China is the largest grid-connected PV Solar Project

26 China Ningxia Hongsibao Development Zone, with a total investment of 3.0 billion large-scale solar photovoltaic grid-connected power generation project started, this is by far the largest solar photovoltaic grid-connected power generation projects.

China's Ningxia Autonomous Region is rich in resources-ray, the annual sunshine hours for 2250 hours -3000 hours of sunshine percentage of 50% -69% of China's resources are more abundant sunshine in the world. At the same time, Ningxia relative concentration of the population, can make use of the desert, more land for the development of photovoltaic industry has provided good conditions for the land. Ningxia Autonomous Regional People's Government in accordance with the planning, by 2015, Ningxia will build a solar photovoltaic grid-connected projects 600,000 kilowatts, while the formation of silicon materials - solar panels - photovoltaic power station complete photovoltaic industry chain. The focus starts, including seven of the 10 enterprises to invest in solar photovoltaic grid-connected power generation projects with a total size of 150MW.

Jun. 29, 2009

Japan 80μm silicon solar cell conversion efficiency reached 15.9%

Japan Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Research Center, solar power generation solar cell technology in meeting "the outcome of the 5th report" (June 22, 2009 ~ 23) announced that the use of 80 ~ 100μm thickness of the thin silicon wafer manufacturing monocrystalline silicon solar cell energy conversion efficiency reached 15.9 ~ 17.3%.

The electrode unit using screen printing as well as the "sintering process on both sides at the same time," produced. 2cm square, 100μm thick silicon unit generating capacity, the efficiency of 17.3%, open voltage of 0.617V, short-circuit current for 35.5mA/cm2, FF was 0.789. 2cm square, 80μm thick, the efficiency of units 15.9%, open voltage of 0.614V, short-circuit current for 32.8mA/cm2, FF was 0.792.

The view was expressed that the original, if the thickness of silicon wafers to the current level of conversion efficiency will be significantly decreased, but the center by improving the processing based on the convex surface of the light sealing technology and processes, to ensure a high conversion efficiency. Which, 100μm thick solar cell conversion efficiency and capacity of the Research Institute for 180μm thick compared the conversion efficiency of solar cells very little.

Research Institute of the middle class also, 100μm thick polysilicon-based modules to achieve the initial conversion efficiency of the numerical prediction, that is, about 15%. The crystalline silicon Sakata team Gong said, "As the poly-silicon wafer, such as containing the grain boundary, so in comparison with single crystal silicon, thin and more difficult to achieve."

Tens of μm of the silicon wafer under normal circumstances easily broken, inappropriate handling. In order to solve this problem, Nissan Research Institute "in Germany has also developed a 30μm thick wafer handling device, so there is no problem handling."

Jun. 25, 2009

U.S. Department of Energy announces investment in clean energy

News June 19, the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary-General said Steven Chu, the U.S. government millions of dollars of investment for energy efficiency and solar technology. This week, said Steven Chu, the investment will focus on energy-efficient vehicles, solar energy projects and personnel training in three specific areas. First of all, energy-efficient vehicles, to focus on trucks and passenger cars, 50 percent focus on improving the efficiency of the truck and the vehicle efficiency of 25%.

"There is great potential for new employment opportunities, and use existing technology to reduce carbon pollution, such as improving energy efficiency and wind, but we also need to change the development of new solutions." He said. These funds will also benefit from 24 solar energy projects, focusing on photovoltaic research and to reduce costs, as well as carbon capture of the nine research projects. Carbon capture technologies have the potential for future pollution-free power generation. Another aspect of the plan calls for 27 million U.S. dollars for the training of technical personnel to install solar and other green posts talents, such as marketing and manufacturing.

Jun. 21, 2009

German companies plan to invest 552 billion USD building a solar power plant

German Suddeutsche Zeitung reported Tuesday by the global reinsurance giant Munich Re AG, such as the composition of 20 large enterprises of investment team, will invest 400 billion euros (552 billion U.S. dollars) building a solar power plant, for the German families with clean energy.

Munich Re AG said Torsten Jeworrek executive director, is currently participating in the investment plan called Desertec, and also include Siemens AG and Germany's largest bank Deutsche Bank.

Jeworrek said that the solar energy investment plans will be built in northern Africa, is seeking more investment partners in Europe and North Africa to join. Team is scheduled to be completed next month, an official plan, in 2-3 years to complete the detailed plans, objectives 10 years after the beginning of the supply of electricity.

Jun. 17, 2009

European emerging market growth of solar energy

iSuppli believes that although the PV industry is still the main focus of economic power in those who, it is expected that smaller countries of the photovoltaic industry will create the highest growth rate. 2013, the Czech PV industry will grow to 10 times in 2008, Greece increased to 30 times, and Bulgaria is to increase to 600 times.

iSuppli Corporation predicts that by 2013, the Czech Republic could reach an installed capacity of solar systems 500MW, while in 2008 only 50MW, the compound annual growth rate during the period up to 66.5%. Income from the business point of view, in 2013 the photovoltaic industry in 2008 from 300 million U.S. dollars at the time increased to 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.

Bulgaria in the solar installation market relatively late start, only introduced in 2007 for the purchase price of solar energy policy. Therefore, iSuppli forecasts the country's installed capacity of solar energy in 2013 will reach 600MW, while the 2008 is 1MW, up to 89% compound annual growth rate.

Greece is the world's solar return on investment of the highest rates. iSuppli Corporation predicts that by 2013 PV systems installed in Greece will reach 1.2GW, while in 2008 only 40MW, the compound annual growth rate for the period 88.5%. If so, then from 2010 investors may flock Greece, because Greece will then stimulate the FIT to 5%. However, this all depends on the approval process can be improved.

Although this system is installed in several countries will be difficult with the number of Germany, Spain and France the same breath, but the photovoltaic industry in these countries and the demand for revenue growth potential can not be ignored, but also into the photovoltaic industry in these countries will make the overall investment in PV market in the next few years to grow.

Jun. 15, 2009