Korean-based equipment supplier WONIK IPS has developed a turnkey CIGS thin-film technology from previous collaborations with Samsung. WONIK IPS has taken over all of the CIGS technology and IP acquired by Samsung SDI during its intensive and long-running CIGS R&D development phase.
Encapsulation is a key aspect of module durability, yet less effort is made to assess the quality of this process during manfuacture. Christian Honeker describes a new test procedure designed to improve the quality control of lamination and thus promote overall module performance.
Luvata has launched an online solar ribbon calculator called the Sunwire Calculator. The Sunwire Calculator enables photovoltaic module manufacturers to make more informed decisions concerning their solar ribbon needs such as weight, ribbon length per spool and ribbon length per solar panel. ‘Sunwire’ is Luvata’s branded photovoltaic solar ribbon.
HORIBA has developed a Phosphorus Oxychloride (POCl3) delivery systems that is being implemented for atmospheric and low pressure diffusion furnaces in Europe and Asia. The system comprises HORIBA’s advanced bubblers mounted in the diffusion furnace linked to HORIBA’s automatic bulk refill system. More than 120 production furnace tubes are running with the HORIBA system with a further 100 tubes installed before the end of 2015, according to the company.
Solar has an opportunity to be a focal point of December's crucial climate talks in Paris, but the industry must become better at making itself heard, writes Ben Willis.
PV Tech visited Europe’s largest solar park, a 300MW project developed by France-based PV developer Neoen, located in Cestas, France in order to take a closer look at the intricacies of such a massive project:
SunPower is planning gigawatts of PV projects over the coming years, but has yet to make public its plans for a new wave of manufacturing capacity expansions. Mark Osborne explores what options may be open to the US company in the race to remain competitive.
By Dr. Joris Libal & Dr. Radovan Kopecek, ISC Konstanz
Researchers are developing a new module specifically for use in desert areas, where much of the future growth in PV deployment is expected. Radovan Kopecek and Joris Libal of ISC Konstanz, one of the research partners involved, explain the thinking behind the 'AtaMo' module and its attributes in harsh conditions.
