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.
Edwards has introduced a patented hot trap designed to thermally decompose the liquid diethyl zinc (DEZ) used in depositing some transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films in thin film solar manufacturing.
In reporting Q1’11 results on May 13, 2011, Roth & Rau highlighted year-on-year revenue growth for group activities (including PV) of 69.1% - from €35.3 million in Q1’10 to €59.7 million in Q1’11. Indeed, analogous to other PV companies recently across the value and supply-chains, emphasis was placed on year-on-year comparisons, not on quarter-on-quarter changes from the preceding reporting period Q4’10...
Centrotherm Photovoltaics has released its Q1’11 results, highlighting strong year-on-year revenue and bookings performance compared to Q1’10. Revenues grew year on year by 64.2% to €189.3 million, while new orders increased by 187.8% to €224.3 million. However, a more appropriate comparison comes by looking at quarter-on-quarter trends - in particular how Centrotherm’s PV book-to-bill is tracking – and in understanding trends within the industry driving these metrics.
Heraeus Photovoltaic Business Unit, a developer of advanced front and back-side silver paste for crystalline solar cells has introduced the SOL200 Series for back-side tabbing conductors for mono- and multicrystalline silicon solar cell wafers. SOL200 has been claimed to demonstrate lower paste laydown while maintaining excellent solderability with both leaded and lead-free solders while maintaining high adhesion and high electrical performance.
Konica Minolta Sensing Americas has introduced the AK Series of new photovoltaic reference cells to the US market. The AK reference cells are used as a standard point of calibration to ensure consistent measurements of newly developed photovoltaic cells.
Since the fast track review bombshell was dropped last week I have been thinking about what kind of implications this will have on the UK solar industry as a whole -- not just how it will affect the large-scale market. As we all know, one of the many things this country’s renewable energy industry lacks is experience, which is why it was so encouraging to see some of the world’s largest and most influential solar players step onto British soil.
Solyndra has developed a new solar application for agricultural greenhouse and shade structures that takes advantage of light being able to pass through Solyndra’s proven tubular thin-film PV panel design. Research CeRSAA in Italy and the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, have confirmed the improved nature of the panel design and its ability to support crop growth underneath while generating electricity.
Hyundai Heavy Industries SG-Series monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar modules offer a wide range of applications and performance parameters with tight specifications. Hyundai’s PV modules are manufactured on advanced automated production lines that include both 2 bus-bar and 3 bus-bar modules for its 54, 60, and 72 cell modules.
