Kyocera claims new multicrystalline solar PV module conversion efficiency record, hits 17.3%

Two months after ECN and REC claimed the highest conversion efficiency for multicrystalline-silicon solar modules, Kyocera has topped their mark and set a new world record. The Japanese company says it has achieved 16.6% total-area module efficiency, with an aperture-area efficiency of 17.3%, besting the Europeans' previous aperture-area record of 17%.

Source:  PV-Tech.org Daily News, February 15, 2010

The law in California governing solar programs is called the California Solar Initiative. A component of this initiative is the "New Solar Homes Partnership". A brief description of this initiative is below.

Launched in January 2007, the New Solar Homes Partnership is a component of the California Solar Initiative, signed into law in 2006 under Senate Bill 1 to implement Governor Schwarzenegger's $3.3 billion, Million Solar Roofs Program.

The primary goal of the NSHP is to achieve 400 megawatts of new solar-produced electricity by the end of 2016. The NSHP provides financial incentives and marketing support to home builders, encouraging the construction of new, energy efficient solar homes that saves homeowners money on their utility bills and protects the environment. The goals of the NSHP are to create a self-sustaining market for solar homes and gain builder commitment to install solar energy systems on new homes as a standard feature. A new home qualifies for the New Solar Homes Partnership when it is 15 percent more efficient than current building standards.

For more information:
http://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/2010_releases/2010-01-28_nshp_guidelines.html

The mayor of San Diego just raised the permit fees for a solar installation from $93 to $565. Other local cities remain much lower or at $0 for the unincorporated areas of the county. Since struggling small companies will probably have no choice but to pass these costs along to the consumer, this will add to the consumer's cost to go solar.

To see the details, go to http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/11/sd-solar-permit-fee-6-times-more-expensive/