Germany

U.S. based PV innovator 1366 Technologies, and Korean PV manufacturer Hanwha Q CELLS have announced a new performance record for cells produced using 1366’s Direct Wafer technique. The cells achieved 20.3% efficiency, which has been independently confirmed by Fraunhofer ISE.

German automaker Audi and California-based Alta Devices — a wholly owned subsidiary of troubled Chinese PV group Hanergy Thin Film Power (HTF) — have agreed to collaborate on thin-film solar research, with plans to exhibit a PV-integrated Audi prototype vehicle by the end of this year.

The ruling comes as the German solar manufacturer is restarting following an insolvency process, and Hemlock may have a hard time collecting.

The PV plants will be located in the region of Brandenburg, and will require an investment of €32 million.

The German manufacturer will focus on the production of PERC solar cells and bifacial glass-glass modules in the future.

The takeover of the SolarWorld production sites at Freiberg and Arnstadt in Germany has today been approve by the creditors. Announcement means 500 staff can continue in their production roles.

The German equipment manufacturer reported a positive EBIT of €2.5 million for the first half of the year, a big improvement on the same period in 2016, when its EBIT was negative €9.3 million. EBIT for the second quarter stands at €1.1 million.

In the first half of this year, the company also saw its operating loss widen. Phoenix Solar, however, has released an optimistic guidance for full fiscal 2017.

Turnover for the first half of this year was slightly down from the previous year. Large order intakes from China, however, will lead to a substantial improvement of the company’s result for full fiscal year.

The German PV equipment supplier reports a stronger order intake for the first half of this year. Turnover, however, was lower than last year.