From Photovoltaics Report

from Semiconductor International

Sharp Breaks Record for Triple-Junction Compound Solar Cell
By successfully forming a high-crystallinity bottom layer from InGaAs rather than the traditional germanium, Sharp has boosted conversion efficiency to 35.8% for its research-level triple-junction compound solar cell. more » » » 

Ascent Solar Achieves 14% Efficiency on Flexible CIGS
Ascent Solar Technologies has achieved 14% cell efficiency for its CIGS thin-film technology on flexible plastic substrates, and 11.7% peak efficiency for its CIGS modules. Both milestones were reached in commercial production at its 1.5 MW plant. more » » » 

First Single-Junction 400 W PV Module Yields Higher Return
Signet Solar introduced a 400 W power class PV module using single-junction thin-film silicon technology that provides 15% higher output. more » » » 

eIQ Energy Partners to Provide Parallel Wiring to Solar Industry
In two separate announcements, eIQ Energy detailed partnerships within the solar supply chain -- combining its vBoost DC-to-DC converter modules with PV Powered's inverters, and separately with Signet Solar's thin-film solar modules. eIQ's Parallel Solar technology lets solar arrays be wired in parallel rather than series for substantial cost savings. more » » » 

Suntech's Reliathon Reduces Utility Solar Costs, Speeds Development
PV module supplier Suntech Power Holdings announced its simplified, integrated program for designing and building utility-scale solar plants, combining product innovations with new business agreements to lower total system costs. more » » » 

Motech Selects Esatto Technology for Double Printing Solar Cells
Motech Solar has installed and qualified an Applied Baccini back-end line for double printing, using the system's newly released Esatto Technology to manufacture its new cell design. more » » » 

Satcon Power Inverters Go to Canada's Largest PV Power Plant
Satcon Technology Corp.'s PowerGate Plus 500 kW solar PV inverters are now fully operational at First Light, Canada's largest solar farm. Satcon supplied 18 inverters for the project. more » » » 

G24i Ships First Commercial Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Application
G24 Innovations (G24i), a global dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) company, has seen the first commercial shipment of dye-sensitized PV modules to Hong Kong-based consumer electronics bag manufacturer, Mascotte Industrial Associates. The shipment makes the company the "first commercial manufacturer of dye-sensitized solar cells technology for mass consumer use in the world," G24i said. more » » » 

Q-Cells Selects Camstar to Boost New Solar Lines
Solar powerhouse Q-Cells will deploy Camstar's SolarSuite software platform to improve process quality and cell efficiency on two new production lines in Germany and its new mega-factory in Malaysia. more » » » 

Amtech Gets Dutch Government Grant for Solar R&D
Amtech subsidiary Tempress Systems Inc. received a technology grant from the Dutch government for solar R&D work. The grant was jointly obtained with one of Tempress's European solar research partners, and will be used to develop a process method to improve solar energy conversion efficiencies. more » » » 

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