A team of researchers from École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) has developed a new process for fabricating cells with all electrical contacts at the rear. According to EPFL, the process has already achieved lab efficiencies in excess of 23%.

Scientists at Swiss research center École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne have published research showing how the presence of light can affect perovskite film formation. The study could result in higher efficiencies and better reproducibility in perovskite cell production.

Tempress systems, a subsidiary of U.S. based Amtech, has received a follow-on order for a multi-phase 1 GW project. The turnkey order is for an n-type bifacial manufacturing line, and includes high throughput PECVD and diffusion platforms.

German equipment supplier 4JET microtech has launched its new MPCT solution which it says will enable laser edge deletion, bus bar exposure and via drilling operations in CIGS glass substrates.

Data released this week by Britain’s Solar Trade Association shows that rooftop deployments across the country plummeted in the first quarter of 2017, after a hike in the business rates for small solar installations took effect earlier in the year.

Figures released today by GTM Research show that U.S based NEXTracker remained the global market leader for the second year running, although Indian and Chinese suppliers gained major headway as the market continues to globalize.

Swiss supplier ABB has provided its PVS800 central inverters to Turkey’s largest solar power plant, the 51 MW Kayseri OSB project in Central Turkey.

The Saudi Renewable Energy Development Office (REPDO) has announced a shortlist of 27 companies that will be invited to submit proposals for 300 MW of solar PV commissioned as part of the first round of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

Schmid Group and MacDermid Enthone have been selected as pv magazine’s 2017 Technology Highlights award winners. In late March, the prize jury of industry experts met to select the winners, from a shortlist of eight innovative new PV production equipment and materials. Dozens of entries to the award were received from suppliers worldwide. Alongside the two winners, the jury selected Sinton Instruments as worthy of special commendation as having provided the ‘Technology to Watch’ in 2017.

Figures published today by both IHS Markit and GTM research forecast annual growth in the global solar market in 2017, albeit at a slower rate than was seen in 2016. The analysts predict continued demand from the four largest markets, particularly China and India, as the key drivers behind this growth.