GT Advanced Technologies Acquires Assets Of Twin Creeks Technologies

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GT Advanced Technologies Inc. has acquired certain capital assets and intellectual property of Twin Creeks Technologies Inc., a privately owned company that has developed an ion implanter technology.According to GT, Twin Creeks' technology enables the production of lower cost thin substrates with minimal material (kerf) loss. The assets were purchased from Twin Creeks' lenders in a private sale for approximately $10 million and royalties that will be based on future sales.GT expects that Twin Creeks' unique Hyperion ion implanter technology will have broad application in the production of thin wafers for solar applications.

The Hyperion ion implanter has the potential to minimize - or, in some cases, eliminate - the need for wafering saws, which would significantly lower the cost of production.The assets acquired by GT relate primarily to the Hyperion ion implanter, as well as Twin Creeks' portfolio of approximately 30 granted U.S. patents and over 70 pending U.S. and international patent applications. GT's ion implanter engineering team will be based in Danvers, Mass.GT expects to start the commercialization of this technology in late 2014.

LDK Solar Co. Ltd. says it has received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stating that the company did not meet one of the NYSE's continued listing standards.The average closing price of LDK's American depositary shares (ADS) was $0.99, less than $1.00, per ADS over a consecutive 30-trading-day period as of Nov. 5.Under the NYSE rules, LDK Solar must bring its average ADS closing price above $1.00 within six months of receipt of the NYSE's notification or its next annual meeting of shareholders if a shareholders' action is proposed (whichever is longer). LDK Solar says it has notified the NYSE of its intention to cure this deficiency within the prescribed timeframe.If the company fails to become compliant with the continued listing standards within the applicable timeframe, its stock may be delisted by the NYSE.

Last year, just 39% of companies reported this status. According to TSF, this finding provides more evidence of consolidation in the installation segment.29,742: The number of people in the U.S. working in solar manufacturing.Given the well publicized struggles of U.S. solar manufacturers in the face of international competition and precipitous module price declines, it comes as no surprise the solar manufacturing industry saw a decline in job totals. Last year, this subsector employed 37,941 people.However, this trend is expected to reverse itself as the sector recovers."Solar manufacturing companies anticipate adding 2,571 solar workers over the next 12 months, an 8.6 percent employment growth rate, with nearly half expecting to add solar workers over the coming 12 months," the report notes.

"This compares with an expected nationwide 2.7 percent decline in overall manufacturing employment from 2012 to 2013."61%: The percentage of solar developers that expect to add workers next year.This year's census breaks out "project development establishments" in their own category for the first time. Currently totaling 414, these companies will expand their ranks in the coming year.According to the report, the total number of employees at project developers will reach 9,108, with approximately 1,110 jobs expected to be added to the existing 7,998 positions.For more information?off grid system