CleanTechnica » Solar Cells http://cleantechnica.com Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:48:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 Tariffs-Smariffs, We Can Already Make the World’s Lowest Cost Solar Modules — Here In The US http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/tariffs-smariffs-can-already-make-worlds-lowest-cost-solar-modules-u-s/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/tariffs-smariffs-can-already-make-worlds-lowest-cost-solar-modules-u-s/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:33:36 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76920 By Brad Mattson, CEO Siva Power and author of The Solar Phoenix The stiff solar tariffs recently imposed by the US on Chinese panels have made quite a splash. I think it is great my government is pushing to level the playing field so more solar companies can make products from a technology we invented. However,

Tariffs-Smariffs, We Can Already Make the World’s Lowest Cost Solar Modules — Here In The US was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/tariffs-smariffs-can-already-make-worlds-lowest-cost-solar-modules-u-s/feed/ 22 Hanwha SolarOne, Solar Holdings, & Q CELLS Merging Into One Entity, Will Be Largest Solar Cell Manufacturer http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/hanwha-solarone-solar-holdings-q-cells-merging-one-entity-will-largest-solar-cell-manufacturer/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/hanwha-solarone-solar-holdings-q-cells-merging-one-entity-will-largest-solar-cell-manufacturer/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:29:16 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76879 There will soon be a new company claiming the title of largest solar cell manufacturer in the world, thanks to the recently announced upcoming merger of Hanwha SolarOne Co, Hanwha Solar Holdings Co, and Hanwha Q CELLS Investment into a single entity. The merger will see the creation of a business with a total production

Hanwha SolarOne, Solar Holdings, & Q CELLS Merging Into One Entity, Will Be Largest Solar Cell Manufacturer was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/hanwha-solarone-solar-holdings-q-cells-merging-one-entity-will-largest-solar-cell-manufacturer/feed/ 0 Ascent Solar’s EnerPlex™ Brand Now Available On BestBuy.com http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/ascent-solar-technologiess-enerplex-brand-now-available-bestbuy-com/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/ascent-solar-technologiess-enerplex-brand-now-available-bestbuy-com/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:13:47 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76877 The prominent flexible thin-film solar cell module developer/manufacturer Ascent Solar Technologies recently came to an agreement with Best Buy that will see the company’s EnerPlex™ line of products available on the retail company’s website, effective immediately. The move represents a notable step in the growing mainstreaming of solar energy technologies. Given the many potential advantages of

Ascent Solar’s EnerPlex™ Brand Now Available On BestBuy.com was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/29/ascent-solar-technologiess-enerplex-brand-now-available-bestbuy-com/feed/ 0 Photovoltaics Discovered In 1875: Interview With Author John Perlin http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/27/photovoltaics-discovered-1875-interview-author-john-perlin/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/27/photovoltaics-discovered-1875-interview-author-john-perlin/#comments Sat, 27 Dec 2014 08:30:22 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76851 This CleanTechnica miniseries about photovoltaics, celebrating the UN’s 2015 Year of Light, is the fourth article of seven. We continue our dialogue with physicist John Perlin, author of Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy. Perlin’s expertise on the subject provides an excellent archive for any person wishing to keep abreast of today’s

Photovoltaics Discovered In 1875: Interview With Author John Perlin was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/27/photovoltaics-discovered-1875-interview-author-john-perlin/feed/ 1 India’s Rolta Power Seeks Chinese Partner For Solar Cell Facility http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/25/indias-rolta-power-seeks-chinese-partner-solar-cell-facility/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/25/indias-rolta-power-seeks-chinese-partner-solar-cell-facility/#comments Thu, 25 Dec 2014 11:52:45 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76806 With the Indian government’s plan to mandate use of domestically manufactured solar power equipment, Indian companies are now planning long-term investments in the manufacturing sector. Rolta Power is looking to partner with a Chinese technology provider to set up a solar cell manufacturing facility. The initial capacity of the facility will be 60 MW and

India’s Rolta Power Seeks Chinese Partner For Solar Cell Facility was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/25/indias-rolta-power-seeks-chinese-partner-solar-cell-facility/feed/ 1 Hanergy Plans 300 MW CIGS Solar Module Manufacturing Facility In China http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/23/hanergy-plans-300-mw-cigs-solar-module-manufacturing-facility-china/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/23/hanergy-plans-300-mw-cigs-solar-module-manufacturing-facility-china/#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2014 19:07:32 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76762 After a slew of acquisitions in the thin-film solar power technology market, Hanergy is now taking steps to add them into its existing production infrastructure. The latest news is that thin-film solar module manufacturer Hanergy Thin-Film Power Group Limited plans to establish a 300 MW flexible CIGS manufacturing facility in Changde, which is located in the Hunan province

Hanergy Plans 300 MW CIGS Solar Module Manufacturing Facility In China was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/23/hanergy-plans-300-mw-cigs-solar-module-manufacturing-facility-china/feed/ 0 Surprises In NREL State Study Of Where Solar Is Most Economical http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/22/surprises-nrel-state-study-solar-economical/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/22/surprises-nrel-state-study-solar-economical/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2014 20:00:58 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76634 Originally published on Solar Love. State by state, the effects of going solar are influenced by much more than how much the state naturally enjoys sunshine throughout the year. Going solar, according to new research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, might be a more beneficial economic energy choice in states one does not expect to see at the top

Surprises In NREL State Study Of Where Solar Is Most Economical was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/22/surprises-nrel-state-study-solar-economical/feed/ 13 Calyxo To Launch New Thin Film Modules With Efficiencies Of Over 14% http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/19/calyxo-launch-new-thin-film-modules-efficiencies-14/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/19/calyxo-launch-new-thin-film-modules-efficiencies-14/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2014 20:00:57 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76575 Calyxo is one of the leading German manufacturers of CdTe based thin-film solar modules. The company also undertakes turnkey photovoltaic systems

Calyxo To Launch New Thin Film Modules With Efficiencies Of Over 14% was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/19/calyxo-launch-new-thin-film-modules-efficiencies-14/feed/ 0 New Solar Cell Can Handle The Force Of 1,000 Suns http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/new-solar-cell-can-handle-force-1000-suns/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/new-solar-cell-can-handle-force-1000-suns/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:43:41 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76474 A new solar cell from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is designed for a concentration of 1,000 suns and can reach 45.7 percent efficiency

New Solar Cell Can Handle The Force Of 1,000 Suns was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/new-solar-cell-can-handle-force-1000-suns/feed/ 28 $16 Million For “Off Grid Electric” From SolarCity http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/16-million-grid-electric-solarcity/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/16-million-grid-electric-solarcity/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 11:19:09 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76377 “Off Grid Electric” explains that it delivers 50 times more light for less money than the norm in the markets it serves. The people it supplies are often using kerosene lamps to light their homes. Furthermore, it is more than light that these people need. Pre-pay solar energy from Off Grid Electric gives them electricity to charge

$16 Million For “Off Grid Electric” From SolarCity was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/16-million-grid-electric-solarcity/feed/ 6 US Could Slap 165% Trade Duties On Chinese Solar http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/us-slap-165-trade-duties-chinese-solar/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/us-slap-165-trade-duties-chinese-solar/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:31:35 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76457 The US Department of Commerce has been deliberating over imposing duties on Chinese and Taiwanese solar PV imports for over half the year, but on Tuesday the Department finally announced its decision to penalize all Chinese shipments at a base rate of 165%, which could see duties jump past 200% in some cases. Specifics of the announcement

US Could Slap 165% Trade Duties On Chinese Solar was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/us-slap-165-trade-duties-chinese-solar/feed/ 17 The Pathway To Today’s Solar Revolution: Discovering The Photosensitivity Of Selenium http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/pathway-todays-solar-revolution-discovering-photosensitivity-selenium/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/pathway-todays-solar-revolution-discovering-photosensitivity-selenium/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:17:07 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76454 This article is the launch of a CleanTechnica miniseries with physicist John Perlin, focusing on the discovery of photosensitivity. Our dialogue is based on Perlin’s book, Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy. For any person wishing to keep abreast of today’s solar revolution, Perlin’s expertise on the subject provides an excellent archive. And as

The Pathway To Today’s Solar Revolution: Discovering The Photosensitivity Of Selenium was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/pathway-todays-solar-revolution-discovering-photosensitivity-selenium/feed/ 0 How Substantial Are PetersenDean’s Allegations Against SEIA? http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/how-substantial-are-petersendeans-allegations/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/how-substantial-are-petersendeans-allegations/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:05:17 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76450 Originally published on the ECOreport. PetersenDean claims that 7 of the 11 Board members displayed on Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) website are from  “Chinese-based manufacturing and affiliated companies” and SEIA represents Chinese rather than American interests. It is calling upon the Board to resign and is “asking for an ethics investigation under the SEIA by-laws, including Article 10.”

How Substantial Are PetersenDean’s Allegations Against SEIA? was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/how-substantial-are-petersendeans-allegations/feed/ 0 New Tandem Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency Record Set By PhD Student http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/new-tandem-thin-film-silicon-solar-cell-efficiency-record-set-phd-student/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/new-tandem-thin-film-silicon-solar-cell-efficiency-record-set-phd-student/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:58:31 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76445 A new tandem thin-film silicon solar cell efficiency record was recently set by a PhD student at TU Delft by the name of Hairen Tan. The new record conversion efficiency of 14.8% was achieved via the use of a variety of “innovative techniques” for which Tan was awarded the Young Research Award at the 6th

New Tandem Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency Record Set By PhD Student was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/new-tandem-thin-film-silicon-solar-cell-efficiency-record-set-phd-student/feed/ 1 Author John Perlin & The Solar Cell http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/author-john-perlin-solar-cell/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/author-john-perlin-solar-cell/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:59:15 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76218 In a discussion today about solar energy and the coming Year of Light, author John Perlin helped enlighten me about the importance of the solar cell (photovoltaic systems) as a source for renewable electrical energy. What is the single most significant consideration in designing a PV system, as opposed to a solar thermal system that

Author John Perlin & The Solar Cell was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/author-john-perlin-solar-cell/feed/ 0 Australian Team Sets New Solar PV Efficiency Record http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/australian-team-sets-new-solar-pv-efficiency-record/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/australian-team-sets-new-solar-pv-efficiency-record/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2014 21:27:13 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76199 Originally published on RenewEconomy. By Sophie Vorrath An ARENA-funded solar research team at the University of New South Wales has recorded the highest efficiency for a PV system ever reported, converting over 40 per cent of sunlight into electricity, with an innovative take on Australian-designed solar tower technology. The team achieved 40.1 per cent efficiency

Australian Team Sets New Solar PV Efficiency Record was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/australian-team-sets-new-solar-pv-efficiency-record/feed/ 6 Testimonies Coming Out Of The US Anti-Dumping Hearings (Updated) http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/testimonies-coming-us-anti-dumping-hearings/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/testimonies-coming-us-anti-dumping-hearings/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:24:39 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76148 More than 20 US companies, including Sharp Solar, Evergreen, and Schott, have gone under because of the flood of cheap Chinese solar modules, according to testimony at US anti-dumping hearings

Testimonies Coming Out Of The US Anti-Dumping Hearings (Updated) was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/testimonies-coming-us-anti-dumping-hearings/feed/ 6 Crazy Steampunk Contraption Shoots Out Low Cost Solar Cells http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/08/steampunk-contraption-shoots-low-cost-solar-cells/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/08/steampunk-contraption-shoots-low-cost-solar-cells/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:16:11 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76031 A research team at the University of Toronto has cobbled together a crazy steampunk contraption that shoots out spray-on, low cost solar cells

Crazy Steampunk Contraption Shoots Out Low Cost Solar Cells was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/08/steampunk-contraption-shoots-low-cost-solar-cells/feed/ 7 Solar Cell Maker GCL-Poly Energy Sells Production Facilities For $1.3 Billion http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/05/solar-cell-maker-gcl-poly-energy-sells-production-facilities-1-3-billion/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/05/solar-cell-maker-gcl-poly-energy-sells-production-facilities-1-3-billion/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:19:14 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75919 GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited has debt of about $6 billion on its balance sheet which it plans to reduce by selling at least some of its production facilities of polysilicon wafers. One of China’s and the world’s largest solar power equipment manufacturers, GCL-Poly Energy [PDF], has announced its plans to sell seven of its polysilicon

Solar Cell Maker GCL-Poly Energy Sells Production Facilities For $1.3 Billion was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/05/solar-cell-maker-gcl-poly-energy-sells-production-facilities-1-3-billion/feed/ 2 New Solar Cell Efficiency Record Set At 46% http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/03/new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-set-46/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/03/new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-set-46/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2014 18:00:13 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75851 Originally published on RenewEconomy. A new world record for the conversion of sunlight into electricity has been established in Europe, after a multi-junction solar cell developed through a French-German collaboration achieved 46 per cent efficiency – up from 43.6%. The record was achieved using a four-junction cell, developed by Soitec and CEA-Leti in France, together

New Solar Cell Efficiency Record Set At 46% was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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