Weaker demand in the first quarter is expected to generate a significant rise in PV module inventories throughout the supply chain, according to market research firm IHS iSuppli in a new report entitled ‘PV: Strong Market Has Suppliers’ Inventories at Healthy Levels.’
HyperSolar has finished work on the prototype design model of its new thin micro-concentrator module. The commercial version of the concentrator, which is set to be both smaller and more efficient than the prototype design model, will be released once the photonic and optical characteristics of the test module are validated.
Rumours of a tie-up with Samsung have proved true, with the news that MEMC will establish a new joint-venture firm with Samsung Fine Chemicals to produce polysilicon for the PV industry. The agreement between SFC and MEMC's affiliate, MEMC Singapore, includes building a 10,000MT plant in Ulsan, Korea, close to an SFC chemical plant. Production ramp is targeted for 2013.
CPV cell developer Cyrium Technologies has opened its new office in Hong Kong, China and appointed Nelson Fan as its general manager for Asian operations. Fan holds eighteen years of experience in the semiconductor industry, having most recently worked with Traxon Technologies as its research and development director. In his new position with Cyrium Technologies, Fan will be charged with concentrating on the company’s supply chain while detecting technology options and supporting their Chinese and other Asian customers.
Scatec Solar has signed on with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and Italgen to build a 6.16MWp solar project in a former quarry close to Guiglia, Italy. The solar installation should be connected to the grid by this fall and generate over 7.5 million kWh yearly. The companies did not release the financial terms for their agreement nor any information about the 26,000 modules or BOS that will be used for the installation.
A Bangladesh firm, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy has ordered an advanced module manufacturing line with a capacity of 20MW from Spire Corporation. The modules made at the new facility will be used for rural applications.
Project developer, relatio has selected Satcon Technology to provide 39 PowerGate Plus 500 kilowatt (kW) solar inverters for a 19.5MW solar park, dubbed Tauberlandpark.
Swiss-based PV equipment supplier, Komax has signed a cooperation agreement with Yingkou Jinchen that will see Komax acquire a majority stake (51%) in newly formed Komax Jinchen. The move by Komax is to penetrate the Chinese market and add more laminators to its product range.
Monday night’s Cinema for Peace gala in Berlin saw Sharp Europe unveil its latest philanthropic venture – the ‘Sun and Stars’ project. The project will help supply electricity to some of the world’s most impoverished countries by financing and installing PV systems.
Showa Shell Sekiyu subsidiary Solar Frontier has begun the commercial ramp of its new advanced, fully-automated CIS (copper, indium and selenium) thin-film solar module production plant, located in Miyazaki, Japan. Initial production capacity is claimed to be 600MW and is planned to reach a nameplate capacity of 1GW in 2012.
