According to the latest test results show, National Semiconductor Corporation (National Semiconductor, abbreviated NS) launched a new power management technology for solar PV panels because of local or short-time compensation is shadowing fell generating capacity, so as to System restore up to 57% loss of generating capacity.

NS has 50 years of research experience in power management technology, and use this technology, successfully developed SolarMagic power optimizer.

Even shadows or other problems make the system power efficiency severely affected, SolarMagic power optimizer can still improve solar cell panel power generation system. NS facility in Santa Clara, California within the wind controller PV system performance test, the test uses a barrier to simulate an obstacle blocking the roof, which produces just the shadow of a shadow circuit design using traditional solar installations. Although the day only 8-16% of the area of ​​solar panels is shadowing, but the average drop of generating capacity from 35 to 40%.

Another tested solar power generation apparatus using the same test conditions, the only difference is the addition of the NS SolarMagic power optimizer, the results showed an average increase in generating capacity than previous systems 30-37%. In other words, SolarMagic power optimizer can save 57% of energy loss.

NS renewable energy products noted Ralf Muenster, director, expects SolarMagic power optimizer can bring to market innovative products for the solar energy.

Has been installed on the roof of solar photovoltaic systems will encounter shadows and solar panels for sale mismatch between the transmission and other issues, and this new technology for the global commercial and household use to provide a viable solution. Previously considered unsuitable roof mounted solar power systems, is now available to overcome the problem and successfully installed to help the U.S. achieve an early and established by President Obama renewable energy targets.

NS developed SolarMagic technology is designed to enhance the solar power generation system. Since solar modules is limited by its own characteristics, so whenever it encounters the real environmental problems, such as trees, chimneys, parapets or leaves shadowing, the system's generating capacity will be dropped. Specifically, the system is only 10% or less of the solar cell plate board surface is shadowing, generating capacity will be dropped as much as 50%, significantly affect home users ROI.

 The use of solar photovoltaic power generation accounted for only 0.9 percent of the world%, mainly due to manufacturing solar battery materials (pure silicon) is too costly, complicated purification process. Freiburg Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Officer (former U.S. Berkeley expert from the Institute) is proposed based on "dirty silicon" in the new technology, its production cost is one-tenth of polysilicon, can achieve 14% ~ 16 % of the solar photovoltaic conversion (and polycrystalline silicon solar cell conversion efficiency of the same).

Using this rich, low-cost metal-containing impurities and defects "dirty silicon" can reduce the cost of solar cells, changing the stage nearly 90% pure silicon solar cells produced by the refining situation, an effective solution to silicon shortages and rising production costs problems, the most important is to make solar photovoltaic parity becomes possible. solar regulator photovoltaic industry production capacity to the end of 2010 is expected to reach 16 to 20 megawatts, while the silicon production capacity can meet their needs?

Freiburg Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy experts speculate that in 2010 the actual production capacity of solar PV in the 8 to 12 megawatts, and in order to meet the production capacity, must be provided to the market in addition to conventional pure semiconductor silicon outside Simple chemical or physical refining of metallurgical silicon, which is the "dirty silicon." "Dirty silicon" can be unrestricted free reign. Worldwide production can be more than one million tons per year. If the business as soon as possible take advantage of this "dirty silicon," then, the annual eight megawatts of electricity production can be achieved.

Of course, in order to make "dirty silicon" can be fully utilized in the field of solar grid tie power inverter  energy, but also must be refined. Compared to pure silicon refining process, "dirty silicon" refining is relatively simple, as long as the levels of refinement to achieve a semiconductor effect, you can meet the needs of the semiconductor industry. Demand for pure silicon solar battery prices over the past few years turned over several times, from $ 30 per kilogram in 2008 to $ 400.

The initial metallurgical silicon, or "dirty silicon" price is $ 1. Even if the silicon production enterprises in the development of "dirty silicon" refining process is included with the initial investment in equipment, the production cost will not exceed $ 15. Experts estimate that, on the market, per kg of refined "dirty silicon" price of around $ 50, then the removal of the cost price of silicon, manufacturers can have sufficient margins.

Such market prices can certainly promote the development of photovoltaic solar energy industry. Therefore, experts predict that the next two years there will be many direct refined metallurgical silicon is produced, to the 2020 high-performance solar batteries will account for 40% of the market.

 U.S. cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar plant First solar sights were not the slightest degree of market share positive impact of the financial turmoil, expansion positive momentum is also actively orders to have the opportunity in 2009, the throne aspirations leading global solar cell factory , so that the market becomes thin film solar PV Domination of the world, experts believe that First solar market share of fast-break, short-term impact on the crystalline silicon is still limited, but it will impact film industry competitive landscape.

     First solar aspirations to have the opportunity in 2009 the world's largest solar cell factory, except he has reserves of about 10 gigawatts of production capacity, according to foreign reports, the 3rd First Solar also announced that will be worth $ 400 million in stock to acquire hands of competitors OptiSolar solar power project, which includes California Pacific gas & Electric Company (PG & E) of 550 megawatts (MWp) solar energy research and development projects in the western region the potential of solar power projects 1,300 MWp, as well as 136,000 acres of land rights (has about 19 ​​billion watts of solar panel manufacturerspower capacity of the two sides about to complete the transaction in the second quarter).

     Expert analysis, First solar expansion smooth all the way, not as the main reason for delays in the general solar cell factory, from raw materials, orders and funds three elements, the early crystalline silicon source material he did not lack problems, and hold the hands of the orders were 3 to 5 years of long-term contracts.

     Coupled with the hands of the system bought OptiSolar winning project, destroy downstream systems, so no worries about his future orders, was able in the present downturn in the environment continued expansion, while the First solar is the world's Photovoltaic Panels energy indicators such companies, capital adequacy relatively high, but also to help its layout cadmium telluride (CdTe) the main special materials properly.

     On the thin film solar industry, 8 to 10% conversion efficiency of thin-film solar will rapidly become the mainstream of other thin-film solar conversion efficiency will be phased low threat, others include amorphous silicon thin film solar (A-Si), stacked microcrystalline silicon (Tandem), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) must upgrade technology and cost competitiveness, or there will be the problem of limited living space.

 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG & E) 24 announced the launch of a five-year plan for solar power generation is expected to be in California to Northern California and up to five hundred million watts users (500 MV) of clean energy and to become the nation's largest solar power plan, PG & E said that although the plan has not yet obtained the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) through, but it is expected plans could be provided in a number of related jobs.

     PG & E CEO and President Peter Darbee said that this program unprecedented use of large amounts of capital and expertise, while marking the PG & E's commitment to "accelerate the users to send renewable, clean energy," he pointed out that many renewable energy projects because of current economic conditions and delays However, protecting the environment and service users in the premise, PG & E was immediately took action.

     PG & E Energy Purchasing Vice President Wan Fang explained that the program is divided into two parts, one is to produce 200 million 50 million watts electricity from PG & E has a solar power system, belonging to PG & E decade's first direct investment in renewable energy projects, the other is to produce 200 million 50 million watts power, by independent developers to build and own solar grid tie inverter power system, PG & E is currently the California Public Utilities Commission to submit an application, available this year is expected to pass.

     All projects are expected to be completed in 2015 and opened a total annual electricity production could be more than one trillion watt hours (1000 gigawatt hour), equivalent to 150,000 households a year the sum of the required power, accounting for PG & E's electricity demand 1.3%.

     PG & E's solar power plan will consider all medium-sized power projects, power generation capacity from 1 million to 20 million watts range, and installed in the PG & E service area on the ground or on the roof of the plan, if approved by PG & E development and has The solar http://www.sungoldpower.co.uk/ power system will be built in the PG & E have on the ground or close to PG & E's electricity sub-station, in order to reduce grid connection cost and time error by an independent institutional development projects will get a standard energy supply contracts and cost lists.

 Greece on January 15, 2009 through the European best solar subsidy case. 3GW proposal is expected to have a huge amount of devices, this grant proposal was announced, would make Greece the next three to four years to become Europe's most promising solar markets.

      Greece grants through the solar system case, the implementation of solar power purchase price decade, the Greek island of € 0.40 per kilowatt-hour, the archipelago € 0.50 per kilowatt-hour. In addition, the investment of more than one hundred thousand euros project will also receive 40% of the subsidies.

      Another case of new grants announced the solar wind charge controller roof plan, you can enjoy a higher price, subsidy period is two years, but no capital subsidies. Roofs Plan target for more than 750 MW for an indefinite amount of equipment, the details are expected to be announced before June this year.

      Solar industry such as Germany and Canada Envire Solar Solar Energy Technology Company Sustainable Energy Technologies (referred Sustainable Energy), etc. have been into the Greek market. German investment in the Greek market solar energy company Envire  cheap solar panels recent Greek Islands will build its first seat on the installed capacity of 100 kWp solar facility is expected to be completed by the end of May this year. Investment of 680,000 euros, the Greek government will receive 40% of the subsidies.

      Canadian energy technology company Sustainable Energy in the early to enter the Greek market, had established a network of partners, including several leading systems integrators Greece, but the Greek bill the past two years, hindering the sale of the company SUNERGY inverter . Greece subsidy case a pass, Sustainable Energy estimates SUNERGY inverter sales will reach 8 to 10MW. The company will launch a new generation inverter, is expected to drive sales in the third quarter is expected to have revenues.