Manufacturing

Changing market dynamics and shrinking state incentive programs led to larger players grabbing a bigger share of the EPC pie last year while medium-sized integrators struggled with the increasing burden of cost.

US semiconductor giant Applied Materials has reported more gloomy news from its solar division. With a manufacturing overcapacity worldwide, PV companies are not investing in plant, says Applied.

Plans for the Tesla Gigafactory to manufacture as many lith-ion battery packs as the rest of the world produces have caught the energy storage industry’s attention. The resulting economies of scale could affect customers far beyond EV drivers.

US manufacturer SunPower will supply household systems for Meritage Homes over the next three years. Meritage says that should amount to more than 2,000 rooftop systems.

The Suntech liquidators want to have Cayman Islands liquidation proceedings recognized in the US. Move would protect Suntech from any actions brought by US creditors.

The ‘sale’ is part of a reorganization which will continue the group’s solar equipment business’ movement into downstream and applied solar. The UK business sells thin film rooftops through Ikea.

The Chinese wafer giant stressed the move will not be replicated in its domestic market. LDK says it expects a favorable conclusion to talks with creditors to be held ‘over the next few days.’

The Chinese company has provided 13 MW of modules to a U.K. solar park and announced it is to begin producing solar panels in Japan.

Figures released by the country’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment reveal that Amsterdam leads the way, with more than 16 MW of solar power installed.

Shunfeng has delayed the release of details of the acquisition days after Suntech’s liquidators said they would be closely examining the terms. The liquidators recently stepped up debt recovery efforts.