SolarSummary: March 18-24, 2003

by Kirsten Elder

Companies in the news

ATS Automation: http://www.atsautomation.com

BP Solar: www.bpsolar.com

Carmanah Technologies: www.carmanah.com

Duke Solar: www.dukesolar.com

Evergreen Solar: www.evergreensolar.com

Photowatt (ATS Automation): www.photowatt.com

Shell Solar: www.shell.com/solar

SunWize Technologies: www.sunwize.com

Xantrex Technologies: www.xantrex.com

Emerging Technologies

BP Solar has announced it has achieved a world record in solar cell efficiency for a 125mm size cell. The 18.3 percent efficiency was verified by the Fraunhofer Institut Solare Energiesysteme in Germany. The 18.3 percent efficiency represents an 11 percent improvement over the 16.5 percent efficiency currently available with Saturn solar cells. The new premium solar cell technology will form the basis for the new BP Solar Tres Cantos facility in Madrid, Spain, as well as underpinning efficiency improvements at the existing Alcobendas facility near Madrid. (Solarbuzz.com, 24/03/03)

New Products

Xantrex Technology Inc. has completed its first financing deal in collaboration with Vermont Solar Engineering, a certified Xantrex dealer. Xantrex’ Renewable Energy Financing Program will make it possible for Vermont Solar Engineering’s customers to purchase a solar electric system for their new rural home. Administered through Thalman Financial, the program enables a customised payment schedule of monthly installments for customers at very competitive rates. (SolarAccess.com, 21/03/03)

Applications

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada has voted to ratify contracts between Duke Solar Energy, Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co. in what will be one of the largest solar power projects in the US. Duke will construct the Eldorado Solar Electric Generating Station to generate solar power for the utilities enabling them to comply with state law. The power plant will provide 50 MW of generating capacity to the two utilities for 15 to 17 cents a kW hour over 20 years. (Review Journal via Solarbuzz.com, 24/03/03)

Shell Solar and SunWize Technologies have completed a 1.76-kW solar power system for the US Fish and Wildlife Service at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge in Southern California. The system, designed and manufactured by SunWize, uses Shell Solar 110-watt solar modules to operate a variety of loads for the research station located at the preserve. (SolarAccess.com, 20/03/03)

Markets

A memorandum of understanding was signed by US energy secretary Spencer Abraham and Britains industry secretary Patricia Hewitt to increase collaboration in fossil fuel energies, waste management and the environment, and energy end-use technologies. It will allow the two countries to exchange information in the fields of clean coal technology, fuel diversity, environmental protection and energy security. Along with fossil energy collaboration, the agreement will allow the two nations to pursue advancements in renewable energy. (Refocus Weekly, 19/03/03)

An amount of $2.9 million has been granted for the provision of solar energy for 1,871 homes in the three northern regions of Ghana, and some parts of the Brong Ahafo Region. The Minister of Energy said the project has been funded by the government, in collaboration with the UNDP. (Ghana Web via Solarbuzz.com, 20/03/03)

Policy and Incentives

The Colorado Renewable Energy Standard legislation (HB 1295) has been defeated in the Senate Business Affairs & Labour Committee, due to opposition from three Republican senators and one Democrat. The legislation would have promoted the development of renewables by creating a web-based resource centre, a forum for landowners to meet and develop their wind resources, and studies on the economic development potential of renewable energy sources. It would require the public utilities commission to establish a renewable portfolio standard under which suppliers would source 500 MW of green power by 2006, 900 MW by 2010 and 1,800 MW by 2020. (Refocus Weekly, 19/03/03)

Industry Reports and Events

Just under US$1.1 billion was invested in 179 emerging clean technology companies in 2002, according to the most recent issue of the Cleantech Venture Monitor released Friday 21^st. At 5.1 percent of overall venture capital activity last year, about 1 in every 20 deals was in the clean technology space, from solar energy to water purification, according to the report. Clean technology is now the sixth largest venture category. (SolarAccess.com, 21/03/03)

The Florida Solar Energy Centre (FSEC) is presenting a seminar on “The Basics of Using Solar Energy in Disasters” on March 21 at FSEC in Cocoa. The program will provide strategies for communities and relief organisations to implement in response to and recovery from disasters. (SolarAccess.com, 19/03/03)

Corporate News

Evergreen Sola
r, Inc. has announced that it has signed a Purchase Agreement for a private placement equity financing of $29.475 million of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and a warrant. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of approximately $28.3 million to substantially expand its manufacturing capacity, to strengthen its sales initiatives, and to support its research and development activities. (Evergreen Solar, 24/03/03)

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. has announced that its Photowatt subsidiary has been awarded a major contract for the supply of solar PV modules over the next 12 months with an estimated value of $31.1 million. The customer has not been named but is said to be a leading international solar systems supplier and installer. The solar modules will be manufactured and sold by the Company’s Photowatt International S.A. subsidiary located in France over the next twelve months. (Solarbuzz.com, 19/03/03)

In the news again, ATS Automation has said it plans to start producing low-cost solar cells by November, stating that at current energy prices the company could generate sales of about C$85 million ($57 million) in the first year of solar cell sales. Although ATS believes its technology is substantially less expensive due to cheaper raw materials and production methods, the company couldnt say by how much due to competitive reasons. Spheral Solar Power, a subsidiary of ATS that is spearheading the commercialisation of the Spheral Solar Technology, said the production factory should be ready by summer. (Morning Star via Solarbuzz.com, 24/03/03)

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has selected Carmanah Technologies Corporation’s i-Stop, a new solar-powered bus stop illumination system, for their “Enhanced Service Routes.” Atlanta’s CAD$125,000 (US$85,000) purchase marks the largest and most prominent installation of i-STOP systems since the product’s market introduction in September of 2002. (SolarAccess.com, 19/03/03)

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