Polysilicon
Nanostructure-Coated Black Silicon Solar Cells Via ALD
09 May 2013POSTED IN Research
Aspiring to improve photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency by using latest advances in nanotechnology, researchers at Aalto University, Finland, are combining “black silicon” with the method of atomic layer deposition (ALD). As a result, the nanostructures fabricated by plasma dry etching minimise sunlight reflection. Moreover, a conformal, thin passivating layer, deposited onto the nanostructures through ALD, prevents charge carriers from recombining at the surface.
Wacker Ramps up Polysilicon Manufacturing
11 February 2013POSTED IN Business News
Back in October, Wacker Chemie AG announced it was scaling back production and implementing a short-time work schedule. But now, due to strong demand from the solar sector, the company is increasing production once again.
Polysilicon Industry to Resume Growth in 2013, Report Says
09 January 2013POSTED IN Business News
The global polysilicon industry will return to the path of growth and increase its production by 6.5% in 2013, according to an analysis by Bernreuter Research.
The polysilicon market research firm projects the global polysilicon net demand, including that of the semiconductor industry, but excluding the consumption of inventories, will amount to approximately 250,000 metric tons (MT) this year.
Hanwha SolarOne Secures RMB 3.0 Billion Credit from Bank of Beijing
27 December 2012POSTED IN Business News
Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. , a manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers and photovoltaic cells and modules in China, today announced it has reached an agreement with the Bank of Beijing for access to up to RMB 3.0 Billion (approximately $475 million US) of credit over the next twelve-month period. Drawdown of specific amount is subject to approval procedures of the Bank of Beijing, including review of specific project information, as applicable.
Solar Polysilicon Price Plunge in October
19 November 2012POSTED IN Business News
Global demand and pricing in October for solar polysilicon fell at the highest rate seen since February, indicating that supply still exceeds demand, according to the IHS Solar Polysilicon Price Index from information and analytics provider IHS.
EU PVSEC 2012: Report indicates polysilicon market ready for rebound
25 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
After a shakeout of nearly 40 manufacturers, the polysilicon industry will slowly recover from oversupply by 2014. 2015 could already see the harbingers of a new polysilicon shortage. This is one of the conclusions of the new market research report The 2012 Who’s Who of Solar Silicon Production, which Bernreuter Research today presented during the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
IHS: Top solar PV suppliers ‘must cut production’
17 September 2012POSTED IN Business News
PV polysilicon prices last month fell at a faster rate than they did in July, continuing a losing streak that started in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a PV Polysilicon Price Tracker report from information and analytics provider IHS.
EU PVSEC 2012: Suntech’s compact 305W SuperPoly module
13 September 2012POSTED IN New Products
Suntech Power Holdings today announced a new generation of its 72-cell module for commercial and utility-scale electricity generation in Europe.
The SuperPoly STP305-24/Ve, with 15.7% efficiency, is suited for large-scale commercial projects seeking a low levelized cost of energy (LCOE). In addition, the new Ve-Series modules feature a slim frame design lowering storage and shipment costs by up to 16%, according to Suntech.
The SuperPoly STP305-24/Ve solar module will be on display during PVSEC 2012 (hall 3.1, booth H13) in Frankfurt 24-28 September.
SPI 2012: ReneSola debuts 300W, 305W poly modules
12 September 2012POSTED IN New Products
ReneSola today announced its high-wattage 300W and 305W 72-cell poly line is ready for shipment from its east and west coast warehouses in the US.
REC Sales Up, Earnings Still Poor
20 July 2012POSTED IN Business News
Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) of Norway, a company that is currently restructuring, gained an increase in sales of polysilicon and PV modules in the second quarter of 2012.
SEIA and SEMI Partner to Grow Solar Industry
12 July 2012POSTED IN Business News
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association for the US solar industry, and SEMI, the global industry association serving the nano- and microelectronics manufacturing supply chains, today announced a partnership to help grow solar energy markets across the country.
NPD Solarbuzz: PV polysilicon prices to drop 48% in 2012
02 July 2012POSTED IN Business News
PV polysilicon prices are forecast to drop 48% and wafer prices 56% year-over-year in 2012, according to NPD Solarbuzz Q2’12 Polysilicon and Wafer Supply Chain Quarterly Report.
Intersolar Europe 2012: CEO forum on turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities
15 June 2012POSTED IN Editors Blogs
The CEO panel discussion concluded the second day of the Intersolar Europe 2012 and brought together four industry leaders, namely Dr. Peng Fang, CEO of JA Solar Holdings, Udo Möhrstedt, CEO of IBC Solar AG, Rafael Schröer, Managing Director of Kyocera Fineceramics, and Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman, President and CEO of Canadian Solar. It was agreed among the panelists that crystalline silicon will continue to dominate the market in the years to come. Cell efficiency will further improve but be limited at a level below 25%.
Solarbuzz China: 2-Day PV Conference in Shanghai
10 May 2012POSTED IN Business News
NPD Solarbuzz today announced it will host its inaugural Solarbuzz China PV Conference in Shanghai, China. This two-day event will take place 19-20 July 2012 at the Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel, and will provide insight and market data to help the PV supply chain develop business strategies.
German FiT, Asian Entrants Spell Trouble for Solar Leaders
04 May 2012POSTED IN Business News
Centrotherm and Wacker Chemie, leaders in the solar industry, both posted first quarter losses, reflecting the cuts in government incentives as well as the influx of lower-cost Asian products entering the market.
CASM Analysis: China’s five-year solar plan
02 May 2012POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
China’s government recently issued a new Five-Year Plan for solar that provides for even greater government control and support of its industry, according to an analysis commissioned by the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM).
IHS Reports Surplus Supply of Polysilicon Pressures Pricing
18 April 2012POSTED IN Business News
An ongoing surplus in the production of polysilicon, the key raw material in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, will lead to excess supply, leading to further erosion in its pricing, according to an IHS iSuppli PV Perspectives Market Brief and the IHS iSuppli Polysilicon Price Index.
Polysilicon prices on both the spot market and in contract negotiations are set to decline in the coming months, according to the IHS.
Quasi-mono Silicon: The best of both worlds
14 April 2012POSTED IN Applications Features
There was a time when the crystalline silicon solar cell industry could be separated neatly into two camps – multi-crystalline and monocrystalline. But today a new technology blurs those boundaries, but no one is quite sure what to call it: quasi-monocrystalline, nearly-mono, castmono, monocast. The fact is that it lies somewhere in between multi-crystalline and monocrystalline.
MEI Announces Wet Processing System for Solar Cells
26 March 2012POSTED IN Applications News
MEI, an Oregon-based manufacturing and service company, today announced it has made a process breakthrough to create ultra-pure electronic-grade polysilicon ideal for manufacturing high efficiency photovoltaic solar cells and semiconductors.
Ecobuild 2012: ET Solar's Moly Series PV Modules Available
21 March 2012POSTED IN New Products
ET Solar Group Corp. announced today the launch of its Moly PV module series at the Ecobuild 2012 exhibition currently in progress in London, UK.
