Manufacturing

Multi-junction solar cells with conversion efficiencies of almost 50% could become cost effective as a result of a collaboration between equipment supplier EV Group and Fraunhofer ISE.

Slovenia-based PV module manufacturer and project developer, Bisol has completed factory automation upgrades to improve productivity throughput as it continues to run operations at full-capacity.

Employing its liquid-based dye solar cell (DSC) substrate, Dyesol claimed it had surpassed the standard IEC 61646 design qualification for PV modules, without disclosing the approved testing house.

Former management at PV Crystalox’s polysilicon plant in Germany are in talks with the company to acquire the shuttered plant.

Intelligent Systems Robotics and Automation (ISRA) is expanding its range of production automation and quality inspection technology through the acquisition of PV inspection companies GP Solar and GP Inspect.

Applied Materials reported a surprise GAAP operating loss for its Energy and Environmental Solutions (EES) segment of US$322 million that included impairment charges of US$278 million. Non-GAAP operating loss was US$34 million.

The latest iteration of JA Solar’s ‘Cypress’ solar module was revealed during SNEC in Shanghai this week.

Chinese thin-film manufacturer Hanergy has acquired Engensa, a UK-based home energy systems provider, for an undisclosed purchase price.

German chemical company Merck will lead a consortium to develop high-efficiency cobalt-based dye-sensitised solar cells.

First quarter 2013 new order intake at manufacturing equipment specialist Singulus Technologies may have been at a low level but sales in the quarter increased to €22.8 million.