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Branford Castle Partners Acquires Hoffman Engineering, a Leading Night Vision Solutions Company

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NEW YORK and BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Branford Castle Partners, a North American-focused private equity firm, today announced that it has acquired Hoffman Engineering, a leading provider of proprietary situational awareness solutions for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, from Trident Maritime Systems (“Trident”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hoffman marks the sixth platform investment and eleventh acquisition overall for Branford Castle’s Fund II, which closed in 2021. Over the last few months, Branford Castle has also announced the successful exits of its investments in Clean Solutions Group, the first exit from Fund II, and Earthlite Massage Tables, the fourth exit from Fund I.

Based in Stamford, CT, Hoffman is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of night vision test equipment, night vision imaging lighting systems and commercial aviation LED specialty lighting products. Since its inception in 1955, the Company has developed a strong brand reputation within the night vision sector and its products are utilized by the U.S. military, aerospace and defense OEMs, as well as by commercial airlines. Hoffman CEO Ron Hayward and the rest of the existing management team will remain with the Company going forward.

Ceon Francis, Managing Director at Branford Castle, said, “We are excited to partner with Ron and the entire Hoffman team. We see attractive opportunities in this market as the aerospace and defense industry continues to expand, creating increased demand for the most advanced, mission-critical products available. The Company’s leading position in the night vision market, along with its proprietary capabilities, makes it a terrific platform for growth.”

Eric Korsten, Senior Managing Director at Branford Castle, said, “This important transaction would not have been possible without our long-time financing partners, O2 Sponsor Finance and Brookside Capital Partners, whose continued support of our growing portfolio is greatly valued.”

Mr. Hayward added, “Today’s milestone is a validation of the trusted innovative solutions and customer-focused culture that we have worked tirelessly to achieve. We are extremely grateful for the support of our previous owner, Trident, and look forward to continuing to deliver on future growth opportunities with our new partners at Branford Castle Partners.”

Branford Castle was advised by its legal counsel, Akerman LLP, and RSM served as its accounting/tax advisor.  Hoffman was advised on the sell-side by Philpott Ball & Werner, LLC. O2 Sponsor Finance is providing senior debt financing and Brookside Capital Partners is providing mezzanine debt financing for the transaction.

ABOUT BRANFORD CASTLE PARTNERS
Branford Castle is a private market investor focused on lower middle-market investments, with more than 35 years of helping to grow businesses. The Firm typically makes control investments in companies with up to $15 million of EBITDA and a leadership position in a niche industry. Branford Castle is particularly keen on the strong relationships it develops with its portfolio company managers. Branford Castle has particular expertise in industrials/specialty manufacturing, consumer products, business services and logistics. For more information, please visit branfordcastle.com.

Media Contact:
Lambert by LLYC
Caroline Luz
cluz@lambert.com
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845-507-0571

 

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Link Infinite: Hollyland Pyro Ultra Simplifies Multi-User Monitoring with 4K60 Wireless

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SHENZHEN, China, April 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hollyland, a global provider of professional wireless audio and video solutions, today announced the launch of Pyro Ultra, the new flagship in its Pyro series, featuring next-gen wireless video transmission technology that enables streamlined setup and uncompromised real-time performance. Engineered for professional creators and high-end production environments, Pyro Ultra balances high-performance transmission with practical on-set usability.

Building on Hollyland’s self-developed TWiFi technology, Pyro Ultra delivers one-to-many transmission, native 4K60 support, and a dedicated ultra-low-latency mode for focus pulling. Fully integrated into the Pyro ecosystem and equipped with DFS-ready operation, it is built to meet the demands of modern digital cinema workflows.

The New Standard for One-to-Many On-Set Transmission

In today’s production landscape, the video village is no longer confined to a single monitor. Directors, assistants, clients, and multiple departments require simultaneous, high-fidelity access to the live image across different positions on set.

While existing systems often force a choice between costly, over-engineered solutions and entry-level gear that struggles in demanding environments, Pyro Ultra offers a third approach. As one-to-many transmission becomes increasingly common across productions, it can introduce practical limits on device count and system stability in larger setups. Pyro Ultra’s Broadcast Mode addresses the issue by enabling a single transmitter to connect with an unlimited number of receivers, creating a fluid workflow. Every department, from lighting to hair and makeup, can monitor independently, which helps eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate decision-making.

Cinematic 4K60 Clarity Without Compromise

Image integrity is central to Pyro Ultra. With support for 4K60 transmission, the system delivers the detail and color accuracy required for high-end videography work. It also supports fractional frame rates, including 23.98 and 59.94 fps, commonly used in broadcast and professional pipelines. Its native compatibility enables direct connection to switchers and monitors without external converters, simplifying the signal path and reducing potential points of failure.

20ms Latency for Precise Focus Pulling

For first assistant camera operators and focus pullers, every millisecond counts. Pyro Ultra’s dedicated Focus Mode cuts latency to just 20ms, ensuring the real-time responsiveness needed for razor-sharp adjustments at any distance. The technical edge provides the freedom to navigate tight spaces or complex choreography with absolute confidence.

Powered by TWiFi Technology

At the core of Pyro Ultra is Hollyland’s TWiFi (dual-band wireless) technology. It leverages intelligent frequency management across the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to enable automatic hopping, ensuring a stable, high-bitrate connection even in congested RF environments. Pyro Ultra’s robust link supports a 1.5 km (4,900 ft) range and is fully DFS-ready, providing professional crews with reliable, globally compliant operation

Engineered for Modern Workflows & Seamless Integration

Pyro Ultra is built for today’s hybrid production workflows. With UVC (USB Video Class) support, it can connect directly to a computer for instant webcam functionality, removing the need for a capture card. Its RTMP support enables direct streaming to web platforms, simplifying remote collaboration. As part of the Pyro ecosystem, Ultra integrates seamlessly with existing Pyro devices. The modular design allows production teams to scale their setups based on project requirements, ensuring consistent performance across different production scenarios.

Pricing and Availability

Launched on April 18, 2026, Hollyland’s Pyro Ultra is now available through local distributors, the official Hollyland online store, and the Hollyland Amazon store.

The 1TX/1RX kit is priced at $1,199, and the 1TX/2RX kit at $1,699. Individual units can also be purchased separately, with transmitters starting at $699 and receivers at $579.

For more information, visit https://www.hollyland.com/product/pyro-ultra

About Hollyland

Hollyland is a leading provider of wireless products, specializing in wireless intercom systems, video transmission systems, monitors, wireless microphones, and live streaming cameras. Since 2013, Hollyland has been serving millions of users around the world in various sectors, including filmmaking, telecasting, video production, live events, exhibitions, theaters, houses of worship, and individual content creators. It has built a sales network covering approximately 150 countries and regions with support from dozens of localized operation offices worldwide. For more information, please visit https://www.hollyland.com/, Hollyland Facebook, and Hollyland Instagram.

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Three Papers Published Consecutively in Nature Energy: JinkoSolar’s Breakthroughs in TOPCon/Perovskite Tandem Technology Receive Authoritative Recognition

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SHANGHAI, April 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar, the global leading PV and ESS supplier, recently published three research papers in succession within a single month in Nature Energy, one of the premier journals in the field of energy research. This series of papers showcases JinkoSolar’s multiple major breakthroughs in TOPCon and perovskite tandem cell technologies.

26.66%! Setting a New Record for Industrial-Scale TOPCon Cell Conversion Efficiency

JinkoSolar, in collaboration with the research team from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, successfully developed a dual-sided electrical synergy optimization strategy. This approach achieved a certified efficiency of up to 26.66% on M10-sized silicon wafers, setting a new efficiency record for industrial-scale TOPCon cells and significantly narrowing the gap between industrial-scale TOPCon cells and the theoretical efficiency of 29.4%.

Additionally, the research reduced carrier transport losses through a high-resistance boron emitter on the front side and an optimized fine-line grid design, while the back side employs an innovative double-layer tunneling silicon oxide/polysilicon structure on the rear side to effectively suppress performance degradation caused by silver paste puncture. Furthermore, by utilizing localized polysilicon thinning technology, the research achieved outstanding performance metrics, including an open-circuit voltage of 744.6 mV, a fill factor of 85.57%, and a bifaciality of 88.3%. This achievement provides a feasible and comprehensive solution for narrowing the efficiency gap between TOPCon cells and the theoretical limit, significantly enhancing the core competitiveness of TOPCon technology in the future photovoltaic market.

Reference link: Dual-side electrical refinement enables efficient industrial tunnel oxide passivating contact silicon solar cells:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-01982-2

Certified Efficiency of 32.73%! Paving the Way for Scalable Compatibility of Perovskite/TOPCon Tandem Cells

JinkoSolar, in collaboration with the research team from Soochow University, has successfully developed a full-size bifacial TOPCon crystalline silicon solar cell with a certified photoconversion efficiency of 26.34%. This research abandons the traditional TOPCon cell design featuring a boron-diffused emitter on the front surface. Instead, it innovatively introduces patterned n-type TOPCon finger contacts on the front surface while retaining the full-area p-type TOPCon contact on the back. By localizing the polycrystalline silicon contact area, this structure significantly reduces parasitic absorption and recombination losses on the front surface, achieving a certified efficiency of 26.34% and significantly improving the open-circuit voltage.

Furthermore, to address the issues of poor contact performance and susceptibility to metal paste corrosion in P-type TOPCon, a “polysilicon/silicon dioxide/polysilicon” double-layer composite structure was designed. Combined with optimized rear-side polishing and a specially formulated silver paste, this structure not only achieves extremely low contact resistance and recombination current but, more importantly, the ultra-thin oxide layer in the middle effectively prevents silver crystal spikes from penetrating the silicon substrate, significantly enhancing the device’s reliability and high-temperature resistance. In the future, by improving the precision of laser patterning to further narrow the finger width and introducing localized contacts on the back side to reduce the polycrystalline silicon layer thickness, parasitic absorption can be reduced, and mass production efficiency is expected to approach 27%.

Using a high-efficiency bifacial TOPCon cell with a textured front surface as the bottom cell, the research team fabricated a monolithic perovskite/TOPCon tandem cell, achieving a certified efficiency of 32.73% and a high open-circuit voltage of 1.961 V. These results not only set a new performance record for this class of tandem cells but also demonstrated excellent long-term operational stability (maintaining 80% of the initial efficiency after 2,000 hours), proving the immense potential of this TOPCon technology route in tandem applications. They also provide a scalable and industrially compatible technical pathway for the development of higher-efficiency TOPCon and perovskite/TOPCon tandem photovoltaic modules.

Reference link: Bifacial tunnel oxide passivating contacts for silicon and perovskitesilicon tandem solar cells with improved efficiency: 
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02007-8

32.76%! Breaking Through the Efficiency Barrier for Industrial TOPCon Silicon-Based Perovskite Tandem Cells

To address the critical challenge of rapid perovskite crystallization and film quality degradation caused by the high thermal conductivity of industrial thin silicon substrates, JinkoSolar, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore and other research institutions, innovatively proposed a strategy to regulate the major organic cation (FA⁺) using a dual-mode-coupled ligand (MBT), successfully achieving effective control over crystallization kinetics. A perovskite/TOPCon tandem solar cell fabricated using this strategy was certified by the National Photovoltaic Industry Metrology and Testing Center (NPVM) with a conversion efficiency of 32.76%, approaching the current efficiency record for tandem photovoltaic cells. Additionally, the cell maintained 91% of its initial efficiency after 1,700 hours of continuous operation, demonstrating excellent long-term operational reliability.

This research is of significant importance as it achieves high efficiency (certified at 32.76%) in TOPCon silicon-back-contact cells, which hold the greatest potential for market dominance. Not only does it elevate the efficiency of perovskite/TOPCon tandem cells to new heights, but more importantly, it provides critical scientific insights and a practical pathway for integrating high-performance perovskite materials from the laboratory with market-dominant TOPCon silicon technology, marking a solid step toward the mainstream industrialization of perovskite/ crystalline silicon tandem technology toward mainstream industrialization. In the future, this strategy is expected to be combined with solution-based production processes — which offer the potential for large-scale fabrication and low costs — to drive the industrial application of these research findings.

Reference link: Additive-assisted perovskite crystallization on industrial TOPCon silicon for tandem solar cells with improved efficiency: 
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02010-z

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JinkoSolar Officially Launches “Light Diamond” Lightweight, High-Strength Module

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SHANGHAI, April 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar, the global leading PV and ESS supplier, has officially launched a lightweight module solution specifically designed for low-load-bearing roofs—the Jinko “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength module, based on its Tiger Neo 3.0 technology platform.

Module weight: 16.2 kg
Module dimensions: 1980 × 1134 × 30 mm
Weight density: 7 kg/m²— 40% weight reduction compared with conventional double-glass modules (12.2 kg/m²);
Maximum power: 560 W;
Maximum module efficiency: 24.94%
Applications: Suitable for older factory buildings, temporary structures, light-gauge steel roofs, power plant coal sheds, and buildings with load restrictions.

Five Key Advantages:

Advantage 1: Ultra-Lightweight with Guaranteed Strength

JinkoSolar’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules weigh only 7 kg per square meter, representing a weight reduction of over 40% compared to conventional double-glass modules. The total module weight for a 1 MW project is only 28.6 tons, a reduction of approximately 20 tons compared to BC double-glass modules. This means that a large number of roofs that previously required reinforcement or were unsuitable for installation can now be directly fitted with solar panels without any structural modifications.

Advantage 2: 24.94% High Efficiency—Lightweight and High-Performance

A common flaw among most lightweight modules on the market is that they prioritize weight reduction at the expense of power generation efficiency. JinkoSolar’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules break this trade-off.

JinkoSolar’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules deliver a maximum power output of 560 watts and an ultra-high efficiency of 24.94%, whereas flexible modules or BC composite modules only reach 450 to 460 watts—a single-module power increase of over 100 watts. This means a higher-capacity solar power plant can be installed on the same roof area. More importantly, the higher power output directly leads to optimized system costs: fewer modules are required, reducing Balance of System (BOS) costs for mounting structures, cables, combiner boxes, and other components; installation time is shortened, lowering labor costs; and overall BOS costs are further reduced by 3% to 5% compared to conventional lightweight solutions.

This is not a lightweight module born of compromise, but a high-efficiency module that takes performance to the next level.

 Advantage 3: Reduced Weight Without Compromising Quality—Backed by a 30-Year Power Warranty

The key concern with lightweight modules is whether their reduced weight compromises reliability. JinkoSolar’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules address this concern with technology and data.

In terms of structural reinforcement, the modules utilize 1.6mm lightweight glass to reduce weight while maintaining light transmittance; the frame features reinforced channel design with increased thickness, enhancing overall mechanical strength; and the encapsulation process uses reinforced adhesive film, significantly improving sealing performance, resistance to humidity and heat, and resistance to micro-cracks.

In terms of load certification, the maximum front-side load capacity is 3,600 Pa—equivalent to withstanding 3.6 meters of snow accumulation—and the module can withstand impacts from 25mm hailstones without damage. The maximum back-side load capacity is 2,400 Pa, equivalent to withstanding Category 12 winds. In the face of extreme weather, it provides a robust safety barrier.

In terms of long-term reliability metrics, the temperature coefficient is -0.26%/°C, resulting in lower power generation losses at high temperatures; the power output warranty spans 30 years, which is 12–15 years longer than that of flexible or composite modules; first-year degradation does not exceed 1%, with annual degradation of 0.35%, both of which outperform industry averages.

Advantage 4: Save Money, Time, and Effort

The lightweight design of JinkoSolar’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules not only reduces physical weight but also systematically optimizes total lifecycle costs.

Compared to conventional module reinforcement solutions, JinkoSolar’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules save approximately 0.5 yuan per watt in reinforcement costs, equivalent to a savings of about 500,000 yuan per MW. The construction period is reduced from over 40 days to 8–10 days—a 75% reduction. There is no need to halt production, thereby avoiding operational losses, and the approval process is simplified, eliminating the need for structural modification approvals.

Taking a 1 MW project as an example, the savings on reinforcement costs amount to approximately 500,000 yuan, the construction period is shortened by more than 30 days, and the avoided production downtime losses—which can reach hundreds of thousands of yuan depending on the company’s scale—significantly boost the project’s internal rate of return (IRR) and markedly shorten the payback period. For retrofit projects involving older factory buildings, the greatest advantage of Jinko’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules is that installation can proceed without halting production; companies can maintain normal operations while the solar power plant is installed on the roof simultaneously, ensuring both objectives are met.

Advantage 5: Strong Demand, a Blue Ocean Market

According to industry statistics, China has over 6 billion square meters of existing commercial and industrial rooftop space, with load-restricted roofs accounting for more than 30% of this total—representing a potential market of nearly 2 billion square meters. Based on an installation density of 100 watts per square meter and a system cost of 1.5 yuan per watt, the theoretical installation capacity exceeds 200 GW, with a market size surpassing 300 billion yuan.

The renovation of old factory buildings, the upgrading of cultural and creative parks, and distributed solar systems on light-gauge steel roofs—these scenarios that were previously unsuitable for installation are now becoming a new blue ocean for PV growth. Whoever can be the first to deliver truly reliable products will be able to capture this market.

Application Scenarios

1) Renovation of Old Industrial Buildings: This is the primary application scenario. Industrial buildings constructed in the last century, as well as power plant coal sheds, carports, and simple rural supermarkets, often have limited roof load-bearing capacity and structurally deteriorated roofs that cannot safely support additional weight. Jinko’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules can be installed without structural reinforcement and do not disrupt production during renovation, making them the preferred solution for the green retrofitting of old industrial buildings.

2) Cultural and Creative Parks and Commercial Complexes: With insufficient roof load-bearing capacity, the need to maintain operations, and aesthetic requirements, Jinko’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules—which are lightweight, efficient, and reliable—are a perfect fit for these scenarios.

3) Light-Gauge Steel Roofs and Color-Coated Steel Sheet Roofs: Light-gauge steel roofs, commonly used in modern industrial facilities, inherently lack sufficient load-bearing capacity. Jinko’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules, weighing just 7 kg per square meter, enable the installation of solar panels on these roofs.

4) Special buildings with load restrictions: Such as space frame structures, arched roofs, and agricultural greenhouses, Jinko’s “Light Diamond” lightweight, high-strength modules can easily adapt to these structures.

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