The Czech government has given its approval for a renewables energy framework plan which aims to reduce generous subsidies driving the country towards a solar boom. The plan calls for a cap on feed-in tariffs for solar energy, up to approximately 50% of the current level, as well as making the recycling of old solar panels mandatory.
High-purity materials supplier 5N Plus has signed a long-term supply agreement with cadmium-telluride thin-film module producer Abound Solar. Under the terms of the deal, 5N Plus will provide CdTe compounds to be used in the manufacturing of Abound's PV panels.
Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development, a subsidiary of GCL-Poly, has begun commercial operations at its 200,000MT hydrochlorination facilities. The facilities ensure the stable production of polysilicon and significant upgrade of product quality to a higher level, allowing full recycling of by-products, and achieving lower polysilicon production cost to reach levels similar to that of global incumbents.
Germanium solar cell substrate producer Sylarus Technologies has entered into a long-term germanium feedstock supply and recycling agreement with 5N Plus. The deal is supported by 5N Plus agreeing to the subscription of a convertible debt in Sylarus, which in turn supports the substrate manufacturers' expansion plans.
Photovoltaic integrator Phoenix Solar and CIGS solar module manfacturer MiaSolé have signed a framework agreement that will run through 2013. The deal calls for MiaSolé to fulfill a Phoenix Solar order for an initial 4.5MW of copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide thin-film PV panels in the second quarter, with the remaining shipment amounts to be determined. The framework agreement also includes a recycling warranty where required by regulation or financing; at the end of the module’s lifetime, the customer can choose to have them taken away by MiaSolé and recycled, or reconditioned.
MCP Group, a specialty chemicals producer of thin-film metals such as indium, gallium, selenium, and tellurium, is combining manufacturing operations into Atlumin Energy to streamline operations and meet growing demand, especially from the thin-film PV industry. Copy-exact processes at its U.K. operations in Wellingborough are to be expanded to its Sunnyvale, CA, facilities.
Tenesol, owned by Total and EDF, has become the first French manufacturer of solar PV panels to be awarded the triple certification of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OSHAS 18001 certifications. Benoit Rolland, general manager of Tenesol said, "The increased demand for solar energy worldwide has reinforced our commitment to total quality, sustainable development and safety. We are delighted to achieve this triple certification - it is a testament to our continued efforts in these areas and it will no doubt foster further improvement in all aspects of our work."
Calisolar has bought 6N Silicon, in a stock-for-stock transaction between the two privately held companies. In addition to the acquisition, $22.5 million in funding was raised from existing Calisolar and 6N investors, according to the companies. The new funds will be used to increase capacity at Calisolar's Sunnyvale, CA, UMG-grade silicon photovoltaic cell manufacturing facility and expand silicon purification operations in Vaughan, ON, where 6N will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company.
First Solar has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government to build a multiphase solar power plant project in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, a site that will eventually reach 2GW in installed capacity. Once finalized, the agreement--the first of its kind between the Chinese authorities and a non-Chinese solar company--could also lead to the construction of First Solar moduling and supplier manufacturing facilities in the region.
