Troubled thin film veteran, Energy Conversion Devices has deferred interest payments to note holders of its Senior Convertible Notes due 2013 as it continues talks with some of the holders over restructuring debt and raising funds to continue operations.
Blaming weaker than expected revenue earnings on poor weather and other factors, First Solar lowered its 2011 revenue guidance and separately announced a restructuring of its core business groups with the exit of TK Kallenbach, President of the Components Business Group, at the end of the year. Restructuring will lead to a workforce reduction of approximately 100 associates, around 1.5% of its workforce, according to the company. First Solar revised 2011 guidance in the range of US$2.8 to US$2.9 billion, down from a prior guidance range of between US$3.0 and US$3.3 billion.
Micro-cap module manufacturer, China Technology Development Group Corporation (CTDC) has been notified by NASDAQ Stock Market that its shares will be delisted on May 29, 2012 should the company fail to re-establish its common stock trading above US$1.00 minimum.
centrotherm has introduced a new fast firing furnace tool, c.FIRE for metallization of front and rear contacts of solar cells. It is suited for all common sorts of metallization paste and comes with an integrated and versatile dryer. Emphasis in the design was also placed on a compact footprint and maintenance systems in order to reduce the operating costs for solar cell producers.
One of the most recognised solar brands, Sanyo ‘HIT’ technology will be dropped next year and come under the Panasonic brand. The move by Panasonic, which acquired Sanyo was said to be part of a bigger strategic move to consolidate branding across multiple areas under the Panasonic name. Sanyo remains responsible for key areas in the energy sector of the Panasonic Group, according to the company.
With almost perfect conditions for solar technology deployment, a significant energy need and weak infrastructure, South Africa as highlighted in a detailed EPIA report last year should be one of the best emerging markets. However, lack of financial support was said to be the key obstacle. That my now be changing with one example of funding being made available with the support of the European Investment Bank and Investec to the tune of €100 million for the promotion of clean energy generation and energy efficiency initiatives in South Africa.
As part of its long-term cost reduction goals for its turnkey Micromorph thin film silicon ‘ThinFab’ production lines, Oerlikon Solar has teamed with gas suppliers Air Liquide and Linde to provide more than a 20% reduction in total cost of all gases and precursors. As a result, its ThinFab (120MWp) lines going into full production by end of 2012 can reduce module production costs by up to 5%. The total gas budget was said to be less than €8.50 per panel.
Semiconductor equipment supplier, Novellus Systems is developing what it describes as conformal film deposition (CFD) technology, an atomic layer deposition process to grow conformal metal oxide and metal nitride dipole layers in the PV cells. Collaboration is being undertaken with the University of South Florida (USF), to study the precise engineering of solar cell interfaces via a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.
David Brady, First Solar’s VP of Treasury is also taking over the role of Investor Relations, reporting to Mark Widmar, Chief Financial Officer. Former investor relations officer, Larry Polizzotto remains within the company, though no formal position has been chosen. Reasons for the shuffle were not given.
Pushing the boundaries of conventional silicon solar cell technology, while offering a low-cost production approach, took another step forward, according to R&D organisation, imec. In conjunction with its industrial affiliates, researchers have developed a small-area (2x2 cm2) - interdigitated back-contact (IBC) silicon solar cells that has demonstrated a conversion efficiency of 23.3%. Work will now focus on developing a large-area and production viable cell and process steps.
