianwei Baoding Solarfilms // a-SI // China
Hangzhou Amplesun // a-SI // China // ULVAC
ENN Solar // a-SI // China // AMAT

China Fuels Linde’s Leadership Position as a Gases Supplier in Global Photovoltaic Industry
Linde wins three new long-term thin film contracts to capture over 50 percent of the market in China

Beijing, China, November 24, 2008 – Technology company The Linde Group announced the award of three new multi-million US-dollar (USD) contracts to capture more than 50 percent of the thin film photovoltaic (PV) market in China. The agreements are bolstering the company’s position as the world’s largest supplier of bulk and specialty gases to the thin film PV industry. The Linde Group’s local subsidiary, Linde LienHwa has been awarded contracts by Tianwei Baoding, Hangzhou Amplesun Solar and ENN Solar in China.

As part of these new long-term contracts, The Linde Group will be providing ongoing delivery of bulk and specialty gases essential to make thin film solar cells – including large volumes of silane and hydrogen gas, used to deposit silicon light absorbing layers on large-area sheets of glass used in solar panels.

China is fast emerging at the forefront of the global solar industry, with over 50 percent growth in solar cell manufacturing in 2008 – a huge jump compared to only one percent five years ago. With these three new contracts, Linde continues to play a crucial role in enabling China to secure her position as the world's leading manufacturer of PV modules.

Linde has the full capability to deliver both gases and chemicals with turnkey solutions to solar customers today. However, Linde’s involvement in the solar industry is much more comprehensive than just materials supply. Customers rely on Linde’s commitment to bring industry leading gas technologies into their manufacturing processes and, finally, to help them deliver on their objective of reducing the cost of solar cell production. Its technology focus is an important reason that customers increasingly choose Linde as their supply partner for these essential materials.

"China is a strong contender to become a model for the global solar energy market, with the recent rapid-paced growth in the photovoltaic market, and The Linde Group is excited to be a part of this dynamic evolution of the renewable energy landscape,” said Andy Cook, President of Linde LienHwa China. “Linde’s successful relationships with Tianwei Baoding, Hangzhou Ample Solar and ENN Solar illustrate our commitment to deploy innovative approaches to production and utilization of materials in solar manufacturing. Ultimately, Linde’s collaboration with such world leading companies is aimed at the universal industry goal of reducing cost per watt of solar cell production and bringing the cost of solar electricity to grid parity.”

The first phase of the ENN Solar plant in Langfang will start commercial production by Q2 of 2009, with a capacity of 60 MW, and possible future expansion up to 0.5 GW.
Dr. Rick Wan, General Manager at ENN Solar said: “PV module manufacturing is a very important part of ENN’s strategy to contribute to the clean energy revolution in China and other countries of the world. Linde brings synergies with our history of innovation and experience in energy production to develop this renewable alternative energy source at competitive pricing.”

Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms is working with Linde to future-proof its gas installation and supply chain. Tianwei’s new thin film solar production facility in Baoding worth over RMB 6 billion (about USD 900 million) will go online in the first quarter of 2009.

Dr. Huang Yuelong, Deputy GM at Tianwei Solarfilms said: "There is a huge supply vacuum in the PV markets in the United States, South Korea, Spain and Italy. Linde is enabling us to become a manufacturer of high-efficiency thin-film modules with lower production costs to overcome challenges of over-supply in a burgeoning market.”

Hangzhou Amplesun Solar Technology Co. Ltd is a privately invested high-tech company devoted to next generation green power with a current investment of RMB 2.2 billion (about USD 320 million). The company has been introducing production lines from Ulvac, one of the major equipment suppliers in solar industry. Amplesun is installing two turnkey production lines in Hangzhou with a total capacity of 50 MW and plans to achieve a manufacturing capacity of 120 MW by the end of year 2010.

Mr. Jin Qing Guo, CEO of Amplesun Solar said: ”AmpleSun is very pleased to cooperate with Linde. And Linde has been facilitating our needs on specialty gases as well as on-site services, which will greatly speed up our capacity scale-up in the production of thin film solar modules."

Linde has established a leading position in gases supply to thin film Si solar module manufacturers, winning 63 percent of industry projects, and a strong position in Crystalline Silicon with a 36 percent market share globally. Linde is in a leading position in key markets such as Germany, Spain, China, Taiwan and India.

[meinolf67]

Sharp+Enel+XYZ // a-Si // Italien!


27.11.2008 09:45
UPDATE 2-Sharp, Enel to invest in $2.6 bln Italy solar venture

TOKYO, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Japan's Sharp Corp, (News) Italy's Enel SpA (News/Aktienkurs) and a third manufacturer will invest more than $2.6 billion in Italian solar power ventures to tap growing demand for cleaner energy.

Top solar power firms are hurrying to expand capacity even as the sector smarts from a worsening global economy, which is drying up financing for new ventures and forcing smaller solar power firms to push back investment.

Sharp, the world's No.2 maker of solar cells, said it and Italy's largest power company Enel planned to spend about 100 billion yen ($1.05 billion) to set up solar power generating plants in Italy with a total generating capacity of 189 megawatts by the end of 2012 to tap growing demand for cleaner energy.

The two and another manufacturer also plan to build a factory in Italy to produce thin-film solar cells, aiming for initial output of 480 megawatts in 2010 and ultimately raise output to about 1 gigawatts. Sharp said total initial investment is likely to be at least 72 billion yen, and analysts expect that investment to more than double to more than 150 billion yen when the factory reaches full capacity.

The Japanese consumer electronics maker is stepping up investment in an effort to retake market share from No.1 solar cell maker Q-Cells of Germany, whose aggressive capital spending plans outstrip those of its rivals.

The venture's solar power plants are to be built mainly in southern Italy, and the two firms will also consider power generating business in other Mediterranean countries, Sharp said.

Sharp, which is seeking fees for equipment and technology, will take a 34 percent stake in the solar power generating venture and Enel will hold the rest. Sharp will also take a minority stake in the solar cell venture.

Capex at Sharp, which also plans a solar plant in Japan at a cost of 72 billion yen with an initial output of 480 megawatts by March 2010, still lags Q-Cells, which has said it plans to raise capacity to 1,000 megawatts in 2009 and 2,500 megawatts in 2010.

The global downturn is beginning to hurt the industry, though. No.3 solar cell maker Suntech Power Holdings Co of China cut its sales forecast last week.

Shares of Sharp ended up 3.7 percent, outperforming the Tokyo bourse's electrical machinery index, which rose 0.9 percent.

[meinolf67]

EPV Solar // a-SI // USA


November 24, 2008—Robbinsville, NJ, USA: EPV SOLAR, Inc., a thin-film solar module manufacturer and photovoltaic systems provider headquartered in New Jersey, USA, announced today that its new 30,000 square foot, 20 MW production facility at the Company’s headquarters in Robbinsville, NJ, is now producing and shipping production quantities of its thin-film amorphous silicon solar modules.

EPV SOLAR’s corporate offices moved to the Robbinsville location at 8 Marlen Drive early in 2007. A few months later, EPV SOLAR began renovating the space to create the new manufacturing plant. In June of this year, the Company began equipment installation, and all systems were in production by October. The facility is capable of producing 20 MW annually, which will bring the Company’s total production capacity to 55 MW. This figure includes the capacity of EPV SOLAR’s 30 MW plant in Senftenberg, Germany, scheduled to come on line later this quarter, and its 5 MW Pilot Line in Lawrenceville, NJ. Both the Robbinsville and Senftenberg facilities will manufacture UL1703- and VDE-certified thin-film modules and utilize EPV SOLAR’s proprietary state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Thin-film modules are gaining significant worldwide recognition as an economical, environmentally benign, and readily mass-produced alternative to traditional crystalline silicon modules. Commenting on the Company’s successful achievement of this important milestone, Dr. Robert Bryan, EPV SOLAR’s Chief Operating Officer, stated: “Thin film is the photovoltaic choice of the future, and our growing production capacity is our means of meeting that future and providing a proven renewable energy source to the world. The fact that EPV SOLAR was able to successfully install and ramp up its Robbinsville facility in just over a year demonstrates EPV SOLAR’s technology leadership and commitment to the expanding thin-film photovoltaic marketplace.”

[meinolf67]

Johanna // CIGSEE // Deutschland


27.11.2008 21:05
Johanna Solar Technology startet die Produktion / aleo solar AG übernimmt den Vertrieb der Dünnschicht-Solarmodule
Brandenburg an der Havel (ots) - Die Johanna Solar Technology GmbH hat die Produktion aufgenommen. "Hiermit ist ein wichtiger Meilenstein erreicht. Alle notwendigen Schritte zur Kommerzialisierung unserer hochwertigen und ertragsstarken Dünnschicht-Solarmodule sind eingeleitet", so der für Technik und Produktion zuständige Geschäftsführer Dr. Volker Probst. Damit ist die Produktionsstätte mit einer Nominalkapazität von 30 Megawatt nur ein Jahr nach dem Einbringen der Fertigungsanlagen bereit für den Einstieg in die Serienproduktion.

Die siliziumfreien Dünnschicht-Solarmodule von Johanna Solar auf Basis der CIGSSe-Technologie sind komplett schwarz und weisen neben ästhetischen wichtige technische Vorteile auf. "Die Roadmap für die weitere technologische Entwicklung unserer Produktion steht", so die Johanna-Geschäftsführer Peter Forch und Gerhard Bookjans. Ziel sei die kontinuierliche Steigerung der Wirkungsgrade bei sinkenden Produktionskosten. "Das wird der Markt honorieren", sagen die Geschäftsführer.

Die von Johanna Solar Technology GmbH hergestellten Produkte werden ab Frühsommer 2009 über die aleo solar AG (News/Aktienkurs) vertrieben. "Wir sind sehr stolz darauf, diese hochwertigen Solarmodule mit in unser Produktportfolio aufnehmen zu können" sagt der aleo solar Vorstandsvorsitzende Jakobus Smit. Eine große Nachfrage für die Johanna Produkte sieht aleo solar vor allem in dem sich stark entwickelnden Geschäft für Dachanlagen in Deutschland, Italien und Frankreich.

[meinolf67]

endlich habe ich den Centrotherm-turnkey-Kunden gefunden:

Solartech expanding production capacity


Latest news
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 24 September 2008]

Solartech Energy, a Taiwan-based producer of crystalline silicon solar cells, is expanding its production capacity through the construction of a new factory in northern Taiwan. Total annual capacity is to increase from the current 60MWp at its existing factory located elsewhere in northern Taiwan to 1,200MWp in 2013, according to company chairman KS Liu.

Solartech is setting up the new factory at a 36,360 square meter site, Liu indicated. Solartech will extend its production from only crystalline silicon solar cells to include high-concentration solar cells produced at the new factory, Liu said.

Solartech's new factory will also house the production lines of its CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) thin-film solar cell subsidiary, Sunshine PV, with the first phase to be completed in 2011, and the second phase in 2013, Liu pointed out. Solartech has paid-in capital of NT$950 million (US$29.7 million) currently and expects to list on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Sunshine will adopt CIGS technology provided by Germany-based Centrotherm Photovoltaic AG and plans to start trial production in the first quarter of 2009, with volume production to start in the following quarter, the company noted. The energy conversion rate for CIGS solar cells is expected to rise from 8% initially to 10% within several months, and further to 12% 18 months after, Sunshine pointed out.

Solartech and Sunshine: Production capacity schedule at new factory



Solartech


Sunshine

Crystalline silicon solar cells (MWp)


High-concentration solar cells (MWp)


CIGS thin-film solar cells (MWp)

Phase 1 (to be finished in 2011)


480


90


90

Phase 2 (to begin in 2010 and be finished in 2013)


480


90


90

[meinolf67]

Asia Solar, Jianqiao Solar news report raises the question, what’s Mandarin for hype?
27 November 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots


A story from JLM Pacific Epoch has put the Chip Shots hyperbole detector into overdrive. The report says that Taiwan-based Asia Solar Ltd. and Hong Kong's Jianqiao Solar have signed government contracts to invest $45 million and $90 million, respectively, thin-film photovoltaic projects in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, China.

Even in today's challenging financial environment, a $135 million TFPV play merits attention but does not stretch credulity. But then the numbers, at least those reported, get a bit dicey.

Asia Solar will "develop, produce, and sell thin-film solar cell equipment and parts and reach annual capacity of 48 production lines for production value of $6 billion within five years. The company's first line is scheduled to be installed in the first half of 2009," according to the report.

A manufacturing line getting installed by the end of June seems doable, as long as factory construction and facilitization are almost complete and the tools have been ordered already. But when I first read those previous claims of "48 production lines" and "$6 billion within five years," I wondered if there might be a typo or two--or worse.

First, to build four dozen lines in five years averages out to 9.6 lines per year between 2009 and 2013--almost a line per month. Even the vaunted speed of Chinese construction is not up to that task nor is the upstream TFPV equipment and materials supply chain currently capable of cranking out that amount of capital and consumable goods.

Second, though I'm not sure exactly what "production value" means, let's assume it refers to the value of the process and other tools produced from all those lines. By some forecasters' estimates, annual sales for the entire worldwide TFPV equipment sector may not even amount to $6 billion by 2013, so it's beyond unlikely that the mysterious Asia Solar will pull that off, with or without government monies.

Even if the currency has mistakenly been shown as U.S. dollars when it should have been Chinese yuan, 6 billion RMB is almost a billion dollars these days--still a tidy (and unrealistic) sum.

So what about this Jianqiao Solar outfit? The story goes on to say that it will "use Asia Solar equipment to design and manufacture thin-film solar cells on two 50-MW and two 100-MW lines. The company hopes to reach annual production value of $900 million within three years."

Although goals of 300 MW of TFPV production capacity and an "annual production value of $900 million within three years" may not seem as outlandish as the previous numbers, they are still pretty aggressive.

It would be nice to know what kind of TFPV is involved-- is it amorphous-/tandem-junction/microcrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS)?-- since it's a trickier proposition to perfect one's process and ramp to volume if the TFPV material involved happens to come from the II-VI family.

For benchmarking comparison's sake, let's choose a-Si/micro-Si as the thin film used and take the case of two-year-old Signet Solar and its fab near Dresden, the first TFPV production facility using an Applied Materials' SunFab turnkey production line to receive factory acceptance test (FAT) certification and ship a megawatt of modules.

It took Signet about a year from starting construction to get FAT and then send those first several thousand big pieces of solar glass out the door to customers. The company says the factory is rated at 20 MW, and that it hopes to ramp up capacity at the German plant to 120 MW by 2010, and add another 300 MW of capacity at a second site in India by 2012.

Signet's ramp plans seem pretty aggressive too, but the company has already proven it knows how to execute on a manufacturing capacity buildout, at least on its initial line. So we have reason to give the Signet team the benefit of the doubt when evaluating their expansion plans.

As far as I know, Asia Solar and Jinqiao Solar have yet to prove anything--except the ability to sign millions of dollars in Chinese government contracts. Given the overwhelming hyperbole surrounding the companies' initial announcement, doubt may be too weak a term to describe the veracity and feasibility of their purported plans.

[SLGramann]

Ascent / CIGS flex / USA


Ein schöner Zwischenerfolg für Ascent. Wenn die das 2010 in die Massenproduktion bekommen sollten und wenn sie die Kosten im Griff haben, bekommt ENER einen potenten Konkurrenten.


December 3, 2008

Littleton, CO, USA: Ascent Solar Achieves Efficiency Milestone

Ascent Solar Technologies, , a developer of state of the art flexible thin-film solar modules, has achieved greater than 9.5% efficiency 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 9.64% in conversion efficiency.

The modules tested at NREL were produced from the company's 1.5MW pilot production line.

"We have been working to achieve these efficiencies during our internal optimization process, and we view this achievement as a tremendous breakthrough. The test modules measure six inches wide by one foot long and serves as our building block for portable power and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products," said Dr. Prem Nath, Sr. Vice President of Manufacturing for Ascent Solar.

"Our goal continues to be the commercialization of flexible thin-film CIGS modules using a plastic substrate, which we hope will uniquely position Ascent Solar to provide light weight flexible photovoltaic material at low cost."

Lawrence Kazmerksi, Executive Director at NREL, said, "This is significant. Many doubted that a thin-film CIGS solar cell-on-plastic technology could be possible. Ascent Solar not only achieved this, but they now have confirmed efficiencies at NREL on fully integrated, monolithic prototype modules near 10%. This appears to be a substantial leap toward realizing high-performance, inexpensive thin-film solar photovoltaics."

[meinolf67]

Inventux // a-SI // Deutschland // Oerlikon

Inventux Technologies AG opens World's First Facility to Mass Produce Thin-Film Solar Silicon Modules using Oerlikon Solar's Micromorph® Technology

Berlin (D) / Trübbach (CH), December 4, 2008 - Oerlikon Solar, the worlds leading supplier of thin-film silicon photovoltaic (PV) production equipment, today announced that Inventux Technologies AG is now the world's first manufacturer to implement Oerlikon's micromorph® technology for the mass-production of thin-film silicon solar modules. Oerlikon and Inventux ramped up the Berlin facility, which today was officially opened by Major Klaus Wowereit, in just seven months. Oerlikon's tandem-junction micromorph® process will enable Inventux to produce up to 33 MWp of highly efficient, cost-effective thin-film silicon PV solar modules per year.

"We are extremely happy to have reached this significant breakthrough for the thin-film PV industry with our `best-in-classŽ partner Oerlikon Solar," said Volko Loewenstein, chairman of Inventux. "This experience gives us a great deal of confidence in our plans to expand our micromorph® manufacturing capacity in the near future."

Oerlikon Solar's micromorph® process significantly boosts solar cell efficiency by adding a second microcrystalline absorber to the amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer. This layer converts the energy of the red- and near-infrared spectrum, facilitating efficiency increases of up to 50 percent. The micromorph® technology also bolsters overall module power, enabling Inventux and other manufacturers to produce cost-effective thin-film silicon solar modules.

"The opening of the Inventux production site is another example of the world-class support and knowledge Oerlikon Solar can offer to all of its customers," said Jeanine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar. "We are dedicated to helping make solar an economically viable alternative energy option, and the joined effort between Oerlikon and Inventux to quickly ramp up the world's first micromorph® fab in Berlin illustrates this commitment."

Another important feature of Oerlikon's micromorph® cell structure is its compatibility in the production facilities, which enables a modular upgrade path from amorphous to higher module efficiencies. This patented, proprietary technology and the option to upgrade an a-Si production line to a micromorph® fab facilities an efficient, cost-effective process for upgrading production capabilities.

"We strongly believe that Oerlikon Solar is the most experienced and qualified partner when it comes to micromorph® production solutions," said Roland Sillmann, CTO of Inventux. "The Oerlikon Solar equipment, their module and process know-how combined with the expertise of our staff represents an ideal basis for Inventux to establish our highly cost-competitive PV module production line".

This is just one more milestone in Oerlikon Solar's mission to make Solar Power
economically viable.

[meinolf67]

Backgroud:

Grün, grüner, nano? 2
Von Niels Boeing

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Halbtransparente Farbstoffsolarzelle auf einem Glasträger
Quelle: Fraunhofer ISE

Wenn Nanotechnologien derzeit Schlagzeilen machen, dann meist wegen möglicher Risiken für Gesundheit und Umwelt. Doch jenseits der Risikodebatte sorgt ein neues Schlagwort für Bewegung in der Nano-Szene: "green nanotechnology". In Teil 1 der TR-Serie ging es um Effizienzgewinne beim Verbrauch von Energie und Ressourcen, die durch Nanomaterialien und -beschichtungen möglich werden.

In den neunziger Jahren erschien die Nanotechnik noch neu und aufregend. Die Medien zeigten allerlei Futuristisches, besonders gerne Nanoroboter, die durch Arterien flitzen und Zellen reparieren. Ein Jahrzehnt später existieren die immer noch nicht. Bis heute fehlt der Nanotechnik eine echte „Killer Application“ für jedermann, also das, was Web und Email für das Internet wurden. Einen Kandidaten gibt es allerdings: Nanomaterialien, die Sonnenlicht in Strom umwandeln – und damit die Photovoltaik endgültig aus ihrer zukunftsträchtigen Nische in einen Massenmarkt für Alltagsanwendungen befördern könnten.

Derzeit konkurrieren vor allem drei Materialkombinationen um den Platz an der Sonne: Nanokristalle aus Kupfer, Indium, Gallium sowie Selen oder Schwefel, die als „CIGS“ (manchmal auch „CIS“) bezeichnet werden; halbleitende Polymere, in denen Fullerene – Kohlenstoffmoleküle, die an Nanofußbälle erinnern – eingebettet sind; sowie Mischungen aus nanoskaligem Titandioxid und Farbstoffmolekülen.
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Ihr entscheidender Vorteil gegenüber dem heutigen Standardmaterial Silizium ist, dass sich aus ihnen Solarzellen mit Schichtdicken von weniger als einem Mikrometer in einem Druckverfahren fertigen lassen. Wie in einer Druckerei können Hunderte Meter lange Plastikbänder durch eine Straße aus Walzen geschickt werden, aus denen sie als lichtsammelnde Folie – einschließlich Elektrodenschichten – wieder herauskommen. Derartige Flächengrößen sind mit der üblichen Vakuumprozesstechnik bei Siliziumzellen nicht denkbar. Und: „Im Unterschied zur herkömmlichen Produktion von Solarmodulen sind hier alle Produktionsschritte in einem Arbeitsgang vereint“, sagt Bernhard Dimmler von der schwäbischen Firma Würth Solar, die im Juli eine CIGS-Produktionsanlage mit einer Kapazität von 30 Megawatt pro Jahr in Betrieb genommen.

Der kommende Platzhirsch bei CIGS-Zellen ist allerdings die kalifornische Firma Nanosolar: Sie hat in Luckenwalde bei Berlin eine 620-Megawatt-Anlage und in Kalifornien eine 430-Megawatt-Anlage errichtet. Für Erik Oldekop, Deutschland-Chef von Nanosolar, ist die CIGS-Technologie eine lupenreine Nanoanwendung: „Um die vier Bestandteile drucken zu können, müssen sie nanoskalig sein. Im Mikrometerbereich bekommen sie keine chemische Verbindung hin, nur Verklumpungen.“ Erst die exakte Anordnung zu einem Kristallgitter von je einem Kupfer-, Indium- und Galliumatom sowie zwei Selenatomen macht die Verbindung zu einem Halbleiter.

Im Unterschied zu Nanosolar setzt die US-Firma Konarka auf ein Polymer-Fulleren-Gemisch, das unter dem Namen „Plastic Power“ auf den Markt kommen soll. Ähnlich wie bei der pflanzlichen Photosynthese verteilen sich die Umwandlung von Photonen in bewegliche Ladungsträger und deren Weiterleitung auf zwei molekulare Komponenten: Die Umwandlung geschieht in den leitfähigen Polymerketten (beispielsweise PCBM), die Weiterleitung der Elektronen besorgt dann ein Netzwerk aus eingebetteten Fullerenen (C60).

Auch Konarka verfügt inzwischen über eine beachtliche Produktionskapazität: Die kürzlich in New Bedford im US-Bundesstaat Massachusetts eröffnete Fabrik ist für eine jährliche Gesamtleistung von einem Gigawatt ausgelegt. Das entspreche der anderthalbfachen Jahresleistung eines durchschnittlichen Kohlekraftwerks, sagt Christoph Brabec, CTO von Konarka und Chef des deutschen Ablegers in Nürnberg. Der Prototyp eines aufrollbaren Plastic-Power-Moduls lässt sich zum Beispiel an Handys oder Laptops anschließen. „Den 2-Watt-Akku eines Handys können Sie in einer Stunde in der prallen Sonne schon mit einer Zellfläche von 0,04 Quadratmeter aufladen“, rechnet Brabec vor – das ist weniger als die Größe eines DinA4-Blattes. Die US-Armee schloss bereits 2005 einen Vertrag mit Konarka ab und will ihre Soldaten künftig mit dieser mobilen Energiequelle ausstatten.

Auf einer Art künstlichen Photosynthese baut auch die dritte Technologie auf, die so genannten „Grätzel“-Zellen. Sie sind nach dem Chemiker Michael Grätzel benannt, der den Effekt mit seinen Mitarbeitern bereits in den achtziger Jahren entdeckte: Auf Ruthen basierende Farbstoffmoleküle werden durch Photonen angeregt und geben Elektronen an halbleitende Titandioxid-Nanopartikel ab. Über einen Elektrolyten können die Elektronen an Elektroden weitergeleitet werden und als Strom abgegriffen werden. Verschiedene Firmen haben die von Grätzel patentierte Technologie lizenziert und weiterentwickelt, darunter Konarka, G24 Innovations aus Großbritannien und Dyesol aus Australien.

Zwar können die Wirkungsgrade der neuen Zelltypen nicht mit Siliziumzellen konkurrieren: Bei CIGS- und bei Plastikzellen beträgt er um die fünf, bei Grätzel-Zellen bis zu elf Prozent – während Silizium- und andere Halbleiterzellen auf 20 Prozent, in gestapelten Anordnungen gar auf 40 Prozent kommen. Für die Nanozell-Verfechter sind jedoch nicht die Wirkungsgrade entscheidend, sondern die Herstellungskosten pro Watt Peak Zellleistung. Die liegen bei herkömmlichen Zellen bei über zwei Dollar pro Watt. „Die Kunden sind nicht bereit, für einen größeren Wirkungsgrad einen Preisaufschlag zu zahlen“, sagt Nanosolar-CEO Martin Röscheisen. Aufgrund der hochskalierbaren Drucktechnik sei er zuversichtlich, dass das Material von Nanosolar die Schallmauer von einem Dollar pro Watt als erste durchbrechen werden. Christoph Brabec von Konarka ist optimistisch, gar 50 US-Cent pro Watt Peak Zellleistung erreichen zu können.

Michael Grätzel sieht noch weitere Vorteile. Zum einen könnten die neuen Materialien Licht in einem breiteren Spektrum und auch unter ungünstigen Einfallswinkeln absorbieren, so dass sich mit ihnen Flachdächer ohne Gerüste, die Zellen zur Sonne hin ausrichten, abdecken ließen. Zum anderen sei die „Payback-Time“ kürzer: „Die Energie für die Herstellung der Zellen haben Sie nach einem Jahr wieder reingeholt, bei Silizium-Zellen erst bei drei bis vier Jahren.“

Eine ernsthafte Schwachstelle zumindest der Farbstoffzellen waren bislang ihre flüssigen Elektrolyten, die nicht allzu lange haltbar sind und bei einer Beschädigung der Zelle austreten können. Grätzel hat im Juli in Nature Materials gezeigt, dass sie sich durch feste Jod-haltige Salze ersetzen lassen, die ebenso zu dünnen Schichten verarbeitet werden können. Diese Entdeckung würde die Tür zu großflächigen Anwendungen im Freien öffnen, ist sich Grätzel sicher. Weil Nanosolarzellen wegen ihrer Schichtdicken zwischen 0,02 und 20 Mikrometern so transparent wie getöntes Glas sind, könnte man etwa auch stromerzeugende Fenster damit herstellen.

Silvia Tulloch, Geschäftsführerin von Dyesol, glaubt angesichts der Anwendungsmöglichkeiten, dass Nanosolarzellen nicht mit herkömmlichen Solarzellen konkurrieren, sondern neue Marktsegmente eröffnen werden. „Ich hatte erwartet, dass unsere Kunden Photovoltaik-Unternehmen der ersten Generation sein würden, aber da habe ich mich getäuscht.“ Sie erwartet, dass den neuen Zelltechnologien in China schon bald der Durchbruch gelingen werde. Aber auch hierzulande werden sie inzwischen massiv gepusht: BASF, Bosch, Merck und Schott investieren in einer 2007 gestarteten Initiative 360 Millionen Euro in die organische Photovoltaik, und das Bundesforschungsministerium steuert noch einmal 60 Millionen bei.

Gegen die Solarenergie wird immer wieder vorgebracht, dass sie nur helfe, so lange die Sonne scheine. Um die Sache rund zu machen, müsste man Solarenergie in günstigen Energiespeichern zwischenlagern können – am besten in chemischer Form als Gas, das dann in Brennstoffzellen genutzt werden kann.

Die „Powering the Planet“-Initiative von drei US-Forschungsgruppen lässt sich hierfür ebenfalls von der Photosynthese inspirieren. In der werden Photonen zunächst in positive und negative Ladungen umgewandelt, um dann getrennt – in Pflanzen durch das PSII-Protein – die Bildung von Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff zu bewirken. Nate Lewis vom California Institute of Technology setzt für den ersten Schritt auf einen Wald aus Silizium-Nanostäben. Fällt Sonnenlicht auf das Halbleitermaterial, kommt es zur Trennung in Elektronen und positiv geladene „Elektronenlöcher“ – wie in einer Solarzelle. Nur ist die Gesamtoberfläche des Silizium-Walds sehr viel größer als die eines Silizium-Wafers und fängt damit auch mehr Photonen ein. Und im Unterschied zu Silizium-Wafern lassen sich die Nanostäbe als Einkristalle relativ billig, für 40 bis 70 Dollar pro Kilogramm, produzieren.

Mit Hilfe von Katalysatoren sollen Löcher und Elektronen bewirken, dass sich Wassermoleküle in Sauerstoff- und Wasserstoffmoleküle spalten. Der Knackpunkt ist dabei, geeignete Katalysatoren zu finden, die billig sind und in dem wässrigen Medium stabil bleiben. Daniel Nocera vom MIT, der an der Initiative beteiligt ist, hat im Juli ein Kobalt-basiertes Material vorgestellt, das zumindest Sauerstoffgas entstehen lässt. „Kobalt-Phosphat ist sehr billig und reichlich vorhanden“, lobt Karsten Meyer von der Friedrich-August-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, die Entdeckung seines früheren Kollegen Nocera. „Und das Entscheidende ist: Das Material ist ‚selbstheilend’, der Katalysator regeneriert sich von selbst.“ Allerdings funktioniert er bislang nur mit Elektroden, an denen bereits eine äußere Spannung anliegt – mit Grays Lichtwandler aus Nanostäben noch nicht. Und für die Wasserstoffbildung gibt es bislang noch keinen vergleichbaren Katalysator.

Martin Demuth vom Max-Planck-Institut für Bioanorganische Chemie setzt hingegen auf ein photoelektrochemisches Konzept, das ohne äußere Spannung auskommt. „Wir nutzen nur Sonnenlicht als Energiequelle“, sagt Demuth. Herzstück ist Titandisilizid, das unter Lichteinstrahlung Wasser oxidiert. Dadurch bilden sich Protonen und Sauerstoffionen. Einige von diesen verbinden sich mit Titan- und Siliziumatomen just zu dem Katalysator, der die die Bildung von Sauerstoffgas ermöglicht. Die dabei frei werdenden Elektronen werden über eine Elektrode abgeleitet und verbinden sich an einer zweiten Elektrode mit den Protonen, die sich hinter einer halbdurchlässigen Membran gesammelt haben, zu Wasserstoffgas. Wieviel Gas dabei umgesetzt wird, will Demuth nicht verraten, da die Arbeit noch nicht publiziert ist.

Wohin aber mit dem Wasserstoff? In Gasform müsste es mit sehr hohem Druck auf ein handhabbares Volumen gebracht werden. Deshalb wird intensiv an Materialien geforscht, in denen sich das leichteste aller Gase einfacher einlagern und transportieren lässt. Ein Kandidat sind so genannte Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs). „MOFs ähneln einem Fachwerkhaus: Die langen organischen Moleküle bilden die Balken und die Metallatome die Verbindungspunkte zwischen den Balken“, erläutert Ulrich Müller, wissenschaftlicher Direktor in der Katalyseforschung bei BASF, das die MOFs bereits in kleinen Mengen unter dem Markennamen „Nanocubes“ herstellt. Nanoskalig sind allerdings nicht die Würfel, deren Kantenlänge etwa einen Millimeter beträgt, sondern die vielen Hohlräume zwischen den molekularen Balken. Ein Gramm MOF hat eine Gesamtoberfläche von 3000 Quadratmetern – fast so groß wie ein halbes Fußballfeld.

Pro Liter Materialvolumen können sich in den Hohlräumen bei minus 196 Grad Celsius – gekühlt mit flüssigem Stickstoff – 42 Gramm Wasserstoff anlagern. Ein 100-Liter-Tank voller Nanocubes würde ein Brennstoffzellenauto rund 400 Kilometer fahren lasen. Das Betanken lasse sich in einigen Minuten bewerkstelligen, sagt Müller. Dabei strömt das Wasserstoffgas aufgrund eines leichten Überdrucks im Tankstellenreservoir in den Autotank. Die Produktion von MOFs im großen Maßstab ist laut Müller mit Standardanlagen der chemischen Industrie möglich. Allerdings müssten auch die Autotanks heruntergekühlt werden, was wieder Energie kostet.

Andere viel versprechende Festkörperspeicher wie Metallhydride oder Natriumalanate funktionieren bei Raum- oder etwas höheren Temperaturen. Eine am Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe von Maximilian Fichtner entwickelte Kombination aus einem Natriumalanat und Titannanopartikeln als Katalysatoren kann etwa 80 Prozent der aufzunehmenden Wasserstoffmenge innerhalb von drei Minuten binden. Um den Wasserstoff herauszulösen, erhitzt man das Gemisch wieder auf 100 Grad. Nachteil: Das Stoffgemisch ist viel schwerer als MOFs. Einen Stoff, der alle gewünschten Eigenschaften vereint, gibt es bisher nicht. „Das dreht sich alles noch im Kreis“, sagt Max-Planck-Forscher Martin Demuth.

[meinolf67]

Sembawang // ??? // Brunei


SINGAPORE, Dec 5 - Sembawang Engineers & Constructors, a subsidiary of India-listed Punj Lloyd Group, said on Friday it will build a S$250 million plant in Brunei to make thin-film solar modules, its first foray into renewable energy. "We have identified a cluster of 'green' businesses with good growth potential." Richard Grosvenor, president and CEO of Sembawang Engineers and Constructors, said in a press release.
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Sembawang is one of the largest engineering and construction companies in Southeast Asia and is currently involved in the construction of the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World intergrated resorts in Singapore.

[meinolf67]

Sembawang // ??? // Brunei


Brunei Goes Green With Solar Power
By Ben Ng

Bandar Seri Begawan - An agreement was set in stone yesterday on constructing Brunei Darussalam's first thin-film solar module manufacturing plant that is expected to be complete by late 2011, marking the Sultanate's first attempt to jump onboard the "Go Green" bandwagon by utilising renewable energy.
When this project has been completed, Brunei will be one of the few places in Asia to produce thin-film solar modules that are important for creating renewable energy to meet the needs of millions of people living in remote and rural areas ofAsia without electricity and at the same time, help the environment without emitting harmful green house gas. Thin-film solar technology
(also known as thin-film photovoltaic) is a unique way of converting the sun's energy into electricity.

The modules manufactured at the Brunei plant will be used for generating electricity for use in urban, rural and remote areas as on grid, hybrid and off-grid applications and also as building integrated photovoltaic applications.

The modules can be used to complement existing power grid supply to supplement additional electricity requirement during daytime, when demand is at the maximum.

Sembawang Engineers and Constructors Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of India-listed Punj Lloyd Group, signed an agreement associated with pre-engineering activities necessary to build Brunei's first thin-film solar module manufacturing plant, which would convert the sun's irradiation into electricity.

A preliminary works agreement for the initial project analysis, design and pre-construction works of the manufacturing plant was signed yesterday with Hamidjojo Development Sdn Bhd (HDSB), a Brunei-based industrial developer. It is the first such thin-film solar project for both Sembawang and HDSB, and the first ever in Brunei. The full development cost is estimated at B$250 million.

Richard Grosvenor, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sembawang Engineers and Construe-. tors, told the Weekend Bulletin: "We are delighted that Sembawang has the opportunity to work with Hamidjojo Development. This is a great start to the new area of business in socially responsible projects that we aim to develop.

"We have identified a cluster
of 'green' businesses with good growth potential in which we can offer a niche area of technological know-how and expertise, such as building facilities for the production of renewable energy," said the CEO.

Meanwhile, Rubyanto Hamidjojo, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Hamidjojo Development said that the company is pleased to work with Sembawang on this important project on a turnkey basis, as it has the experience and technical know-how to build this high-tech facility and is able to provide on-time completion.

The thin-film solar module project will be executed in two phases. During phase one, Sembawang will complete a pre-EPC contract works, design and costing analysis by March 2009.

Subject to the successful completion of phase one and financial closure, Sembawang will execute the EPC contract and commence phase two on the design and construction of the plant in the first quarter of 2009.

The entire project is expected to be complete by late 2011.

Under phase two, Sembawang will design and build the plant on a 2.5-hectare site at Lambak Kanan (East) industrial area in Brunei, which is located close to the airport and seaport. The site is allotted by the Brunei Industrial Development Authority, Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources.

This project has been facilitated by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB). The construction works will include the main plant production building, a warehouse, dormitory and administrative office complete with infrastructure and other facilities.

For the plant operation, administration and finance and so on, a total workforce of 150 will be needed, and an intensive training programme will be conducted by HDSB in parallel during the construction period. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

[meinolf67]

Sencera // a-SI // USA


December 3, 2008

Charlotte, NC, USA: Sencera Receives Additional $5.2 Million Equity Investment

Additional investment in thin film start-up, Sencera has been triggered following its successful deposition of single-junction silicon solar cells with a 7% conversion efficiency under standard test conditions. The Company achieved the result utilizing a repeatable, fully automated process on The Viper(TM), its proprietary Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) manufacturing platform.

Sencera's 7% conversion efficiency milestone triggered an additional $5.2 million equity investment by The Quercus Trust and Michael Draper of Equinox Securities, Sencera's largest Investor.

According to Britt Weaver, Sencera's CFO, "Proceeds will be utilized to further accelerate the development of second generation tandem amorphous / microcrystalline solar cells with expected conversion efficiencies greater than 10%. Sencera is also in the process of raising additional capital in order to fully fund its first 35-Megawatt module factory in Charlotte, NC."

Cell performance was independently measured and confirmed by The University of Delaware's Institute of Energy Conversion, designated a University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaic Research and Education by the Department of Energy and The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

"The combination of 7% efficient thin-film single-junction silicon cells and Sencera's low capital cost Viper(TM) PECVD platform positions the company well from an economic perspective. The efficiency target was a critical milestone that demonstrates the viability of the Viper(TM) manufacturing platform for low cost solar panel production," stated CEO Dr. Rusty Jewett.

Sencera was founded in 2003 as a plasma hardware company focused on the thin film transistor and integrated circuit industries. In 2006, The Company shifted focus to the emerging thin film solar energy industry. The following year, Sencera introduced The Viper(TM) PECVD manufacturing platform. The Company plans to use its Viper(TM) production platform to produce thin film photovoltaic modules in its factory in Charlotte, NC.

[meinolf67]

hm :

Amelio Solar // a-SI // Jordanien


SOLAR DAILY
Gigawatt-Scale PV Power Project Initiated In Jordan

Example of Amelio Solar technology.
by Staff Writers
Amman, Jordan (SPX) Dec 08, 2008
The Al-Husseini Group and Amelio Solar have announced a joint venture to bring large-scale photovoltaic energy production capacity to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in cooperation with the government and the national utility.

The joint venture has launched a multi-year project to construct a one-gigawatt (1GW) photovoltaic power generation plant in Jordan, including an integrated two hundred megawatt (200MW) thin-film photovoltaic module factory that will serve as a dedicated, low-cost source of Amelio Solar thin-film photovoltaic modules to supply the power plant.

The joint venture first will deploy and operate a factory in Jordan to produce thin-film amorphous silicon, CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-diselenide) and related hybrid photovoltaic modules using a manufacturing platform created and installed by Amelio Solar.

Over a three-year installation period, the factory will reach an annual photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity of two hundred megawatts (200MW), beginning with a twenty-two megawatt (22MW) manufacturing line to be completed in 2009.

The photovoltaic modules produced by this factory will be used primarily in the construction of a photovoltaic power generation plant in Jordan designed by Amelio Solar which will reach a total power generation capacity of one gigawatt (1GW) by 2017.

The factory also will supply photovoltaic modules for export to other Amelio Solar photovoltaic power generation projects around the world and for sale on the open market.

"We are pleased to be introducing to our country this strategic technology and production platform, and we are grateful for the leadership and support of his Majesty King Abdullah and the cooperation of the Ministry of Energy in this important effort" stated Mr. Omar Al-Husseini, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Husseini Group.

"Our joint venture is bringing this capability to Jordan on a scale that will provide a truly cost-competitive, renewable source of electricity for today and the future, as well as a foundation for industrial growth in the new energy economy."

"This exciting project represents the largest implementation to date of our manufacturing-integrated platform for low-cost construction of photovoltaic power generation capacity; the market has come a long way in the 25 years since our team built one of the world's first thin-film photovoltaic module factory and power plant," added Dr. Zoltan Kiss, Chairman and founder of Amelio Solar.

"We are pleased to be working with Al-Husseini Group and the Jordanian government on their visionary initiative. Jordan's progressive business environment, technical capabilities and vast solar resources are an ideal combination for a large-scale solar energy program using thin-film photovoltaics."

[meinolf67]

OptiSolar // a-Si // USA


Numbers game: Thin-film solar PV enigma OptiSolar peeks out from behind the curtain
05 December 2008 | By Tom Cheyney | Chip Shots


optisolar_arrayGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used OptiSolar's Sacramento module-manufacturing factory as the scene for his recent announcement of an executive order streamlining California's renewables project approval process and increasing the California's renewable energy standard to 33% by 2020, an ironic backdrop given the company's semistealthy reticence to talk much about its manufacturing processes and capabilities.

The press release about the executive order made mention of the new OptiSolar plant, saying it "will begin manufacturing solar panels in early 2009. When fully built out," the PR continued, "the one-million-square-foot plant will be the largest photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing plant in North America, providing 1000 green jobs and producing approximately 2000 solar panels per day." That 2000 breaks down to about 83 panels per hour, assuming a 24-hour production modus operandi.

During his introduction of the governor at the event, company CEO Randy Goldstein (with an array of OptiSolar modules on the rooftop behind him) mentioned that the factory will have a production capacity of "several hundred megawatts per year." He also reiterated the company's plans to build the Topaz solar farm--one of the largest in the world at 550 MWp, when fully developed--on the Carrisa Plains in the Central California county of San Luis Obispo. The installation will eventually provide an impressive 1.1 GW of PV power that Pacific Gas and Electric will buy and supply to its customers.

Since the company won't, or at least hasn't yet, divulged many specifics about its amorphous-silicon thin-film PV modules, such as their wattage/capabilities or how they are made (though patent searches reveal a combo of CVD and PVD processes), I ran the few numbers that are floating in the cyberether--including those cited by the Governator--and tried to make sense of them.

For example, in a May 2007 press release about plans for the company's OptiSolar Farms Canada subsidiary to install a pair of 10 MW solar farms in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, it was said that "OptiSolar Farms will install over 600,000 ground-mounted solar panels." With a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation, dividing those 600,000 panels into that total of 20 million watts for the two Ontario sites, the quotient is a guestimated approximate wattage of 33.3 watts per panel.

When that 33.3 W is mulitplied by the 2000 panels per day number cited in the governor's PR, the product is 66.6 KW; if that 66.6 gets multiplied by 365 for a mythical annual output figure, the answer is 24.3 MW--a long way off from the several hundred megawatts cited by OptiSolar's Goldstein or the figure of "over 600 MW" posted on the company's Website.

Perhaps a zero here and there were left out, unintentionally or not. In any case, the numbers just didn't add up.

optisolar_fabSo to try and get this incomplete data set to make sense, I reached out to Alan Bernheimer, OptiSolar's VP of communications. Although he did answer my email (that comes with the communicating part of his gig), his reply was very sparing in its details.

"We're still largely quiet," he explained, "with occasional exceptions like the PG&E announcement in August and the Governor's recent appearance."

"What we've said publicly about production capacity is that the high-volume plant in Sacramento will produce more than 600 MW per year of solar panels when it is fully built out in several years," he continued. "And yes, 2000 panels per day would be at the low end of our projected output range. Don't forget what we call a panel is composed of 12 modules, attached to a frame in a 3 x 4 array."

"Our initial manufacturing lines in Hayward are currently supplying panels being installed in Sarnia, Ontario, but we haven't specified the production capacity here. (Blogger's note: An NREL table on TFPV capacity puts the Hayward plant's capacity at 40 MW.) Also, we haven't specified our panel output wattage."

Despite Bernheimer's comment about how the company defines panels and modules, there's still some latent confusion about OptiSolar's nomenclature. In the aforementioned 2007 press release about the PV farms in Ontario, the specific term used was "solar panels," not modules. If we take the company's definition of panel , as stated by Bernheimer, then 600,000-plus panels are equivalent to 7.2 million modules. This really doesn't make sense, since that would mean the modules would each be rated at 2.77 watts or so--well below any sensible power metric.

Perhaps the TFPV mystery house didn't have its own terminology nailed down last year. If that's the case, and those 600,000 so-called panels were indeed modules, then perhaps my earlier calculations are closer to reality: with a dozen modules per panel, at 33.33 watts per module, that means OptiSolar's panel array packs about a 400-W punch.

Let's extrapolate to the production side, using OptiSolar's definition of panel. Even at the low output end of 2000 400-W panels per day (or 24,000 modules, or a thousand per hour), that's 800 KW of daily production and 292 MW of theoretical annual nameplate capacity. With performance tweaks and continuously improving production efficiencies combined with capacity expansion, one can easily imagine OptiSolar reaching that 600-MW-plus production number down the line.

Putting my calculator aside, I asked Bernheimer in a follow-up email for some guidance on when OptiSolar plans to open its proverbial stealth-kimono and offer more transparency about its technology, production status, and panel specs.

His reply: "No kimono predictions, but let's stay in touch."

Still, don't be surprised if 2009 is the year that OptiSolar comes out into the light.

[meinolf67]

Best Solar // mc-Si // China // AMAT

...sie scheinen Ernst zu machen:

Air Products Signs Contract with China’s Best Solar


Plant Will Be One of the World’s Largest Thin-Film PV Facilities


LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (December 2, 2008) – Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced it has signed a turnkey gas supply contract to provide on-site gases, liquid bulk gases, specialty gases and gas equipment to China's Best Solar Hi Tech Co., Ltd, which is building a new thin-film photovoltaic (PV) facility in the Wuzhong Economic Development Park in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. When the facility comes on-stream at its full capacity, it will have an annual solar module manufacturing capacity of 330MW.

The contract between Air Products and Best Solar includes the long-term supply of hydrogen, nitrogen and argon, and specialty gases such as silane, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and dopant gases. Air Products will also install and manage the bulk gas and specialty gas supply systems.

"We are proud to have Best Solar's confidence in our supply capabilities for what will be one of the world's largest thin-film photovoltaic production facilities," said Corning Painter, vice president and general manager, Global Electronics, Air Products. "Our leadership position in the supply and delivery of the key materials for the PV market makes Air Products the safe and reliable choice for the growing PV industry."

Best Solar's thin-film PV modules, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, will be manufactured in much the same way as thin-film transistor-liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCD). As one of the largest suppliers to the TFT-LCD industry, Air Products is ideally suited to supply the new facility. This contract marks Air Products' largest investment in the burgeoning thin-film photovoltaic industry and complements its existing crystalline PV offerings.

With the demand for renewable energy and improved efficiency on the rise, Air Products is well positioned to take advantage of these developing markets with its expertise and project experience in areas including large scale hydrogen supply for cleaner transportation fuels, developmental work on the hydrogen economy, hydrogen vehicle fueling and infrastructure, leading natural gas liquefaction technology and now the growing supply of gases and services for the photovoltaic industry.

[faulerpilot]

Nun ist der Ölpreis eingebrochen und ohne Förderung werden viele Solarprojekte plötzlich unattraktiv.

Und schließlich verschwand in den vergangenen Wochen noch der letzte Vorteil von First Solar: Der hohe Siliziumpreis. Der ist nämlich inzwischen nur noch halb so hoch, wie noch im Sommer. Und von Versorgungsengpass kann keine Rede sein, es wird ein weiterer Preisrückgang befürchtet. Dadurch werden die Silizium-Module wieder wettbewerbsfähig, die Konkurrenz von First Solar ist wieder gestärkt.

Nun, der Vollständigkeit halber sei hier noch kurz ausgeführt, dass natürlich auch die Liquiditätsknappheit der Kapitalmärkte, die Schwierigkeit, Investitionsprojekte zu finanzieren, weil Banken keine Kredite vergeben, dazu führt, dass weniger Solarprojekte in Angriff genommen werden können, selbst wenn sie sich rechnen. Einige schwache Finanzierungen wurden inzwischen sogar wieder storniert, die Branche bekommt also nicht nur weniger Aufträge, sondern vorhandene Aufträge werden plötzlich storniert.

Beleutet von allen Seiten:
http://tinyurl.com/5gu86m

[meinolf67]

http://greenlight.greentechmedia.com/2008/12/08/150-solar-st…

[meinolf67]

Notos Solar d.o.o. // a-Si // Serbien (?) // Nanernergy

Thread: Green Star Energy - Pink-Sheet a-SI Player

Zoltan Kiss hat gefühlte 2 Dutzend a-Si Dünnschichtproduzenten gegründet...

Green Star Announces Notos to Purchase Photo Voltaic Manufacturing Facility

SAN DIEGO, December 8, 2008 / -- Green Star Alternative Energy, Inc. (Pink Sheets: GSAE) announces Notos d.o.o.’s newest subsidiary (Notos Solar d.o.o.) has executed a letter of intent with Nanenergy Hungary Ltd. for the acquisition of a turnkey Thin Film Photo Voltaic (TFPV) manufacturing facility. In addition to the initial purchase of a 5 MW production plant, Notos Solar has negotiated the exclusive rights to this TFPV technology for the countries of the Republic of Serbia and Macedonia.

Nanenergy Hungary Ltd. has developed a thin film photo voltaic module that provides superior performance in the conversion of the sun’s energy to electricity. Nanenergy’s experience in developing this technology has led to greater manufacturing efficiency and has translated to decreased production costs and greater profitability. The modular design of the production facility allows for an ease of expansion in 5 MW increments to upwards of 100 MW of TFPV manufacturing capabilities. The European and worldwide shortage of solar paneling is driving the solar industry’s production expansion.

Based on prior construction and implementation timelines, Nanenergy estimates that Notos Solar may begin full-scale manufacturing within ten months. This includes the assembly of all infrastructures and equipment, as well as all necessary training of personnel.

On behalf on Nanergy Hungary Ltd, Dr Zoltan Kiss stated: "We are happy to be in partnership with Notos Solar in expanding our proven technology – which is the most energy efficient thin film paneling in the world. Also, by expanding into the very lucrative region of South-East Europe, which has some of the highest ratios of sunshine per hour in Europe, Notos Solar and Nanergy are building a very strong platform for future developments in the region."

Miodrag Andric, President of Notos, stated: “Notos Solar will be acquiring this highly advanced 5 MW Thin Film PhotoVoltaic manufacturing facility and provide the region with its first solar paneling plant. The Republic of Serbia’s Ministry of Energy has determined that Serbia’s average sun radiation is 40% higher than that of Europe. Notos is positioned to begin harnessing this potential in 2009.”

[meinolf67]

Thin Film Solar Technologies SA // CIGSEE // Südafrika

(Johanna "spin-off")


December 10, 2008

Brussels, Belgium: European Investment Bank to Lend €40M for Thin Film Start Up

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 40 million to Thin Film Solar Technologies SA to support the construction of a production facility for thin-film photovoltaic modules in Paarl, South Africa. The new-generation PV modules produced by the facility will be used to generate emission-free electricity. The project will contribute to a gradual reduction of the costs of PV-generated electricity by implementing an innovative production process without the use of the expensive raw material silicon.

The facility will impact positively on the South African economy by establishing the country as a reference point for this innovative and locally developed technology and contribute to developing the national PV market. The new plant will provide PV systems to schools and clinics in rural communities, where PV is already often more cost-effective than power grid development, as well as micro-sized installations for individual homes, at competitive prices.

Plutarchos Sakellaris, EIB Vice President responsible for lending operations in Africa, applauded the initiative. “Working with the private sector to encourage innovation and economic growth is a core EIB objective in South Africa, as is providing finance for the development of renewable energy sources. This project marries these two fundamental EIB goals and as such we are delighted to lend our support to Thin Film Solar Technologies.”

The thin film CIGSSe (copper, indium, gallium, sulphur, selenium) technology for the new PV module production was developed by a University of Johannesburg research team. Commercialisation of the technology is to proceed by way of a public-private-partnership among the SA government (CEF and National Empowerment Fund) and private investors (Sasol and the University).

When fully operational, the plant will have an annual capacity of 30 Megawatt peak. Initially, most of the end product will be exported, however, the share of locally sold modules is expected to increase gradually as the South African PV market develops. The facility will employ up to 150 staff who will receive training and specialist skills development.

Through the involvement of NEF (National Empowerment Fund), whose mandate from the South African Government is to facilitate Black Economic Empowerment, Black South Africans will be able to participate and become beneficiaries in this strategic project. The EIB is providing this loan under its Structured Finance Facility (SFF). The SFF was established in 2001 to enable the Bank to support to priority projects with a higher risk profile than normally assumed by the EIB.

[meinolf67]

GFSF (gute Filme, schlechte Filme)...:

Show us the money: Financing thin-film PV projects
Date: Dezember, 2008

by Debra Vogler, Senior Technical Editor, Solid State Technology

Dec. 8. 008 - A panel discussion at last week's Thin Film Solar Summit (San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2-3) gave attendees a dose of reality: financing in the world of thin-film PV isn't a short-term play. The reality, according to Neal Dikeman, partner with VC firm Jane Capital Partners, is that only one or two thin-film projects have brought product to market in 30 years, and it's a $100M-$200M dollar up-front investment "just to play the game and see if your product really works."

Silicon Valley investors have mistakenly bet on "really great teams" while the technology is still at a science experiment stage, he argues -- investors are beginning to realize this, he thinks, and that the industry is sitting on the back end of about 5-10 years of $100M bets. "We're going to see a bunch of write-offs coming up," he warns.
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Middle

The challenge that has caught startups in this sector time and time again, Dikeman explained, is underestimating the engineering scale-up and production on a tens-of-MW scale. "People always assumed that if the technology worked and the team was good, that the rest was just engineering...and so far, that has never proven to be the case," he observed, noting that there have been several hundred (thin film) companies that have tried and only two succeeded. "The challenge has been that the engineering scale-up has been much harder than the science experiment." Citing the "black art" aspect to thin-film projects, he observed that for factories in the 30MW-40MW range, what matters is getting the same yields, distributions, and performance out of the second plant as was achieved in the first. "You can take the same people, same technology, same equipment, same materials, and you'll get something different between the two plants," he said. "I don't think that's changed."

Lest he dash the hopes of conference attendees, Dikeman acknowledged that while thin-film PV technology has to come down the cost curve, it is the only hope for making solar more than a niche subsidized business. "We have to deliver $1/Watt at the module level, not the cell level, in order for anyone downstream to have a serious business," he urged. "Otherwise, we'll be living off the investment tax credits and rebates over the next few years."

But don't hold out hope for a disruptive technology to solve the cost-curve challenge. "There is no disruptive technology in energy, only disruptive policies that make certain technologies look disruptive after the fact," Dikeman told the audience. He believes that the big cost-changing improvements that will come in the next few years will be manufacturing process improvements, and he's excited by the entrance of companies such as Oerlikon and Applied Materials, as well as some of the large semiconductor manufacturers. "We need [that] manufacturing scale," he said.

At the end of the line -- what model works?

Analysts at the summit also tackled the question of how utilities will drive the PV industry, and how some clear trends will benefit the industry. "The one technology that the American consumer wants to buy is solar; it's a ready market," said Bill Roth, green business coach for Entrepreneur.com and president of NCCT, "but the one thing standing in their way is sticker shock." So it's crucial to help move the transaction to the point where these consumers who wants to say "yes" can close, and Roth noted that an integrated model will enable the purchase to take place. He offered up as an example other commodity providers of energy, such as the oil companies, that are vertically integrated. "While the technology and science are critically important and they have to work, integration enables the purchase," he explained.

Dikeman countered that the PV industry hasn't been able to figure out exactly the overhead and operating cost of a distributed utility over a wide range of contracts. "It is very unclear to me what the fully loaded cost of solar is at any kind of scale being distributed," he said. "There are no very large fleets out there from which you can get data, and a lot of costs are hidden due to subsidies and tax equity."

However, Dikeman noted that Japan was always reasonably vertically integrated, and he's waiting for vertical integration to come to the US and Europe. For a hundred years in the energy business, the money has been made upstream from owning the asset/the resource -- so, solar on a serious scale means owning a piece of very sunny land next to water and right next to a transmission line and a load, he observed. "The guy who owns the land with the best resource is the one that makes the money," said Dikeman. "Everything else will be commoditized. The person owning the land with the best resources will make the most money." -- D.V.

[meinolf67]

Signet Solar // a-Si // USA // AMAT


Signet Solar Chooses New Mexico for Plant
Written by Katie Fehrenbacher
No Comments
Posted December 16th, 2008 at 1:00 pm in Startups

New Mexico might have lost out on the chance to have a Tesla electric car manufacturing plant built in the state, but it’s wooed solar startup Signet Solar. The company, which makes thin-film solar modules, says it will begin constructing a 600,000-square-foot solar module manufacturing facility in the town of Belen that could produce as much as 300MW per year and be operational as soon as 2010.

The plant could deliver as many as 600 jobs to the area, which is located 30 minutes south of Albuquerque. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on a media conference call wasted no time in pointing out the new green jobs and said that in the widespread economic difficulties, New Mexico is better off than most.

Menlo Park, Calif.-based Signet was one of the first licensees of Applied Material’s thin-film solar equipment to get a “Final Acceptance Test (FAT)” certification. It’s already started high-volume production of its thin-film solar material at a manufacturing facility in Mochau, Germany. Signet says it took about seven months to get its thin-film line up and running with Applied’s SunFab thin-film machines, which can bring down the cost and time to production. Signet, founded in 2006, currently has 100 employees.

[meinolf67]

GET // a-Si // Taiwan // AMAT

Green Energy Technology starts volume production of largest a-Si PV modules in Taiwan

Nuying Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Thursday 25 December 2008]

Green Energy Technology (GET), a Taiwan-based maker of solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafers and amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, on December 24 announced the commencement of volume production of a-Si thin-film PV modules and indicated that it has signed with clients in Europe to supply PV modules worth 39 million euro (US$54.7 million) in total. The a-Si thin-film PV module is the largest in size among all such products produced by Taiwan-based makers, GET pointed out.

GET has a 5G and an 8.5G a-Si thin-film PV module production line, and expects to obtain certification from a new client at the former in the first quarter of 2009. The 8.5G line is also expected to gain a new client in the third quarter, according to GET president Her-long Lin. In addition, GET will cooperate with the Taiwan government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to set up a testing and certification system for a-Si thin-film PV modules in Taiwan, Lin indicated.

GET plans to expand its total a-Si thin-film PV module production capacity from 30MWp currently to 50MWp in 2009, Lin noted. The a-Si thin-film PV modules produced at the 8.5G line have a maximum energy conversion rate of 7% and a guaranteed rate of 6% which is equivalent to power generation of 343W per module, Lin pointed out. GET can guarantee that 90% of its a-Si thin-film PV modules maintain a 6% conversion rate after the modules are used for 10 years and the percentage decreases to 80% after the modules are used for 20 years, Lin emphasized. GET will focus its production on the more profitable building-integrated PV modules (BIPV) segment, Lin said.

In related news, GET is setting up a second ingot-slicing line, with a capacity the same as its first line, and expects to be completed at the end of the second quarter of 2009, Lin indicated. GET currently has an annual capacity to grow solar-grade polycrystalline silicon ingots of 300MWp equivalent, and the proportion of in-house slicing will increase from 40% at present to 80% after the second line comes into operation, Lin pointed out.

[meinolf67]

Xunlight // a-Si // USA


Xunlight gets $7M loan to work on rooftop thin-film lines
Chris Morrison | December 23rd, 2008

Commercial rooftops sporting solar panels are becoming a familiar sight. But the technology used is still changing, with companies like thin-film panel maker Xunlight working to change the way big box retailers and others get their solar energy.

Xunlight has just received an additional $7 million in a loan from the state of Ohio, where the company is based, to speed work on a 25 megawatt production line in Toledo. The facility should be done next year, making flexible, lightweight panels that can be laid atop wide, flat rooftops like a carpet.

So far, there aren’t any major installations of thin-film panels on commercial roofs because the technology is still under development. The regular silicon photovoltaics that companies like Wal-Mart are placing atop their stores do the same job, but thin-film makers argue that their panels are much better, because they don’t require heavy racking systems that keep them angled toward the sun.

Because thin-film panels are cheap and low-efficiency, they can be laid flat, and cover almost all available space. And even when compared to a regular silicon panel, not including the rack, they’re still much lighter and easier to place.

After finishing its first manufacturing line and starting production early in the third quarter of 2009, Xunlight will work on ramping up with the aim of reaching 150MW of capacity by the end of 2010, according to company spokesman Todd Armstrong.

Xunlight uses an amorphous silicon technology for its panels, with which it hopes to average 8 percent efficiency. However, although there is very little thin-film on commercial rooftops today, it won’t lack for competition from companies with slightly different technologies. Nanosolar has also expressed interest in the market, along with Lumeta, Uni-solar and Solyndra, which just raised $600 million.

The $7 million loan Xunlight took came from an Ohio R&D development fund and a bond fund. The company has also taken several other rounds of funding this year, including $22 million in April, another $11 million in August and a $4.9 million state grant in July.

[CowNChicken]

Hallo,

darf ich fragen, welcher derzeit handelbare Wert in Sachen Dünnschicht (mit realistischen Erfolgsaussichten) eurer Meinung nach die beste Alternative zu First Solar ist?

Danke euch!
Cow

[KalleBum]

!

Dieser Beitrag wurde moderiert. Grund: Spammposting

[meinolf67]

AU Optronics // "3G" a-Si // Taiwan

Taiwan’s AU Optronics to enter thin film solar market
02 January 2009 | By Mark Osborne | News > Thin Film

AU Optronics to enter thin film solar market One of the worlds largest manufacturers of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD), Taiwan based AU Optronics Corp has announced plans to start an a-Si thin film pilot line using what it describes as a ‘third generation’ technology with conversion efficiencies in the 10% range, starting in 2009.

“AUO is now extending its innovations into the clean energy industry, seeking a win-win situation for CSR fulfillment in protecting the environment and promising green business opportunities for the TFT-LCD industry," said Dr. LJ Chen, President and COO of AUO. "We also welcome more people and companies to join us. Together, we can strive to advance Taiwan's green energy industry toward a more international level."

The thin film pilot line will be based at its R&D facility in Taichung, Taiwan and will be operated within a new ‘Energy Project Office,’ the company said in a statement. The company expects to make further details available on its move into the solar market at an investor’s conference to be held later on January 22nd, 2009. AU Optronics Corp is a multi-billion US$ dollar company employing over 40,000 people.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.278.421 von CowNChicken am 30.12.08 00:05:21

Das kommt darauf an.

Was genau meinst du mit

-realistischen Erfolgsaussichten?
-Alternative zu First Solar?


Die einzigen Dünnschichthersteller mit bisher nennenswertem Produktionsvolumen außer FSLR sind ENER und Kaneka.

ENER ist fundamental teuer, Kaneka primär ein Chemiekonzern.

Oder willst Du auf den technologischen Durchbrich neur Player wetten?

Wenn ja, auf welche Technologie?

[CowNChicken]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.292.690 von meinolf67 am 02.01.09 15:56:58

Zunächst einmal vielen Dank,

für die nächste Zeit bin ich etwas skeptischer geworden, da die Siliziumpreise vorraussichtlich purzeln werden und somit der Kostenvorteil der Dünnschichttechnologien nicht mehr so krass ausgespielt werden kann.
Das dürfte letztendlich auch First Solar treffen. FSLR und ENER sind mir beide viel zu teuer!

Man müßte frühzeitig in noch nicht an der Börse gelistete Unternehmen einsteigen können.. .

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.295.532 von CowNChicken am 02.01.09 21:58:56

Capital Stage ist an Inventux (mm-Si start-up) beteiligt.

EDF-EN an Nanosolar.

[SLGramann]

Mh, ich habe nochmal nachgedacht über dieses ganze Zeug. Was braucht man in der Zukunft, um mit einem Massenprodukt (und darum geht es!) erfolgreich zu sein? Gutes Management, erstklassige, weltweite Vertriebsstrukturen, finanzielle Stärke, Vetrauenswürdigkeit, vor allem aber "economies of scale" im Produktionsprozess, um im Preiskrieg zu bestehen.

Technologie? War wichtig für FSLR und hat ihnen zur rechten Zeit den Fuß in die Tür gebracht. Die werden den Rest auf der Basis ihrer Technologie vielleicht auch hinbekommen.

Ansonsten gilt aber für die Zukunft: Technologie an sich bringt gar nichts mehr, sondern hat ganz einfach vorhanden zu sein.

Wer regiert sie dann also, die TF-Welt?

Solche Leute:

Sharp expands thin-film production in Japan

December, 2008: Since October, Sharp has been operating its second production line for thin-film modules made from micromorphous silicon.

That line expanded the company’s thin-film production capacity from 15 to 160 MW annually. The new factory in Katsuragi, Japan, cost around €146 million ($186 million). According to Sharp, the modules are designed for PV parks in Germany and Southern Europe.

The solar cells, which have a micromorphous tandem structure, are deposited onto 1.4 m² glass substrates – that’s almost three times as large as its predecessor. Module power can be as much as 128 W and the 9-percent efficiency is 0.5 percentage points higher than the modules produced on the first line. For about one year now, Sharp has also been building a gigawatt factory in the prefecture of Osaka. By 2010, that factory will produce triple-junction silicon thin-film modules at a starting capacity of 480 MW. Sharp expects these modules to have an efficiency of 10 percent.
Neelke Wagner
© PHOTON International, December 2008

-------------------

Leute, vergesst die ganzen Krauter. Der Wind dreht sich. Die Zukunft der PV wird von den Elektronikmultis aus Japan, Taiwan und vielleicht auch Korea dominiert werden. China mal sehen. Westkonzerne? Game over binnen 4 bis 5 Jahren. Sondersituationen wie FSLR, vielleicht ENER, außen vor.

Vor allem Japan wird in dem Bereich mit Macht zurückkommen. Dieser Boom für die Europäer der letzten Jahre dank EEG und Spanien war ein Betriebsunfall der Weltgeschichte und wird ab sofort korrigiert werden.

Ach so, diese drei dutzend "Turnkey-Trottel" mit ihren 40 MW-Pilotlinien von AMAT überall in der Welt verbrennen gerade ihr Geld. Alles viel zu kleinteilig und zu langsam. Bis die im GW-Bereich sind, zerquetschen die Japaner die über die Preise. Das alles gilt mehr oder weniger übrigens auch für c-Si.

So wirds laufen. Spätestens 2010/2011 werdet ihr mir zustimmen.

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.296.804 von SLGramann am 03.01.09 12:03:36

Ach so, um das ganz klarzustellen: Dieses hier:

For about one year now, Sharp has also been building a gigawatt factory in the prefecture of Osaka. By 2010, that factory will produce triple-junction silicon thin-film modules at a starting capacity of 480 MW. Sharp expects these modules to have an efficiency of 10 percent.

handelt von der Fab 2 in Sakai (Osaka). Die jetzige Erweiterung auf 160 MW betrifft noch die alte Fab 1 in Katsuragi (Nara).

Und das alles hat demgemäß nichts zu tun mit:

Regarding cooperation in the production of thin-film solar cells, the plan is for Sharp, Enel, and a third European manufacturing company to construct a thin-film solar cell plant in Italy with the potential to expand annual production capacity to around 1 GW in the future. The initial phase of development will put in place a production system having an annual capacity of 480 MW, with the aim of starting operations around the middle of 2010.

Da haben wir in 2010 also schon 160 MW + 480 MW + 480 MW = 1.120 MW.

Oder hab ich da was falsch verstanden? Ich glaube nicht...

Und anders als bei den meisten anderen TF-Projekten, kann man hier eine erfolgreiche Umsetzung voraussetzen. Ist eben ein Vorteil, wenn man die Technik aufgrund seiner LCD-Expertise nicht voll neu lernen muss.

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.296.906 von SLGramann am 03.01.09 12:29:12

Wer könnte denn nun der ominöse dritte europäische Manufacturer sein?

So wie ich das sehe, braucht Sharp keinerlei Technologie-Input! Ich mein, die haben Tandem am laufen und sind mit Triple Junction und 10% Wirkungsgrad 2010 am Start. Da können die AMATS und Oerlikons einpacken.

Aber wie wärs mit Silangas? Wie wärs mit REC? REC goes TF?

[CowNChicken]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.296.974 von SLGramann am 03.01.09 12:43:10

Hmm, also ich weiß nicht.. so ganz einverstanden bin ich mit deinen Ausführungen nicht.. zumal ich selbst in der Solarbranche arbeite.

Wenn man sich ab und zu mal die Photon, Sonne-Wind-und-Wärme und andere Solarzeitschriften durchliest, dann ist eines klar:

In der kristallinen Photovoltaik ist China inzw. eine Supermacht.
Hier bin ich nur auf die Auswirkungen der "Weltwirtschaftskrise" gespannt, ansonsten denke ich, die sind nicht mehr aufzuhalten.. vor allem Japan hat da große Schwierigkeiten. Schau dir nur einmal die Rankings an, welche in diesen Zeitschriften ab und zu veröffentlicht werden. Wenn man sich nur die Produktionsstandorte anschaut, wird einem schlecht.
Bei den hochwertigen Produkten wird sich Europa hier gerade so noch halten, ich hoffe noch sehr lange!

Wie schon einmal erwähnt, glaube ich nicht, dass Solarworld, Q-Cells und wie sie alle heißen, so schnell von der Bildfläche verschwinden werden. Es soll Anzeichen geben, dass ihre Zeit nun erst gekommen ist, durch den etwaigen Rückgang der Siliziumpreise. Ich meine, was soll das werden mit diesem giftigen Cadmium und er Rückgabepflicht der First Solar Module, was ist mit den kommenden Engpässen bei Gallium und Indium, dazu ist das Zeug nicht recyclebar, weil es so dünn ist und verschwindet für immer. Siliziumsand ist unbegrenzt vorhanden!

Ich denke Dünnschichttechnologie mit Siliziumtinten etc. wird’s machen und da arbeiten nun verstärkt die Amerikaner dran.
Bsp.:

- Innovalight – Dünnschicht- und hoch effiziente Module werden durch Auftragen von Siliziumtinte hergestellt. Das dabei entstehende Silizium ist hochrein. Prozess spart mehrere herkömmliche Schritte ein  Sehr kostengünstig.
- Nanogram Corp. – Eine Folie wird auf ein Substrat (Bspw. Glas) aufgetragen und dann mit einem LASER bearbeitet. Dadurch werden Kristalle abgespaltet, welche am Substrat haften bleiben. Wirkungsgrade bis 15%, sehr kostengünstig (1 Dollar pro Zelle)

Die werden den Markt wie immer mit Venture Capital von hinten aufrollen.. sie haben Wüsten ohne Ende, die haben nun auch Obama und brauchen dringend eine neue industrielle Revolution! Sie werden hauptsächlich im eigenen Land produzierte Produkte fördern und einsetzen. Das könnte für China schlecht sein, nicht jedoch für einige deutsche Firmen, die dort schon produzieren.

Fazit: Ich finde, einige europäische Firmen verhalten sich „noch“ relativ clever. Die müssten schon geschluckt werden, um zu verschwinden. Wenn das dann Bosch oder Siemens ist, wäre das doch auch okay!

[BlueTornado]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.292.690 von meinolf67 am 02.01.09 15:56:58

Hallo allerseits!

Meinolf, Du schreibst "[...] ENER ist fundamental teuer [...]".

Findest Du First Solar denn fundamental günstig oder angemessen bewertet?
Ich habe sicher weit weniger Überblick über die Solarbranche als Du, aber mit rund 12 Mrd$ Marktkapitalisierung erscheint mir First Solar alles andere als günstig. Mehr als 1,5 Mrd$ Umsatz dürften 2008 doch nicht dringewesen sein, oder? Und selbst wenn das Wachstum 2009 und 2010 weiter so zügig vorangeht (was doch durchaus fraglich ist, oder?), werden die traumhaften Margen von First Solar aufgrund der starken Kapazitätsausweitung weltweit wohl auch leiden. Auch wenn die höchstwahrscheinlich im positiven Bereich bleiben werden, was sicher nicht auf alle Wettbewerber zutrifft.

Oder sehe ich da etwas grundlegend falsch? Bin neugierig auf andere Meinungen und bezüglich eines Investments in First Solar z.Z. skeptisch.

Schönen Gruß allerseits,
Blue T.

[meinolf67]

Odersun // CIS // Deutschland


Odersun hat einen neuen Chef / Auch andere Solarfirmen haben die Führungsriege ausgetauscht

POTSDAM - Nach Conergy in Frankfurt (Oder) und Johanna Solar in Brandenburg/Havel hat ein weiteres Solarstromunternehmen in der Mark eine neue Führung erhalten. Die Odersun AG – ebenfalls in Frankfurt– wird seit gestern von dem aus den Niederlanden stammenden Halbleiter-Spezialisten Hein van der Zeeuw geleitet.

Der bisherige Vorstandschef und Mitgründer Ramin Lavae Mokhtari bleibt zwar Anteilseigner und Berater, verlässt aber Odersun Ende des Monats. „Die Berufung Hein van der Zeeuws ist der Beginn einer neuen Ära, die es uns ermöglicht, verstärkt strategische Maßnahmen zum Wachstum zu ergreifen“, sagte Aufsichtsratschef George Powlick. Der Wechsel wurde nach MAZ-Informationen organisiert, um nach der Gründungsphase einen Experten für den Ausbau von Odersun zu haben. Das auf die Produktion von siliziumfreien Dünnschicht-Solarzellen spezialisierte Unternehmen steht vor der für März geplanten Eröffnung der zweiten Fabrik in Fürstenwalde (Oder-Spree). Die 50 Millionen Euro teure Produktionsstätte, in der 150 Menschen arbeiten sollen, wird von der Kapazität her die sechsfache Größe des ersten Werks haben. Der Physiker van der Zeeuw war 26 Jahre in der Elektronikindustrie, vor allem bei Philips, tätig. Zuletzt war der Spezialist für Produktionsstätten im Vorstand der Philips-Ausgründung NXP Semiconductors. Van der Zeeuw zeigte sich bei Odersun „tief beeindruckt von der Dynamik und Entschlossenheit, konkurrierende Technologien hinter sich zu lassen“.

Mit Mokhtari verlässt einer der Gründer das Unternehmen. Der frühere Eon-Manager hatte Odersun 2002 unter anderem mit dem Entwickler der speziellen Modultechnologie, Jürgen Penndorf, aus der Taufe gehoben. Vorausgegangen war in Frankfurt eine mehr als achtjährige Entwicklungsarbeit im Institut für Solartechnologien. Mokhtari suchte Investoren und fand sie in Großbritannien, Frankreich, China und den USA. Sie sind heute die größten Anteilseigner.

Der Wechsel bei Odersun ist kein Einzelfall in der Solarindustrie. Erst im Sommer war die Geschäftsführung von Johanna Solar in Brandenburg ausgetauscht worden. „Das ist ein Trend, viele Pioniere der Gründergeneration der Branche scheiden aus und klassische Manager treten ein, wenn das Unternehmen eine gewisse Größe erreicht hat“, sagt Sebastian Fasbender, Sprecher des Bundesverbands Solarwirtschaft . (Von Gerald Dietz)



Die Solar-Handtasche:
Die Odersun AG hat bisher 140 Beschäftigte und ist auf die Produktion von Dünnschicht- Solarmodulen auf Kupfer-Indium-Basis spezialisiert, die zu langen Bändern aufgerollt werden. Auf den Einsatz von relativ teurem Silizium wird verzichtet.

Die nur 0,1 Millimeter dicken Bänder können in Streifen geschnitten und zu beliebigen Größen zusammengesetzt werden. So können Solarmodule etwa gleich in Gebäudefassaden integriert werden. Auch der Einbau in Alltagsgegenstände ist machbar. Eine Handtasche kann so zur Solarbatterie werden. gd

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.327.332 von BlueTornado am 07.01.09 20:08:31

Stimmt: FSLR ist fundamental noch teurer.


Aber: Wenn es überhaupt eine produzierende PV-Firma gibt, die weiter stürmisch wächst, dürfte das FSLR sein.

Der Grund, sie liegen sogar nach dem Preisrutsch mit ihrem VK noch drastisch unter dem von c-SI-Anbietern.


Als Marktführer sind die Aktien einfach teurer.

Persönlich habe ich nur 1 Stück FSLR, aber von ENER eine kleine Position.

[meinolf67]

Kaneka announces its formal decision to further augment solar cell production capacity
(additional 80 MW for upgrading to 150 MW level)
—Review underway to upgrade to 1 GW level by around 2015—

◎ Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Osaka. President, Mr. Kimikazu Sugawara) has made the
formal decision to augment thin-film solar cell production capacity by 80 megawatts (MW) to
bring it up to 150 MW for the commencement of operations in the summer of 2010. These
thin-film solar cells utilize hybrid technology with a conversion efficiency of 12%. The new
equipment will be installed at the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Kaneka Solartech
Corporation (Headquarters: Toyooka City, Hyogo; President: Kenichi Sato). The amount of the
capital investment is expected to come to more than 10 billion yen.

◎ Commercial production of thin-film solar cells which utilize hybrid technology featuring the
world’s highest level of conversion efficiency (12%) began at Kaneka Solartech in April, 2008,
and shipments are increasing incrementally. Kaneka is currently engaged in process innovations
which have resulted in various improvements, including a substantial reduction in the cost of
equipment achieved through independent development, a substantial increase in productivity on
the manufacturing line achieved through the use of proprietary thin-film solar cell technology, a
reduction in the cost of materials used and enlargement of the panels. With respect to
manufacturing costs, the goal is to bring about significant cost reductions so that a cost of 100 yen
per watt can be achieved at an early point in time. The full 80 MW of the upgrade will be used to
produce hybrid-type cells with a conversion efficiency of 12%, and the company will continue to
further expand production capacity at the demonstration plant on a commercial scale.

◎ The company has also decided to look into the following to further expand the scale of the
business:
- Further accelerate current cost reduction efforts and maintain a top position in the global market
in terms of both quality and cost in order to secure a competitive advantage in the global power
market of the future. It will be necessary to reduce costs through technological innovations for
Kaneka’s solar cell operations to survive and grow in the market. Preparations have begun for the
establishment of a new Thin Film Laboratory with the goal of continuing to establish new solar
cell technologies. This will allow Kaneka to engage in R&D on next-generation, high-efficiency
hybrid cells and development of organic thin-film solar cells through the application of organic
EL research technology for the achievement of high conversion efficiency.
- This expansion of facilities will allow Kaneka to seek new production bases with the technologies
established at this demonstration plant by fully utilizing the premises of Kaneka Solartech.
Kaneka believe that the dominant production bases are those that are closest to their markets.
Kaneka will carefully watch market trends and will look into establishing production bases in the
optimal locations, including overseas. Kaneka will begin by looking into establishing a
production base in Europe. The scale Kaneka are looking at is 200 MW, and Kaneka will
gradually increase production capacity to 1 GW by around 2015.
- The solar cell business currently has four market segments: large-scale utility installation, free
land installation, commercial roof-top installation and residential roof-top installation. Kaneka’s
target market in Europe and the United States will be large-scale utility installations used for
supplying electricity. In Japan, the focus will be on installations at new residences.
- The company will not only seek to go it alone in its future sales strategy but will also consider
alliances with suitable partners.

[meinolf67]

Sunfilm // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT


19. Dezember 2008
New Sunfilm Production Facility On Track
Grossroehrsdorf, Germany [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Sunfilm AG has completed construction of a new 20,000 square-meter plant that is now due to begin operations in 2009. This is the second line at the facility. It has a nominal annual capacity of more than 60 megawatts (MW) and is situated next to Sunfilm's first production facility in Grossroehrsdorf.

The two plants together will bring Sunfilm's annual thin-film capacity to over 120 MW.

It will also use equipment from Applied Materials, Inc to produce thin-film tandem junction modules. Pre-production is scheduled for mid-2009 ith commercial production due to start later that year.

The two plants together will bring Sunfilm’s annual thin-film capacity to over 120 MW using ultra-large format of up to 5.7m². The company was originally formed in 2007 by Good Energies and NorSun to develop thin-film solar technologies.

[meinolf67]

AU Optronics // 3G - a-SI(?) // Taiwan


http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/taiwanese-lcd-giant-a…

[BlueTornado]

Wenn man das so alles liest, klingt es, als ob es auch im Dünnschichtbereich bald eine Menge Wettbewerb geben dürfte.

Zur Bewertung von First Solar:
Mal ganz überschlägig gerechnet: rund 12 Mrd $ Martkkapitalisierung
angemessenes KGV 2009 20 (natürlich sehr willkürlich, ich gründe das einerseits auf extremes Wachstum, Marktführerschaft Dünnschicht, aber mehr dann auch nicht wegen allgemeiner Krise und Unsicherheit bezüglich der Margen 2009 und darüber hinaus)

Das bedeutet: 600 Mio $ Nettogewinn 2009 erforderlich.
Bei geschätzten 2 Mrd $ Umsatz ist das eine Nettomarge von 30%.

Erscheint mir angesichts der aufkommenden Angebotsschwemme ambitioniert, auch wenn es in der Vergangenheit geklappt hat.

Grüße
Blue T.

[meinolf67]

Guangdong Zhicheng Champion // a-Si // China


Chinese battery maker Zhicheng Champion plans 20MW thin-film PV line
09 Jan 2009 / Solar / Manufacture & Scale-up / China
Chinese battery maker Zhicheng Champion will spend CNY 220m (USD 32.2m) to build a 20MW a-Si thin-film PV line in China’s Guangdong Province.

[meinolf67]

Optisolar // a-Si // USA


ups...


Hayward's OptiSolar lays off 300
By George Avalos
Staff Writer
Posted: 01/09/2009 05:05:22 PM PST
Updated: 01/09/2009 05:49:16 PM PST

OptiSolar Inc., which only last fall had the trappings of a solar energy powerhouse, disclosed on Friday that it has laid off nearly 300 workers in Hayward and Sacramento because the frozen capital markets have chilled its expansion.

Hayward-based OptiSolar said the 290 jobs it eliminated Friday amount to nearly half of the company's work force. OptiSolar cut 185 jobs in Hayward and another 105 in Sacramento.

"Even solar, which is the promise of the future, is not immune to the terrible economic pressures we are all under right now," said Alan Bernheimer, an OptiSolar spokesman.

Following the job cuts, which were effective Friday, OptiSolar will have 247 workers in Hayward and 70 in Sacramento.

"The major effect of this decision is it suspends our high-volume manufacturing," Bernheimer said.

Privately held OptiSolar makes thin-film solar photo voltaic panels and also produces electricity from its own large-scale solar facilities.

"In this capital market, we just couldn't finance the costs for our expansion," Bernheimer said. "The current work force simply wasn't sustainable. Our expansion was dependent on access to the capital markets. And those dried up starting last September."

Much of OptiSolar's revenue currently and in the near-term could be powered by two projects:

# A fast-emerging solar energy farm in Ontario, Canada, that OptiSolar developed for the Ontario Power Authority. The Ontario solar complex
Advertisement
Click Here
will be capable of 210 megawatts.

# A proposed solar energy farm in San Luis Obispo County that would provide power for PG&E. That Central California complex would provide PG&E with 550 megawatts.

"Solar energy has taken several hits in recent months," said Christopher Thornberg, a partner and economist with Beacon Economics.

The first major blow was a huge decline in crude oil and natural gas prices.

"When crude drops, all of a sudden, solar energy doesn't look so good," Thornberg said.

Another setback emerged because tax credits may be less attractive. Because corporate profits have dwindled or metastasized into quarterly losses, companies have less incentive or opportunities to use tax credits, Thornberg said.

The third important reverse for solar energy companies was triggered by the implosion of the housing market. Thornberg pointed out that green technology enthusiasts in some cases used home-equity loans to bankroll installation of solar energy panels on their property. The collapse of home prices has made it tougher for people to tap those residential equity piggy banks.

"It's tough times for the industry right now," Thornberg said. "You have a one-two-three punch. Solar is taking a beating in the short run."

OptiSolar will continue to manufacture modules and components for solar panels. The company will assemble the solar panels in Sacramento.

The company is continuing at a brisk pace with its project in Canada. That is starting to produce some revenues.

"It's just a trickle right now, but as we continue to install more capacity in Ontario, those revenues will be growing throughout 2009," Bernheimer said. OptiSolar will also pursue approval permits so it can develop a solar farm in San Luis Obispo.

The company is optimistic about the future and is negotiating with other customers that could obtain electricity from an OptiSolar farm.

"We have a tremendous development pipeline," Bernheimer said of the company's prospects. "We are just battening down the hatches and trying to ride out the economic storm."

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.352.999 von meinolf67 am 12.01.09 09:23:55

Mh... Würde mich interessieren, was da im Detail dahintersteckt. Derzeit wird eben einfach alles recht unreflektiert auf die Finanzkrise geschoben, siehe CSG.

Ich vermute jedenfalls, dass es für a-Si künftig keinen großen Markt mehr gibt. Ich mein, dieses Zeug macht doch eigentlich nur für Freifläche einen Sinn, aber da fallen jetzt mal eben 2 GW Nachfrage aus Spanien weg. Für den Rest der Welt reichen zunächst mal die Kapazitäten von FSLR oder sogar Überschussmengen an c-Si-Modulen. Wer braucht noch a-Si, wenn es Besseres gibt, das, so meine Vermutung, bei der Gesamtkosten-/Nutzenrechnung eben doch besser liegt, als diese 5%-Module?

[meinolf67]

CNBM // a-Si(?) // China


CNBM to set up thin-film plant in China’s Guangdong Province
13 Jan 2009 / Solar / Manufacture & Scale-up / China
China National Building Material has signed an agreement to build a thin-film base in Foshan, Guangdong Province.

[meinolf67]

Advanced Solar Photonics // a-Si(?) // USA


Florida thin film PV maker plans 40MW fab
12 Jan 2009 / Solar / Manufacture & Scale-up / United States
Florida-based thin film PV module manufacturer Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP) plans to break ground this year on a new fabrication plant and plans to ramp production to 40MW by late 2010.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.362.268 von meinolf67 am 13.01.09 12:11:15

Advanced Solar Photonics Announces New Thin-Film Module Production Plant
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Monday 12 January 2009
email the content item print the content item

Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP), a Lake Mary, Fla.,-based developer of laser marking, scribing, edge-deletion and edge-isolation systems for the solar industry, has expanded to a 318,000 square-foot facility to build a solar panel thin-film module production plant.

The company will break ground on this new plant, SolarFab, this year and expects to ramp up production to 40 MW by late 2010 - with the ability to continue to increase in capacity later. This opportunity will create about 200 green jobs in Florida.

According to ASP, its thin-film SunPanels will be scalable and are expected to be able to reach grid parity by 2011 due to ASP's patented manufacturing process and technologies that can increase efficiency levels and lower costs.

SOURCE: Advanced Solar Photonics

[meinolf67]

Innovalight // ink-c-Si // USA

Silicon-ink production line installation completed by Roth & Rau AG and Innovalight
14 January 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon | News > Cell Processing

Roth & Rau AG and Innovalight have together completed the world’s first silicon-ink based solar cell production line, installed at Innovalight’s Sunnyvale, California facility. The line has reached operational capability and its initial capacity of 10MW can be scaled to several hundred megawatts, according to the companies.

Installation of the majority of the solar cell manufacturing equipment was carried out by Roth & Rau, while Innovalight's custom proprietary inkjet printing platform and silicon-ink manufacturing systems formed essential elements of the new production line, which incorporates the cost benefits of crystal silicon wafer technology with the silicon-ink processing technology to produce low cost, high performance solar cells.

“The potential to lower costs by combining Innovalight's silicon-ink platform and conventional silicon solar cell technology is very impressive,” said Dr. Dietmar Roth, CEO of Roth & Rau AG. “Combining the strength of Roth & Rau's manufacturing expertise and Innovalight's silicon nanotechnology has enormous potential in the marketplace.”

[meinolf67]

Solyndra // CIGS-circular // USA


Chief Scientist Markus Beck departs Solyndra for First Solar
16 January 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon | Going Places

Solyndra has lost its Chief Scientist and one of the essential elements behind Solyndra’s cylindrical-tube-based CIGS panels, Markus Beck, according to a report in Greentech Media. Mr. Beck has reportedly moved to First Solar, marking a major loss for Solyndra. The company also lost its founder, Ratson Morad, to DayStar Technologies back in February 2008, and rumours are abounding as to Solyndra’s current standing in the CIGS industry.

Mr. Beck was instrumental in several of Solyndra’s patent filings, and was heavily involved in efficiency improvements to Solyndra’s proprietary solar cells. According to Greentech Media, neither Solyndra nor First Solar has returned calls for comment.

[meinolf67]

Solyndra // CIGS-circular // USA


Solyndra's Chief Scientist Moves to First Solar
Markus Beck, a well regarded solar researcher, has left Solyndra for First Solar. Let the speculation about Solyndra's future begin.
by: Michael Kanellos
Bullet Arrow January 15, 2009

Markus Beck, the chief scientist at Solyndra, has defected to thin-film solar giant First Solar, according to sources.
Advertisement

The departure of Beck is a major loss for Solyndra, according to solar execs who heard about the switch. As chief scientist, Beck oversaw projects for improving the efficiency and performance of the company's unusual, cylindrical copper, indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells. His name is on various Solyndra patents.

"Beck was truly the key technical solar guy over there," wrote one solar exec.

Both Solyndra and First Solar have not returned calls for comment. Rumors of Beck's departure and new home at First Solar began to percolate yesterday afternoon.

The news will likely spark lively gossip and debate in Silicon Valley and the solar world. Like Miasolé and Nanosolar before it, Solyndra has become the CIGS company of the moment. When CIGS comes up as a topic, the conversation very soon begins to revolve around the Fremont, California-based company.

Company backers and executives assert that Solyndra has moved ahead of competitors in the CIGS market. It is in production and, just as important, it has signed multimillion dollar contracts to deliver solar modules to customers. In all, the company has signed deals to deliver around $1.5 billion worth of solar modules to customers between now and 2012.

Detractors, however, paint a different story. Solyndra may have raised over $600 million between 2005 and the middle of 2008, but the last round of financing has been tough. Solyndra started seeking an additional $350 million< ;/a> in the middle of summer. Many VCs said they passed on the deal. On the last day of 2008, Solyndra filed a document with the SEC stating that it had raised approximately $219.2 million.

The company is said to have ove r 400 employees. Even with its supply contracts, though many have speculated that Solyndra will begin to initiate layoffs to cut its costs. Other solar companies like Optisolar have already started mass layoffs. The cylindrical solar cells, some privately say, could also be tough to mass produce.

Sour grapes or a realistic assessment? Only time will tell.

Solyndra has lost top technical talent before. In 2007, Benny Buller, one of the company's founding members and the former vice president of engineering and technology at Solyndra, took off to become director of device improvement at First Solar.

In February 2008, Ratson Morad hit the road to join DayStar Technologies as President and COO. Morad also served as a vice president of engineering and technology and was part of Solyndra's founding team, according to a press release from DayStar.

Jonathan Michael, one of the founders and former CTO of Solyndra, left during the summer of 2008.

Confirming things like layoffs and employment changes is difficult. Founded in 2005, the company largely operated in stealth mode, giving out little about itself other than an address. Details about its patents dribbled out through filings and sources discussed its technology, but the full picture didn't come clear until the press extravaganza in October.

Beck, though, isn't the only high-profile solar star to leave a job recently. Kannan Ramanathan, who served as chief research officer at Miasolé from 2006 to 2008, became a senior researcher at competitor SoloPower last November (see Miasolé's Chief Researcher Defects to SoloPower).

Beck's move will no doubt be cheered by fans of First Solar, which makes cadmium telluride solar cells. Although other companies are getting into its market, First Solar is the only company right now that mass manufactures cadmium telluride solar cells. Besides having something of a de facto monopoly in a technology, First Solar has also relentlessly managed to drop the price of its solar cells through efficient manufacturing. More than anything, the company's ability to exceed forecasts and execute has won admirers. (First Solar's president, Bruce Sohn, came from Intel, which also gets praises for its obsessive manufacturing regimen.)

Some estimate that energy at some utility scale solar projects using First Solar modules is on par with the cost of coal-fired fuel.

[meinolf67]

Report: China develops new thin film solar cells
Xinhua Economic News (19. Januar 2009)

BEIJING, Jan 19, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- ?? China has developed the CuInSe2 thin film solar cells with effective area of 804 square centimeters in North China's Tinajin.

It indicates that China has mastered the main core technologies concerning CuInSe2 thin firm solar cell manufacturing equipment and technical process and the manufacturing of solar modules and made a progress in large-area solar cell intermediary test technology.

The result is jointly achieved by Nankai University and Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone Investment Co., Ltd.

Nankai University is a pioneer for Chinese development of thin film solar cells with 19 years of history in the research. It set up a joint venture company with Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone Investment Co., Ltd. to jointly develop technologies in June 2007.

[meinolf67]

mal wieder ein (für mich) ganz neur Player:

Jenn Feng // CIGS // Taiwan


Jenn Feng to start production of CIGS PV modules in June 2009, says paper


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 19 January 2009 at 09:27

Jenn Feng Industrial, a Taiwan-based maker of power equipment and lighting products, has stepped into R&D of CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules and plans to kick off volume production in June 2009, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.

Jenn Feng will complete its first CIGS thin-film PV module production line soon with an annual capacity of 35MWp. It will then add more line of equal capacity, up to 8-10 in total, in August 2009, EDN indicated. Jenn Feng reached an energy conversion rate of 10.5% with its trial production run of CIGS thin-film PV modules and aims to increase the rate to 12-15%, EDN noted.

To fund expansion of the solar energy business, Jenn Feng is planning to raise additional paid-in capital through issuing 50 million new shares. One of the top-ten power plants in the US and a Singapore-based high-tech enterprise are said to be ready to subscribe to portions of the new shares at NT$40 (NT$1.21) per share, EDN indicated. Jenn Feng's stock closed at NT$22.8 at the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on January 17.

Last update: 19 January 2009 at 09:27

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.416.311 von meinolf67 am 21.01.09 09:00:35

Vielleicht mit einer Turnkey-Lösung von Centrotherm? Reine Spekulation, aber sonst alles schwer vorstellbar imho.

[meinolf67]

Solyndra // CIGS-tubular // USA


Solyndra Opens European Headquarters
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Tuesday 20 January 2009
email the content item print the content item

Solyndra Inc. says it has officially opened its European headquarters near Munich, Germany, in Holzkirchen, Germany, in response to the high demand in Europe for its thin-film PV systems.

As managing director and vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa sales of Solyndra GmbH, Clemens Jargon will be responsible for overseeing the company's sales and service operations throughout European countries with active PV markets, such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and France.

"The commercial rooftops of Europe are an immense opportunity for the generation of solar electricity and are of growing importance with favorable incentive support in many countries," says Dr. Chris Gronet, CEO and founder of Solyndra. Designed specifically for commercial rooftop installation, Solyndra's thin-film PV system features proprietary cylindrical modules which collect more available sunlight and generate significantly more solar electricity from low-slope commercial rooftops than conventional flat-panel PV technologies, the company states.

SOURCE: Solyndra Inc.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.416.364 von SLGramann am 21.01.09 09:09:37

von meinem Gefühl her eher nein; der eine bisher bestätigte Kunde heißt Sunshine (oder Sunrise, oder Sunlight oder so ähnlich), und ich habe keine Verkündung eines zweiten von CTN gehört.

Außerdem sind die Wirkungsgradzahlen deutlich über den von CTN genannten.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.418.777 von meinolf67 am 21.01.09 14:13:32

Bisher haben die Gartengeräte gemacht:

http://www.jennfeng.com/

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.418.777 von meinolf67 am 21.01.09 14:13:32

Bilanz:

javascript:openWindow("/server-java/t05st31_e?TYPEK=sii&ste…

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.418.859 von meinolf67 am 21.01.09 14:22:16

Sorry, klappt nicht.

[meinolf67]

Sanyo+Nippon Oil // ??? // Japan


Sanyo and Nippon Oil to set up “next generation” solar venture
19 Jan 2009 / Solar / Joint Ventures / Japan
Japanese electronics and solar maker Sanyo (TSE: 6764) and Japanese oil company Nippon Oil will set up a “next generation” thin-film PV venture.

[meinolf67]

Shengrui Solar // ??? // China


Shengrui Solar breaks ground on thin-film module project


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 20 January 2009 at 10:05


Hong Kong's Shengrui Solar Technology Company held a groundbreaking ceremony for its thin-film solar module project in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province on January 16, reports Cnec.org.

The project's first phase is scheduled to begin production in August, said the report. The project is expected to receive total investment of US$500 million.

The first phase project will cost about US$ 36 million and the thin film solar panel production capacity will reach 96 MW by the end of 2010, and reach 120 MW by the end of 2011.

[dlrowralos]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.418.826 von meinolf67 am 21.01.09 14:18:58

Die Aktie ist schön teuer.
Die meisten Beiträge in Englisch.
Gemessen am "hohen" Aktienkurs halte ich mehr deutsche Beiträge oder Übersetzungen für angebracht.

MfG

[SLGramann]

Wer sich für dieses Thema interessiert, muss sich eigentlich die Photon 1/2009 kaufen, die seit heute im Zeitschriftenhandel ist. Dort wird die Frage, wer in FSLRs Fußstapfen treten kann, ausführlich behandelt. Wer diesen Thread regelmäßig liest, wird wissen, dass wir hier keine wirkliche Antwort gefunden haben und auch Photon hat sie letztlich nicht wirklich, aber trotzdem jede Menge sehr relvante Fakten und Einschätzungen.

Viel Potential wird bei ENER und Kaneka gesehen. Sharp kommt nicht vor, was mich persönlich zutiefst beleidigt. Die Q-Cells-Töchter, die ich einst so begehrte, stellen sich bei Lüpfen des Schleiers größtenteils als hässlich heraus.

[meinolf67]

Gadir Solar // a-Si // Spanien // Oerlikon


Air Products to supply Gadir Solar with turnkey contract


Posted by Heather Lackey on 26 January 2009 at 14:35


Air Products has signed a turnkey gas supply contract to provide liquid bulk and speciality gases, related gas distribution equipment and engineering services to Gadir Solar at its new silicon thin-film photovoltaic (PV) facility in Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain.

The contract includes the long-term supply of nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, oxygen, and specialty gases such as silane, NF3 (nitrogen trifluoride), and dopant gases. Air Products will also install and operate the complete gas distribution systems from the source containers to the point of use.

Jeff Handelman, Air Products General Manager, Photovoltaics, said: “Air Products is very excited to be working with Gadir as their gas supply partner. Gadir is a leader in the Spanish energy market and we feel our expertise and complete turnkey offerings will enable a fast ramp to meet Gadir’s growth plans. Our cost roadmap and partnership approach allows customers to leverage our technology expertise, which includes everything from dopant blenders and gas cabinets to on-site services and a wide range of specialty gases, which includes our on-site fluorine and NF3 solutions. We are committed to achieving the lowest cost of ownership for our customers and assist them to reach the overall industry goal of grid parity.”

David Naranjo, CEO of Gadir Solar said: “We chose Air Products for their reliability, safety record, engineering expertise and experience on the Thin Film PV platform technology. We have aggressive growth plans and we feel Air Products is the right business partner to meet our needs.”

With the demand for renewable energy and improved efficiency on the rise, Air Products is well positioned to take advantage of these developing markets with its expertise and project experience in areas including large scale hydrogen supply for cleaner transportation fuels, developmental work on the hydrogen economy, hydrogen vehicle fuelling and infrastructure, leading natural gas liquefaction technology and now the growing supply of gases and services for the photovoltaic industry. Air Products has business on all of the major OEM tool sets. www.airproducts.com/photovoltaics

[meinolf67]

HHV // a-Si // Indien


India's HHV develops cell-to-module production line for 1x1m thin-film Si solar cell


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 27 January 2009 at 05:28


Hind High Vacuum Co Pvt Ltd (HHV), an India-based manufacturing equipment maker, developed a cell-to-module production line for thin-film silicon solar cells made with 1 x 1m substrates.

The company exhibited thin-film Si solar cells prototyped in the production line at the 18th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference & Exhibition taking place in Kolkata, India.

HHV prototyped the 1m2 thin-film Si solar cell in December 2008. Its stabilized module conversion efficiency is 6.3%, and the module's maximum output is 60W.

For a starter, HHV will introduce the cell-to-module production line at HHV Solar Technologies Pvt Ltd, its manufacturing subsidiary for thin-film Si solar cells. The subsidiary is currently constructing a plant, which is expected to start production as early as June 2009. The new plant's initial production volume is 10MW per year.

Then HHV will start selling the production line as a turnkey solution. The price of the line with a production capacity of 10MW per year is US$12 million, which is lower than the prices of turnkey solutions being supplied by other manufacturing equipment makers. HHV said four companies are currently considering employing the solution.

[meinolf67]

Sunwell (CMC Magnetics) // a-Si // Taiwan // Oerlikon


Sun Well to shift factory construction from Taiwan to China, says paper


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 02 February 2009 at 06:05


Sun Well Solar, a Taiwan-based maker of amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, has given up its original plan to establish a factory in Taiwan and will instead build a similar factory in China, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.

Sun Well, a subsidiary of the largest Taiwan-based optical disc maker CMC Magnetics, originally planned to set up a factory on a 21-hectare site at Letzer Industrial Park in northeastern Taiwan, EDN indicated. Due to difficulty in raising funds, Sun Well has decided to shift the project to an idle site adjacent to CMC's factory in eastern China and will invite strategic partners to enter a joint venture to market a-Si PV modules in China, EDN pointed out.

Last update: 02 February 2009 at 06:05

[meinolf67]

CTF-Solar // CdTe // Deutschland

...der Chinese dürfte Apollo Solar sein; siehe auch: Thread: Apollo Solar Energy - CdTe-Lieferant?

...Murphy&Spitz ist einer der wesentlichen Geldgeber von CTF



Berlin, 29.01.2009

Am Rande des 5. Deutsch-Chinesischen Forums für wirtschaftliche und technologische
Zusammenarbeit, das am 29.01.2009 im Beisein der Deutschen Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela
Merkel und des Chinesischen Ministerpräsidenten Wen Jiaobao in Berlin stattfand,
unterzeichnete das Kelkheimer Solarunternehmen CTF Solar GmbH eine Absichtserklärung, nach
der sich ein chinesisches Bergbauunternehmen im Zuge einer Kapitalerhöhung an dem
Kelkheimer Unternehmen beteiligen will. Dieses Bergbauunternehmen verfügt in China über
eines der weltweit größten erschlossenen Vorkommen von Tellur, dem wesentlichen Rohstoff für
CTF Solar.

CTF Solar plant den Aufbau einer Fabrik für die Produktion von Dünnschicht-Solarmodulen. Dabei
greifen die Kelkheimer auf ein speziell entwickeltes Dünnschichtverfahren zurück, das sich
gegenüber Wettbewerbsprodukten durch besonders niedrige Produktionskosten auszeichnet.
CTF Solar wird die Fabrik in der Nähe von Erfurt mit einer Jahreskapazität von 50 MWP
entsprechend ca. 735.000 m2
Solarmodulen errichten. Nach dem für Ende Februar geplanten
Abschluss der Planungsarbeiten durch CTF Solar soll unverzüglich mit dem Bau der Solarfabrik
begonnen werden, die im Laufe des Jahres 2010 den Produktionsbetrieb aufnehmen wird.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.509.954 von meinolf67 am 04.02.09 14:12:11

Ganz interessant ist auch der erwartete Wirkungsgrad:

50.000.000 Watt (=50MW)
735.000 qm

ergibt sich eine Leistung von 68W/qm => 6,8% Wirkungsgrad. Ein weiter Weg bis zu Firstsolar....

[meinolf67]

QS Solar // a-Si // China


...das waren die, die schon imJuni 2008 sagten, daß sie 2010 zu $1/W verkaufen wollen würden.


Chinese company QS Solar to complete 1GW solar cell project by 2012


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 04 February 2009 at 05:10


Shanghai-based QS Solar's Suzhou subsidiary plans to construct a 32-line solar cell project with total capacity of 1GW that is expected to generate annual sales revenue of $1 billion after it is completed in 2012, reports Newenergy.org quoting Suzhou QS Solar Executive Director Luo Man.

The project's first stage is expected to contain 16 production lines and begin construction in 2009, while the second stage will break ground in 2011, said Luo.

QS Solar plans to invest a total of $1 billion, including registered capital of $376 million, in the Suzhou subsidiary.

For more details, please visit: www.qspv.net.

[meinolf67]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.343.591 von meinolf67 am 09.01.09 17:26:35

AU Optronics // mc-Si (?) // Taiwan


Taiwan's AUO to initially invest NT$5 billion in thin-film PV modules

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 04 February 2009 at 05:08


AU Optronics (AUO), having announced a project to develop "third-generation" thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules with energy conversion rates of at least 10%, has set aside an initial budget of NT$5 billion (US$150 million) for the new business, according to industry sources.

Although AUO has not defined its "third-generation" thin-film PV technology, which may refer to micromorphous silicon tandem-junction or CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide), the sources pointed out. The former is more likely than the latter because of relative maturity in manufacturing technology, the sources indicated.

For more details, please visit: www.auo.com.

[meinolf67]

HelioVolt // CIGS-flex // USA


HelioVolt founder Stanbery steps down as CEO
Business Wire (4. Februar 2009)

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb 04, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- HelioVolt Corporation, a producer of highly efficient thin-film solar energy products, today announced additions to its executive management team as the company builds out its US manufacturing capacity. Board member Ron Bernal has been appointed as interim chief executive officer and Sanjeev Kumar, the former CFO of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ:ENER) has joined the company as chief financial officer; founder Dr. BJ Stanbery will serve as chief strategy officer and chairman of the board. The board will conduct an international search for a permanent CEO to lead the company in its next phase of growth as a manufacturer of thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) products.

"As HelioVolt shifts into high gear as a US solar manufacturer, the complementary experience of HelioVolt's management team speaks volumes to the value we are building for our company, partners, and present and future investors," said Scott Sandell, HelioVolt board member and NEA general partner.

Added Dr. Stanbery, "As the company continues to expand, the added skills to our management team will support our aggressive plans to manufacture and commercialize thin-film PV modules and BIPV products for global markets."

Bernal, a HelioVolt board member since 2007 and partner at Sequel Ventures, will direct the company as it transitions from the development of its proprietary thin-film solar manufacturing process to full-scale commercial production. Bernal has previously served as a venture partner at Sutter Hill Ventures and as vice president of operations for the product technology groups at Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO).

Kumar will lead HelioVolt's overall financial growth while providing further organizational and strategic support to the company. Kumar commented, "I am particularly excited by HelioVolt's proprietary thin film manufacturing technology that enables low-cost, robust solar solutions that can scale to meet the world's energy needs."

In Kumar's prior tenure as chief financial officer, ECD commercialized new technologies, reached profitability, completed a major capital raise, and delivered significant value to shareholders. Kumar also serves as a board member for Solar Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AIM:SIT.LN), a designer, manufacturer and installer of building integrated photovoltaic products. Kumar has over 15 years of experience in global energy markets and spent nine years with Occidental Petroleum Corporation in Los Angeles.

Dr. Stanbery, who founded the company in 2001, will continue to play a key role as the new CSO and chairman of the board. In 2007 HelioVolt closed a $101 million series B funding round with investments from the Masdar Clean Tech Fund, New Enterprise Associates, Paladin Capital Group and Sequel Ventures, among others.

About HelioVolt

HelioVolt Corporation was founded in 2001 in order to develop and market new technology for applying thin-film photovoltaic coatings to conventional construction materials. The company's proprietary FASST(R) process, based on semiconductor printing, was invented by HelioVolt founder Dr. Billy J. Stanbery, an eminent expert within the international PV community in the materials science of CIGS and related compound semiconductors. FASST(R) is a low-cost, flexible manufacturing process for CIGS synthesis and is protected by both fifteen issued US and foreign national patents and by numerous additional global patents pending. For additional information, visit www.heliovolt.com.

[meinolf67]

China Solar Power // a-si // China // Ulvac


China Solar Power plans IPO in 2010

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 12 February 2009 at 08:12

Thin-film solar cell manufacturer China Solar Power (Holdings) Ltd. has announced its plans to stage an IPO in 2010 to raise funds for its planned production expansion.

The company also expressed its hope to bring down the cost of solar module production to $0.80 per watt, alongside its plan to expand production output to more than double its current rate of 25MW, according to a Reuters report yesterday.

China Solar Power has also projected its revenue for 2010 to reach $140 million, compared to revenue of $20 million this year.

[meinolf67]

Ersol // a-Si // Deutschland // Oerlikon


EU genehmigt Beihilfe für Bosch-Solartochter Ersol
Mittwoch, 11. Februar 2009, 12:39 Uhr

Brüssel, 11. Feb (Reuters) - Die EU-Kommission hat grünes Licht gegeben für eine staatliche Investitionsbeihilfe an das Thüringer Solarunternehmen Ersol(ES6G.DE: Kurs). Der Ausbau der Produktion von Solarzellen und -modulen dürfe mit knapp 40 Millionen Euro gefördert werden, teilte die Kommission am Mittwoch in Brüssel mit. Damit würden neue Arbeitsplätze geschaffen und die regionale Entwicklung gefördert, ohne dass der Wettbewerb verzerrt werde. Ersol gehört zum Autozulieferer Robert Bosch[ROBG.UL].

Die Kommission bezifferte das Investitionsvolumen auf 371 Millionen Euro. Damit würden 461 Arbeitsplätze bei der ersol Thin Film GmbH entstehen. Bosch hatte im Dezember angekündigt, bis 2012 insgesamt 530 Millionen Euro in die Erweiterung der Fertigungskapazitäten zu stecken. Durch den Ausbau sollen 1100 Arbeitsplätze zu den bestehenden 1200 hinzukommen. Die Produktion soll Anfang 2010 aufgenommen werden.

Thüringen gehört zu den Regionen, die in der Europäischen Union wegen ihres niedrigen Lebensstandards und hoher Arbeitslosigkeit staatlich besonders gefördert werden können.

[meinolf67]

Jenn Feng // CIGS // China

Smit Ovens supplies Jenn Feng Industrial with thermal processes for mass production of CIGS

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 17 February 2009 at 07:35


Smit Ovens announced on Monday that it has signed a deal to supply Taiwanese company, Jenn Feng Industrial, with thermal process solutions for mass production of thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells. Under the deal, Smit Ovens will provide equipment and non-vacuum processes for in-line manufacture of CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) PV cells, incorporating use of nanoparticle precursors in the selenization process.

As a specialist in thermal processes for high volume applications, Smit Ovens brings expertise which will help Jenn Feng in its ambition to move rapidly into full scale production.

“We have been working with Jenn Feng on a CIGSSe development project since March 2008. And we are delighted this has contributed to the company’s plans to scale up production for the global PV market. Thermal processes already help reduce manufacturing costs. Combining these with innovative techniques such as use of nanoparticle precursors is particularly exciting for cost-effective production of high-efficiency cells,” says Wiro Zijlmans, CEO, Smit Ovens.

“We expect huge growth in solar energy and are keen to ramp up output quickly,” says Min-Fu Jong, CEO of Jenn Feng Group. “With Smit Ovens as a partner, we have access to the company’s proven experience in solar cell manufacturing and to tailor-made solutions for our production. We believe that this partnership will be an important element in our drive to provide PV cells and modules with ‘grid parity’ capability – producing electricity at comparable cost to fossil fuels – into more areas of the world.”

Jenn Feng Industrial aims to start mass production of thin-film CIGS cells and modules in 2009, with an annual capacity of 35 MWp. This will enable the company to round out its PV portfolio, so it can offer customers a one-stop shop for high quality, turn-key solar solutions for commercial buildings, homes and power generation utilities.

For more information about Smit Ovens & Jenn Feng Energy, please visit www.smitovens.nl; www.jennfeng.com.

[meinolf67]

Illies Renewables // CIGS // Deutschland // turn-key Centrotherm


18.02.2009 14:10
centrotherm photovoltaics erhält Auftrag im Bereich Dünnschicht
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ots.CorporateNews übermittelt durch euro adhoc mit dem Ziel einer europaweiten Verbreitung. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist das Unternehmen verantwortlich. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unternehmen/Technologie

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Blaubeuren, 18. Februar 2009 - Die centrotherm photovoltaics AG (News/Aktienkurs) hat einen Auftrag im Geschäftsbereich Dünnschicht erhalten: Die Illies Renewables GmbH, Hamburg, hat eine 50 Megawatt-Produktionslinie für Dünnschichtmodule auf Basis der CIGS-Technologie für ihren Produktionsstandort in Magdeburg-Rothensee bestellt. Das Auftragsvolumen liegt bei über 60 Mio. Euro. Die Auslieferung der Linien beginnt voraussichtlich im ersten Halbjahr 2010.

Illies Renewables ist eine Projektentwicklungsgesellschaft im Bereich der erneuerbaren Energien.

"Wir freuen uns, Illies Renewables beim Einstieg in die Dünnschicht-Technologie zu begleiten", sagt Hans Autenrieth, Mitglied des Vorstandes der centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "Dieser Auftrag ist für uns auch eine weitere Bestätigung, mit CIGS auf eine zukunftsweisende Technologie gesetzt zu haben." CIGS ist derzeit die Dünnschicht-Technologie mit dem höchsten Wirkungsgrad. Dieser liegt in der Forschung aktuell bei über 20 Prozent.

centrotherm photovoltaics wird voraussichtlich am 19. Februar 2009 die vorläufigen Zahlen zum Geschäftsjahr 2008 vorlegen.

[meinolf67]

SunWell (CMC) // a-Si // Taian // Oerlikon


Thin Film Silicon Mass Production Ahead of Schedule

. First complete end-to-end thin film silicon installation successfully completed
. 40 MW production level reached one month ahead of schedule
. Module power above target
. Oerlikon TCO front and back contact system proven fit for mass production

Taipei/Taiwan and Trubbach/Switzerland, February 19, 2009 - Oerlikon Solar and Sun Well Solar, a subsidiary of CMC Magnetics, announced today that the ramp-up of the 40 MW amorphous thin film silicon production line has been completed one month ahead of schedule. The installation includes the innovative Oerlikon Solar LPCVD TCO front and back contact technology, which has clearly proven its capability in mass production over the last 6 months. Average module power production yields exceeded contractual targets. The Sun Well IEC certification was accomplished in October 2008. The completion of the Sun Well production ramp-up marks the first successful "end-to-end" installation of a thin film silicon production line within the PV industry.

Every 50 seconds a PV module leaves the Sun Well Solar manufacturing line, resulting in more than 1,250 panels or 110 kW produced per day. At this stage of the emerging and quickly growing thin film silicon PV industry this output is equivalent to about 10% of the world's module production, making Sun Well one of the largest in Asia. Oerlikon Solar and Sun Well have already announced plans to expand Sun Well's production capacity in the future.

"Our decision to utilize Oerlikon Solar technology has been impressively confirmed by the timely completion of our first thin film production line", said Bob Wong, Chairman of CMC Magnetics group. "Especially in this challenging market environment, the performance of our production has to be the most cost competitive in the industry."


Success through cooperation
Experienced Sun Well engineers were very helpful in resolving critical issues during the ramp up with Oerlikon Solar specialists. Together, the project team was able to achieve all important milestones.

"This was our first end-to-end project and a very visible test of both our technology and our execution capability", said Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar. "The teams exceeded all expectations. I am very proud of their work. Through their efforts we are demonstrating to customers that we can deliver on our promises."

On this project Oerlikon Solar has implemented a special high performance front and back contact method in its production lines. A Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) process is used to generate a transparent and conductive Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) layer which is superior to conventional methods. The light transmission and scattering properties of this layer are very important for the efficiency, with which the solar module can convert sun light into electric power. The excellent performance of the Sun Well PV modules and the outstanding line productivity clearly demonstrate Oerlikon Solar's TCO technology mass production is mature and ready for the scale that the industry will demand.

"Just one more milestone in Oerlikon Solar's mission to make solar power economically viable."

[meinolf67]

T-Solar Global // a-Si // Spanien // AMAT


February 18, 2009 11:40 AM Eastern Time
T-Solar Launches Volume Production of World’s Largest Solar Panels on Applied Materials’ SunFab Thin Film Line

ORENSE, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Solar Global S.A. announced today that it has begun volume production of the world’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) modules using a SunFab™ Thin Film Line supplied by Applied Materials, Inc. The solar panels, sized at 5.7m2, are ideally suited for large scale solar farm applications where installation costs can be reduced by about 20% over smaller scale panels. The SunFab line and modules produced by T-Solar have been awarded Intercert Certification, verifying achievement of all manufacturing, module efficiency and yield specifications.

“Our fully certified, higher-value solar panels will provide us with a significant opportunity to serve the expanding European market for large commercial buildings and solar farm applications,” said Juan Laso, general manager of T-Solar and president of the Photovoltaic Enterprise Association (AEF). “We’ve invested in what we believe is the best technology and equipment to manufacture solar panels that will allow us to continuously drive down the cost of solar energy generation.”

T-Solar is expected to annually produce 700,000m2 of PV panels with the potential to generate up to 45 megawatts equivalent module production per year with the SunFab line. T-Solar plans to eventually expand the line by 40% and expects to gain further production efficiencies and reduced material costs.

T-Solar and Applied Materials have also entered into a multiyear service agreement that guarantees fixed maintenance costs and is aimed at driving constant improvement in line output. The SunFab Performance Service™ program is designed to foster a strong, long-term alliance between the companies, who are both committed to continuously improving factory uptime, product quality and yield.

“We are pleased to be able to work with T-Solar to enable their success,” said Dr. Randhir Thakur, senior vice president and general manager, SunFab Thin Film Solar and Display Business Group at Applied Materials. “Our collaborative work on this line is yet another step toward unleashing the power of thin film PV technology to dramatically reduce the cost of solar energy.”

T-Solar’s SunFab line will also receive ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and EMAS certification for quality management and environmental production management, and meets OSHA’s European safety and health standards. In addition, T-Solar is a member of PV Cycle, the European association committed to PV waste management and recycling.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

T-Solar Group is a markedly technological and industrial business group that has opted for generating green electricity from solar energy. The company has invested more than 1.000 million € to start up a new business project that covers all stages of photovoltaic value chain. It produces the biggest (5.7 m2) modules in the market using state-of-the-art hydrogenated silicon thin film technology at its new Ourense factory. This fully automated and pioneering plant in the world has an annual production capacity of 700.000 m2 of panels, equivalent to 45 MW/year. The Group furthermore promotes, operates and exploits its own photovoltaic power stations. T-Solar currently has 28 photovoltaic power stations in Spain, with an installed power rating of 143,39 MWp, and is able to produce 200 GWh/year, which is equivalent to fulfilling the power needs of 59.000 homes. To date, the company has generated more than 155 highly qualified direct jobs and the plans are to continue growing in 2009, in order to maintain leadership in the markets. www.tsolar.eu

[meinolf67]

Genesis Solar Espana S.L. // a-Si // Spanien



IRW-PRESS: Genesis Energy Investment AG (News) : Genesis Energy erhält Absichtserklärung eines US-Investors über Investitionen in Höhe von 42 Millionen US-Dollar

Genesis Energy erhält Absichtserklärung eines US-Investors über Investitionen in Höhe von 42 Millionen US-Dollar

Budapest, Ungarn 19. Februar 2009 Genesis Energy Investment PLC. (BSE: NVT1), spezialisiert auf die Herstellung von Solarmodulen in Dünnfilmtechnologie, gab heute bekannt, eine Absichtserklärung eines US-Investors über eine Kapitalzufuhr in Höhe von 42 Millionen US-Dollar für die hundertprozentige spanische Tochtergesellschaft, Genesis Solar Espana S.L., erhalten zu haben. Aufgrund der Turbulenzen am weltweiten Finanzmarkt und der daraus resultierenden Schwierigkeiten, Finanzanlagen und Forderungen an Dritte kurzfristig auflösen und in liquide Mittel wandeln zu können, hat sich der Finanzierungsabschluss für die erste Produktionsstätte sowie die weitere Entwicklung der beiden anderen geplanten Standorte von Genesis Energy verzögert.

Die vorgeschlagene Investition ist noch abhängig vom Abschluss weiterer Finanztransaktionen des US-Investors und einem zu genehmigenden Aktientausch, wobei Genesis Energy Investment PLC als Gegenleistung für 100 Prozent an seiner spanischen Tochtergesellschaft einen Anteil am US-Unternehmen erhält. Mit dem Kapitalzufluss würde die Fertigstellung der Produktionsstätte für die Herstellung von Dünnfilm-Solarmodulen in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, Spanien, grünes Licht erhalten.

Dieser Schritt würde der Eigenkapitalanforderung der regionalen und nationalen Regierungen Spaniens nachkommen. Die Gesellschaft könnte somit mit der Ausführung beginnen und zudem auf die zugesagten Zuschüsse in Höhe von 20 Millionen Euro zugreifen.

Das Angebot liegt dem Aufsichtsrat von Genesis Energy Investment PLC zur Evaluierung vor. Nach endgültiger Überprüfung wird eine Ankündigung erfolgen, ob der Aufsichtsrat das Angebot auf der nächsten Hauptversammlung im April 2009 zur Annahme empfehlen wird.

Über Genesis Energy Investment Plc

Genesis Energy plant den Bau von vorerst drei Produktionsstätten für Solarmodule in Dünnfilmtechnologie fertig zu stellen. Das Unternehmen ist an der ungarischen Börse in Budapest gelistet und wird an einigen deutschen Börsen gehandelt. Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter www.genesisenergy.eu.

[meinolf67]

aus NEF:

hm,hm,hm

Chinese government to subsidise domestic thin-film PV makers: reports
23 Feb 2009 / Solar / Policy & regulation / China
China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is reported to be contemplating subsidisies for domestic thin-film PV manufacturers.

[meinolf67]

Enhanced sales & customer support throughout Asia

PV EXPO Tokyo, 27 February 2009. - Tokyo Electron (TEL), a leading global supplier of innovative semiconductor production equipment, has announced a strategic cooperation with Oerlikon Solar, the world's leading supplier of thin film silicon photovoltaic (PV) production equipment. "This strategic cooperation between TEL and Oerlikon Solar creates a new solar powerhouse which will unlock the huge potential of the Asian solar market. There could be no better partnership in the center of the Asian solar market" emphasizes Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO of Oerlikon.
"By forming a cooperation with Oerlikon Solar, TEL will be able to satisfy its customers with outstanding equipment and related support, while drawing upon the technology and supporting capabilities it has acquired in the semiconductor and FPD production equipment markets," commented Terry Higashi, CEO and Chairman, Tokyo Electron Limited. Together, TEL and Oerlikon will significantly expand the adoption of thin film silicon PV technology in parts of Asia, Oceania and Japan, areas which are already leading in solar adoption and export.

The partnership will be based on Oerlikon Solar's proven, industry-leading PV technology, and on TEL's extensive sales and customer support network, semiconductor experience and highly respected market leadership. TEL will become the exclusive representative for Oerlikon Solar's thin film silicon PV equipment and end to end production solutions in parts of Asia, Oceania and Japan. They will also provide manpower and services in the area of installation, ramp-up and customer service.

Oerlikon Solar provides the industry's most complete production equipment, technology and services for thin film silicon PV modules, offering critical cost and performance advantages for emerging solar markets. TEL has more than 45 year's of experience in semiconductors and flat panel display (FDP) production equipment. Their established network of sales and support resources and Oerlikon Solar's proven technology is a winning combination for the thin film PV market. "Our strategic partnership with TEL is designed to leverage complementary strengths to create the quality and scale of thin film silicon PV needed to satisfy the growing demand for clean and economically viable energy sources. This partnership will benefit our customers enormously in Asian emerging growth markets with predictable end-to-end manufacturing facilities for thin film solar panels and local sales and customer support through TEL's global network" , said Jeannine Sargent, CEO Oerlikon Solar.

Enormous Growth Market
The global market for thin film PV is expected to increase at an average rate of more than 60% per year through 2012, which is more than twice the rate of growth expected for traditional crystal silicon technology. Japan, the third largest global solar market , plans to cut greenhouse gas levels 60-80 percent below 2008 levels by 2050.

Sargent: "According to the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), PV systems could be generating enough energy to satisfy the electricity needs of almost 14 percent of the world's population by 2030".

Mass Production Proven
Since its first customers started mass production in 2007 - over 700,000 modules have been produced on Oerlikon Solar equipment. In addition a rapid growing number of customers are in the process of ramping up production.

Having the clear market lead in thin film silicon PV, Oerlikon Solar brought its first Micromorph® customers (Inventux in Germany and Auria Solar in Taiwan) to mass production in 2008. Micromorph® is one more important element for reducing the production costs of solar energy and to reach grid parity. This proprietary Oerlikon Solar technology boosts cell efficiency by up to 50 percent while dramatically reducing cost per watt.

"Just one more milestone in Oerlikon Solar's mission to make Solar Power economically viable."

[R-BgO]

BeyondPV // a-Si // Taiwan


BeyondPV to start volume production of micromorphous silicon thin-film PV modules in June 2009


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 27 February 2009 at 13:25


BeyondPV, a Taiwan-based maker of micromorphous silicon tandem-junction thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, on February 26 held an opening ceremony for its factory located in southern Taiwan and will kick off volume production in June 2009, according to the company.

BeyondPV's tandem-junction thin-film PV modules have energy conversion rates of 8.5-9%, the company indicated. The company plans to expand its annual production capacity from 15MWp currently to 40MWp in 2010 and further to 80MWp in 2011. BeyondPV has received orders with a total volume of 45-60MWp, the company pointed out.

BeyondPV can also provide a-Si single-junction (single-layer) thin-film PV modules if clients need, and is developing three-layer micromorphous silicon thin-film PV modules with energy conversion rates of over 11%, the company pointed out.

BeyondPV expects to generate revenues of US$14.7-17.6 million (NT$500-600 million) for 2009 and to reach breakeven at the end of this year, the company indicated. BeyondPV has a paid-in capital of NT$542 million currently and plans to raise an additional NT$400-600 million through issuing new shares later this year, the company said in a press release.

Last update: 27 February 2009 at 13:25

[R-BgO]

China Solar Energy // a-Si // China

sieht nach Exitus aus...


CHINA SOLAR ENERGY HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 155)
(Warrant Code : 804)
DISSOLUTION OF JOINT VENTURE COMPANY
This announcement is made pursuant to Rule 13.09(1) of the Listing Rules.
Reference is made to the circular (the “Circular”) and announcements (the “Announcements”) of
China Solar Energy Holdings Limited (the “Company”) dated 13 July 2007, 25 September 2007, 21
December 2007 and 3 October 2008 respectively in relation to the proposed formation of a joint
venture company (“Joint Venture Company”) with a tentative name of Jiangxi Ganneng China-Solar
New Energy Co., Ltd. Capitalised terms used in this announcement shall have the same meanings as
those defined in the Circular, unless the context requires otherwise.
The Company has received document from the JV Partner on the date of this announcement and
note that the board of directors of the Joint Venture Company has resolved in a meeting convened
on 24 February 2009 that the Joint Venture Company be dissolved. The Group has not made any
capital contribution of the registered capital into the Joint Venture Company. The Directors are of
the view that the dissolution of the Joint Venture Company does not have any material adverse
impact to the operations and financial position of the Group.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.680.504 von R-BgO am 02.03.09 13:20:50

zur Erinnerung:

19, Mar 2008

China Solar Energy’s First Thin Film PV Manufacturing Line

Press Release

(18 March 2008, Taipei) China Solar Energy Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“China Solar Energy”, stock code: 0155) attends Merrill Lynch “Taiwan, Technology and Beyond" (Incorporating the 11th AsiaPac Technology Conference and the 6th Taiwan Financials Services Investor Forum), which will take place at the Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei on 18th to 20th March 2008. China Solar Energy will be conducting one-on-one meetings as well as participating at a presentation on 18th March 2008.

Mr. Henry Behnke, Chairman of China Solar Energy will be speaking at the presentation where he will be announcing the inauguration ceremony to be held on March 28, 2008 of their first 5MW Thin Film Amorphous Silicon manufacturing line at their OEM partner - China Stream Fund Solar Energy Co.’s facility in Changzhou China. This manufacturing line has started production. China Solar Energy plans to install an additional 30 units of 5MW Thin Film Amorphous Silicon manufacturing line with an output capacity of 150MW with this OEM partner in 2008. In addition, Mr Behnke would also announce the selling price of China Solar Energy’s Thin Film Amorphous Silicon modules of US$2.30/watt, which is approximately 30% lower than the current market Thin Film PV module price.

China Solar Energy is the equipment supplier and distributor of Thin Film Amorphous Silicon PV. Its patented product--Vetrogrid®is a Building Integrated PV systems (“BIPV”) material that has the ability to convert light into electricity.The speciality of Thin Film PV is its ability to convert even low levels of light into electricity. This differs from other solar energy products, which require direct sunlight. There is a huge demand in the market and this product which is further fuelled by PRC government’s policy requirements for high performance lighting systems. The PRC government recently launched interim measures on the high performance lighting systems and will provide generous subsidies for these products. Vetrogrid® Thin Film PV panels can play a significant role in powering these high efficiency lighting systems further reducing their pollution generation and energy needs.

Thin film PV modules can be applied to the glass curtain walls of the buildings and roofing elements. Additional Thin Film PV household products will be possible. China Solar Energy is developing a series of energy conservation products such as, streetlights, lawn lamp, garden lamp, signal lights, traffic light and display monitors etc. Thin Film PV has become a focal point of the global solar energy market.

On 21 December 2006, China Solar Energy signed a contract to provide and sell 31 units of 5MW Vetrogrid® manufacturing equipment (Thin Film Amorphous Silicon production lines) to China Stream Fund Solar Energy Co. Ltd.; contract valued at USD480.5 million. According to the schedule, all the production lines will be completed within this year, reaching an annual production capacity 155MW.

In May 2007, China Solar Energy Development Limited (China Solar Energy’s subsidiary) and Jiangxi Ganneng Co., Ltd. entered into a joint-ventured agreement to form a joint-ventured company where China Solar Energy Development Limited will provide and sell 10 units of 5MW Vetrogrid® manufacturing equipment (Thin Film Amorphous Silicon production lines) at a total value of USD145million to the JV company. The first line will be delivered after the completion of the 31 units order with China Stream Fund Solar Energy Co. in Changzhou, China.

In September 2007, China Solar Energy Group Limited and China Merchants Zhangzhou Development Zone Trenda Solar Limited, a subsidiary of a NASDAQ listed China Technology Development Group Corp. entered into a cooperation contract relating to the solar energy SnO2 Production Line. China Solar Energy would provide and sell SnO2 Production Lines to China Merchants Zhangzhou Development Zone Trenda Limited. Initially, China Solar Energy would provide and sell 4 units of SnO2 Production Lines.

China Solar Energy Holdings Limited
China Solar Energy Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“China Solar Energy”, stock code: 0155) is a leader in Thin Film photovoltaic (PV) production technology. With over 30 years of experience in Thin Film a-Si PV technology, our Group is engaged in promoting solar energy technology and building a low cost Thin Film PV industry across in the Greater China region.

[R-BgO]

Sunner Solar // a-Si // Taiwan


2009.02.25 Sunner Solar Thin-film Manufacturing Facility Grand Opening & Serial production Success Ceremony
2/19/2009 11:47:04 AM

Sunner Solar will open its first thin-film PV modules manufacturing facility in February 25th, 2009. The new plant is located in Houli Area, Central Taiwan Science Park and expected to have an yearly production capacity of 25MW. This ceremony will also introduce Sunner Solar’s achievement on serial production of SA-100 amorphous silicon thin-film modules.

We sincerely invite you to join this ceremony and celebrate with us at 15:00 in Feb. 25th, 2009.

[joeycool]

Und heute wurde bekannt das Fist Solar OptiSolar übernommen hat.

Gerüchteweise um das Auftragsvolumen von OptiSolar einzukaufen.

Findet nun auf den amerikanischen Markt die Konzentrationsphas ?

[R-BgO]

Parity Solar // a-Si // China // EnergoSolar


EnergoSolar to supply equipment for Chinese thin film manufacturing plant PDF Print E-mail


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 05 March 2009 at 11:09

EnergoSolar Hungary Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. and Parity Solar have signed a contract for a new production line of solar modules in Jiangsu province, China.

The scope of the agreement concerns 24MW EnergoSolar's turn-key end-to-end module manufacturing factory for the production of a-Si thin-film photovoltaic modules. Energosolar confirmed that the down-payment has been received and the production of the equipment started.

Parity has a plan to expand the manufacturing capacity to 96MW in 2010-2011.

"I am very positive about our partnership with Energosolar because they have a very stable and the only cost effective solution which meets our aggressive plans to ramp quickly and offer more cost effective PV solar to our customers". said Scott Burton CEO of Parity Solar.

Energosolar will deliver all production equipments for front-end and back-end, from the glass preparation until the final testing of the ready-to-install thin-film modules. The first phase of installation will start in early Q3-09. The 24MW will produce some 470.000m2 of high quality thin film PV modules per year.

"As the market is adopting amorphous silicon modules, especially in hot areas where the LCoE (Levelized Cost of Electricity) levels are unbeatable for amorphous, the demand for this type of thin-film modules continues to expand rapidly. We are delighted to work with Parity to serve their aggressive expansion plans, and to be a part of the amorphous success together," commented Ruurd Boomsma, CEO of Energosolar.

Key equipment supplied will be PE CVDs, lasers, sputtering machines, edge-deletion machines are made by Energosolar, and the deal and delivery also includes all the front- and back-end equipments, the installation and the training of the staff of Parity. The Chinese company is close to complete on the preparation of the building in Zhenjiang, and the installation of the necessary utilities starts in March 2009. Delivery of all the equipment is scheduled in 6 months.

For more information, please visit www.energosolar.com; www.paritysolar.com.

Last update: 05 March 2009 at 11:09

[karambol]

Donnerstag, 26. Februar 2009 in 7:28:16 PM

First Solar in dieser Woche angekündigt, dass sie weiterhin zur Senkung der Kosten von Solarstrom-Modulen, die durch die Produktion hergestellt werden können für 98 Cent pro Watt.
In einer Erklärung in dieser Woche gab das Unternehmen bekannt, dass sie hatte einen Dollar pro Watt Preis Barriere mit seinen Dünnschicht-Photovoltaik-Technologie. Zurück im Jahr 2004, das Unternehmen sagte, dass seine pro-Watt-Kosten wurden mehr als drei Dollar.

"Dieser Erfolg ist ein Meilenstein in die Solar-Industrie die Entwicklung in Richtung wirklich nachhaltiger Energie-Lösungen. First Solar ist stolz darauf, den Weg in Richtung saubere, erschwingliche Solarstrom als Alternative zu fossilen Brennstoffen", sagte First Solar CEO Mike Ahearn .

Das Unternehmen machte geltend, dass seine Produktionskapazitäten ist heute 2500 Prozent auf mehr als 500 Megawatt im letzten Jahr, und dass die jährliche Produktionskapazität verdoppeln wird erwartet, dass im Jahr 2009 auf über ein Gigawatt, vergleichbar mit einem Kernkraftwerk.

First Solar sagt auch, dass es recycelt mehr als 90 Prozent der älteren Module sammelt es in neue Produkte, zusätzlich zu den Unternehmen die grüne Bild.

[R-BgO]

500MW // ??? // Indien

??? 1$/W ???


Juwi Solar to set up solar project in Maharashtra

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 04 March 2009 at 01:24



Germany's leading renewable energy company Juwi Solar Energy has decided to set up 500 MW solar energy project in the Osmanabad district of Maharashtra.

The project, to be executed in collaboration with India's Resun Energy Pvt Ltd, would come up at Jakakur MIDC in Umerga tehsil at an investment of Rs 2,500 crore (US$ 500 million).

Juwi has become second MNC to invest heavily in Marathwada region after global technology major Moser Baer's decision to invest Rs 5,000 crores in Osmanabad for solar production plant.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.724.801 von R-BgO am 08.03.09 16:27:50

sorry, das war falsch einsortiert...

[R-BgO]

Daiyang // CIGS // Korea

...nach längerer Zeit mal wieder ein neuer Player


Veeco to supply South Korea’s Daiyang with CIGS equipment

US-based equipment maker Veeco (Nasdaq: VECO) has signed an agreement to supply South Korea’s Daiyang Metal with equipment to make CIGS-based PV cells.

Veeco will supply Daiyang with its FastFlex Web Coating System to build a thin-film CIGS solar cell production line in Yesan, South Korea, as part of an initial multi-million dollar order. The system includes a Mo deposition system, one TCO deposition system and two CIGS deposition systems. Veeco will ship the equipment in Q4 2009, after which it expects a follow-on order from Daiyang. Daiyang (Kospi: 009190) plans to initially build CIGS production capacity of 50MW by March 2010. The company aims to reach capacity of 200MW by the end of 2011 and 1GW by 2013. The company’s CEO Chan Ku Kang said that the company is pursuing an “aggressive, multi-year, multi-site plan” to become ...

[R-BgO]

Tianwei Baobian's Tochter "Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms" scheint Oerlikon-Kunde zu sein.

Und nichts mit Yingli zu tun zu haben.

[R-BgO]

Astroenergy-Chintsolar // a-Si // China


Astronergy secures $50M for PV manufacturing in China
March 9, 2009

New funds are expected to help Chint Group subsidiary to reach 380 MW of production capacity by 2010.

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China-based Astronergy said it has secured $50 million from two China-based private equity investors.

The funds came from Cybernaut China Investment and Shanghai Lianhe Investment.

Astronergy, a subsidiary of the Chint Group, plans to reach 380 megawatts of production capacity by 2010. The Chint Group is a leading player in the low-voltage electrical, power transmission, and power distribution industries in China.

Founded in October 2006, Astronergy reached 100 MW of annual production capacity in July.

Astronergy says it produces single crystalline silicon solar cells with average conversion efficiency of more than 16.5 percent. The company is developing the technology to manufacture amorphous and microcrystalline silicon tandem thin film photovoltaic modules with an average conversion efficiency of more than 9 percent.

Astronergy says it expects to be among the first companies to reduce the PV module cost to below $1 per watt. Tempe, Ariz.-based thin-film giant First Solar recently said it was able to produce thin-film panels for less than $1 per watt. First Solar expects to reach 1,100 MW manufacturing capacity in 2009 (see First Solar buys OptiSolar's pipeline of projects for $400M).

Cybernaut is a partner of U.S. venture capital fund New Enterprise Associates. The firm established two venture capital funds in December with a combined 650 million RMB ($95.24 million) to invest in clean energy and health care (see Ag tech, fuel cells thrive in busy week for deals).

[R-BgO]

AVA Solar // CdTe // USA


Electric utilities seen as prime PV market

Expected strong demand by electric utilities for solar panels triggered a request by AVA Solar, Loveland, CO, for a loan guarantee from the federal government's Advanced Energy Loan program that would allow the company to triple manufacturing capacity. The company is just completing an automated factory to produce cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film on glass panels for electric utilities, according to Mark Chen, director of marketing.

By the end of 2Q09, AVA Solar expects to be able to turn out about 1 million 2 ft. × 4 ft. laser-etched panels a year, feeding a new panel onto a highly automated line about every two minutes, according to Chen. If the loan request is approved, the company hopes to put additional production lines into a nearby factory, tripling capacity and expanding from 175 to 500 employees.

Electric utilities already have installed a gigawatt of solar capacity, according to Chen, but 90% of the other PV manufacturers do not yet have a commercial product for this market. Although he declined to give efficiency figures for AVA Solar's panels, he said the mass production methods will drive costs below $1/Watt, making solar cost-competitive to fossil-fuel power plants. Furthermore, he pointed out, solar can provide maximum output at mid-day when electricity demand is highest. Chen sees prime markets in areas such as Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California, and Hawaii, as well as Spain and Italy in Europe.

US legislation is going to give a boost to this market, he believes, not just with the stimulus bill but with other legislation as well. The push for a smart grid for electric utilities is aimed at lowering CO2 emissions, and solar will contribute to that goal. Also, he said, the investment tax credit is being changed to an outright grant to help companies working on advanced technology. During a recent visit to the new AVA Solar plant, Senator Mark Udall said that the Department of Energy is setting up loan guarantee programs to help commercialize renewable energy sources including solar modules. According to Chen, this program will provide $6 billion in funds that will help guarantee net loans up to $60 billion for the potential customers for AVA's panels.

AVA Solar was founded in 2007 to commercialize an advanced process for manufacturing thin-film photovoltaic modules based on 15 years of development at Colorado State U.'s Materials Engineering Laboratory.

[R-BgO]

So langsam kommt Bewegung rein...:

ENN Solar // a-SI // China // AMAT


March 16, 2009 07:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
ENN Produces China’s First 5.7m2 Tandem Junction Solar Panels on Applied Materials SunFab Thin Film Line

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ENN Solar Energy Co., Ltd. announced today that it has produced China’s first 5.7m2 high-efficiency, tandem junction thin film photovoltaic (PV) panels using a SunFab™ Thin Film Line, rated at 60 megawatts per year, supplied by Applied Materials, Inc. Working together at ENN’s leading-edge facility in Langfang, China, ENN and Applied achieved this milestone just five months after equipment installation. These ultra-large PV panels are nearly four times larger than conventional modules on the market and use Applied’s innovative tandem junction technology to deliver significantly higher conversion efficiencies at competitive costs.

“By combining the high efficiency of tandem junction technology with ultra-large 5.7m2 substrates, we’re able to deliver modules that dramatically reduce installed cost per watt,” said Dr. Rick Wan, General Manager of ENN Solar. “Our close association with Applied Materials has enabled ENN to build a winning platform, combining our next-generation solar technology with our world-class manufacturing capability.”

“We are committed to delivering the highest level of technology innovation and manufacturing excellence to our customers,” said Dr. Randhir Thakur, senior vice president and general manager of Applied Materials’ SunFab Thin Film Solar and Display Business Group. “ENN’s rapid ramp from equipment installation to producing tandem junction panels is an example of the unique capabilities that Applied delivers – unparalleled research and development, technology and manufacturing innovation, and global service and support for our customers.”

About ENN Solar Energy

ENN Solar Energy – a member of ENN Group – is a leader in the manufacturing of large-size thin film module products. The company produces and markets high performance silicon thin film modules of up to 5.7m2 per panel at low cost. Focusing on technology innovation and the environmental improvement, ENN Solar's mission is to make clean renewable energy more affordable and available worldwide. Learn more at www.ennsolar.com.

[R-BgO]

Umbenennung:

Abound Solar // CdTe // USA

AVA Solar Becomes Abound Solar
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Monday 16 March 2009
email the content item print the content item

AVA Solar, a manufacturer of low-cost, thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, has unveiled its new brand name: Abound Solar. The company explains that the new name demonstrates its the commitment to providing an abundance of low-cost solar panels to solar integrators around the globe.

Abound Solar's proprietary manufacturing technology was developed and incubated at Colorado State University over the last 15 years. Based upon its high-quality, low-cost manufacturing process, Abound Solar says it will enable its customers to reduce the cost of generating solar electricity to roughly the same cost as traditionally generated electricity.

This technical success, coupled with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and approximately $150 million of private investment, has enabled the company to create nearly 200 local jobs and build a fully automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Longmont, Colo.

SOURCE: Abound Solar

[R-BgO]

Sencera // a-Si // USA


Sencera Demonstrates 8.7 percent Efficient Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cell

File image.
by Staff Writers
Charlotte NC (SPX) Mar 19, 2009
Sencera has deposited single-junction silicon solar cells with an initial 8.7 percent sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency under standard test conditions.

As a result, the Company has secured the final $5.2 million of a $15.6 million investment from the California based lead investor Quercus Trust.

Sencera's solar device efficiency gain was achieved with process and hardware enhancements to its Viper platform.

The Viper is a proprietary, fully automated, Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) manufacturing platform developed entirely at Sencera. Recent innovations on The Viper have improved cell absorption of both blue and red light sections of the solar spectrum resulting in the conversion of more light to electricity.

"This efficiency milestone validates our manufacturing platform, and our cost model. We intend to expand our present 1MW research capacity to 35MW annual capacity over the next two quarters," said Dr. Rusty Jewett, Sencera's CEO.

After two rounds of equity financing, Sencera has fully funded the first manufacturing line without incurring debt. Over 75 percent of the production equipment and process required to manufacture solar modules is the company's proprietary design. Sencera's capital expenditure is less that $1 per Watt of annual production capacity which correlates to a reduction in panel manufacturing costs.

According to CFO Britt Weaver, "Sencera's capital requirement to build a factory is less than one-half the cost of competitors. As a result, Sencera is well positioned for long term price volatility in the solar module marketplace."

Initial company plans include production of a 7 percent efficient, 106 Watt single-junction amorphous silicon module at the company's 35MW (Megawatt) solar module factory under construction in Charlotte, NC. Future plans include development of a second generation tandem junction module with a targeted stabilized efficiency over 11 percent. This will increase manufacturing capacity to 50MW without the purchase of additional equipment.

Solar cell performance was independently confirmed by The University of Delaware's Institute of Energy Conversion, designated in 1992 a University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaic Research and Education by the Department of Energy.

[R-BgO]

Solyndra // CIGS-tubular // USA


March 20, 2009

Washington, DC, USA: Obama Administration Offers $535 Million Loan Guarantee to Solyndra

Energy Secretary Steven Chu today offered a $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra, Inc. to support the company’s construction of a commercial-scale manufacturing plant for its proprietary cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels. The company expects to create thousands of new jobs in the U.S. while deploying its solar panels across the U.S. and around the world.

“This investment is part of President Obama’s aggressive strategy to put Americans back to work and reduce our dependence on foreign oil by developing clean, renewable sources of energy,” Secretary Chu said. “We can create millions of new, good paying jobs that can’t be outsourced. Instead of relying on imports from other countries to meet our energy needs, we’ll rely on America’s innovation, America’s resources, and America’s workers.”

Secretary Chu is moving aggressively to accelerate important Department of Energy investments that can create jobs and transform the way America uses and produces energy. This allows the Department of Energy to offer its first loan guarantee within the first two months of the Obama Administration.

This loan guarantee will be supported through the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provides tens of billions of dollars in loan guarantee authority to build a new green energy economy. Solyndra’s photovoltaic systems are designed to provide the lowest installed cost and the highest solar electricity output on commercial, industrial and institutional roof tops, which are a vast, underutilized resource for the distributed generation of clean electricity.

Solyndra’s proprietary design transforms glass tubes into high performance photovoltaic panels which are simple and inexpensive to install. By replacing power generated from fossil fuel sources, the electricity produced from the solar panels will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Based in Fremont, CA, Solyndra is currently ramping up production in its initial manufacturing facilities. Once finalized, the DOE loan guarantee will enable the company to build and operate its manufacturing processes at full commercial scale.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.822.376 von R-BgO am 23.03.09 08:26:02

und dann noch das hier:

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/solyndra-boosts-power…

Wenn die Panels von 157 auf fast 200 Watt hochgehen, ist das signifikant.

Ebenso die behauptete höhere Ausbeute.

Vielleicht lag Olga Greekolka doch falsch...

[R-BgO]

Avancis // CIGS // Deutschland


...könnte Schwierigkeiten bedeuten:

Royal Dutch Shell goes cold on solar

Royal Dutch Shell has reportedly provoked a furious backlash from campaigners when it announced plans to scale back its renewable energy business.

The company said it plans no more large investments in wind and solar energy. Shell would focus its remaining renewable energy investments on biofuels, where it is conducting research into “second generation” fuels.

“We do not expect material amounts of investment in those areas going forward,” said Linda Cook, head of Shell’s gas and power unit.

Specifically in thin-film business, in October last year, Avancis, the joint venture between Shell and Saint-Gobain for CIS thin-film solar modules, had started the production at its first plant. It was also shared that the CIS thin-film modules produced at the site have an efficiency level of 11 percent.

That time, it was shared that the JV had created 85 new highly-qualified jobs in the first wave of development at the Torgau production site. A further 45 were to added this year. Thirty staff are also employed at the company’s research and development facility in Munich.

Shell stopped its activities in conventional silicon-based solar in 2006, to focus its efforts on CIS, thin film technology.

[R-BgO]

Solibro // CIGS // Deutschland
Calyxo // CdTe // Deutschland
Sontor // mc-SI // Deutschland
VHF-Technologies // a-Si flex // Schweiz


..frage mich, wie die Summe zustandekommen soll:

4 + 3,6 + x(calyxo) + y(vhf)???


Q-Cells ends 2008 with 15.4 MWp thin-film production

Q-Cells has stated that its overall thin-film production from the companies in the group was 15.4 MWp in 2008, lower than its expecations of more than 25 MWp.

Acknowledging that the production level was lower than its initial plans and as a result, this resulted in an increased start-up cost. Still, the company is bullish about the potential of these technology investments.

Solibro GmBH, which uses CIGS technology, produced more than 4MWp of modules last year and is continuing its ramp-up as per the plan. Work also began on expanding capacity at Solibro to a total of 135 MWp (currently 30 MWp) in the fourth quarter.

Sontor GmbH, which uses a silicon technology, has been producing and selling modules since summer 2008. At Sontor, the company undertook the re-tooling of the line to introduce a larger prdouct. The ramp up at Sontor was not only affected by this but also by technical issues encountered as part of the “learning curve”, stated the company. It has produced and sold 3.6 MWp of modules.

The development at Calyxo GmbH, which uses Cadmium Telluride technology, was determined by a fundamental re-design and re-engineering of certain production processes to generate improvements. Accordingly, the ramp-up of the initial prototype line is expected this year.

VHF Technologies only manufactured modules with an output of 0.2 MWp in 2008.

The company has stated that its production capacity at the beginning of 2010 based on current expansion plans is as follows: - Core business: 1.3 – 1.4 GWp (according to demand); Thin-film business: 0.2 – 0.25 GWp (including Solibro).

Overall, Q-Cells’ net income for the year totalled € 190.6 million, increasing by 28 percent over the previous year. Sales rose by 46 percent to € 1,251.3 million.

[R-BgO]

Schott Solar // a-Si // Deutschland


IN-DEPTH: “Silicon based thin film technology has the right degree of maturity”


There is a multitude of diverse and important reasons for the growing interest in thin film technology and one of the main reasons is usually that fewer raw materials are required.

This is an advantage difficult to ignore, considering the boom in the global solar industry and the resulting dwindling resources of silicon.

In mid-2008, SCHOTT Solar had highlighted that experts believe that in the mid-term thin film technology will at least halve the price for modules per watt of power generated.

The company had also emphasised that thin film modules are virtually predestined for integration into buildings and open up a range of design opportunities in window, facade and roof glass.

Particularly in times of climate change, environmental aspects will encourage this technology to triumph. According to a study by the Brookhaven National Laboratory, compared to products made of wafers, thin film modules are more environmentally friendly because the manufacturing process has low energy requirements.

Optimising the next generation of tandem junction (micromorph) thin film cells

SCHOTT Solar has been optimising the next generation of tandem junction (micromorph) thin film cells together with ersol Thin Film GmbH.

In February last year, the two companies had signed a cooperative agreement for joint development of micromorphous technology for thin-film solar cells. The companies had expected substantial advantages from the merging of development activities in a location-independent project, e.g. shorter time-to-market for new products with optimised use of development resources.

For its part, SCHOTT Solar has examined a variety of thin film technologies and came to the conclusion that silicon based thin film was the best choice. It admits that CI(G)S technology is still some years away from volume production on an industrial scale. The high temperature regime required in the manufacturing process can cause challenges. In the production of its silicon based thin film products, SCHOTT is running at maximum of 200°C which provides a great amount of flexibility in the manufacturing process.

“Currently, silicon based thin film technology has the right degree of maturity,” said Dr. Robert Kuba, MD, SCHOTT Solar Thin Film GmbH, who is scheduled to speak during Thin Film Solar Summit Europe, scheduled to take place on 19-20 May in Berlin this year.

According to Dr. Kuba, this technology offers a product with “an outstanding customer value without using any toxic materials”.

Thin-film silicon solar cells could be cheaper than conventional devices because they use far less material. Conventional solar cells use silicon wafers that are over 100 micrometers thick, while thin-film devices have thicknesses of a few micrometers.

But thin-film devices suffer from lower efficiencies. Thin film produces less energy from the same amount of sun as crystalline silicon panels, which are widely used in residential and commercial markets. But thin film reduces the cost of raw materials and manufacturing, which could help it become cost-competitive with traditional grid electricity faster than crystalline silicon might.

There is a tradeoff between conversion efficiency and cost per watt when comparing the largest solar technologies: crystalline silicon and deposited thin film modules.

Commenting on whether the research efforts need to be cognoscent of the trade off between efficiency and cost, Dr. Kuba is categorically states that at the end the solar industry races towards competive $ per kWh.

“Good efficieny only make sense if they are enabling lower costs,” said Dr. Kuba.

Regarding thin-film technology going down the cost curve, Dr. Kuba referred to gaining manufacturing excellence.

“Stable processes enabling high yield and high throughput are required and continuous improvement towards higher efficiency is mandatory,” he said.

Late last year, SCHOTT Solar Inc.’s executive vice president - sales & marketing, Mac Moore told thinfilmtoday that the company’s ASI 100 module has a tandem junction aSi-aSi design which provides stabilised module efficiency of 7%. He had said this is superior to the typical 6% efficiency of competing single junction modules and an excellent intermediate step towards the future of above 8% efficiency with micromorph tandem cell technology, which the company was in the process of developing.

Thin film’s lower efficiencies are somewhat offset by a lower selling price. Last year it was shared that by 2010, the thin-film module is expected to be $1.81, while silicon modules are expected to be $2.14, according to the Prometheus Institute. Recently, First Solar, Inc. claimed a major milestone, reducing its manufacturing cost for solar modules to 98 cents per watt.

Scaling up the capacity

For SCHOTT Solar, its thin film production capacity increased more than 10 times, to 35 megawatts, last year.

Dr. Kuba acknowledged that during the course of the ramp up, the company did go through through some technical challenges.

“Fortunately we never struggled with the technology,” said Dr. Kuba, complementing the efforts of his experience team for the same.

On how scaling up of thin film production capacity can significantly reduce costs by up to 40%-50%, he said, scaling effects will help to cut costs but investment for equipment has to go down significantly.

“Looking at the currently available equipment, we see a large potential if the machines are streamlined towards pure solar purpose,” pointed out Dr. Kuba.


Thin Film Solar Summit Europe 2009

Dr. Robert Kuba, MD, SCHOTT Solar Thin Film GmbH is scheduled to speak during Thin Film Solar Summit Europe, scheduled to take place on 19-20 May in Berlin this year.

[R-BgO]

Everbrite Solar // ??? // Kanada

...viel Geld!


Thin-film PV firm Everbrite chooses Canadian site
Canada NewsWire (25. März 2009)

KINGSTON, ON, Mar 25, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Everbrite Solar to invest $500 million in project

After reviewing several locations, Everbrite Solar, a division of Everbrite Industries Ltd. of Toronto, today announced plans to locate its state-of-the-art ultra-high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility in Kingston.

With the help of several financial advisers, Everbrite Solar is raising $500 million to invest in a highly specialized, robot-controlled manufacturing facility using leading-edge technology in the realm of "thin-film" solar module production. Everbrite also looks forward to discussions with the Government of Ontario regarding the project and the opportunity it presents. The planned plant will have an annual output of thin-film modules capable of generating 150 MW of clean solar power, and generate more than 1,200 direct, indirect and induced "green collar" jobs in the Kingston area.

"With this next-generation optical and coating technology and mechanized production process," said Everbrite Solar President and CEO Karl Scherre, "generating clean solar power will, at last, be cost-competitive with electricity produced from the burning of fossil fuels."

Within just the past three years, solar panel technology has improved in leaps and bounds. Traditional PV modules, composed of solid crystalline material, are being replaced in the market by modules constructed by depositing extremely thin layers of photosensitive materials onto a low-cost backing such as glass, stainless steel or plastic. These "thin-film" modules are less costly and more efficient than their predecessors. Since the first generation of thin-film modules became available, researchers have been experimenting with different materials to increase the spectrum of light available for conversion to electricity, and the efficiency of the modules. Everbrite Solar's revolutionary technology surpasses traditional thin-film modules by dramatically increasing the efficiency of the module, lowering costs significantly and eliminating the environmental hazards associated with the earlier generations.

A key part of today's announcement is Everbrite's intention to seek a collaborative research agreement with Queen's University to engage a multi-disciplinary team of researchers to help ensure that Everbrite continues to be at the forefront of photovoltaic technology. Everbrite intends to invest up to $25 million to build an experimental thin-film manufacturing facility to which the Queen's researchers will have access for their studies and, as a result, help ensure that Kingston remains a focus of excellence in thin-film solar technology.

"Queen's participation in Everbrite Solar's Kingston research and development community will ensure that the ultra-high efficiency thin-film modules produced by Everbrite will continue to improve and be best in class for quality, efficiency and production costs," said Mr. Scherre.

By using a broader spectrum of light and thereby producing electricity for more hours daily - even on cloudy days - these modules are ideally suited to the Canadian climate. Demand for solar panels is expected to increase exponentially, and Everbrite Solar is confident that the company will be in a strong position to capitalize on what is expected to be a $50 billion market by 2012.

"Here in Ontario, having a stable and home-grown supply of solar panels will help the province achieve its goal of shifting more of its electricity production to renewable sources of energy and make Ontario a leader in the field of solar power generation," said Mr. Scherre.

About Everbrite Solar

Everbrite Solar, a division of Everbrite Industries, is a manufacturer of ultra-high efficiency thin-film solar panels. Using state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing techniques, we are able to mass produce the best quality, environmentally friendly solar panels available in North America, with a production cost at or below any manufacturer in the world, enabling large-scale solar farms to generate electricity at a cost below that of most fossil fuels.

About Everbrite Industries

Everbrite Industries is a full-service Industrial and Commercial Electrical Contractor located in Toronto. Established in 1984, Everbrite Industries has worked closely with clients to install electrical communications, mechanical and control systems to fully service the industrial and commercial sectors.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 36.874.457 von R-BgO am 29.03.09 16:36:19

irgendeine a-Si Sorte:

ES-Series-AMORPH-ultra hp

ES-Series-AMORPH-ultra hp PV modules are constructed from amorphous and microcrystalline silicon layers. This unique cell design is able to absorb a much wider spectrum of light than traditional silicon cells which results in a module that maximizes its use of solar energy, regardless of the climate conditions.

These cells possess both a higher energy output per installed Watt than conventional silicon cells, and a higher efficiency than traditional amorphous silicon solar cells. Although ES-Series modules are economically competitive in all applications including BIPV and roof mounted systems, because of their frameless design, they are especially well suited for larger, grid-connected PV systems, offering an outstanding cost-benefit ratio.

[R-BgO]

Heliosphera (NextSolar) // a-Si // Griechenland


Greek Parliament approves thin film manufaturing plant subsidy
Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 25 March 2009 at 03:37


HelioSphera has just announced the approval of its subsidy application by the Greek Parliament. The subsidy amounts to 29.88 million Euros, and is a key component of HelioSphera project finance structure.

The state-of-the-art, 180 M Euros investment, production facility of HelioSphera will be located in Tripolis, Greece.

At 60MW capacity, it would constitute the biggest micromorph photovoltaic panels manufacturing facility in Europe. It will employ some 180 staff and will be ready to start mass production during the 3rd quarter of 2009.

HelioSphera (previously known as Next Solar) is a Greek company founded in 2007, with major shareholders headquartered in the United States of America. The headquarters is in Athens, Greece and a sales office in Madrid (Spain).

For more information, visit http://www.heliosphera.com/

[R-BgO]

Showa Shell // CIGS // Japan


Showa Shell May Buy Hitachi Plant for Solar Project (Update1)


By Shigeru Sato and Michio Nakayama

April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Showa Shell Sekiyu KK, the oil refiner seeking land to build its third solar panel factory, said it’s in talks to buy Hitachi Ltd’s mothballed plasma television panel plant in southern Japan.

The Hitachi factory in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu island is near Tokyo-based Showa Shell’s two existing solar panel plants, the refiner said in a statement on its Web site today.

Showa Shell said the third solar panel production plant would cost an estimated 100 billion yen ($1 billion) and is set to start operating in 2011. The Royal Dutch Shell Plc unit is diversifying from fuel production as Japan’s petroleum demand declines because of a shrinking population and increased energy conservation by households and businesses.

Shares in Japan’s fourth largest oil refiner jumped 6.9 percent in Tokyo trading to 958 yen by 11 a.m. in Tokyo, poised for their biggest gain since March 23.

Hitachi confirmed the talks with Showa Shell in a separate statement today. Japan’s second-biggest plasma television maker suspended operations at the plant in the town of Kunitomi last year as the global recession battered demand for home electronics. Hitachi has been studying alternative uses for the facility, it said.

Showa Shell invested 5 billion yen in its first solar panel factory and 15 billion yen in the second, with combined production capacity totaling 80 megawatts a year. The proposed third plant would have output capacity of 1,000 megawatts.

[R-BgO]

Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms // a-Si // China // Oerlikon



China's Tianwei SolarFilms' cell line to start production in August


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 01 April 2009 at 08:32


Hebei-based thin-film solar module provider Baoding Tianwei SolarFilms Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Baoding Tianwei Baobian Electric Co. Ltd., plans to start production on a thin-film solar cell production line in August, reported Reuters quoting Baoding Tianwei SolarFilms General Manager Ma Wenxue on March 31.

The line is expected to produce 8-10MW in 2009, said Ma. Baoding Tianwei SolarFilms plans to reach overall production capacity of 280MW in 2012 and 500MW in 2015.

For more information, visit company’s website at www.btw-solarfilms.com.

[SLGramann]

Best Solar / a-Si / China / AMAT


nun wohl alles ein paar Nummern kleiner...


SAN FRANCISCO, April 6 (Reuters) - A major client for Applied Materials Inc's (AMAT.O) solar production gear has slashed its order by more than 85 percent to $250 million, underscoring how a deepening recession is eroding a once red-hot solar sector.

Shares in Applied Materials, that has been steadily expanding its solar capacity to offset slowing sales of its semiconductor manufacturing equipment, slid 3.1 percent to $11.20 in after-hours trade.

The company announced in March 2008 a $1.9 billion order to supply its SunFab thin film solar production equipment and related services to an unnamed, privately-held company.

But on Monday, the world's top semiconductor equipment maker said the value of that sales agreement was slashed due to a worsening global economy.

Oppenheimer analyst Gary Hsueh said on Monday the buyer was Best Solar based in China.

[R-BgO]

genau; es gab wohl nie eine "Order":


Customer's about-face spells bad year for AMAT's PV biz

A mystery customer that made waves a year ago with a $1.9 billion order for Applied Materials SunFab thin-film tandem junction solar PV line has apparently changed its mind -- and the company is drastically rewriting its near-term expectations for its solar business.

AMAT said in an SEC filing that the still-unidentified buyer is slashing the promised system's production capacity, and the purchase price to just $250M. The company acknowledged that it has not recognized any orders in connection with the original deal, which had been said to support collective production of an estimated annual output ~1GW of solar PV modules.

That mystery customer may be China's Best Solar, and this announcement likely is overdue, since "ambitious project financing plans had long since dwindled," writes Deutsche Bank analyst Stephen O'Rourke, in a research note.

More importantly, the revision speaks to a significant rethinking of AMAT's solar business outlook for at least the current year. "Early last fall Applied likely had expectations of potentially shipping 30 or more SunFab lines in 2009; we believe that expectations may now have declined to approximately 10," thanks to the darker climate created by credit woes, he writes. Maybe half of those will turn into recognized revenue this year, but depressed demand alongside still-high solar PV costs "will push out segment profitability and dampen earnings expectations."

O'Rourke is maintaining a "Hold" on his AMAT stock rating, citing "the ongoing cyclical SCE downturn, compounded by an FPD downturn and slowing growth in the solar PV industry, further exacerbated by global macroeconomic deterioration."

[R-BgO]

QS Solar // a-Si // China


China's QS Solar: $1/W solar module prices by 2010
PR Newswire (7. April 2009)

MUNICH, Germany and ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, April 7, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- "In 2010, our objective is to reach a selling price for solar modules of $1 per Watt," says Lynn Sha, Vice President of Chinese manufacturer QS Solar. In other words, it will become possible in 2010 to produce solar energy cheaper than the cost of electricity from the grid ("grid parity"), and this is without subsidies.

This revolutionary price level could be sufficient to create sustainable growth in the solar energy market (PV) even without the availability of any government incentives. "The solar industry has always claimed that its goal was to attain this level of $1 per Watt. Reaching this benchmark will be the turning point from which markets will emerge and grow without any government aid. It is the start of the solar future," says Edwin Koot, CEO of SolarPlaza, the global, independent solar energy platform.

Module prices are currently under pressure. Last year's enormous growth of the solar industry and market by more than 100% was caused by a generous feed-in tariff in Spain. Many new companies started production of solar modules. This year, support in Spain has been decreased and capped. "This could not have come at a more dramatic moment. The simultaneous loss of Spain as a major market, the inevitable industry oversupply, and the financial crisis have pushed down module prices since Q3 last year," says Koot. "Good for customers, challenging for the industry."

QS Solar started production of its amorphous silicon thin-film modules last year. "We will bring down the sales price to our goal of $0.75/Wp through the continuous expansion of our production capacity and process optimization." The company currently has 3 production lines with an installed capacity of 95 MegaWatts, and it plans to increase another 4 lines by 2009, which will lead to a total capacity of 235 MW by next year.

The $1 per Watt level is already sufficient to achieve grid parity in many markets. A lower level might not even be needed to serve an infinite global market potential for photovoltaic solar energy.

Lynn Sha and CEOs from the world's leading PV companies (such as Q-Cells, Suntech Power, Applied Materials, and Akeena Solar) will be discussing the above topics at "The Solar Future" conference organized by SolarPlaza on May 26th in Munich.

[R-BgO]

Advanced Solar Photonics // a-Si // USA


14. April 2009
ASP To Manufacture Thin-film and Mono-Crystalline Solar Modules
Florida, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP) has increased the number of products that it plans to offer from its previously announced SolarFab project in Lake Mary, Florida. Products will now include not only thin film, but also mono-crystalline solar photovoltaic modules.

"Up from projecting approximately 200 green jobs, we now estimate SolarFab will employ 500 people."

-- Maureen McHale, Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager, ASP

“Originally, our SolarFab production plant would only manufacture thin film modules, up to 40MW. However, due to high response for our panels, Advanced Solar Photonics will not only be producing thin film, but also mono-crystalline panels,” said Maureen McHale, corporate marketing and public relations manager for ASP. “This new silicon line would initially be 25MW, ramping up to 50MW in a fairly short span of time.”

Having secured a 318,000 square foot facility within the last year, ASP is in the assembly stage on the two lines. Clean rooms are in place, equipment is starting to arrive and a pilot line will be up and running within the next few weeks. The first mono-crystalline panels are slated to be available in July 2009. Full thin film production is scheduled to ramp up by late 2010. The plant will also create a number of permanent jobs in the region.

“Adding another dimension to the manufacturing plant not only allows us to meet customer demands, it also increases job creation for the Central Florida area. Up from projecting approximately 200 green jobs, we now estimate SolarFab will employ 500 people,” McHale said.

[R-BgO]

Abound Solar (vormals AVA) // CdTe // USA


...hat mit der Produktion begonnen (und will die Kostenposition von FSLR innerhalb DREI Monaten erreichen):

http://www.pv-tech.org/news/_a/abound_solar_to_challenge_fir…

[R-BgO]

Green Energy Technology // A-Si // Taiwan // AMAT


...Linie hat den FAT bestanden:

http://www.appliedmaterials.com/news/press_rel.html?menuID=6

[R-BgO]

Chint Solar // a-Si // China

Air Products liefert die Gase...
hohe Planwerte: 210MW für 2010...

http://www.pv-tech.org/news/_a/air_products_wins_bulk_and_sp…

[R-BgO]

Solar Array Ventures (SAVe) // a-Si // USA // AMAT oder Oerlikon


Volumen 210 Mio. $

http://www.pv-tech.org/chip_shots/_a/new_kid_on_the_thin-fil…

[R-BgO]

Sunfilm // a-Si (AMAT) // Deutschland


Sunfilm and Applied Materials Achieve Solar Industry Milestone with Certification of World's First Tandem Junction SunFabTM Line

SANTA CLARA, Calif. & GROSSROEHRSDORF, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 20, 2009-- Sunfilm, AG and Applied Materials, Inc., today announced that the world’s first tandem junction SunFab Thin Film Line installed at Sunfilm's Grossroehrsdorf facility achieved factory acceptance on April 14, 2009. Using 5.7m2 substrates, the line passed final acceptance test certification, verifying that it has met specifications for producing solar photovoltaic modules with efficiencies of up to 8%, as well as yield and overall annual capacity specifications. The line is now beginning volume production.

“We are pleased to have demonstrated that tandem junction technology is scalable to large-size panels and that these higher efficiency panels can be produced at volumes that make them ideal for utility scale solar installations,” said Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO of Applied Materials. “The ramp of SunFab tandem junction lines is an important business and technological achievement that brings the industry another step closer to dramatically changing the way the world generates energy.”

“This is a major milestone in the ramp-up of our factory,” said Wolfgang Heinze, Sunfilm’s COO and Chairman of the Executive Board. “The engineering teams from Sunfilm and Applied Materials have worked together intensively to get our performance to this impressive level. We are proud to have the first tandem junction production line in the world where this certification has been reached.”

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for both Sunfilm and Applied. It demonstrates technical excellence and our ability to collaborate and execute to enable our customer’s success,” said Dr. Randhir Thakur, senior vice president, general manager SunFab Thin Film Solar and Display Business Group. “Rapidly driving leading edge technology into manufacturing is a core capability of Applied and this milestone is another demonstration of our ability to quickly move tandem junction technology from the lab to commercial production.”

Thin film tandem junction panels use about 1/50th of the amount of silicon per watt of electricity produced compared with traditional solar modules fabricated using crystalline silicon wafers. By combining tandem junction technology with ultra-large 5.7m2 substrates and volume manufacturing capabilities, Sunfilm expects to meet a wide range of customer applications for full-, half- and quarter-size panels, which can substantially reduce the cost of installed solar electricity. A quarter-size 1.4m2 module generates up to 115Wp, while a full-size 5.7m2 panel will deliver about 450Wp.

“We are very pleased with this achievement. This success makes tandem junction thin film silicon a reality and positions Sunfilm to serve the market with an environmentally-friendly product that achieves high kilowatt hours at attractive costs,” said Dr. Sven Hansen, Chief Investment Officer of Good Energies and Chairman of Sunfilm’s Supervisory Board.

“This is excellent news for our existing and future customers,” said Dr. Sicco W.T. Westra, Chief Business Development Officer of Sunfilm. “We can now begin delivery of our products in larger quantities. With a total annualized capacity of over 120MWp between this first production line and our second production line that we plan to start up later this year, we are in a strong position to fulfill market demand.”

Sunfilm AG was established at the end of 2006 by Good Energies and NorSun and is located in Grossroehrsdorf, Germany. The company develops, produces and markets photovoltaic modules based on high efficiency tandem junction silicon thin film technology. These modules are up to 5.7m2 in size, while half-size and quarter-size modules are available as well. www.Sunfilmsolar.com

Applied Materials, Inc.

[SLGramann]

Sunfilm und Sontor / AMAT / Deutschland


Um es klar zu sagen: Q-Cells ist mit Sontor gescheitert.



April 29, 2009

Grossroehrsdorf, Germany: Sunfilm AG and Sontor GmbH Merge Operations

Sunfilm AG and Sontor GmbH have merged to become one of the world's largest providers of tandem junction silicon based thin film modules. The new company will be named Sunfilm AG. In an increasingly competitive global photovoltaic market, the companies say Sunfilm will have the necessary size and expertise to significantly profit from the growing segment of thin film solar.

Q-Cells SE, Good Energies and NorSun AS will be the shareholders of the new Sunfilm and are firmly committed to supporting the company on its future growth path. Sontor and Sunfilm merge to become a leading manufacturer of silicon-based tandem junction thin film modules With an installed capacity of approximately 85 megawatts peak (MWp) at the two current production sites in Bitterfeld-Wolfen and Grossroehrsdorf, plus an additional 60MWp of capacity under construction in Grossroehrsdorf, Sunfilm is already one of the world's largest manufacturers of tandem junction silicon-based thin film modules.

"Thin film is one of the most significant growth areas within the photovoltaic industry. After the merger, the new Sunfilm will participate significantly in this growth and we will establish our company as both a driving force in the market and as a technology leader," says Wolfgang Heinze, Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Sunfilm AG.

Q-Cells, the sole owner of Sontor, will hold 50 percent of the new Sunfilm shares. Q-Cells is a leader within the global photovoltaic industry and is the world's largest producer of solar cells. "The new Sunfilm forms a central pillar in Q-Cells' global strategy for thin film technologies," says Dr. Florian Holzapfel, Board Member of Q-Cells, responsible for New Technologies. "This powerful merger will create even more growth momentum in this thin film sector."

Good Energies, a global investor in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, as well as NorSun AS, a Norwegian manufacturer of high performance monocrystalline silicon wafers, will also remain invested in Sunfilm and support the future growth of the new company.

Good Energies will hold about 35 percent of the new company and about 15 percent will be owned by NorSun. "We believe the merger is the best way to capitalize on the enormous potential of tandem junction thin film technology and to establish a leading company in the market," explains Dr. Sven Hansen, Chief Investment Officer of Good Energies and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sunfilm.

The new Sunfilm AG will have production sites in Grossroehrsdorf and Bitterfeld-Wolfen, while the center for research and development will be located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. The new company now has approximately 400 employees, but additional jobs will be created in the midterm as the expansion in Grossroehrsdorf comes on-line. The merger of the two companies is expected to become legally effective by the end of May 2009, but is still subject to approval by the competent antitrust agencies.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.061.341 von SLGramann am 29.04.09 12:42:38

...würde ich aus dem Bauch auch so sagen; aber warum bekommen sie dann 50% am neuen Gebilde?

Für den Vertrieb? Oder für die bereits stehende Kapazität?

[R-BgO]

Chint solar // a-Si // China


WebEx Founder Backs Chint Solar, Contributes to $50M Round
Chint Solar, a Chinese startup, has raised part of the round from Cybernaut, founded by WebEx founder Min Zhu. Chint Solar plans to use the money to start producing tandem junction amorphous-silicon solar cells this year.
by: Ucilia Wang
Bullet Arrow April 28, 2009

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/webex-founder-backs-c…

[tonycat]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.069.329 von R-BgO am 30.04.09 08:51:34

Die Antwort muß doch Good Energies (Brennikmeijers) geben können, die sind größter Shareholder bei Q-Cells UND Sunfilm, also ich würde das auf der Ebene sehen, daß Good Energies (Dr. Sven Hansen) sagt: Jungs (und Mädels), voran und zusamm´! (wie man hier im Thread sehen kann gibt es etliche... neue Wettbewerber...).

[R-BgO]

WK Solar // CdTe // USA (Perrysburg!)

Strickland lauds
Perrysburg solar plant

Updated: Thursday, 26 Mar 2009, 10:41 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 25 Mar 2009, 10:34 PM EDT

* By CHRIS MILLER, Sentinel Staff Writer

PERRYSBURG - Gov. Ted Strickland came to Perrysburg Wednesday and toured the Willard & Kelsey Solar Group factory, the newest player in the solar panel production industry in Northwest Ohio.

"Willard & Kelsey, I believe, will become an increasingly important player as they proceed to develop this new, exciting, efficient technology," Strickland said after touring the plant with company leaders.

"This is an exciting new company that has a product that we expect will be hugely successful," the governor said. "In the months and years to come, on this site, hundreds and even thousands of new jobs will be created to put Ohioans back to work."

WK Solar, a $13.5 million start-up project, is located in the former Delafoil television component plant on Ohio 25. It's about one mile south of Levis Commons on the east side of Route 25. The company purchased the 250,000 square-foot facility last year for $7 million.

Many of the company founders are former employees of First Solar, currently the largest producer of so-called "thin-film" solar panels in the world. The thin-film technology uses cadmium telluride as a semiconductor to turn sunlight into usable electric energy. First Solar is located several miles north of WK Solar, in Cedar Business Park, off Ohio 795.

According to William Mitchell, president and CEO of WK Solar, his firm also plans to produce thin film panels, but at a lower production cost than First Solar.

WK Solar has a workforce of 34 with plans to increase that to 400 when production ramps up in the fourth quarter of this year. The company is perfecting its production process and conducting ongoing research and development.

"We hope to have all of those employees employed before the end of this year," Mitchell said after taking the governor on a tour of the plant.

Mitchell said small scale production should begin within a month, with full scale around-the-clock production starting in seven months.

Once production is ramped up, WK Solar expects to turn out an estimated two million solar modules annually that can produce 150 megawatts of electricity.

Strickland said this is the kind of company that can put Ohioans back to work and make the Buckeye State a leader in the alternative energy industry.

"Our economy is in a state of transition. Everyone knows that," Strickland said. "As this company grows, a lot of auto workers that may have lost their jobs in the auto industry will be able to find employment with this company."

Mitchell agreed, saying that the automated production line and quality control systems that will be used at WK Solar are similar to those found at automotive plants.

"The skills sets are very similar to the skill sets in the automotive industry," Mitchell said.

Mitchell also said negotiations with a potential buyer of WK's solar panels are underway.

"I'm in final negotiations with a group that would like to buy all of our product, for the next two to three years, that we could possibly produce here."

Strickland used Wednesday's tour, and following press conference, to promote state incentive programs he believes will help spur the creation of even more new industry companies like WK Solar. Strickland wants to expand the current programs and create some new ones.

This includes expanding the Job Creation Tax Incentive Program which gives new companies a break on state payroll income tax, as much as 75-percent for up to 15 years. Companies must meet certain criteria to qualify, including creating jobs that pay more than $12.70 an hour.

WK Solar has qualified for the program and will receive 60-percent relief for 10 years. Current estimates indicate this will save the company around $3.5 million over 10 years.

WK Solar also has received low interest state loans, for the purchase of production machinery, as well as local tax incentives from the city of Perrysburg.

WK Solar takes its name from the intersection of Willard and Kelsey streets in East Toledo, where one of the company's founders grew up. The founders include five partners and two officers.

One of the reasons the company located in the Toledo area is due to the fact that its solar panels use glass panels to sandwich the thin-film semiconductor material.

"The most expensive part of our solar panel is the glass," said Mitchell. Being close to glass manufacturers translates to reduced unit cost for that key component.

Strickland noted legislation he promoted, which was approved by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor, gives Ohio the third strongest renewable energy standard in the U.S. Under this plan, 25-percent of all the electricity sold in Ohio must come from renewable or alternative energy sources by the year 2025. Companies like WK Solar in years to come may find their biggest customers are right in their own backyard.

[R-BgO]

CTS ist eine Tochter der CPB GmbH Bad Homburg
In Chemnitz entsteht Solarmodulfabrik für 125 Millionen Euro

(PR-inside.com 15.05.2009 14:06:05) - Eine Solarmodulfabrik soll die größte neue Industrieansiedlung in
Chemnitz seit der Wiedervereinigung werden. Die CTS Tandem Solar
GmbH investiere dafür in einem kommunalen Gewerbegebiet rund 125
Millionen Euro, wie Oberbürgermeisterin Barbara Ludwig (SPD) am
Freitag ankündigte. Die Zustimmung des Stadtrates zum
Grundstückskauf werde am 4. Juni erwartet.

Chemnitz (ddp-lsc). Eine Solarmodulfabrik soll die größte neue Industrieansiedlung in Chemnitz seit der Wiedervereinigung werden. Die CTS Tandem Solar GmbH investiere dafür in einem kommunalen Gewerbegebiet rund 125 Millionen Euro, wie Oberbürgermeisterin Barbara Ludwig (SPD) am Freitag ankündigte. Die Zustimmung des Stadtrates zum Grundstückskauf werde
am 4. Juni erwartet. Der Freistaat Sachsen fördere die Erschließung mit mehr als zwei Millionen Euro. Im ersten Bauabschnitt sollen 120 bis 140 Arbeitsplätze entstehen. Der Baustart ist nach Angaben von CTS-Geschäftsführer Fritz Skrzypczak in diesem Jahr geplant. Ende 2010 solle die Produktion von Dünnschichtmodulen beginnen. Die Kapazität der hergestellten Solarmodule werde bis 2012 auf 100 Megawatt hochgefahren. Abhängig von der Marktentwicklung sei ab 2014 der Bau einer zweiten Fabrik zur Verdopplung der Produktion vorgesehen. In Chemnitz komme eine der weltweit modernsten Anlagen für Dünnschichtmodule mit Tandembeschichtung zum Einsatz. Dies sei eine Weiterentwicklung der sogenannten aSi(amorphes Silizium)-Technologie, wie Projektmanager Andreas Karolewski erläuterte. Dabei würden Zellen mit Silizium unterschiedlicher Struktur hintereinander geschaltet. Diese Tandem-Module erreichten einen höheren Wirkungsgrad als herkömmliche siliziumbasierte Dünnschichtmodule. Die Dünnschicht-Technologie sei insgesamt rohstoffsparender und kostengünstiger als die Herstellung von Solarzellen aus multikristallinem Silizium. CTS ist nach eigenen Angaben eine Tochter der CPB GmbH Bad Homburg. Der Projektentwickler befasse sich seit mehr als 25 Jahren mit dem Bau von Industrie- und Kraftwerksanlagen, vor allem im Nahen und Mittleren Osten. Der internationale Markt für das noch relativ neue Geschäftsfeld Solartechnologie solle von Sachsen aus bearbeitet werden. Auch eine Forschungs- und Entwicklungsabteilung sei in Chemnitz geplant. (chemnitz.de; ccc-group.de) (ddp)

[R-BgO]

Abound (vormals AVA)


Abound Solar signs long-term CdTe module sales agreements with Wirsol, juwi
15 May 2009 | By Tom Cheyney | News > Thin Film

Cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaics manufacturer Abound Solar has signed long-term sales agreements with two German systems integrators, Wirsol Solar and juwi solar. The TFPV company (formerly known as AVA Solar) is beginning production on its initial 70-MW line at its recently commissioned facility in Longmont, CO.

abound_solar_mfgMarkus Wirth, Wirsol's managing director, said that Abound’s CdTe modules "will enable us to significantly accelerate our deployment of multimegawatt solar installations. In fact, our relationship with Abound Solar and the potential of the U.S. market has led us to open our North American office in Fort Collins, CO, so that we are in a position to work collaboratively to develop large projects around the world."

Juwi's managing director, Lars Falck, noted that his company had "carefully examined many emerging solar technologies," and is "convinced that Abound Solar will be a leading photovoltaic manufacturer with modules that meet our strict requirements for cost-effective performance and reliability."

Abound CEO Pascal Naranha said his company is proud to be partnering with the two global solar integrator firms and excited to deploy his firm’s low-cost thin-film CdTe modules in a wide variety of installations.

The financial terms and duration of the two contracts were not disclosed.

Juwi also uses CdTe TFPV modules from market leader First Solar, and the two companies recently said they had received financing for the massive 53-MW (DC) Lieberose solar farm near Cottbus in eastern Germany, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

[faulerpilot]

Die Fa. ist in der Lage die Kosten schneller senken als die durchschnittlichen Verkaufspreise zurückgehen. Der Preisverfall ist neben der Finanzierungsproblematik aktuell eine der Hauptsorgen in der Solarindustrie.
Die Dünnschicht-Panels von First Solar haben weitaus aggressivere Preise als herkömmliche siliziumbasierte Module.

First Solar ist wieder vergleichsweise günstig, im Vergleich zu früheren Kursen aber eine niedrige Bewertung sieht natürlich anders aus. Qualität und Wachstum haben ihren Preis und so bleibt das Unternehmen erste Wahl im Solarsektor.

Hier noch mehr zu First Solar:

http://tinyurl.com/qcwck2

[R-BgO]

Intico Solar


21.05.2009 02:05
Mitteldeutsche Zeitung: Sachsen-Anhalt / Solar-Fabrik bei Halle wird deutlich kleiner
Halle (ots) - Die Ansiedlung einer großen Solar-Fabrik (News/Aktienkurs) im Industriegebiet Halle/Saalekreis fällt deutlich kleiner aus als geplant. Das berichtet die in Halle erscheinende Mitteldeutsche Zeitung in ihrer Donnerstag-Ausgabe. Nach Angaben von Sachsen-Anhalts Wirtschaftsminister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) will die Intico Solar AG statt 600 Millionen Euro in einem ersten Schritt nur rund 200 Millionen Euro investieren. Auch die Zahl der Arbeitsplätze werde sinken. Im vergangenen Jahr war noch von bis zu 1000 neuen Stellen die Rede. Grund für die Entwicklung ist nach Angaben Haseloffs die Finanzkrise. In einem zweiten Schritt solle das Projekt aber vollständig verwirklicht werden.

Originaltext: Mitteldeutsche Zeitung Digitale Pressemappe: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/47409 Pressemappe via RSS : http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_47409.rss2

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Sunwell Solar


25.05.2009 15:23
DGAP-News: Sinosol AG (deutsch)

Sinosol AG: schließt 34 MW Modulliefervertrag mit SunWell Solar Corporation

Sinosol AG (News) / Vertrag

25.05.2009

Veröffentlichung einer Corporate News, übermittelt durch die DGAP - ein Unternehmen der EquityStory AG. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Frankfurt am Main, 25.05.2009 - Die Sinosol AG hat mit dem Modulhersteller Sun Well Solar eine dreijährige Rahmenvereinbarung über die Lieferung von Dünnschichtmodulen unterzeichnet. Das vereinbarte Liefervolumen von 34 MWp ist für beide Unternehmen der bis dato größte Vertragsabschluss über die Lieferung von amorphen Dünnschicht-Modulen.

Nach langen und erfolgreichen Verhandlungen freuen sich die beiden Vertragsparteien auf die Kooperation, wie Sinosol-Vorstand Sven P. Krug unterstreicht: 'SunWell Solar hat unsere mehr als kritischen Auswahlkriterien mit Bravour erfüllt; SunWell Solar ist der richtige Partner für die Sinosol AG und ihre Ziele im Markt für Dünnschichtmodule!'

Beide Vertragsparteien sind sich in ihrer Einschätzung einig, dass es neben der herausragenden Qualität des Produktes auch einer etablierten und gut vernetzten Vertriebsorganisation bedarf. 'Mit Sinosol haben wir einen in Europa stark aufgestellten Partner gefunden, der uns den Markt des Großhandels ebenso erschließt wie den des Großanlagenbaus, so Sunny Hsu, Sales und Marketing Direktor von Sun Well Solar.

Der taiwanesische Hersteller fertigt seine Dünnschichtmodule aus amorphem Silizium. Bis Jahresende sollen zudem sog. Tandem-Module mit mikromorpher Kristallstruktur und höheren Wirkungsgraden produziert werden.

'Mit diesem wichtigen Rahmenvertrag sichern wir uns den Zugriff auf Dünnschichtmodule der neuesten Generation. Die umweltfreundliche Technologie der SunWell-Module und die hohe Qualität der Fertigung erfüllen alle Anforderungen von Sinosol und von unseren Kunden und Partnern für einen nachhaltigen und zuverlässigen Einsatz der Module, sowohl im Projekt- als auch im Handelsgeschäft.', so Karl-Heinz Tönges, Vice President und verantwortlich für den Bereich Dünnschichttechnik innerhalb der Sinosol AG.

Sinosol AG: Die Sinosol-Gruppe ist ein international tätiger Photovoltaik-Systemanbieter sowie Projektierer und Turn-Key Anbieter von schlüsselfertigen Solarparks. Sie verfügt über umfassende Erfahrung aus Planung und Realisierung zahlreicher internationaler Großprojekte, darunter z.B. auch ein 15 MWp Solarpark in Südspanien. Als deutsch-chinesische Unternehmensgruppe profitiert sie sowohl auf der Beschaffungs- als auch auf der Absatzseite von ihren etablierten Netzwerken in beiden Heimatmärkten. Die Aktivitäten der Sinosol-Gruppe konzentrieren sich derzeit auf die Märkte Europa und China. Der Jahresumsatz des letzten Geschäftsjahres der Sinosol AG betrug 122 Mio. Euro.

SunWell Solar: Sun Well Solar ist ein 100% Tochterunternehmen der CMC Magnetics Corporation, gegründet im Juli 2007. Als führender Hersteller im Bereich optischer Speichermedien hat CMC schnell und entschieden auch auf den wachsenden Markt der Herstellung von Dünnschichtmodulen reagiert. Der Produktionsstandort für Dünnschicht PV Module ist im Hwa YA Technology Park in Taoyuan, Taiwan angesiedelt. Die erste voll automatisierte Produktionslinie wurde Anfang 2008 in Auftrag gegeben und hat im ersten Ausbauschritt eine Kapazität von 45 MW pro Jahr. Um nachhaltiges und schnelles Wachstum zu sichern, investiert das Unternehmen massiv in eigene Forschung und Entwicklung um in Zukunft einer der Schlüsselanbieter für Dünnschichtmodule auf Basis von Silizium zu sein.

Sinosol AG Karl-Heinz Tönges Telefon: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

25.05.2009 Finanznachrichten übermittelt durch die DGAP

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Jiangsu Solar // A-Si // China



Jiangsu Solar Co invests $600M in a-Si cell project

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 13 May 2009 at 10:39

Jiangsu Lvzhou New Energy Company has signed an agreement to locate its a-Si thin-film solar cell project with total investment of $600 million in Zhenjiang's Jingkou district, Jiangsu province, reports taiyanggonggong.com.

Expected to reach annual production capacity of 200MW after completion, the project is divided into three phases; the first phase will receive investment of $98 million for annual output value of $100 million, said the report.

The company will sign an equipment purchasing agreement in late May or early June and begin construction in July, said the report.


Last update: 13 May 2009 at 10:39

[SLGramann]

Ein kritischer Artikel zu a-Si auf Greentech:
(aus meiner Sicht mehr als berechtigt!)

Auszug:

Almost 6 gigawatts of amorphous silicon panel production capacities are under construction or have been announced worldwide, he said.

"But is there a market for these products? My answer is: probably not," Surek said at the Photovoltaics Summit 2009 in San Francisco Monday.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/amorphous-silico…

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Amelio Solar // a-Si&CIGS // USA



AMELIO SOLAR DEBUTS THIN-FILM PV MODULE
Thin-Film Pioneer Announces “ PV Duo

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Malibu // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT


04.06.2009
Offizielle Eröffnung der Produktion von Dünnschichtmodulen - Malibu geht an den Start

Osterweddingen/Magdeburg, 4. Juni 2009: Bundeswirtschaftsminister Dr. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg gab heute den offiziellen Startschuss für die Produktionsanlage der Malibu GmbH & Co. KG zum Bau von neuartigen Solar-Dünnschichtmodulen in Sülzetal (Osterweddingen) bei Magdeburg. Mit dieser Investition in Höhe von 100 Mio Euro sind rund 120 neue Arbeitsplätze in Sachsen-Anhalt geschaffen worden. Am Forschungs- und Entwicklungsstandort in Bielefeld entstanden zusätzlich 30 Arbeitsplätze. Die Malibu GmbH & Co. KG ist ein Gemeinschaftsunternehmen, an dem die E.ON AG und die Schüco International KG je zur Hälfte beteiligt sind.


Neben dem Bundeswirtschaftsminister begrüßten Dr. Rainer Haseloff, Minister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt, Dr. Wulf H. Bernotat, Vorstandsvorsitzender der E.ON AG, Dirk U. Hindrichs, Geschäftsführender, persönlich haftender Gesellschafter der Schüco International KG, Konrad Kaiser, Geschäftsführer der Malibu GmbH & Co. KG sowie Leiter der Schüco Solar Sparte und Dr. Frank Mastiaux, CEO E.ON Climate & Renewables, zahlreiche Gäste aus Politik und Wirtschaft.


Das neue Werk liegt verkehrsgünstig an der Autobahn A14 im Gewerbegebiet Sülzetal (Osterweddingen) südlich von Magdeburg. Die hier vom Weltmarktführer Applied Materials installierte Dünnschicht-Produktionsanlage ermöglicht die Herstellung von PV-Modulen aus besonders großen Glasplatten mit einer Größe von bis zu 5,7 m² (2,20 x 2,60 m), wodurch sich die Produktionskosten für Solarmodule senken und die Produktionseffizienz erheblich steigern lassen. Die Jahreskapazität der Anlage beträgt 40 Megawatt (MW).


Dünnschicht-Solarzellen als wegweisende Technologie


In den Dünnschichtzellen wird amorphes Silizium eingesetzt, wodurch - im Gegensatz zu den bekannten mono- und polykristallinen Zellen - Schichtdicken von nur wenigen Mikrometern (µm) für die Solarzelle mit einen Wirkungsgrad von derzeit rund 7 Prozent ausreichen. Dadurch können erhebliche Mengen teurer Rohstoffe eingespart werden. Gerade die 5,7 m² großen Module mit einer Leistung von bis zu 460 Watt eignen sich hervorragend für den Einsatz als Fassadenelemente und verbessern damit die bereits heute starke Position von Schüco als Marktführer im Bereich der gebäudeintegrierten Photovoltaik (kurz: BIPV, Building Integrated PV). Aber auch in Großanlagen kommen derartige Module immer mehr zum Einsatz, wie der jetzt abgeschlossene erste Bauabschnitt für den ersten Solarpark von E.ON in Le Lauzet/Südfrankreich zeigt. Die Solarenergie weltweit kann künftig in einer ganz neuen Größenordnung erschlossen werden.


E.ON und Schüco schaffen mit innovativer Solartechnologie High-Tech-Arbeitsplätze in Deutschland


Rund 100 Millionen Euro wurden dazu von den Partnern investiert. Die Produktion von Dünnschicht-Modulen in Sülzetal (Osterweddingen) bei Magdeburg wird von einer intensiven Forschung der Weiterentwicklung der Technologie am Standort Bielefeld begleitet. Damit wurden durch „Malibu“ am Standort Deutschland etwa 150 hochqualifizierte Arbeitsplätze und Ausbildungsplätze in Entwicklung, Forschung und Produktion zukunftsweisender Solartechnologie geschaffen. Im Joint Venture „Malibu“ werden die Kompetenzen des Energieversorgers E.ON und der Schüco International KG, die sich als europäischer Marktführer seit 1951 mit energieeffizienter Glasfassadentechnik befasst gebündelt.


„Der Start von Malibu ist ein echter Meilenstein für Schüco und eine bedeutende Erweiterung des Bereichs Solar. Zu der bisherigen Fertigung von Solarkollektoren kommt nun die hochmoderne Produktion und stetige Weiterentwicklung von Dünnschicht-Photovoltaikmodulen hinzu. Wir kommen hiermit unserem Ziel, die gebäudeintegrierte Photovoltaik zu einem festen Bestandteil der Fassade zu machen, immer näher“, erläutert Dirk U. Hindrichs das Engagement von Schüco.


E.ON Vorstandsvorsitzender Wulf H. Bernotat: Photovoltaik hat das Potenzial, in großen Solarfarmen klimaschonend Strom aus der Kraft der Sonne zu gewinnen. Mit unserem Engagement im Joint Venture Malibu und dem Aufbau von modernen Solarfarmen wollen wir die Solarenergie im industriellen Maßstab nutzbar machen. Unser Ziel ist es, neben der Windkraft Strom aus Sonne zum zweiten, starken Standbein der Erneuerbaren Energien im E.ON-Energiemix aufzubauen. Erneuer¬bare Energien gehören bei E.ON zum Kerngeschäft und sind ein elementarer Baustein einer künftigen Energieversorgung, bei der Versorgungssicherheit, Umweltverträglichkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit keine unvereinbaren Ziele mehr sind.


Dr. Rainer Haseloff, Minister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt: "Sachsen-Anhalt hat sich zu einer der weltweit führenden Regionen in der Photovoltaikbranche entwickelt. Derzeit kommt ein Zehntel der weltweit hergestellten Solarzellen aus unserem Bundesland. Hier sitzen die Köpfe, hier gibt es das Know-how. Durch die Inbetriebnahme der Solarmodul-Produktion der Malibu GmbH wird der Solarstandort Sachsen-Anhalt weiter gestärkt und der derzeitige Wettbewerbsvorteil erhalten."

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Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.343.387 von R-BgO am 08.06.09 14:30:03

dazu passend:

08.06.2009 16:20
DGAP-News: Sinosol AG (deutsch)

Sinosol AG: baut in Südfrankreich ersten Dünnschichtsolarpark für die Malibu GmbH&Co. KG

Sinosol AG / Vertrag

08.06.2009

Veröffentlichung einer Corporate News, übermittelt durch die DGAP - ein Unternehmen der EquityStory AG. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Die Sinosol AG hat als Planer und Generalunternehmer für die Malibu GmbH&Co. KG, ein Joint Venture von Schüco International KG und E.ON AG, den ersten 1MWp Solarpark mit den neuen Dünnschichtmodulen von Malibu realisiert. In einer Rekordbauzeit von 4 Wochen wurde auf dem anspruchsvollen 20 ha großen Gelände in den Bergen Südfrankreichs damit der erste Abschnitt eines insgesamt auf bis zu 5 MWp ausgelegten Solarparks pünktlich zur offiziellen Einweihung des Malibuwerkes in Osterweddingen am 4. Juni 2009 fertiggestellt. Neben den Dünnschichtmodulen von Malibu kommen Wechselrichter von SMA sowie die proprietäre Sinosol Gestelltechnik 'SolBase' zum Einsatz.

'Wir sind stolz darauf, dieses Referenzprojekt für Malibu erfolgreich und termintreu umgesetzt zu haben. Die Module von Malibu repräsentieren den neuesten Stand der Dünnschicht-Technik und haben sich im Projekteinsatz sehr gut bewährt. Hierbei wurden auch wichtige Details, wie zum Beispiel die ab Werk auf der Rückseite des rahmenlosen PV Moduls installierten Befestigungsschienen zur einfachen Montage auf den Trägersystemen, sogenannte 'back-rails', von Malibu hervorragend konstruiert.', so Raphael Krause, Mitglied des Vorstands der Sinosol AG.

'Mit Sinosol haben wir uns für einen etablierten und erfahrenen Anbieter schlüsselfertiger Photovoltaikanlagen entschieden, der auch in anspruchsvollem Gelände bereits über hervorragende Referenzen verfügt. Wir sind mit dem Ergebnis dieses ersten gemeinsamen Projektes sehr zufrieden.' sagt Konrad Kaiser, Geschäftsführer von Malibu und der Solarsparte von Schüco.

Sinosol AG: Die Sinosol-Gruppe ist ein international tätiger Photovoltaik-Systemanbieter sowie Projektierer und Turn-Key Anbieter von schlüsselfertigen Solarparks. Sie verfügt über umfassende Erfahrung aus Planung und Realisierung zahlreicher internationaler Großprojekte, darunter z.B. auch ein 15 MWp Solarpark in Südspanien. Als deutsch-chinesische Unternehmensgruppe profitiert sie sowohl auf der Beschaffungs- als auch auf der Absatzseite von ihren etablierten Netzwerken in beiden Heimatmärkten. Die Aktivitäten der Sinosol-Gruppe konzentrieren sich derzeit auf die Märkte Europa und China. Der Jahresumsatz des letzten Geschäftsjahres der Sinosol AG betrug 122 Mio. Euro.

Malibu GmbH &Co KG: Die Malibu GmbH&Co. KG ist ein Joint Venture der Schüco International KG und der E.ON AG. Ziel von Malibu ist es, die Wirtschaftlichkeit der Integration von Photovoltaik-Modulen in der Gebäudefassade durch den Einsatz von Dünnschicht-Technologie entscheidend zu verbessern. Malibu ist spezialisiert auf die Forschung, Entwicklung und Produktion von siliziumbasierten Photovoltaikmodulen mit Hilfe der Dünnschichttechnologie.

Raphael Krause Mitglied des Vorstands

[R-BgO]

Wow, mutig!:

Huitong/Nanowin // CIGS // China




Hui Tong Credit Guaranty, Nanowin Technology invest in solar projects

Jun. 9, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Hui Tong Credit Guaranty Co Ltd and Taiwan-based Nanowin Technology Co Ltd signed an agreement over the weekend to invest a total of US$150 million in solar projects in Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, sources reported.

The investment will be used to fund the construction of a copper indium/gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cell production line, a photovoltaic station and the related solar energy projects in the city.

The construction will be conducted in two phases. A 50MW CIGS thin-film solar cell production line, with an estimated investment of US$75 million, will be built in the first phrase.

During the second phase, the capacity of the CIGS thin-film solar cell production line will be expanded to 100MW and the 10MW photovoltaic station will complete construction.

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Everbrite // "ultra-high-performance" a/mc-Si // Kanada


Everbrite Solar to invest $500 million

Everbrite Solar has shared its plans for a photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility in Kingston, involving “optical and coating technology and mechanised production process”.

The company is raising $500 million to invest in a robot-controlled manufacturing facility.

The planned plant will have an annual output of thin-film modules capable of generating 150 MW of clean solar power, and generate more than 1,200 direct, indirect and induced “green collar” jobs in the Kingston area.

A key part of this announcement is Everbrite’s intention to seek a collaborative research agreement with Queen’s University to engage a multi-disciplinary team of researchers. Everbrite intends to invest up to $25 million to build an experimental thin-film manufacturing facility to which the Queen’s researchers will have access for their studies.

The company highlighted that by using a broader spectrum of light and thereby producing electricity for more hours daily - even on cloudy days - these modules are ideally suited to the Canadian climate. Its ES-Series-AMORPH-ultra hp PV modules are constructed from amorphous and microcrystalline silicon layers. This cell design is able to absorb a much wider spectrum of light than traditional silicon cells. They are especially well suited for larger, grid-connected PV systems.

Everbrite Solar is confident that the company will be in a strong position to capitalise on what is expected to be a $50 billion market by 2012.

[R-BgO]

Masdar // a-Si // Deutschland+Abu Dhabi // AMAT


Masdar PV focuses on improving reliability

Masdar PV GmbH has highlighted that the Applied Materials SunFab production line, which is being installed at its production facility in Ichtershausen near Erfurt, has been modified as per the specific requirements of the company.

For instance, the edges of the super-size modules are insulated by an advanced laser technology. Laser technologies will be used for laser cutting to divide the modules into quarter- and half-size formats, depending upon its customer requirements.

“Until now, the edge insulating as well as the format cutting are being done mechanically,” said Dr. Rainer Gegenwart, CEO of Masdar PV, who added that in this process, there is often the risk of so called micro cracks forming along the frame.

By applying this laser technology, the company is focusing on optimising the reliability of its modules.

There will be seven additional function tests during the manufacturing process of the modules. For example, a so called “Wet High Pot Test” is checking every module for its isolation resistance prior to delivery. By doing so, premature failures in the field are being avoided and the final product becomes more reliable.

Delivery of the a-Si stack cells is scheduled from October 2009.

The company has two production facilities with a total capacity of 195 MWp in Germany and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

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Oerlikon wird besser (allerdings steht nur was von "initial"):

Oerlikon achieves record thin film silicon efficiency

Oerlikon Solar has achieved a new record efficiency level for commercial thin film silicon PV modules.

According to the company, recent test results from its pilot production line in Switzerland show that full-size Micromorph modules (1.4 m2) have 151 Watts initial power, or 11% initial power conversion efficiency.

Oerlikon Solar had previously announced an ambitious production cost target of $0.70 per Watt peak and said it is on track to achieve this target by end of 2010.

The company implemented several modifications of key processes of its end-to-end production line, leading to the increase in initial power output and efficiency, Dr. Juerg Henz, head of thin film engineering and operations at Oerlikon Solar, said.

“We are confident that our ability to repeatedly achieve record results can be transferred into mass production soon,” Dr. Henz added.

In its outlook for this year, specifically for Oerlikon Solar, the company has already mentioned that a normalisation of the business is expected for the second half of 2009.

Oerlikon Solar was not able to win any significant new orders in the first quarter, so it continues to complete existing orders. Sales were down by 32% to CHF 51 million. Oerlikon Solar anticipates that the conditions for financing will improve in the second half of 2009, and that by the end of the year normal business conditions with strong growth will return. Stimulus programmes and subsidies for renewable energy as announced, for instance by the Chinese, Japanese and US government, will additionally increase demand. The medium- and long-term market outlook for thin-film silicon solar modules with double digit growth rates remains unchanged.

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LG Display // a-Si // Korea


...vermute a-Si wegen des Wirkungsgrads und der Nähe zur Displayproduktion


LG Display to Nurture its Thin-Film Solar Cell Business as a Future Growth Driver 2009/06/16


Seoul, Korea (June 16, 2009) – LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220], a leading innovator of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology, today announced plans to focus its R&D capabilities on a thin-film type solar cell and nurture it as a future growth driver.

LG Display plans to invest KRW50 billion into R&D to build a pilot line within its Paju display complex in Korea during the second half of 2009 and build an outdoor test power generation facility.

Further, the company aims to raise the current energy conversion efficiency rate of 8% to 12% by 2010, and eventually achieve efficiency rate of 14% in 2012 to prepare for commercialization. It also plans to secure sufficient commercial value by lowering the manufacturing cost to less than USD1 per watt.

In addition, LG Display target the market for cells used in photovoltaic power generation, buildings and public displays during the initial stages of commercialization. The company’s long-term blueprint includes expansion into solar cells for mobile displays and automobiles, as well as solar cells for extreme environments such as offshore photovoltaic power generation stations.

According to US market researcher Nano Markets, the thin-film type solar cell market will grow from USD4.6 billion in 2011 to USD14 billion by 2015.


<Reference>
Thin-film type solar cells: Thin-film type solar cells are being hailed as a solution to the problems associated with widely adopted crystalline solar cells that employ silicon wafers. Problems include a lack of materials and the high price of materials. By placing electrodes onto a glass or plastic substrate rather than a silicon wafer, process efficiency can be raised by increasing the substrate size. Additionally, the technology would not be susceptible to weight adjustments or conditions of the installation location, making it relatively stable against changes in the external environment. As the related technology is similar to TFT-LCD, the entry barrier is relatively low for LCD manufacturers such as LG Display.

[R-BgO]

June 18, 2009, 09:48 (CEST)
text size: T T
Former First Solar Executive to Lead HelioVolt
-HelioVolt Corporation, a producer of highly-efficient thin film solar products, announced today that Jim Flanary has joined as chief executive officer. A business leader with a proven track record at both large and small companies, Jim Flanary brings vast expertise in growing high-tech manufacturing businesses.
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Former First Solar Executive to Lead HelioVolt

Jim Flanary Joins Solar Thin Film Pioneer

As COO of First Solar, during a critical scale-up phase of the Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) module manufacturer, Jim implemented the core manufacturing process methodologies that allowed First Solar to rapidly scale while addressing early product quality issues. Most recently at HelioSphera, Jim was once again responsible for helping the newly established micromorph thin film module manufacturer bring up its operations in Tripolis, Greece.

“HelioVolt is one of a small number of CIGS companies positioned for commercial scale-up,” said Scott Sandell, General Partner at New Enterprise Associates and member of HelioVolt’s Board of Directors. HelioVolt is developing a suite of high performance copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic products suitable for a variety of solar applications, including for use in commercial rooftops and Building Integrated (BIPV) systems. The company’s first Austin, TX based factory is gearing up for production in the second half of 2009. “We are extremely pleased to have Jim joining the HelioVolt team. His knowledge of the solar market and expertise in building companies will be invaluable,” added Sandell.

“HelioVolt has developed a unique method for rapid manufacturing of advanced solar technology with potential to reach module efficiencies comparable with poly-silicon modules and at competitive installed costs,” said HelioVolt founder and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. BJ Stanbery. “Jim brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial drive and operational capabilities with solid business growth, experience that aligns him well with our plan to deliver the most efficient and cost effective products to the market.”

Known for his execution and focus on operational excellence, Jim has held a number of key roles such as Chief Operating Officer of First Solar from 2001 to 2003, and as President of OEA Aerospace, and President of Networks Electronic Corporation. During a 10 plus year career at ITT Night Vision, Jim developed his operational skills in robust engineering, six sigma, and lean manufacturing and became their Division President and General Manager. Jim was awarded the coveted ITT Ring of Quality and the Harold S. Geneen Award as part of a leadership team that helped establish ITT Night Vision as the world leader in military and commercial night vision products.

“HelioVolt is one of the most promising thin-film companies in the solar industry today and I feel honored to lead the company through its next growth phase,” said Flanary. “The market has seen the potential of thin-film technology in the past 2 years and I believe HelioVolt has the next generation technology and process that will allow our customers and partners to reach new levels of commercial growth.”

[R-BgO]

SoloPower // CIGS // USA


SoloPower certified for CIGS-based modules
18 June 2009 | By Rebecca Butcher | News > PV Modules

SoloPower today became the first US ANSI/UL 1703-certified manufacturer of flat-plate, CIGS-based (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) PV modules. The Silicon Valley-based producer of thin-film solar photovoltaic cells and modules is well on the way to its goal of mass-producing PV modules.

Intertek, an independent, multi-national product safety certification organization, granted the ETL certification. The product was tested to meet ANSI/UL 1703, the developed standard for safety flat-plate photovoltaic modules and panels.

Being certified is an important technical and commercial achievement for SoloPower’s products in the US and Canada. The certification is an added third-party confirmation that the company’s PV modules conform to rigorous safety standards.

[R-BgO]

Solterra // quantum-dots // USA-Saudi Arabien

Solterra in race for solar power in Saudi Arabia
18 June 2009 | By Rebecca Butcher | News > Thin Film

Solterra Renewable Technologies’ CEO Stephen Squires announced that the company is well along in vying for a solar cell facility in Saudi Arabia. “We have undergone an incredibly in-depth due diligence review of our science and our business plan,” he remarked. “The due diligence process was conducted on-site by a European consulting and analysis firm. Early discussions have led us to believe that we are a frontrunner in the selection process.” The Government of Saudi America is about six months into a selection process to establish a thin-film quantum dot solar cell manufacturing and distribution facility in the country.

The Solterra solar cell facility, if selected, would be part of the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation [TREC]’s initiative to build a transmission super grid of power plants and power lines. TREC is a consortium led by the “Club of Rome,” which includes a number of universities in Europe and the Middle East and the German Aerospace Bureau. The grid would supply energy to Europe and to seawater desalinization plants in the Middle East and North Africa.

Squires affirmed the popularity of this enterprise: “The super grid initiative has attracted a growing number of powerful backers. Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of France, and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown have both publicly endorsed the super grid project. It is our belief that if we are able to realize this opportunity we will receive significant financial support, facility set up, personnel subsidies and other benefits.”

[R-BgO]

Xunlight wraps up 25MW roll-to-roll equipment installation
24 June 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon | News > Thin Film

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Xunlight roll-to-roll moduleXunlight Corporation’s 122,000-sq-ft facility in Toledo, Ohio, has been fully installed with the first of its 25MW wide-web, roll-to-roll photovoltaic manufacturing equipment lines, and is on track to begin production of high-efficiency thin-film silicon PV modules. The company’s proprietary roll-to-roll equipment, the first of four such in the pipeline for the company, has been shown to demonstrate uniform deposition of triple-junction thin-film silicon solar cells.

The recently completed installation comprises a 200-foot-long series of connected vacuum deposition chambers, and will involve a PECVD process to deposit thin-film silicon solar cells on a 3ft wide, mile-long stainless steel substrate. This is the first of four 25MW installations that will bring the company’s cell production to 100MW by the end of 2010.

"For a company striving to become a low-cost producer of solar panels, having completed the Xunlightdevelopment, design and construction of its first large-scale production equipment is undoubtedly a major milestone," said Xunlight CEO Dr. Xunming Deng. "This important achievement would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of the Xunlight team, the commitment of our investors, and support from the State and federal government.

[R-BgO]

HelioSphera inaugurates state-of-the-art plant in Tripoli
24 June 2009 | By Emma Hughes | News > Fab and Facilities

HelioSphera, formerly Next Solar, has officially launched its 27,000m2 state-of-the-art plant with a production area of 17,000 m2 and a fully automated cleanroom of 1,500 m2. The factory, which specializes in producing thin-film photovoltaic panels using Oerlikon’s Micromorph technology, has an annual capacity of 60MW and is located in Tripoli.

PV-Tech reported in March the €185 million investment subsidized by €29.879.500, which is one of the largest private investments in Greece of the past decade; this was included in the Developmental Bill that was voted into law by the plenary of the Greek Parliament. The plant is said to be the largest of its kind in Europe.

The Minister of Economy and Finance Yannis Papathanasiou inaugurated the plant; it also received a blessing from Bishop of Mantineia and Kynoureia Alexandros.

Also present on the day were the Under Secretary of National Education and Religious Affairs, Andreas Lykourentzos, the General Secretary of the Peloponnese Nikolaos Aggelopoulos, the Prefect of Arcadia Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, the Mayor of Tripoli Alexandros Kotsianis and members of the local political leadership.

HelioSphera is also planning a customers’ event in its Tripoli premises in October to celebrate the first commercialization of its products.

[R-BgO]

Record ramp-up for Auria Solar’s end-to-end thin-film line
24 June 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon | News > Thin Film

Taiwan-based Auria Solar has become the first company to reach mass production with Oerlikon Solar’s Micromorph technology, having completed the 60MW end-to-end solar manufacturing line less than eight months after equipment installation. Auria’s modules have also earned IEC certification from TÜV Rheinland.

Bolstered by Oerlikon’s on-site support, Auria has both ramped the facility and gained certification in record time. The tandem-junction Micromorph process will allow Auria to become a major player in the thin-film module realm, with the company having the ability to produce 120W modules claiming 9% conversion efficiency.

“We are extremely impressed with the speed in which Oerlikon Solar’s expert team was able to bring our Micromorph end-to-end fab to mass production,” commented Dr. Chi-Yao Tsai, CEO of Auria Solar. “…The low-cost manufacturing process enabled through Oerlikon Solar’s leading-edge, end-to-end solution will help us reach the target of grid parity in the foreseeable future.”

[R-BgO]

INDIUM

NanoMarkets report: CIGS growth not limited by indium supply
25 June 2009 | By Mark Osborne | News > Materials


Often touted as the next thin film technology to take on cadmium telluride thin film leader First Solar, copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) technology is set to grow and the use of indium, a key absorber material will grow even faster. In a new report from NanoMarkets entitled ‘Indium Markets for Photovoltaics,’ indium consumption is expected to rise 80% by 2016, equating to 228 metric tons (MT) in 2016, up from the 20MT consumed today. However, the market research firm is forecasting that CIGS PV cells would represent only 8% of PV megawatts in that time.

Unlike the concerns raised over the last few years as to whether there was enough tellurium to meet demand from CdTe PV production, NanoMarkets doesn’t see any shortage of indium to limit CIGS growth.

“As far as a looming shortage of indium, the quick answer is no, we don’t believe a shortage is looming,” noted Paul Markowitz, Senior Analyst at NanoMarkets. “But we do expect price volatility.”

Markowitz also told PV-Tech that the indium market would prove volatile from a pricing perspective as it takes several months to develop new indium capacity. Forthermore, demand spikes can significantly outpace supply, though temporary and not indicative of an actual long-term shortage.

“It is important to note that we are talking about short-term phenomena,” remarked Markowitz. “In the long term, there is plenty of indium available. Indium is basically a by-product of zinc ore processing and extraction is currently limited by facilities and the economics of the process; sustained higher prices would and have been demonstrated to bring about increased production including from other sources. These other sources include recycling of scrap ITO and extraction from ores of other metals besides zinc.”

NanoMarkets expects a change over time away from the use of sputtering targets and evaporation slugs as lower-cost deposition methods develop. The market research firm expects a shift towards indium salts for electrodeposition and nanoparticles of indium, indium selenide, and indium oxide inks for printing. Printing and electrodeposition will represent close to 28%, or 52.3MT, of the total indium consumption for CIGS PV in 2016.

NanoMarkets also said in the report that indium consumption for ITO in the PV industry will grow from 13MT in 2011 to 39.4MT in 2016.

[R-BgO]

Signet Solar // a-Si // Deutschland/Indien

Horn Appointed CFO At Signet Solar
in News Departments > People
by SI Staff on Thursday 25 June 2009
email the content item print the content item Follow SolarIndustry On Twitter

Signet Solar, a global manufacturer of thin-film silicon photovoltaic modules, has named Bruce Horn the company's chief financial officer (CFO). In his role, he will oversee Signet's financial development and offer strategic support as the company scales its manufacturing capabilities.

Horn has over 20 years of accounting, finance and management experience with public and private high-technology companies. Prior to joining Signet, he was CFO at StrataLight Communications Inc., which was acquired by Opnext Inc. earlier this year. Horn also served as CFO and treasurer of Oplink Communications Inc., and as CFO and VP of Finance of Larscom Inc. He directed the execution of the IPO process for both companies.

[R-BgO]

Nuon // CIGS // Niederlande


Nuon opens test facility for flexible solar cell production
26 June 2009 | By Síle Mc Mahon | News > Cell Processing

Dutch company Nuon, via its wholly owned subsidiary Nuon Helianthos, has opened a test plant for the production of flexible solar cells in Arnhem, just west of the German border. The cells are produced on what was originally a roll of laminate 30cm in width, but this new test plant, the company intends to increase the laminate size to 120cm.

Producing the cells on a roll is advantageous in that it allows the application of solar cells in existing materials or products, and this method is cheaper from a manufacturing perspective. The cells can be used in roof covering, building facades Nuon's flexible solar cell productand sunblinds, amongst other applications.

Following successful implementation of the development of this technology, Nuon will begin construction on a production plant for Nuon Helianthos, also to be situated in Arnhem. The company anticipates an annual output of 1 million m2 of solar cell laminate.

[R-BgO]

AxunTek set to upgrade CIGS thin-film solar cell production


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 03 July 2009 at 12:45



AxunTek Solar Energy, the first company in Taiwan to have developed cutting-edge CIGS thin-film technology for green energy, is set to upgrade and expand its production of CIGS thin-film solar cells and related products in a new plant.

The Export Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs gave the green light to a new investment plan proposed by AxunTek to build a manufacturing plant at an EPZ in the southernmost county of Pingtung for expanded research and production of CIGS thin-film solar cells.

Under the plan, AxunTek will invest NT$6.99 billion (US$212.43 million) for the expansion of CIGS thin-film solar cell research and production, according to the EPZA.

AxunTek unveiled Taiwan's first CIGS thin-film solar cell and technology last year at the International Photovoltaic Forum and Exhibition.

Source: Taiwan Times.

[R-BgO]

Nanowin signs on for $98 million solar cell project

Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 06 July 2009 at 13:14


Taiwan-based Nanowin Technology and Baiquan USA Investment Group plan to establish a copper indium/gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cell project with an investment of $98 million in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, reports solarbe.com.

Expected to begin construction before the end of August, the project will have registered capital of $90 million and mainly be composed of a 35MW CIGS production line, said the report.

Last update: 06 July 2009 at 13:14

[R-BgO]

Crosslink Capital’s DiNardo takes over as interim president/CEO at SoloPower
10 July 2009 | By Tom Cheyney | Going Places

Thin-film PV developer SoloPower has named Lou DiNardo as its interim president/CEO. He replaces Homayoun Talieh, cofounder of the copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide (CIGS) concern, who will remain on the company's board.

DiNardo (pictured) has worked with SoloPower as a partner with Crosslink Capital, one of the early investors in the CIGS company. Before joining the investment firm in January 2008, he was a partner in the clean tech practice at VantagePoint Venture Partners. Previous to that, he had 25 years of senior operating experience at such semiconductor manufacturing companies as Analog Devices, Linear Technology, and Intersil.

"SoloPower has begun the transition from a development stage company to commercial production," said DiNardo. "We aim to begin high-volume production in 2010. This transition requires leadership with experience running high-volume manufacturing companies, I am pleased to help position this company for its next phase of growth."

[R-BgO]

ENN Solar In Mass Production With Thin-Film Photovoltaic Technology
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Wednesday 15 July 2009
email the content item print the content item Follow SolarIndustry On Twitter

ENN Solar Energy Co. Ltd. has launched new silicon thin-film solar products featuring tandem-junction technology and is mass-producing its PV modules in order to reach 60 MW of production capacity by the end of this year.

With tandem-junction technology, two layers of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon are applied to the glass substrate (up to 5.7 m2). The layer of amorphous silicon absorbs short-wave light, while the other layer absorbs long-wave light. In turn, the PV products are able to convert solar energy into electricity in suboptimal conditions.

The modules are produced on the SunFab production line supplied by Applied Materials Inc., a U.S.-based company.

SOURCE: ENN Solar

[R-BgO]

Allora Minerals signs binding LOI to purchase OptiSolar for $260 million PDF Print E-mail


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 21 July 2009 at 14:52

Views: 28

Recommended by: 1

Published in: News, News

Allora Minerals, Inc. announced today that is has signed a binding letter-of-intent (LOI) to purchase manufacturing facilities, production lines, intellectual property and an R&D facility of OptiSolar Technologies, Inc.

Under the terms of the letter of intent, Allora plans to purchase the OptiSolar assets for a value of $260 million in an all stock transaction, priced at $21.66 per share, resulting in the issuance of 12 million shares of Allora common stock to OptiSolar shareholders.

Included in the purchase are:

- Hayward, California R&D Facility -- 95,000 square foot R&D production level facility including 2 single junction 15MW production lines, proprietary inverter lab and other intellectual property. Allora will take over the lease on the facility.

- Sacramento, California Manufacturing Facility -- 1 million square foot manufacturing facility that is prepared for up to forty, 20MW dual junction lines (800MW in total) or a similar amount of triple Junction line which would then be capable of expanding to 1,000MW. The facility also includes automated panel manufacturing (APA) technology which enables panels to be assembled in the factory robotically as opposed to manually, in the field, which reduces the cost to build Solar park and increases the speed at which parks can be built .

Mike Matvieshen, President and CEO of Allora Minerals, said, "This acquisition is a significant milestone for our business. We now have a manufacturing facility capable of scaling to 1GW in nameplate production capacity. We have increased our manufacturing capacity immediately from 5MW to 30MW. In the near term we plan to convert our single junction lines to dual junction lines, expanding capacity to 55MW."

"OptiSolar had invested about $310 million into the R&D lab, Hayward CA manufacturing Facility and the Sacramento assets which we are purchasing. This is a tremendous value to our business and to our shareholders," added Matvieshen. "The acquisition of OptiSolar's intellectual property and its state-of-the-art production size R&D facility gives us a real advantage because this allows all new developments in production improvement to be immediately implemented in the factory, and its inverter technology will accelerate our path to reducing the cost-per-installed-watt to under $1.35 fully installed. This, in turn, will drive higher profitability to our solar parks when selling electricity."

The product qualification process at the production facility has been completed. It is anticipated that at the start of production, the plant will employ approximately 168 workers.

In February, OptiSolar had submitted a $300 million loan guarantee application to the U.S. Department of Energy for the start of its Sacramento facility. Allora intends to move the loan application along and to open/reopen it, and is currently being advised by its counsel with respect to necessary steps.

Last update: 21 July 2009 at 14:52

[R-BgO]

22nd July 2009, Thin Film Today news desk
Situation not as rosy as being depicted

Thin film technology companies in the US may be making advancements in terms of improving efficiencies of their modules and driving down manufacturing costs. But still the sector is wary of the current situation.

For instance, PrimeStar Solar’s CEO Brian Murphy says it will take a while for the sector to get back on track.

“We’ve been hearing how the United States is going to be tomorrow’s PV market, but tomorrow is not today…It’s going to be 2011 at the earliest before U.S. power consumption is back at the level it was at in 2008. So utilities don’t have the need for additional capacity today,” Murphy has been quoted as saying by Earth2Tech.

The company, which has been in news for building its first commercial factory in San Francisco, hasn’t confirmed plans for the completion of the same yet. It has been reported that PrimeStar plans to have its factory up and running by the fourth quarter of this year.

It was in February 2007 when the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and PrimeStar had signed an $870,000 cooperative research and development agreement to transition NREL’s CdTe PV technology to commercial module production. After this, the company was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy for a $3 million funding.

GE Energy, after investing an undisclosed amount in 2007, decided to increase its equity share in PrimeStar last year to become a majority shareholder. Exact detailed weren’t shared.

[SLGramann]

Ein paar Zitate aus der neuen Sonne, Wind und Wärme - Ausgabe 11/2009 - zum TF-Markt:


Die Probleme bei a-Si


Experten wie Norbert Hahn, Vertriebsvorstand beim Großhändler
IBC Solar AG, halten einen Preisvorsprung von
0,80 €/W für nötig, damit a-Si-Module wettbewerbsfähig
sind. Die meisten der von uns auf der Messe befragten
Hersteller von a-Si-Modulen nannten Verkaufspreise
zwischen 1,10 und 1,30 €/W.

Experte Surek sieht für a-Si „im besten
Fall“ Produktionskosten von 1,50 $/W (ca. 1,07 €/W),
nicht aber für Unternehmen, die gerade erst ihre Produktion
hochfahren und die Kapazität noch ausbauen
müssen, um Skalenvorteile zu erreichen. „Wir werden
gequetscht durch kristallines Silizium”, räumte Colin
Chan, Manager beim Hersteller Formosun Solar Corporation,
auf der Messe ein.

Skepsis bei Tandem

Weil mikrokristallines Silizium Licht schlechter einfängt als
a-Si, ist eine dickere Schicht nötig, deren Abscheidung
aus den Gasen Silan und Wasserstoff entsprechend
länger dauert. Um diesen Nachteil auszugleichen,
braucht man für den gleichen Durchsatz doppelt so
viele Beschichtungsanlagen wie für die a-Si-Schicht.
Die Schott Solar AG, ein Oerlikon-Kunde, ist deshalb noch nicht von a-Si auf mikromorph umgeschwenkt.
„Der Wirkungsgrad muss zweistellig sein, damit es sich
rechnet“, sagt Produktmanager Thomas Block.


CIGS (derzeit) zu teuer?

Über die Zukunftsaussichten für CIGS-Modulhersteller
sind sich die Beobachter nicht einig. Tom Surek
hegt große Zweifel: „Ich sehe einfach nicht, dass irgendeiner
die richtige Kostenstruktur hat“, sagte er in
San Francisco. Andere verweisen darauf, dass CIGS in
der Kostenentwicklung nur noch nicht so weit ist wie
CdTe, aber mit größeren Kapazitäten das Zeug hat,
dorthin zu kommen.


baut FSLR CIGS-know-how auf?


Vergangenen Oktober heuerte der Branchenführer First Solar mit
Markus Beck einen ausgewiesenen CIGS-Spezialisten
an, der zuvor Chefwissenschaftler bei Solyndra und
Global Solar war. Vielleicht will First Solar für den Fall
vorsorgen, dass dem Unternehmen irgendwann die
Cadmium-Schadstoffdiskussion auf die Füße fällt oder
Tellur knapp wird. CIGS jedenfalls hat für First Solar offensichtlich
Zukunft.

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.637.361 von SLGramann am 24.07.09 07:03:54

Die hier genannten "best-case"-Produktionskosten von 1,50 Dollar / Watt werden spätestens nächstes Jahr auch von c-Si erreicht, wahrscheinlich sogar signifikant unterboten werden. Und das bei mindestens doppelter Moduleffizienz. Ich gehe mal davon aus, dass die Mehrheit der unendlich vielen a-Si-Neugründungen nie etwas anderes tun wird, als das Geld ihrer Investoren zu verbrennen.

[R-BgO]

Yuandong Keji // a-Si // China


China’s Yuandong Keji invests USD 154m in thin-film PV cell plant
29 Jul 2009 / Solar / Manufacture & Scale-up / China
Chinese PV cell manufacturer Yuandong Photovoltaic Energy Keji is investing CNY 1.05bn (USD153.7m) to build an amorphous silicon thin-film PV cell production plant in Shangrao county, Jiangxi Province.

[enzofran]

Hallo!

Die Quartalszahlen von First Solar (FSLR) sind heute nachbörslich gemeldet worden, siehe: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090730-723298.html
Demnach stieg der Umsatz um 97% auf 525,9 Mio. US$ und der Gewinn auf 180,6 Mio. US$ oder 2,11 US$ je Aktie, womit man deutlich besser abschnitt als die Konkurrenz. Zudem stieg die Marge von 54,2% auf 56,7%. In einer ersten Reaktion auf diese Zahlen stieg die Aktie nachbörslich bis auf 191,48 US$, allerdings fiel der Wert dann zurück und notiert mittlerweile nachbörslich sogar im Minus bei nur noch 167,11 US$.
Meines Erachtens sind die Quartalszahlen als durchaus positiv zu bewerten. Ein Kurssprung von mehr als 10%, wie zunächst gesehen, war jedoch etwas zu euphorisch bezogen auf den doch verhaltenen Ausblick des Managements. Der dann einsetzende Kursrutsch war jedoch ebenfalls überzogen und ich denke nicht, dass die Aktie sich morgen großartig nach unten oder oben bewegen wird.
Insgesamt bleibe ich jedoch positiv gestimmt für die Aktie der First Solar (FSLR), zumal deren Dünnschichttechnologie sich am Markt durchzusetzen scheint. Ich würde daher Kursrücksetzer der Aktie weiterhin als Kaufgelegenheit betrachten und sehe die Aktie mittel- bis langfristig über 200 US$.

Weitere Infos zu First Solar gibts übrigens hier: http://tinyurl.com/ml2kf5

LG Enzo

[tonycat]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.683.115 von enzofran am 30.07.09 23:55:52

Ja, wundert mich auch (ein wenig) die nachbörsliche Entwicklung, ist die Leistung von First Solar doch völlig phänomenal (aber an der Börse wird die Zukunft gehandelt) aber eben nicht auf Dauer garantiert.
Also, da First Solar eben die Marge noch weiter ausweiten konnte (Produktionkosten ca. 92/93 US-Dollar Cents (war einmal) und kolportierte Verkaufspreise der 2. Linie (also nicht die Direktabnehmer aber Großhändler die bei Direktabnehmern kaufen) liegen um die 100% über den Produktionskosten (also beide Handelsstufen haben bei der über 50% Marge vom Herteller jeweils noch extrem gute über 20% Luft (extrem gut, weil First Solar kein Einzelhandelsprodukt sondern eine mindestens 5-stellige, üblicherweise 6-7 stellige Investition darstellt).

Also, ich will sagen, First Solar muß über 200 Dollar, es sei denn 5 andere Hersteller sagen jetzt ganz schnell, Produktionskosten unter 1 Dollar kein Thema...

[Shaki]

So bin jetzt bei 112,37€ zugestiegen.

Bitte wieder rauf.

[R-BgO]

PVnext // CIGS // Taiwan


Ritek thin-film PV joint venture wins government investment


Bryan Chuang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 29 July 2009]

Taiwan's National Development Fund, the central government's venture capital arm used to promote development of target industries, has decided to invest NT$500 million (US$15.3 million) in PVNext Corporation, a Taiwan-based maker of CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, taking a 28.59% stake in the company, according to the fund.

PVNext is a joint venture between Ritek, Taiwan's second largest Taiwan-based maker of blank optical discs, and Netherlands-based Scheuten Solar Holding B.V.

The fund's investment is through subscription for 20 million new shares to be issued by PVNext to raise additional capital for procuring production equipment, sources pointed out. After the capital expansion, the stake of Scheuten and Ritek in the company will shrink to 42.26% and 23.15%m respectively, the sources indicated. PVNext will start volume production this quarter, the sources noted.

[Friseuse]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.683.129 von tonycat am 31.07.09 00:01:58

Was Asbest für Alstom war kann CdTe für First Solar werden.

Wart mal ein Jahrzehnt ab

[R-BgO]

July 28, 2009

Canberra, Australia: Astroenegy and Solco Start Marketing Thin Film Modules

Astronergy, a Chint company, and Solco Ltd are combining to bring Astronergy’s range of high quality panels to Australia. This includes Astronergy’s second-generation amorphous / microcrystalline silicon tandem thin film PV (a-Si/µc-Si) modules.

Astronergy has invested US$150 million into solar panel production, both crystalline silicon and thin film. The first 30 MW production of the tandem thin film solar modules will reach full capacity in Q4 this year, while crystalline silicon panels have been in production since 2006. Astronergy’s thin film conversion efficiency has reached 9% currently, and the goal is to achieve 10% conversion efficiency in the near future.

“Whether in terms of technology or in terms of scale, Astronergy is leading the market for high-end thin-film PV modules,” said Dr. Liyou Yang, who is the President and CEO of Astronergy.

Yang spent 20 years in thin-film R&D, including an earlier role at BP Solar. He holds 18 patents in the field.

Launching this collaboration at the Australian industry’s annual ATRAA conference in Canberra, Mark Norman Solco’s CEO and Managing Director said “The collaboration between Astronergy and Solco Ltd’s subsidiary Solco Choice Electric will bring a quality and competitively-priced range of modules onto the Australia market. I am personally convinced that the Astronergy manufacturing process for the traditional crystalline modules is one of the best that I have seen anywhere in the world, and the new thin film product opens up many opportunities for large scale deployment across commercial and industrial rooves and facades.”

[fingus]

der markt legt zu, und first hat den drang nach unten

[RockyAtItsBest]

Tja, sieht so aus, als ob die 100€ wieder getestet werden

Rabattprogramm scheint sich z.Zt. auf den Aktienkurs zu beziehen

Cu
RockyAtItsBest

[Shaki]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.711.888 von RockyAtItsBest am 05.08.09 00:50:20

naja, hoffen wir mal es werden nicht die 100$ vom März getestet...

[RockyAtItsBest]

Gott bewahre uns

Cu
RockyAtItsBest

[Shaki]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.715.530 von RockyAtItsBest am 05.08.09 14:27:31

Immerhin heute was hell grünes...

[R-BgO]

Avancis // CIGS // Deutschland


Saint-Gobain steps up its growth in renewable energy with an increased participation in Avancis
August 12, 2009



As part of its development strategy for solar energy, Saint-Gobain is acquiring Shell's share of Avancis, a joint venture between the two companies.

Avancis has developed highly competitive technology for thin-film CIS (Copper, Indium and Selenide) to manufacture photovoltaic modules. With an annual capacity of 20 megawatts, the company's first plant is already operating in Torgau, Germany. This extremely promising technology necessitates expertise in glass coating and in glass thermal treatment, two processes belonging to the core portfolio of Saint-Gobain, a worldwide leader in flat glass for the building and automotive industries.

Saint-Gobain intends to accelerate the industrial development of Avancis.

Saint-Gobain provides a vast range of products and services in solar energy via Saint-Gobain Solar, its new entity which groups all of Saint-Gobain's solar businesses. Present across the whole value chain, Saint-Gobain Solar's strategy hinges on three independent activities:
- The making and selling of high-tech components for PV modules (special glass, performance plastics, etc.) and high-performance mirrors for solar thermal plant operators.
- The production by its Avancis company of thin-film PV modules using CIS (Copper, Indium, Selenide) technology, for distributors and integrators.
- The design and marketing of PV solutions for residential homes, offices, industrial installations and farm buildings.

[R-BgO]

PV Next // CIGS // Taiwan


Taiwan makers question government investment in CIGS thin-film PV maker PVNext


Bryan Chuang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Monday 3 August 2009]

The investment of NT$500 million (US$15.3 million) in Taiwan-based CIGS thin-film PV module maker, PVNext, by the Taiwan government's National Development Fund has aroused questions from makers in Taiwan because they think the target energy conversion rate of 17% for CIGS thin-film PV modules as claimed by Ritek is impossible to reach, according to industry sources.

PVNext is a joint venture established by Ritek, Taiwan's second largest optical disc maker, and Netherlands-based Scheuten Solar Holding B.V.

The questions actually raise concerns the investment project will waste taxpayer money, the sources pointed out. In response, fund officials argued that they are aware of the high risk. In addition, Scheuten and Ritek hold stakes of 42.26% and 29.15%, respectively, in PVNext and so face more risk, the officials explained.

[R-BgO]

PV Next // CIGS // Taiwan


Taipei, Aug. 4, 2009 (CENS)--Taiwan`s National Development Fund of the Taiwan Cabinet, the government`s investment arm, recently announced to buy a 25% stake in PV Next, a maker of CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin-film solar-cell modules under local optical-disc maker Ritek Corp.

PV Next recently carried out a capital increase by selling shares at a premium of NT$25 (US$0.77). The TNDF bought 20 million shares for NT$500 million (US$15.4 million at US$1: NT$32.5), showing the fund`s confirmation of PV Next`s self-development achievement.

With backing from the government fund, Ritek claimed its solar-cell business development is expected to go farther and smoother. PV Next hopes to go public in Taiwan or overseas in three years, according to industry insiders.

With self-developed technology and existing equipment (Ritek`s machines for making optical discs), PV Next has relatively-lower capital spending. In addition, the firm`s core sputtering technology and the organic light-emit diode (OLED) technology of affiliated RiTdisplay Corp. are gradually making up comprehensive capability in solar-cell manufacturing in the Ritek Group.

PV Next is a joint venture between Ritek and Netherlands-based Scheuten, a leading solar-cell company in Europe. Industry sources said that PV Next is the first investment target for the TNDF since the Taiwan government announced to support the green-energy industry in April, with the investment in PV Next being the largest single investment in an enterprise in recent years.

[R-BgO]

Sunfilm // a-Si // Deutschland // AMAT


Sunfilm and Sunova tout over 1MW of tandem-junction thin-film installations
11 August 2009 | By Mark Osborne | News > Thin Film


Using Sunfilm's tandem-junction silicon thin-film modules for various projects in Germany and Spain, PV integrator Sunova has said that it is approaching the completion of over 1MWp of installations using the Model Q modules.

A new mounting system designed by Sunova, which has been used on flat roof projects, is claimed to allow the modules to be fixed closer together while avoiding shadowing by adjacent rows of modules when in a tilt position.

"We believe that with Sunfilm's modules in combination with the proprietary mounting solutions we are supplying an excellent and competitive product to the market," said Werner Innerhofer, CEO of Sunova. "During the development of our mounting system, the collaboration with Sunfilm has been very constructive and we are now pleased to see the positive response from our customers to this product combination."

"In addition to this orientation advantage, our modules also maintain their efficiency at lower irradiation conditions, such as for most regions in Germany," commented Dr. Sicco Westra, chief business development officer at Sunfilm. "Finally, their low temperature coefficient makes these modules a perfect choice for installations in hotter climates such as Spain or other Mediterranean countries. Therefore, we expect this market segment to continue as one of Sunfilm's key areas of business focus."

Sunfilm's thin film modules are manufactured in Grossroehrsdorf, Germany in a 1.1 x 1.3m2 format.

[FRAL]

First Solar kaufen
14.08.2009 - 12:29

Berlin (aktiencheck.de AG) - Die Experten von "Fuchsbriefe" empfehlen die Aktie von First Solar (ISIN US3364331070/ WKN A0LEKM) zu kaufen.

Dem US-Unternehmen sei es erstmals gelungen, die Produktionskosten auf weniger als 1 USD je Watt zu verringern, was im Vergleich zur Branche ein Spitzenwert sei. In den nächsten Jahren sollten die Herstellungskosten nochmals um ein Drittel sinken. Zugleich sei First Solar mit einer Produktionskapazität von mehr als 1,1 Gigawatt im laufenden Jahr der weltweite Marktführer bei den Herstellern von Dünnschichtmodulen.

Zwar sei der Umsatz im 1. Quartal 2009 gegenüber dem Vorquartal vor dem Hintergrund der Rezession und sinkender Preise leicht gesunken, dennoch sei der Gewinn pro Aktie im Vergleich mit dem 4. Quartal 2008 um 23% auf umgerechnet 1,41 EUR geklettert. Noch besser sei das zweite Quartal 2009 ausgefallen. Hier habe First Solar bei wieder gesteigerten Verkaufserlösen 1,50 EUR je Aktie verdient.

Insbesondere im Langfristvergleich sei das Wachstum beeindruckend. Die Verkaufserlöse hätten sich gegenüber 2007 versechsfacht. Neuen Schub sollte die Gesellschaft durch die Vorhaben der US-Regierung erhalten. Denn Barack Obama beabsichtige den umfassenden Ausbau der Erneuerbaren Energien in den USA, um die Abhängigkeit von fossilen Brennstoffen zu verringern.

Die Experten von "Fuchsbriefe" raten die First Solar-Aktie zu kaufen. Das Kursziel werde von 120 auf 135 EUR erhöht, ein Stop-loss sollte bei 88,24 EUR platziert werden. (Ausgabe 32 vom 13.08.2009) (14.08.2009/ac/a/a) Analyse-Datum: 14.08.2009


Quelle: Finanzen.net

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.787.639 von FRAL am 15.08.09 10:00:39

sowas bitte im Hauptthread posten.

Hier geht's um den Wettbewerb.

[FRAL]

sorry, hatte den zuerst gar nicht gesehen und mich schon über die fehlenden Firmenmeldungen gewundert.

[R-BgO]

QS Solar // a-Si // China


QS Solar breaks $1/watt price barrier for a-Si thin-film


Posted by Debasish Choudhury on 05 August 2009 at 13:11


Shanghai-based QS Solar announced August 3 that its sales price for a-Si thin-film cells has reached $1/watt, the lowest price in the global industry, reports solarbe.com.

The company projected that the market's target price would be $0.80 to $0.85/watt in 2011 and $0.65/watt in 2012, at which time QS Solar's cost to manufacture thin-film cells will drop to $0.5/watt, said the report.

According to a QS Solar executive, a 1MW power station constructed with QS Solar's thin-film modules and integrated facilities would require investment of less than $2 million, excluding installation fees and land costs, said the report.

To know more, visit www.hrqspv.net.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.792.046 von R-BgO am 17.08.09 07:36:56

Chinese company Nantong Qiangsheng Photovoltaic Technology Co. Ltd. (QS Solar) has lowered the price of its amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells to $1 per Wp worldwide.

It has emerged that the company’s target price would be $0.80 to $0.85/watt for 2011 and $0.65/watt for 2012.

QS Solar, which has obtained IEC61646 and IEC6173 from TUV and is UL listed, has installed capacity of 100 MW or so. The company may achieve solar cell production capacity of 500MW by the end of next year.

In the past, QS Solar has shared that QS thin-film cells are 0.8 metres by 1.4 metres, with an effective generating area of one square metre. Plus, it has been planning setting up of manufacturing systems in the second half of 2009 in order to produce more advanced TCO conductive glasses, which is expected to raise thin-film cell convert rate by 1%. According to media reports, the conversion rate of QS Solar’s amorphous silicon double junction thin-film solar cell presently stands above 6% but should improve to 7.5-8% before the end of 2010.


17th August 2009, Thin Film Today news desk

[R-BgO]

ExtenTec // a-Si??? // Deutschland


Neues Dünnschichtmodul-Werk in Thüringen
19. August 2009 |
Märkte und Trends, Politik und Gesellschaft, Forschung und Entwicklung, Topnews

In Thüringen will sich ein weiteres Photovoltaik-Unternehmen ansiedeln. Extentec will für knapp 50 Millionen Euro eine Produktionsstätte für Dünnschichtmodule bauen.
Ministerpräsident Althaus überreicht Förderbescheid an Extentec-Geschäftsleitung
Ministerpräsident Althaus überreicht Förderbescheid an Extentec-Geschäftsleitung*
Foto: Regierungspressekonferenz

Die bayerische Extentec GmbH will künftig in Thüringen Dünnschichtmodule produzieren. In Queienfeld (Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meinigen) werde das Unternehmen 48,8 Millionen Euro in den Bau eines Werks investieren, verkündete Thüringens Ministerpräsident Dieter Althaus (CDU) auf der Regierungspressekonferenz. Die Investition sei ein „starkes Signal gegen die Krise“. Sie werde nachhaltig zur Stärkung des aufstrebenden Solarstandorts Thüringen beitragen, so Althaus weiter.
Die Bauarbeiten werden voraussichtlich im Oktober beginnen. Zu Jahresbeginn 2011 sollen dann die ersten Dünnschichtmodule produziert werden. Das Werk werde eine Kapazität von 24 MW haben. 140 Arbeitsplätze sollen geschaffen werden. In Zusammenarbeit mit Universitäten und Forschungseinrichtungen der Region wolle Extentec den Wirkungsgrad seiner Solarmodule von anfänglich 8,5 auf zehn Prozent steigern. Das Land Thüringen fördert die Ansiedlung mit 14,2 Millionen Euro. Althaus überreichte den Fördermittelbescheid am Dienstag der Unternehmensleitung von Extentec. Die im Dezember 2008 gegründete Firma nannte die Förderung, die Verkehrsanbindung sowie die Verfügbarkeit von Fachkräften als ausschlaggebend für die Standortwahl. Das Unternehmen wolle seinen Hauptsitz während der Investitionsphase nach Thüringen verlegen. (Sandra Enkhardt)

*von links nach rechts: Salvatore Passarelli (Extentec-Geschäftsführer),Ministerpräsident Dieter Althaus (CDU), Andreas Müller (Hauptgesellschafter von Extentec) und Rainer Tölle (Extentec-Geschäftsführer)

[Kroetenschlucker]

stirb du sau

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.826.185 von Kroetenschlucker am 21.08.09 14:27:21

[topdollar]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.822.436 von R-BgO am 21.08.09 00:28:09

Ob eine Firma, die in 2011 vielleicht 24 MW produzieren soll, überlebensfähig ist, möchte ich heute bezweifeln.
Ob sich dann die steuermillionen förderun lohnen???????

Was passiert, wenn auf dem Weg dorthin (und das ist noch lange!) Geld, Lust und Management schwindet?

In 2011 produziert Solarworld vielelicht schon pro Jahr 3 GW.
Wetten, die machen das dann mind. gleich preiswert?
Undd die Chinesen sicher auch

[carlos48]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.826.697 von topdollar am 21.08.09 15:24:52

Der "Pistenraser" von Thüringen kann eben politisch nur so denken, wie er als auf der Piste fährt. Nach mir die Sintflut, will heißen, ihn interessiert nur die Wahl. Da sind ihm Solarmodulhersteller später genauso egal, wie eine mehrfache Mutter, die er im Schnee einfach wegrast.

Im Rampenlicht den Förderscheck überreichen, das will der Parteibonze, wofür, ist ihm völlig wurscht.

Pleite vorprogammiert.

[R-BgO]

Xunlight // a-Si flex // USA

Xunlight Delivers Flexible Solar Modules From 25 MW Production Line
in News Departments > FYI
by SI Staff on Tuesday 25 August 2009
SolarIndustry On Twitter

Xunlight Corp. has delivered its first shipment of flexible and lightweight, triple-junction amorphous silicon solar modules manufactured on its newly installed 25 MW wide-web roll-to-roll plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition production line. The announcement was jointly made by Xunlight Corp., the University of Toledo (UT) and the Ohio Department of Development.

This shipment of modules is part of a 10 kW solar array to be installed at UT's Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation. It represents the first sale of modules produced using Xunlight's proprietary PV manufacturing equipment.

SOURCES: Xunlight Corp., The University of Toledo, The Ohio Department of Development

[R-BgO]

Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms // a-Si // China // Oerlikon

One of the largest Thin Film Solar Fabs in Mainland China Ramps up in Record Time

Truebbach, Switzerland/Baoding, China, August 18, 2009 - As China boosts solar energy to meet growing power demand and reduce dependence on imported fuels, Tianwei and Oerlikon Solar announced the completion of one of the mainland China's largest thin film solar panel factories. The facility was completed ahead of schedule. This first phase of the Tianwei project produces 500,000 modules per year, which generates a total of 46 megawatts of power.

Oerlikon Solar leads the thin film solar equipment sector with ten factories in production and the fastest time to market. Thin film solar offers a cost-advantage over traditional crystalline silicon, and is making strong efficiency gains. Tianwei is using Oerlikon Solar's Amorph High Performance PV technology for Phase 1.
"Oerlikon Solar surpassed its promised completion time and efficiency," said Mr. Ma Wenxue, General Manager of Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms Co., Ltd. "Watching this state of-the-art fab go from an empty room to full production in six months was stunning."

Reaching production quickly is essential to allow Tianwei to address the rapidly growing Chinese solar market. Under the "Golden Sun" program announced on July 21, China's Ministry of Finance will subsidize half of the construction costs for on-grid solar power plants. The ministry of finance will also pay for up to 70 percent of off-grid installations and cover transmission costs where necessary. In response, analysts have predicted that China could develop more than 500 megawatts of solar power within three years. Just 50 megawatts of solar power were installed in 2008.

"Oerlikon Solar has designed, tested and perfected its methodology for bringing new factories and equipment online on time and on budget," said Jeannine Sargent, CEO of Oerlikon Solar. "This is key in being the leader on the path to grid parity and placing clean renewable solar power on equal footing with traditional fossil fuel sources.
Oerlikon Solar has the first thin film silicon technology to have IEC certification from TÜV Rheinland for Amorph Basic, Amorph High Performance and Micromorph®. Certification compresses the time to production by reducing administration efforts and guaranteeing durability and performance. With more challenging credit markets, certification also makes Oerlikon Solar's customers projects more predictable and bankable. TÜV certification for the Tianwei line is expected in September 2009.

About Baoding Tianwei SolarFilms Co. Ltd.
Tianwei is an international high-tech company with more than 50 years experience in the energy industry and is the leading company in the power transmission industry and the world's biggest transformer supplier in output as the only state-owned enterprise in China with a vertical industrial chain in PV industry. Its affiliate Tianwei SolarFilms Co and specializes in designing, manufacturing, selling and installing thin film solar modules and related accessories. Located in the National Renewable Energy & Equipment Industry Base, with its well-recognized R&D teams and facilities Baoding Tianwei SolarFilms Co., Ltd. invested about RMB 1.2 billion for Phase 1 and a capacity of round 50 megawatts.

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.

[R-BgO]

Willard & Kelsey // CdTe(?) // USA



Monday, August 24, 2009, 3:10pm EDT
Ohio approves stimulus loan for solar project
Dayton Business Journal

The Ohio Controlling Board has given final approval for a $10 million loan as part of the more than $1 billion expansion of a solar panel manufacturing facility near Toledo.

The loan is heading to Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC, a company that makes thin-film solar panels at a facility in Perrysburg. The company, which runs one production line with about 40 employees, has proposed expanding to as many as 16 production lines employing more than 3,500 in the coming years.

The state loan, a slice of Gov. Ted Strickland’s $1.57 billion job-creation stimulus package passed last year, will help finance the $1.2 billion project and will be disbursed over two years, the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority said.

Development Authority Executive Director Mark Shanahan said in a release that Monday’s Controlling Board approval “affirms that we are gaining momentum in our efforts to support cutting-edge advanced energy projects that are on a fast track toward commercialization and job creation.”

The award for the Willard & Kelsey project was unveiled in June, when state officials also cleared Columbus-based American Municipal Power Inc. for a $30 million loan to help fund construction of a $3 billion generating station in Meigs County. The status of approval for the AMP loan was unclear Monday.

[R-BgO]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.866.990 von R-BgO am 27.08.09 18:50:44

Solar Start-up Eyeing Perrysburg
City believed favored site; state OKs tax credits for firm
The Toldeo Blade
By Larry Vellequette and Gary T. Pakulski
July 30, 2008

Ohio officials have approved tax credits for a Toledo start-up firm that is considering Perrysburg for a $105 million plant that would have 400 employees making make low-cost solar-energy panels.

A company official said yesterday that no decision has been made about where to situate the plant and that the firm continues to consider offers from other states and Canada.

But there are strong signs that the company, Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC, is leaning toward a former television components plant on Progress Drive, off State Rt. 25 in Perrysburg.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority agreed this week to provide a credit against state income taxes worth 60 percent of Ohio payroll taxes withheld from employees. The job creation tax credit would last for 10 years.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency approved a permit April 24 for the firm to operate around-the-clock producing 240 panels an hour at the Perrysburg factory, which formerly housed Delafoil Inc.

Mohammad Smidi, an official at the EPA office in Bowling Green, said a company executive told him this month that Willard & Kelsey planned to begin operations there as early as late August.

Company executives have told Perrysburg officials that they intend to seek a 10-year, $177,000 job-creation grant as well as assistance with road and traffic improvements.

But no formal application has yet been filed, said John Alexander, city administrator.

The former Delafoil operation was purchased this year by a firm linked to Michael Cicak, who is leading the investment group behind Willard & Kelsey. Mr. Cicak is a veteran of the solar energy industry who worked for many years with the late Harold McMaster, a Toledo inventor who founded the firm that became solar energy giant First Solar Inc.

Keith Guenther, director of operations at Willard & Kelsey, said the company continues to work with development officials in Columbus, Wood County, and in other locations under consideration. He declined to characterize the competitiveness of Ohio's offer.

" I can't say - because it undermines the whole process," Mr. Guenther said.

The firm is also considering sites in Canada as well as Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Michigan, the Ohio Development Department said.

The EPA permit indicates that the firm plans to make solar panels using newer, low-cost thin-film technology similar to that used at First Solar.

The origin of the firm's name is unclear. But Willard Street and Kelsey Avenue is an intersection in East Toledo near where Mr. Cicak lived as a youth.

According to the Ohio Department of Development, Willard & Kelsey was formed "for the purposes of developing and manufacturing - solar panels for worldwide distribution."

If the firm chooses Perrysburg, the city would become the base of corporate operations as well as of production and research, Development Department documents state.

The $105 million investment would include $7 million to buy the factory, $7.3 million for renovations, and $89 million for machinery.

The tax credits, approved on Monday, are to begin in January and stretch through December, 2018.

The company told the state it plans to create 400 full-time jobs within three years of opening and retain ten full-time jobs. The average wage of the new jobs will be $21.25 and hour.

Two other solar-panel plants are either operating or under way in metro Toledo. Phoenix-based First Solar Inc., which last year had the fastest-growing stock on Wall Street, produces more than 2 million panels a year at its U.S. plant, in Perrysburg Township.

Most of the two-foot-by-four-foot panels are shipped overseas to commercial solar installations.

Xunlight Corp., led by a researcher from the University of Toledo, plans to begin panel production this year at a factory off Nebraska Avenue in Toledo.

And a unit of Q-Cells AG, the German company that is Europe's largest manufacturer of solar panels, has teamed up with a local firm to operate a research and development center in Perrysburg that specializes in new technology that holds promise of reducing production costs.

[R-BgO]

SOLYNDRA // CIGS-tubular // USA


04 Sep 2009
United States / Solar
Solyndra finalises USD 535m loan guarantee, raises USD 198m

PV equipment maker Solyndra has signed a final USD 535m loan guarantee agreement with the US Department of Energy and raised more than USD 198m in equity, all to fund first phase construction of its planned 500MW manufacturing plant.

Solyndra’s equity round was worth more than USD 198m and largely included existing investors, led by current backer Argonaut Private Equity. Spokesman Kelly Truman told New Energy Finance that the company has also closed its previously announced USD 535m loan with the US Treasury’s Federal Financing Bank. Truman said that USD 198m in equity and the USD 535m loan will fund the roughly 250MW first phase of construction at its planned 500MW Freemont, California cylindrical solar modules plant. Solyndra already has tractors and people at work at the plant site and expects to complete the first phase ...

[R-BgO]

Showa Shell // CIGS // Japan


07.09.2009 13:13
UPDATE 2-Showa Shell to spend $1.1 bln chasing First Solar

TOKYO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Japanese oil refiner Showa Shell Sekiyu KK said it will invest $1.1 billion to build a new thin-film solar cell plant, as it chases First Solar in a growing market.

Showa Shell's 100 billion yen plant -- its third solar cell facility -- will boost its annual production capacity twelve-fold to 980 megawatts when it comes onstream in the second half of 2011.

A market downturn has hurt demand for pholtovoltaic solar systems that turn sunlight into electricity, hitting even low-cost players such as First Solar.

But that's not stopping investment by stragglers who reined in spending in the solar boom last year.

Japanese polysilicon maker Tokuyama Corp is investing $700 million in a solar cell materials plant, while South Korean flat-screen maker LG Display Co plans to invest $41 million in a pilot solar cell line.

'We believe we will be able to match First Solar's cost-per-watt in the near future,' said Shigeaki Kameda, head of Showa Shell's solar unit. He declined to say what Showa Shell's cost per watt is, but First Solar in February said it was able to make solar cells at $1 per watt.

Showa Shell, Japan's fifth-biggest oil company, is hunting new revenue streams in alternative energy, as it foresees electricity demand outpacing global oil production.

Showa Shell, whose annual production capacity is now 80 megawatts, aims to next build a fourth and a fifth plant as it aims to make its solar business earn half of its target core recurring profit of 100 billion yen in 2014.

The company specialises in solar cells made using copper, indium, and selenium, which are not as efficient at converting light into electricity as the bulk of solar cells made from polysilicon, but are cheaper.

Showa Shell's new plant will supply 900 megawatts-worth of power per year through solar cells with conversion ratios of 13 percent to 15 percent. That falls short of the more than 20 percent conversion ratio boasted by Sanyo Electric Co, but its panels cost 25 percent to 35 percent less.

The company, which hopes to gain a 10 percent share of the market, bought Hitachi Ltd's plasma display factory in Miyazaki, southern Japan, and is building its new plant there. It said it would hire Hitachi's former employees to man the lines.

Its shares closed up 2 percent prior to the announcement, against a 1.3 percent rise in the Nikkei average.

($1=93.15 Yen)

($1=1232.1 Won)

[SLGramann]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.931.457 von R-BgO am 07.09.09 13:50:12

Neben Abound und Sharp ist das jetzt der dritte ernsthafte TF-Angriff auf FSLR von dem wir wissen.

Wer noch immer bereit ist, für FSLR auf mittlere Sicht Übermargen zu unterstellen, der spielt mit dem Feuer. Und die Börse tut derzeit genau das imho - trotz der jüngsten Kursrückgänge.

PS: Hatte nicht mehr unbedingt daran geglaubt, dass Showa das Projekt noch realisiert.

[Haifisch08]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.933.223 von SLGramann am 07.09.09 18:24:18

Wer noch immer bereit ist, für FSLR auf mittlere Sicht Übermargen zu unterstellen, der spielt mit dem Feuer. Und die Börse tut derzeit genau das imho - trotz der jüngsten Kursrückgänge.
Da könntest Du durchaus recht haben. Ich habe gestern die Gunst der Stunde genutzt und bin mit einem kleinen Gewinn wieder ausgestiegen (Kleinvieh macht auch Mist). Eine Bodenbildung ist noch lange nicht in Sicht. Ob sie wirklich zwischen 100-130 US-$ stattfinden wird, ist bis dato ungewiss. Was spricht gegen die Ausbildung eines Bodens um die 50 US-$, zumal viele Solarwerte von ihrem ATH 80-90% an Wert verloren haben (Q-Cells als prominentester Kandidat läßt grüssen)?