NanoMarkets Forecasts Rapid Sales Growth for CIGS Solar Panels Through Rest of Decade

GLEN ALLEN,  Va., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In its newly released report, "CIGS Photovoltaics Markets-2012," industry analyst firm NanoMarkets forecasts revenues from CIGS panels will reach $4.4 billion (USD) by 2017.  And while the recent announcement of a 150 MW solar farm supports the notion that CIGS technology is finally ready for prime time, NanoMarkets says that CIGS manufacturers will have to adopt new strategies to protect themselves from falling solar panel prices.

Additional details about the report are available at http://nanomarkets.net/market_reports/report/cigs_photovoltaics_markets_2012

About the Report:

"CIGS Photovoltaics Markets – 2012" is the latest in NanoMarkets' ongoing series of industry reports on CIGS markets.  Applications sectors covered include rigid panels (conventional and BIPV), flexible PV, portable PV and BIPV glass.  The report also includes in-depth analysis of the latest trends in CIGS manufacturing and their market impact.  The realistic eight-year forecasts in this report are broken out by application sector and by type of deposition/manufacturing.  Both revenue and volume (MW) forecasts are included.

The report also discusses the strategies of important suppliers of both CIGS panels and materials.  Companies mentioned include:  3M, American Elements, Ascent, Avancis/Saint Gobain, Bosch, CIS Solartechnik, Daiyang Metal, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Flisom, Fujifilm, Global Solar, GroupSat Solar, HelioVolt, Honda Soltec, Indium Corporation, ISET, Istar Solar, Jenn Feng, Nanoco, Nanosolar, Odersun, Sigma-Aldrich, Solar Frontier, Pfister Energy, Solarion, Solar Frontier, SoloPower, Sputtering Materials, Shurjo Energy, Solibro, Sulfurcell, Sunshine PV, Telio, TSMC/Stion, Umicore, Wuerth Solar and others

From the Report:

To meet the challenge of very low-cost crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar panels, CIGS will need to continue to improve on its cost per watt.  NanoMarkets expects CIGS to succeed in this regard through volume production and manufacturing efficiencies such as thinner absorber layers and aggressive recycling of absorber materials.  CIGS can also compete with c-Si based on superior aesthetics and good performance in indirect light.

NanoMarkets believes that reducing the cost of encapsulation is the key to success for flexible CIGS panels, which will generate more than $635 million by 2017.  Current use of complex dyadic film encapsulation is proving very expensive and the new report suggests that there may be some potential for lowering costs by using overcoats of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and/or silicon oxynitride before final module encapsulation. The report also says that the CIGS industry will embrace low-cost advanced plastic substrates going forward as a replacement for polyimide.

NanoMarkets also believes that CIGS manufacturing will take new directions resulting in higher efficiencies and lower costs.  Laser annealing of the absorber layer will become more common and will enable more thermally sensitive substrates to be used.  However, the cost of laser annealing equipment will need to be reduced before this can happen.  NanoMarkets also foresees solution-based deposition as playing a growing role in the creation of CIGS panels based on new types of solvents.  In the past, this type of approach has suffered as the result of high levels of impurities in the materials.  However, hydrazine, however, is now proposed as a solvent system for solution-based deposition, and has shown promising results in the lab. This new approach seems likely to considerable improve CIGS efficiency

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in energy, electronics and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts in these areas and has been covering PV markets for six years.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets' reports and other services.

TEP Selects AREVA Solar as Technology Partner for Innovative CSP Booster Project

TUCSON, Ariz. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is partnering with AREVA Solar on an innovative concentrated solar power (CSP) addition to TEP's H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station in Tucson.

TEP's Sundt Solar Boost Project will use AREVA Solar's Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar steam generators to produce up to 5 megawatts (MW) of power during peak demand periods without added emissions. Over the course of a year, the system will allow Sundt Unit 4 to produce enough additional power to serve more than 600 Tucson homes.

Producing that same amount of power at the dual-fueled unit would otherwise require burning 46 million cubic feet of natural gas, or 3,600 tons of coal. So by offsetting the use of those fuels, the Sundt Solar Boost project avoids the annual production of either 4,600 or 8,500 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), depending on whether the unit is running on natural gas or coal.

The Sundt Solar Boost Project is part of TEP's plan to expand its solar generating capacity to more than 200 MW by the end of 2014. Its output will help TEP meet or exceed Arizona's Renewable Energy Standard, which requires electric utilities to increase their use of renewable energy each year until it accounts for 15 percent of their power in 2025.

In addition to helping TEP meet its renewable energy goals cost-effectively, the Sundt Solar Boost Project will allow the company to evaluate the potential integration of CSP additions at other power plants. The project will also further demonstrate AREVA's high-pressure, superheated steam offering.

"AREVA Solar's innovative solar boost technology gives us a cost-effective, environmentally responsible way to expand the output of our largest local power plant without increasing emissions," said Paul Bonavia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TEP and its parent company, UniSource Energy Corporation (NYSE: UNS).

Construction of the Sundt Solar Boost is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012, and the project is expected to be operational by early 2013. The facility will be built on TEP property adjacent to the Sundt plant, which is located east of South Alvernon Way between East Irvington Road and Interstate 10. The project is expected to create 50 jobs during peak construction.

"TEP is a national leader in solar energy, and we are pleased that they've selected our U.S.-designed and manufactured CLFR technology for this addition to their clean energy portfolio," said Bill Gallo, CEO of AREVA Solar. "Solar booster projects like this are gaining momentum in the United States and around the world as a way to leverage existing power infrastructure to provide needed energy with no new emissions. AREVA Solar's booster installation aims to do just that."

In addition to augmenting coal-fired power plants, AREVA's solar steam generators can also easily integrate with natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plants and can be used in standalone solar thermal and hybrid facilities, as well as industrial process steam applications. AREVA recently broke ground on a 44 MW solar booster project for a coal-fired power station in Australia and currently has more than 540 MW of CSP projects in operation, under construction or in advanced development.

Tucson Electric Power, a subsidiary of UniSource Energy Corporation (NYSE: UNS), provides safe, reliable service to more than 402,000 customers in the Tucson metropolitan area. To learn more, visit tep.com. For more information about UniSource Energy, visit uns.com.

AREVA Solar, headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a subsidiary of the AREVA Group that specializes in the design manufacture and installation of steam generating solar systems for its global power generation and industrial customers in a dependable, competitive and environmentally responsible manner. AREVA's CLFR solar thermal technology is water-conservative and the most land-efficient solar energy technology. Please visit www.solar.areva.com for additional information on AREVA's global solar energy solutions.

Siemens HCPV Module Partner Semprius Achieves World Record for Photovoltaic Module Efficiency

ERLANGEN, Germany, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The solar company Semprius, in which Siemens has invested as a strategic partner in June 2011, achieved a world record for photovoltaic module efficiency of 33.9 percent. This result was externally certified after measurement under standard test conditions at the Instituto de Energia Solar (IES) at the University of Madrid (Universidad Politecnica de Madrid).

Semprius, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, develops high concentrating photovoltaic (HCPV) modules. The latest prototypes achieved a major milestone with 33.9 percent solar module efficiency. In a joint collaboration with the Spanish Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) and the University of Madrid, this testing was performed by the IES institute of the university. For the first time a photovoltaic module converted more than one-third of the energy of the solar irradiation on the module area into usable electricity. Depending on the specific location and irradiation, the HCPV modules can deliver an energy output per square meter that is two times higher than common polycrystalline modules. Leading module manufacturers of conventional PV technologies achieve a maximum module efficiency of approximately 20 percent with monocrystalline PV modules and about 16 percent with polycrystalline technology.

In June 2011, Siemens acquired a 16-percent stake in Semprius to scale up the innovative HCPV technology to market maturity. The Semprius HCPV systems bundle the sunlight on the modules with the aid of integrated lenses on small photovoltaic cells. HCPV is a prime alternative to conventional photovoltaics especially suitable for sunbelt regions with high direct irradiation.

"Semprius as a leader in HCPV modules shows us that we have bet on the right technology," said Martin Pfund, CEO of the Siemens Energy Photovoltaic Business Unit. "The world record is a breakthrough in module efficiency. Combined with our expertise in turnkey solutions business it has the potential to become a game changer for the solar markets in regions with high irradiation. With Semprius as a partner we will further broaden our portfolio in the photovoltaics market. We're very pleased to be working together with Semprius to commercialize this technology globally."

While Semprius will further develop its modules, Siemens is focusing its research and development activities on optimizing system components such as the trackers, field design and inverters. Together with Semprius Siemens will provide the best possible integrated solution and is ramping up global deployment of first test systems with Semprius technology this year. The first full test installation has been operational in Arizona since August 2010. Furthermore, Semprius completing the construction of a pilot plant in Henderson, North Carolina, to validate the technology for larger installations. Ramp up of the first pilot line production of HCPV modules there will begin during the second half of 2012.

"This is the culmination of our emphasis on bringing smart design to solar," said Joe Carr, Semprius President and CEO. "Our world record efficiency modules combined with our low cost manufacturing processes and Siemens' PV system expertise will deliver a best-in-class global solution for utility-scale solar plants."

Components for photovoltaic installations are part of Siemens' Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2011, revenue from the Portfolio totaled about EUR30 billion, making Siemens one of the world's largest suppliers of eco-friendly technologies. In the same period, our products and solutions enabled customers to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by nearly 320 million tons, an amount equal to the total annual CO2 emissions of Berlin, Delhi, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo.

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for power generation in thermal power plants and using renewables, power transmission in grids and for the extraction, processing and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2011 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of EUR27.6 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR34.8 billion and posted a profit of more than EUR4.1 billion. On September 30, 2011, the Energy Sector had a work force of more than 97,000. Effective October 1, 2011, the Power Distribution Division with a work force of more than 15,000 was reassigned to the new Infrastructure & Cities Sector.

Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.

About Semprius

Semprius, Inc. is the smart way to generate solar electricity. Based upon the world's smallest solar cells, Semprius designs and manufactures the highest efficiency solar modules in the world. Using patented cell technology and a state-of-the-art manufacturing process, Semprius is leading the way to cost-competitive, sustainable generation of solar electricity. Semprius' headquarters and production facilities are located in North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.semprius.com.

Harqua Gila, LLC Recognizes CRC's Alternative Energy Technology as Solution to Inherent Solar Power Plant Spikes

PHOENIX, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CRC (Pink Sheets: CYSA) receives a Letter of Interest from Harqua Gila, LLC for deployment of its Alternative Energy Technologies.  Harqua Gila, LLC is currently developing a multi-phase alternative energy project in La Paz County, Arizona that encompasses two primary components – solar and hydro production/capture – and is designed to roll out in expanding phases (including a scope up to 38 megs of solar power production), to ensure stable growth now and the harnessing of superior evolving technologies in the future. The company has secured a Special Use Permit through the county, and project development continues to be underway.

Laura Edwards, General Counsel for Harqua Gila, LLC stated, "We strongly believe that our project – both currently and in the future – will be significantly enhanced by incorporating several aspects of CRC energy production capabilities. Particularly with respect to solar energy production, we are seeking modalities to stabilize the inherent 'spikes.' We are also exploring ways to create secondary commercial benefits from the NuPower™ fuel and technology, thus reinforcing our alternative, renewable energy platform."

Ms. Edwards added, "We stand ready to offer our support to ensure that development CRC technology will be implemented to promote the aforementioned objectives, and eagerly await the implementation of the same."

Dr. Kiril Pandelisev, Chief Executive Officer of CRC, added, "We are very excited about the prospects Harqua Gila LLC is presenting to us. I expect that our small footprint, very low capital cost and lowest price than any alternative energy electric power production, provides a solid basis for working together with solar, hydro, and wind turbine power generation facilities. We are pleased to be part of the Harqua Gila efforts to contribute to the enforcement of  Waxman-Markey Energy and Climate Bill for 20% Renewable Energy by 2020. After all, Arizona does not need to import lime stone and/or lime from OPEC and any other oil producing countries. In fact, the 15% of the North American continent sits on excellent quality lime stone. More abundant than coal, oil, natural gas and shale combined, and much, much cheaper energy source."

About CRC Crystal Research Corporation:

CRC Crystal Research Corporation's (www.crccrystal.com) and its subsidiaries (www.nupowertechnology.com ) focus on inorganic, green and renewable green energy technologies for production of nuCarbide™, nuPowerGas™, and nuPower™, and on technologies that provides for manufacturing or "growing" of various types of crystals utilized in a large number of military, medical and industrial applications. CRC's management believes they have the ability to grow crystals of any desired width, length and thickness needed to meet customers' exact specifications; thus significantly reducing scrap and, in turn, increasing profit.  Additionally, the space requirement for SCT plate growth is estimated to be approximately 200 times less than that for the standard Bridgman-Stockbarger method.  CRC's technology is known to many leading industry crystal users such as Lockheed Martin, GE Medical, Phillips, Halliburton, Intel, Canon, Nikon, Sematech International, ASML, Zeiss and others. Our data show many advantages of the SCT process over the outdated conventional methods.

Novel Cell Designs for More Efficient Solar Cells

HANAU, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Innovation and material technology are the keys to success for increasing the efficiency of solar cells. For the first time ever, scientists accomplished the development of an industry-scale c-Si solar cell with an efficiency greater than 20%. The record cell is based on the combination of two cell design technologies: MWT and PERC. In a joint research project with the Fraunhofer ISE, Heraeus has developed a via paste, which interconnects the front- and back-side of the MWT solar cell. By developing the paste for this project, Heraeus has made a considerable contribution to its success. Heraeus also supplied the front-side paste for this project.

What is an MWT-PERC solar cell?

How does an MWT-PERC cell work? As a crystalline solar cell, the MWT-PERC cell has a silicon wafer at its core. MWT stands for “Metal Wrap Through”. For MWT cells, the busbars typically found on the front-side of conventional solar cells, are shifted to the backside of the cell, thereby reducing front-side shading and allowing more light to actually hit the cell. The reduction of shading increases the efficiency. The additional benefit is less paste is required. “PERC” stands for “Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell”. For PERC cells, the back-side of this cell is designed so that incoming light is reflected back to the wafer, increasing the amount of energy captured from the cell. The combination of these two technologies creates a cell design that significantly increases a solar cell’s efficiency relative to conventional solar cell technologies.

Silver metallization pastes are needed as the initial path for conducting the energy generated in the cell to the electricity grid. Silver is the most electrically conductive element in the periodic table and therefore, is the most widely used component for metallization pastes. The paste is screen-printed on solar cells and subsequently incorporated into the cells during a high temperature process. This process is known as a sintering process. Precisely formulated silver metallization pastes enable an optimized efficiency gain of the solar cell.

Heraeus offers their customers pastes that are specially formulated to be used for novel cell design technologies, such as the MWT-PERC-concept. Of course, there is a broad range of different pastes for the front-side and back-side metallization of conventional crystalline solar cells available. In 2011 Heraeus introduced a new series of pastes for low temperature processing.

Go to www.pvsilverpaste.com to get information on the Photovoltaics Business Unit and its product offerings.

About Heraues

Heraeus, the precious metals and technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a global, private company with 160 years of tradition. Our fields of competence include precious metals, materials and technologies, sensors, biomaterials and medical products, as well as dental products, quartz glass and specialty light sources. With product revenues of €4.1 billion and precious metal trading revenues of €17.9 billion, as well as more than 12,900 employees in over 120 subsidiaries worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets.