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.
Post SNEC 2016 exhibition reports are starting to raise concerns over a looming collapse in downstream solar PV demand in China in the second half of the year that could lead to wider implications of both solar cell and module overcapacity and subsequent ASP declines hitting the global solar industry.
PV Tech’s preliminary analysis of global PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in April, 2016, revealed nearly 9GW of planned future expansions of thin-film modules, solar cells and module assembly production, up from over 7.3GW in the previous month and the third consecutive monthly increase.
Solar Frontier has expanded its portfolio of CIS (Copper, Indium selenium) thin-film module-based ‘PowerSets’ for residential rooftops, introducing the new ‘PowerSet Mini’ and ‘PowerSet Maxi’ to supplement its ‘PowerSet Turbo’ product offering. By expanding its PowerSet product line, the company is addressing growing demand for standardised PV systems that better suit various roof and system sizes.
Kyoshin Electric Co (KOPEL) has introduced a high-speed, highly accurate, and highly reproducible solar cell IV measurement system. The KSX-3000H can be used for a wide variety of high-efficiency solar cell architectures including PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) and heterojunction (HJ).
Formerly the largest solar equipment supplier Applied Materials booked an impressive US$108 million in new orders in its fiscal second quarter from its EES (Energy and Environmental Solutions) division that has housed its solar PV equipment business.
