Manufacturing

India-based PV manufacturer, Vikram Solar is considering a technology collaboration with Finish firm Cencorp in respect to its Metal Wrap Through (MWT) solar cell and Conductive Back Sheet (CBS) based PV module technology.

The PV cell and module manufacturing operations of Dutch firm Pufin Power are to increase their production capacity after securing a supply deal with French distributor Thomson Energy.

PV equipment and technology specialist, Amtech Systems reported a noticeable rebound in sales for its fiscal first quarter of 2014.

US-based start-up, Siva Power formerly Solexant, has reported a CIGS cell efficiency of 18.8% that it claims was verified by NREL in December 2013.

The latest solar trade case brought in the US could see American companies produce “Chinese” solar products, if the petitioner SolarWorld’s terms were met, according to a lawyer representing Chinese PV manufacturers.

Roth & Rau, a subsidiary of Meyer Burger, reported a 50% drop in revenue for 2013 compared to the previous year, with increased losses.

Robert Bosch subsidiary, PV module manufacturer aleo solar is to be acquired by Taiwan-based solar cell producer, Sunrise Global Solar Energy and Japanese manufacturing machinery producer, CHOSHU Industry.

SunEdison and the Government of Saudi Arabia are undertaking a feasibility study to establish a fully integrated PV manufacturing complex, including polysilicon production through to PV module assembly at an estimated cost of US$6.4 billion.

The programme has been repeatedly successful and director general Arun Kumar has said it will now run every month.

Equipment suppliers serving the PV manufacturing sector are expected to see a new cycle of capital expenditure begin early next year that could reach US$10 billion by 2017, according to NPD Solarbuzz.