First Solar breaks ground on 1.2 GW factory in the US
The plant is the second-largest planned in the Western Hemisphere, and will triple the thin film module maker’s manufacturing capacity in the United States.
SOLAR-ERA.NET launches €22 million call to co-fund development of innovative solar technologies
Through the joint call, the European organization is seeking to provide financial backing for, among other PV and CSP technologies, high-performance crystalline silicon and thin film technologies which can increase module efficiency and decrease turn-key system costs.
IHS Markit lowers 2018 outlook for world PV market to 105 GW
The market research company expects the Chinese market will decline by 15 GW this. Part of this slow-down, however, will be off-set by lower module prices and accelerated demand across markets with pent-up demand. Furthermore, it forecasts another wave of oversupply, low profitability and consolidation in the industry.
Chinese government stands firm in face of PV industry lobbying
Representations by big beasts of global PV win only a partial concession from the authorities in Beijing, with officials agreeing to honor FIT payments for any ground mount projects connected during the next three weeks.
Dutch module maker Exasun secures financing to expand capacity
The glass-glass PV module manufacturer will install a new production line at its facility in The Hague thanks to new funds provided by the government of the region of South Holland, and Dutch banking giants ING and ABN Amro.
SECI launches tender for manufacturing capacity
The government’s Solar Energy Commission of India (SECI) has tendered 5 GW of solar manufacturing capacity to be set up across the country. The capacity will be linked to grid-connected PV projects with the plants developed on a build-own-operate basis.
Turkey’s Suoz Energy plans vertically integrated module production
The company resumed production at its manufacturing facility in western Turkey. Additional equipment, aimed at making production vertically integrated, was recently acquired from two Greek manufacturers
BNEF expects 34% fall in PV module prices in 2018
The organization is expecting carnage throughout the solar value chain as the result of reduced policy support for deployment in China.
Greek researchers hit new efficiency landmark for single-junction OPV cells
While intriguing, OPV technology has yet to achieve the commercial efficiency yield to be a serious competitor. Research institutes and companies worldwide are exploring compound and manufacturing methods as organic PV yields rise.
JinkoSolar to supply sPower with 1.43 GW of panels
The massive order follows the 2.75 GW supply deal the Chinese manufacturer signed with NextEra, as it deepens its presence in the U.S. market.
