• Saturday, November 21, 2009 Latest Update: 4:29PM

Greentech Solar

Featured Content:

Growth, Market Share and Dynamic Change in The PV Inverter Industry

The PV inverter market, once short of innovation, has seen a surge of investment in the last few years.  Spurred by startup advances, established firms like SMA, Satcon, and National Semiconductor are developing new distributed PV electronics technologies in-house or through acquisition. This Special Report from Greentech Media, sponsored by Enphase Energy, takes a look at the state of innovation in the inverter market, VC investment activity, and the emerging leaders in the $2.4 billion PV inverter market.

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As the price of PV falls, the technology will become more competitively priced in Europe and the U.S. before its prices are competitive in China.

Hot Startup »

Solar Startup Solasta Seeks Next Round

The solar firm was founded in 2006 with A round funding from Kleiner Perkins and claims its process could increase the efficiency of conventional amorphous silicon PV by up to 150 percent.

Solar

  • Despite Solar Slump, Tokuyama Plans New Factory

    The Japanese silicon maker wants to build a second factory at a time when silicon producer Hoku is putting itself up for sale and SilPro is liquidating assets.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang August 11, 2009
  • Video: Inside the Labs With Applied Materials

    Forget what some analysts say, says Charlie Gay at Applied Materials. Amorphous silicon is here for good.

    Solar

    Michael Kanellos August 11, 2009
  • A CIGS Factory-in-a-Box?

    Germany’ Centrotherm Photovoltaics has begun selling equipment to make CIGS solar cells. Most everyone else has spent millions to get to that point.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang August 10, 2009
  • Solar Panel Glut Could Last Until 2012, Says Report

    Solar panel makers aren’t slowing down their production enough despite the lackluster market demand. Almost half of the solar panels made in 2009 would sit in warehouses, says iSuppli.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang August 10, 2009
  • Applied Materials Designs Mounting System for Supersized Panels

    The thin-film factory equipment maker plans to release a reference design to help speed up the adoption of its customers’ ultra-large amorphous silicon solar panels.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang August 6, 2009
  • Of PV and ‘Buy American’

    This excerpt from GTM Research’s upcoming report U.S. PV manufacturing takes a closer look at the ARRA’s “Buy American” clause and assesses its possible ramifications for the industry.

    Solar

    Shyam Mehta August 5, 2009
  • Solar on a Budget: NuvoSun Hits 11.8 Efficiency With CIGS

    Miasole founder Dave Pearce’s new company has put a prototype facility together with used equipment. We go inside.

    Startups

    Michael Kanellos August 5, 2009
  • eSolar Shows Off Its Solar Thermal Tower

    The next generation of solar thermal technology gets its debut in the U.S. today. Is it the future?

    Projects

    Michael Kanellos August 5, 2009
  • TSMC Goes Shopping for Solar

    The world’s largest contract chipmaker wants to buy its way into the solar market. What are its options?

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang August 4, 2009
  • Renewable Ventures Secures $200M for Solar

    The project developer, now part of Fotowatio, says it has enough funds to finance about 35 megawatts of projects. Meanwhile, Borrego Solar says it has lined up $30 million to make solar more affordable.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang August 3, 2009
  • Feds Now Accepting Applications for Solar, Wind

    The U.S. government plans to dole out roughly $3 billion to renewable energy companies willing to forgo a tax credit in exchange for cash payments.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 31, 2009
  • Army Offers 14,000 Acres for Solar

    Clark Energy Group and Acciona Solar Power plan to build 500 megawatts of solar power projects at Fort Irwin in California and sell electricity to utilities.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 31, 2009
  • First Solar Fears Competition From Silicon Panel Makers

    First Solar, which makes cadmium-telluride solar panels, plans to offer rebates to customers in Germany to better compete with producers of silicon panels.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 30, 2009
  • Xcel Looks for Grid Upkeep Fee From Solar Customers

    The Colorado utility has proposed to impose a fee on owners of solar energy systems, many of whom don’t pay for grid maintenance even though they still rely on the grid.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 30, 2009
  • DOE Looks for Submissions for $30B Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees

    The federal government has announced two funding programs for renewable energy, including biofuel, and transmission grid projects.

    Policy

    Ucilia Wang July 29, 2009
  • New Jersey Utility Approved to Install 80MW of Solar for $515M

    PSE&G receives regulatory approval to add enough solar power projects to double New Jersey’s solar generation capacity. Startup Petra Solar is among the beneficiaries.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 29, 2009
  • Roofing Giant Johns Manville Enters Solar Market

    Johns Manville, which has set up a new company to market eco-friendly roofing materials products. Will flat Walmart roofs become solar generators?

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 29, 2009
  • Contract Silicon Price Falls 50%, Close to Spot Price

    Many solar cell and panel makers have renegotiated or canceled contracts, leading to prices that make it possible for panel makers to sell their products at below $2 per watt, said New Energy Finance.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 28, 2009
  • Mitsubishi Unveils Poly-Si Solar Cell With 18% Efficiency

    The company has developed a polycrystalline Si solar cell whose area is 15 x 15cm, thickness is 100μm and photoelectric conversion efficiency is 18 percent.

    Solar

    Tech-On! July 28, 2009
  • SunRun Snags $18M to Keep Muni Competitors Away

    The solar financial provider wants to step up its marketing efforts in order to compete with cities that also are offering financial help to homeowners who can’t afford the upfront installation costs.

    Solar

    Ucilia Wang July 27, 2009
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