Despite the lack of current capital expenditure (capex) across the PV industry value chain, market research firm NPD Solarbuzz expects a major shift to higher efficiency cells and modules to finally dominate the sector by the end of 2018.
In a shock move, major PV equipment provider, GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) said it would file for chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District of New Hampshire, US.
Taiwan-based wafer producer, Sino-American Silicon (SAS) saw a rebound in flagging sales in September, due to the fall-out in orders due to the US anti-dumping case.
Specialist materials firm Royal DSM has opened an advanced PV materials demonstration centre in India, which includes a rooftop PV system to meet 25% of the site's electricity needs.
Sharp Corporation's next-generation solar cell technology that enters volume production is expected to be based on its long-term development of both c-Si and a-Si thin-film cells with efficiencies touted to be over 25%.
A couple of companies have highlighted wet chemical texturing processes for PERC cells that avoids using isopropyl alcohol (IPA) that is intended to offer a low-cost alternative for high-efficiency solar cells at EU PVSEC.
Hitachi Chemical is to enter volume production of wavelength conversion particles (WCP) that can be coated on EVA encapsulants for crystalline silicon modules and are claimed to boost conversion efficiencies up to 2.2%.
Taiwan-based solar wafer producer, Green Energy Technology (GET) has said it is considering establishing an overseas module assembly plant with sister company, Gintung.
