SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 18, 2013) - Solar3D, Inc. (OTCQB: SLTD), the developer of a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity, today announced that as a result of its continuing research, it has modified the design of its Solar3D Solar Cell to produce more electricity at a lower cost than the original design.
"The Solar3D cell is a fundamentally new cell design that squeezes more power out of silicon, the most abundant solar material on Earth. We have now fine tuned our 2012 prototype design to use much thinner silicon wafers by optimizing the depth, width and angle of the trenches of the three-dimensional photovoltaic microstructures. The original prototype exceeded our expectations but this new one will be even better. Cost will come down and power will increase with this fine tuned design," said Jim Nelson, CEO of Solar3D.
The initial 2012 prototype design was calculated to produce just over 25% efficiency -- the highest of any silicon solar cell. Even more important was an originally unanticipated feature -- wide-angle light collection allowing for electricity creation throughout more times of the days and seasons. While the thinner silicon will create an increase in the efficiency of the cell, the real focus of Solar3D's continuing effort is the optimization of the 3-D structures to increase the length of time during which light can be effectively converted to electricity, relative to current technology. Current technology is most effective for a few hours in the middle of the day.
"Wide angle light collection is the real key to creating dramatically more power within the technology," Nelson continues. "While we are stretching toward a practical maximum in efficiency, there is a lot more light that we can convert by reaching earlier and later in the days and seasons, and even collecting diffuse light in places like Seattle and England."
Inspired by light management techniques used in fiber optic devices, the company's innovative solar cell technology utilizes a 3-dimensional design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons. Solar3D's working, proof-of-concept prototype of its innovative solar cell has prepared the firm to focus on the new product's commercialization -- leading them to the current discussions.
Nelson concluded, "We know that this technology works. We continue to refine it -- producing more power and making it at a lower cost."
About Solar3D, Inc.
Solar3D, Inc. is developing a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Up to 30% of incident sunlight is currently reflected off the surface of conventional solar cells, and more is lost inside the solar cell materials. Inspired by light management techniques used in fiber optic devices, our innovative solar cell technology utilizes a 3-dimensional design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons. An innovative wide-angle light collection feature on the cell surface allows for the collection of sunlight over a range of angles during the day. This next generation solar cell will be dramatically more efficient, resulting in a lower cost per watt that will make solar power affordable for the world. To learn more about Solar3D, please visit our website at http://www.Solar3D.com.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
TSMC Solar Commercial-size Modules (1.09 Square Meters) Set CIGS 15.7% Efficiency Record
TAICHUNG, Taiwan, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TSMC Solar Ltd. today announced confirmation by TUV SUD that its latest commercial-sized (1.09 m2) CIGS champion module has achieved 15.7% module total area efficiency. The new champion module improves on TSMC Solar's previous 15.1% world record set in January this year. The module was produced using the current manufacturing equipment and materials at the company's manufacturing facility in Taichung, Taiwan.
"Our new champion module not only pushed our efficiency record up by 0.6% points in just 4 months, but also achieved a record temperature coefficient of -0.26%/degree Celsius, showing our continued ability to improve our process technology," said Ying-Chen Chao, President of TSMC Solar.
TSMC Solar also announced the introduction of its new TS-CIGS Series Model C1 module with nameplate power spanning 140W - 155W. The UL and TUV SUD certified module has an improved temperature coefficient of -0.31%/degree Celsius and has passed both the Blowing Sand Test based on IEC 60068-2-68 and the Salt Mist Ed.2 test.
"Our Model C1 modules deliver improved energy yield and reliability in high-temperature and desert environments and prove our ability to bring record-setting process improvements to market," said Stephen McKenery, TSMC Solar Worldwide Sales Head.
About TSMC Solar
TSMC Solar Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (NYSE: TSM), the acknowledged semiconductor dedicated foundry segment leader with market capitalization exceeding US$90 billion. TSMC's solar business was founded in May 2009 and is headquartered in Taichung, Taiwan, with regional sales offices in Hamburg, Germany; San Jose, California and Boston, Massachusetts.
"Our new champion module not only pushed our efficiency record up by 0.6% points in just 4 months, but also achieved a record temperature coefficient of -0.26%/degree Celsius, showing our continued ability to improve our process technology," said Ying-Chen Chao, President of TSMC Solar.
TSMC Solar also announced the introduction of its new TS-CIGS Series Model C1 module with nameplate power spanning 140W - 155W. The UL and TUV SUD certified module has an improved temperature coefficient of -0.31%/degree Celsius and has passed both the Blowing Sand Test based on IEC 60068-2-68 and the Salt Mist Ed.2 test.
"Our Model C1 modules deliver improved energy yield and reliability in high-temperature and desert environments and prove our ability to bring record-setting process improvements to market," said Stephen McKenery, TSMC Solar Worldwide Sales Head.
About TSMC Solar
TSMC Solar Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (NYSE: TSM), the acknowledged semiconductor dedicated foundry segment leader with market capitalization exceeding US$90 billion. TSMC's solar business was founded in May 2009 and is headquartered in Taichung, Taiwan, with regional sales offices in Hamburg, Germany; San Jose, California and Boston, Massachusetts.
LDK Solar Announces Next Generation of Modules
XINYU CITY, China, MUNICH, Germany and SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) ("LDK Solar") today announced the company's next step on the path to achieving its goal of delivering high quality value for money solutions to the solar energy industry. Several improvements are now provided in a new generation of LDK Solar Mono- and Multi-Crystalline Modules.
New lightest frame design and customer-focused features
The light new frame design benefits installer handling as well as total system load on the roof as it reduces the weight for all 60- and 72-cell-modules significantly up to 5%. This also applies for the new 48-cell-module which is offered to the residential market and will be available also in a full-black edition. While the new design is allowing unchanged mechanical strength of the module, the slightly reduced module dimensions serve an increased power density.
All LDK Solar modules are now designed to withstand potential induced degradation (PID). Additionally the performance of LDK Solar modules under higher temperatures could be improved through an almost 7% lower temperature coefficient.
LDK Solar M power wafer technology provides reliable high performance
As LDK Solar is one of the world´s largest wafer manufacturers, module customers also benefit from the latest improvements of the wafer performance. Starting in 2012 with M2 power wafer technology, LDK Solar further developed the M power wafer technology for the new module generation now presented at Intersolar in Munich for the first time. Together with a special LDK cell process, the new M3 power wafer enables the multi-crystalline modules a cell efficiency of up to 19% leading to a total power of up to 270 Wp for 60-cell- and up to 310 Wp for 72-cell-modules.
Mr. Sam Tong, CEO of LDK Solar: "High performance and high efficiency are the key drivers for the introduction of any new product to the LDK portfolio. With our in-house R&D facilities and system experts we are dedicated to delivering ever increasing energy efficiency across the whole PV chain – from production, through logistics and finally installation, aimed at the lowest possible kW-hour generation cost. We always involve our customers as we develop new solutions and we thank them for their generous participation in our research."
LDK new module generation presented for the first time at Intersolar
The new LDK Solar modules will be presented for the first time at Intersolar in Munich, starting on June 19, 2013. Depending on the region, the final delivery will be later in Q2, and the beginning of Q3. For more information please visit the LDK Solar booth in hall A3, stand 150.
About LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK)
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) products. LDK Solar manufactures polysilicon, mono and multicrystalline ingots, wafers, cells, modules, systems, power projects and solutions. LDK Solar's headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities are located in Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province in the People's Republic of China. LDK Solar's office in the United States is located in Sunnyvale, California.
In Europe LDK Solar is represented with its Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland and has offices in Germany, Italy and Spain as well as sales representatives in France and the UK managing Sales, Marketing and Customer Service.
For more information about LDK Solar and its products, please visit us at Intersolar in Hall A3 at booth 150 or on the LDK Solar website www.ldksolar.com.
New lightest frame design and customer-focused features
The light new frame design benefits installer handling as well as total system load on the roof as it reduces the weight for all 60- and 72-cell-modules significantly up to 5%. This also applies for the new 48-cell-module which is offered to the residential market and will be available also in a full-black edition. While the new design is allowing unchanged mechanical strength of the module, the slightly reduced module dimensions serve an increased power density.
All LDK Solar modules are now designed to withstand potential induced degradation (PID). Additionally the performance of LDK Solar modules under higher temperatures could be improved through an almost 7% lower temperature coefficient.
LDK Solar M power wafer technology provides reliable high performance
As LDK Solar is one of the world´s largest wafer manufacturers, module customers also benefit from the latest improvements of the wafer performance. Starting in 2012 with M2 power wafer technology, LDK Solar further developed the M power wafer technology for the new module generation now presented at Intersolar in Munich for the first time. Together with a special LDK cell process, the new M3 power wafer enables the multi-crystalline modules a cell efficiency of up to 19% leading to a total power of up to 270 Wp for 60-cell- and up to 310 Wp for 72-cell-modules.
Mr. Sam Tong, CEO of LDK Solar: "High performance and high efficiency are the key drivers for the introduction of any new product to the LDK portfolio. With our in-house R&D facilities and system experts we are dedicated to delivering ever increasing energy efficiency across the whole PV chain – from production, through logistics and finally installation, aimed at the lowest possible kW-hour generation cost. We always involve our customers as we develop new solutions and we thank them for their generous participation in our research."
LDK new module generation presented for the first time at Intersolar
The new LDK Solar modules will be presented for the first time at Intersolar in Munich, starting on June 19, 2013. Depending on the region, the final delivery will be later in Q2, and the beginning of Q3. For more information please visit the LDK Solar booth in hall A3, stand 150.
About LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK)
LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) products. LDK Solar manufactures polysilicon, mono and multicrystalline ingots, wafers, cells, modules, systems, power projects and solutions. LDK Solar's headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities are located in Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province in the People's Republic of China. LDK Solar's office in the United States is located in Sunnyvale, California.
In Europe LDK Solar is represented with its Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland and has offices in Germany, Italy and Spain as well as sales representatives in France and the UK managing Sales, Marketing and Customer Service.
For more information about LDK Solar and its products, please visit us at Intersolar in Hall A3 at booth 150 or on the LDK Solar website www.ldksolar.com.
ShoEi Foods selects Cenergy Power to Design and Construct its 864 Kilowatt Solar System
MARYSVILLE, Calif., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ShoEi Foods, a global producer and processor of nuts and dried and frozen fruits has selected Cenergy Power to engineer and construct a large 864 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The sizeable solar system will be utilized to offset the local energy demand at their walnut processing facility in Marysville, California.
ShoEi selected Cenergy Power based on Cenergy's in-depth approach to various design alternatives and strong solar background in the commercial/ industrial space. Stretching over approximately 3 acres of ground space, the solar system is optimized to generate over 1.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean solar power annually, which will supplant the plant's current energy needs by +90% and provide an attractive 4-year unlevered return on investment.
"This is a great move for our company," says Don Soetaert Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of ShoEi USA. "We are getting ready to kick off construction on the project and are excited to reduce our overall power costs and contribute to industry sustainability."
About ShoEi Foods
ShoEi Foods USA (http://www.shoeiqd.com/EN/) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ShoEi Foods Corporation Tokyo which has twelve food plants in Japan, China and USA. In addition to growing and processing walnuts and prunes in the USA, ShoEi's wide product line accounts for $1 billion sales annually.
About Cenergy Power
Cenergy Power (www.cenergypower.com) is a leading solar integrator focused on delivering unmatched solar value in the large commercial and small utility markets across the United States. It is comprised of seasoned professionals in the areas of power engineering, construction management and project financing.
ShoEi selected Cenergy Power based on Cenergy's in-depth approach to various design alternatives and strong solar background in the commercial/ industrial space. Stretching over approximately 3 acres of ground space, the solar system is optimized to generate over 1.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean solar power annually, which will supplant the plant's current energy needs by +90% and provide an attractive 4-year unlevered return on investment.
"This is a great move for our company," says Don Soetaert Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of ShoEi USA. "We are getting ready to kick off construction on the project and are excited to reduce our overall power costs and contribute to industry sustainability."
About ShoEi Foods
ShoEi Foods USA (http://www.shoeiqd.com/EN/) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ShoEi Foods Corporation Tokyo which has twelve food plants in Japan, China and USA. In addition to growing and processing walnuts and prunes in the USA, ShoEi's wide product line accounts for $1 billion sales annually.
About Cenergy Power
Cenergy Power (www.cenergypower.com) is a leading solar integrator focused on delivering unmatched solar value in the large commercial and small utility markets across the United States. It is comprised of seasoned professionals in the areas of power engineering, construction management and project financing.
First Solar Announces Closing of Common Stock Offering
TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) (“First Solar”) today announced the closing of an underwritten public offering of 9,747,000 shares of its common stock, including 1,247,000 shares issued and sold as a result of the exercise of substantially all of the underwriters’ over-allotment option on June 17, 2013, at a public offering price of $46.00 per share. First Solar received approximately $427.7 million in net proceeds from the offering after underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. First Solar intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions of under development photovoltaic solar power system projects, investments in photovoltaic solar power system projects that will be jointly developed with strategic partners and capital expenditures or strategic investments to develop certain business units and expand in new geographies.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Credit Suisse, HSBC, Credit Agricole CIB and Goldman, Sachs & Co. also acted as book-running managers for the offering. Lazard Frères & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to First Solar.
The shares were offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 11, 2013. A final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering were filed with the SEC on June 13, 2013 and are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by calling (866) 803-9204, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at Prospectus Dept: 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attn: Prospectus Department, or by calling (866) 718-1649, or by emailing prospectus@morganstanley.com, BofA Merrill Lynch, 222 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, Attn: Prospectus Department or by emailing dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com or Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by calling (800) 831-9146.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems which use its module and systems technology. First Solar's integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Credit Suisse, HSBC, Credit Agricole CIB and Goldman, Sachs & Co. also acted as book-running managers for the offering. Lazard Frères & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to First Solar.
The shares were offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 11, 2013. A final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering were filed with the SEC on June 13, 2013 and are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by calling (866) 803-9204, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at Prospectus Dept: 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attn: Prospectus Department, or by calling (866) 718-1649, or by emailing prospectus@morganstanley.com, BofA Merrill Lynch, 222 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, Attn: Prospectus Department or by emailing dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com or Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by calling (800) 831-9146.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems which use its module and systems technology. First Solar's integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today.
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