3S Industries Group is expanding its operations in Asia as it expects significant future growth for its automatic string soldering machines, laminating lines, testers and turnkey solar module production lines in the region. 3S said it was establishing subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Singapore and an office in Kunshan, China.
China-based PV manufacturer Zhejiang Hongchen has placed a follow-on order with DEK for a second PV1200 photovoltaic metallization line. Zhejiang Hongchen cited the zero wafer breakage and high throughput of the system as well as short delivery times as key reasons for the purchase of another system.
Konarka Technologies has teamed with Arch Aluminum & Glass to develop building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) products using its polymer-based, organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology on glass. Arch Aluminum specializes in artistic and architectural glass products.
Suntech Power Holdings CTO, Dr. Stuart Wenham has received NewSouth Innovations (NSi) Inventor of the Year Award. NSi is the technology commercialization company of the University of NSW, Australia (UNSW). Dr. Wenham holds a dual position as the Director of the UNSW's ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence as well as his position at Suntech. Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Chairman and CEO was a former senior research scientist at the Centre of Excellence.
Based on its short but successful relationship with Topinfrasolar, a Korean systems integrator, Canadian Solar will supply the company with a further 5MW of modules this year. Topinfrasolar had already purchased approximately 3MW from Canadian Solar since the beginning of the year.
Certified Steel, Nexus Properties, and SunPower have agreed to build a 1.2-MW solar power system at Certified's facility in Hamilton, NJ. The system, which should be completed in July, will be the largest installation financed by Public Service Enterprise's (PSE&G) solar loan program so far.
NanoMarkets has begun a new research effort focusing on the opportunities for suppliers of metals and related materials used in solar photovoltaics. Metals covered in the program will include silver, indium, tin, cadmium, aluminum, molybdenum and zinc.
Arizona State University will install 3.3 MW of solar PV panels on its West campus in Phoenix, part of the second phase of the school's overall solarization project. Construction on the system is expected to begin this summer and be completed in December.
String Ribbon solar cell manufacturer Evergreen Solar is planning future expansions in China, with the aim of reaching a manufacturing cost of US$1 per watt by the end of 2012. The aggressive goal is in tandem with ramping a new plant in China to 500MW in that time frame. This is being planned with another PV manufacturer, Jiawei Solar (Wuhan) Co., and the Wuhan Donghu New Technology Development Zone Management Committee, part of the Wuhan provincial government in Wuhan, China.
Fresnel technology-based solar thermal power systems provider Solar Power Group has had MAN Ferrostaal raise its stake in the company by approximately 19% to 43.8%. The move is part of MAN Ferrostaal’s belief in the technology and company being able to capture significant business in the future. MAN Ferrostaal is now majority owned by the International Petroleum Investment Co. (IPIC) and expects growth especially in the Middle East.
