Solibro’s CIGS thin-film IP changes hands within Hanergy as conversion efficiency issues loom

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Hanergy Holding is transferring the intellectual property (IP) rights to Solibro’s copper-indium-gallium-selenium (CIGS) thin-film technology to subsidiary, Apollo Kunming.

Included in the deal is the IP from Solibro Research AB, a Swedish CIGS solar technology research and development company.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Solibro GmbH, the former thin-film subsidiary of German solar cell manufacturer Q-Cells SE was acquired by Hanergy Holding Group in September, 2012.

In a separate statement covering first-half 2013 financial results, Hanergy noted that new Chinese Government directives on PV manufacturers having to meet improved conversion efficiency targets, including thin-film manufacturers would lead to further consolidation and a need for companies to focus greater resources on R&D activities, something Hanergy said it would do to meet targets.

The company said that it would focus on more advanced thin-film technologies including nano-crystalline silicon and CIGS.

The key driver is due to the State Council of China’s industry dictate that is pushing PV manufacturers to meet minimum conversion efficiency values for newly constructed PV module manufacturing facilities of 18% for multicrystalline, 20% monocrystalline and 12% for thin-film technologies.

The Solibro IP transaction was valued at RMB280,000,000 (US$45.7 million). 
 

Read Next

October 6, 2026
The refinancing deal will allow MaxSolar to build a portfolio of around 1.3GW of renewable energy capacity.
October 6, 2026
A 250MW solar park in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve will be the site of a scheme to reintroduce endangered sand gazelles into the wild.
October 6, 2026
Poor solar PV project quality can increase the levelised cost of energy of a PV system by more than 20%, according to a report by HelioVolta.
October 6, 2026
Germany’s vertical bifacial PV specialist Next2Sun has filed for the initiation of insolvency proceedings under self-administration for parts of the company.
October 6, 2026
Australia's utility-scale solar and wind assets generated a combined 5.44TWh across the NEM in September 2026.
Premium
October 6, 2026
Australia's NEM recorded a combined 4,780GWh of solar generation in September 2026: 1,805GWh from utility-scale and 2,975GWh from rooftop.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK