Solarnova produces conventional PV modules as well as BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic). Now the company has acquired a new stringer built by Teamtechnik. The Stringer is meant to increase the number of modules produced while maintaining the company’s quality standards.
Imec announced it has realized bifacial n-PERT solar cells using an industrially-compatible process with a record-setting front-side conversion efficiency of 22.8 %. Used bifacially under standard front illuminations conditions in conjunction with an additional 0.15 sun rear illumination, these cells can produce the equivalent energy of 26.2 % monofacial cells, as the research and innovation hub in nano-electronics, energy and digital technology and partner in EnergyVille points out.
Following an agreement reached last year, GE has successfully delivered and installed one of two 1,500-Volt solar inverters in the Ibaragi prefecture. The unit is now in smooth operation in Looop Co. Ltd.’s PV-plant, as the manufacturer announced. The successful commercial operation of the unit marks the entry of 1,500-volt solar technology in Japan’s solar market.
SunPower has announced that construction has begun on an 8.79 MW solar system at Toyota Motor North America's new headquarters in Plano (Texas). Close to one megawatt larger than originally planned, it is expected to be Texas' largest corporate office on-site solar installation among non-utility companies.
IHS Markit, a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions, projects that global demand for photovoltaics (PV) will reach 79 GW in 2017, a slight 2 percent increase over the 78 GW installed in 2016. This compares to annual growth that surpassed30 percent in both 2015 and 2016.
Thanks to considerable cost reductions in PV, solar energy holds increasing appeal for use in the mobility sector. The Fraunhofer ISE has counducted research concerning this possible. The findings show, that even a replacement of diesel fuelled trucks with solar-powered ones seems to be possible to some extent.
The German chemicals group Wacker Chemie AG has become the world’s largest manufacturer of polysilicon, the feedstock for semiconductors and solar cells. With a production volume of more than 70,000 metric tons (MT) in 2016, Wacker superseded Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon, a subsidiary of GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. in China, which produced 69,345 MT. Jiangsu Zhongneng was the number one from 2013 through 2015.
Photovoltaic Feed