Later this year, DuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM) is expecting to commercially launch a new version of its Solamet brand of PV metallization pastes that are claimed to significantly reduce the silver (Ag) content. MCM plans a new product that will reduce the silver content by 10%, having accelerated development efforts that should at a later time see a 20% reduction in silver content, all designed to be near drop-in replacements for current products.
Photowatt Ontario has entered an agreement, which will see it supply 24MW of its solar PV modules to a global supplier of solar power serving the Ontario solar market. Photowatt Ontario did not disclose the name of its customer, or the financial details of the supply deal, but did advise that the supply agreement is a two-year commitment between the two companies.
Applied Energy Technologies (AET) is further developing its solar-mounting solutions production with the opening of its new 43,100 square foot manufacturing and warehouse facility in Maumee, Ohio. The new facility includes a 41,600 square foot manufacturing and warehouse space, along with 1,500 square feet of office space and triples AET’s US production capacity.
PV module manufacturer, China Sunergy has obtained the UK’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme certification, which allows the company to market its modules in the country.
With the home content rules for PV installations in place in Ontario, Canada a growing number of suppliers have been forced to manufacture products in the region for customers to obtain the feed-in tariffs. Although not mentioning its manufacturing partner, Conergy is the latest module manufacturer to establish production in Ontario
Module overcapacity among weak demand dynamics in key markets has caused at least one customer of BTU International to put equipment ordered on hold. Planned capacity expansions are being revised for customers, according to the c-Si solar cell equipment supplier, forcing it to also lower its sales expectations for the short-term.
3S Photovoltaics, a division of Meyer Burger Technology, Sputnik Engineering and BE Netz have partnered for the development of Switzerland’s Umwelt Arena. Located in the town of Spreitenbach, near Zurich, the building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) project covers over 57,048 square feet of the arena’s rooftop and holds the possibility of generating 540,000kWh of solar energy every year.
Ion implant market leader Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates will be acquired by Applied Materials for approximately US$4.9 billion. The deal is said to enhance Applied’s product offerings for transistor formation for front-end semiconductor processing as IC process complexity, transistor scaling and 3-D design implementation require complete and integrated product and process offerings. The deal also offers Applied new market opportunities in solar, display and light emitting diodes, where Varian has made significant investments in recent years to broaden implant technologies market opportunities. Varian reported last week second-quarter 2011 revenue of US$330 million.
Jun Xu and his team of researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a 3-D nanocone-based solar cell, which is said to enhance the light-to-power conversion efficiency by almost 80%. The solar cell is constructed using n-type nanocones made from zinc oxide, which perform as the junction framework and electron conductor , and are enveloped by a p-type semiconductor consisting of polycrystalline cadmium telluride, which act as the principal photon absorber channel and hole conductor.
Georgia Power has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 1MW of solar PV energy projects that will be used as part of the company’s Green Energy program. Georgia Power is looking for solar PV systems that are at least 100kW and under a contract term of 10 years. The company will admit bids up to 15 cents per kWh including interconnection costs. Solar energy for the RFP is required on or before June 1, 2012.
