news digest ♦ Solar
tin selenide) cells right now is lower than that of CIGS cells, which have a typical efficiency of 20 percent. For example, research institute imec and Solliance reported this week that they had achieved a CZTSe solar cell with an efficiency of 9.7 percent. But with further research on the use of dopants and additional optimisation it should be possible to create solar cell efficiencies that are comparable to that of CIGS cells
This research is described in more detail in the paper, “Continuous flow mesofluidic synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticle inks,” by B. Flynn et al in Materials Letters, Volume 107, 15th September 2013, Pages 214–217.
This project is one result of work through the Centre for Sustainable Materials Chemistry, a collaborative effort of OSU and five other academic institutions, supported by the National Science Foundation. Funding was provided by Sharp Laboratories of America. The goal is to develop materials and products that are safe, affordable and avoid the use of toxic chemicals or expensive compounds.
Solar Frontier kicks off full production at Miyazaki No.2 facility
The manufacturing of the firm’s CIS modules has resumed following the streamlining of all production at Solar Frontier’s Kunitomi Plant in 2012
Solar Frontier yesterday restarted its Miyazaki No.2 plant.
The 60 MW annual capacity plant at Kiyotakecho in Miyazaki, Japan, had been temporarily suspended since the end of 2012 and Solar Frontier has since been evaluating the feasibility of manufacturing new products.
This month, the plant will restart the manufacturing of conventional thin-film CIS modules for residential use while final arrangements are being made to begin commercial production of a new, innovative type of module. This module was developed at Solar Frontier’s Atsugi Research Centre.
Based on a feasibility evaluation, production of the new module will start in the second half of this year.
Miyazaki No.2 Plant, which opened in 2009, provided the know-how that enabled Solar Frontier to open the Kunitomi Plant, one of Japan’s largest solar module production plants. At the end of 2012, Solar Frontier temporarily halted the Miyazaki No.2 Plant, as it was able
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www.compoundsemiconductor.net July 2013
to streamline all production at the Kunitomi Plant. Now, Solar Frontier is restarting the Miyazaki No.2 Plant to meet growing demand for CIS thin-film modules.
Solar Frontier is claimed to be Japan’s only company specialising in the production and sale of “Made in Japan” solar modules.
To provide customers with high-quality, high-performance CIS thin-film modules, Solar Frontier leverages highly integrated manufacturing processes in Miyazaki to manufacture modules from raw materials to the finished product. Solar Frontier continues to improve performance of mass produced CIS thin-film modules and provides high added value integrated solar energy systems.
First Solar Macho Springs project advances
The deployment of the firm’s cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules will provide approximately 300 jobs in New Mexico
El Paso Electric Power, The New Mexico State Land Office and First Solar say that construction has commenced on what will be the state’s largest solar power plant, located on State Trust Land near Deming in Luna County.
While in the construction phase, the Macho Springs Solar Project will provide approximately 300 jobs. Construction is expected to be completed by May of 2014, and the active power plant will include three operational and maintenance jobs.
“This is a milestone for not only El Paso Electric, but our customers and this region,” says Tom Shockley, El Paso Electric Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to the continued growth of this technology in a cost effective manner.”
“This solar power project will provide clean, efficient solar power for use by New Mexicans,” said New Mexico State Land Commissioner Ray Powell. “Also, it benefits the local and regional economy include millions of dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits, and about 300 temporary construction jobs, while at the same time earning money for our public schools, universities, special schools, and hospitals.”
Under a 20-year power purchase agreement between El Paso Electric and First Solar, the 50MWac project will generate enough clean energy to power more than 18,000 average customer homes in the El Paso Electric service territory. The project will displace more than
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