Solibro’s CIGS thin-film IP changes hands within Hanergy as conversion efficiency issues loom

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Hanergy Holding is transferring the intellectual property (IP) rights to Solibro’s copper-indium-gallium-selenium (CIGS) thin-film technology to subsidiary, Apollo Kunming.

Included in the deal is the IP from Solibro Research AB, a Swedish CIGS solar technology research and development company.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Solibro GmbH, the former thin-film subsidiary of German solar cell manufacturer Q-Cells SE was acquired by Hanergy Holding Group in September, 2012.

In a separate statement covering first-half 2013 financial results, Hanergy noted that new Chinese Government directives on PV manufacturers having to meet improved conversion efficiency targets, including thin-film manufacturers would lead to further consolidation and a need for companies to focus greater resources on R&D activities, something Hanergy said it would do to meet targets.

The company said that it would focus on more advanced thin-film technologies including nano-crystalline silicon and CIGS.

The key driver is due to the State Council of China’s industry dictate that is pushing PV manufacturers to meet minimum conversion efficiency values for newly constructed PV module manufacturing facilities of 18% for multicrystalline, 20% monocrystalline and 12% for thin-film technologies.

The Solibro IP transaction was valued at RMB280,000,000 (US$45.7 million). 
 

Read Next

Premium
November 6, 2026
PV Tech spoke with many industry experts about the midterm election results, covering topics such as permitting, state-level impact and investment appetite.
Premium
November 6, 2026
In H1 2026, China rejected enough solar and wind to supply Mexico for a year. Carrie Xiao looks at the country’s curtailment problem.
November 6, 2026
The 174MW Tume solar farm in Tukums, Latvia, reaches operational status. For the first time, owner Ignitis Renewables will run its own facility.
November 6, 2026
US tracker manufacturer FTC Solar has registered revenues of US$32.8 million in the third quarter of 2026, up both sequentially (25.4%) and year-on-year (26.1%).
November 6, 2026
A New South Wales (NSW) parliamentary inquiry has recommended that data centres be legally required to supply their own 100% renewable energy on an hourly basis, a stricter test than the state's current guidelines.
November 5, 2026
After two months of module price decreases in Europe, all solar module and inverter types have gone up, according to the latest PV Index report from online solar marketplace sun.store.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye