Belgian research centre imec has announced the development of its new organic PV cell. Developed in conjunction with Pennsylvanian technology company Plextronics and Belgian chemical company Solvay, the polymer-based single junction cell achieves an efficiency of up to 6.9%. A module using the same polymer achieved an efficiency of 5% across an area of 25cm2.
Fraunhofer ISE is showcasing future cost reductions and higher cell efficiencies using industrially feasible galvanic processes, primarily copper at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition from 5-9 September in Hamburg (Hall A4, Stand C11). ISE has demonstrated 21.4 % efficiency cells (2x2 cm²) with long-term-stable copper metallization and is now working on migrating the results to industry standard wafer sizes.
Inventux Technologies has extended its product warranties for its micromorph-silicon thin-film PV systems from five to 10 years. The offer includes system components such as modules, inverters, and mounting systems and is being provided at no additional cost.
Roth & Rau has appointed new members to its supervisory board, replacing the previous board who concluded their term in office last week. At the company’s Annual General Meeting, shareholders chose to elect Michel Hirschi, Andrea Sieber and Peter M. Wagner, with Wagner appointed as chairman of the board.
Alex Solar, a R&D, manufacture, sales and technical service provider for crystalline silicon solar modules and PV application systems, announced its latest investment in an 8MW solar power plant located in Potsdam, Berlin. The company noted that this is one of several investments it is making in solar projects throughout Berlin and Munich.
Avancis PowerMax copper indium selenide (CIS) thin-film PV modules have been certified for higher reimbursement entitlements in Italy. Because the panels are made in Germany, Italian system operators who purchase the products can be eligible for a 10% higher feed-in rate that will apply for 20 years.
Bolton Wanderers have become the latest European football club to join the solar revolution by signing a one-year partnership with Hanwha Group. The agreement will grant Hanwha billboard and video advertising space during home games at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, along with Bureau Veritas, have evaluated and certified that Sputnik Engineering’s SolarMax 330TS-SV solar inverter has met the requirements for a compliance certificate from the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW). The certificate requires that all newly commissioned grid-coupled inverters with a direct medium-voltage connection in Germany adhere to the “Generator plants on the medium-voltage network” directive by BDEW.
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.
The International Photovoltaic Equipment Association has finalized the participants for the fab manager panel discussion to be held as part of the organization’s PV Production Forum 2011, which convenes during the upcoming 26th EU PVSEC, taking place Sept. 5-8 at the International Fair, Hamburg, Germany.
