Solar ♦ news digest
phase,” says Jim Lamon, First Solar senior vice president of engineering, procurement and construction, and operations and maintenance. “We’re proud to be working with an energy leader like MidAmerican Solar in bringing utility-scale renewable generation to our country’s power grid.” The Topaz project is owned by MidAmerican Solar and will be constructed, operated and maintained by First Solar. Construction began in late 2011 and is expected to be complete by early 2015. PG&E will purchase the electricity from the Topaz project under a 25-year power purchase agreement, helping California meet its mandate to generate 33 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020.
“PG&E is pleased to mark this project milestone with MidAmerican Solar and First Solar,” adds John Conway, senior vice president of energy supply for PG&E. “Solar projects such as Topaz will allow us to continue to deliver one of the cleanest energy portfolios in the nation to our customers and help the state meet its green energy goals.” First Solar’s CdTe thin-film PV modules generate electricity with no emissions, waste or water use and its systems have the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology.
Each module is approximately 4 feet by 2 feet and weighs 27.5 pounds. Electricity generated by the Topaz project will displace approximately 377,000 metric tons of CO2 per year — the equivalent of taking approximately 73,000 cars off the road. First Solar’s pre-funded collection and recycling program provides a responsible end of life for the PV panels. Over 90 percent of the material is re-used.
SolFocus takes on Solar Junction III-V modules for 5 MW order
The firm’s compound semiconductor multi-junction solar energy cells will be deployed in California
Solar Junction has signed an agreement with SolFocus for a 5 megawatt (MW) order.
“It is great to see growth in the sales and manufacturing sides at Solar Junction. It’s an indication that, ‘technical’ innovation in solar, will win
the day,” says Jim Weldon, CEO of Solar Junction. “Our multi-junction solar cell technology provides the pathway to higher efficiency leading to higher performance for CPV system end users.”
Solar Junction is continuing to develop high-efficiency solar cells to enhance the competitiveness of concentrated photovoltaics. An optimised cell directly correlates to module performance enhancements and a higher efficiency cell drives LCOE towards grid parity.
“This order evidences SolFocus’ confidence in Solar Junction and its cell technology, as the companies work to make CPV cost-competitive and sustainable with quality products,” notes Bob Legendre, President and COO of SolFocus.
In March, SolFocus announced a 50 MW project in Baja California, Mexico. The 50 MW project is the first tranche of a planned 450 MW capacity for the facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2012.
Solar Junction’s announcement falls on the heels of a SUNPATH award from the U.S. Department of Energy. SUNPATH is part of the DOE’s SunShot Program, which aims to increase PV manufacturing in the U.S. through investments in technologies that are sustainable with competitive cost and high performance. The $21.5 million from the SUNPATH award is being used by the firm to achieve 42% median cell efficiency on 150 mm substrates and increase manufacturing capacity
Earlier this year, Solar Junction signed a manufacturing agreement with IQE and continues on a path to ramp up high-volume manufacturing of its multi-junction solar
Ascent Solar CIGS modules to power Chinese railways
The company is working with TSDI and Radiant to deploy its modules in existing and future railway stations
Ascent Solar Technologies has entered into a three way strategic joint development agreement with Shenzhen Radiant Enterprise (Radiant) and Third Railway Survey and Design Institute Group
June 2012
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