Major PV metallisation paste producer Heraeus Photovoltaics says it has bolstered its multi-supplier sourcing strategy for silver powder after an accident in early January 2016 at one of the largest producers, Dowa Hightec, left two workers dead and two injured. The plant was subsequently shut down and could be out of commission for several months, pending investigations.
Certain "deep-level" defects in silicon solar cells appear to improve their performance, according to research by scientists at the US governments National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Representatives of Brazil’s Chamber of Mines and Energy Committee have approved legislation that includes new solar financing options and tax exemptions for solar cell and module imports, but the proposals must still pass through two more commissions to become law, according to a leading industry figure.
Saudi-based industrial conglomerate Al-Afandi Group has signed a property contract with the Yanbu Royal Commission in Saudi Arabia for the first phase what is hoped to become a 1GW integrated module factory.
Major Taiwan-based solar cell producer Gintech Energy Corp ended a period of around six months of flat sales due to capacity constraints, posting December sales up 18.14%, compared to the previous month.
Taiwan-based merchant solar cell producer Motech Industries has reported December, 2015 sales reaching a new record high, the fourth consecutive month of record sales.
PV component and module manufacturer RenewSys India (RIPL) has ordered a 100MW solar cell line from unnamed European manufacturers in order to expand its own manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.
Collaboration by the U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and at the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) has set a certified record conversion efficiency of 29.8% for a III-V/Si solar cell.
