Following the successful implementation of fluorine technology at Schüco TF’s 40MW Osterweddingen site, the company has signed a significant long-term supply contract with Linde Gases for the delivery of onsite fluorine (F2) to its new thin-film module mass production site in Großröhrsdorf, eastern Germany.
A recently signed a licensing agreement with see Taiflex Scientific offer its ‘Solmate’ backsheet, coupled to DuPont’s new ‘TPNext’ laminate, which is based on DuPont’s ‘Tedlar’ polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) backsheet film. DuPont Photovoltaic Fluoromaterials developed the new backsheet technology to enhance the quality and manufacturability of c-Si-based modules by improving adhesion to encapsulants, resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and enabling faster throughput in the backsheet production process, an area receiving constant attention to help drive down manufacturing costs.
In a single stroke, LDK Solar has wiped US$1 billion in expected revenue from its 2011 guidance on the back of significant price declines for bare wafers and solar modules. In the second quarter, LDK is planning US$55 to US$60 million of inventory write-downs, the largest so far of any PV manufacturer. Instead of expected 2011 revenue in the range of US$3.5-US$3.7 billion, the company expects full-year revenue to reach US$2.5-US$2.7 billion.
STR Holdings publicized the definitive purchase agreement it had signed with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), where UL will buy STR’s quality assurance (QA) business for US$275 million in cash, plus cash assumed. The acquisition is expected to be finalized no later than September 30 once all traditional closing conditions have been met.
Having noted a 45% price decline for bare wafers from May to June this year, PV Crystalox Solar said it was currently operating below breakeven level and expects further pricing pressure in the second-half of the year could lead to incurring an operating loss in the second half. Despite challenging business environment, the wafer producer posted a 23% increase in wafer shipments in the first-half of the year to 204MW, compared to the same period (165MW) a year ago. PV Crystalox posted revenue of €129.6million, up 16% compared the prior year period. EBIT was up by 161% to €24.3 million. Wafer production capacity also increased, reaching a nameplate capacity of 535MW. The company is expanding capacity to 750MW by early 2012.
As part of its strategy to supply a complete materials offering to the PV industry, Dow Corning has brought online a new 4,000MT per annum monosilane gas facility, adjacent to Hemlock Semiconductor’s polysilicon manufacturing plant in Hemlock, Michigan.
As a consequence of Evergreen Solar’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Nasdaq has notified the company that it will be suspended at the opening of business on August 24. Based on Nasdaq rules, Evergreen Solar’s common stock will be delisted but the company may trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink OTC Markets. However, this will require at least one market maker to quote Evergreen Solar’s common stock, though this is not given, it normally happens.
Only hours after PV-Tech reported that Evergreen Solar had said it was in detailed and time-consuming negotiations with holders of its convertible senior secured notes, which had caused the company to delay quarterly SEC filings, the company said it has filed for voluntarily bankruptcy under US Chapter 11. At the same time, Evergreen stated that it has made agreements with certain noteholders with more than 70% the outstanding debt to sell its ‘String Ribbon’ wafer technology business assets. A ‘stalking-horse’ bidding process has been agreed.
The long and winding road for polysilicon start-up, Hoku Materials looks to straightening after the company said it expected to start operations at its poly plant in Pocatello, Idaho. Hoku said it had received continued financial support from Tianwei New Energy Holdings, to complete construction of its first phase (2,500MT) plant and begin production.
Daniel Matloff has joined 1366 Technologies as its new CFO and is charged for strengthening the company’s financial strategy and managing all finance and accounting transactions as it prepares to commercially-scale its direct wafer technology. Matloff comes to 1366 from Hittite Microwave where he was the corporate controller and previously held various positions at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Thermo Fisher Scientific and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a CPA and graduated from Bentley University.
