pv celltech

As we conduct our extensive market research phase to define exactly what the industry needs to be discussing and presenting at PV CellTech 2017 in Penang, Malaysia on 14-15 March 2017, one of the top technologies that is certain to be included again is passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) cells.

Capital expenditure (capex) from solar PV manufacturers is set to decline during the first half of 2017, as the industry adjusts to the excess of new capacity having come online during 2015 and 2016, according to the latest findings in the PV Manufacturing & Technology Quarterly report, released July 2016.

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JA Solar said it reached a new milestone in monocrystalline PV product shipments in the middle of July, 2016.

SENTECH Instruments has designed the SENperc PV for the measurement of Al2O3/SiNx layer stacks and single films for the passivation of PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) solar cells. The stability of the deposition process is monitored over the long-term thereby the maintenance intervals of the deposition tools can be optimized.

Solar PV manufacturing in 2016 has seen the highest capex (capital expenditure) levels for years, and a return to capacity expansion plans. Furthermore, many of the companies announcing the capacity expansions are doing so for the first time, especially at the cell and module stage.

Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier Meyer Burger has received a follow-on order from an existing customer based in China for its MAiA 2.1 PERC technology upgrade platform.

After the 630 installation rush, enterprises, industry experts and investors began to think about the next trend for Chinese PV industry. It is predicted by senior staff from an investment company, that 2017’s plant development would be tripartite by the top runners (leading group) projects, distributed systems and poverty alleviating PV programmes.

Leading polysilicon and wafer producer GCL-Poly Energy Holdings has signed a new supply contract with sister PV module manufacturing company, GCL System Integration totalling 110,000,000 wafers through the second-half of 2016.

New research undertaken by the in-house research team at Solar Media Ltd. reveals that 2017 is expected to be the year that Longi Silicon Materials (incorporating its subsidiary LERRI Photovoltaic Technology) finally moves into the upper echelon of solar PV manufacturers.

Leading CdTe thin-film manufacturer First Solar is discontinuing development and production of its hybrid heterojunction silicon cell and module technology, acquired via the acquisition of start-up TetraSun.