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| 12/28/1999 |
Solar Energy Will Heat Up Florida
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL) in cooperation with American Dream Builders in Florida is working
on putting solar water heating systems on new homes in Florida, which is
known as the "Sunshine State" in the country. The effort is part of a subcontract
under the Department of Energy's Solar Buildings Program to improve solar
water heating technology and to better understand public acceptance of
solar water heating products. (iwr) |
| 12/21/1999 |
Solar World AG Takes Over Swedish PV Module Producer GPV
Solar World AG from Berlin, Germany, took over Gällivare Photo
Voltaic, GPV, from Gällivare, Sweden, a producer of photovoltaic modules.
Dipl.-Ing. FankH. Asbeck, spokesman of the Solar World directory said that
the acquisition of GPV Solar World AG has considerably extended its portfolio
by the addition of the production of solar modules. The takeover of GPV
will also foster Solar World's entry into the rapidly growing European
solar market. Asbeck added that the independence of GPV will be maintained
in the future so that GPV will continue to operate under its own name worldwide.
(iwr) |
| 12/15/1999 |
Solon Corp. Strengthens Its Presence on International Market
In its accounts for the third quarter of 1999, documented a successful
development on the domestic market. As compared to last year, SOLON, reached
an almost 300% increase to about DM 5.2 millon. SOLON also successfully
entered the international market by concluding a preliminary contract for
a 400 kWp large-scale system in Marocco, which will amount to approximately
DM 7.5 million. To extend its international involvement, SOLON participates
in international biddings for PV systems. (iwr) |
| 12/14/1999 |
Germany's 100,000 Roof Program: 3.392 Systems with 8,4 MW Were Approved
Until the End of November
The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), which works on applications
and grants for support regarding Germany's 100.000
Roof Program, approved of 3.392 million photovoltaic systems with a
total capacity of 8,4 MW until the end of November. Statistics....
(iwr) |
| 12/08/1999 |
Joint Venture of Astro Power (U.S.A.) and Atersa (Spain) for Production
of Solar Cells
Astro Power Inc. from the U.S.A. and Atersa (Applicaciones Technicas
de la Energia, S.A.), from Spain, both leading manufacturers of solar
electric power modules, formed a European joint venture company, called
Astro Solar. Astro Solar is currently constructing a solar cell manufacturing
facility in Valencia, Spain, with an annual capacity of 10 MW. Solar cell
production will begin during the first quarter of 2000. (iwr) |
| 12/01/1999 |
BP Solarex Developed Solar Module with Record Effciency
BP Solarex acnnounced that is Apollo (R)thin film solar module achieved
a record 8.3% eficiency with a corresponding power output of 72.2 Watts.
These resultts were verified by the U.S. Department of Energy's National
Renewable Enery Laboratory (NREL). BP Solarex, a merger of BP Solar and
Solarex of the past April, has become the largest PV manufacturing and
marketing company in the world, i.e. BP Solarex holds 20% of the global
market share in the solar electric industry. The company's manufacturing
operations are currently restricted to four countries: the U.S.A., Spain,
India, and Australia. (iwr) |
| 11/30/1999 |
The World's Largest Solar Neighborhood in Amersfoort, the Netherlands
The magazine "Photon" reported that the world's largest solar residential
neighborhood was dedicated in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. Thus far 500
kW have been installed in the Nieuwland neighborhood and additional 1.3
MW will be installed in the Waterkwartier neighborhood. Only in some cases
are special modules needed, which are produced by the companies Colt and
RBB. Most of the solar modules have been and will be provided by Shell
and BP Solarex. (iwr) |
| 11/24/1999 |
BP Opens First Solar Powered Service Station in France
BP announced that it opened up its first solar-powered service station
in France. The service station (i.e. its lighting and petroleum pumps)
is powered by 200 photovoltaic panels, made by BP Solarex. This initiative
is part of BP Amoco's worldwide program to equip 200 service stations
with solar systems by 2001. (iwr) |
| 11/16/1999 |
Solar Cell Factory in Gelsenkirchen/Germany Opens Today
One of the biggest solar cell factories in the world will be opened
in Gelsenkirchen today in the presence of the German Chancellor Schroeder
and NRW-prime minister Clement.The factory was build by the German Shell
AG and Shell Solar Deutschland GmbH. In the final stage of completion
an annual production of 25 MW is planned. (iwr) |
| 11/09/1999 |
Intelligent Solar Systems
During the 4th symposium Energy System Technology in Kassel/Germany,
the Solar Institute ISET introduced a new product developed together with
the firm SMA Regelsysteme. The battery static convertor "Sunny Island"
is designed for independent photovoltaic island systems. It will be able
to supervise and optimize the interaction of all components of a solar
system. Photovoltaic island systems can be installed at places without
public power supply system where it is cheaper to use solar systems. Sunny
Island is supported by the German ministry for economy and will be available
on the market at the beginning of the year 2000. (iwr) |
| 11/02/1999 |
Education Program for Students´ Understanding of Solar Energy
in Maryland, USA
BP Solarex, BP Amoco, and the Maryland Energy Administration will sposor
an education program in Maryland, USA, with the intention to improve students´understanding
of solar energy. Permanent solar energy demonstration programs shall be
established at six elementary and middle schools with each school receiving
a solar array and a solar electric meter. In an effort to further promote
solar energy education, a special solar energy classroom curriculum designed
by BP Solarex shall be made available to school throughout the United States.
(iwr) |
| 10/27/1999 |
Spectrolab and NREL Achieve World-Record Solar Cell Conversion Efficiency
Exceeding 32%
Spectrolab and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have achieved
a world record conversion effieiency rate of 32.3% for a solar cell. This
breakthrough could lead to the doubling of power output of terrestrial
applications in operations today. Spectrolab is now seeking industry
partners with demonstrated field experience for the development of its
technology into large photovoltaic systems. (iwr) |
| 10/26/1999 |
Shell Builds its Smallest Solar Panel for a School Energy Set
Shell announced that school children will soon be able to build their
own solar-powered LEGO models with a new product developed by LEGO in conjunction
with Shell Renewables. This new LEGO Dacta eLAB product is intended to
help children understand the common forms of energy, including renrewables.
Later this year, the product will enter the market, being initally introduced
in the UK, the USA, and Germany by LEGO Dacta, the company's education
division. (iwr) |
| 10/20/1999 |
Solar Energy in Germany: North-Rhine Westphalia and Bavaria were
Most Supportive of Solar Energy in 1998
In a survey which is conducted every year, IWR found out that the states
of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) and Bavaria were the most supportive statesof
solar energy in Germany in the last year. In total, 1,5000 phtovoltaic
systems with a capacity of approximately 4.5 MW were subsidized in
German in 1998; 900 of which are located in NRW. In addition to that 30,000
solar heat systems (with a total collector face of 220,000 m2)
for warm water conditioning and heating were built in Germany. Bavaria
installed 14,000 systems (100,000 m2) and NRW 7,300 systems
(51,000 m2). (iwr) |
| 10/19/1999 |
Japan: US-$ 470 Million Earmarked for PV Support in 2000
According to press releases the Japanese Department of Industry, MITI,
will make available approximately US-$ 470 for the support of photovoltaic
systems in 2000. (iwr) |
| 10/13/1999 |
Solon Inc. Goes International With Decentralized Solar Systems
Solon, Inc. from Berlin, Germany, entered the international market
with decentralized power plants. As a part of this extension of its business
sectors, Solon Inc. signed an agreement for the construction f the world's
biggest solar power insular grid in Marocco. It is intended that a tourist
resort in Marocco can be fully supplied with power entirely provided by
a large PV-system. (iwr) |
| 10/06/1999 |
1:50 p.m. (CET)
Spectrolab Reaches Production Milestone
Spectrolab Inc., a supplier of more than half of the world's spacecraft
solar cells, has reached a production milestone of 25,000 triple-junction
gallium-arsenide solar cells. These solar cells have an efficieny rate
of 24.5%, the highest average efficieny that has yet been achieved. Thus
far, Sepctrolab Inc. has primarily supplied satellites in space with solar
cells; at the end of the year, the first spacecraft is supposed to fly
with these solar cells. (iwr)
10:35 a.m. (CET)
Spire Corp. Will Provide BP Solar Malaysia with PV Manufacturing
Line
Spire Corp., the world's leading supplier of photovoltaic manufacturing
equipment and production lines, announced that it will provide a turn-key
photovoltaic production line to BP Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, a joint venture
between BP Solarex and Projas Enercrorp. Sdn. Bhd. The new manufacturing
line will help to support Malaysia's efforts in using solar electricity
in rural development programs. (iwr) |
| 09/28/1999 |
Germany's 100,000 Roof Program: 2,603 Systems with 6.28 MW Were
Approved Until the End of August
The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), which works on applications
and grants for support regarding Germany's 100.000
Roof Program, approved of 2,603 million photovoltaic systems with a
total capacity of 6.28 MW until the end of August. Statistics....
(iwr) |
| 09/22/1999 |
Spire Will Provide $ 6 Million Worth of Solar Electric Systems to
Utility
Spire Corp. announced that it will provide $ 6 million worth
of solar electric (photovoltaic) systems to the utility Commonwealth Edison
Company of Chicago (ComEd) over the next 30 months. In addition to that
the City of Chicago has commited to buy $ 2 million worth of PV systems.
The systems will be manufactured at a new manufacturing plant in Chicago,
which is called Spire Solar Chicago. Spire, ComEd, the City of Chicago,
and the U.S. Department of Energy made a collaborative effort to bring
about this business formation. (iwr) |
| 09/15/1999 |
16th European Phtotovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
May 1 through May 5, 2000 the 16th European Phototvoltaic Solar Energy
Conference will be held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center
in Glasgow, UK. The program for the conference will comprise plenary lectures
focusing on the state-of-the-art in PV, oral and poster presentations of
specific research development and demonstration projects, PV applications
and market aspects, exhibition of PV products and services as well as scientific
tours and a social program. Papers will be presented in plenary, oral and
poster sessions. Those who want to make a contribution should turn in their
abstracts by October 15. (iwr) |
| 09/01/1999 |
Booming PV Market in Canada
The Canadian Association for Renewabele Energies (C.A.R.E.) recently
announced that the market for PV cells in Canada grew by 33% in 1998. The
installed PV capacity in Candada reached altogether 4.5 MW last year. Over
the past six years the Canadian PV market has experienced an average annual
growth rate of 26%. The large growth rates have also had a positive
effect on job creation. (iwr) |
| 08/26/1999 |
Solar Project "Village Power 2000" Provides Energy in Uganda
The U.S. Department of Energy pioneers a solar energy project in Uganda,
called "Village Power 2000,"which is supposed to improve energy access
in rural areas. The principle objective of the project is to set up 150
solar generating plants that will provide electricity to civic buildings
such as schools, homeless shelters, an orphanage, etc. As part of the project,
25 U.S.students were sent over to Uganda last month to demonstrate the
capabilities of solar power and Internet technology to Ugandan students.
(iwr) |
| 08/18/1999 |
New Production Facility for Solar Cells Will Start Production Soon
One of the biggest production facilities for solar cells in the world
will start production in Gelsenkrichen, Germany, November 16. The
plant is being built by Shell Solar Germany Ltd. and by Pilkington Solar
International. (iwr) |
| 08/11/1999 |
Kyocera Inc. Took Over Golden Genesis Company
Kyocera International Inc. announced that it acquired 100% of the common
shares of Golden Genesis Company. Golden Genesis Company, which has
been renamed Kyocera Solar Inc. (KSI), will move its headquarters from
Colorado to Scottsdale, Arizona. KSI will continue with the same product
line, but will add a marketing section for solar photovoltaic modules.
(iwr) |
| 08/10/1999 |
Solar Eclipse on the Internet
If you want to make sure that your eyes and retina will not be damaged
during tomorrow's solar eclipse, have a look at the following websites.
www.eclipse1999.de
Live pictures of the solar eclipse from different German cities
www.planetarium-laupheim.de
Live pictures of the solar eclips, gas explosions on the sun; complete
view of the progress of the eclipse
www.solar-eclipse.de
Live pictures of the solar eclips
umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/eclipse
official website of NASA |
| 07/23/1999 |
NASA Trying to Build Sun Towers in Space
According to a press release the U.S. space agency is studying the
feasability of collecting solar energy in space, which can be transmitted
down to the earth. For this reason, NASA is spending $ 6 million on a study
that tries to find out, whether "towers" that can collect solar energy
can be built in space. The sun towers, which are meant to collect 1.2 billion
watts, would rest in a stationary orbit 22,000 miles away from earth. Each
one of these towers would consist of a series of 22-mile PV cell structures.
The contractors of this project will meet in approximately nine months
to discuss preliminary research results. |
| 07/13/1999 |
Application Eligibility for 100,000 Roof Program was Issued by EU
Commission for Small and Medium-Sized Companies
According to EUROSOLAR the European Commission authorized the elegibility
for small and medium-sized companies to apply for subsidies of the 100,000
Roof Program. Companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual
turnover of less than EURO 20 million fall into this category. The solar
sector is now expecting a strengthened PV boom. (iwr) |
| 07/07/1999 |
PV System Provides Power to the Pentagon
According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
at the end of June the DOE and the Department of Defense dedicated a state
of the art PV system which will provide power to the Pentagon, the largest
office building in the world. The PV system is expected to have a generating
capacity of 30 kilowatts, and thus it will be the largest system of its
kind on the East Coast. Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson said that
the DOE and the Department of Defense followed a directive of President
Clinton in erecting this PV system, as Clinton recently issued an executive
order to utilize more renewable energies at public facilities. (iwr) |
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