Your daily dose of photovoltaic technology developments and solar news
Materials
Opinion
Hemlock reveals scale of new polysilicon plant
With the start of actual construction of Hemlock Semiconductor’s new polysilicon plant, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, the largest polysilicon producer in the world has revealed both the initial production capacity of the plant as well as its future capacity capability. Initial cost of the plant was said to be US$1.2 billion and will employ approximately 500 workers when ramped. Hemlock has announced investments totalling more than US$4 billion for expanding polysilicon production over the last few years in a drive that is expected to keep the company in its leadership position.
News
BioSolar extends BioBacksheet line
BioSolar has announced plans for an extended line of BioBacksheets used to protect PV modules compatible with conventional c-Si PV modules. BioSolar bio-based backsheet materials are made from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of solar modules and eliminate the need for dangerous toxins found in petroleum based backsheets.
Read more >>Solutia buys EVA module encapsulant specialist Etimex Solar for €240 million
In a bid to offer the widest range of PV module encapsulant materials in the photovoltaics market, Solutia is acquiring ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant specialist Etimex Solar for €240 million in cash and additional debt. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2010. By combining EVA with its existing polyvinyl butyral (PVB) encapsulant capabilities, Solutia claims to be the world's only one-stop source for solar encapsulant solutions.
SolarWorld secures ultra-low-cost polysilicon with JV in Qatar
In an effort to secure ultra-low-cost polysilicon for future consumption and cost competiveness, SolarWorld has partnered in a new joint-venture polysilicon enterprise, Qatar Solar Technologies (QST), to be based in the Emirate of Qatar. Located close to chemical facilities in the Ras Laffan Industrial City in the northeast of Qatar, the new 3,600MT facility will be built by Centrotherm Photovoltaics and subsidiary SiTec at a cost of over €500 million. Production is planned to start in the third quarter of 2012 with full capacity reached in 2013.
Order Focus: Asia-based customers place US$200 million in news orders with GT Solar
Renewed wafer capacity expansion plans at some of the major Asia-based PV manufacturers have led directly to new orders for GT Solar’s ingot growth furnaces. The company noted that it has received new orders worth more than US$200 million for its ‘DSS450’ furnaces and ancillary equipment and services. One China based customer placed a follow-on order worth US$137 million. Other orders came from Tianwei New Energy, Phoenix Photovoltaic Technology, Yingli Green Energy, JA Solar, Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS), and one other unidentified customer.
Hitachi High-Technologies to resell XeroCoat’s antireflective coating solution in Japan, China
Hitachi High-Technologies and XeroCoat have entered into a strategic partnership for the distribution of XeroCoat’s antireflective coating solutions for solar photovoltaic modules in Japan and China. The agreement gives HHT, through its energy and environmental solutions unit, the right to resell XeroCoat’s equipment systems and materials into the two key Asian markets. XeroCoat also told PV Tech that it has established a demonstration pilot line at an Asian glass manufacturer.
Plunge in crystal-growing systems orders impacts 2009 results at PVA TePla
Silicon crystal-growing systems specialist PVA TePla saw plunging new orders in 2009, as customers reigned in capital spending and cut production in the first half of the year. The company reported consolidated sales revenues of €135 million in 2009, compared to €168.6 million in the previous year. Incoming orders decreased from €189.9 million in 2008, to only €69 million in 2009. Consolidated sales revenues were below the forecasted figure due to delivery extensions to 2010 requested by some customers.
Technical Papers
Outlook for consumables used in crystalline silicon cell and module manufacturing for 2010
With growth in 2009 suffering from recession and an ongoing credit crunch, this paper presents a review of the key trends in cell and module manufacture for the crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV module market. The c-Si segment remains the largest segment, and is competing effectively with less mature thin-film technologies. PV is still a largely uneconomic way to generate power, and requires subsidy to maintain sales volume and growth. While subsidies exist, the industry treads the narrow path of growing at a healthy clip, developing robust technology and business models, and mapping paths to profitable business without subsidies once PV installations become economically viable.
Importance of temperature control during crystallization and wafering in solar cell production
Heat transfer and control of the temperature field are important in the production of silicon solar cell wafers. Present work focuses on the first steps of the production chain, i.e. crystallization and wafering. For the crystallization process, control of heat transfer is crucial for the ingot quality in terms of grain structure, impurity distribution, particle formation, and ingot stresses. Heat transfer is also important during subsequent processes, in particular the wire sawing of the silicon blocks into wafers. The paper emphasises the role of heat transfer and explains the consequences for these processes. Examples from experimental trials and measurements are combined with models and simulation methods.
Product Briefings
New Product: Edge grinding using Bystronic glass’ champ speed machine offers 99.5% yield
Product Briefing Outline: Bystronic glass now offers the champ speed-series of glass substrate edge grinders, using experience gained from the automotive industry to provide clean, ground edges, free from cracks and shell defects, boosting yield and productivity in PV module production. The champ speed-series machines are completely vibration-free and can therefore provide the greatest precision in edge grinding.
New Product: Bernoulli Gripper from Festo enables ‘contactless handling’
Product Briefing Outline: Festo has introduced a Bernoulli Gripper for transporting delicate work pieces such as solar cells and wafers. The most particular benefit of the gripper is the minimized air consumption which reduces the energy costs. Other essential aspects are little swinging power, high grip force, low-pressure applications and a constant area load.
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