A solar cell with 50% efficiency is no longer a pipe dream after researchers at at Fraunhofer ISE, CEA-Leti, Helmholtz Center Berlin and commercial CPV firm, Soitec reached a world record 44.7% conversion efficiency for a novel III-V-based solar cell.
Market research firm IHS has attempted to counter recent reports from rival firm, NPD Solarbuzz in the next direction PV manufacturers will take, which could have a significant impact on equipment and materials suppliers to the sector.
Despite the continued constraints on capital expenditure and R&D investments, ROFIN-BAASEL Lasertech said it had seen an uptick in laser system orders, notably due to solar cell manufacturers focusing in on PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) and selective emitter processes for improvements in conversion efficiencies.
Not content with its acquisitions of Solibro, MiaSolé and Global Solar Energy, Hanergy Holding is "aggressively" looking to make further CIGS thin-film IP and company acquisitions as it plans to be the global leader in the sector.
According to the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC), 578MW of solar capacity from large-scale projects was added in the US during August 2013.
RENA has said that its inline passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) processing equipment ‘InPERC’ has achieved solar cell efficiencies at a customer site in China of 18%, without the use of selective emitter cell design.
A 500kW rooftop photovoltaic power plant has been built by Turkish-German company KosiFrankensolar on the roof of beverage producer Sural in Antalya, Turkey.
JinkoSolar plans to issue 3.5 million American Depositary Shares (ADS) that the company said in an SEC filing could net it significant new capital to fund capacity expansion and other activities.
German-based PV module manufacturer and project developer, aleo solar, is withdrawing from the US market due to its operations continuing to be unprofitable, according to a short company statement.
