China’s Longi Solar confirms 1 GW Indian manufacturing facility
Longi Solar will set up a 1 GW solar PV manufacturing facility in India’s Andhra Pradesh. It will manufacture 500 MW of cells and 500 MW of modules, a spokesperson tells pv magazine. The facility is expected to be commissioned by Q1 2019 at the latest, and will seek to take advantage of India’s partial exemption from the recent U.S. solar tariffs, imposed by President Trump last week.
Malaysia’s PA Resources secures $154m First Solar supply contract
The Kuala Lumpur-based manufacturing subsidiary of PA Group has signed a deal worth 600 million Malaysian Ringgit to supply certain materials and goods to First Solar for the production of its thin film modules.
Agfa, Ferrbatt sign agreement for distribution of PV backsheets
Anticipating growing market demand for its UNIQOAT backsheet, Agfa has partnered with Italian company, Ferrbatt to bolster local industry supply and support.
Trump opens the door for specific products, nations to be excluded from tariffs
The U.S. President’s proclamation provides a path for specific products to apply for exemption from tariffs, which had been sought by both SunPower and the government of South Korea. Additionally, imports from a number of developing nations are exempt as long as import levels remain small.
US solar tariff announcement elicits mixed feelings
SolarPower Europe and SAFE see a resulting contraction in the market, while EU ProSun is calling for the preferential treatment of EU solar manufacturers in the U.S. BNEF says a general window for negotiation of individual country agreements may be possible in the next few weeks.
JinkoSolar looks to set up US factories
A source has revealed to pv magazine that the Chinese PV behemoth is the company negotiating with the city of Jacksonville, Florida.
Longi achieves record conversion rate of 20.41% for PERC modules
Longi Green Energy Technology has announced a new record conversion rate of 20.41% for its P-type PERC monocrystalline modules (type 60).
Report: Trump says he’ll announce solar tariff decision “soon”
In an interview with Reuters, the president slammed what he referred to as the dumping of inexpensive modules on the U.S. market.
Taiwan’s UREC to receive government backing, will shift focus to downstream PV
The Taiwanese Government is set to invest in the United Renewable Energy Company (UREC), which is expected to be officially formed in Q3 2018 by solar cell makers, Neo Solar Power (NSP), Gintech Energy and Solartech Energy. The new company will shift focus from cell manufacturing to downstream solar PV.
Meyer Burger achieves highest order intake in six years
According to preliminary financial figures released today, Swiss equipment provider Meyer Burger has registered a slight increase in sales for the full year 2017, improving on its 2016 net result. Nevertheless, the company is still reckoning with a significant loss for the year.
