First Solar has announced it has set yet another world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) PV research cell conversion efficiency, achieving 21.5% efficiency certified at the Newport Corporation's Technology and Applications Center (TAC) PV Lab.
PV inverter manufacturer, Advanced Energy Industries (AE) reported its inverter sales in the fourth quarter of 2014 were down 9.8% sequentially and down 27.9% on the prior year period.
Monocrystalline wafer producer, Longi Silicon Materials and electronics giant and PV inverter producer, Huawei Technologies have signed a memorandum of cooperation to pursue smart technology options to boost PV power plant performance and reliability.
Germany-based OPV substrate manufacturer, Heliatek, has signed a business development agreement with Singapore-based vTrium Energy to grow its market in the region.
CIGS thin-film start-up Siva Power has recently raised a total of US$10 million to fund its build of what it claims is the world's highest capacity co-evaporation source, the key tool for its claimed ultra-low cost CIGS modules.
The dark days for the PV equipment sector are nearing an end after three years of strict capital cash management and reduced R&D spending by cell and module manufacturers, brought on by chronic overcapacity. Mark Osborne speaks to Applied Materials' Jim Mullin for his thoughts on where PV cell technology is headed next.
Wacker has reported that preliminary sales for its polysilicon division in the fourth quarter of 2014 topped €262 million, up 5% from the prior year period, but declined slightly quarter on quarter.
