Avantor appoint Allison Hosak as new director of corporate communications
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Avantor Performance Materials has unveiled Allison Hosak as its new director of corporate communications. Hosak, who has been promoted from her position as marketing communications manager, will be responsible for corporate branding, event planning, marketing and internal communications.
New Product: Saint-Gobain’s encapsulant is designed for flexible and lightweight solar modules
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Product Briefing Outline: Saint-Gobain Solar has launched a new ‘LightSwitch’ portfolio of solutions, including LightSwitch Frontsheet, LightSwitch Encapsulant, and LightSwitch Frontsheet Complete, as well as a design program for photovoltaic module manufacturers. A high-performance and durable alternative to conventional materials, LightSwitch film products provide PV module manufacturers with enhanced performance, durability, and a reduction in total systems cost. The LightSwitch design program was developed to assist module manufacturers in bringing a lightweight PV product to market.
New Product: DAS offers integrated abatement solution for silicon thin-film production
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Product Briefing Outline: DAS Environmental Expert has developed an integrated and compact solution for the abatement of waste gas, waste water and fine dust created during the production of silicon based thin film modules. The ‘UPTIMUM’ abatement tool tackles waste gas combustion with a simultaneous cleaning of the remaining materials while the ‘GIANT’ is specially designed for the abatement of up to 800 slm waste gas flows from CVD processes.
Solar utility market in U.S. gets going in 2010: US$8 billion by 2015 says GTM Research
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Although a new and detailed report from GTM Research doesn’t hold much credence to more than 20GW of announced PV projects in the U.S. in the coming few years, the report’s author, Shayle Kann does see some significant developments on the horizon. According to report, The U.S. Utility PV Market: Demand, Players, Strategy and Project Economics Through 2015, the utility PV market is already a US$1 billion market in 2010 and is projected to reach US$8 billion by 2015.
AUO and Evonik consolidate strategic partnership
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
AU Optronics (AUO) and Evonik have consolidated their business relationship by signing a solar and green energy planning, manufacturing and research and development deal. The non-exclusive agreement will see both companies pool their resources in an attempt to increase their presence within the renewable energy market.
FlexTech Alliance, Cambridge NanoTech to develop high-speed ALD system
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
The FlexTech Alliance has awarded a grant to Cambridge NanoTech to develop a high-speed atomic layer deposition (ALD) system. When completed, the system will enable the manufacture of large-area and flexible substrates for use in organic electronics including solar cells. The high-speed ALD system is targeted to operate at the high volumes necessary for commercial roll-to-roll practices.
Solar PV scientists can use nanowires via supply deal struck between Sigma-Aldrich and Nanosys
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Sigma-Aldrich through its Aldrich Materials Science business, said it was distributing Nanosys-created silicon nanowires to the global scientific research community. According to Sigma-Aldrich the fabrication of nanowires is challenging, so the supply deal is intended to further foster the development of a variety of new high-technology applications that can continue to open up exciting end product markets. Nanosys recently entered into a partnership with Samsung Electronics to develop products using Nanosys technologies for both solar and other electronics applications.
Project Focus: NRG Solar signs agreements for 250MW power plant in California
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
NRG Solar, the subsidiary of NRG Energy and SunPower, is to construct a 250MW solar power plant at California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. The project is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during construction and will power 100,000 homes. The company plans to invest up to US$450 million of equity in the project over the next four years, subject to final total project cost and negotiation of the financing terms and conditions.
Project Focus: building work on Phoenix Solar’s two Italian PV plants close to completion
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Phoenix Solar is constructing two PV plants in Italy, with a combined capacity of 8.9MWp. Building work on the 6.1MWp Taranto and 2.8MWp Alessandria plants began in October, with a completion date scheduled for the end of December.
centrotherm photovoltaics to become major stake holder in Taiwan-based CIGS thin-film firm
November 30, 2010 | Comments Off
In an effort to push forward with the development and commercial introduction of new CIGS based thin-film processes, centrotherm photovoltaics has taken an initial stake in Sunshine PV Corp. The CIGS start-up has been producing modules on a 35MW line with 7MW of production. The initial stake taken by centrotherm is 14.4% but this is expected to rise to 25%, early next year.