The North American single-axis tracker market has increased by over 100%, year-over-year, to reach US$1.2 billion in 2015, and is forecasted to grow 20% to US$1.4 billion this year – according to new analysis by IHS.
INDEOtec’s Octopus II PECVD system has proven capabilities in the formation of heterojunction solar cells that enables top and bottom side thin film substrate deposition without the need of substrate flipping and vacuum breakage. The proprietary reactor design and a unique electrode arrangement allow low plasma ignition levels and low ion bombardments, which result in superior film thickness uniformity and excellent passivation levels.
Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin (PI Berlin) now has the capability to troubleshoot faults in PV power plants using a precision LED solar simulator. This device is the first of its kind to allow laboratory standard solar module power measurements to be taken in the field without the need to dismantle modules.
Monocrystalline wafer producer Comtec Solar Systems Group said it was preparing to acquire an unidentified PV power plant project company to enter the downstream business.
Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier, Meyer Burger has received an order valued at around US$10.3 million for its recently launched DW288 Series 3 diamond wire cutting technology.
Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier, Meyer Burger has secured a CHF 22 million (US$22.5 million) order from Russia-based integrated solar module manufacturer to convert to heterojunction (HJ) and bifacial cell production and ‘SmartWire’ module assembly.
Hanwha Q CELLS is launching a 72 cell solar module, the ‘Q.PLUS L-G4.2,’ which is specifically optimized for large scale deployment with power classes of up to 340 watts and is UL and IEC 1500V certified. The utility-scale module incorporates Hanwha Q CELLS' proprietary Q.ANTUM technology based on the rear side passivation of solar cells and utilizes additional features to optimize the efficiency and performance of the PV cells to reduce the LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity) for the US market.
Monocrystalline cell and module manufacturer LERRI Photovoltaic Technology (LERRI Solar), a subsidiary of major monocrystalline wafer producer Longi Silicon Materials has signed a strategic technology partnership with materials giant, 3M.
Major US-based polysilicon producer Hemlock Semiconductor has become majority owned by Dow Chemical, which has assumed 100% ownership of Dow Corning, a 40% owner in Hemlock as part of the previously announced strategic realignment.
DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions developed and launched a new advanced ‘DuPont’ ‘Solamet’ PV19B photovoltaic metallization front side paste that has a highly conductive silver composition and part of the PV19x family of pastes, with innovative material science which enables finer line design and excellent printability.