First Solar skunk works

[Sunnyvale, California USA]

CdTe development or CIGS entry?

I started looking for the First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) research outpost in Silicon Valley sometime after the defection of Solyndra Chief Scientist Markus Beck to the Chief Technologist position at the world’s number one photovoltaic (PV) and thin film module manufacturer.

Willard & Kelsey Solar uncloaked by lawsuit

EquiSolar International, Inc. filed the breech of contract suit seeking $14.9 million.
Juicy Photovoltaic (PV) innuendo for the New Year.

“Solar panel start-up target of $14.9M suit” by Jon Chavez at The Toledo Blade said:

Karen W. "Kay" Stripling, who lists herself as a consultant and owner of Equisolar International Inc., of Marianna, Fla., alleges Willard & Kelsey breached its contract with her by defaulting on its deal with the buyer, and thereby denying her a commission.

After arranging a 100 MW (MegaWatt) CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) thin cell PV module deal valued at $230 million with an unnamed Italian solar company, Ms. Stripling alleges Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC also known as WK Solar Group, LLC: "knowingly and repeatedly" misrepresented its ability to produce solar panels...

First Solar Sarnia Project Ramping

Construction ramps in September and installation of more than 330000 photovoltaic modules (~20 MegaWatts AC) is slated for year end 2009. Project completion is expected in 2010 after a winter break. “Work on largest solar farm ramps up” by Shawn Jeffords for The Observer discusses an open house held by First Solar last week to allay community concerns about their ambitious plans. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) sought to rezone about 65 acres near Churchill Road from rural to industrial use in May and received Sarnia City Council approval in June. View Sarnia1.kmz in a… Read More >>

PVSC 33 Opens

[San Diego, California USA]

First Solar dominates the Keynotes.

The 33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC 33) opened on Monday, May 12, 2008, with two Keynote Sessions. Although I arrived on time for once, the conference was opened earlier than the planned 8:30AM start by Conference Chair, Dr. Timothy J Coutts.

SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) President Rhone Resch’s forty minute address, The US Solar Revolution, highlighted Keynote Session I. As usual, the ITC or Investment Tax Credit extensions were the focus policies. The SEIA is seeking:

• 8 year, 30%, solar ITC extension for business
• 6 year, 30%, solar ITC extension for residential (eliminate the $2000 cap)

Solar Light Flashes: February 10, 2008

Select Photovoltaic News Tidbits

This is the first Solar Light Flashes of 2008. Somehow, I didn’t have anything to report on a company name starting with the letter “S”, the most popular first letter for “s”olar companies.

AE Polysilicon

An AE Polysilicon DEP Resolution concerning a sewer module was approved at a Special Meeting of the Falls Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, January 22, 2008. An online video of the vote on AE Polysilicon resolution 08-06 is available at the Falls Township Board Of Supervisors Meeting - January 22, 2008. Click on:

Part 1 of 1 - 6:32pm to 6:57pm

Solar Power 2007: Discussion Panels Aplenty – Part 3

Cost Competitiveness, CEO Panel, and Solar Stocks

To recap, Solar Power 2007: Discussion Panels Aplenty – Part 2 covered the CEO Panel Discussion with topics ranging from the Photovoltaic (PV) Industry Outlook to Silicon.

Part 3, the last installment of this series, tackles the Investing in Solar Stocks: What You Need to Know session moderated by Rob Stone, Cowen and Company with speakers:

Joe McNay, Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Principal, Essex Investment Management CompanyJesse Pichel, Vice President and Sr. Research Analyst, PiperJaffraySanjay Shrestha, Managing Director and Senior Alternative Energy Analyst, Lazard

German International School of Silicon Valley goes Phoenix Solar

[Mountain View, CA USA]

German Parliamentary State Secretary Ulrich Kasparick inaugurates donated 18kWp Photovoltaic system

On Thursday, October 4, 2007, the German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) celebrated the inauguration of their new roof mounted and grid connected 18kWp (kiloWatt-peak) Photovoltaic (PV) system together with Invest in Germany, Mr. Ulrich Kasparick, the German Parliamentary State Secretary of Transport, Building, and Urban Development, Manfred Stolpe, former Premier of Brandenburg and Federal Minister, the GISSV community, Friends of GISSV, and invited guests.

The GISSV students and staff scooped the story, Photovoltaic system has been initiated with a photo slideshow, and