Mono-like and monocrystalline products have been increasing popularity due to high conversion efficiency. The solar equipment manufacturers such as GT Advanced have also been hoping to expand the mono-like and monocrystalline product markets.

According to industry sources, the industry leading monocrystalline equipment manufacturers are US-based GT Advanced, Germany-based ALD, France-based Cyberstar, and China-based Gingung and JYT. China-based equipment firms have been developing to compete with international equipment providers.

GT Advanced (previously known as GT Solar) announced the acquisition of Confluence Solar, a firm that produces continuously-fed Czochralski (CCz) technology. GT Advanced has begin the development of technologically challenging monocrystalline growth technology.

Industry sources added the CCz technology has been around for quite some time, but due to technological difficulties, the speed of commercialization has been limited. If the technology can successfully achieve mass production, the costs will decrease. The entry of GT Advanced shows the determination of equipment manufacturers to expand into the mono-like and monocrystalline markets.

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Neo Solar Power showcased the latest monocyrstalline solar cell Black19, which can achieve conversion efficiency of 19% in EU PVSEC 2011 in Germany.

Neo Solar Power reported August revenues of NT$1.768 billion (US$60.1 million), representing a 6.96% on-month increase and 11.81% on-year decrease. The accumulated revenues from January-August have reached NT$15.801 billion, showing a 40.40% increase on year.

Source:digitimes