Collaboration between Merck and Nano-C is intended to bring about breakthroughs in nanostructured fullerene derivatives and semiconducting material formulations that overcome performance limitations of existing organic photovoltaics (OPV) materials. Merck’s Chilworth Technical Centre near Southampton, UK, is heading up the research.
QSolar has added a second production line to its manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China. The addition of a second line has doubled production capacity at the site from 20MW to 40MW a year.
Thermal processing equipment specialist Despatch Industries has been acquired by Illinois Tool Works for an undisclosed amount. ITW does not have any direct previous involvement in the PV industry. Despatch had posted record revenue in 2010 of US$200 million and is expected to produce revenue above US$200 million this year. ITW's revenues exceeded US$15 billion in 2010.
Bucking the trend for downward revised shipment guidance for the second quarter, Canadian Solar said that it expects module shipments of approximately 295MW, higher than previous guidance of between 245MW-255MW. The company said that increased demand had led to the revision but would also mean gross margin guidance would be at the lower end of its prior guidance range of 13%-15%. Greater reliance on outside purchased solar cells to meet orders was said to be the reason for the lower expected margins.
Solektra has received the first shipment of DEGERenergie’s MLD tracking systems for its 30kW PV plant in Križopotje, Croatia. The development is the first to use dual-axis tracking in Croatia and is comprised of four smaller systems equipped with DEGERtraker 7000NT systems.
Solar cell manufacturer Blue Chip Energy has filed for insolvency. The company informed a court in Eisenstadt about its financial state on Thursday and production was abandoned with immediate effect.
Capstone Infrastructure Corporation and SunPower have officially unveiled their new 20MW solar system in Amherstburg, Ontario. Although the system has been operational since June 30, it was only formally opened on Thursday when Capstone and SunPower employees and town politicians officially dedicated the 220-acre site.
Citing the “deterioration in the overall industry climate as well as delays in the recognition of sales and earnings for projects currently under way,” Roth & Rau has cut expectations for the second half of 2011 and withdrawn its forecast guidance for the year. “Given the reduction in demand for solar modules,” the company stated, “some customers have reviewed their investment projects intended to expand their production capacities and postponed the agreed delivery dates.”
A specialist in wind power systems, Vestas will be venturing into solar as the design for its new North American headquarters in Portland, Oregon revealed a 112kW rooftop PV system that will power 12% of the company’s new building. SolarWorld will provide panels for the Vestas’ headquarters, a historic building, which is expected to pursue LEED Platinum certification once various environmentally friendly features are completed.
Imperial Valley Solar Company 1, a subsidiary of SunPeak Solar, received a US$77.4 million loan agreement from the North American Development Bank (NADB), which will go towards the construction of a 23MW solar power plant in Niland, California. Fixed-tilt polycrystalline silicon PV modules will be installed over a 123 acres located in the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). The Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) certified the solar project on June 6.
