Sharp Corp announced it has developed a more efficient thin-film silicon solar cell and will begin commercial production in May in Japan.
By using a three-layer cell instead of a conventional two-layer cell, Sharp can increase the efficiency for converting solar energy to electricity from 8.6 percent to 10%.
First Solar announced it would expand production to 100MW capacity with a new four-line solar module manufacturing plant in Kedah, Malaysia. The $150 million plant is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2008 and will employ about 500 people.
The company has received a 15-year income tax exemption from the Malaysian government as an incentive for locating there.
The company currently operates a 75MW plant in Ohio and is completing a 100MW plant in Germany.
Global Solar Energy announced it would invest approximately EUR 30 million to build a CIGS thin-film solar cell plant in Germany. Production is expected to begin in early 2008. The company also announced it would increase capacity at its Tucson, Arizona plant from 4MW to 40MW.
Global Solar says it has sold 80% of its planned 2008 production of 40 megawatts. Its largest customer is Germany’s SOLON AG, which holds a stake in the company.
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