Major China-based PV module manufacturer Risen Energy has reported its latest JÄGER HP 72-cell sized module has achieved a record conversion efficiency of up to 21%, tested and certified by independent third-party institute TUV-SUD.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Solar has reported a new solar cell world record conversion efficiency for monocrystalline silicon PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology of 24.06%, which has been verified by the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Product Quality (CPVT) in China.
According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Clusters Development Program (NICDP) and petrochemicals to manufacturing conglomerate SABIC have signed MOU’s with LONGi Group and OCI to bring fully integrated solar manufacturing to the country.
Solar cell production in 2018 represented change on many fronts, but may be remembered as a year during which Chinese-owned companies made further strategic moves as part of the current Beijing mandate to position the country as a high-tech manufacturing global powerhouse.
China-based PV module materials and N-type mono module manufacturer Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co is planning to expand production through its key stakeholders Lin Jianwei and Zhang Yuzheng selling between 5%-10% of their shares in the company to Huajun Industrial, part of the Haujun Group.
PV research institute Fraunhofer ISE has reported a new efficiency record of 22.3% for a multi-junction solar cell made of silicon and III-V semiconductor materials using a direct epitaxy process developed with tool supplier AIXTRON.
Australia-headquartered Greatcell Solar, formerly Dyesol Solar, has appointed administrators after failing to secure further financing to develop its perovskite materials and solar cells to a commercial level.
Recently billed by solar industry experts as another degradation crisis that could be worse than the impact on PV module performance than PID (potential Induced Degradation), ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Hanwha Q CELLS has highlighted that both its mono and multicrystalline products have performed exceptionally well in LeTID (Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation) tests undertaken by Fraunhofer CSP.
European solar industry trade body SolarPower Europe has said it has started a major campaign to bring back at least 5GW of large-scale PV manufacturing in the region, including the complete supply chain required to support the scheme.
Technology investments into advanced PV cell manufacturing have been at record levels in the past few years, with high-efficiency concepts seeing investment levels not seen since the days of turn-key thin-film lines a decade ago.
