Slurry recycling specialist, SiC Processing which is currently in receivership, has warned unsecured creditors to expect low debt recovery due to a preliminary, unaudited assessment of its assets.
Major polysilicon producer Hemlock Semiconductor has cited unresolved trade disputes, notably with China, as a key factor behind the decision to lay off approximately 400 employees, while reducing polysilicon production and delaying the ramp of its new plant in Tennessee.
Thin-film product developer DayStar Technologies has entered into an agreement to acquire seven solar projects from Arxikon Construction Company in Greece.
Venture capital investments in solar plunged to US$992 million in 2012 compared to US$1.9 billion the previous year, representing the lowest amount since 2007, reports consulting firm Mercom Capital.
Schott Solar is to transfer to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems 111 patent families relating to crystalline silicon photovoltaics, it has been announced.
Thin-film manufacturer First Solar, in conjunction with developer Fundación Chile, has announced the acquisition of Solar Chile as part of its its endeavour to advance into new markets.
Solar Frontier has broken the record for CIS thin-film solar cell conversion efficiency using a sputtering and selenization process. The current CIS efficiency record at 20.3% was set with the co-evaporation processes.
ASP declines in 2012, driven by industry overcapacity throughout the PV supply chain, forced over 350 companies in China, from equipment suppliers, polysilicon producers to module manufacturers, to stop operations entirely, according to market research firm ENF.
