Product Reviews

  • Designers can program the RD-195 to optimize the balance between arc-detection accuracy and false detection prevention to meet their system

    TI offers first reconfigurable DC arc detect reference solution

    16 May 2013, 10:59

    Texas Instruments has introduced the industry’s first fully programmable DC arc detect reference solution. The RD-195 makes it faster and easier for designers to address a growing need to safeguard high-power DC systems against the catastrophic damage that can result from arc faults.

  • HelioSeal PVS 120 is a butyl rubber based hot melt framing sealant which is delivered ready-to-use.

    Kömmerling’s ‘HelioSeal’ PVS 120 provides superior water and moisture vapour tightness frame sealing

    16 May 2013, 10:52

    Kömmerling has launched its new butyl based framing sealant ‘HelioSeal’ PVS 120. In contrast to existing framing sealants on the market HelioSeal PVS 120 is claimed to provide immediate green strength and superior water and moisture vapour tightness, while being hot applied and able to be used by hand or in fully automated high speed production lines.

  • Gallium arsenide nanowires are fabricated via a high-throughput process called ‘Aerotaxy’ invented by company founder and Lund University pr

    Sol Voltaics gallium arsenide nanomaterial to be low-cost ink process for solar cells

    09 May 2013, 10:03

    Start-up Sol Voltaics has unveiled ‘SolInk’, which is claimed to be an economical nanomaterial that promises to increase the efficiency of crystalline silicon or thin-film solar modules by up to 25% or more. Gallium arsenide nanowires are fabricated via a high-throughput process called ‘Aerotaxy’ invented by company founder and Lund University professor Lars Samuelson.

  • The new thin (35mm) frame design features a high-tech aluminum alloy that allows for wind loads of up to 5,400 Pa while reducing module weig

    Hanwha Q CELLS ‘Q.PRO-G3’ series module comes in a lighter and slimmer design

    02 May 2013, 13:02

    Hanwha Q CELLS has introduced its versatile polycrystalline-based ‘Q.PRO-G3’ series module. Using its ‘Q.ANTUM’ high-efficiency solar cell technology (19.5% conversion efficiencies) and performance induced degradation (PID) free technology, the module also employs a lighter and slimmer design, using higher tensile aluminum frame.

  • Manufacturing the Solar Future: a snapshot of a vibrant industry.

    Manufacturing the Solar Future: a snapshot of a vibrant industry

    25 April 2013, 14:50

    PV-Tech’s publisher Solar Media has recently produced the 2013 Production Annual, which brings together the best of our Photovoltaics International articles from the last year. Jef Poortmans, director of PV technologies at IMEC, offers his thoughts on what insights the annual offers into the state of PV technology.

  • The system offers a thermal conductivity of 0.7 W/mK together with a mix viscosity of only 1900 mPa s at room temperature.

    Huntsman develops a new encapsulating system for PV Inverters

    18 April 2013, 10:33

    Huntsman Advanced Materials has launched a new product for potting of solar inverters. The polyurethane system ‘Arathane’ CW 5660 / HY 5610 has been designed to meet the key requirements of inverters for PV applications. Fast processing, high thermal endurance combined with low temperature flexibility and high thermal conductivity are the key features of the new system.

  • The all-black module's change in appearance results from the use of an advanced, all-black edge seal technology combined with an innovative

    First Solar’s ‘Series 3’ CdTe thin-film module platform offers harsh environment capability

    18 April 2013, 10:25

    First Solar has launched a new evolution of its Series 3 CdTe thin-film PV module platform. The ‘Series 3 Black’ is said to incorporate First Solar’s latest advances in conversion efficiency as well as additional features to enhance its performance in utility-scale power plants.

  • The Enecsys second generation microinverter is currently offered in single versions in increments from 240W up to 300W maximum AC output.

    Enecsys’ second gen microinverter claims 33% improvement in maximum power output

    11 April 2013, 07:54

    Enecsys has introduced its second generation microinverter platform, including a new communications gateway and online monitoring service. The microinverter technology is said to power scale up to 300W AC enabling the use of many high powered 60-cell modules, providing maximum energy harvest in the smallest footprint.

  • Solar Cube calculates the ‘zenith angle’ and the ‘azimuth angle’, which together specify the exact position of the sun in the sky to withi

    IMO offers off the shelf controller designed for axis PV systems

    11 April 2013, 07:48

    The IMO Solar Cube has been developed by IMO Precision Controls as an easy to set up solar tracking and measurement controller with the flexibility to adapt to either one or two axis PV module installations to track the sun’s movement.

  • PSE AG has developed a new test stand, ‘Degratest Labtool,’ designed for the testing of light induced degradation (LID) effect of silicon so

    PSE provides analysis of solar cells light-induced degradation

    04 April 2013, 12:45

    PSE AG has developed a new test stand, Degratest Labtool, designed for the testing of the light-induced degradation (LID) effect on silicon solar cells. The testing technology monitors and records degradation effects, and offers manufacturers and research institutions a fast and reliable tool for testing and developing solar cells. The LID test system was developed at ISC Konstance.

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Publications

  • Photovoltaics International 19th Edition

    For manufacturers who had their heads in the bunker during 2012, fighting falling ASPs and eroding margins, the nineteenth edition brings you details of what lies in store for this coming year. Wright Williams & Kelly return in this issue with their popular analysis of payback on technology buys; crucially they analyze n-type wafers, Al2O3 passivation and copper metallization. SERIS shows us how to achieve 18.7% efficiencies using low-cost etching techniques on diffused wafers. We also have two important technology roundups: CIGS from Helmholtz Berlin, and PV module encapsulation techniques from Fraunhofer ISE.

  • Manufacturing The Solar Future: The 2013 Production Annual

    In the ever-changing global solar markets, cost reduction and measures to increase cell efficiencies are the key tools available to PV manufacturers to create new opportunities and drive your business to the next level. Manufacturing the Solar Future 2013 is the third in the Photovoltaics International PV Production Annual series, delivering the next instalment of in-depth technical manufacturing information on PV production processes designed to help you gain the competitive edge.

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