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Axuntek Solar Energy is using DuPont PV5400 series ionomer encapsulant in its IEC-certified CIGS thin-film modules, the company has announced.
The solar modules are frameless and the first to adopt DuPont PV5400 into CIGS technology. The modules aid to reduce shipping costs because they permit a higher density in shipping, therefore lower costs. Further, the modules are stronger due to DuPont’s encapsulant. The combination of ionomer and glass allows for the utilization of the frameless modules in building-integrated applications.
DuPont has announced its Solamet PV17x photovoltaic metallization paste has become the leading frontside silver paste series on the market today due to its ability to raise efficiency by up to 0.4% in standard solar cell constructions. Solamet PV17x is also claimed to enable cell makers to use up to 15% less material, in line with the company’s intent to accelerate product developments that help the photovoltaic industry reduce its dependence on silver metals and offset some of the impact that rising silver prices have on the cost of producing solar cells and modules.
Having made a few leaps in the last six months alone with a TÜV safety certification in September, announced the production of its first 100MW thin-film modules and partnering with altPOWER for future US-based BIPV projects, executive management of Soltecture have applied to open insolvency proceedings. Having extensively explored new financing options, including rebranding and restructuring initiatives towards the end of last year, the company has stated it saw no other viable option for averting the company’s impending insolvency at the present time.
An auction planned for May 8, 2012 to flush out a buyer for Energy Conversion Devices (ECD), which is currently in Chapter 11 administration, has been withdrawn. The company has moved to layoff approximately 300 employees worldwide, beginning immediately. Hilco Industrial has been retained to begin preparations for an asset sale, suggesting flexible thin-film producer ECD could be finally wound down.
Calyxo has revealed that its CdTe cell technology has reached 16.2% efficiency, a figure that has been verified by Germany’s SGS testing body. The company uses its proprietary low-cost “hot and fast” atmospheric deposition process in the manufacture of its CdTe cells. Calyxo’s CTO Michael Bauer also expressed confidence in the technology’s potential to reach 17–18% cell efficiency and 14–15% top module efficiency by the end of the year.
Updated: Two of the largest US-based PV manufacturers, First Solar and SunPower, both reported first-quarter sales at the same time, both showing quarter-on-quarter sales declines. First Solar reported net sales of US$497 - a decrease of US$163 million from the fourth quarter of 2011. SunPower’s first quarter GAAP revenue was US$494 million, down from US$625.3 in the previous quarter.
IKEA has announced that it will equip the roof of its main warehouse in Piacenza, Northern Italy, with 7MW of Q-Cells’ CIGS thin-film modules. The rooftop installation was developed in collaboration with GreenTechPower and F. Ili Zaffaroni.
The German Technical Control Board, TÜV Süd Germany, has awarded Nanosolar’s Luckenwalde panel assembly plant the ISO 9001:2008 certificate.
Following reports on First Solar shutting down production in Germany, it has contracted German PV services provider Adler Solar to take over responsibility for European warranties.
Six years after the US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Nanosolar a US$42 million Solar American Initiative (SAI) Technology Pathway Partnership (TPP) grant, the company has advised that all 10 major tasks have been achieved or surpassed. The grant was originally awarded in 2006 for the development of large-scale PV systems for commercial buildings that would offer the best price per watt performance in the industry.
