US-Based wafer producer 1366 Technologies and ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS have jointly hit a new record of 19.6% efficiency for cells using the 'Direct wafer' process.
The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) has reported a slowdown in new solar PV manufacturing equipment orders from its members in the third quarter of 2016.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Singulus Technologies said it had received the next contractually agreed pre-payment from the Chinese state-owned enterprise China National Building Materials (CNBM), owner of CIGS thin-film manufacturer, AVANCIS.
Engineered Material Systems (EMS) has launched a new 561-400 series low-cost ‘snap cure’ conductive adhesive, which is designed for stringing and shingling crystalline silicon and heterojunction solar modules.
Laser micromachining equipment supplier 3D-Micromac has secured an order from REC Group to supply three ‘microCELL’ OTF laser systems for PERC (Passivate Emitter Rear Contact) solar cells from integrated PV module manufacturer REC Group.
Taiwan-based solar cell and wafer producers had been impacted by a major slowdown in PV project development in China in the third quarter of 2016. However, signs of a recovery emerged at the beginning of the fourth quarter and escalated further in November.
Heraeus Photovoltaics president, Andreas Liebheit has been appointed as the vice chairman of the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA), which was founded in Singapore in 2011.
Research at the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), based at The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has reported a 12.1% efficiency rating for a 16 cm2 perovskite solar cell, partially funded by Suntech and Trina Solar and AUD$3.6 million in funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA).
Finland-based energy firm Fortum has invested €5.2 million in Exeger Sweden AB, dye-sensitized solar cell start-up to help support the launch of commercial products in 2017.
