RENA’s ‘InCellPlate Cu’ inline equipment for direct plating of a Ni/Cu/Ag stack on silicon, when combined with laser ablation of the silicon nitride layer and subsequent inline anneal, is said to provide complete front-side metallization for solar cell manufacturing. Compared with screen-printing, the technology allows cutting the cell production cost by US$0.06 (cents) and at the same time offers potential for cell efficiency improvement.
JA Solar Holdings one of the world's largest manufacturers of high-performance PV modules has announced the availability of a new line of easy-to-install Spice Solar frames for the US market. JA Solar modules with Spice frames install faster than ordinary modules with fewer parts, saving rooftop installers time and money on every job.
centrotherm photovoltaics is offering a one-step PECVD aluminum axide (AlOx/SiNx) process upgrade for advanced solar cell concepts such as PERC that are applied in mono and multicrystalline cell processing. The centrotherm direct plasma process provides superior dielectric AlOx/SiNx stacks with excellent passivation properties and is said to be the fastest and easiest way to start PERC solar cell manufacturing in a cost effective way.
The growing size and geographic dispersal of PV power plants worldwide presents numerous supply chain challenges. Ulrike Therhaag runs through some of the essential steps in effectively managing the procurement process.
Despite Reuters and whole bunch of mainstream media as well as some specialists in the renewable’s field having initially pronounced a major US$4 billion JV between SunEdison and India’s large conglomerate, Adani Group was a done deal back at the beginning of the year, those that did so should re-acquaint themselves with the terms 'memorandum of understanding' (MOU) and 'feasibility study'.
How silicon feedstock is packed into casting crucibles can have a big impact on the size and cost-efficiency of the resultant solar ingots. Til Bartel looks at some of the latest thinking around this essential stage in the PV manufacturing supply chain.
REC Solar’s ‘TwinPeak’ multicrystalline module series combines a number of enhancements to provide 280 watt peak (Wp) performance. The new module features 120 half-cut multicrystalline cells, four bus bars, passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) technology, and a split junction box. Together, these technologies enhance power output by around 10Wp per module.
PV Tech’s preliminary analysis of global PV manufacturing expansion plans for the month of July, 2015 provide a longer-term picture to future expansions rather than more immediate decisions, underlying a lull in ‘meaningful’ capacity additions.
Belectric’s Energy Buffer Unit (EBU) has been successfully prequalified for 1.3MW frequency response by a German transmission network operator (TNO) that provides frequency response balancing for reliable grid operation when taking into account large quantities of renewable energy being connected to grid. Belectric’s EBU system delivers a state-of-the-art battery based energy storage system in a container solution.
