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”.
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.
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.
Manz to take over Würth's CIGS operations
Würth Solar will hand over its CIGS production line, located in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, to Manz AG, in order to focus on the sales side of its photovoltaic business. Production capacity will be more than halved.
Spaniard wins Bauhaus Solar Award 2011
A spatial concept from Spain won this years Bauhaus Solar Award 2011 in Erfurt, Germany. Second prize, meanwhile, was awarded to two students from Munich.
Austrian smart grid project to see 120 new PV systems installed
A new 5 million, three-year smart grid project has been unveiled in Austria. Designed to prepare for the expected “onslaught” of new solar capacity in the country, the pilot project will see 120 photovoltaic systems installed. pv magazine gets the low down.
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.
US survey finds solar tops publics energy list
According to a new U.S. survey, solar is the most popular energy resource. The majority of Americans, it found, believe it should receive federal subsidies. Meanwhile, many say they would be more likely to buy a product if it were made using solar.
NREL develops "game-changing" solar cell furnace
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed what it says is a “game-changing” furnace for the solar cell industry.
Natcore and MX Holding form JV to boost Italian PV panel producers
U.S.-based Natcore Technology Inc. and the Italian MX Holding S.p.A. are looking to form a joint venture (JV) aimed at developing new technologies for a consortium of Italian photovoltaic panel producers. They will also open a new manufacturing facility.
