Manufacturing

Major PVEP (PV energy provider), SunPower Corp said that it reduced production costs by more than 20% in 2013, following-on from a greater than 20% reduction achieved in the previous year.

PV energy provider (PVEP), Canadian Solar is considering increasing production capacity to 3GW in 2014. The SEC filing also revealed that the company had increased module assembly capacity at its plant in Ontario, Canada from 330MW at the end of 2013 to 530MW of as of January 31, 2014.

SunEdison has said the polysilicon ingot production operations for its semiconductor customers would be consolidated with the full closure of its facilities in Merano, Italy, and the transfer of 200mm diameter ingot production from St. Peters, Missouri to other overseas facilities.

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.