Chinese, German firms building solar cell plant
SHANDONG, CHINA - The Sunvim Group Company Limited has begun construction in Shandong on a thin-film solar cell project that uses German technology.
The company will cooperate with Johanna Solar Technology GmbH (Germany), using copper indium gallium sulfur selenide (CIGSSe) solar cell techniques, which yield high levels of efficiency that compete with crystalline silicon solar modules, the companies said.
The companies will invest about $845.1 million to finish the project in three years.
Sunvim and Johanna Solar are currently spending $262 million for Phase I construction of a 60-megawatt (MW) CIGSSe thin-film solar cell development and production project. Construction is expected to be complete on the first phase by the end of 2009.
Sunvim chose Johanna Solar as its partner after three years of research on several U.S. and German companies. Johanna Solar had finished a similar factory in September 2007. Johanna Solar CEO Jeroen Haberland said Sunvim's ideals and company structure match Johanna Solar's perfectly.
China's favorable policies toward clean energy have encouraged billions of dollars in investments in the polysilicon and related solar industries. China's polysilicon production is expected to jump before 2010, but experts predict that production could exceed China's domestic demand.
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APS asks customers to conserve energy after recent blackouts in California
PHOENIX - After excessive heat forced rolling blackouts for thousands of people across California Friday and Saturday, Arizona Public Service Electric is asking customers to conserve energy this afternoon and evening.
“Given the extended heat wave in the western United States, APS is asking customers to conserve energy due to extreme energy demand that is driving usage higher throughout the region with today’s high temperatures,” APS said in a statement.
Tucson Electric Power has made a similar request of customers in its coverage area.
APS is asking customers to conserve energy in the following ways Tuesday until 8 p.m.:
- Raise thermostat settings to no…
