Technology and R&D

Following the first U.S. solar jobs census, it has been found that over half of all solar employers plan to expand their workforce in the next year.

The third quarter of this year has seen solar inverter shipments grow almost 50 percent to reach 7.3 gigawatts (GWs), thus representing another record quarter (quarter two peaked at five GWs). It has been predicted, however, that the fourth quarter will see a slowdown.

What future PV trends does the world’s largest producer of crystalline silicon solar panels anticipate? And just what exactly is the company’s almost 400-strong R&D team working on? During a two-day fact finding mission to China, pv magazine gained an insiders’ glimpse through Suntech’s looking glass via its CEO and CTO: thin film and technological advancements, consolidation and silicon manufacturing were discussed.

Photovoltaics (PV) profitability has “significantly” decreased in the last few years, while rapid expansion has put pressure on feed-in tariffs (FITs). On a more positive note, however, the industry has displayed “incredible” resilience in the face of economic crisis.

Photovoltaics (PV) creates 12 times more jobs than nuclear and 15 times more jobs than natural gas or coal per unit of energy produced in Ontario, according to a new report.

Chinese companies are expected to lead the world in the expansion of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity in 2010, accounting for seven of the ten biggest gainers in the industry, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp.

Advances in crystalline silicon technology, combined with the falling cost of the polysilicon raw material, have served to pile pressure on manufacturers of emerging thin film technologies, according to a new research report.

New research has revealed that “rapid price erosion” is likely to see a decline in market revenues, despite the fact that photovoltaics (PV) module shipments are expected to increase next year.

NLAB Solar has secured an additional SEK 18 million (around USD$2.6 million; €1.9 million) in financing from industrial partner Fasadglas Bäcklin AB, a Scandinavian glass facade company.

New research has found that China’s photovoltaics (PV) market is set for “rapid” expansion, having reportedly posted one of the fastest growth rates in annual and cumulative installations.