A new Photovoltaic Module Technology Center (MTC) in Freiburg, operated by Fraunhofer ISE, has an ambitious goal of reducing efficiency losses from the cell to the module to only 2.5%. Typically, losses from conventional modules result in efficiencies about 10-15% below those achieved at the cell level, according to ISE. However, extensive work already carried out at the institute has demonstrated losses can be reduced to a mere 5%.
Solar Gard Photovoltaics, part of Bekaert Specialty Films, has introduced the PV T10f to its line of high-quality backsheets for photovoltaic (PV) modules. Solar Gard is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of flexible films, and PV T10f leverages the company’s more than 30 years of expertise in coating and laminating to improve EVA adhesion and peel strength. Solar Gard PV T10f is UL recognized and performance tested at TUV, and outperforms third-party testing criteria.
Updated: There were no obvious surprises in Suntech’s first-quarter financial results. Total net revenues were US$877.0 million, a decline of 7.2%, while shipments were only down 3.1% sequentially, but increased 62.9% year-over-year. In line with other major PV module manufacturers, Suntech noted the weak demand scenario in Italy due to the FiT review and overall challenging environment and pricing pressure. Suntech reiterated that it expected to ship 2.2GW of modules in 2011, but due to pricing pressure, the top end of its revenue guidance was reduced by US$100 million to a range of US$3.3 billion to US$3.5 billion.
First quarter revenue and shipments at Hanwha SolarOne increased sequentially, adding to a growing theme that low-cost PV manufacturers can still find customers, despite weak demand. Total net revenues were US$335.2 million, an increase of 3.9% from 4Q10 and an increase of 48.7% from 1Q10. PV module shipments, including module processing services, reached 248.5 MW, an increase of 13.6% from 218.8 MW in 4Q10 and an increase of 65.0% from 1Q10. However, ASP declines and slightly higher material costs resulted in gross margins falling to 16.3% down from 20.3% in 4Q10.
Roth & Rau has purchased a production facility from electronics firm, Possehl Electronics in, Shenzhen, China to better serve customers in the region. Financial details of the transaction are to remain confidential. As part of the deal, equipment and personnel of around 145 employees will be retained by the PV equipment supplier. Roth & Rau is being acquired by Meyer Burger.
A veteran sales manager, Daniel Priem has been appointed as director of business development and sales for PV module mounting specialist, Zep Solar in Europe. The highly praised Zep mounting system has already attracted licenses from Canadian Solar, Centrosolar, Eco-Kinetics, ET Solar, Trina Solar and Upsolar. Priem has been tasked with penetrating key European regions, including Germany, Italy and the UK.
With its shift from cell producer to module producer virtually complete, China Sunergy produced first-quarter 2011 results in line with the fourth quarter of 2010, except in relation to higher inventory and falling module prices. Net income crashed 77.3% to US$3.5 million compared to the previous quarter net income of US$15.4 million. Revenue increased to US$165.7 million, a 58.9% increase year-on-year over Q1 2010 but a slight decrease of 2.3% over the fourth quarter of 2010.
GT Solar has shipped 1,000 DSS multicrystalline ingot growth furnaces in seven months having announced a new milestone of its 3,000th DSS system being shipped to customer, Gigastorage in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It was only in early November, 2010 that GT Solar announced it had reached a new milestone of its 2,000th DSS system shipment, then to another Taiwan-based PV producer, Green Energy Technology (GET).
Adhesives Research (AR) has launched new pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes (PSAs) for bus bar, solar cell junction box, and encapsulation barrier applications in crystalline and thin film PV module applications.
Advanced Energy Industries has improved the performance of its 500kW ‘Solaron’ PV inverters have achieved a 98% efficiency rating from the California Energy Commission (CEC). According to the company this is a record breaking efficiency rating for any inverter in this power class. Advanced Energy also held the previous industry benchmarks of 97% and then 97.5%. By achieving 98% average efficiency without carve-outs for auxiliary power or other adjustments, the ‘Solaron’ PV inverters are ideal for the commercial and utility-scale solar inverter market.
