Wednesday, 27th of August 2008
Wednesday, 27th of August 2008
"solar power" — 2 posts
Kyocera to Reduce Solar Cell Thickness and Expand
by DeanD — Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

If you can't make thin cells efficient fast enough, why not make efficient silicon solar cells thinner? Using the latest advances in silicon slicing and wafer coating, Kyocera plans to do just that. The company will manufacture solar cells that are 180 micrometers thick, down from the industry's standard 200 to 260 micrometers.

However, don't expect solar cell efficiency to go down, as the company intends to improve in this area as well. In October of 2006, the company's 18.5 percent efficiency set a new world record. The plan is to increase production significantly without increasing consumption. With long-term contracts already set with Kyocera's suppliers, the company is poised to accomplish its goal to mass produce the thinner solar cells by March of 2010.

Kyocera, based in Japan, is a solar manufacturer known for innovative research and development efforts. It was the first company to mass produce multicrystalline silicon solar cells using today's industry standard casting method.

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Silicon Valley and Solar Technology = Solar Valley
by DeanD — Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
According to the New York Times, we may be on the brink of a new phase of solar innovation: Solar Valley. With San Jose-based Nanosolar and SunPower Corporation and Campbell-based REgrid in on the solar action, the bandwagon may spread to make Silicon Valley a solar industry capital.

Silicon Valley is poised to stand out for numerous reasons. As exemplified above, it’s where the big guns come out to play. Smaller companies, such as Ausra, soon follow suit. Originally based in Australia, Ausra offers solar thermal electric power stations for utilities. Also, financial observers see the commonality between the solar cell and the computer chip that once made Silicon Valley soar. There’s also the promise of mass adoption by companies such as SolarCity in Foster City, which looks toward future innovations that will eventually make solar power more affordable and ubiquitous.

Consumer behavior can be fickle, but concern for the environment is looking to become more a lifestyle than a trend. It’s a lifestyle that solar panels definitely fit into, especially when they’re built to last. With solar research generating new solar products and possibilities, government support in the form of incentives, and growing public interest, investors are paying attention and hoping that Solar Valley will not become another Silicon Valley bust.
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