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AQT Solar advised that using a low cost and production friendly sputter deposited copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS) thin-film solar cell, it had achieved high efficiencies. The company noted that the same manufacturing-ready processes and platforms used for its CIGS 2.0 solar cells was dually acceptable for CZTS and dubbed the term CIGS 3.0 for its future CZTS products.
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With any emerging technology it is to be expected that there will be both winners and losers. According to a new report from Lux Research, few of the CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) thin-film manufacturers stand out, while others will find partners or wither away. According to the market research firm, 2011 was a breakout year for CIGS module shipments and installations, generating 1.2GW of demand. Lux is forecasting the CIGS market to reach 2.3GW in 2015, generating US$2.35 billion in revenue.
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Brad Tinkham, et al., Inventux Technologies
Because of its attractive electronic and optical properties, zinc oxide (ZnO) has found widespread use as a front and back electrode in commercial solar cells. This paper addresses the different aspects of using AZO and BZO layers as front contacts for a-Si/μc-Si tandem modules fabricated in series production. The properties of the underlying ZnO layers put restrictions on the layer properties and process parameters that are used in the deposition of a-Si and μc-Si.
Note: Subscription may be required to access the paper.
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Not withstanding the tumultuous year for solar cell and thin-film manufacturers, the top-10 rankings for 2011 saw only a few changes in position from 12 months ago. Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers maintained their prominence, securing 8 of the top-10 positions. But the number-one position in 2011 goes to First Solar, the only thin-film manufacturer on the list.
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India-based, thin-film PV manufacturer Moser Baer has installed a 5MW solar farm, equivalent to powering 70,000 households, covering an area of 60 acres in Tinwari, Jodhpur district, India. This is part of the US$1 billion the company has promised the Indian states of Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal and Rajasthan, for projects worth 300MW. The farm was built under the solar subsidy scheme, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). The opening ceremony was attended by the renewable energy minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Ashok Gehlot, chief minister of Rajasthan.
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In total, 17,320 micromorph full-size modules were used.
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The companies said that the establishment of the joint venture was subject to antitrust approval.
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UK-based organic thin film start-up, Eight19 has installed roll-to-roll printing equipment at its Cambridge, UK, headquarters as a preliminary move towards volume production, as reported by PV-Tech’s sister-site, Solar Power Portal UK. Thought to be the largest of its kind in Europe, the bespoke facility includes a multi-station roll-to-roll fabrication machine which is designed to manufacture solar substrates. Eight19 expects to have the first of its commercial printed plastic solar modules available in 2013.
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Solar Frontier has defied the thin-film doom merchants by successfully bidding for the role of module supplier for enXco’s 100MWp+ PV plant in California. The agreement refers to the supply of up to 150MWp of Solar Frontier’s CIS modules and the project, when completed, will be the largest thin-film CIGS plant in the world.
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Donauer will be the first German company to train its local employees and potential customers via its solar academy.
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Further speculation has arisen that not only is MiaSolé laying off its workers, but is looking to sell the company.
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Soltecture’s rebranding efforts last year have been rewarded.
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This is the first of a 652kW solar project in the Maldives launched this week. Through a power-purchasing agreement signed by State Electric Company (STELCO) with Renewable Energy Maldives (REM), 61kW panels, on the island of Villingili were switched on by Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Katherina Reiche. German solar firm, Wirsol, provided technology and financing.
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The project was commissioned under the RPSSGP scheme managed by IREDA.
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First Solar reached volume production of modules with an efficiency of 11.7% in 2011.
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A broad-range of PV equipment suppliers are expected to have reported record revenues for 2011, after a year of continued capacity expansions. However, that is expected to be contrasted in a significant cut-back in capital expenditures in 2012 as the PV industry struggles with over capacity and falling prices, according to the latest NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report.
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The tragic death of Amonix CEO Brian Robertson late last year has led to Jan van Dokkum, an executive with venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, becoming interim CEO of the concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar systems company. The Board of Directors at Amonix said it had enlisted an executive search firm and has established a search committee for the selection and appointment of a new CEO.
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Ms Eugenia Corrales takes over the CEO position.
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Tanaka Precious Metals has introduced what it claims is the world’s first conductive silver ink capable of forming electronic circuits using only hardening by ultraviolet (UV) light without the need for hardening by heating. A total of three silver inks using different types of resin and reaction initiator will be available and users can select the materials according to their manufacturing equipment and application.
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Oerlikon Solar’s 2nd generation ThinFab turnkey system is claimed to enable a CapEx reduction of more than 20%. The estimated price for the complete end-to-end production line is just US$1/Wp including engineering support and performance guarantees. The production line is claimed to produce high quality thin film silicon modules for cost of around $ 0.5/Wp (€ 0.35/Wp), a new record-low in the solar industry.
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China International Exhibition Center,
Beijing, China
23 - 25 February, 2012
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San Francisco, California, USA
27 - 28 February 2012
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Radisson Blu Hotel,
Berlin, Germany
5 - 6 March, 2012
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