Other than module mountings nuts and bolts, microinverters and power inverters are one of the smallest components that could be used in a PV system installation. However, the market for these microelectronics-dependent little marvels experienced 500% growth in 2010, according to a recent IMS Research report and they continue to punch above their weight.
Solon advised that it had recently finalized an exclusive worldwide licensing deal with Andersen for the use of its Fibrex material in the PV marketplace. The Fibrex vinyl technology is said to be highly durable, stiff, moisture and heat resistant, non-conductive and provides thermal insulating properties.
AEG Power Solutions has inaugurated its new 400MW PV manufacturing factory in Bangalore, India. Initially, the 80,000-square-foot site, which employs 150 people, will produce AEG’s PV250 and PV500 series inverters, although plans are already underway to ramp up capacity to include uninterruptible power supplies.
SunEdison will double the size of its project pipeline by building 51 new PV systems in Thailand. Independent US Government agency Overseas Private Investment Corporation is contributing US$250 million towards the plaqnned portfolio, which will have a combined capacity of 520MW
Camp Perry Ohio National Guard Base in Port Clinton, Ohio is home to 2,750 of Nanosolar’s utility panels, which are helping to power the recently completed 538kW solar installation. Ramanoff Electric managed the engineering, procurement and construction of the project.
According to a new study by IMS Research, PV component profits are expected to fall by 70% year-on-year in Q4 2011. Furthermore, an examination of the polysilicon, wafer, cell, module and inverter industries led the research organization to conclude that the continuation of dropping prices in 2011 will cause gross margins for the whole PV industry to drop 17% to 12.4% in Q4.
Centrosolar will present a new, flat roof mounting system for PV modules at Solar Power UK 2011. The Ceniq system enables PV systems to be installed on flat foil roofs at an angle of up to three degrees, without damaging the roof cladding in the process.
Only a few weeks before releasing third-quarter 2011 financial results on October 27, 2011, inverter supplier, Power-One has reduced guidance for the quarter. Power-One expects revenue to be in the range of US$240-US$245 million, down from previous guidance of US$265 million-US$280 million. The company cited weaker than expected demand for lower revenue expectation. Sales in the second-quarter were US$180 million.
Task force leader, Christian Prischmann, from UIbrich, a specialist metals provider to the PV industry, was the recipient of the Standards Leadership award. The European Semi award went to Dr. Tibor Pavelka, CEO of Semilab Co. Ltd. who is a producer of metrology equipment for the characterization of semiconductor and PV materials.
First Solar and Solar Chile, a subsidiary of Fundación Chile, have agreed to a strategic alliance that will see the companies work together to co-develop solar projects in Chile. First Solar has agreed to provide its PV modules, engineering and procurement services for the projects, which are subject to the execution of definitive project agreements.
