Hoku Materials, Inc just announced that it has entered into a change order agreement with JH Kelly regarding the construction and start-up of Hoku’s polysilicon plant. The change order redistributes the potential bonus awards due JH Kelly for meeting Hoku’s schedule goals. Previously, Hoku had offered JH Kelly the chance to earn up to $5 million in bonus payments for meeting goals related to completions dates, budget and safety goals, but only $1.5 million of … Read the rest
All posts by Tate Dwinnell
BP Solar (BP) Cuts Jobs
Br Solar International just announced that it will be getting rid of a manufacturing plant in Spain and will reduce production at its Frederick, Maryland plant in the US. This will result in 620 workers being laid off. BP does plan to increase PV production from 159 MW to 320MW, but the increased production will take place in India and China.
Reyad Fezzani, chief executive at BP Solar, advised BusinessGreen.com that his company is still … Read the rest
Cree (CREE) LED Downlights Awarded Commercial and Residential EnergyStar Certification
Cree, Inc just announced that its LED downlights have qualified for both commercial and residential EnergyStar Certification. The commercial EnergyStar qualifications are much tougher than the residential qualifications, as products are required to last 40 times longer.
"Being rated for both commercial and residential applications is especially significant since more than three-quarters of the LED lighting we are deploying today is in commercial installations," said Neal Hunter, president, Cree LED Lighting. "Cree also provides the … Read the rest
Applied Materials (AMAT) Wins Court Fight Against Oerlikon
Applied Materials won an important victory against Oerlikon Corp in European patent court on Tuesday. The court revoked a patent that had been issued to a Swiss university and licensed to Oerlikon. Applied Materials had been accused of violating the patent with its Sun-Fab thin film manufacturing process.
However, according to Reuters, Applied Materials has not seen the last of Oerlikon (or its lawyers):
"This is not a final decision yet," said an Oerlikon … Read the rest
Cree, Inc (CREE) CEO Expects LED Demand To Rise Next Year
Despite the faltering economy, Cree Inc’s CEO Chuck Swoboda told Reuters that he expects demand for LED lighting to grow in the next year. Although he described the company’s third quarter as a "quiet period," he remained optimistic about the future, saying
"When you look at energy efficiency there aren’t many things that can have as big an opportunity in the near term as switching to more efficient lighting," Swoboda said.
He also advised that … Read the rest
Florida Power & Light (FPL) And SunPower (SPWRA) To Supply Solar Power To Florida Schools
Florida Power and Light is partnering with SunPower to supply selected Florida schools with solar power stations. 6 Florida schools will receive 5 KW solar panels models as part of FPL’s Next Generation Solar Education Station program. The solar modules will reduce the school’s power bills by $800 per year, as well as providing a teaching tool for children to learn about solar energy. The modules will be set up at ground level so that … Read the rest
Akeena Solar (AKNS) To Supply MS Solar Solutions Corp With Solar Panels
Akeena Solar just announced that it has entered a supplier relationship with MS Solar Solutions Corp, a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. Under the agreement, Akeena Solar will provide MS Solar Solutions with its Andalay AC panels and grant the company a royalty-bearing limited license to manufacture and sell them. MSSS Solar Solutions will use those panels in its efforts to help low-income households across the country get solar power. Akeena Solar will be MSSS’ exclusive … Read the rest
Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) Gets Supply Contract For Oklahoma State Fuel Station
Clean Energy Fuels just received a 15-year compressed natural gas fueling station supply contract for Oklahoma State University. Although the fueling station will be used primarily to support OSU as it switches to a more environmentally-friendly fleet of CNG-powered buses and other vehicles, it will also be open to the public.
In a company press release, James Harger, Clean Energy Senior Vice President, commented on the contract:
"We are very grateful for the confidence that … Read the rest
Hoku (HOKU) And Solarfun (SOLF) Renegotiate Contracts
Hoku Materials, Inc. and Solarfun just announced a renegotiation of the polysilicon supply contract between the two companies. Solarfun was previously obligated to pay Hoku $18 million by March 31st, but the agreement has been changed so that Solarfun can pay in installments according to the following schedule: 1) $5 million paid on March 30; 2) $8 million in July $2009; 3) $5 million to paid in installments of $1 million each during August and … Read the rest
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) Enters Expanded Alliance With Shanghai Electric Cable Research
Shanghai Electric Cable Research and American Superconductor Corporation have expanded their strategic alliance, and Shanghai Electric Cable Research has just placed a new order for high temperature superconductor wire from AMSC. The wire will be used to develop a 30-meter long cable system, with AMSC providing consulting services to assist Shanghai Electric Cable Research.
In a company press release, AMSC Superconductors’ General Manager Dan McGahn commented on the expanded agreement:
“We are pleased that SECRI … Read the rest