LayTec has introduced the first commercially available system for simulation and monitoring of LID (Light Induced Degredation). ‘LID Scope’ is a table-top system that helps to quantify the expected performance loss of any solar cell directly at the production line or in the lab. The tool performs accelerated or real-life degradation tests fully automatically. It is claimed to deliver highly reproducible results and a permanent monitoring of Voc changes by integrated metrology.
Insolvent German-based PV module manufacturer Solar-Fabrik said that German PV installer HSL Laibacher GmbH is expected to purchase one of its assembly lines (No.3) and resume module production at its own facilities in Aschaffenburg, under the Solar-Fabrik brand.
CIGS thin-film module producer Avancis has reported a record conversion efficiency of 17.9% with a 30x30 cm² champion mini-module, certified by Fraunhofer ISE.
CIGS thin-film start-up Siva Power has raised US$5 million in new Series D financing to build a pilot line to produce small-scale production to demonstrate its co-evaporation source technology at its facility in Santa Clara, California.
The ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) members in 2015, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, JinkoSolar, JA Solar, Hanwha Q CELLS and Yingli Green may have the largest module shipments and manufacturing capacity significantly higher than any other c-Si manufacturer but still lag behind others when it comes to R&D spending.
REC Silicon said it would restart FBR polysilicon production at its Moses Lake facility in the US this month, with full-production planned to be resumed in June, 2016.
Solar PV and polysilicon manufacturing equipment specialist centrotherm said that its current order backlog stood at over €146 million (US$165 million) at the end of the first quarter of 2016.
Leading ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Trina Solar said it had achieved a new world record for a large-area Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar cell.
According to Taiwan-based market research firm, EnergyTrend polysilicon spot market prices in China have surpassed US$20/kg and are expected to climb higher in the next month.
