Soltecture reaches 13.4 percent CIGSe efficiency
Berlin-based CIGSe thin film manufacturing and system solutions provider, Soltecture, has produced what it says are the first 100 Watt photovoltaic panels with an efficiency of 13.4 percent.
Roth & Rau reaches 21 percent wafer efficiency
Roth & Rau AG says it has reached a new milestone, having achieved 21 percent efficiency on a 156 mm wafer. The company expects the heterojunction technology to be ready for mass production “in the near future”.
PV inverter market suffers falling revenues, but still set to grow
The third quarter (Q3) of 2011 was not kind to the photovoltaic inverter market. According to new research, revenues fell by 20 percent year on year. Germany has been identified as the main culprit behind the declining figures. Short-term price stabilization and a growing market provide some relief, however.
LDKs PV modules to be manufactured in Ontario
Under a new agreement announced today, OSM Solarform Corp. will manufacture around 20 megawatts worth of LDK Solars photovoltaic modules at its Welland-based production line in Ontario.
Copper for silver cell swap expected to be commercialized "sooner" than expected
Imec and Kaneka have developed a silver-free heterojunction silicon solar cell, with a conversion efficiency of over 21 percent. Imec speaks to pv magazine about the achievement and states that the use of copper in commercial cell production could come sooner than many think.
Panasonic plans 300 MW Malaysian solar factory
Global electronics giant, Panasonic Corporation has unveiled plans to open a 300 megawatt (MW) vertically-integrated solar manufacturing facility in Malaysia.
First Solar hits 5 GW production milestone
Proving its thin film prowess, First Solar has announced its cumulative photovoltaic module production has reached five gigawatts (GW). It is the second solar company in the world to do so.
Coveme first European PV components supplier to open Chinese factory
Photovoltaic backsheet producer, Coveme Group, opened its Chinese production facility yesterday in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province, China. It is the first time a European photovoltaic components supplier has openend a manufacturing plant in the country.
Azerbaijan to manufacture solar batteries
Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state and the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, is setting up a solar battery manufacturing facility. According to sources, it should be ready to enter production by December.
Sharp develops 36.9 percent efficient solar cell
Sharp Corporation has achieved what it says is the highest silicon solar cell conversion efficiency globally. At 36.9 percent, the company says the results have been confirmed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.
