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Verified by the Fraunhofer ISE Institute, CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenid) thin-film manufacturer, Solibro a subsidiary of Q-Cells has reported a CIGS test module has achieved a new world record conversion efficiency of 17.4%. Earlier this year Solibro produced a record full-module reading of 14.7% in series production.
Solar Frontier has entered into a distribution agreement with Mainstream Energy. The deal will see Mainstream sell and install 5MW of Solar Frontier’s CIS modules beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011. The CIS thin-film modules in the distribution agreement will be manufactured at Solar Frontier’s CIS factory in Miyazaki, Japan. Solar Frontier noted that the agreement would increase its presence throughout the North American market.
HelioVolt’s HVC-170X modules were recently granted ANSI/UL-1703, IEC-61646 and IEC-61730 certifications after testing was completed by Intertek-ETL. The company’s monolithically integrated panels are manufactured at its Austin, Texas plant using HelioVolt’s proprietary CIGS technology.
Collaboration has turned to acquisition as equipment specialist Manz is to acquire Würth Solar’s CIGS thin-film production line in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. The deal will include the purchase of all technology IP from the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Würth Solar’s orginal technology partner on CIGS processes. The takeover should be concluded by early 2012 with a total of 116 Würth Solar employees being integrated into Manz as part of the acquisition.
Thin film PV company Nanosolar said it has supplied close to 6MW of its CIGS utility panels for two installations in France and Oregon, as part of its partnership with EDF Energies Nouvelles and its US subsidiary, enXco.
The changing PV equipment market forced Manz to slightly lower its full-year revenue guidance, despite strong sales growth, particularly in its flat panel display (FPD) business segment. Manz reported revenue of €192 million for the first 9-months of 2011, a 58 % increase, compared with the previous year’s figure of €121.3 million.
The number of preferred suppliers its currently uses may be reduced, according to Phoenix Solar’s CEO, Dr Andreas Hänel in a conference call to discuss third quarter results. He also noted that his company was considering a purchasing shift away from dealing directly with US and Chinese suppliers and dealing with suppliers regional warehouse systems in an effort to streamline operations and reduce lead-times. Phoenix Solar has been heavily impacted by inventory build and rapidly falling prices that have required €29 million in cumulative write downs and losses of €13.2 million at the firm in just the third quarter.
American Honda Motor revealed that its 100kW solar-cell demonstration project at Honda Performance Development (HPD) in Santa Clarita, California was completed, featuring 800 thin-film CIGS solar panels manufactured by Honda Soltec. The project includes a roof, carport and load dock canopy installation at the HPD headquarters and is said to be one of Honda’s largest solar installations to date.
CIGS thin-film module manufacturer MiaSolé has announced that it has manufactured its 50 millionth cell since its inception. Earlier this year the company, which uses 88 cells per PV module, teamed up with Intel’s Technical Manufacturing Services practice to accelerate its production ramp from 50MW to 150MW per annum capacity by the end of 2011.
Odersun’s thin-film solar cells will now carry the “Made in Europe” certificate, which was confirmed by the VDE Institute. The certificate allows solar plant operators using Odersun’s modules to participate in a 10% higher feed-in tariff from Italy’s Conto Energia IV.
