The US Export-Import Bank will provide First Solar with $455.7 million of loan guarantees to construct a pair of solar PV power projects in Ontario, Canada. The bank will guarantee a $236.7 million loan for a 50MW plant to be built near Amherstburg, Belmont, and Walpole townships, and another $219 million loan for a 40MW farm slated for construction in St. Clair. The debt will be repaid over 18 years.
Serious issues over the viability of thin-film technologies and the companies using them were brought forward with the shutdown and looming bankruptcy of Solyndra this week. However, at EU PVSEC on Tuesday, September 6, at 11:30 am, CIGS turnkey equipment provider Manz is holding its CIGSforum, which is open to register for attendance.
Inventux Technologies has extended its product warranties for its micromorph-silicon thin-film PV systems from five to 10 years. The offer includes system components such as modules, inverters, and mounting systems and is being provided at no additional cost.
Bringing over 15 years of executive and technology experience to the role, Dr. Omid Shojaei joins Indeotec as its new chief executive officer. In his new position Shojaei hopes to build upon the company’s PECVD platform for R&D and pilot production for both c-Si and TF-Si.
MPrime has become the latest company to provide a 25-year linear warranty for its PV modules. Under the warranty, the crystalline modules are guaranteed to perform at a minimum of 97% of the rated power during the first year and 96.3% during the second year, with an average annual decrease in power output of no more 0.68% over the subsequent 23 years.
China-based PV module manufacturer, BYD Company is now offering both its monocrystalline and polycrystalline module products with a ten year product warranty. The company also offers the assurance of 90% output power for ten years and 80% output power for 25 years.
Upsolar modules installed around the world are eligible for the company’s newly extended warranty for its standard solar module. The extension, which doubles the previous coverage from 5 years to 10 years, covers customers’ modules for defects in materials or workmanship.
A significant leap forward in advanced screen-printing for solar cells has been touted by Applied Materials, which will be showcased at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) in Hamburg, Germany from September 5-8. The new dual-lane ‘Baccini Pegaso’ screen-printer is said to enable novel, high-efficiency cell designs to be brought into mass production, effectively ‘future-proofing’ the platform due to its modular architecture. Early customer adoption includes Gintech Energy.
Cylindrical CIGS thin-film manufacturer Solyndra has announced that it has suspended its manufacturing operations, immediately laid off its 1100 full-time and temporary employees, and intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Fremont, CA-based company cited "the negative impacts of global economic and solar industry market conditions" as the reason for the actions. The firm also said it is evaluating its options, which could include "a sale of the business and licensing of its advanced CIGS technology and manufacturing expertise."
Roth & Rau has appointed new members to its supervisory board, replacing the previous board who concluded their term in office last week. At the company’s Annual General Meeting, shareholders chose to elect Michel Hirschi, Andrea Sieber and Peter M. Wagner, with Wagner appointed as chairman of the board.
