German PV equipment makers report revenue rise for 2016
German PV equipment providers were able to increase their sales by 20% in the past year. Demand for solar production equipment, however, is slowing.
Amtech posts revenue growth in Q2 of fiscal 2017
The U.S. supplier of automation systems for the PV industry also saw order intake and quarter-end backlog increase in the latest quarter. All of the company’s segments contributed to the turnover growth registered in this period.
SMA remains in the black
A difficult market environment has led to a drop in sales and profits. The German inverter maker, however, was able to keep writing black numbers in the latest quarter.
Video: Dow showcases ENGAGE PV POE for encapsulant films at SNEC 2017
At its joint exhibition with Dow Corning at the SNEC show in Shanghai last month, Dow Elastomers showcased its ENGAGE PV POE solution, a polyolefin-based material that can be used in manufacturing both top and bottom encapsulant films for many module types.
Analysts “unsurprised” by SolarWorld’s bankruptcy
Leading solar analysts say that SolarWorld’s bankruptcy, announced yesterday, should not have come as a surprise. Pointing to the current “viciously competitive” cell and module market, and the ongoing dispute between Hemlock and SolarWorld subsidiary Deutsche solar GmbH, analysts from IHS Markit and BNEF, say that the writing had been on the wall for the German company for some time.
SolarPower Europe: SolarWorld bankruptcy marks “sad day for Europe”
The European solar industry’s peak body SolarPower Europe says that yesterday’s insolvency announcement, from German-based producer SolarWorld, is regrettable and that it is of “vital importance” that all parts of the solar value chain are present in Europe.
LPKF sees 65% YoY revenue increase in Q1
German laser specialist LPKF has made a good start to 2017, with especially strong performance from its solar equipment segment, which saw a revenue increase by 71% compared with the same period for the previous year.
Manz posts positive operating result in Q1 2017
The German equipment provider reports an operating profit of €20 million for the first quarter of this year.
Daqo New Energy posts $23 million net profit in Q1
The Chinese polysilicon producer’s net income attributable to shareholders reached $22.9 million in the first quarter of 2017, from just $8.3 million a year earlier.
Big challenges: Raj Prabhu on the SolarWorld insolvency and U.S. solar manufacturing
Today, SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency in Germany, and it is unclear whether or not its U.S. subsidiary will also file. In the following interview, Mercom Capital CEO Raj Prabhu talks about what this means for the U.S. solar industry.
