Chinese PV Industry Brief: Maxeon, Tongwei reach patent dispute settlement
Maxeon Solar Technologies and Tongwei have settled a global patent dispute over shingled solar cell and module technologies, ending litigation initiated by Maxeon in Germany in 2023.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Xinyi Solar projects steep profit decline in 2024
Xinyi Solar says it expects a 70% to 80% profit decline for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, due to low market prices, higher plant suspension costs, and inventory writedowns.
Timber PV canopy for EV charging station in Austria
Norway’s Mer Group has installed a pilot EV charging station with a timber canopy in Spittal an der Drau, Austria, in collaboration with local partners.
New tech to reduce oxygen defects in Czochralski wafers
Research from the Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taiwan revealed a novel heater design in the Czochralski silicon crystal growth process that can control and decrease oxygen concentration without incurring the costs associated with other methods, such as installing magnets or using alternative crucible materials.
Sekisui Chemical invests in 100 MW perovskite solar production line
Japanese plastics manufacturer Sekisui Chemical is investing in a 100 MW production line to make lightweight perovskite solar panels for low load-bearing rooftops, with an operational start in 2027. It will also acquire a production facility from Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp.
Billing and services software for commercial solar rooftops
UK startup Volter has launched software to simplify revenue generation for owners of commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop solar assets. It also supports installers and power purchase agreement (PPA) providers active in commercial rooftop solar markets.
French startup offers 10 kWh battery generator for TV, film crews
Pess Energy has launched FlyWatt, a 10 kWh compact battery-based generator for film and TV production crews. A compatible solar panel kit is available to recharge the equipment offgrid.
Japanese startup developing flexible chalcopyrite solar modules
PXP Corporation has recently secured JPY 1.5 billion ($9.98 million) in a round led by Japan’s Softbank Corp. to move forward with its plan to build a 25 MW chalcopyrite module factory.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Stable silicon, wafer prices with minor variations
TrendForce says silicon material and wafer prices stayed mostly stable this week, while Longi Green Energy has signed a strategic deal with China Energy Construction for green energy projects.
Fraunhofer ISE developing copper metallization for tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells
The German research institute said it is currently exploring three copper metallization methods: Screen printing, FlexTrail printing and rotary printing. The proposed technology is reportedly compatible with either TOPCon or heterojunction bottom cells.
