Meyer Burger Technology has announced that 100 staff will definitely be let go from its facility in Thun after a consultation procedure was completed on 28 November. However the security of another 60 positions will be dependant on whether strategic alternatives are found.
Taiwan-based multicrystalline wafer producer Green Energy Technology (GET) reported November 2017 sales that continued the moderate upward trend seen since mid-year as demand remained strong.
Module technologies tipped to enter the mainstream and the suitability of current testing methods were scrutinised at PV ModuleTech 2017. PV Tech caught up with Mark Ma, global marketing manager, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions, to discuss these new innovations and methods of sequential testing.
Laser micromachining specialist 3D-Micromac said it was supplying Hanwha Q CELLS solar cell plant in Qidong, Jiangsu-province, China with its microCELL OTF laser system for its recently announced transition from Al-BSF (Aluminium Back Surface Field) to PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology.
The thin-film photovoltaics research initiative Solliance, which is focused on the commercialisation of perovskite thin-film technology, has fabricated small cells with industrially-applicable, roll-to-roll (R2R) production processes, setting a number of new conversion efficiency records.
An investigation by China’s Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) on polysilicon dumping by South Korean producers has resulted in only small tariff increases for the largest importers.
Inline solar cell measurement equipment specialist Aurora Solar Technologies (AST) has reported its first period of profitability as demand for process control tools for PERC and bifacial cells grows.
Hanwha Q CELLS introduced a benchmark high-efficiency Q.PEAK DUO module series that combines half-cut cell technology, six-bus-bars and the company’s proprietary Q.ANTUM (PERC) monocrystalline cell technology with efficiencies of close to 20% and power outputs of up to 330Wp from 120 half-cut cells and up to 395Wp from 144 half-cut cells.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems continues to benefit from major solar order conversion to revenue in its fiscal fourth quarter of 2017.
Major Korean-based polysilicon producer OCI Chemical is expanding its production of high-purity polysilicon to meet greater demand for P-type monocrystalline wafers used with PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology.
