Weak solar demand fails to impact Applied Materials Q1 results
Equipment manufacturer Applied Materials has posted strong first quarter (Q1) 2012 results, including a non-GAAP operating income of US$240 million, from net sales of $2.19 billion. Sales were down $50 million year-on-year, but up slightly up from the fourth quarter (Q4) 2011.
Germany: New PV leasing startup aims to "make solar simple"
Following in the footsteps of companies like California-based SunRun and Solar City, a new start-up company, DZ-4, is looking to bring decentralized solar power to Germanys masses. In the following interview, founder Tobias Schütt talks to pv magazine about his plans and explains why such schemes have not already been introduced in Germany.
Suntech exceeds shipments, falls down on revenues
In releasing its preliminary fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) 2011 financial results, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd says it exceeded Q4 shipments. Revenues and gross margin, however, continued to decline.
"Broadband nanoplasmonic" technology increases c-Si thin film efficiency
A collaborative research project, based in the Australian state of Victoria, claims to have developed the worlds most efficient broadband nanoplasmonic solar cells. The result, published in the journal Nano Letters, report the cells having an efficiency of 8.1 per cent.
MEMC predicts challenging 2012, as it announces flat financials
MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. says both its fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) financials reflect the “challenging” market environment it encountered in 2011. While the company believes it is well positioned for the future following its production and staff cutbacks, it forecasts another difficult year.
"Highly competitive" pricing from Tier 2 Chinese PV module manufacturers
IMS Research has found that while annualized photovoltaic module price declines have slowed, Chinese Tier 2 manufacturers are implementing “highly competitive” pricing strategies.
Uzbekistan inaugurates new solar energy institute
In its bid to become an “international knowledge hub and solar technology exporter”, Uzbekistan has unveiled its new International Solar Energy Institute (ISEI).
AUO to market solar products under BenQ brand name
AU Optronics has said it will market its solar products under the brand name BenQ Solar. The move is in line with its “Global Operation, Local Delivery” business strategy.
ECD announces insolvency
Just months after suspending its manufacturing operations and announcing significant job cuts, Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) and a number of its subsidiaries, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Taking PV to new places
A new research project at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is aiming to get photovoltaics applied in brave new ways and many more places. The project, at the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Low-Carbon Living at UNSW, will focus on a range of techniques, applications and potential impediments relating to photovoltaic technology.
