Thin Film News Brief 9 -22 July
Jul 22, 2014
Stion completes 255kW single-axis tracking project
Stion Corp, a manufacturer of nanostructure-based CIGSS (copper indium gallium sulphur-diselenide) thin-film PV panels, has completed a 255kW single-axis tracking solar project at the Kern Sanitation Authority (KSA) Waste Water Treatment Plant in Bakersfield, California.
Stion’s project development team was selected by the KSA to provide turn-key development and installation services for the project. The solar installation will offset a significant portion of the electricity used by KSA to power its water treatment plant, and represents another commitment of the adoption of solar technology by municipal governments, according to Stion.
“This Stion tracking installation, which is designed to generate 1974kWh/kWp/year, will produce the highest energy yield for a solar system located in this vicinity,” said Stion’s senior director of engineering Kevin Mackamul. Powered by 1884 thin-film modules, Stion’s flat-tracking system is expected to generate about 502,000kWh per year for the water treatment plant.
Sharp restructures European solar cell business
Sharp has decided to restructure its solar cell business in Europe, ending a joint venture (JV) with Enel Green Power, according to CTBR Green Power. Under the plans, the Japanese electronics manufacturer will sell its 50% stake in Enel Green Power & Sharp Solar Energy (ESSE), a solar-power development business established by both the firms in July 2010.
In return, Enel Green Power has agreed to assume Sharp's obligations arising from the off-take agreement regarding the output of PV panels manufactured at the Catania facility of 3Sun. 3Sun is a JV between Enel Green Power, Sharp and STMicroelectronics, where nearly 200 MW of thin-film, multi-junction PV panels are manufactured annually. Sharp will remain part of the 3Sun JV business, which will be continued.
"In the face of a deterioration in the European economy, revisions of the FIT (Feed-in Tariff) policies of major countries, and the more sudden than expected drop in market prices for solar cell modules and other changes of the business environment, it became necessary for Sharp to restructure its solar-cell business in Europe," Sharp was cited as saying by CTBR. The company said it will continue the production and sale business of thin-film solar cells by focusing on the EPC business at mega-solar plants.