Calisolar is making its move to become high-volume low-cost silicon solar wafer producer with plans to build a 16,000MT silicon production facility in Lowndes County, Mississippi at an estimated cost of US$600 million. A pioneer of enhanced UMG-based wafers, Calisolar is bring silicon material production in-house to significantly lower costs and have greater control over material quality. When fully operational, the plant is said to employ 951 full-time workers.
Following the successful implementation of fluorine technology at Schüco TF’s 40MW Osterweddingen site, the company has signed a significant long-term supply contract with Linde Gases for the delivery of onsite fluorine (F2) to its new thin-film module mass production site in Großröhrsdorf, eastern Germany.
A recently signed a licensing agreement with see Taiflex Scientific offer its ‘Solmate’ backsheet, coupled to DuPont’s new ‘TPNext’ laminate, which is based on DuPont’s ‘Tedlar’ polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) backsheet film. DuPont Photovoltaic Fluoromaterials developed the new backsheet technology to enhance the quality and manufacturability of c-Si-based modules by improving adhesion to encapsulants, resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and enabling faster throughput in the backsheet production process, an area receiving constant attention to help drive down manufacturing costs.
The US Export-Import Bank will provide First Solar with $455.7 million of loan guarantees to construct a pair of solar PV power projects in Ontario, Canada. The bank will guarantee a $236.7 million loan for a 50MW plant to be built near Amherstburg, Belmont, and Walpole townships, and another $219 million loan for a 40MW farm slated for construction in St. Clair. The debt will be repaid over 18 years.
Serious issues over the viability of thin-film technologies and the companies using them were brought forward with the shutdown and looming bankruptcy of Solyndra this week. However, at EU PVSEC on Tuesday, September 6, at 11:30 am, CIGS turnkey equipment provider Manz is holding its CIGSforum, which is open to register for attendance.
Inventux Technologies has extended its product warranties for its micromorph-silicon thin-film PV systems from five to 10 years. The offer includes system components such as modules, inverters, and mounting systems and is being provided at no additional cost.
Bringing over 15 years of executive and technology experience to the role, Dr. Omid Shojaei joins Indeotec as its new chief executive officer. In his new position Shojaei hopes to build upon the company’s PECVD platform for R&D and pilot production for both c-Si and TF-Si.
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.
