Meyer Burger to lay off 100 workers and relocate most of PV business to Asia
There may be a much-vaunted ‘solar renaissance’ in the offing for Europe, but it hasn’t come quickly enough for the Swiss PV equipment supplier, which wants to handle most of its sales and services from China.
Decentralized solar-plus-storage would fire sub-Saharan Africa
According to a UC Berkeley study, the falling costs of storage technologies will make it possible for Sub-Saharan countries to rely on decentralized systems based mainly on solar-plus-storage, bringing access to electricity to more than 600 million people.
Solargiga sees shipments increase slightly, revenue decline 11.1%
In the first three quarters of 2018, the Chinese solar manufacturer shipped approximately 1.75 GW of PV products – 3.5% more than it did in the same period of 2017. Revenue from the manufacturing business, however, fell by 12.6%, while total revenue drop was 11.1%.
Japan’s NPC posts 35.3% revenue growth for fiscal 2018
The Japanese equipment provider said its machinery business for the PV industry accounted for almost all of its sales in the latest fiscal year. It expects an increase in both revenue and profits in current fiscal year.
Bpifrance, Tikehau invest €150 million in Greenyellow
Upon completion of the transaction, the French national development bank and the asset manager will hold a 24% joint stake in GreenYellow. Funds will be used to help the Groupe Casino subsidiary accelerate its development phase.
Greece to tender 194 MW of PV capacity
With the government needing to hit 300 MW of capacity before year end, December’s procurement exercise will go ahead despite anticipated complaints over its procedures.
Solaredge charges into storage market, acquiring Kokam
The inverter maker will buy 75% of Kokam’s shares for $88 million, with an intent to acquire the remainder shortly after, on the open market. Strategic company acquisitions and close partnerships are characterizing this year’s inverter market, as companies seek to diversify and integrate storage systems and other technologies.
Innolith launches non-flammable battery with 50,000 charging cycles
Inorganic electrolytes will do the trick the company says. For multi-MW grid-scale applications the company says its technology can boost battery life to 50,000 cycles and is non-flammable. It adds that the costs of the product are competitive with conventional battery systems. Innolith is taking over the baton from Alevo, including chief executive and engineers. Alevo, however, went bankrupt last year, making the same promises.
Solar funding moves from companies to projects
Mercom Capital’s latest report shows sustained low levels of funding for solar companies, but strong investment in solar projects and many acquisitions.
World reacts to IPCC report
A snapshot of how politicians, scientists, institutions, industry, and civil servants have reacted to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released yesterday.
