VDMA: solar equipment orders increase 328% in Q1
A report published by German engineering federation VDMA reveals strong demand for solar production equipment, with order intake in the first quarter of 2017 tripling over the previous quarter. The book to bill ratio of orders to delivered systems hit the ‘very high’ level of 4.4 for the first quarter of 2017
Meyer Burger receives new equipment order worth CHF 22 million
Swiss PV equipment supplier Meyer Burger has received a further order for its MAiA PERC production platform SiNA cell coating system from an existing customer based in Asia. The combined contract for both technologies amounts to CHF 22 million ($23.2 million).
LONGi Solar first to place order for new Meyer Burger tool
Swiss equipment supplier Meyer Burger today announced the launch of its new MAiA EVO system, and the receipt of the first order for the system from PERC manufacturer LONGi Solar Technology. The tool is set to be delivered in the second half of 2017.
Rena and Aiko Solar Energy to collaborate on plating technology
Rena and Aiko Solar Energy will expand their collaboration into electroplating cell metalization technology. Germany’s Rena has already delivered some 4 GW of wet chemistry tooling to the Chinese PV producer, and will now deliver one of its InCellPlate to Aiko’s new Yiwu production facility, in the Zhenjiang province.
Laytec to supply inspection equipment to CNBM PV fab
German equipment manufacturers Laytec has been chosen by CTF solar to supply its in-line process inspection equipment to a new 80 MW CdS/CdTe thin film cell production line being developed in China.
Video: thin film’s rise in China
After several years of little activity, thin-film production is currently enjoying a resurgence. Several big equipment deals have been made in recent months, one of the most significant of these is the partnership between German suppliers Manz and Shenhua & Shanghai Electric.
INDEOtec to supply PECVD tool to Fraunhofer ISE
Swiss equipment provider INDEOtec announced that it has received an order for its OCTOPUS II PECVD system from the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Germany.
Innolas receives order for laser machine platform
German equipment supplier Innolas announced that it has received a further order for its ILS-TTnx platform, from an unnamed Asian customer. The tool is suitable for a range of applications in cell technology, but is particularly seen as a cost-effective method for laser contact opening in PERC cells.
Teamtechnik & research partners develop award winning lead-free PV system
A joint project conducted by the Carinthian Tech Research Center and the Austrian Institute of Technology, in conjunction with German equipment manufacturer teamtechnik has developed a lead-free PV system using glued ribbon technology.
Midsummer sees profit increase for FY 2016
Financial results for 2016 posted by the Swedish thin film equipment supplier show that revenues almost doubled to SEK 60 million ($6.8 million) for the full year. Midsummer also saw a significant profit increase to SEK 10 million ($1.1 million).
