SunPower makes good on its promise to manufacture in America
The high-efficiency PV maker has closed on SolarWorld’s Oregon factory, which will transition from SolarWorld products to SunPower’s P-type shingled modules.
Taiwan’s cell makers: A$44.8 bn loan, new layoffs and falling shares
In the latest news emerging from the struggling world of Taiwanese solar cell makers, Motech has announced more layoffs, and a NT$4.8 billion loan; GET has let 203 employees go; and shares of the new UREC merger are said to be down. India’s safeguard tariffs are also hitting the country’s manufacturers hard.
Shunfeng plans sale of manufacturing unit for $683 million
The Chinese company said the transaction will enable a larger deployment of resources for its downstream clean energy business. The potential buyer is Asia Pacific Resources Development Investment Ltd.
Teamtechnik receives stringer order from Russia’s Hevel
For the production of its heterojunction modules, the Russian manufacturer will cooperate with the German PV engineering provider for the supply of stringers and adhesive technology. To this end, Hevel has ordered new stringer systems and layup from Teamtechnik.
Becquerel winners submit resolution for revival of solar industry to the EU
At the EU PVSEC in Brussels this week, prominent representatives of the solar industry joined an appeal to rebuild a major European PV production line along the entire value chain. They called on the EU Commission and member states to introduce eco-labels and recycling criteria for solar modules, to stimulate PV expansion and align research policy with the revival of the solar industry.
India’s SECI defers 10 GW solar auction, again
India’s much-hyped 10 GW solar auction has hit another roadblock. The state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)’s tender bids for 10 GW of ISTS-connected solar PV power projects linked with 3 GW (per annum) solar man-ufacturing capacity, has now been extended to October 12.
Solargiga completes 1 GW module production increase
The Chinese solar equipment manufacturer says it has successfully ramped up its PV module line to a total annual output of 2.2 GW, and upgraded 150 MW of existing capacity to produce monocrystalline n-type IBC cell BS modules.
EU PVSEC: “Multicrystalline silicon will not die”
At first glance, the European PV conference this week has confirmed the widespread view that the upswing of monocrystalline technology will accelerate. But a closer look reveals that multicrystalline solar cells are still in the game.
Scientists show hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite is ferroelastic, not ferroelectric
This means that this promising material, contrary to common belief, is able to form domains of polarized strain to minimize elastic energy. The research team made its discovery by using multimodal imaging.
Ikea extends PV module offer to Germany
Starting from October, the Swedish furniture provider will start a test phase at five of its branches in Germany. A nationwide online sale of the “Solstrale” offer is planned to begin next February.
