Cell Processing

Suntech has announced a major manufacturing joint venture with Wuxi Industrial Development Group and Wuxi New District E&D Group.

Intevac has bought Solar Implant Technologies (SIT) for an undisclosed fee. Intevac hope the acquisition of SIT, a California-based solar module design firm, will enable them to reduce solar cell manufacturing costs.

Neo Solar Power has signed a poly silicon supply contract with Hankook Silicon, which will provide them with 11,600 tonnes of poly silicon between 2011 and 2017. The agreement not only provides Neo Solar Power with a stable long-term poly silicon supply but also reinforces the strategic alliance between the two companies.

One of the key low-cost PV module manufacturers, Yingli Green is also fast becoming one of the largest suppliers of high-efficiency modules.

SunPower sees substantial growth in store in fiscal year 2011, with annual revenues expected to range between $2.65 billion and $2.85 billion as well as PV cell production of 900-945MW at its three fabrication facilities. The company’s already issued its 2010 guidance, which forecasts revenues of $2.15 billion-$2.25 billion and cell production of 570-580MW. The company also said it has signed a deal to sell the Solare Roma PV power plant in Italy.

Manz Automation has reported strong revenue growth in the first nine months of 2010. Sales reached €121.3 million, compared to €46.7 million in the same period a year ago. Revenues in the third quarter of 2010 reached €53.8 million, driven by new product sales for the production of crystalline solar cells. Revenue was €18.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Due to continued demand, Manz has raised its revenue guidance for 2010 to between €170 - €175 million, up from at least, €140 million.

Increased orders from PV manufacturers in Asia are responsible for Despatch Industries posting third quarter revenue in excess of US$75 million. Despatch said it had expanded production capacity to meet demand, particularly for thermal furnaces. Lead times have subsequently declined for its range of products, the company said.

New supply agreements with multiple customers have pushed JA Solar’s 2011 delivery commitments passed 1.2GW. The cell and module manufacturer said it had secured an additional 600MW of new product orders, all with delivery dates in 2011 and had received prepayments associated with these customer orders.

Meyer Burger has concluded a CHF 70 million wire saw and wafer inspection systems contract with an unnamed customer in Asia. The contract will enable the customer to expand its production facility during next year.

Tempress Systems, a solar subsidiary of Amtech Systems, has obtained US$33 million in new solar orders from numerous Asian customers. The customers, both new and existing for the company, ordered Tempress’s diffusion processing systems this past October.