A significant leap forward in advanced screen-printing for solar cells has been touted by Applied Materials, which will be showcased at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) in Hamburg, Germany from September 5-8. The new dual-lane ‘Baccini Pegaso’ screen-printer is said to enable novel, high-efficiency cell designs to be brought into mass production, effectively ‘future-proofing’ the platform due to its modular architecture. Early customer adoption includes Gintech Energy.
Cylindrical CIGS thin-film manufacturer Solyndra has announced that it has suspended its manufacturing operations, immediately laid off its 1100 full-time and temporary employees, and intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Fremont, CA-based company cited "the negative impacts of global economic and solar industry market conditions" as the reason for the actions. The firm also said it is evaluating its options, which could include "a sale of the business and licensing of its advanced CIGS technology and manufacturing expertise."
Roth & Rau has appointed new members to its supervisory board, replacing the previous board who concluded their term in office last week. At the company’s Annual General Meeting, shareholders chose to elect Michel Hirschi, Andrea Sieber and Peter M. Wagner, with Wagner appointed as chairman of the board.
GE Capital Real Estate and SunEdison flipped the switch on the first two of fifteen solar rooftop systems, which fall under the Ontario FiT program. The solar projects are part of GE Capital Real Estate’s environmental sustainability initiative with SunEdison agreeing to build and operate all fifteen of the PV systems.
Alex Solar, a R&D, manufacture, sales and technical service provider for crystalline silicon solar modules and PV application systems, announced its latest investment in an 8MW solar power plant located in Potsdam, Berlin. The company noted that this is one of several investments it is making in solar projects throughout Berlin and Munich.
Hemlock Semiconductor has named Andrew Tometich as its new president. Tometich will start his new role immediately, where he will work alongside current chief executive officer Richard Doornbos.
Air Products has appointed Stephen J. Jones as China president, in an effort to promote the company’s next stage of growth in China. Jones will be based in Shanghai and will also remain as senior vice president and general manager of Global Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy, a position he has held since 2009.
Ubbink East Africa, Centrotec Sustainable's Dutch subsidiary, has opened East Africa's first PV module factory in Naivasha, Kenya. Ubbink plans to produce around 30,000 modules a year, with the majority of these being used to cater for the growing number of small-scale systems in Africa.
Avancis PowerMax copper indium selenide (CIS) thin-film PV modules have been certified for higher reimbursement entitlements in Italy. Because the panels are made in Germany, Italian system operators who purchase the products can be eligible for a 10% higher feed-in rate that will apply for 20 years.
Previously delayed 10MW Helios ITA-3 PV solar power project in Puglia, Italy, built by ABB for independent solar power producer, Etrion has been completed ahead of its revised schedule, according to the company. A syndicate of banks, including Natixis, WestLB and Mediocreval, provided 80% of the financing for the project with an 18-year, non-recourse loan.
