Solar demand is boosting silver prices, says Silver Institute
Two different reports highlight how PV demand is currently improving silver’s industrial offtake. The Silver Institute says that prices have increased 9% since the beginning of this year, while ETF Securities says that mining capital expenditure and investments are declining, and that this could further weigh on silver supply.
SunPower signs supply deal for 125 MW of P-Series modules
The supply deal with NextEra Energy Resources signals a radical shift in strategy for the struggling manufacturer and is the first major test of its novel module design.
Solargiga anticipates 2016 loss
The Chinese PV manufacturer expects to record a “substantial loss” for the year to the end of December.
Tata Power Solar doubles domestic module capacity to 400 MW
The Indian solar producer has also increased its cell manufacturing capacity at its Bengaluru facility to 300 MW as it responds to the government’s Make in India program.
Trina Solar goes private
The Chinese PV maker has completed its merger transaction and will now become a private company. Trading of Trina’s shares on the NYSE have been suspended pending de-listing.
Tongwei subsidiary announces joint venture with Longi
Sichuan Yonxiang Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Chinese industrial giants Tongwei, has announced the creation of a joint venture with Longi Green Energy Technology. The joint venture plans to build a new polysilicon production plant in Sichuan Province, China, with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes.
Intevac reports massive ion implant tool order
The company’s ENERGi systems will be used to enable a more than 1 GW expansion of high-efficiency n-type mono cell capacity for an un-named customer in China, a big boost for the technology.
Asys introduces new metallization line
German equipment supplier Asys today announced the launch of its new dual lane metallization line for crystalline silicon cell production, Alignus 1.5s. The line features a high level of automation, as part of the company’s Industry 4.0 approach, and aims to decrease cell metallization process times.
Algeria to launch 4 GW solar tender by the end of March
The Algerian government is set to launch a tender for the construction of large-scale PV projects totaling 4 GW. The tender will be held in three 1,350 MW phases and will select projects with an average capacity of 100 MW.
BREAKING: U.S. authorities could lower Taiwanese import duties to single digits
An preliminary finding by the Department of Commerce could lower import duties first imposed on Taiwan solar cell manufacturers in 2014 from high double-digits to single digits, while tariffs on Chinese module and cell manufacturers imposed at the same time remain in place.
