Fab & Facilities

Leading monocrystalline wafer producer and ‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Green Energy Technology experienced a revenue increase of 34.3% on strong global demand for monocrystalline products in the release of its preliminary ‘express’ annual report.

PV equipment and technology specialist, Amtech Systems is to sell its solar manufacturing equipment subsidiaries that included Tempress and SoLayTec to focus its semiconductor sector business.

An ongoing R&D collaboration between Imec and Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology Co, the PV module manufacturing arm of major PV backsheet manufacturer Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co, have reported an n-PERT (Passivated Emitter and Rear Totally diffused) bifacial solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 23.2%, a new record.

Speaking at the PV CellTech 2019 event, DuPont's Ted Zhi and Guangyao Jin discuss potential for future metalization gains and ensuring their R&D efforts cover future as well as current mainstream cell architectures.

Netherlands-based PV module manufacturing start-up Energyra B.V has entered into bankruptcy proceedings in the District Court of North-Holland.

Reports that twin 30%-by-2030 targets near adoption emerge after country was singled out by energy experts for doubling PV capacity in a single year.

Leading polysilicon and multicrystalline solar wafer producer, GCL-Poly Energy Holdings has reported a loss of RMB 1,011.4 million (US$150.7 million) for its ‘Solar Material Business’ unit in 2018, citing the demand impact from the China 531 New Deal that led to overcapacity and rapidly falling selling prices.

US-headquartered high-efficiency solar panel manufacturer SunPower Corp recently held its ‘Capital Markets Day’ event that indicated a slow turnaround in its business fortunes would be a key development in 2019. A key challenge for a company that has undergone several major restructurings in recent years has been the lack of profitability.

Diversified renewables firm Shunfeng International Clean Energy (SFCE) is close to an agreement to sell its manufacturing operations, which include Wuxi Suntech, as well as other international operations, including power plant monitoring firm, meteocontrol to reduce debts of RMB12,295.3 million (US$1.83 billion).

Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Hanwha Q CELLS has extended its patent infringement complaints in Australia to include REC Group and two of its distributors, Sol Distribution, and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems, the first time the SMSL has expanded its patent cases to include distributors.