Mark Osborne

US-based ultra-thin silicon wafer start-up Crystal Solar is planning to complete pilot production of its ‘Epi Thin-Silicon’ technology this year with volume production targeted sometime in 2014.

A select group of Suntech Power Holdings bondholders have agreed a second time extension to talks over its US$541 million debt payment default.

Small France-based module manufacturer, Solarezo has entered bankruptcy proceedings in an effort to restructure its finances having a reported €50 million order backlog with only a 65MW production capacity, according to the company’s website.

China-based monocrystalline wafer producer, Comtec Solar, is constructing a new wafer plant at the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone in Malaysia.

Designed for solar modules with cells for rear-side contacting, ‘AKACON BCF’ PV backsheet is being offered by the KREMPEL Group and is ready for volume production. The backsheet comes with a copper layer and is structured according to customer's design for back-contact cells.

Canadian Solar is to build a new PV module assembly plant to support the build-out of Samsung’s PV project pipeline in Ontario, Canada.

PV module manufacturer, Seraphim Solar System has been awarded ‘Thresher Certification’ from TÜV SÜD, the first company to do so.

Israeli fund, Econergy, has acquired 7MW of PV assets from Sorgenia located several regions of Italy that includes 10 PV plants that are both ground-mounted and rooftop.

Wide bandgap semiconductors based on silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) substrates are set to drive down the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) and boost margins on electricity sold, according to a new report from Lux Research.

One of the first and most highly respected financial research analysts covering the PV sector, Jesse Pichel, has joined ROTH Capital Partners as managing director, Cleantech Investment Banking.