New bacteria-based solar cell doubles density, reduces production cost
Researchers coated bacteria with a semiconductor before application to an anode glass. This process is reportedly cheap and taps energy produced by the bacteria through photosynthesis. Additionally, the researchers state power output is not impeded by overcast skies, making it ideal for northern Europe, Canada, mines and other low-light environments.
Schletter acquisition finalized
The new shareholder obtained business operations, and shares in the German solar PV company. This transition finalizes Schletter’s financial recovery.
United States: Texas to get its biggest solar plant at 315 MW-DC
Innergex purchased the rights to develop the massive Phoebe solar power plant on the day that the project received a full notice to proceed with construction.
Alta Devices sets 28.9% efficiency record for single junction, GaAs cell
U.S. high efficiency specialist Alta Devices has announced the achievement of a 28.9% efficient single junction cell, based on its lightweight gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology. Alta’s solar cells are designed for integration into unmanned air vehicles and other autonomous systems.
ABB finalizes $2.6bn GE Industrial Solutions acquisition, deploys VPP in Italy
The company reports that its IoT ABB Ability platform connects to existing GE Industrial Solutions’ installations. The company will supply its products to GE, with the GE brand name being retained. Access to the North-American market was named as one of the primary motivators for the acquisition. At the same time, the company inked a deal to support Be Power in the Italian market for dispatching services with its ABB Ability solution.
Panasonic mulls further investment in Tesla battery gigafactory as shortages loom
The suggestion of additional investments beyond the $1.6 billion follows reports of battery cell shortages as Tesla’s Model 3 picks up production. It is unknown what impacts this will have on Tesla’s stationary storage business.
Norway’s REC Silicon lays off 40% of US workforce, reduces production
REC Silicon ASA has announced that it will today lay off around 100 employees from its workforce based in Washington, the U.S., and reduce production, as a “direct result” of the trade dispute between the U.S. and China.
Yingli to transfer to OTC Pink after NYSE delisting
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, and expects to begin trading on the OTC Pink on July 2, where there are no disclosure requirements.
The Weekend Read: The hows and whys of corporate PPAs
More and more corporations are signing contracts with wind and solar projects, and as this happens the space is becoming broader and more complex.
GT Advanced Technologies opens silicon carbide factory in New Hampshire
The upstream technology company plans to sell silicon carbide for applications including advanced inverters for solar and battery storage, as part of a new emphasis on materials supply.
