JinkoSolar Holding’s modules have successfully passed ammonia corrosion testing, which was performed by TÜV Rheinland at its Solar Energy Assessment Centre in Cologne, Germany. The testing inspected the resistance to ammonia on JinkoSolar’s six poly- or monosilicon PV modules using relative power measurements, insulation testing and visual inspections. The testing confirms that all six JinkoSolar modules will receive ammonia corrosion certification.
Dow Chemical announced that it had officially opened its Dow Seoul Technology Centre in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do. The R&D centre will focus on technological advances in display technologies and semiconductor-related applications including lithography, organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), display materials and advanced chip packaging.
The Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) advised that it had recently bought a process development tool (PDT) from SoLayTec, which will use A12O3 deposition and integrate the surface passivation layers into different type of silicon solar cells, which are under development.
Aide Solar has multiplied its module portfolio with the release of its Quasi-mono module line, which is comprised of 21 additional modules. The new line is available in 60 and 72 cell designs, with power ratings from 230 to 320W. The company noted that the new modules, which it states have up to a 4% higher conversion efficiency at the module level than traditional polycrystalline, have completed UL certification and are available for release in the US market.
A class action lawsuit was filed against First Solar by Pomerantz Haudek Grossman & Gross in the US District Court for the District of Arizona. The complaint states that between April 30, 2008 and February 28, 2012, First Solar violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by not disclosing the full extent of certain manufacturing flaws on its earnings, that it improperly recognized revenue for certain products in its systems business, that it lacked sufficient internal and financial controls and, finally, that as a result, First Solar’s statement were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
SolarBridge Technologies and NESL-USA have partnered in order to provide an AC module system using SolarBridge’s microinverter. The module is backed by an end-to-end 25-year warranty. The NESL AC module system uses SolarBridge’s Pantheon microinverter in the pre-assembled panel, with the company offering its AC module system up to 250W per panel.
As energy prices continue to climb and solar rebates continue to attract a steady stream of customers, Antaris Solar has hired Robert McNamara as its new general manager for the United States in order to manage the regions increasing customer base. McNamara brings solar sales and management experience to his new role, coming from Solar Wholesale Products, which he led as president.
ESA Renewables is taking solar guarantees one step further with the launch of their Solar Power Production Guarantee program, which promises specific monthly energy production for solar energy systems under an ESA O&M agreement. If the system fails to meet ESA’s annual guaranteed power production levels, the company will compensate the solar project’s owners for the difference between guaranteed and actual energy generated.
According to a report by Arabian Business, the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) will issue the initial bids for the first 10MW of a US$3.3 billion solar park this September. The 1,000MW solar park has a target date for completion in 2030.
Tioga Energy advised that it had completed the installation of a 249kW solar system at BJ Wholesale Club’s Deer park, New York location. This is the first of two projects Tioga is developing through an incentive from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Combined, the two projects will provide 850kW of renewable energy.