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European PV systems integrators Belectric, EDF Energies Nouvelles, and Plain Energy have signed long-term deals with CIGS thin-film manufacturer Nanosolar for the supply of up to 1GW of utility panels over the next three to six years. The agreements are brand new, not extensions or modifications of previous contracts signed in years past with the three companies, all of which are strategic partners, Nanosolar CEO Geoff Tate told PV-Tech.
The recently formed solar business unit of TSMC is being transferred into a wholly owned and incorporated subsidiary to called TSMC Solar Ltd. TSMC said in financial filings with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) that the value of its solar business unit had been pegged at NT$12.5 billion or US$433.1 million.
The organic photovoltaics (OPV) industry is set to experience a near-sixfold increase in size over the next five years, according to a new report from industry analysts NanoMarkets. The report, titled “Materials, Applications and Opportunities in Organic Photovoltaics,” claims that OPV, which is expected to generate revenues of US$56 million in 2011, will be worth US$387 million by 2016.
Konarka Technologies has named Kenneth McCauley as its new vice president of sales, marketing and business development. McCauley will be responsible for increasing global distribution sales and design contracts for Konarka’s Power Plastic organic photovoltaic technology, which converts light to electricity.
Kuraray has simultaneously announced its commercialization plans for its concentrating PV lens and its intended supply of its technology to Amonix. Kuraray has been working on expanding its business divisions over the past two years and in the energy sector has been working on developing a concentrating lens by producing methacrylic resin.
Energy Conversion Devices’ subsidiary, United Solar, has completed a 1.1MW rooftop solar PV system at the logistics center for Eurocopter in Marignane, France. The installation covers the 500,522 square foot warehouse rooftop, which Barjane, a business par and logistic site builder in France, owns. Barjane will not only maintain ownership of the building, but also of the solar system. The project used Uni-Solar laminates, which were bonded to a waterproof membrane by Derbigum using their Derbisolar PV product.
Semiconductor market leader Intel has signed an agreement with CIGS thin-film start-up MiaSolé to help it ramp from 50MW to 150MW per annum capacity by the end of 2011. Intel’s Technical Manufacturing Services practice has been awarded the contract, which includes such services as strategic consulting, operational knowledge and training to MiaSolé as well as customized manufacturing services and systems, though specifics were not disclosed.
Fuelled by strong demand for MOCVD systems for LED production, especially from China, Veeco Instruments order backlog stands at US$530 million at the end of equipment suppliers first quarter. Combined with forecasted Q2 revenue increase of approximately 25%, Veeco expects second quarter revenue of between US$255 and US$285 million and full year 2011 revenue of over US$1 billion.
By passing all standards required by IEC62108 Suntrix has obtained the first Golden Sun certification for a CPV module in China. Issued by the China General Certification Center (CGC), the award is an accreditation system for PV products led by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of P. R. C. (CNCA) and supported by the National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility’s building certification system for Chinese solar PV products.
According to Taiwan-based thin-film PV module manufacturer NexPower, it is the first thin-film producers to receive carbon footprint verification under PAS 2050 and ISO/CD 14067-1 standards. NexPower’s multi-junction PV modules were verified by DNV (Det Norske Veritas) in February, 2011 taking approximately four-months for the verification, according to the company.
