DSC News Updates

■ Solar Wars 1: Sunlight shining towards the next generation, A solar concentrator power tower emerges in Spain. (2008.10.6 Asahi News)

■ Solar Wars 2: The rise of solar cells in Asia, Attracting factories from around the globe
(2008.10.6 Asahi News)

■ Panasonic stops commercialization of solar cells, Drastic reduction in R&D
(2008.10.6 Nikkan Business Line)

■ Kyocera will launch highly-efficient polycrystalline solar cells (17.5% efficiency) in 2009
Using back-contact technology, they surpassed their previous record of 16.5%. In the past few years, due to competition from abroad, Kyocera's shares dropped to 4th place but with the new product, they are planning a comeback.
(2008.10.6 Nikkei News)

■ First solar car race in Africa, Towards alternative energy education
The South African Solar Challenge is the very first solar car race in Africa. The two-week race ran from Johannesburg moving southwest to Capetown and back towards Johannesburg along the African peninsula's coastline through Durban with a total of 4,175 km. The aim of the race to inform people about alternative energy and advances in ecological technology. "Many people still do not know that a 6 sq meter of solar panel can move a car with speeds up to 160 kph.", organizers said.
(2008.10.4 AFP BB News)