Manufacturing

The Japanese company has established a mass production process for 156 by 156 mm solar cell products that have a conversion efficiency of 21%.

Although PV installations in Germany produce less electricity than onshore wind installations, they generate “significantly higher profits,” according to a new report by the Fraunhofer Institute.

CEO Tom Werner says SunPower’s ownership strategy provides it with a return on investment from its technology while reducing the risk to potential buyers if it later sells the plant.

The District Court of Aachen has opened the main insolvency proceedings against the group due to its inability to meet its liabilities. Preliminary proceedings began in June at the request of a creditor.

By acquiring the eighth-largest residential solar installer in the United States, Direct Energy and parent company Centrica plc have moved into the U.S. solar PV market. This is part of a trend of acquisitions in this space.

Steep duties imposed by the Department of Commerce criticized by both CASE and SEIA, but SolarWorld applauds decision to ‘level the domestic playing field’.

Under the new CfD scheme, solar plants over 5 MW could enjoy an early advantage while the ROC is still applicable for onshore wind projects.

The Chinese wafer producers will expand capacity at their Sarawak plant from 300 to 600 MW as the company finalizes two supply deals with U.S. companies.

Chinese polysilicon suppliers issue positive profit alert after analysis of preliminary management accounts for first six months of 2014.

SolarWorld AG’s preliminary business results for the first half of 2014 also reveal solid growth in module sales but below-par sales of complete systems.