We can chalk up First Solar as another victim of consolidation in the solar shakeout.  After last week's announcement, the industry-leading thin film manufacturer reduced its global workforce by 30 percent and shut down 30 percent of its global production capacity, including planning for the permanent closure of its Germany facilities. Furthermore, in addition to the “indefinite suspension” of 280 megawatts of production capacity in its low-cost plant in Malaysia, the company will selectively idle lines throughout the year to retool for higher efficiencies and yields.  Coupled with SunPower’s capacity reductions, First Solar’s woes indicate that the Chinese commodity crystalline pain train continues to wreak havoc on even industry-leading differentiated PV products. Thin-film PV in general is stuck on a precarious precipice; according to GTM Research's latest report on thin-film PV, total market value of thin film shipments could bottom out to near $ 2 billion in 2012 after reaching heights of $ 4.4 billion in 2011.   

First Solar's move should be unsurprising even to those cursorily following the market. Two trends dominated 2011: the fall of crystalline silicon PV pricing by 50 percent over the course of 2011 and the diffusion of demand out of Europe toward more cost-competitive emerging markets. These trends undermined the value proposition of thin film’s low-efficiency-but-low-cost PV. First Solar Germany’s facility closure was written all over First Solar’s fourth quarter earnings (and continued) production guidance of 1.5 to 1.8 gigawatts in 2012. With Malaysia at nearly 1.7 gigawatts and a healthy North American pipeline to soak up Ohio production, First Solar’s Germany production lines were the odd man out. 

FIGURE: First Solar 2012 Annual Production Capacity (Pre-Capacity Closures)

Source: Thin Film 2012–2016: Technologies, Markets and Strategies for Survival (GTM Research)

In early February, First Solar idled half of the German plant’s production capacity in a wait-and-see move as German and Italian incentive structures were being debated.  With a bleaker outlook on European markets, there’s little justification for continued manufacturing in Germany, especially if First Solar expects underutilization at its cost-leading Malaysia production facility. GTM Research estimates that there’s a 25 percent manufacturing cost difference between the two regions — and at 50 percent utilization, the fully loaded costs would spiral out of competitiveness.

FIGURE: First Solar Average Production Costs Versus Utilization at Germany Facility, 2012

Source: Thin Film 2012–2016: Technologies, Markets and Strategies for Survival (GTM Research)

However, the bigger question is what do the recent plant closures say about First Solar’s — and for that matter, thin-film PV’s — long-term competitive prospects?  On one hand, the drop in crystalline silicon prices means that the short-term prospects for First Solar and many thin film companies on the cusp of market competitiveness have evaporated. Reduced demand from falling incentives and a crystalline silicon oversupply environment means that utilization rates for thin-film PV will fall below the already low 52 percent level for 2011. Thin film manufacturers that had their coming out party last year (we’re looking at you, Solar Frontier) will struggle to repeat early commercial success, especially as most of this year’s growth looks to happen in the de facto cloistered Chinese market. 

But that doesn’t mean the gig is up for thin film. First Solar’s Malaysia facility still carries the industry’s lowest commercially operating manufacturing costs. Recent efficiency announcements, including First Solar’s 17.3 percent cell and 14.4 percent module as well as Solar Frontier’s 17.8 percent CIGS cell and 13.3 percent champion module (amongst many others) indicate a rising ceiling for technology improvements, even if the records are only at the cell-level or for champion modules. Furthermore, investments in thin film haven’t stopped either; venture capital in thin film has reached $ 584 million in the past year, signaling continued interest (or rather, not-so-quiet desperation) in thin film, particularly CIGS technology.  And since you’re wondering, roughly $ 300 million came post-Solyndra. Yes, some thin film companies have closed for good, including Odersun and Uni-Solar, and others are in dire straits (see: Solibro tied to an insolvent Q-Cells), but the long-term promise of thin film continues to exist. One side effect of the current supply uncertainty has been reduced valuations on thin film companies, which may increase the attractiveness of a potential buyout and consequently the backing of a strong corporate parent.

Even after adjusting for lower efficiency (though also for higher kWh/kW performance), best-in-market thin-film PV costs have the potential to be competitive with Chinese Tier 1 crystalline PV in the open market in the next few years. Even if thin film doesn’t take over the market like the industry once imagined it would, there’s still space for thin film manufacturing without having to resort to niche markets, at least for cost leaders. However, until global demand improves, thin-film PV companies will have to creatively jump the bankability hurdle. The road certainly won’t be easy — thin film firms have much less room for error in hitting important yield and efficiency targets — but don’t count First Solar, or thin film in general, out yet.

FIGURE: Best-in-Market Thin Film Production Costs at Full Utilization Versus Performance-Adjusted ASPs, 2011–2016E

Source: Thin Film 2012–2016: Technologies, Markets and Strategies for Survival (GTM Research)

Go Green

We can chalk up First Solar as another victim of consolidation in the solar shakeout.  After last week's announcement, the industry-leading thin film manufacturer reduced its global workforce by 30 percent and shut down 30 percent of its global production capacity, including planning for the permanent closure of its Germany facilities. Furthermore, in addition to the “indefinite suspension” of 280 megawatts of production capacity in its low-cost plant in Malaysia, the company will selectively idle lines throughout the year to retool for higher efficiencies and yields.  Coupled with SunPower’s capacity reductions, First Solar’s woes indicate that the Chinese commodity crystalline pain train continues to wreak havoc on even industry-leading differentiated PV products. Thin-film PV in general is stuck on a precarious precipice; according to GTM Research's latest report on thin-film PV, total market value of thin film shipments could bottom out to near $ 2 billion in 2012 after reaching heights of $ 4.4 billion in 2011.   

First Solar's move should be unsurprising even to those cursorily following the market. Two trends dominated 2011: the fall of crystalline silicon PV pricing by 50 percent over the course of 2011 and the diffusion of demand out of Europe toward more cost-competitive emerging markets. These trends undermined the value proposition of thin film’s low-efficiency-but-low-cost PV. First Solar Germany’s facility closure was written all over First Solar’s fourth quarter earnings (and continued) production guidance of 1.5 to 1.8 gigawatts in 2012. With Malaysia at nearly 1.7 gigawatts and a healthy North American pipeline to soak up Ohio production, First Solar’s Germany production lines were the odd man out. 

FIGURE: First Solar 2012 Annual Production Capacity (Pre-Capacity Closures)

Source: Thin Film 2012–2016: Technologies, Markets and Strategies for Survival (GTM Research)

In early February, First Solar idled half of the German plant’s production capacity in a wait-and-see move as German and Italian incentive structures were being debated.  With a bleaker outlook on European markets, there’s little justification for continued manufacturing in Germany, especially if First Solar expects underutilization at its cost-leading Malaysia production facility. GTM Research estimates that there’s a 25 percent manufacturing cost difference between the two regions — and at 50 percent utilization, the fully loaded costs would spiral out of competitiveness.

FIGURE: First Solar Average Production Costs Versus Utilization at Germany Facility, 2012

Source: Thin Film 2012–2016: Technologies, Markets and Strategies for Survival (GTM Research)

However, the bigger question is what do the recent plant closures say about First Solar’s — and for that matter, thin-film PV’s — long-term competitive prospects?  On one hand, the drop in crystalline silicon prices means that the short-term prospects for First Solar and many thin film companies on the cusp of market competitiveness have evaporated. Reduced demand from falling incentives and a crystalline silicon oversupply environment means that utilization rates for thin-film PV will fall below the already low 52 percent level for 2011. Thin film manufacturers that had their coming out party last year (we’re looking at you, Solar Frontier) will struggle to repeat early commercial success, especially as most of this year’s growth looks to happen in the de facto cloistered Chinese market. 

But that doesn’t mean the gig is up for thin film. First Solar’s Malaysia facility still carries the industry’s lowest commercially operating manufacturing costs. Recent efficiency announcements, including First Solar’s 17.3 percent cell and 14.4 percent module as well as Solar Frontier’s 17.8 percent CIGS cell and 13.3 percent champion module (amongst many others) indicate a rising ceiling for technology improvements, even if the records are only at the cell-level or for champion modules. Furthermore, investments in thin film haven’t stopped either; venture capital in thin film has reached $ 584 million in the past year, signaling continued interest (or rather, not-so-quiet desperation) in thin film, particularly CIGS technology.  And since you’re wondering, roughly $ 300 million came post-Solyndra. Yes, some thin film companies have closed for good, including Odersun and Uni-Solar, and others are in dire straits (see: Solibro tied to an insolvent Q-Cells), but the long-term promise of thin film continues to exist. One side effect of the current supply uncertainty has been reduced valuations on thin film companies, which may increase the attractiveness of a potential buyout and consequently the backing of a strong corporate parent.

Even after adjusting for lower efficiency (though also for higher kWh/kW performance), best-in-market thin-film PV costs have the potential to be competitive with Chinese Tier 1 crystalline PV in the open market in the next few years. Even if thin film doesn’t take over the market like the industry once imagined it would, there’s still space for thin film manufacturing without having to resort to niche markets, at least for cost leaders. However, until global demand improves, thin-film PV companies will have to creatively jump the bankability hurdle. The road certainly won’t be easy — thin film firms have much less room for error in hitting important yield and efficiency targets — but don’t count First Solar, or thin film in general, out yet.

FIGURE: Best-in-Market Thin Film Production Costs at Full Utilization Versus Performance-Adjusted ASPs, 2011–2016E

Source: Thin Film 2012–2016: Technologies, Markets and Strategies for Survival (GTM Research)

Go Green

The increase to ratepayers, added to cover the rise in the fixed cost of grid operations resulting from the use of net metering and more solar, was 30 cents per month. But the initial news on that increase misplaced the decimal point and reported it as $ 3.00 per month.

That's not a lot of money, but it was enough to bring forth some controversy over how much of a rate increase utility customers must bear for adding rooftop solar and other renewables.

The controversy in Hawaii was aggravated by the fact that the charge was only added to the bills of those who do not have solar systems. With net metering, the meters of those who have rooftop systems turn backward when the Hawaiian sun shines. As a result, they pay minimal charges to HECO and do not incur the full cost of grid operations.

This is not simply a matter of which Hawaii residents should pay for solar or how much they should pay. It is a matter of whether adding solar capacity is worth the cost to Hawaiian residents.

One recent study found the price of electricity has already doubled in the last decade for about half of U.S. homes. Utilities from Nantucket Sound to Waimea Bay will be forced to ponder the question HECO now faces.

HECO faces the question now because the island's electricity rate has climbed faster than anywhere else in the country. That is because, explained HECO spokesperson Darren Pai, “almost all of Hawaii’s electricity generation comes from imported oil.” (Actually, 76 percent of Hawaii's electricity comes from oil.)

Power prices started escalating in 2008 when the price of oil went to nearly $ 150 per barrel. They have since fluctuated. Last year, Pai said, HECO’s ratepayers’ bills increased “$ 61 per month, and $ 57 of that was due to the increase in the price of oil.”

This happened because Hawaii’s electricity comes from its imports of diesel, low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO), and naphtha. These are the same petroleum products post-Fukushima Japan began requiring in unprecedented quantities following the shutdown of its nuclear generators. “They’re bidding the price of oil up and we’re the victims of that,” explained Hawaii Solar Energy Association President Mark Duda, “and of setting up a system that makes us a victim of that.”

HECO’s rate structure makes the problem worse, Duda said, because “the utility can’t hedge the fuel price increase. It is passed directly to the ratepayer.”

A big part of the answer to this dilemma for Hawaii is rooftop solar. According to Pai, the state’s installed solar doubled last year, from some 5,100 systems representing 40 megawatts to 10,400 systems and 78 megawatts. That is still a small portion of the state’s 1,700-megawatt peak demand. But at that rate of growth, things shift fast.

Along with the exploitation of its geothermal, rooftop solar — driven by net metering — promises to have an important impact on Hawaii’s energy future if the majority of ratepayers do not impede growth by rebelling against the utility bill premium imposed on them. That will not happen if more come around to appreciate that “the benefits of increased PV are quite substantial,” Pai said, especially in the way “increased PV addresses our overall problem of oil dependency.” The net metering premium, Pai said, “is a small subsidy and its benefit outweighs its cost.”

Duda emphasized the same cost-benefit perspective. “Oil is the problem,” he said.

Duda referenced a recent report by Crossborder Energy for the State of California which concluded that the state’s net energy metering (NEM) program “is a crucial component of California’s efforts to encourage electric ratepayers to install clean, renewable DG [distributed generation],” adding that it “removes what might otherwise be a substantial barrier to customer acceptance of DG systems.” It does, the report noted, “impact other, nonparticipating utility ratepayers” but that cost can be “a net cost or benefit for other ratepayers” depending on the design of the system “and on the avoided cost benefits.”

In Hawaii, the cost of oil dependency was $ 61 per month in 2011 and the cost of more solar was 30 cents per month. The decision for ratepayers who don’t have solar systems is simply this: “30 cents or $ 60?”

And they might consider what a Honolulu political leader confided to GTM: “We’re burning fossil fuels as fast as we can,” he said, “and anybody with half a brain can see that doesn’t end well.”

Go Green

Since material costs, especially silicon, are the dominant cost component in panels, cost reduction becomes about lowering the amount of silicon per panel, which is currently at 6 grams per watt, give or take. Manufacturers spend a great deal of time and energy fabricating blocks of polysilicon, only to see up to half of that hard-earned material turned into sawdust in the wafer production step.

Thinner silicon — and more efficient ways of slicing silicon or fabricating silicon wafers — are obvious paths to further lower solar module pricing. The DOE's Steve Chu has a penchant for this kind of technology.

I just spoke with Curt Vass, the CEO of Austin, Texas-based AstroWatt. Vass comes to the startup with 15 years of experience at Applied Material's silicon products division. The firm is funded with $ 5.0 million from Austin Ventures and NEA and $ 1.5 million from the DOE SunShot program.

In June of this year, AstroWatt had produced a 15-percent-efficient champion cell using AstroWatt's SOM (Semiconductor-On-Metal) technology to create litho-less local back contact (LBC) hetero-junction solar cells.

Astrowatt's process deposits 50 microns of metal onto a monocrystalline silicon wafer. The substrate is "exfoliated" using a thermal cleaving process, creating an ultra-thin ~25 um silicon metal substrate. The process reuses a one-millimeter-thick 1-0-0 silicon substrate for the multiple exfoliations. The silicon can withstand a standard texturing step despite its thinness.

So, the substrates are 25 to 50 microns thick and use just 0.22 grams per watt of silicon. Vass said that the firm has a roadmap to get to a cost of less then $ 0.30 per watt, compared to the current costs of $ 0.70 to $ 0.80 per watt. The company targets 22 percent to 23 percent efficiency and is starting to move toward commercialization. 

The metal rear contact makes the cell easy to handle and the process can be performed with standard double heterojunction equipment from the likes of Roth & Rau and Jusung. Handling issues have been resolved on commercial tools but will have to be proven to prospective customers.

The business plan is not to add another 50 megawatts of cell production in an already over-supplied market. Instead, Vass looks to partner with a production-oriented company seeking disruptive technology in order to scale AstroWatt's technology into volume production. That would seem to point to China, where firms are suffering from slim margins and are in need of differentiation.

Long-term reliability and degradation profiles will have to meet or exceed incumbent technologies.

Other startups innovating in the thin silicon field include:

Silicon Genesis, known as SiGen, promises kerf-free wafering via an implant-and-cleave process that is still in the early stages of development but could yield wafers with thicknesses down to 20 microns.  

Ampulse claims that its "c-Si thin-film technology takes advantage of HW-CVD techniques to directly deposit a very thin layer of c-Si onto a uniquely textured and flexible metal substrate."

Bandgap Engineering has developed tunable methods for nano-structuring silicon. The firm claims that the absorption of nano-silicon is enhanced by up to several orders of magnitude over bare silicon over a wide range of wavelengths.  This enables nano-silicon to absorb the light in the first four microns versus the top 50 to 100 microns that bulk silicon needs to absorb most of the light.  This could impact cell efficiency and direct manufacturing cost — and make for much thinner wafers.

Crystal Solar uses a vapor deposition process for making thin crystalline silicon wafers. The firm has made wafers measuring 50 microns thick in its labs and hopes to get down to 20 microns. Oceanshore Ventures is one of the firm's investors.

Twin Creeks Technologies is also working with ion implant technology, as per this patent.

1366 Technologies has a "direct wafer" technology where molten silicon is directly converted into wafers, which can then be processed into thin solar cells. 1366 is a recipient of a $ 150 million DOE loan guarantee.

Developing a new wafer technology and integrating it into an existing process chain is an enormous challenge. Evergreen Solar, now bankrupt, tried to revolutionize wafer technology with its string ribbon technology, but size incompatibility and insurmountable cost issues proved to be its undoing. 

Go Green

Listed below are seven things you may not have known about the green iguana.

- These are called common iguanas

- Many people would like to have one as a pet because they are so common.

- Calling them a green iguana can often times be a mistake because they can be a brown color too.

- Iguanas are not carnivores but rather herbivores. This means they eat fruits and vegetables such as tree leaves and flowers.

- Where can they be found? Green Iguanas can be find in parts of South and Central America, some Pacific Islands including Guam and the state of Florida in the United States.

- An iguana that is living in captivity can live up to and even more than 20 years. This happens only if the iguana has been taken very good care of. So far, the oldest iguana living is 29 years old.

- What is sad is the green iguana is renowned as a threatened species because the habitat it lives in is slowly disappearing.

There’s plenty that someone studying iguanas will learn besides the few seen here. Because of this knowledge, three individuals created an organization using online volunteers to give correct data regarding the iguana along with the ones above.

The organization is called the Green Iguana Society established in 1999.

Behind the Green Iguana Society

What are the goals of the Green Iguana Society?

When the three bodies began this society, they came up several goals they saw needed to be accomplished. What are these goals then?

- This is a great way to learn how to feed the green iguanas as well as becoming the owner of one too. You could also learn what type of veterinarian should be consulted.

- The founders’ website serves as a wonderful and opportune source of data that those who love iguanas will not need to search through many reptile writings.

- The website is an vital provider in correct data for anyone interested at anytime that want or need the green iguana information.

- This website also has encouraged many people to provide a more caring environment for the iguana as well as the complicated issues that are involved when they own one.

The website covers how to take care a green iguana. These include the myths and misconceptions as well food and feeding to health and safety issues, veterinarians and other related societies.

Here some common questions asked regarding the Green Iguana Society:

- Why should a person get involved with this society?
According to its founders, by joining the club you can show your love to iguanas and continue learning about them including the type of care they need so you can share your knowledge to others.

- Is there a fee to get involved?
There is no cost to join. However, this could change due to membership.

- Can a person be included as a member of the site?
After years of people joining the site, this part of it was discontinued.

- How old does someone need to be to join?
You need to be at least 14 years old to join the society. However, anyone 13 years of younger can join in the Kids Club.

- How does someone join?
Fill out an electronic form, providing as much information as possible. Hit send.

Want to learn more… search for Green Iguana Society.

The effects of green tea have long been associated with weight loss. That notion has only gained even more ground over the years as scientists and doctors discover more amazing facts of green tea and how it can benefit us. Back in 2004, the green tea diet first became renowned globally when it was mentioned on the award winning Oprah television show.

Dr Nigel Perricone, highly popular author of various numerous health and dieting books, had a guest appearance on Oprah’s show. It was then that he introduced the world to the countless advantages and health benefits of green tea – weight loss, anti-aging, increased metabolism, higher fat oxidation, etc.

He had wrote in his book, “The Perricone Prescription”, that if we replaced coffee with green tea instead, we could lose up to 10 pounds in six weeks. That statement went on to create such a hype that health and weight enthusiasts started to take notice of the much underestimated benefits of it.

Oprah has also been reported to say that green tea is very much a part of her diet. The Green Tea Diet has helped her attain her weight loss and dieting goals, a problem that has been bothering Oprah for a very long time, as her faithful fans would testify. Other than that, it has also done her health and well-being a world of good.

Some other facts of the Green Tea Diet:

* Cancer Prevention

* Anti-aging

* Increased metabolism

* Increased fat oxidation

* Appetite suppressant

* Caffeine substitute for coffee, minus the calories

While the benefits are aplenty, adopting the green tea diet is by no means the magic formula for instant weight loss. It would not help at all, if you are going to indulge on junk food and stick to your 5000 calories a day diet. It is important to bear in mind that a healthy and balanced diet is still the benchmark.

So what is the optimal amount of green tea to consume in order enjoy the health benefits? Experts have varying opinions, but the general consensus is 3 – 5 cups per day. That would be equivalent to burning an extra 70 calories per day, or 7 pounds per year. However, if you find that 3 – 5 cups per day is too much, tea extract, tea pills or a tea patch are equally viable alternatives.

Would you like to find out the amazing weight loss effects of the Oprah green tea diet?

Check out this Green tea weight loss drink now!

                 Green color belongs to environment. So, green gifts gives idea about eco-friendly, natural and organic gifts. Green gifts mainly appear in bright colors and bright colors are likable by kids. Kids love to play with natural and solid toys. This all reasons kids are attracted towards green gifts. Nowadays we can find children’s book and videos of environmental themes. If we are giving naturals magazines or trip to zoo, museums as a gift to kids then kids are thinking about environment and its issues. And they become more responsible towards our environment. Green gifts includes all types of gifts such as eco-friendly, low carbon products, energy saving products and recycled products.Green gifts are made up of organic or recycled materials, to have a minimum impact on the Earth.

              Green gifts are beautiful and affordable. These gifts reflect their awareness on environment. Some Green gifts ideas may be of bamboo made articles like baby sets, grocery bags, yoga mats, Table Lamp, Envirocycle Composer etc. Environmental friendly beautiful wooden toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers are designed mainly to encourage their skills, hand-eye co-ordination and imagination. Organic clothes can also be a green gift! Organic clothes as daily wear, sports wear and t-shirts.  By using organic clothes you are actively supporting organic farming methods. So, you should not worry about the clothes you are wearing which is kind comfort to your skin, the farmers and the environment. Bamboo is also good choice for baby clothes, as it is both eco-friendly and softer than even the softest cotton on the market

                As a gift basket we can make green gifts basket. Give a plant to plantlover.Giving plants as a gift is also a green gift. Reusable gift bags and homemade gifts are also good example of green gifts. You can get all information about green gifts and ideas from buy green products for gifts of buygiftsheretoday.com

In one study, with all other factors being equal, when it was taken as a dietary supplement it was shown to have resulted in a decrease in body fat of the study participants. The clue to why this should be so is in some of the compounds and substances found in green tea itself. We know its rich in potent antioxidants, some much more than even vitamin C and one in particular known as catechin.

This substance has the ability to make our metabolic rate rise at some point after taking the green tea pill. So, as a very rough and ready example if you burn 100 calories climbing some stairs, the effect of the pill may make you burn say, 120 calories when doing exactly the same thing.

The other thing to try and remember is that some bodily movement is still required, so maybe it’s not what you want to hear if you’re a dedicated couch potato!

Whatever burns up the fat a bit quicker has to be worthy of a closer look. It’s a naturally derived product but care needs to taken to ensure that the green tea pills you eventually buy have a high potency and are from a quality producer. Whilst you could probably derive a similar benefit by drinking green tea, some of us might thinks it’s a hassle that way.

Rather interestingly it’s now even possible to combine the weight loss or health benefits of green tea pills within one overall daily nutritional supplement or pill. Surely then the easiest way to not forgetting to take several different pills by just having the one!

Green tea possesses some very powerful antioxidants known as Catechins which have been found to have a protective effect against some forms of Cancers. Much has been heard about the damage our bodies suffer as a result of damage to our cells from free radicals. Many attribute such damage to causing the aging process and antioxidants are one weapon in the arsenal of weapons we can use against these free radicals. 

Many foods and fruits have these same antioxidants not only in green tea. If by consuming it we can act against this aging process then I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like staying younger-looking for a little bit longer. One other instance where it has been of some comfort is for acne sufferers. When its been brewed and cooled it can be dabbed onto affected areas for relief.

An interesting connection to its effect on diabetes has also been written about. Reports state that when consumed it helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

One last mention goes to its use as an aid to weight loss. Quite how green tea achieves this is put down to it’s ability to raise the metabolic rate of our body by a substantial percentage. This has the effect of us burning more calories for doing the same things had we not taken it. Of course, I do stress that steady weight loss still needs to involve some form of physical movement or exercise. Sitting back and drinking green tea is still not going to shift those excess pounds.

So there you have it, we’ve seen that it’s a plant that has a variety of uses and applications of merit, plus there are many more to consider. There are now even general nutritional supplements available which include green tea extract, so there’s no need to keep that teapot handy.