With an efficiency gain of nearly 1% in just six months, SoloPower has had certified a new, wider flexible CIGS module that is capable of producing up to 260Wp and has 12.1% aperture efficiency, as measured by NREL. The SFX3 module is claimed to be the most powerful flexible CIGS module currently in production. SoloPower says it has the first and only flexible CIGS products certified to both UL 1703 and IEC (61646 and 61730) standards.
Posting quarterly revenue that exceeded US$500 million for the first time was only one of Trina Solar’s highlights from releasing third quarter results.
Suntech and Infigen Energy have filed documents outlining the companies' intention to construct four solar energy farms in New South Wales, Australia. If provided with Government permission, the project is expected to cost AUD$780 million (US$792 million).
Dyesol has appointed Gavin Tulloch to its board of directors as director of technology. Tulloch, who was previously positioned as managing director for the global market, will assist the company as it prepares for full commercialization of its PV technology.
Concentrator photovoltaics developer SolFocus will partner with Vision Electro Mechanical to build the first commercial CPV power plant in Saudi Arabia. The initial project will be the initial project in a series of Saudi solar power stations planned by Vision (a subsidiary of Construction Projects Holding Co. [CPC]).
SolarEdge has formed a partnership with Greek-based Enolia Solar Systems in a bid to expand its operations in the country. This follows the news in June that the Israel-based solar power harvesting solution provider will begin distributing in Australia, highlighting the company's increasing global network.
According to a report published by Frost & Sullivan, the solar PV markets in both urban and rural areas in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) are steadily expanding due to volatile oil prices and strong governmental commitments.
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change in Victoria, Australia, has announced a AUS$3 million investment in solar cell R&D technology development in Melbourne. The venture is a direct result of collaboration between Swinburne University of Technology and China's Suntech Power Holdings. The Victoria-Suntech Advanced Solar Facility at Swinburne has been established through a grant of $3 million from Victoria's Science Agenda Investment Fund.
For the duration of a three-year collaborative research project, Suntech Power, Silex Solar and the University of New South Wales will research advanced technology for the enhancement of power conversion efficiencies in crystalline silicon solar cells. AU$5 million was granted to the project from the Australian Solar Institute, making this the largest grant for any grant applicant in the ASI funding call.
After nearly being indefinitely closed down, Sydney’s Olympic Park plant has re-opened with an estimated 10,000 rooftop solar panel systems ready to be produced per year. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that 100 people will be newly employed with the plant by the end of the year.
