Bluecell halts solar cell production in Germany
Three years after acquiring the cell production business of insolvent Sunways, Bluecell has also given up. The 100 MW production equipment at the company’s facility in Arnstadt will be sold by the end of 2017.
GCL-SI achieves 20.1% efficiency for its PERC solar cells in mass production
The Chinese PV manufacturer has achieved a new efficiency breakthrough for its PERC solar cells, with the help of nanostructured black silicon. GCL-SI plans to reach an efficiency of up to 21.0% by the end of this year.
Atomic scale design could pave the way to more persistent solar cells, study says
Researchers from ICL claim to have discovered the cause for the rapid decrease in performance of perovskites. Adding iodide ions may help improve the stability of solar cells.
Japanese scientists seek to develop solar cell able to absorb spectral components of longer wavelengths
The new technology is designed to capture the spectral components of longer wavelengths that are usually lost during transmission through the solar cell. The Japanese scientists are using up-conversion of below-gap photons to reduce power losses and increase the cell efficiency.
Imec claims 22.8% efficiency for bifacial n-type PERT solar cell
The Belgian research institute has developed a bifacial n-PERT solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 22.8%. Imec researchers claim this cell has the potential for a cost-of-ownership at module level of less than $0.30/W.
Natcore’s Foil Cell creeps closer to commercialization
The U.S. cell manufacturer announced a partnership with Italian manufacturer Coveme to accelerate the development and commercialization of Natcore’s latest cell innovation.
Enel plans to start solar cell production, announces developments for 34 MW in Zambia and 238 MW in Mexico
The Italian utility is laying the foundations for solar cell production at its PV panel manufacturing facility. The final goal of the project is 1 GW commercial cell production. Meanwhile, Enel Green Power has secured the PPA for a 34 MW PV facility in Zambia, and has broken ground on a 238 MW solar park in Mexico.
Eurotron’s sister company opens testing facility for back-contact solar in the Netherlands
Eurolab, a sister company of Netherlands-based equipment provider Eurotron, has opened a new testing facility for back-contact PV modules. The laboratory will facilitate pre-production of back-contact solar panels, R&D projects, and small-scale production for solar challenge teams
Solar demand is boosting silver prices, says Silver Institute
Two different reports highlight how PV demand is currently improving silver’s industrial offtake. The Silver Institute says that prices have increased 9% since the beginning of this year, while ETF Securities says that mining capital expenditure and investments are declining, and that this could further weigh on silver supply.
Neo Solar Power confirms it will gradually exit polycrystalline production
The Taiwanese solar cell maker has confirmed to pv magazine that it will exit the polycrystalline PV business and will focus on its monocrystalline products. The company intends to gradually lower its polycrystalline PV capacity.
