Schott Solar advised that it had achieved 20.2% efficiency on its monocrystalline screen-printed solar PV cell; a feat that was confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). The 4.92W cell uses an industrial sized 156mm x 156mm wafer, which led Schott to maintain that this is the first PV cell of its size to reach this efficiency.
Silex Systems’ subsidiary, Silex Solar, revealed plans to restructure its silicon PV panel business located at Sydney Olympic Park, a facility it bought a few years ago from BP Solar. Changes will revolve around management and operations, which the company hopes will strengthen its position in the business.
Meyer Burger Technology has received antitrust clearance from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, concerning the acquisition of equipment supplier, Roth & Rau. The settlement of the tender offer and the payment of the offer price are expected to take place on 9 August 2011.
Thermal processing equipment specialist Despatch Industries has been acquired by Illinois Tool Works for an undisclosed amount. ITW does not have any direct previous involvement in the PV industry. Despatch had posted record revenue in 2010 of US$200 million and is expected to produce revenue above US$200 million this year. ITW's revenues exceeded US$15 billion in 2010.
Solar cell manufacturer Blue Chip Energy has filed for insolvency. The company informed a court in Eisenstadt about its financial state on Thursday and production was abandoned with immediate effect.
Citing the “deterioration in the overall industry climate as well as delays in the recognition of sales and earnings for projects currently under way,” Roth & Rau has cut expectations for the second half of 2011 and withdrawn its forecast guidance for the year. “Given the reduction in demand for solar modules,” the company stated, “some customers have reviewed their investment projects intended to expand their production capacities and postponed the agreed delivery dates.”
AccuStrata has signed a contract to sell its monitoring and automation systems to one of India’s largest crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturers. The platform will help to increase the yields of the unnamed firm and represents AccuStrata’s largest deal to date in Asia.
OAI's Solar Test Division is featuring the capabilities of a recently introduced 350nm to 1800nm Class AAA solar simulator at Interoslar North America, being held in San Francisco, this week. The solar simulator is said to be ideal for multi-junction solar cell testing, high current I-V testing, and as a solar power meter.
As one of a growing number of China-based Tier 1 PV manufacturers pushing-hard towards solar cell efficiencies of 20%, Canadian Solar is showcasing its ELPS solar cell technology (Efficient, Long-Term, Photovoltaic Solution), that has demonstrated cell efficiencies of 19.5% with monocrystalline wafers and 18% efficiencies with polycrystalline wafers.
At the solar industry’s largest event, Intersolar Europe, 2011 SunPower launched its new 96-cell E20 modules, which are the industry's first commercially-available solar panels to achieve total area efficiencies of 20% and above. Jorn Jugens, SunPower’s managing director, Germany had the honour of discussing with PV-Tech the key characteristics of the module, which includes SunPower's 22.4% efficient ‘Maxeon’ cell technology.
