Product Briefing Outline: Camstar Systems has released ‘SolarSuite’ 4.5 for general availability. Version 4.5 includes advancements developed in collaboration with leading solar manufacturers and new packaging options scale with solar companies from startup to global enterprise. A rapidly growing CIGS module manufacturer was said to have increased asset utilization by 12%. A CPV and multijunction solar cell manufacturer increased conversion efficiency by 38%. A vertically integrated c-Si module manufacturer reduced production scrap by 20% using the new system.
Product Briefing Outline: SunSil of Denmark has launched its SunSil 300 module which is a fully integrated system producing a nominal 300W 240V AC that will increase yields for its owner by up to 30% per annum as well as reducing initial costs, making solar electricity significantly more financially appealing. The company sums it up as ‘Sun in – AC out.’
Product Briefing Outline: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates (VSEA) has entered the solar cell processing market with a specifically developed ion implanter, dubbed the Varian Solion. The implanter is based on Varian’s dual-magnet ribbon beam implant architecture and VIISta platform, used in the semiconductor industry. The company claims the tool enables the manufacture of high efficiency silicon solar cells through superior P-N junction formation while lowering the cost per watt through process simplification by eliminating PSG clean and edge isolation steps.
As of July 1, 2010, the amount of applications for photovoltaic systems installed under the micro-generation feed-in tariff in Ontario, Canada, reached 16,000. The majority of these applications have been for ground-mounted systems and thus, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has designed a FiT cut for any systems of this kind of 10kW or less, to stop the pressure this will place on tax payers.
Product Briefing Outline: Applied Materials has launched its Applied ‘SmartFactory’ MES software that is claimed to be an out-of-the-box factory automation solution. SmartFactory can be deployed in less than 60 days to improve product quality, boost productivity, and cut operational costs, according to the company, and is also the first MES available with integrated advanced process control (APC) capability.
Product Briefing Outline: Kemper has extended its family of dual-axis tracking system for photovoltaic (PV) modules, and includes a larger ‘KemTrack’ 120 system, capable of handling a combined module area of 120 square meters. The construction is torsion-free, extremely robust and durable and modular in construction.
With the first four Solar Decathlons held in the U.S., intrigue was high for the first European edition held in Madrid this month. In a bid to find out exactly what the competition had in store this year, I travelled over to the Villa Solar just a few days before the closing ceremony to see the offerings first-hand.After 10 days of heated competition, with scorching temperatures beating down all day in the Spanish capital city, the 17 teams' enthusiasm was on top form. Each house's designers welcomed me in, eager to reveal all about the design, planning and above all renewable aspects that had been worked into their entry.
Product Briefing Outline: ISRA Vision has introduced an advanced optical multi-panel inspection system called Powerscan for automated inspection of glass, surface, and laminates for the photovoltaic industry. Based on its standardised modules and software, ISRA has developed a special system setup to inspect thin-film solar modules right after lamination.
Product Briefing Outline: Intertronics has introduced the ‘BlueWave’ 200 UV curing spot lamp that is designed to provide the highest intensity and the most user-friendly operation. A new, patent pending Intensity Adjustment feature also allows simple, manual intensity adjustment during initial UV process validation and production.
Product Briefing Outline: AEG Power Solutions has introduced ‘Thyrobox M,’ which, it claims, is the most compact power solution that offers increased reliability and stability for the polycrystalline silicon deposition process. With advanced process monitoring capabilities, a 0.95 power factor and more than 99% energy efficiency, the Thyrobox M also reduces installation, commissioning and maintenance costs for the entire energy supply as well as building costs due to its smaller footprint compared to previous designs and competitor offerings.
