News

April 28, 2009
Not immune from the current slowdown in semiconductor and related industries equipment spending caused by the current economic downturn, Veeco Instruments reported sales for the first quarter of 2009 at US$62.8 million, compared to US$102.3 million in the first quarter of 2008. The company showed a loss of US$20.9 million, while operating cost reduction initiatives in place since the third quarter have resulted in a 20% decrease in expenses. LED and solar orders were US$28 million, down 26% from the first quarter of last year and 35% sequentially, according to the company.
April 28, 2009
The Danish National Labororatory for Sustainable Energy, Risø DTU, has connected a polymer solar-cell array to the grid on campus to demonstrate the current developments taking place with PV cells based on polymer materials. More than simply a test bed, researchers in collaboration with “roll-to-roll” flex-print and printed electronics specialist Mekoprint and BIPV module specialist Gaia Solar have fabricated the polymer cells for energy production, demonstrating the commercial readiness of the technology from a manufacturing perspective.
April 28, 2009
BP Solar has reported PV module sales in the first quarter of 2009 of 15MW, down from 34MW in the same quarter of 2008. The company noted that it was experiencing continued weak demand in the solar market.
April 27, 2009
Red Sun Energy has opened what is being called the first solar module factory in Vietnam. The facility, which will have a capacity of 5 MW during its initial phase of operations, is located in the Duc Hoa Industrial Park in southern Long An province.
April 27, 2009
Acting fast on last week's news that MEMC would not cancel the 10-year contract to supply solar wafers, Conergy is starting legal action in New York City. Although few details have been revealed over the specific reasons, Conergy believes court action is justified as there were a number of invalid clauses in the contract but in particular ‘anti-competitive contractual provisions’ that rendered the entire contract invalid.
April 24, 2009
Caught with dramatically lower demand for semiconductor silicon wafers and a below seasonal demand for solar wafers, MEMC is to review its capital spending and polysilicon capacity expansion plans, executives said in response to questions from financial analysts in a quarterly conference call. MEMC had previously announced plans to boost polysilicon production from the current 8,000MT per annum, reached at the end of 2008 to 15,000MT in 2010.
April 24, 2009
Hopes of a revision to Conergy’s 10-year wafer supply agreement with MEMC have rescinded as soon as they were raised, with MEMC noting in a press statement covering first quarter financial results that the ‘contract remains in full force and effect.’ In a conference call to discuss financial results, MEMC executives said that Conergy had already been advised that the existing contract would remain in place.
April 23, 2009
Coherent, Inc. has shipped its 100th AVIA laser into the solar industry and is claimed to be one of the most widely adopted laser for a wide variety of solar cell fabrication applications. According to Coherent, the AVIA laser has more than 90% market share of the silicon cell edge isolation step.
April 23, 2009
Roth & Rau AG has acquired Ortner cleanroom logistic systems GmbH for an undisclosed sum in an effort to meet increasing demand from customers to support crystalline and thin-film equipment servicing, spare parts and other support activities. Ortner, based in Dresden, is a specialist in tool installations and automation company. Ortner’s existing management and skilled workforce will continue to operate the business as a subsidiary of Roth & Rau.
April 22, 2009
SunEdison has signed up integrator REC Solar as its first channel partner. The North American solar energy services company's channel program provides national installers and integrators increased project financing capabilities, including the ability to deliver projects via a solar power purchase agreement. The PV systems developed under the program also receive SunEdison's service, maintenance, and monitoring capabilities through its advanced control and management technologies.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico