Applied Materials has announced that it plans to expand its facility in Xi’an, China. The announcement comes after China’s Vice Premier Li Keqiang toured the facility, which focuses on SunFab’ thin-film modules, c-Si testing and R&D. Applied Materials has now started "Phase 2" of the project, which will turn the facility into a Global Solar R&D Center for crystalline silicon and thin-film solar.
Charles Gay, Applied Solar’s President and the co-chair of the Renewable Energy … Read the rest
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. and the City of Santa Barbara have announced the activation of the City of Santa Barbara’s first large solar power system. The 384 KW system system uses Suntech modules and is capable of producing 550,000 kWh of clean energy per year, taking out the equivalent of 191 metric tons of CO2.
"Working with the City of Santa Barbara and Tioga Energy has been a pleasure for Suntech," said Marco Garcia, … Read the rest
LDK Solar is planning to expand into the European PV station market through a partnership with Q-Cells SE, one of the world’s top solar cell producers, according to TradingMarkets.com. Up until now, LDK had not attempted to stake out part of the PV station sector. Here’s how TradingMarkets.com expects the move to benefit the company:
… Read the restThe win-win cooperation will help LDK Solar and Q-Cells win more orders, once the silicon market warms up, estimated
Hoku Materials, Inc just announced that it has signed a new 10-year polysilicon supply agreement with Shanghai Alex New Energy Company, Ltd. Under the contract, Hoku will resell a portion of the polysilicon production capacity it recaptured after amending a contract with Jiangxi Jinko Solar Company. Alex New Energy had been planning to buy Hoku polysilcon indirectly from Jinko, but will now buy directly from Hoku instead.
Hoku has amended the contract with Jinko as … Read the rest
Gemini Solar, a joint venture between Suntech and MMA Renewable Ventures, has been selected to build a 30 MW solar power plant that will provide power for Austin, Texas. The plant, which should be online by the end of next year, will produce enough power for 5,000 homes and save 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Steven Chan, Suntech’s Chief Strategy Officer and President of Global Sales and Marketing, commented on the news:
… Read the rest"Suntech
Suntech just announced a new distribution agreement with House Care Co, LTD. Under the terms of the agreement, House Care is authorized to distribute Suntech’s products to the Japanese market. In 2009, House Care expects to distribute 30MW of Suntech’s products.
Dr. Tadao Kasahara, President of MSK Corporation, a Suntech subsidiary, commented on the agreement:
… Read the rest”House Care is one of Japan’s leading providers of innovative roofing systems and we are delighted to establish a fruitful
Suntech is planning on expanding its Japanese market. In 2009, the company expects Japanese sales to be approximately 400-500 MW, according to JLM Pacific Epoch.
At first, the company "will focus on exporting monocrystalline modules." However, as part of its expansion plans, Suntech will also set up 100 stores across the country to sell solar-powered household goods to Japanese consumers. On March 1st, Suntech will launch a subsidy system in Japan. … Read the rest
SunPower just announced the completion of Australia’s largest rooftop solar installation. The installation consists of 350 KW worth of solar panels mounted on the roof of the Crowne Plaza Hotel rooftop in Alice Springs.
Bob Blakiston, SunPower Australia’s managing director, commented on the accomplishment:
… Read the rest"We are proud that Invest North chose SunPower’s high-efficiency solar panels to help power its flagship hotel in Australia. This installation is a testament to the growing adoption of solar energy
PPL Energy PLus, a division of PPL Corp (PPL) announced it has signed an agreement with Sunpower (SPWRA) to purchaxe New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) over the next next 10 years.
SRECs are certificates representing the energy benefits generated from solar energy and are issued each time one MW hour of electricity is generated. They can then be sold or traded. PPL will purchase SunPower SRECs which provide them with the funds needed … Read the rest
Analysts are out with a few notes this morning – an initiation of coverage on American Superconductor (AMSC) with a BUY and a downgrade of Evergreen Solar (ESLR) to NEUTRAL.
According to StreetInsider.com, Piper Jaffray downgraded ESLR to Neutral for the following reasons:
– rapidly losing polysilicon cost advantage
– low visibility in financial impact of outsourcing production to Asia
– minimal balance sheet flexibility for pursuing expansion in Asia
Broadpoint AmTech Initiates Coverage … Read the rest