News that amorphous thin-film competitors Sunfilm and Sontor are to merge due to the competitive landscape, overcrowded market, and the dominance of First Solar-- both from a capacity and conversion efficiency standpoint--could be the first of many such consolidations, as the solar market stalls because of the global current economic climate.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has improved its highest conversion efficiency rate for a 150 x 150 millimeter practical-size multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell by 0.3 points from 18.6 percent to achieve a claimed new world record of 18.9%.
Product Briefing Outline: Reis Robotics has now implemented a newly developed laser soldering procedure for practical use with several customers. Photovoltaics manufacturers are increasingly anxious to fully exploit the automation potential of their production capacity in order to deal with the increasing demands for lower prices. Reis Robotics as system supplier with its subsidiary Reis Lasertec as laser welding specialist have combined skill sets to deliver a laser soldering method for higher quality, shortened cycle times and reductions in manual rework.
Product Briefing Outline: Veeco Instruments has introduced its ‘FastFlex’ line of Web Coating Systems designed for manufacturing CIGS solar cells (those using copper, indium, gallium and selenium). Veeco’s ‘FastFlex’ web deposition platform offers high throughput and improved performance for flexible thin film solar cell production that is claimed to contribute to a lower cost of ownership, due to its high quantity of deposition zones in a compact footprint.
Product Briefing Outline: First Solar’s FS Series 2 PV Modules are designed for use in grid-connected, commercial power plants and are sold to leading system integrators, independent power project developers and utility companies worldwide. The modules are CdTe thin film in construction that will generally produce more electricity under real-world conditions than conventional solar modules with similar power ratings and the lowest cost per watt overall.
Product Briefing Outline: Pasan SA has introduced a new electronic load that is more accurate and offers several additional features for the testing of solar cells and modules. This electronic load not only is fitted to module and cell flashers, but also can be combined with continuous light sources. Furthermore the equipment is suitable for outdoor testing.
In our first full year online, we have steadily increased the number of new products we have reviewed and also seen the new products section gain increasingly greater traffic levels throughout the year. Looking through the traffic numbers, we have identified the Top 5 most popular reviews of new products for your enjoyment.
Product Briefing Outline: Rohm and Haas Company has launched its new line of ‘Enlight’ materials suite of products for crystalline silicon cell photovoltaic manufacturing. The Enlight product suite is designed to improve traditional solar cell processing by increasing cell efficiency and increasing manufacturing yields.
Product Briefing Outline: The TITAN TRACKER 122-219 ATR PRECISION is a new concept in solar trackers and has been developed for flat-plate and high concentrating photovoltaics CPV). It breaks with the usual trend, based on mounted-pole systems, and is claimed to offer improved benefits during the whole life-cycle of the installation.
Congress has passed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 with the support of senators Obama and McCain. The news is welcomed by the solar industry but unusually was met by traders with a plunge in the value of solar stocks. While most will focus on the financial implications of the bailout bill the solar industry can finally plan ahead...
