Panasonic transfers solar manufacturing unit to GS-Solar and creates new research JV
The Japanese multinational will transfer its Panasonic Energy Malaysia unit to Chinese heterojunction module provider GS-Solar as part of a broader cooperation agreement. Panasonic’s solar R&D business will form part of a JV in Japan to be 90% owned by GS-Solar.
REC Silicon moves nearer shutdown of US polysilicon facility
The company has reported declining revenues and increasing losses in its first-quarter update. A plan to reduce polysilicon production will begin in a week’s time and if access to the Chinese market is not restored, a complete shutdown could be in place by the end of June.
Flat out: PV glass maker pulls out the stops to expand production
Flat Glass wants shareholders to back a $213 million convertible bond issue to provide the cash to raise its PV glass production capacity to 1.65 million tons per year. The company has already ramped up output so fast it is running short of funds.
New factory-focused solar tender in the offing for India
With last year’s embarrassing manufacturing-linked capacity tender limping along, it has been reported the Indian government – whichever form it takes after the current elections – is considering another tender to incentivize the establishment of a domestic solar industry.
UK scientists build new 3D solar architecture
The back-contact solar cell is said to have a conversion efficiency of around 7%. According to researchers, the cell design includes the removal of expensive transparent conductive oxides.
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.
How to profitably upcycle 80 million tons of PV waste in Australia by 2050
Research by the University of New South Wales has examined the economic barriers, technologies and opportunities of recycling end-of-life silicon PV modules for profit.
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.
Interview: Is Russia’s embrace of renewable energy a reality or a myth?
The superpower has always been seen as a fortress for oil and gas but positive signs are emerging from its renewable energy sector.
