Zhonghuan Semiconductor and GCL-Poly to expand production of mono wafers by 25 GW
The joint venture of the two giant manufacturers will expand its capacity from around 30 GW currently to 55 GW over the next three years. This plan is expected to require an overall investment of $1.34 billion.
New global sustainability standard for solar modules in the works
Dustin Mulvaney is a solar industry veteran. Associate professor at the Department of Environmental Studies, San José State University, in the United States, he recently published a new book this April, “Solar Power, Innovation, Sustainability, Environmental Justice”, which looks at creating a “more sustainable and just solar industry for the future.” A part of this is the creation of a new global sustainability module standard. He spoke with pv magazine as part of the launch of our new UP initiative.
URE lowers solar cell production in response to declining demand
The Taiwanese manufacturer has confirmed plans to focus on PERC cell production, while scaling down its operational cell capacity from 5 GW to 2.5 GW. It said it could return to full capacity if cell demand rises again, however.
Battle of the module reliability rankings
While PV module makers are attempting to get the best possible scores for their products on 3rd party tests, 3rd-party testing providers are also offering competing products to rank products. We look at what’s similar and what’s different in the tests.
Russian scientists aim to enhance cell efficiency with gadolinium oxide nanoparticles
A Russian research team believes that the addition of rare-earth ions into the structure of photonic nanoparticles could help to increase the efficiency of industrial solar cells to 25–30%. However, they also said that further research is necessary.
Philadelphia Solar raises module capacity to 500 MW
The Jordanian PV module manufacturer plans to add two new production lines at its factory in Amman over the next 12 weeks. The new lines will add half-cell and bifacial mono PERC modules to the company’s product range.
Video: Future PV Roundtable looks into subsidy free PV
At the Smarter E Europe, held in Munich this month, pv magazine hosted another Future PV Roundtable to discuss the possibilities of subsidy free solar projects. In all market segments solutions are at hand and representatives across the industry shared their insights with us.
Canadian Solar suffers $129m reversal in quarterly fortunes
With figures at the end of last year boosted by profitable PV project sales, the manufacturer and developer is now nursing unflattering comparisons and aims to get more projects built and sold by the end of next month.
PV leads the way as renewables threaten coal-fired power
With clean energy being generated at lower and lower prices around the world, solar power is playing a leading role in bringing the curtain down on coal, and will help the decarbonization of transport and space heating too.
