Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

Despite an increase in photovoltaic module shipments, revenues and gross profits are forecast to keep on shrinking into next year, according to new research, due to the “huge” oversupply, “fierce” competition and falling prices.

Due to the continuing weak solar market conditions and “significant” negative cash flow, REC is considering the permanent closure of three wafer facilities and one cell plant in Norway. Around 700 employees are expected to be affected.

It has been reported that Bosch, looking to enter the photovoltaic inverter business, has created a new subsidiary.

Isofoton North America will build its first U.S. photovoltaic module manufacturing plant, having secured financial support worth USD$30.8 million.

Photovoltaic mounting system manufacturer, Schletter Inc. has increased its engineering and production capacity at its Arizona production facility. Sixty new jobs have been created.

Stion has opened a 100 megawatt (MW) thin film manufacturing factory in Hattiesburg, the U.S. Meanwhile, the company has reached 14.1 percent efficiency on its thin film circuits.

The Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) has allowed one of its customers to cancel a long-term wafer contract. As compensation, the Norwegian company will receive USD$40 million.

SMA Technology AG has commissioned the world’s largest solar inverter service center in Niestetal, Germany.

Although the adoption of new photovoltaic inverter technologies “strongly” grew in 2010, they accounted for under one percent of overall inverter revenues, according to new research. However, predictions are this market will grow two-fold annually until 2015.

Day4 Energy has signed an agreement with Ever Energy Co. Ltd under which its Day4 DNA photovoltaic cells will be manufactured in Taiwan.