Major China-based PV manufacturer, JA Solar, has had TUV Rheinland verify its PERC cell technology modules have a record-high >17.2% conversion efficiency, producing a standard 60-cell module with a performance figure above 280W.
Ahead of its financial analyst day event, major PV energy provider SunPower has pre-released financial guidance for 2015, while announcing its highly anticipated next wave of manufacturing capacity expansions.
High-tech manufacturing equipment firm, Manz AG reported record revenue for the first nine months of 2014, driven by its Flat Panel Display segment, which generated €179.9 million from the total revenue of €250.9 million.
The acquisition by Amtech Systems of BTU International was pre-planned to be completed and the company assimilated into Amtech ahead of the next capacity expansion phase by major PV manufacturers, according to Paul van der Wansem, chairman and CEO of BTU International.
Potential changes to the scope of the US trade investigation into Chinese modules could create a serious drop in Taiwan-produced cell sales, according to analysts at EnergyTrend.
Despite the lack of current capital expenditure (capex) across the PV industry value chain, market research firm NPD Solarbuzz expects a major shift to higher efficiency cells and modules to finally dominate the sector by the end of 2018.
The largest merchant solar cell producer, Neo Solar Power Corporation (NSP), reported a slight increase in sales for September, after three months of decline.
