Silver Key to Efficiency
Silver Pastes for More Efficient Solar Cells
Silver metallization pastes can increase the efficiency of solar cells. At Heraeus, the in-house R&D team researches metallization pastes that contribute to the goal of producing efficient solar cells at reduced costs. more...
New Metallization Materials
Better Adhesion, Reduced Silver Consumption
DuPont Microcircuit Materials has launched its next-generation back side silver material for high-efficiency solar cells. Solamet PV51G photovoltaic metallization decreases dependence on silver metals by reducing overall material consumption in solar cells up to 25 percent, while providing better adhesion and maintaining desired efficiency performance of the cells. more...
Low Shrinkage Encapsulation Film
Green EVA Extrusion Line for Encapsulation Film
Breyer (Germany) has developed a profitable system for the production of EVA film and other gluey materials. The new process allows to extrude EVA film at high speed by keeping the shrinkage low. more...
Isishape Materials for High-Efficiency Solar Cells
Merck and Canadian Solar Inc. China Cooperate on Mass Production of High-Efficiency Solar Cells
German chemical company Merck announced that Canadian Solar Inc. has been using Merck’s isishape materials in the mass production of high-efficiency solar cells (ELPS: Efficient, Long-term Photovoltaic Solution) since the beginning of 2012. more...
Increased Sales Volume, Lower Revenue
Centrosolar´s Revenue Dropped 21 Percent
Despite an volume increase of 6 %, German PV system manufacturer Centrosolar has reported a decline of 21 % in revenue in 2011. The reason was the decline in prices for modules and PV systems. more...
Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics Until 2016
EPIA Sees Solar Power at the Crossroads
European Photovoltaic Industry Association has published a new report. “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics Until 2016” covers the European and global markets for PV. more...
1.9 Gigawatts of Inverter Output Sold
SMA Outperforms First Quarter Guidance
German SMA Solar Technology AG posted a positive start to fiscal year 2012. In the first quarter, the company sold solar inverters with a total output of 1.9 gigawatts (Q1 2011: 1.0 GW), with sales amounting to €405 million. This exceeded both SMA’s own guidance of €350 million to €390 million and the result for the same period in the previous year (Q1 2011: €255.9 million). more...
Inspection and Sorting System
Wafer Inspection “On-The-Fly”
Efficiency in PV production is not only a question of efficient production but also of efficient quality inspection methods. Schmid has developed a new “on-the-fly“ final inspection and sorting system that is designed for diamond wire cut and slurry cut wafers as well as for monocrystalline, quasimono and multicrystalline wafers. more...
Laboratory Measuring Instrument for the Examination of Solar Wafers and Cells
Measuring Avoids Future Breakage
GP Solar GmbH of Constance, Germany introduces an optimized version of the GP Stab-Test.Pro. This laboratory measuring instrument was designed especially for the photovoltaics industry for the examination of solar wafers and cells. more...
Good Start to First Quarter of 2012
Heraeus Continues on Record Course in 2011
The Hanau-based Heraeus precious metals and technology Group in 2011 once again surpassed the previous year’s record results, tallying the most successful year in the company’s history. With product revenues of €4.8 billion, Heraeus surpassed the previous year’s level by 19 percent. more...
EUR 42.9 Million Operating Loss
Centrotherm Reports Quarterly Loss
German centrotherm photovoltaics AG reported a EUR 42.9 million operating loss at the earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) level (previous-year: EUR 17.7 million profit). The net income came to EUR minus 30.6 million (previous-year period: EUR 12.2 million). more...
Storage Solution for Renewable Energy
Electrolyser for Hydrogen Conversion is Production-ready
Electrolysers are key components for energy storage concepts in the context of renewable energy and hydrogen technology. German Company H-Tec (Lübeck) has announced a production-ready PEM electrolyser. more...
Excess Capacity and Policy Uncertainties in Europe
LDK With High Losses in 2011
Chinese PV manufacturer LDK Solar has reported a $531.4 million loss from operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to loss from operations of $77.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. more...
TÜV Süd Verifies ISO 9001:2008 Conformity
Nanosolar Achieves Certification for German Fab
Nanosolar GmbH has received ISO 9001:2008 certification from TÜV Süd Germany for its fully automated panel assembly factory in Luckenwalde, Germany. This certification covers all aspects of the manufacturing and testing of Nanosolar thin-film solar panels. more...
460 Employees Affected by the Close Down
Rec to Exit all Wafer Operations in Norway
With prospects of continued negative operating results, Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (Rec) has decided to close down the remaining 650 MW multicrystalline wafer plant at Herøya currently in operation. more...
Optimistic Outlook für PV: €900 M Investion in German Nünchritz
Wacker Polysilicon Production Facilities at Nünchritz on Stream
Wacker Chemie AG’s hyperpure polysilicon production facilities at its Nünchritz site officially went into operation. On 27th of Apil the Munich-based chemical company officially inaugurated its new production complex. more...
German Manufacturers of PV Equipment see Investment Slowed Down by Excess Capacity
VDMA: PV Engineering with Record Sales in 2011, New Orders Slumped
The sales of German manufacturers of components, machinery and equipment for photovoltaics reached a record level in fiscal year 2011. The increase in sales amounted to nearly eight percent, the manufacturers association VDMA reported at its annual meeting in Berlin last week. more...
Scientists at the Technical University of Chemnitz Develop New Production Processes
Silicon-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells
Chemists and physicists at the Technical University of Chemnitz and scientists working in Saxony-based companies are teaming up for a technological revolution in photovoltaics. The aim: A cost-effective method for producing thin-film solar cells based on silicon. more...
Duration of Current PV Crisis
Solarbuzz: Spending on PV Equipment to Bottom Out in Q2’12
Equipment spending by tier 1 PV manufacturers is poised to resume in 2013 with strong double-digit annual growth rates forecast out to 2016, according to new research featured in the latest NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report. more...
High Performance "Desert Modules" Made in Korea
Jurasolar to Start Up 60 MW Fab for “Desert Modules” in Deagu, South Korea
The 60-megawatt solar line of Jurasolar Co. Ltd., based in Deagu, some 240 km from Korea’s capital city of Seoul, has passed acceptance inspection by Jurasolar Co. Ltd. and J.v.G. Thoma GmbH and will be producing high-performance modules in a few weeks. more...
Market Share of Thin-Film PV Dropped in 2011
GTM Research: CIGS will dominate Thin-Film PV in the Future
Falling prices for crystalline PV are increasing the pressure on thin-film PV. According to the fourth edition of GTM Research’s annual update on the thin-film PV, CIGS technology will dominate thin film market. more...