Sunny News: Solar RoundUp

The sun shined on us this week (at least near E2T headquarters) and investments, deals and partnerships in the solar industry were bright too. Wha’ppened? Here’s the solar primer of the week. Oh yeah, and expect even more solar news from us when Solar Power 2007 kicks off on Monday:

• Sony Going Solar with EI: EI Solutions and Sony Pictures Entertainment said on Friday that the companies will build a 235kW solar system at the studio’s Culver City, California company headquarters.
• German Thin Film: German solar and wind company Schueco International and German energy company E.ON AG say they are investing $135 million to develop thin-film technology for metal and glass facades.
• Solar A Rounds: Solar Power Partners has raised $6 million of a $6.2 million Series A round led by Globespan Capital Partners, according to a regulatory filing from PeHub. The Mill Valley, Calif.-based startup also announced a 55,000-square-foot Safeway grocery store in Dublin, Calif. Also Solar Notion raised around $10 million in a first round of funding led by hedge fund Third Point.

• European Solar Deal: Danish power producer Scan Energy will work with Solon, a German manufacturer of solar systems, to build a 44 MW solar power plant in Spain.
• What you see isn’t what you get: Keep a close eye on the estimated potential output of a solar system and the actual production of kilowatt-hours, says Neal Dikeman. He quotes a California Energy Commission study that claims “a 100-watt module output, reduced by production tolerance, heat, dust, wiring, AC conversion and other losses will translate into about 68 watts of AC power delivered to the house panel during the middle of a clear day.” Uh-oh.
• GE Likey Thin Film: We brought you the news that GE has reached an agreement to acquire a minority interest in thin film player PrimeStar Solar. Ecomagination in effect!