Market research firm, IHS has produced its latest top 10 rankings list of PV module manufacturers for the first-half of 2013, which show Chinese firms continue to gain market share, while major US-based firms are not keeping pace.
German-based PV module manufacturer and project developer, aleo solar, is withdrawing from the US market due to its operations continuing to be unprofitable, according to a short company statement.
China-based Zhejiang Fortune Photovoltaic Co (M-Cells) has placed an order with Singulus Technologies for delivery of up to 16 vacuum coating machines with conversion efficiencies of over 18% for multicrystalline solar cells. Delivery of the first machine is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014.
A joint development program is to mesh atomic layer deposition (ALD) with large-area substrates to provide production tool technology for improved buffer and barrier layer deposition for thin-film PV modules, including CIGS.
Nine of Europe’s biggest energy companies have called for reforms to Europe’s energy system that would see subsidies for established renewable forms such as solar scaled back.
Total module shipments from Japanese companies in the first quarter of the 2013 financial year increased 304% compared to the same period last year, according to figures published by the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA).
Inverter manufacturer Solectrica’s SGI 500XT’s transformer inverters have been selected by Argrand Energy Solutions for a 2.3MW project in North Carolina.
Commercial and industrial customers of US energy and energy services retailer Direct Energy will soon be able to utilise solar power at ‘little or no upfront cost’, following an agreement the company has signed with PV energy services provider SolarCity.
