Max Hall
UK mulls 15% rise in VAT rates that would hit residential solar and storage
Having declared a climate emergency last week, the U.K. government is considering raising VAT rates from 5% to 20% on ‘energy saving materials’ in the home. While the tax authorities are blaming Europe, trade body the REA has pointed out the 5% rate would still apply for coal used for domestic heating.
Egypt plugs 780 MW of Benban solar projects into grid
A government ministry reportedly announced 16 operational solar plants with a total capacity of 780 MW have been connected, along with three more projects that are expected to bring another 150 MW of capacity online this month.
Longi claims new record for bifacial half-cut module as production equipment orders pour in
The Chinese monocrystalline panel maker said its 72-cell bifacial product has reached an ouput of more than 450 W on the front side. The result was confirmed by Germany’s TÜV-SÜD.
Trump’s trade war tweets badly timed for Chinese solar manufacturers
Latest tirade may simply be a crude bid to up the ante with a high-profile Chinese deputation due to visit the U.S. in the latest round of trade talks this week but its timing is worrying for the Chinese solar companies struggling under huge debts.
Shunfeng’s steadily rising revenue cannot distract from its debt worries
Straining under a $2 billion debt mountain, the solar manufacturer is pinning its hopes on the proposed sale of its Jiangsu Shunfeng subsidiary to prevent it suffering the same fate as the original parent company of the Wuxi Suntech unit that makes up part of the Jiangsu division.
Yingli reveals the full extent of its huge debt mountain
The SEC filing lodged by the Chinese manufacturer today tells the tale of ever falling panel prices, production shutdowns prompted by cashflow crises and multiple legal claims from creditors, as the company warns it could face being broken up.
US solar equipment supplier set to bank on Longi ambition
New York State-based Linton Crystal Technologies announced plans to bring its Chinese ingot production equipment business under one roof just hours after its major customer outlined its intent to manufacture even more monocrystalline panels.
China confirms FIT level payments – but they will be ‘subject to competition’
The Beijing authorities have confirmed the payment levels to be made according to type of project and region from July onwards but an auction process will be involved so the figures are for guidance only. No decision has yet been made on the 30 GW of capacity added since the end of May.
Fotowatio starts commercial operations at latest Jordan project
The Saudi-owned developer has announced an ambition to have installed 5.8 GW of renewables capacity by 2024 and took a small step in that direction with its 66.7 MW Al Safawi Solar Plant.
Longi outlines aggressive expansion plans as annual figures are released
The world’s number one monosilicon module maker is not intending to give up its crown any time soon, and has announced further plans to expand its already huge annual production capacities for ingots, wafers, cells and modules.
