The emerging solar technology industry faces increased pressure to drive down production costs, increase efficiencies and thus increase competitiveness in the marketplace. Jaime Schmitt, Phil McGraw and Kevin McAloon look at the growing use of ceramics in solar cell production, which is bringing grid parity for solar power closer than ever before. World energy consumption… Read more »
With investment totalling £6m and a substantial contract win from a housing association under his belt, it’s no wonder former group managing director of Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), Adrian Pike, is feeling positive about the future. He has taken an ambitious leap from the corporate world into the rapidly expanding solar and energy efficiency… Read more »
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) electricity is poised to become a significant and competitive supplier to the European electricity market. The UK has traditionally lagged behind markets like Germany, however, the introduction of a Feed in Tariff (FiT) is changing the scene. Whilst boosting the share of PV can contribute to reaching the UK’s ambitious renewable energy… Read more »
The reduction in Feed-in Tariffs and an overall declining economic climate along with a less than sympathetic Federal government are combining to make the going tough for Germany’s PV industry with many manufacturers now looking to increase their markets substantially abroad. PES reports on a difficult situation in the country that many others looked to… Read more »
In the complex series of processes that are undertaken to create a fully-functioning solar cell from an ingot of pure silicon, it is generally accepted that advances in the metallization process hold the key to greater cell efficiency. In this area DEK Solar focuses its talents exclusively on the process and is rapidly emerging as… Read more »
Andy Green has worked for Emerson Control Techniques for 25 years, holding various positions including those of Systems Sales Director and General Manager. For the past three years, in the position of Industry Development Manager – Solar Inverters, he has channelled his knowledge of grid tie inverter applications in support of Emerson’s goal of becoming… Read more »
Customer needs are continually evolving and business requirements are forever changing. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the renewable energy industry. For Luvata, an early pioneer in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, a lot has changed in just a few short years. In this frank interview, Jussi Helavirta, Executive Vice-President of Luvata’s Special Products division… Read more »
A venerable German company with a longstanding reputation for the development of application- and customer-specific systems for the creation of vacuums and extraction of processing gases, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum is well-known throughout the industry. Here, PES speaks to Kavreet Bhangu, Global Head of Market Segment Solar / SEMI / Coating, about how the company has… Read more »
Peter Pauli has been Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Executive Board of Meyer Burger Technology AG since January 2010 and has also been Chairman of the Board of Directors and member of the Executive Board of Meyer Burger Ltd. since 2002. From 1985 to 1990, he served as Assistant to the Executive Board… Read more »
Germany-based PCO was founded in 1987 to develop and produce specialised fast and sensitive video camera systems, mainly for scientific applications. Nowadays the company’s extensive product range covers digital camera systems with high dynamic range, high resolution, high speed and low noise, which are sold in the scientific and industrial market all over the world…. Read more »
When installing off-grid solar PV systems that often last for a quarter of a century, quality and reliability are perhaps the two most two vital factors. But with a vast (and growing) portfolio on offer to the consumer, it can be difficult to make the right decision. PES asked Richard Lowe of Dulas to takea look at the technologies… Read more »
ROFIN is an acknowledged worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of industrial lasers. With over 35 years’ experience in laser material processing the Switzerland-based company uses this invaluable knowledge to develop solutions for almost any laser application in solar cell manufacturing. PES spoke to Richard Hendel: Contacts Sales Manager Photovoltaic, about the company and… Read more »
Solar PV is leads the way in terms of applicable renewable technology with demonstrable benefits. But while photovoltaics have the potential to make a significant reduction to a building’s overall energy, they also carry with them sizeable installation and application considerations. PES investigates. Building design has changed dramatically in recent years with sustainable solutions becoming… Read more »
Since its formation in 2005 Sovello has distinguished itself through technological innovation, as well as demonstrating its forthright vision and its desire to be the world’s most sustainable solar company. Here, PES catches up with the company’s Konrad Sell, Specialist Corporate Communications manager … PES: Welcome to the magazine. We note you produce string ribbon… Read more »
How the global crunch on natural resources is threatening to derail Europe’s PV industry There could be trouble brewing for Europe’s PV industry in the wake of a decision over mineral mining, taken in Beijing. The Chinese Government wants to severely restrict the mining of rare metals in the country, and the problem for us… Read more »
With more than 26 years’ sales and business management experience, James Payne is the Managing Director of Upsolar Germany GmbH. He has worked with some of the world’s largest companies including Bombardier Transportation and Xerox, although he started his business career selling Apple Computers which eventually led him to start his own Apple-Authorised Dealership at… Read more »
Bentek Solar, a leader in Balance of System (BOS) design and manufacturing for commercial and utility scale solar PV products, has received UL 1741 listing and CSA 22.2 certification for its Bi-Polar Circuit Breaker Re-Combiners. The Bi-Polar Circuit Breaker Re-Combiners were designed and manufactured specifically for bi-polar inverters and provide both positive and negative circuit breakers in one NEMA… Read more »
aleo solar AG [ISIN: DE000A0JM634] will be attending the Solar Industry Summit – UK 2011 conference in London from Thursday 12th May to Friday 13th May 2011. At the conference, industry representatives will be discussing the current situation and prospects of the UK solar energy market. also solar also announced that its aleo S_18 module… Read more »
MB Wafertec a group member of the Meyer Burger Group successfully concluded an important order of approximately CHF 4.5 million with Monocrystal, Russia, a long-standing partner and worldwide leading technology company in the industry of optoelectronics. Monocrystal will receive high precision wire saws equipped with diamond wire technology for the slicing of synthetic sapphire into… Read more »
SOLON SE, one of Europe’s leading photovoltaic manufacturers, Tata Steel Europe and The Sustainable Building Envelope Centre (SBEC), have joined forces to address the growing demand for an intelligent combination of photovoltaic system and metal roof covering. The resulting product, which consists of a photovoltaic system from SOLON and a pre-finished steel roofing product based… Read more »
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd [Ticker: MBTN] published today that the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) gave its antitrust clearance for the takeover of Roth & Rau AG and associated merging of the two companies. Peter Pauli, Chief Executive Officer of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd, said: “We are very pleased that the Federal Cartel Office came… Read more »
In its Silicon & Wafer segment, centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenues of EUR 29.3 million with the sale of silicon production technology and systems (prior-year period: EUR 43.3 million). Segment operating earnings (EBIT) were reported at EUR 2.2 million (prior-year period: EUR 7.0 million). The segment order book stood at EUR 259.5 million as of March… Read more »
Applied Materials, Inc., the leading equipment supplier to the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, announced today that GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., China’s largest producer of polysilicon wafers for solar PV applications in 2010*, has placed a significant order for Applied’s HCT B5TM wire saws. The systems, which represent more than 2.5 gigawatts of wafering capacity, are scheduled to begin shipping… Read more »
A Europe-wide road show was launched at the end of April with two intensive workshops in England given by MAGE SOLAR AG, part of the global MAGE GROUP. A total of 18 installers from 10 trade businesses from Southern England attended to expand their expertise in the photovoltaic field and get to know the integral… Read more »
Trojan Battery Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, today announced expansion of its AGM product line for the renewable energy(RE) market space with the launch of the U1-AGMand 22-AGMmodels. The new deep-cycle AGM batteries address the power needs of renewable energy off-grid and grid-tied solar home systems, solar lighting, industrial and backup power… Read more »
Engineered Conductive Materials, LLC, a leading global supplier of conductive interconnect materials for photovoltaic applications, will showcase its DB- 1541-X Series Conductive Stringer Attach Adhesives in Hall A5, Stand 653 at the upcoming Intersolar Europe, scheduled to take place June 8-10, 2011 at the New Munich Trade Faire Centre in Munich, Germany. The DB-1541-X Series of Conductive Stringer Attach… Read more »
Bentek Solar, a leader in Balance of System (BOS) design and manufacturing for commercial and utility scale solar PV products, announces that it has received UL 1741 listing and CSA 22.2 certification for its circuit breaker re-combiners. “There are no fuses with these 100 percent circuit breaker re-combiners that provide maximum performance and safety with UL 489 breakers…. Read more »
What is to date Switzerland’s largest building-integrated photovoltaic installation incorporates the trend-setting integrated MegaSlate® roof system from 3S Photovoltaics, a member of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd [Ticker: MBTN]. Installation is the responsibility of BE Netz, while Sputnik, based in Biel, is the inverter supplier. The three companies involved are also providing their expertise about architectural… Read more »
Phaesun´s new PN-AP is a three-phase, variable frequency pump inverter with a power output from 1.1 to 5.5 kilowatts. The PN-AP can power a wide range of standard pumps and makes a battery back-up unnecessary. Integrated MPP trackers ensure that the device finds the maximum power point of the solar generator at any time. The… Read more »
The brand supplier from Ravensburg presents its intelligent photovoltaics systems at the Italian trade fair for renewable energy from 4 to 6 May 2011. MAGE SOLAR AG, part of the global MAGE GROUP, is exhibiting its extensive product portfolio at Solarexpo in the Italian city of Verona from 4 to 6 May 2011. At Stand… Read more »
One of the world’s leading high-tech production engineers, Manz Automation AG, has selected fast-firing technologies from Rehm Thermal Systems to drive productivity in an advanced PV metallization line. Manz’s Solar cSi division, based in Reutlingen, Germany, chose to integrate Rehm’s RFS-D 500 Fast-Firing System following an extensive market research and product evaluation process. Now in… Read more »
Meyer Burger has successfully concluded a contract of over CHF 70 million with an existing customer in Asia. In addition to slicing equipment for solar wafers from MB Wafertec (Meyer Burger Ltd) this order includes also wafer inspection systems from Hennecke Systems GmbH. The equipment is scheduled to be delivered entirely during 2011. Meyer Burger… Read more »
Following the successful start of the MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY at MAGE SOLAR’s North American location in Dublin, Georgia, in January, the photovoltaic supplier is now also establishing an academy at their German headquarters in Ravensburg, whereby it is bundling its training provision. MAGE SOLAR AG, part of the global MAGE GROUP, has founded a new… Read more »
BTU International, a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment and processes for the alternative energy and electronics manufacturing markets, today announced the receipt of an order for multiple hydrogen annealing furnaces from a major Asian solar cell manufacturer. “Because of the hydrogen annealing process, this customer now is able to extract value from solar… Read more »
GP Bullhound, the technology investment bank, announces the completion of a funding round for the Mountain View, California-based company Skyline Solar, Inc. (“Skyline”), which will allow Skyline to ramp its recently announced next generation X14 integrated concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system. The terms of the financing were not announced. Skyline Solar manufactures integrated CPV systems, incorporating… Read more »
Trina Solar Limited (“Trina Solar” or the “Company”), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from ingots to modules, today announced through its subsidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co. Ltd., the extension of its national distribution agreement with Australia’s leading renewable energy distributor, RF Industries Pty Ltd. (“RFI”). The agreement, initially signed in… Read more »