Materials

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a new ‘paper-thin’ solar PV cell that can be applied to a variety of surfaces to generate highly integrable, versatile solar energy, they say.

A subsidiary of PV cell producer Aiko Solar intends to participate in the capital increase of Qinghai Lihao Semiconductor Materials to improve the supply chain.

Australia must build out its solar supply chain, from silicon production to end-of-life processes, and reduce its reliance on imported cells and modules if it is to achieve its potential as a global PV superpower.

The European Commission has today launched the European Solar PV Industry Alliance to promote investment in EU solar manufacturing.

Major polysilicon producer Daqo New Energy has increased its expected polysilicon production capacity by 100,000MT in Inner Mongolia and reach a total production of 305,000MT by the end of 2023.

Shuangliang Eco-Energy is planning to set up a new wholly owned subsidiary, Shuangliang New Silicon Materials (Baotou), to invest in and build a mono silicon ingot pulling project with an annual output of 50GW.

Subsidiaries of polysilicon producer Daqo New Energy have signed two polysilicon supply agreements with LONGi and an undisclosed Chinese manufacturer.

Following news of lower silicon material prices, silicon wafer giant LONGi Green Energy has announced a small reduction in its wafer prices.

With a growing wait-and-see sentiment emerging in the market, the prices of silicon wafers and silicon material at the upstream end have started showing signs of falling.

PV Tech Premium caught up with Gyanesh Chaudhary, vice-chairman and managing director at Indian PV module manufacturer Vikram Solar, which has a 2.5GW annual production capacity, to discuss the thinking behind the ALMM and PLI schemes and whether ingot and wafer production is realistic in India.