HanWall

Copper indium gallium selenide thin film technology is on the fly as conversion efficiency closes in on that of crystalline silicon. The technology can be integrated neatly onto facades of otherwise energy intensive commercial buildings. The potential is huge even if the conversion efficiency retains some limitations.

With buildings responsible for 36% of EU greenhouse gas emissions and half the bloc’s energy demand, European cities will have to accelerate deployment of renewable energy and foster substantial investment in energy efficiency to become carbon neutral by 2050. A new report has found ‘solar skins’ are well positioned to help achieve that goal and multiply the contribution of rooftop solar.

The Hong Kong-based thin film manufacturer’s parent company may not be able to deliver mammoth panel orders on time, but looks set to arrange a HK$5/share deal to take the troublesome unit back in house and list it on the A-share index, in a move which will come as a relief to shareholders stuck with its stock since May 2015.

Thin-film manufacturer says its skyscraper product, which can be retrofitted, will open up a new BIPV marketplace – but spokesman sidesteps question of whether Trump’s solar duties will apply in the US.