A tumultuous year for solar and batteries
In five key trends, pv magazine looks back over a year that saw PV module prices fall lower than many thought possible, while demand was restrained by grid congestion, among other challenges. Energy storage has had a strong year and geopolitics is seeing solar and battery manufacturing enter new regions as competition drives technical innovation.
SunPower goes bankrupt
The US residential solar installer has filed for bankruptcy, among the largest in a series of major bankruptcies in the industry.
Solarnative files for insolvency proceedings
The move follows failed efforts at Intersolar to find an investor or buyer. The manufacturer of micro inverters filed for insolvency right at the end of the trade fair.
Weekend Read: Gray skies over Californian solar
There may be a global solar boom but a drastic revision of California’s net metering program has ruptured the industry overnight and is affecting everyone from installers to financiers to makers of power electronics.
Weekend Read: Thin prospects
The production of PV ingots and wafers remains the most highly concentrated of all the production stages in the silicon solar supply chain. Yet efforts to re-establish production in Europe and the United States are not for the faint-hearted.
Dutch solid-state battery maker acquires factory in Scotland
Dutch startup LionVolt has acquired AMTE Power’s battery cell production line in Scotland. It says it will use the assets for pilot production of its 3D solid-state thin-film batteries.
Weekend Read: Famine to feast – China’s solar market in 2023
China’s solar industry rebounded in 2023 after years of pandemic-related sluggishness. As the year draws to a close, pv magazine looks back at key highlights of 2023 and considers the prospects for 2024.
Swedish battery maker Nilar files for insolvency
Nilar, a Swedish producer of nickel metal hydride batteries, has filed for insolvency and is now looking for a new owner.
Fimer secures €45 million of funds, announces relaunch
Italy’s Fimer has launched proceedings to restructure its debt and is now ready to restart production.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Tongwei and Longi hold wafer and cell prices
Plus, panel maker Risen began construction of a 15 GW cell and module factory in Yiwu, in the central Zhejiang province of eastern China.
