The Weekend Read: Polysilicon and wafer manufacturer ranking
Polysilicon and wafer manufacturer ranking: PV demand reached record levels in 2017, with global installations surpassing 100 GW for the first time ever. Few in the industry expected deployments to hit this level, piling the pressure on to the supply chain. Armed with polysilicon and wafer manufacturer ranking data supplied by IHS Markit, pv magazine delves into the past year’s upstream landscape.
SunPower to lay off 150-250 workers, blames Section 201
The company’s latest restructuring will involve losing roughly 3% of its global workforce, all in “non-manufacuring” positions.
Who is leading the Turkish PV module market?
Turkey recorded its best year to date for levels of solar PV installations, adding 1.79 GW of capacity in 2017. On the back of this, pv magazine takes a look at the most active players in the Turkish PV module market.
Ecoprogetti awarded 250 MW PV production line in Vietnam
Italian solar equipment manufacturer, Ecoprogetti has finalized an order for a 250 MW PV production line in Vietnam. The glass-backsheet line will be installed by June 2018, according to to the company.
Jabil closes 700 MW solar module factory in Poland
The company, which was one of Europe’s largest OEM module manufacturers, has decided to close its Polish manufacturing facility, due to an expected drop in demand.
Shinsung secures 64 MW solar cell order from France
The monocrystalline cells from the Korean manufacturer will be shipped to the French subsidiary of Chinese solar company, Upsolar.
Russian companies plan vertically-integrated monocrystalline module factory
The manufacturing facility is planned to be built in Russia’s Astrakhan region thanks to an investment of 1.5 billion RUB (around US$26.5 million).
India: Topaz Solar plans 1.2 GW solar module, 500 MW cell manufacturing fab
As a first phase, Topaz Solar Private Limited has said it will set up a 500 MW solar PV module manufacturing facility in India’s northeastern state of Odisha. Production begin is aimed for 2019. It will seek to increase this capacity by another 700 MW, and add 500 MW of cell manufacturing under a second phase.
Teamtechnik receives stringer order for HJT module line
German PV equipment manufacturer, teamtechnik today announced that it has received an order for its TT1400 ECA stringer from an Italian PV manufacturer. The tool will be integrated into a line producing high efficiency heterojunction PV modules.
Enphase and Panasonic announce AC module partnership
Company confirms Panasonic’s HIT modules to be fitted with Enphase Energy’s new IQ7X Microinverter as part of the partnership, while Enphase’s new IQ7X microinverter due to be released in May in North America, Enphase confirms.
