AMETEK Programmable Power will be offering a fully automated EN50530 test solution that utilizes three core ‘Surround the Inverter’ elements: the TerraSAS Solar Array Simulator, MX/RS Grid-Simulator and CTS Compliance Test System. The programmable power products and systems simulate the output of solar arrays, the loads applied to the output of the inverter, and the interface with the grid, providing a comprehensive and energy efficient means of testing PV inverters.
Verified by the Fraunhofer ISE Institute, CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenid) thin-film manufacturer, Solibro a subsidiary of Q-Cells has reported a CIGS test module has achieved a new world record conversion efficiency of 17.4%. Earlier this year Solibro produced a record full-module reading of 14.7% in series production.
Late Friday, November 25, Evergreen Solar issued a statement announcing that senior executives, including CEO, Michael El-Hillow had been sacked with immediate effect on November 21, 2011. The board of directors appointed Christian M. Ehrbar as its new CEO and Paul Kawa as CFO, without providing reasons for the sacking or new appointments. Evergreen Solar is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and recently conducted a sale of some of its core assets to Max Era Properties Limited.
Orders from Canada and Azerbaijan for Vitrododi solar glass washers are now being built at a Rimas factory in Holland for Rimas PV manufacturing lines. Vitrododi Solar was acquired by Rimas in July, 2011.
Third quarter results from Hanwha SolarOne echoed pricing pressure and weak demand, especially from Germany that led to margin pressure, inventory write downs and losses. Hanwha SolarOne reported US$225.4 million in revenue, a decrease of 20.1% from 2Q11 when revenue reached US$277.1 million. The company recorded a non-cash inventory write-down of US$30.6 million and a net loss of US$46.4 million.
Significant price declines coupled with difficult project financing conditions, especially for large-scale PV projects in Europe, were key reasons behind Trina Solar reporting a net loss of US$31.5 million in the third quarter. Though module shipments reached 370MW in the quarter, slightly higher than previous guidance of 360MW at the high range figure, shipments declined 6.6% sequentially. Net revenues were US$481.9 million, a decrease of 16.8% sequentially and 5.2% year-over-year.
New entrant to the PV project business, 3U Holding said it will build its first PV power plant in Adelebsen, Lower Saxony. Unlike typical projects, 3U Holding will use acquired derelict industrial area of approximately 26 hectares with buildings that will house rooftop arrays of mainly Canadian Solar modules as well as a ground-mounted array as a second phase development. The Rooftop part of the project is expected to be completed before the end of 2011. The total investment is expected to be in the range of €25 million.
Kaneka Corporation has signed a licensing agreement with Q-Cells for two patents related to a heat insulator spacer for solar cell based modules. The patents, EP 1009037 and US6300555 cover European and US patents owned by Kaneka.
After a record revenue financial year, Applied Materials is experiencing a significant reduction in equipment orders and revenue from PV manufacturing customers. Though cancellations were minimal, backlog decreased by 26% to US$2.4 billion, of which 14% is within its EES division, which includes PV equipment. Management expects PV related global CapEx to at fall by at least 50% in 2012 as manufacturers combat massive overcapacity and focus on cell efficiency improvements and technology buys.
Upon expiry of a recent five-year contract, long-standing employee and current CFO, Sabine Kauper will leave Phoenix Solar at the end of the year. Her replacement, Dr. Bernd Köhler comes from Siemens and will assume responsibility for finance, along with Personnel and Organisation Development, International Process and IT Management, Internal Audit and Law from January 1, 2012.
