Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

New research reveals polysilicon, wafer, cell and module prices will continue to decline, with smaller companies expected to suffer the biggest price drop. However, the PV polysilicon market is forecast to grow nearly 20 percent to reach around $8 billion.

Ashden award winner d.light and UK-based Christian Aid have joined forces to deliver a micro finance program designed to bring solar lighting to 4,400 rural households in India this year.

Suniva, Inc. has claimed its ARTisun Select series solar cells, which are now in full-scale production, are achieving over 19 percent conversion efficiencies. This, says the company, is a record.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has said up to USD$7 million will be invested in the development and commercialization of emerging solar energy technologies.

Following a successful first year in business, U.S. solar inverter company Nextronex Energy Systems has posted sales forecasts of USD$4 million for 2011.

Following the signing of a €36 million contract at the end of 2010, AEG Power Solutions is to provide GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited with its Thyrobox M power supply systems.

JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. has signed a supply agreement with an unnamed European customer for the delivery of 400 megawatts (MW) of solar modules. The financial terms were not disclosed.

Lithuania is to see its first solar panel production site opened this spring. Initial capacity will be 38 megawatts (MW), however, there will room to ramp up to 65 MW.

Celestica is to manufacture 180 megawatts worth of photovoltaic (PV) modules for Recurrent Energy, which is looking to install 19 solar power plants in Ontario.

Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has signed a supply contract worth CHF 160 million (around USD$169 million; €123 million) with an unnamed, existing customer in Asia.