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Self-Repair Solar Cells Pass the Test
'); document.write('published on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:58 GMT
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MIT\'s Michael Strano says when sunlight hits oxygen the result is damaging. It\'s the reason nearly everything degrades including aging human bodies as well as solar cells. Researchers are tackling this problem by working on biological solar cells that are self-repairing and self-assembling.

They are testing these biological solar cells by using various chemicals and testing them. They\'re finding that these cells are repairing and reassembling themselves when exposed to certain chemicals.

All this is adding up to possible future solar cells that can be used in manufacturing panels, films, etc that will repair the damaging the sun\'s damaging effects. Cells lasting longer will strengthen solar applications leading to even further technological testing and advances.

More info about these self-repair bio solar cells at Discover Magazine.
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Forcing mismatched elements together could yield better solar cells
'); document.write('published on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:00 GMT
'); document.write('In what could be a step toward higher efficiency solar cells, researchers have invalidated the most commonly used model to explain the behavior of a unique class of materials called highly mismatched alloys.

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New Solar Video: Solar Communities Are Sustainable
'); document.write('published on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:57 GMT
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September 8, 2010

We?re happy to announce our second video in our solar webinar video series: Solar Communities are Sustainable!

What does sustainability mean exactly? According to Wikipedia, sustainability is the capacity to endure, to last.

In this second solar video, SunRun co-founders Ed Fenster & Lynn Jurich discuss the ways in which communities that use solar power are sustainable. They discuss home solar as not only a clean and cost-effective alternative to electricity from the utility, but one that stimulates local job creation.

With home solar power systems, there?s no need to spend extra money or resources building new transmission lines or power plants. In fact, grid-connected solar systems help reinforce the grid by reducing the strain on the utility grid at times of peak demand. Getting your electricity from a home solar system is also smart and easy ? home solar power is produced where and when you need it most ? at home, during the day.

Watch the video below to hear Ed & Lynn?s thoughts on sustainable solar communities, as well as their answers to questions submitted by viewers. Do you have your own question for Ed & Lynn? Email questions@sunrunhome.com and stay tuned for the next webinar!

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Mariner Oil Explosion: Dangers of Drilling & Turning to Renewables
'); document.write('published on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:23 GMT
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September 8, 2010

$\"Mariner$ Last week, an oil platform owned by Mariner Energy Inc. burst into flames in the Gulf of Mexico, just 200 miles west of the BP oil spill site. Unlike the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion, no one was killed this time. However, despite the absence of fatalities, we can?t dismiss that oil drilling is a dangerous and unhealthy way to obtain energy.

In a statement after the Mariner platform fire, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg called the latest Gulf fire ?further proof that offshore drilling is an inherently dangerous practice.? Massachusetts Representative Edward Markey highlighted the risks of offshore drilling, stating ?that ?much is left to be done to keep America?s workers and waters safe from those risks.?

Whether and how this impacts the oil industry still remains uncertain. If the oil industry proves that it has improved safety and containment for future possible oil spills, Oofficials from the Department of the Interior have said that the deepwater drilling ban may be lifted on the expected date of November 30^th.

Although the platform fire occurred in shallow water and all 13 crew members were rescued, it?s clear that drilling is dangerous and detrimental to human health and the environment. ?How many accidents are needed and how much environmental and economic damage must we suffer before we act to contain and control the source of the danger: offshore drilling?? asked New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone.

While the future of the oil industry remains murky, that of clean, renewable energy is bright. Home solar is one of the cleanest and most affordable ways to power your home. It?s green, locally produced on your roof, and, best of all, safe. After all, what do they call a solar spill? A sunny day.

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Jimmy Carter Solar Panel Heads Back to White House
'); document.write('published on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:11 GMT
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$\"white$ In a time when little to nothing is getting done about climate change at the legislative level, much of the efforts of the frustrated environmental movement must be symbolic in nature. Such is the mood and motive of Bill Mckibben, and others en route to Washington D.C. with one of the now-legendary Jimmy Carter solar panels that once graced the White House roof.

The Carter Panel Movement, we\'ll call it, is an effort to re-raise awareness about climate change and our immediate environment, as well as the solutions already within our reach for solving (or at least curbing) these eco-systemic problems.

The White House solar story goes something like this.

In the late 1970s, President Jimmy Carter and Congress enacted incentives for renewable energy very similar to what we\'ve seen over the past decade. Carter also installed a solar hot water system on the White House roof. However, when Ronald Reagan entered office, the focus changed quickly from renewable energy back to oil, coal and fossil fuels. Reagan even went so far as to remove Carter\'s solar panels from the White House roof (not to mention help kill federal solar incentives, setting the industry back about two decades).

In a somewhat odd twist, solar was once again revived at the White House by George W. Bush, who very quietly installed solar thermal systems on the presidential spa and on a maintenance shed. Now Sungevity, a San Francisco Bay Area solar installer, is offering the Obama family free installation of a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system on the actual White House, a more than $100,000 donation that would see 17.85 kilowatts (kW) of solar electricity pumped into the very large, very power-hungry building. The panels would provide up to 81 percent of the First Family\'s power needs.

$\"white$

It\'s an obvious offer one couldn\'t refuse, right? Well, Obama hasn\'t refused it, but he hasn\'t accepted it either. This, in part, is why Bill Mckibben and cohorts are on their way to D.C. from Maine with a Carter-era solar collector, which, by the way, has been producing solar hot water for the three decades since Carter installed it (for Unity College in Maine rather than the White House).

It, much like the Sungevity offer, is a symbolic effort to put solar power and renewable energy back on the forefront of the President\'s mind, and at the top of his home. The power of White House symbolism to do that, notes Mckibben, is evidenced by the White House Garden. After Michelle Obama very publicly planted it shortly after occupying the house, seed sales increased nationwide by 30 percent over the following year. What would happen if President Obama very publicly and very proudly unveiled a hundred-solar-panel array on the White House roof ? in plain view for all to see? The PR ripples would be felt the world round and could boost the excitement level needed to maintain an active, successful climate movement over. For the next two years, we\'ll likely be in limbo on climate change in Congress following this summer\'s epic failure ? even amid the worst environmental catastrophe in U.S. history. A movement like this is much, much needed.

Sungevity, Bill Mckibben and others want Obama to agree to install the panels by October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), a day that is being transformed into a Global Work Party focused on clean energy and sustainability. Why Obama has not accepted the Sungevity offer is unclear, given his ostensibly strong support of renewable energy (although his lack of leadership in this summer\'s congressional climate change fight has been widely criticized).

Perhaps Mckibben, with Jimmy Carter\'s solar panel in tow, can lead the way.

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Jobs In Solar: Laboratory Manager (Solar Lab) (Stony Brook, NY)
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:42 GMT
'); document.write('Date: 2010-09-07, 2:47PM EDT
Reply to: job-twpvs-1941334161@craigslist.org

Company description

Idalia Solar Technologies is an early-stage startup developing dye sensitized solar cell technology. Our goal is nothing less than to increase accessibility to clean energy around the globe. We will accomplish this through the design of new cells that will be lower in material and processing costs than traditional silicon solar cells.

The focus of our company and recruitment efforts is strong science. We invite bright and creative minds to consider becoming part of the early team.

Idalia labs are located in Stony Brook, NY.

Job Description

Idalia is seeking a well-organized Laboratory Manager to implement current experiments and contribute to the design of future processes, establish and maintain test capabilities and processes, maintain and improve lab practices and procedures necessary to validate and qualify new products, and to stay current and comply with all certification requirements; adherence to strict safety standards to be maintained throughout.

Duties will include development of trial formulations, facilitating scale up from lab to pilot trials, and contributing to design of new products from concept to launch.

This position reports directly to the VP of Research and Development.

We seek a motivated individual with the following

Required Education/Experience

MS/PhD in Chemistry, Material Science, or closely related field.
4-6 years relevant solar industry experience preferred

Competencies

-Chemical synthesis
-Vacuum depositon
-Optical and electrical characterization
-Durability testing
-Grant writing
-Management experience a plus.

Idalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer
- Location: Stony Brook, NY
- Compensation: Competitive, with benefits. Commensurate with experience.
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Record-Breaking Solar Cell Efficiency for Oerlikon, Corning
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:50 GMT
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$\"thinfab$

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has confirmed results for a record-breaking conversion efficiency in solar cell technology. Oerlikon Solar and Corning Incorporated have combined technologies to produce a tandem solar cell using thin-film silicon. Oerlikon\'s proprietary Micromorph® solar cells and Corning\'s specialty, advanced light-capturing glass combined to achieve 11.9-percent stabilized conversion efficiency in NREL tests.

That efficiency beats out the previous record of 11.7 percent in 2004. This is the latest advancement in Oerlikon\'s ThinFab line of solar panels, which, according to the company, have also achieved a world record in production cost per watt at 50 euro cents per watt-peak (about $0.64 USD).

Micromorph technology is itself an advancement on amorphous silicon solar cells (a-Si cells). Put simply, a-Si cells consist of a thin layer of silicon deposited onto a transparent conductive oxide (TCO). Oerlikon\'s Micromorph technology adds another layer in tandem with the first. This added microcrystalline absorber enables the solar cell to absorb a wider spectrum of light, edging into the red and near-infrared spectrum which conventional silicon solar cells cannot do. According to Germany-based Oerlikon this extra absorption increases cell conversion efficiency (the rate at which sunlight is converted into electricity), by 30 percent.

Corning Inc.\'s proprietary glass, or glazing, technology ensures that a higher amount of light is available for absorption by the solar cells beneath it. It is in this way that the two companies continue to make advancements in thin-film silicon.

Low production costs have long been a point of pride for thin-film technologies. Last year, American firm First Solar broke the coveted $1.00/watt barrier (now residing at about $0.76/watt) for its cadmium telluride solar cells (CdTe). $\"thinfab$ Yet low conversion efficiency has been the only factor preventing thin-film products from surpassing their crystalline silicon predecessors, which still dominate more than 90 percent of the global solar market.

However, with efficiencies nearing 12 percent and production costs approaching a half dollar, the gap continues to close between first- and second-generation technologies. Most crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules on the market produce at efficiencies between 15 and 20 percent, but cost well over $1.00 per watt to manufacture. a-Si products use much less silicon and are cheaper to produce than conventional panels. It\'s for this reason ? and based on advancements such as Oerlikon and Corning\'s ? that thin-film solar cells are expected to take over dominance of the solar market within the next decade, depending on a variety of technological and commercial factors.

Oerlikon Solar is presenting its record-breaking Micromorph technology this week at the 25th Annual European Photovoltaics Solar Energy Conference in Valencia, Spain.

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AEG Power Solutions Marks Technological Breakthrough in Polysilicon Production Efficiency
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:21 GMT
'); document.write('VALENCIA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS) (Amsterdam:3WP) introduces its new Thyrobox? PI power system which will set new efficiency standards in polysilicon production. The new Thyrobox? is unveiled for the first time at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (Feria Valencia, Valencia, Spain,).
Using proprietary technology developed by AEG PS, the Thyrobox? PI, allows manufacturers of polysilicon, to increase the production output of their existing polysilicon reactors by 10% to 20%. The manufacturing process of polysilicon can consequently increase its level of efficiency, depending on reactor configuration and process condition.
AEG Power Solutions confirms here its technological leadership on this market as well as its focus on developing innovative products to answer customer needs as this unique technology can be a key element to upgrade existing polysilicon facilities.

Polysilicon is the base material used in the manufacturing of solar cells. With decreasing poly silicon prices, manufactures are under ever increasing pressure to lower operational manufacturing costs. Thyrobox? PI can easily be added to existing AEG Power Solutions Thyrobox power systems. That way it allows for permanently lowered operational costs with minimal investment as no new or additional deposition reactors are needed. In addition to increased polysilicon productivity the Thyrobox? PI, reduces internal thermal stresses thus preventing rod cracks, allows for more uniform growth, improves rod joint bridge shaping and minimizes hot spots.
?AEG Power Solutions has been leading in power control development for many years now. As a result we have a very clear picture of what really helps our clients to lower their production costs and improve manufacturing process?, explains Gladwyn De Vidts, AEG Power Solutions? Vice President and General Manager Power Control Systems. ?We strongly believe the Thyrobox? PI marks a technological breakthrough with regards to optimized polysilicon production efficiency.?

Along with the introduction of the Thyrobox? PI, AEG Power Solutions is partnering with GT Solar to offer the Thyrobox? PI as part of a turnkey solution using GTSolar?s SDR? series of CVD reactors. This next generation power system is designed to be integrated with GT?s SDR-400 to enable reactor capacities over 500 MTA. ?GT Solar is pleased to be working with AEG in bringing this new and exciting technology to market,? said Dave Keck, Vice President and General Manager of GT Solar?s polysilicon division. ?AEG PS? vision is consistent with GT Solar?s vision of delivering sustained value to customers by lowering the cost of PV manufacturing.?
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Solar Capital Ltd. Closes New $35 Million Senior Secured Term Loan
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:20 GMT
'); document.write('NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Capital Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLRC) today announced the closing of a new $35 million Senior Secured Term Loan with a new lender. The Term Loan, which expires in September 2013, bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 3.25% per annum and has terms substantially similar to the Company?s existing revolving credit facility.

?Not only does this term loan increase our borrowing capacity, it also adds diversity to our capital structure. Since the IPO, we have expanded our borrowing capacity to $390 million and we are very pleased with the continued support of the lender community,\" said Michael Gross, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Solar Capital Ltd.

ABOUT SOLAR CAPITAL LTD.

Solar Capital Ltd. is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company invests primarily in leveraged, middle market companies in the form of senior secured loans, mezzanine loans, and equity securities.
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IA Global Announces Letter of Intent to Acquire Solar Power Engineering Co Ltd with Annual Sales of $17 Million
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:18 GMT
'); document.write('SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IA Global, Inc. (OTCQB: IAGI.OB) (the ?Company?) announced the signing of a letter of intent to acquire 100% of Solar Power Engineering Co Ltd from Vegitus Co Ltd, both Japanese companies.

Solar Power Engineering Co Ltd (?Solar Power?) is an engineering services company that provides inspection, maintenance and solar cell production services that enable their customers to achieve industry leading productivity and yield. Solar Power operates out of Nara, Japan and expects to report revenues of approximately $17 million for their core service business during the next 12 months. Solar Power employs 90 engineers and has over 40 years experience in solar production processes that can be easily scaled to help meet the growing worldwide demand for efficient solar cell production.

Solar Power is expected to be acquired for the equivalent of 100,000,000 JPY or approximately $1,145,000 at the current exchange rate. The acquisition is expected to be financed through 50,000,000 JPY cash or debt along with the issuance of 38,166,666 shares of IAGI common stock (or the equivalent of 50,000,000 JPY at $0.015 per share).

The letter of intent is subject to (i) approval of the acquisition by the Board of the Company; (ii) agreement to customary terms and conditions, including a prohibition on issuance of new shares, options or warrants by Solar Power; (iii) resolution between Solar Power and its main bank regarding the outstanding loan balance repayment plan; and (iv) closing of funding. The acquisition is expected to close by December 15, 2010.

?Upon closing, the acquisitions of Solar Power Engineering and Zest would bring our annual revenues to approximately $53-$55 million. Aside from the solid revenue numbers, we are also excited about acquiring this dynamic, best-of-breed solar engineering services company since it provides an opportunity for marketing much needed solar cell production services worldwide,? stated Brian Hoekstra, CEO of IA Global, Inc.
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We Heart New York Firemen! Bellevue\'s District 9 Goes Solar
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:40 GMT
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Ever since 9/11, the American people have had an ongoing love affair with the men and women of the New York City fire department.

$\"bellevue$

Usually identified only as NYFD, and instantly recognizable for their courage on that day of infamy, these brave individuals have given us yet another reason to love them. At the Bellevue Fire District No. 9, the crew has officially gone solar, freeing themselves from total dependence on the aging New York electric transmission and distribution infrastructure.

The move also frees the city from generating a small portion of electricity from fossil fuels. New York City primarily burns natural gas, which ? though 45-percent cleaner than coal ? still produces carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides, greenhouse gases associated with global warming (or climate change), acid rain and smog. Natural gas is also quite expensive.

Number 9 now boasts a significant number of solar power panels ? 140 200-watt panels, to be exact ? and all ready to generate more than 23 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, according to Nathan Rizzo, president of Buffalo-based Solar Liberty, the company that installed the solar array.

$\"bellevue$ Funded largely by a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA ? an agency that aims to deliver a clean energy future for the citizens of New York State by pushing the development and implementation of energy technologies like solar, wind and geothermal ? the financing saved District No. 9 $137,000 on a total cost of $175,000.

For District No. 9, which serves a seven-square-mile area in the town of Cheektowaga, and responds to about 500 calls a year, the solar power array will offset a minimum of 12 percent of the fire station?s electrical needs.

Granted, that?s not a lot, but it is ? as clean energy experts acknowledge ? the clearest path to a clean energy economy, which will likely come as readily from many baby steps as from one giant leap.

Delivering 23 kWh, but actually rated at 28 kWh, the solar array could also power four average American homes and is expected to last almost 50 years. It will reduce District No. 9?s carbon footprint by 500 tons of CO2 over the next quarter century, and is expected to save about $4,300 per year.

Shiny, District 9!

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40 kW Solar PV System Completed at FREEDM Systems Center
'); document.write('published on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:37 GMT
'); document.write('DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS), North America?s premier provider of turn-key solar solutions for commercial buildings, has completed the rooftop solar installation for North Carolina State University?s FREEDM Systems Center. Designed for the newly-built Keystone Science Center in the university?s Centennial Campus, the solar system will provide energy to the 15,000 square-foot headquarters of the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center. In addition to supplementing the FREEDM Systems Center?s energy usage, the solar system will be one of the new technologies to demonstrate how distributed renewable energy resources can be tied to the grid while reducing energy costs for customers. FREEDM Systems Center research scientists, in partnership with AEG PS engineers, will be able to study these new technologies to transform centralized generation of energy into a distributed network containing ?switchable? renewable energy sources and grid intelligence. As a full industry partner with the FREEDM Systems Center, AEG PS will share and benefit from the center?s applied research.

?Decentralizing the grid is a major undertaking and strategic market opportunity for AEG. The work being done at the FREEDM Systems Center will have a significant impact on how renewable energy sources can be used and managed in the future,? said Robert Huljak, chief strategic officer of AEG PS. ?At AEG PS, we are excited and proud knowing our contribution and effort will go towards finding new ways to utilize clean, renewable energy resources. This is an amazing opportunity for everyone involved as well as the rest of the world that will benefit from the learning, experience and information gained by this research.?

Due to the high quality membrane roof installed on the newly-constructed Keystone Science Center and the need to preserve the warranty, AEG PS designed a non-penetrating installation to minimize the impact to the roof. AEG PS and North Carolina State University worked hand-in-hand on the project with the building construction team and were able to incorporate many features and components into the overall design of the building. As a result, many parts of the solar system, such as the conduit, are integrated into the Keystone Science Center?s structure and tie directly into the FREEDM Systems Center?s labs. This not only helps minimize the installation?s impact on the building aesthetics, but enables structural advantages for expanding the system or changing its configurations in the future.

The 40 kW, ballasted rooftop solar system, which took three weeks to install, is forecasted to generate around 52,000 kWh of energy, annually, for the building. The entire solar system consists of 186 photovoltaic (PV) modules and four solar inverters. The solar inverters transition the direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for immediate use throughout the building and for specific research projects. In addition, the installation incorporates a monitoring system to feed real-time energy generation data to the FREEDM Systems Center engineers and AEG PS engineers. The system has a life expectancy of roughly 25 years. In accordance with North Carolina codes, the tilted, non-affixed panels are wind-rated for up to 95 miles per hour (mph).

?When AEG PS first approached us about partnering together to install a reference site on one of our buildings we were intrigued. At the FREEDM Systems Center, we?re committed to revolutionizing the grid with distributed renewable energy and AEG PS clearly demonstrated that they shared the same belief and commitment,? said Ewan Pritchard, NSF FREEDM Systems Center director of industry, collaboration, and innovation at NC State University. ?AEG PS is a company with more than 100 years of experience in paving the way for new power solutions across the globe and to have them partner with us is a great opportunity for us, the future of the FREEDM Systems Center and the future of solar technology.?

AEG PS implements and supports turn-key solar systems that enable places such as commercial buildings and industrial parks to utilize clean, renewable energy. Its solar systems feature solar panels, solar inverters, monitoring, diagnostics and communications equipment, all of which can be supported by smart-grid-enabled standards and can be monitored and maintained by AEG PS. Renewable energy solutions and distributed grid intelligence are new strategic focus areas for AEG PS?s North American operations. As a Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Green Grid member, AEG PS is dedicated to providing its customers with renewable energy alternatives, such as solar, which will decrease environmental impact as well as reduce energy costs. With energy conservation and other green practices emerging as a critical part of day-to-day operations, AEG PS helps educate companies on the promise of renewable energy systems and leads them toward a greener tomorrow.
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Advanced Energy Gets Grid Connected
'); document.write('published on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:48 GMT
'); document.write('VALENCIA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NasdaqGM: AEIS) today announced that the company has established its first grid connections at multiple sites located in Germany and the Czech Republic. The new solar powered facilities utilize the company?s award-winning Solaron® 500E grid-tied solar PV inverters to provide renewable energy to customers in the European region.

The Solaron 500E, a high-efficiency, transformerless, grid-tie PV inverter was designed specifically for the European PV market. It was selected by these customers because of its ability to maximize power delivery and deliver record-setting efficiency levels and unmatched system uptime. The installations include both rooftop and ground-mounted systems. In recent months, the company has seen increasing sales momentum for its Solaron PV inverters in countries across Europe, with notable orders from companies based in the European Union (EU) due to be installed later this year.

Dr. Hans Betz, chief executive officer of Advanced Energy, commented ?We are proud to announce this important milestone in our expansion into the European inverter market. Advanced Energy?s innovative product line is quickly gaining traction in this established region. These recent wins validate that the Solaron 500E provides a compelling combination of performance benefits to the grid, and as a result our order pipeline is growing.?

Advanced Energy will be showcasing its innovative solar PV inverter and thin-film technology solutions at the upcoming EU PVSEC conference and exhibition, scheduled September 6-9 in Valencia, Spain, at the Feria Valencia Convention & Exhibition Centre, Booth C56 & C57. In addition to the exhibit, the company will participate in the Balance of System Components forum on Tuesday, September 7, at 8:30 a.m.
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Advanced PV Module Assembly Line Introduced By Spire
'); document.write('published on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:48 GMT
'); document.write('BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing capital equipment and turnkey manufacturing lines to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules and cells, today announced the introduction of its SPI-Line? 20 megawatt (MW) per year Module Assembly Line at the 25th European PV Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) in Valencia, Spain at the Feria Valencia, located at Level 2, Hall 4, Booth 15.

The SPI-Line 20MW PV Module Assembly Line offers new entrants into the PV market a greater than 30% reduction in normalized capital expenditure (CAPEX), expanding customers? capability and cost reduction per watt of module production. The line incorporates Spire?s advanced SPI-AssemblerTM 7000, SPI-Sun SimulatorTM 4600SLP, the SPI-LaminatorTM 1837, other essential manufacturing and testing equipment, as well as Spire?s process technology and support services.

Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation, said, ?As the market leader in turnkey module lines, Spire provides customers with the greatest value by ensuring high throughput, high yield module production at the lowest cost of capital.?
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GT Solar Announces Next Generation Reactor
'); document.write('published on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:28 GMT
'); document.write('MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems and materials for the solar, LED and other specialty markets, today announced the SDR?400 next generation CVD reactor for the production of high purity polysilicon. The SDR400 reactor can produce greater than 400 metric tons annually (MTA) of polysilicon. The new SDR400 also lowers electricity consumption by approximately 20 percent for each kilogram of polysilicon produced over the company?s previous generation reactor, the SDR300.

?Our new SDR400 CVD reactor further extends our polysilicon production technology leadership,? said Dave Keck, vice president and general manager of GT Solar?s polysilicon division. ?Customers can produce 33 percent more polysilicon annually in the same footprint using approximately 20 percent less electricity for every kilogram of polysilicon produced. This lowers their cost of ownership and strengthens their competitive position.?

GT Solar also announced that it is partnering with German-based AEG Power Solutions to offer a new power supply developed by AEG, the Thryobox? PI, that is designed to further enhance the output of the SDR400 reactor. The new power supply will be offered as an option to the standard SDR400 configuration and is targeted to increase annual polysilicon production to greater than 500 MTA. Current GT Solar customers using previous generation reactors will be able to upgrade these systems to take advantage of the expected increased annual production output.
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Wind Generator Plans
'); document.write('published on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:09 GMT
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Wind Generator Plans to Help You Build Your Own Power Source
By Wayne Gibbons

As basic electricity costs are increasing more and more people are seeking out alternative energy sources to supplement or entirely replace their reliance on the main power grid. But many of us don\'t possess the engineering knowledge or mechanical know how to design and construct our own power source from scratch.

Short of completely reinventing the wheel, the right wind generator plans will enable you to build your own and supply your own source of power. What I mean by the \'right\' plans is ensuring that they are easy to understand and implement so anyone-even those with minimal mechanical knowledge-can successfully and construct their own working generator.

There is undoubtedly a multitude of wind generator plans available on the internet, both for purchase and for free, but many of these wind generator plans can be overcomplicated or use materials that aren\'t available to everyone. Or even worse, some plans which may look simple enough and consists of everyday materials only end up creating wind generators that don\'t actually work! This can mean days or even weeks of work only to find your new power source won\'t actually provide you with any power.

With the risks involved in finding good wind generator plans to construct your own alternative power source, you may be wondering why you would go to the trouble of even trying to build your own to start with? The simple fact of the matter is that while manufacturers and suppliers will charge you hundreds, and even sometimes thousands, for a fully assembled generator - but it is possible to construct your own for less than $100 USD and only 2 weekend\'s worth of work.

So how can you be sure the wind generator plans you have on hand will work before you actually put in the work? It is important to be sure the plans you are downloading or purchasing have personal testimonials from people who have used the plans to successfully construct and install their own wind generator. If you are still unsure if the plans are the \'real deal\' contact the person offering the plans with any questions or assistance you may need. A great sign that the wind generator plans on offer will be genuine is the offer of free support and assistance even after you\'ve purchased the plans from them. And like always, a money back guarantee will provide additional piece of mind over your purchase decision.

It seems fair to say that even though there may be free plans and construction tips, if you do not have much mechanical experience or engineering knowledge the support and assistance provided to back up a purchase of wind generator plans, will prove for a more successful project outcome in the long run. Building your own generator from a fully backed set of wind generator plans is a great way for you and your family to save money as well as reduce your impact on the environment.

Construct your own windmill power generator http://www.howtobuildawindgeneratorstepbystep.com an easy to understand and easy-to-implement guide to craft your own windmill generator and other information to generate your own renewable energy sources.
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Jobs In Solar: Solar, CFL, LED Managers
'); document.write('published on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:17 GMT
'); document.write('Date: 2010-09-02, 12:39PM CDT
Reply to: job-cukbu-1932924231@craigslist.org

Halo Verde Energy (www.haloverde.com) is a startup in energy efficient products industry throughout and we are excited to announce the launch of sales of solar photovoltaic panel, CFL, and LED lighting in North America. The company is structured to expand quickly by motivating our sales contractors with excellent performance based compensation.

Halo Verde is accepting applications for both solar and lighting regional managers throughout the United States.

Responsibilities:

Follow leads provided by the sales director and generate warm leads from existing contacts
Negotiate, develop and maintain strategic relationships with key clients and partners
Develop a strong working knowledge of the green energy markets, federal and state government incentive programs and renewable energy industry trade organizations?
Monitor customer satisfaction which includes timely quotations, product shipments, and project completion

Requirements:

Bachelors degree or extensive experience in the retail distribution or wholesale sectors?
Extensive personal contacts in retail chains, wholesale groups or other areas relevant to lighting or solar sales.
Working knowledge of the lighting or solar industry
Knowledge of the green energy credits and rebates programs from the government and your individual state
Ability to act independently and aggressively in a dedicated effort toward achieving sales goals and quotas
Excellent communicator
Laptop with webcam for sales teleconferences with the director of sales in Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle to visit prospective clients

Compensation is entirely performance based and after a 6 month evaluation period for all hired, some regional sales managers will be selected from those competing for the post. Residuals on sales will carry indefinitely and with an average of 1 sale per month you can expect to earn six figures during 2012. Preference will be given to those candidates who meet the above qualifications and who demonstrate excellence in high-ticket sales in competitive industries.

Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to: careers@haloverde.com

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Solarized Homes Receive No Love from Home Appraisers
'); document.write('published on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:14 GMT
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Home appraisers haven\'t been trained or educated regarding the process of evaluating homes that have a solar panel system installed. There\'s no national standards for home appraisers to help attach a value to solarized homes as compared to non-solarized residences.

Ken Chichester of the Appraisal Institute in Chicago says \"One of the challenges that appraisers face in \'green\' valuation is the lack of available data and standards,\" he said.

While the institute is an innovator on green valuation in many ways, \"I\'m unaware of any appraisal standards regarding valuation of solar electric systems,\" he said.

He admits his industry doesn\'t have the tools it needs to access the added value that solar installations provide homeowners.

Home appraisers need to wake up to the reality that a home is worth more when it\'s been upgraded with solar panels producing energy and heat at a lower cost for the potential buyers.

More on this interesting subject at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Jobs In Solar: Marketing Assistant for Solar Company (Turnersville, NJ)
'); document.write('published on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:37 GMT
'); document.write('Date: 2010-09-02, 5:01PM EDT
Reply to: job-tanut-1933364386@craigslist.org

Established Solar Energy Company seeking a Marketing Assistant whose primary responsibilities will be to handle all marketing campaigns while providing administrative support to the other employees of the business.

This is a Part-Time position that may lead to Full-Time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Coordinates and/or assists in all marketing activities including researching, writing, and editing content for our website.

- Generate press releases and web content

- Seek advertising opportunities

- Assist other employees with tasks

REQUIREMENTS:

- Bachelors degree in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing preferred - - College students can apply

- Must have Photoshop knowledge and be able to edit pictures

- Knowledge of solar energy systems a plus

- Self-motivator that is extremely detail-orientated and can handle multiple, on-going tasks.

- Highly responsive - speedy to execute on requested tasks, prompt in replies and proactive in providing updates.

- Reliable, punctual, accurate, neat, and organized.

- Strong English language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills.

- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including: Outlook; Word; Excel and PowerPoint.

Location: Turnersville, NJ

Compensation: TBD - Based on Experience
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Solar One Family Day: Go Fish!
'); document.write('published on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:48 GMT
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September 11, 2010
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
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Join us for the last Family Day of 2010! Come fishing at Solar One!

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September 11, 2010
11:00 am	to	3:00 pm