With its parent company SolarWorld AG and German-based subsidiaries at the early stage of insolvency proceedings, US subsidiary SolarWorld Americas Inc., has said for the first time since its parent company went bankrupt that it was planning to operate its manufacturing plant in Hillsboro, Oregon and other operations as normal.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) leader JinkoSolar said it had been first manufacturer in China to receive the latest IEC61345 module certification that employs stricter testing requirements for solar panels. The certification was carried out by TUV Rheinland.
SolarWorld AG's insolvency will not impact the continuation of the minimum import price (MIP) with the extension of the measures already enshrined in law by the European Commission.
Agfa Specialty Products has introduced ‘UNIQOAT,’ its next generation of polyester-based backsheet product. UNIQOAT eliminates the risk of backsheet delamination as it is manufactured as a single layer backsheet and achieves a level of reflectivity. The new product was showcased at SNEC 2017.
High-efficiency module manufacturer Ten K Solar, has announced that it will be “discontinuing” its current operation – but has claimed it is not because of any product performance issues, contrary to media reports.
US-headquartered high-efficiency PV module producer SunPower reported a first quarter 2017 net GAAP loss of US$134.5 million, while guiding further losses of between $110 million to $135 million for the second quarter of the year as the company transitions its business model.
Heraeus Photovoltaics has introduced specially developed metallization pastes for ‘knotless screen’ printing of solar cells. The new SOL9641AX/BX series is designed to realise the full advantages of knotless printing screens and were developed in close collaboration with screen vendors and customers.
PV and electronics equipment manufacturing and automation specialist Manz AG has received €50 million from Chinese JV partners Shanghai Electric Group and Shenhua Group for turnkey CIGS thin-film production lines with a further €79 million also expected in May to start work on its largest ever equipment order.
