Category: Solar

ISOFOTON calls to create a technology framework to maintain European leadership in PV sector

• Ángel Luis Serrano, the Isofoton CEO, highlighted this point during the APVIA PV 2012 International Exhibition that is taking place this week in Singapore• Serrano confirmed ISOFOTON’s commitment to investment in R&D and employment, supported by important international partners such as Samsung• Serrano confirmed that opening the Chinese market to foreign investors is of… Read more »

Intersolar China Postponed

China’s international exhibition for the solar industry will now reopen its doors in 2013. The China Renewable Energy Industry Association (CREIA) is welcomed as the new partner of Intersolar China. The Intersolar China Conference is taking place in Beijing as planned from December 11-13, 2012. Freiburg/Pforzheim, Germany, and Beijing, China, October 23rd, 2012 – The… Read more »

Siemens to focus its renewable energy activities on wind and hydro power

In connection with the previously announced company program 2014, Siemens will modify its business strategy and organizational setup with respect to renewable energy. The company plans to divest its solar business activities and is currently holding talks with potential buyers on this subject. Siemens intends to focus its renewable energy activities on wind and hydro… Read more »

GPTECH ENLARGES ITS PRESENCE IN SOUTH AMERICA WITH THE WIND & SOLAR POWER CHILE SPONSORING

• GPtech participated successfully in two conferences about integrating renewable energies in the electrical net and renewable hybrid generation systems• The company keeps leader in the supply of devices for South American PV facilities Madrid, 19th of October of 2012. GPtech has participated in Wind & Solar Power Chile, which have taken place in Centro… Read more »

Carl Zeiss Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology: Suppliers awarded

Carl Zeiss Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology: Nihon Kessho Kogaku and Schmolz & Bickenbach Receive Supplier Award Outstanding achievements honored at fifth Suppliers’ Day in Oberkochen OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 18.10.2012.Japanese company Nihon Kessho Kogaku (NK&K) and Dusseldorf-based Schmolz & Bickenbach have been honored with the Carl Zeiss SMT Supplier Award. Representatives from both companies accepted the award the evening… Read more »

Cheapest energy tariffs should be offered to all

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince believes all energy companies should offer their customers their best price regardless of when they joined or how they pay – including customers on pre payment meters. Prime Minister David Cameron announced yesterday afternoon that all energy companies would be forced to place customers on the cheapest suitable tariff.Ecotricity has always… Read more »

Greece: Four further Conergy plants provide Hellenic solar power

1 megawatt: private investors rely on Conergy quality for their power plants Hamburg, 18 October 2012 – Together with the local Company Spercheios S.A., Conergy realized four solar power plants for private Greek investors. The four plants with a total capacity of one megawatt were all being constructed using Conergy PowerPlus modules from the factory… Read more »

SOLARWATT AG completely restructured: insolvency procedures repealed

– Restructuring plan legally valid – Dresden Municipal Court repeals insolvency procedures – SOLARWATT AG accelerates orientation to system sector with new products in 2012 and 2013 Since Mid-October 2012, the restructuring plan developed by the management of SOLARWATT AG and ratified by Dresden Municipal Court on September 11, 2012, has been legally valid. Since… Read more »

Woodward and SolarEdge Partner to Offer Superior Utility Scale PV Power Optimization Systems

The two companies join forces to offer ROI-accelerating module-level power harvesting optimization solutions for large commercial and utility PV systems. SolarEdge will also distribute Woodward’s SOLO product family in Israel. Fort Collins, Colo., October 17th, 2012. Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ: WWD) and SolarEdge Technologies, a leading global provider of end-to-end solar power optimization systems and PV… Read more »

Europe Sees Solar PV Backsheet Market Falter Due to Economic Recession

Europe currently leads the solar PV market, but the ongoing impact of the ongoing Euro zone crisis is expected to lead to a drastic decline, states a new report by energy experts GlobalData. The new report* names Europe the largest solar PV backsheet market in the world, with the region accounting for 72.1% of global… Read more »

New Standards in the Solar Module Inspection

Innovative Electroluminescence Technology Provides High Efficiency Gains in the New Solar Module Production Automated inspection using state-of-the-art camera and software technologies significantly increases high-quality yield and reduces manufacturing cost in photovoltaic production. Especially electroluminescence (EL) inspection opens up new dimensions to detect damages that are invisible to the human eye. ISRA SOLAR VISION, a worldwide… Read more »

centrotherm photovoltaics submits reorganization concept to court as planned

centrotherm photovoltaics AG today submitted its reorganization and future concept as planned to the District Court of Ulm. The concept is decisive for the future of the Group. After being examined by the court, the insolvency plan will be presented to creditors in the next step, who will then decide on whether to accept it… Read more »

Future Looks Sunny for Solar Market in Asia, as PV Backsheets Make Booming Trade

The Asian solar photovoltaic (PV) backsheet market is heating up, as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China steal focus from the US and Europe, whose finances and demand for PV continue to suffer due to the global economic crisis, states a new report by energy experts GlobalData. The new report* states that solar PV power… Read more »

Correction – Press Release – Inauguration Of The Pv Plant Ilumina In Puerto Rico

Ilumina, the biggest PV plant in operation in Puerto Rico, has been officially inaugurated by the governor, Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset, yesterday October 5th.The 138-acre solar farm, which uses GPtech PV inverters and a Power Plant Controller (PPC) also from GPtech, will use some 100,000 photovoltaic panels to produce enough electricity to power 6.000 homes…. Read more »

The Swiss inverter manufacturer Sputnik Engineering opens a new branch office in Sydney and presents its entire portfolio at the All Energy Australia

As of now, the Swiss inverter manufacturer Sputnik Engineering distributes the tried and tested SolarMax inverters in Australia as well. In Europe, the SolarMax brand has been standing for quality, reliability, and durability of grid-connected solar inverters for more than 20 years. With its new branch office in Sydney, managed by Daniel Freudiger, General Manager… Read more »

Sika at Glasstec/Solarpeq – Increased mechanical and process performance

The  façade  and  PV  industry,  and  for  sure  the  BIPV  systems  have  one  in  common,  all  strive  for  performance increase, cost reduction and architectural  appeal. The new product range of Sika for this markets  support the industry to achieve this targets.   At  the Glasstec / Solarpeq Sika  is presenting  its  three  newest product innovations to the market.  Sikasil®  SG‐550  with  extra  high  mechanical  strength for smaller joints in facades.  Sikasil®  IG‐25  HM  plus  for  reduced  material  consumption  and  increased  gas‐tightness  on  Insulating glasses.    Sikasil®  AS‐780  with  exceptional  initial‐strength  for  simplified  process … Read more »

Meyer Burger showcases its innovative photovoltaic technologies at EU PVSEC

At the annual EU PVSEC conference and exhibition from 25 – 28 September 2012, the Meyer Burger Group unveiled powerful new award-winning technologies to underscore its technology leadership in the PV market. Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) highlighted its strong position as a global technology leader at every stage of the photovoltaic… Read more »

SCHMID’s Extremely Fast Laser Processing with Breakage-Free Automation for PERC Cell Production

SCHMID consistently promotes the industrial use of the SCHOTT Solar licensed PERC processes, which is backed up by the continuous increase in efficiency from the record level of 20.2% in summer 2012 to the current 20.74%. A further process building block after the successful backside passivation using the APCVD is the opening of the passivation… Read more »

ISOFOTON and the Saudi Arabian company INDSYS set to develop 300MW photovoltaic projects in Saudi Arabia

• Both companies signed a joint venture agreement. • Saudi Arabia is aiming to install about 14 GW of solar photovoltaic facilities by 2030. • ISOFOTON plans to strengthen its position in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India: priority markets for the photovoltaic industry in the coming years. Riyadh/Madrid, September 26th, 2012 ISOFOTON,… Read more »

Dragonback Measurement Method From Pasan Awarded Solar Industry Award 2012

Meyer Burger Group member Pasan SA has won the Solar Industry Award 2012 in the Photovoltaic Tool category for its DragonBackTM measurement method for high efficiency modules at a ceremony held at the 27th EU PVSEC in Frankfurt. The new high efficiency solar cell technologies, including the innovative heterojunction cells from Meyer Burger Technology Ltd… Read more »

Leaner polysilicon industry poised for rebound

Bernreuter Research issues new report on companies, supply and demand After a shakeout of nearly 40 manufacturers, the polysilicon industry will slowly recover from oversupply by 2014. 2015 could already see the harbingers of a new polysilicon shortage. This is one of the conclusions of the new market research report The 2012 Who’s Who of… Read more »

Order for a 2.6 MW solar power plant

– SOLON builds second solar farm in Lübesse – Real-time monitoring via Internet with SOLON Vega system– SOLON has already installed the Lübesse I solar farm (2.5 MW) Berlin, September 27, 2012. After a nationwide call for tenders, SOLON Energy GmbH won the bid to build a second photovoltaic power plant in Lübesse (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). The… Read more »

Highest Quality and Cost Efficiency in Solar Cell Production through Innovative Photoluminescence Inspection

Today’s major challenges in Photovoltaic production are the continuous optimization of solar cell efficiencies and at the same time the reduction of manufacturing costs. ISRA SOLAR VISION, a business unit of ISRA VISION AG, Darmstadt, Germany, provides the complete range of state-of-the-art high-efficiency inspection systems that enable PV manufacturers to master these challenges. With the… Read more »

aleo solar AG ends avim solar joint venture

aleo solar AG [ISIN: DE000A0JM634) ends the avim solar production Co. Ltd. joint venture based in Gaomi, China. The Board of the joint venture decided to dissolve it. Production will be shut down soon at the Gaomi plant, where the joint venture produced solar modules under the brand avim with 246 employees. “Sustainably cost-effective production… Read more »

Gptech Strengthens Its Position In United States After Solar Power International

• The number of North American companies that visit the stand grows• Interest in the PVWD family of inverters and in the Advanced Power Integrated Stations Madrid, 25th of September or 2012. GPtech has ended satisfied its participation at Solar Power International 2012, which took place in Orlando (Florida), from 11th to 13th of September…. Read more »

Canadian Solar Inc Achieves 211 Cell Efficiency Using New Advanced Technical Concept Based On Mercks Isishape And Renas Inclean Technology

Merck announced today that the Selective Emitter concept based on Merck’s and RENA’s new advanced technology is being implemented in Canadian Solar Inc.’s (CSI) high-efficiency solar cell production. With this, CSI achieved 21.1% cell efficiency according to in-house testing. Merck’s isishape® pastes ensure homogeneous and well controllable etching, leading to an efficiency gain of 0.5%…. Read more »

Reducing the Cost of Thin Film Solar Module Production through Process Optimization

At the EU PVSEC DAS Environmental Expert GmbH will present its new technologies for waste gas abatement that will significantly reduce production costs in the solar industry. Dresden/ Frankfurt am Main, September 24, 2012. DAS Environmental Expert GmbH, headquartered in Dresden, supports companies in the solar industry in significantly lowering their production costs. The environmental… Read more »

DuPont Microcircuit Materials Introduces Highest Efficiency Solamet® Photovoltaic Metallization Pastes to Date

Higher Cell and Module Efficiencies with Less Material ConsumptionOffer Near-Term Means for Solar Manufacturers to Improve Profitability DuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM) has introduced its next-generation frontside metallization pastes for crystalline silicon solar cells. DuPontTM Solamet® PV18x series photovoltaic metallization pastes offer photovoltaic manufacturers improved productivity beyond that provided by Solamet® PV17x series, the current industry… Read more »

Roth & Rau achieves industry-leading silver savings in solar cells

 50 – 70% savings in silver  Process developed for front and rear side coating with nickel  Production tool available for immediate use in solar cell production Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) today announced that its Group member Roth & Rau AG [Frankfurt stock exchange: R8R] has developed a process which uses inexpensive… Read more »

Sika at PV SEC 2012

The  Photovoltaic  and  Solar  Industry  is  driven  by  cost  reduction  and  long  term  performance  increase  to  master  the  market  challenges.  Therefore  efficient  manufacturing  processes  and  new  approaches  are  required  for  savings  in material  and  resources,  higher  outputs,  new  designs  and  secured  long  term  performance.  With  the  newest  developments  of  innovative adhesive, sealant and potting solutions Sika  responds to these requirements. On the 27th  EU PV SEC  in Frankfurt, Germany, Sika is presenting and demonstrating these powerful solutions. The  European  Photovoltaic … Read more »

The 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition opens its Doors on Monday, 24 September 2012

The 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (27th EU PVSEC) opens its doors on Monday, 24 September 2012, and is ready to welcome the global PV business and research community in Frankfurt, Germany. The event takes place from 24 to 28 September 2012 (Conference 24 to 28 September 2012 – Exhibition 25 to… Read more »

Global Status Report

Established in 2005 to convene international leadership and a variety of stakeholders to enable a rapid global transition to renewable energy, the REN21’s Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) is perhaps the world’s most accurate snapshot of the solar/PV industry. PES is proud to present this exclusive extract – essential reading for every European executive in… Read more »

Bright prospects for thin film solar

The solar industry is going through troubled times: over-capacity of panels on the world market, governments withdrawing subsidies, and a lot of corporate consolidation. We talked to Wiro Zijlmans CEO of Smit Ovens, about why thin film solar technologies have a bright future and the role of thermal processes in high-volume manufacturing. Wiro Zijlmans: Smit… Read more »

On the trail of solar cost leadership

Darren Brown, Alternative Energy Business Manager at DEK, discusses the drive towards greater efficiency in solar cell manufacturing, and asks how best to achieve cost leadership – and ultimately, competitive advantage. Achieving the optimum level of production of anything requires any number of stars to be aligned. These range from the cost of the raw… Read more »

The power of anticipation

Founded in 1946, SICK currently employs more than 5,800 employees worldwide, and achieved sales of EUR 902.7 m in 2011. Naturally, those impressive figures aren’t generated through luck – they’re down to hard work, innovation, and by keeping a close eye on the market (especially in challenging times). We spoke to Stéphane Renaud-Betz, Strategic Industry… Read more »