Having previously announced a major reorganization of its entire operations, centrotherm photovoltaics, the second largest equipment supplier to the PV industry, has employed an outside consultancy to prepare discussions with its banks to secure further funding. The move was sparked by short-term liquidity issues after merchandise credit insurance companies, used for products and merchandise being delivered to the company, declined further coverage and guarantees.
bSolar, through its strategic partner and Japanese distributor TSBM, has won a contract to construct a 730kW ground-mounted solar project in Nasukarasuyama city, Tochigi, Japan. The project is expected to go online in December and will feature bSolar’s disruptive bifacial PV cells.
Fraunhofer ISE recently confirmed that Kaneka and imec’s six-inch, semi-square, heterojunction silicon solar cell has a certified power conversion efficiency of 22.68%. The solar cell has an electroplated copper contact grid on top of a transparent oxide layer, which essentially replaces the traditional silver screen printing and is said to lead to higher efficiencies with lower manufacturing costs.
As the largest merchant solar cell producer, JA Solar continues to be impacted by rapidly declining prices as overcapacity continues thought the supply chain. Emphasis has therefore shifted to module production and shipments, though a return to profitability remains a distant goal. First quarter shipments which included cells and modules that exceeded guidance at 366MW, while revenue reached US$254.4 million, down 17.7% from the prior quarter and 56%, year-on-year. Net loss for the quarter was US$39.8 million.
centrotherm photovoltaics advsied that it had begun industrial-scale production of its high-efficiency centaurus solar cell for customers in China and Europe. Over 50MW of the centaurus technoloy are in ramp-up mass production with the company noting that it has received interest from various of its existing customers.
BISOL’s polycrystalline and monocrystalline PV modules have been officially accredited by the Australian Clean Energy Council to meet with the requirements to be sold in Australia. The modules comply with the Australian Standard AS5033.
In anticipation of others to follow suit, Taiwan-based Motech Industries will be offering a ‘Solar Cell Certificate of Origin,’ to customers wanting to avoid the newly imposed import tariffs on Chinese solar cells and modules. Motech makes c-Si solar cells in Taiwan, which are excluded from the import duties as well as having a module assembly plant in Newark, Delaware.
Expecting the PV equipment market to continue to slow this year, GT Advanced Technologies advised that it would be broadening its product lines with a new furnace that makes silicon carbide crystals. The company is aiming to diversify its product line in the midst of what it calls a global downshift in demand for its systems that make polysilicon and PV wafers. As reported by Bloomberg, CEO of GT Advanced, Tom Gutierrez, is looking its R&D this year by 50% to over US$65 million with sales expected to grow 6% to between US$925 million and US$975 million.
Axuntek Solar Energy is using DuPont PV5400 series ionomer encapsulant in its IEC-certified CIGS thin-film modules, the company has announced.
The solar modules are frameless and the first to adopt DuPont PV5400 into CIGS technology. The modules aid to reduce shipping costs because they permit a higher density in shipping, therefore lower costs. Further, the modules are stronger due to DuPont’s encapsulant. The combination of ionomer and glass allows for the utilization of the frameless modules in building-integrated applications.
Amtech Systems’ Chinese subsidiary, Kingstone Semiconductor, will introduce its ion implant system at the SNEC Exhibition, in Shanghai this week. This ion implant system has been developed from the ground up to specifically serve the needs of the solar industry. Also at the SNEC Exhibition, Tempress Systems will introduce its new tube-type batch PECVD product.
