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

September 2, 2013
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

March 20, 2026
Since the start of March, several leading Chinese PV manufacturers have announced overseas module supply agreements.
March 20, 2026
Goldbeck Solar has secured an EPC contract to deliver three PV plants in Poland’s West Pomeranian province, with a combined installed capacity of 722MWp.
March 20, 2026
Renewables developer Newave Energia and investment firm Gerdau have opened a 452MW solar PV plant in Brazil.
Premium
March 20, 2026
SolarPower Europe tells PV Tech Premium of the benefits of a ‘complimentary’ relationship between auctions and corporate PPAs.
March 20, 2026
Danantara, has secured US$1.4 billion to back the government’s push for 50GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2035, with a focus on solar.
March 20, 2026
Global solar PV installations reached 647GW in 2025, up 11% from the previous year, according to data from think tank Ember.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain