LayTec launched a new in-line metrology system 'PearL' at the Intersolar Europe 2011. PearL is an optical in-line monitoring system, measuring photoluminescence spectra of CIGS thin-film modules in production lines and is part of the LayTec product line for solar applications. Photoluminescence spectra allow a fast detection of the effective Ga content of the absorber during the production process. A product option for CdTe absorbers is also available.
Engineered Conductive Materials (ECM) has introduced two new ‘Conductive Stringer Attach Adhesives that reduce costs. The DB-1541-S3 adhesive employs a material formulation that has been optimized for improved conductivity and stability on molybdenum substrates while reducing the silver content to reduce cost. The DB-1538-2 adhesive is available as a one- or two-part adhesive, allowing costs to be saved on dry ice shipments and -40°C storage of one-part systems. Both materials can be used for thin-film, organic and thinned silicon solar modules.
As leading CIGS manufacturers and equipment suppliers in Europe prepare for quarterly and half-year reporting during August, the impact of Veeco’s parting comments may force a closer examination of existing market-share adoption rates and business-unit operating margins. The company’s rationale for exiting the CIGS systems business was based on its assessment that “the timeframe and cost to commercialization [of CIGS tooling] are not acceptable,” coupled with “the lower-than-expected end-market acceptance for CIGS technology.” Rather than speculating whether Veeco’s prepared remarks will—or will not—have any tangible effect on investor confidence levels across the CIGS community as a whole, it is perhaps more prudent to revisit the fortunes of other PV equipment suppliers that have been championing CIGS in support of dedicated product portfolios offered to the market.
As PV manufacturers prepare for Q2’11 reporting, the need to understand accurate industrywide capacity levels has become essential. Currently, much of the industry is addressing the prospect of widespread production cutbacks to allow record module inventory levels to be worked through. While in contrast, some Tier 1 producers continue to operate at close to full capacity utilization.
Schott Solar has introduced a new multicrystalline module manufactured using double-glass technology. SCHOTT Poly 185 uses glass on both the front and rear sides, this new, long-life module is more resistant to environmental influences and particularly robust against stormy conditions, snow, which enables the company to offer 30-year linear performance guarantee.
Power-One has introduced its new AURORA ULTRA-1400 central inverter with an output power of up to 1.4MW. The central inverter is liquid-cooled and the largest product in the Power-One RE offering and has been designed for large commercial and utility-grade installations.
Schneider Electric has launched the Square D 1000 VDC disconnect switch, the first enclosed heavy-duty 1000 VDC solar disconnect on the market. The easy-to install switch functions as a local disconnect for a string of Photovoltaic (PV) panels and are designed for an extended life expectancy in harsh environments.
Linuo Power Group has introduced c-Si modules with different cell color characteristics that are designed to be attractive to the building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) market. A special membrane plating technology is used to color the cells while limiting the impact on cell/module conversion efficiency.
Sentech Instruments, a manufacturer of advanced quality control instrumentation for thin film metrology applications, has developed a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) inspection tool that offers uniformity mapping of film thickness and spectrally resolved haze H(?) on glass sheets of all standard glass sizes.
MV Products is introducing a line of vacuum foreline traps for manufacturing processes that create large volumes of solid byproducts such as those used for producing solar cells, HB-LEDs, and Li-ion batteries.
