CRITICAL Manufacturing has released cmNavigo 3.6, the latest version of its flexible and user-centered manufacturing execution and intelligence system (MES/MI).
With India embroiled in a fierce debate over whether or not to impose trade duties on foreign PV imports, a recent report laid bare the sorry state of the country's domestic PV industry. Mark Osborne takes a look at the findings.
Away from the fanfare and highly tweetable soundbites, the reality of SolarCity's acquisition of Silevo is less flashy, less immediate and less clear. Finlay Colville tells PV Tech why it will be business as usual for Chinese manufacturers and why the acquisition is far from being the industry game-changer that many have portrayed it to be.
The acquisition of US-based PV manufacturer, Silevo, by the largest US PV installer, SolarCity, has caused a storm and turned recent business trends within the industry on their head. Mark Osborne analyses the deal and its implications for the industry.
Applied Materials has entered the solar wafer inspection market with ‘Applied Vericell’ system designed to fully-automate in-line wafer inspection to address the quality limitations of manual review, with the capability to automatically predict wafer cell efficiency through photoluminescence (PL) technology. The Vericell system is being introduced at SNEC 2014 in Shanghai, China.
centrotherm is highlighting low-pressure diffusion system at SNEC 2014, which it claims can offer up to 40% per wafer for solar cell emitter formation. The cost reductions are attributed to almost a doubling of the systems wafer throughput to more than 140MW per year and overall lower media consumption.
A decision to block the 500MW Palen project in California from using CSP tower technology could send solar thermal power generation back to the trough despite a range of inventive solutions to deter migratory birds.
Komax Solar has launched its new next-generation solar cell stringer system, the Xcell X3. Key features include throughput of 1800 cells/hour and up to five busbar and half-cell capabilities. The all-new closed loop induction soldering is three times as efficient as the previous generation. Komax Solar is exhibiting at SNEC 2014, being held in Shanghai, China May 20-22, 2014 at booth, E3 520.
Praxis Resources has launched the PCT-1800 IV Curve Tracer. The unit is shock resistant, easy to operate and user friendly. The large scale 10.4” color touch panel LCD and integrated computer are key to generating IV curves, completing PV array performance analysis and producing immediate performance feedback.
ROFIN-BAASEL Lasertech is launching a new upgraded version of its production proven ‘Dual Line c-Si’ laser processing system that provides improved productivity and lowers processing costs in volume production of next-generation PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cells) solar cell design. The latest Dual Line c-Si™ modular platform will be unveiled at the forthcoming SNEC 8th 2014, International Photovoltaic Power Generation Exhibition, being held in Shanghai, China May 20-22, 2014 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. ROFIN-BAASEL Lasertech’s booth is located in Hall 3, 615.
