MPrime has become the latest company to provide a 25-year linear warranty for its PV modules. Under the warranty, the crystalline modules are guaranteed to perform at a minimum of 97% of the rated power during the first year and 96.3% during the second year, with an average annual decrease in power output of no more 0.68% over the subsequent 23 years.
China-based PV module manufacturer, BYD Company is now offering both its monocrystalline and polycrystalline module products with a ten year product warranty. The company also offers the assurance of 90% output power for ten years and 80% output power for 25 years.
Upsolar modules installed around the world are eligible for the company’s newly extended warranty for its standard solar module. The extension, which doubles the previous coverage from 5 years to 10 years, covers customers’ modules for defects in materials or workmanship.
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.
