Off-grid solar market worth $300 million annually
The off-grid solar market now represents US$300 million annually, with more than 13 million products having been sold to date, according to a new report. The sub-Saharan market is said to be reporting the strongest growth, followed by South Asia.
19.1% efficient PERC PV cell produced using 1366's Direct Wafer technology
Customer trials have yielded PERC PV cells with an average 19% efficiency on industrial lines. 1366 says its cast wafers can be produced at half the cost of conventional processes.
Neo Solar Power produces 21.1% efficient mono-PERC solar cell
NSP will show the new PERC cell at the PV Taiwan trade show this week, and the product will be ready for engineering sampling at the end of 2015.
1366 chooses New York to build its first commercial-scale wafer facility
After years of delays, 1366 Technologies has announced plans to break ground on the factory to produce its proprietary Direct Wafers no later than the second quarter of 2016.
SolarCity to begin production of >22% efficient PV modules this month
Calling it the world’s most efficient rooftop solar panel, the company says it will produce PV modules with greater than 22% efficiency at a pilot facility.
Fraunhofer debuts world record 25.1% efficient TOPCon solar cell
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has achieved an efficiency of 25.1% on a both sides-contacted silicon solar cell. In addition to increasing efficiencies, the TOPCon technology is said to simplify manufacturing processes.
GTM Research: BoS cost reductions drive falling PV system prices
GTM Research’s latest report estimates that global PV system prices will fall an average of 40% by 2020, driven by balance of systems cost reductions.
3 GW of potential solar capacity on San Francisco roofs
Solar mapping provider Mapdwell has expanded to San Francisco, estimating that the city can host up to 3 GW of rooftop PV. This is a higher capacity per square mile than other cities.
Applied Materials eliminates wafer sawing and solar implant lines
Applied announced it would cut two of its solar product lines in its latest quarterly results, which caused a further bleeding of red ink in its Energy and Environmental Solutions business unit.
REC Group becomes third-largest PV supplier to US residential market
REC Group has risen rapidly in the U.S. residential sector, growing its market share five-fold in one year. It expects to grow this share further in 2015. The company has benefited from both technology innovation and political factors.
