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September 6, 2010...MiaSolé of Santa Clara, California USA, a maker of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels announced an indepedently confirmed 14.3 percent efficiency for its 1 square meter modules. According to Miasole, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory confirmed the results. Miasole says that 14.3 percent module efficiency is the highest independently confirmed efficiency for any commercial scale CIGS module technology.

“We are pleased that we continue to make progress in the execution of our technology, cost reduction and manufacturing roadmaps,” said Dr. Joseph Laia, CEO of MiaSolé. MiaSolé's unique manufacturing process deposits CIGS on a flexible stainless steel substrate and produces all of the layers required in a single continuous process. MiaSolé contends that it is the only thin-film solar company that uses sputtering processes every step of the way for coating the solar modules, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost of production.

MiaSolé boasts that it now offers bank financeable solar modules with efficiency comparable to polysilicon combined with lower manufacturing costs of thin-film modules. The company whose products are designed for utilities and Independent power producers shipped 6.5MW in the first half of this year, and will ship 22MW in 2010. The modules are designed to be used in industrial scale deployments such as large-scale rooftop and ground mount installations.

Global Solar Rolls Out Flexible CIGS Module for Roofing Industry
CompoundSemi News Staff

September 6, 2010...Global Solar of Tucson, Arizona USA, unveiled its flexible CIGS building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) module, the PowerFlex BIPV. The company specially designed the PowerFlex BIPV modules for commercial and industrial rooftops. Global Solar claims that the modules can deliver more power per rooftop than any other solar solution. Global Solar also claims that the PowerFLEX BIPV module installed on rooftops can quickly and cost effectively start generating clean energy. The PowerFlex offers 12.6 percent aperture efficiency, The module measures 5.75m x 0.5m and has a power density of 300W. Global Solar claims that the module can produce 50 percent more energy and power than the current amorphous silicon standard.

The company notes that unlike other solar solutions it is lightweight and can be applied directly to a roofing surface, requiring no mounting hardware, no roof penetrations, and it creates no additional wind load. The PowerFlex BIPV was designed especially for roofs. The company says that it maintains the integrity and aesthetics of a building structure. Global Solar also contends that because of its large format and high power density, Global Solar’s PowerFLEX BIPV will also lower installation and balance of system (BOS) costs.

Global Solar is showcasing its PowerFLEX BIPV at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (25th EU PVSEC) / 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-5), September 6-9 in Valencia, Spain.

Cree Demonstrates High Quality 150-mm Silicon Carbide Substrates
LIGHTimes News Staff

September 3, 2010...Cree of Durham, North Carolina USA, has reported a silicon carbide advance that the company says will help lead to wide scale commercialization of SiC. The company demonstrated high quality, 150-mm SiC substrates with micropipe densities of less than 10/cm2. The current Cree standard for SiC substrates is 100-mm diameter material.

SiC is a high-performance semiconductor material used in the production of a broad range of lighting, power and communication components, including LEDs, power switching devices and RF power transistors for wireless communications. The company contends that the significant size advancement of single crystal SiC substrates to 150-mm can enable cost reduction and increased throughput, while bolstering the continued growth of the SiC industry.

“Cree’s achievement of 150-mm SiC substrates further demonstrates Cree’s leadership in SiC materials technology,” said Dr. Vijay Balakrishna, Cree Materials product line manager. Steve Kelley, Cree chief operating officer, added, “We expect that 150-mm substrates can reduce device cost, boost manufacturing output and expand our product range."

Veeco to be Primary MOCVD System Supplier for Tsinghua Tongfang LED Factory
CompoundSemi News Staff

August 30, 2010...Veeco Intruments reports that Tsinghua Tongfang Company, a Beijing-based division of Tsinghua Holdings Company Limited, has selected Veeco to supply its metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) systems for their new LED factory. Veeco says that Tsignhua accepted the order of the initial systems as part of a planned large multi-tool purchase order booked earlier this month. Wang Lianghai, Vice President of Tsinghua Tonfang commented, "After thorough evaluation of available MOCVD systems at our Beijing LED R&D site, we selected Veeco as our primary supplier for our new production facility in NanTong which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. The TurboDisc(R) K465i MOCVD systems were the clear winner in terms of cost of ownership and productivity." He added, "We have an aggressive plan to ramp production of LEDs primarily to address backlighting demand for TVs, and Veeco's technology, tool performance and customer support best matched our needs."

Bill Miller, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, General Manager of Veeco's MOCVD Operations, commented, "Tsinghua Tongfang has put together an exciting new enterprise, moving from the lighting engineering business directly into the manufacture of LEDs. They have solid financial backing and an experienced technology team, and we are pleased to support their production ramp."

MiaSole to Supply juwi Solar With Additional 8.5 MW of CIGS Photovoltaic Modules
CompoundSemi News Staff

August 30, 2010...MiaSole, a maker of glass-glass copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, announced purchase agreements to supply German renewable energy company, juwi Solar GmbH with CIGS photovoltaic modules. The larger agreement is for 7.5 MW of MiaSole's CIGS thin-film modules and will be used in Q3 and Q4 of 2010 for ground mounted and rooftop projects throughout Germany. This agreement follows 1MW of CIGS modules delivered to juwi in Q2 2010 for projects in Germany and San Antonio, Texas. The CIGS modules incorporate a rugged glass-glass design, which the company says is suitable for the most rigorous snow load requirement. The design boasts a low open circuit voltage and interconnecting cables that the Miasole says reduce the owner's balance of systems cost versus comparable thin film modules.

"We are very encouraged that MiaSole is supplying its proven and bank financeable modules for a number of projects developed by juwi solar," said Lars Falck, Managing Director of juwi Solar GmbH. "We expect that our relationship with MiaSole will grow to help us meet the increasing needs for solar power together."

Construction on TSMC Thin-Film CIGS Solar Cell Plant to Begin

August 30, 2010...Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a large contract chip maker, reported that work on its first thin film solar cell plant is expected to begin in September, according to an article in Focus Taiwan. Rick Tsai, president of TSMC's new businesses division, indicated that the new plant will focus on developing modules for copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells. TSMC previously entered the silicon solar cell sector by purchasing a 20 percent stake in Motech Industries Inc., Taiwan's biggest solar cell maker, in January. At the opening ceremony of a green job fair, Tsai stated that machines and equipment will be installed in TSMC's LED research and development center and plant in Hsinchu beginning next month.

Construction on the LED plant began last March and mass production is expected in 2011. TSMC also acquired a 21-percent stake in U.S. solar photovoltaic company Stion in July to obtain technology for thin-film solar cells. Tsai said TSMC is expected to recruit at least 500 people to help develop its green energy businesses in the next 12 months.

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