Bifacial cell manufacturer targeting production capacity ramp ups
Israel-based BSolar has told pv magazine it is planning to ramp up production of its recently launched bifacial photovoltaic crystalline silicon cells to between 200 and 300 megawatts (MW).
Polysilicon prices drop 11 percent
According to IHS iSuppli, average selling prices (ASPs) for polysilicon dropped by 11 percent in April, to a new 2012 low of US$27.20. This follows a new purchasing trend, from contract deals to “bargain-basement” spot market buying, and signals the continuation of oversupply.
ASP increases module production capacity on back of utility-scale demand
U.S.-based Advanced Solar Photonics, LLC (ASP) has announced it is increasing production of its 400 Watt monocrystalline photovoltaic panels on the back of growing demand.
Masdar receives 12.9 million for new PV module line
The European Commission has approved 12.9 million worth of state aid for Masdar PV GmbH to install a second photovoltaic module production line in Germany.
Ontario: Canadian Solar obtains Bank of China loan facility; Sanmina-SCI to manufacture Satcons inverters
Canadian Solar Inc. and the Bank of China, New York Branch have signed a construction financing agreement worth CAD$120 million for the establishment of solar power plants in Ontario, Canada. In related news, Sanmina-SCI will manufacture Satcons inverters in Ottawa.
DSC PV market poised for significant expansion
Key technical breakthroughs in the past year have pushed the dye sensitized cell (DSC) photovoltaic market out of the research and development stage, making it a technology with solid growth potential in the near future.
Heliatek achieves 10.7 percent OPV efficiency; to begin module production this year
Heliatek GmbH has achieved what it says is a world record efficiency of 10.7 percent on a 1.1 cm squared organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell. The results have been measured by Germany-based testing facility, SGS. Heliatek will begin production of its modules this year.
US to invest up to $25 million in plug-and-play PV systems
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has said US$5 million will be made available for the development of plug-and-play photovoltaic systems in 2012, under the SunShot initiative. Over the next four years, it hopes to invest an additional $20 million.
HHI achieves 19.7 percent copper-contact cell efficiency
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has achieved a conversion efficiency of 19.7 percent on its copper-contact selective-emitter solar cell. This, it says, is a new world record.
Thin film: Potential remains for those who survive
In a week when major restructuring at the worlds largest thin film producer, First Solar, has been the focus, the industry has gathered to discuss prospects for the technology and market in the future.
