A new manufacturing process for cheaper CdTe panels
US researchers have unvelied a new manufacturing process to produce cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV panels, which they claim is 45% cheaper than current industry standards. The technique relies on the use of a high-pressure Bridgman furnace, which is a kind of industrial furnace utilized for crystal growth and directional solidification of polycrystalline ingots.
Wacker reports strong operating loss for 2019 due to polysilicon business
The German polysilicon manufacturer said results for the past financial year are in line with its expectations. However, falling sales and earnings were also reported. The company blamed low prices for polysilicon for last year’s performance.
Solar glass factory approved by Malaysian government
The $483 million fab will be built by an unnamed ‘multinational glass manufacturer’ at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, in the Sabah region.
DMEGC launches half cut monocrystalline module with 440 W output
The new 24.5kg, PERC monocrystalline product from DMEGC is said to have an efficiency of 19.78%. The panels are available in glass and white-backsheet formats.
Kalyon Enerji finds Chinese partner for 500 MW module fab in Turkey
The factory, backed by the Turkish government in September, was originally intended to be built with the support of Korean solar manufacturer Hanwha Q Cells. The new partner is China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). Production is planned to start next year.
REC kicks off production of new Alpha Series panels in Singapore
With the 600 MW production line the company’s annual module production capacity will approach 2 GW.
Big money for Turkey’s 500 MW solar factory
With the Turkish government having given Kalyon Enerji another three years to build the 500 MW facility it won a tender to construct with former partner Hanwha Q Cells, Ankara has now committed a $333 million “super incentive” to the fab.
AE Solar inaugurates 500 MW module factory in Georgia
The German solar module manufacturer has commissioned its European module factory in Georgia. The manufacturing facility can be readily expanded to about 1.2 GW and the first 500 MW phase should be fully operational in the course of the next month.
Panasonic transfers solar manufacturing unit to GS-Solar and creates new research JV
The Japanese multinational will transfer its Panasonic Energy Malaysia unit to Chinese heterojunction module provider GS-Solar as part of a broader cooperation agreement. Panasonic’s solar R&D business will form part of a JV in Japan to be 90% owned by GS-Solar.
AE Solar to open 500 MW European module factory in Georgia
The German panel maker said the new factory, which will add to its 525 MW facility in China, will expand its production capacity to 1 GW. With plans in the pipeline to enter the PV project business, that figure could rise to 2 GW by the end of next year.
