A recently signed a licensing agreement with see Taiflex Scientific offer its ‘Solmate’ backsheet, coupled to DuPont’s new ‘TPNext’ laminate, which is based on DuPont’s ‘Tedlar’ polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) backsheet film. DuPont Photovoltaic Fluoromaterials developed the new backsheet technology to enhance the quality and manufacturability of c-Si-based modules by improving adhesion to encapsulants, resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and enabling faster throughput in the backsheet production process, an area receiving constant attention to help drive down manufacturing costs.
Serious issues over the viability of thin-film technologies and the companies using them were brought forward with the shutdown and looming bankruptcy of Solyndra this week. However, at EU PVSEC on Tuesday, September 6, at 11:30 am, CIGS turnkey equipment provider Manz is holding its CIGSforum, which is open to register for attendance.
China-based PV module manufacturer, BYD Company is now offering both its monocrystalline and polycrystalline module products with a ten year product warranty. The company also offers the assurance of 90% output power for ten years and 80% output power for 25 years.
A significant leap forward in advanced screen-printing for solar cells has been touted by Applied Materials, which will be showcased at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) in Hamburg, Germany from September 5-8. The new dual-lane ‘Baccini Pegaso’ screen-printer is said to enable novel, high-efficiency cell designs to be brought into mass production, effectively ‘future-proofing’ the platform due to its modular architecture. Early customer adoption includes Gintech Energy.
Previously delayed 10MW Helios ITA-3 PV solar power project in Puglia, Italy, built by ABB for independent solar power producer, Etrion has been completed ahead of its revised schedule, according to the company. A syndicate of banks, including Natixis, WestLB and Mediocreval, provided 80% of the financing for the project with an 18-year, non-recourse loan.
Akuo Solar, a subsidiary of French independent power producer Akuo Energy, will use 75,000 SunPower E19 modules for two PV power plants in the Provence-Alps-Cotes d'Azur region in the south of France. Construction of the PV power plant has already started and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Henkel has introduced ‘Loctite 3382’ in an effort to simplify silicon ingot bonding and protect against wafer breakages. Loctite 3382 provides improved bonding strength of the ingot in the sawing process and is de-bondable in hot water. This new bonding solution helps to avoid corrosion of the equipment and is free of caustic odor.
Edwards, a global supplier of vacuum and abatement equipment and services, has introduced the GXS 450 and 750 series of dry-vacuum pumps optimized for solar laminator applications. The new GXS series is claimed to deliver higher throughput and productivity, while at the same time providing a lower cost of ownership.
Moving in the opposite direction to many of its competitors, Yingli Green Energy reported record revenue and shipments in the second quarter of 2011. Yingli posted record revenue of US$680.6 million, up 27.4% compared to the prior quarter. PV module shipment increased by 36.6% from the first quarter, reaching an historical high of approximately 410MW, helped by increased demand in the US and China and gaining 46 new customers, who contributed approximately 90MW of PV module shipments in the quarter.
In a single stroke, LDK Solar has wiped US$1 billion in expected revenue from its 2011 guidance on the back of significant price declines for bare wafers and solar modules. In the second quarter, LDK is planning US$55 to US$60 million of inventory write-downs, the largest so far of any PV manufacturer. Instead of expected 2011 revenue in the range of US$3.5-US$3.7 billion, the company expects full-year revenue to reach US$2.5-US$2.7 billion.
