Swedish government backs Northvolt battery plant to tune of €15m
The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK 146 million to support Northvolt Labs’ large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Västerås, Sweden. Project already secured financial backing from ABB, Vestas and Scania.
China’s Top Runner Program spurring n-type solar cell development, report finds
The Technology Top Runner Program portion of China’s push for higher-efficiency solar products sets a June 2019 grid connection deadline for 1.5 GW of next-generation PV technology; this target is poised to drive mass production of n-type cells, says EnergyTrend.
Kyocera’s net income falls 17% to $261.7 million in Q3
Kyocera posted a net profit of JPY 28,880 million ($261.7 million) in the third quarter of the current Japanese fiscal year, down 16.8% year on year, as the group continued to consolidate its PV manufacturing operations in the face of falling sales in its home market.
Trina Solar invited to set up PV manufacturing facilities in Pakistan
Trina Solar has confirmed it has been invited by the Pakistani Government to set up solar PV manufacturing facilities in Pakistan. The Government has reportedly said it will provide financial incentives.
JA Solar’s 2017 shipments outperform expectations
The Chinese solar PV manufacturer estimates that it shipped between 7.5 and 7.8 GW of modules and cells in 2017, up from an expected 7 to 7.2 GW, with between 2.1 and 2.4 GW shipped in Q4.
China: REC Silicon reduces stake in 20,000 MT polysilicon JV
The Norwegian polysilicon producer saw its stake in the joint venture (JV) with Chinese silicon material manufacturer, NSF reduced, after the latter agreed to provide all of REC Silicon’s outstanding capital contribution for the project.
TÜV, NRW solar module workshop goes international
The module workshop hosted by TÜV Rheinland and Germany’s energy agency, NRW was held for the first time in English and for an international audience. The main conclusion of the event, held in Germany, is that the latest technologies and trends should be constantly observed and evaluated.
Trina Solar ships over 9 GW of PV modules in 2017
Trina Solar shipped over 9 GW of PV modules in 2017, thus further cementing its leading status in the global solar industry.
Kyocera completes large-scale and floating PV projects in Japan
Kyocera TCL Solar LLC has completed work on a 21.1 MW solar PV plant in Japan’s Hagi City. Operations have also begun on five of the company’s floating solar power plants. Meanwhile, in light of decreasing FITs, it provides an update on its shifting solar focus.
Taiwanese cell giants plan US module factory
The newly minted merger of Neo Solar Power, Gintech and Solartech is planning a module factory, the second such factory to be announced by a large Asian PV maker since solar tariffs were finalized.
