Xunlight garners UL certification for flexible silicon thin-film PV modules
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
Thin-film photovoltaics firm Xunlight has received certification for its flexible, lightweight modules under the ANSI/UL 1703 standard for North American markets. The company says the certification applies to its XR-series of flexible photovoltaic rooftop modules for a range of power outputs up to 264W per panel, making Xunlight one of a handful of companies that have had their flexible PV panels certified.
Dow Corning, Reis Robotics join forces in PV moduling encapsulation collaboration
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
Dow Corning and PV equipment supplier Reis Robotics have formed an alliance to promote the materials company’s PV-6100 silicone-based encapsulants for solar module production applications. The new encapsulants, when used in conjunction with the manufacturing process, are said to outperform the industry standard EVA resins as a way to protect the solar cells in a PV panel.
NREL confirms 11% conversion efficiency for SoloPower flexible CIGS PV modules
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has confirmed that flexible CIGS solar panels manufactured on SoloPower’s pilot production line have achieved aperture conversion efficiencies of 11% during tests at the lab’s Golden, CO, facility–the highest efficiencies yet achieved by a full-size flex module. NREL had previously verified 13.4% efficiencies on the company’s 11.8cm2 lab cells.
Order Focus: Phoenix Solar, MiaSolé sign four-year deal; CIGS moduler to ship 4.5MW this quarter
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
Photovoltaic integrator Phoenix Solar and CIGS solar module manfacturer MiaSolé have signed a framework agreement that will run through 2013. The deal calls for MiaSolé to fulfill a Phoenix Solar order for an initial 4.5MW of copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide thin-film PV panels in the second quarter, with the remaining shipment amounts to be determined. The framework agreement also includes a recycling warranty where required by regulation or financing; at the end of the module’s lifetime, the customer can choose to have them taken away by MiaSolé and recycled, or reconditioned.
Project Focus: SunEdison to build 14 PV projects in Ontario
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
SunEdison announced its intention to develop and build 14 roof-top PV projects that will total up to 3MW for The Remington Group. All of the PV systems will be located in the greater Toronto area and will commence a phased rollout this summer.
SolarBridge locks in $15 million in series B funding
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
SolarBridge Technologies has obtained $15 million in series B funding with Rho Ventures, a new investor for the company who lead the round of financing. To date, SolarBridge has raised over $27 million.
2BG completes delivery of first production line of 50MW PV modules
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
2BG has completed its delivery of its first 50MW PV module production line to Italia Solare. The line has been operational since last December with a production capacity of 25MW. Full production is expected by May. The company looks to continue expansion in July 2010 with an added 50MW to be later followed in first quarter 2011 with another 50MW. Total capacity is expected to reach 150MW.
SolFocus receives $3 million in equipment financing
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
ATEL Ventures has given SolFocus $3 million in equipment financing for the company’s high-volume manufacturing. In addition to ATEL, SolFocus is also venture-backed by New Enterprise Associates and Apex Ventures.
Linde Gases encouraging its customers to “go green” with on-site generated fluorine
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
In an effort to continue environmental conservation efforts, Linde Gases has announced to its customers the opportunity to diminish their CO2 emissions by a quarter of a million tons this year by switching to on-site generated fluorine (F2) from the more traditional nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).
PV cells processed with Innovalight silicon inks hit 19% efficiencies; 20% targeted by year’s end
April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
Innovalight has set a new record of 19% conversion efficiency for solar cells processed with the company’s silicon ink. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems measured the results on industry-standard size cells made by the materials and technology company at ISE’s independent testing center in Germany.