PV CellTech 2018 saw Chief Technology Officers and senior executives from the world's top solar cell manufacturers and equipment suppliers give key indications of which cell technologies will be driving the industry in the coming years.
Aurora Solar Technologies (AST) has launched the DM-121 and DM-321 measurement systems for heterojunction technology (HJT) cell TCO layer quality control.
China-based integrated polysilicon and merchant PV manufacturer Tongwei Group has signed a major 55,000MT polysilicon supply deal with leading integrated high-efficiency monocrystalline module manufacturer and ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Green Energy Technology.
Russia-based integrated PV manufacturer Hevel Group have provided specialised semi-flexible heterojunction cell-based laminates to a solar electric catamaran that is planning a 5000 km long journey across Russia.
United Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. (URE), the planned name for three of Taiwan’s merchant solar cell and module producers, Gintech Energy Corp, Neo Solar Power (NSP) and Solartech Energy are still evaluating the commercial rationale of establishing a US-based PV manufacturing plant, post the merger, which is being targeted for October 1, 2018.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar reported first quarter 2018 financial results that were better than expected as revenue and shipments were higher than guided with further PV power plant sales completed in the quarter.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems is looking to expand its component outsourcing to include solar equipment production in China to remain competitive.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS has lowered full-year shipment guidance to 5,600MW to 5,800MW, compared to its initial guidance of 6,000MW to 6,200MW, which could be attributed to the impact of the US Section 201 trade case duties and the company’s refocus on the European market.
US-headquartered high-efficiency PV module producer SunPower Corp reported a larger than guided first quarter 2018 loss, posting its eleventh sequential quarterly deficit and a program of asset sales.
PV laser technology equipment specialist InnoLas Solutions has been sold to Swiss industrial investment and management firm, CGS for an undisclosed sum.
Leading polysilicon and multicrystalline wafer producer GCL-Poly Energy Holding's dedicated wafer production subsidiary, GCL-Poly (Suzhou) New Energy has reported first-quarter 2018 revenue increase, quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year, after increasing wafer capacity by 62.2% by the end of 2017.
Specialist semiconductor and PV equipment supplier Intevac reiterated that its 12 unit ‘ENERGi’ solar ion implant tool order valued at around US$23 million that was booked in March, 2017 remained in its order backlog at the end of the first quarter of 2018.
Kyocera Corporation a multinational electronics and related components manufacturer has made a significant US$459 million impairment charge on long-term polysilicon supply contracts, as well as downsizing its solar operations in the US, which were the primary reason for its Life & Environment Group (solar PV included) reporting a large operating loss in fiscal 2018.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JA Solar has reported record module shipments in 2017, increasing over 55%, while revenue increased over 25%.
Norway-Headquartered integrated PV module manufacturer REC Group is to install an N-type monocrystalline solar cell production line at its manufacturing facility in Singapore.
