The weekend read: Central Asia’s green horizons
Despite its huge potential in the region, solar PV has hitherto gained little traction in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, two utility-scale PV projects have been realized, and a few are in the pipeline for Uzbekistan as it begins to attract international investors. But many challenges on the policy level have yet to be overcome.
GCL-Poly cranks up its share repurchase program again
Polysilicon manufacturer has been busy repurchasing chunks of its stock, the question analysts and investors will be asking is, why?
Amount of silver needed in solar cells to be more than halved by 2028, Silver Institute says
The US-based industry association finds the amount of silver loading may fall from 130 mg per cell in 2016 to approximately 65 mg by 2028. Alternative and cheaper raw materials, such as copper and aluminum, are not expected to replace silver in commercial cell production, at least in the next decade.
Engie Brasil takes full control of unit specializing in solar DG
Through the operation, the Brazilian unit of the French energy giant strengthens its position in the local distributed generation segment.
Terra Firma moves forward with sale of Italy’s RTR
While Italian utility A2A has dropped out of the race to buy RTR; Enel, Eni and BP are reportedly shortlisted bidders for the acquisition. The Italian PV asset manager owns and operates 134 solar parks with a combined capacity of 334 MW across more than 100 municipalities in Italy.
Balkan update: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina ready for their biggest PV projects, Macedonia inaugurates first module fab
With Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announcing a tender to build a 65 MW solar PV plant; Croatia planning a 6.5 MW solar PV installation, to be built on the Island of Cres; and Macedonia welcoming its first solar panel manufacturing plant, capable of producing 20 MW annually – it has been a busy period for the small solar markets in the Balkans.
Schletter acquisition finalized
The new shareholder obtained business operations, and shares in the German solar PV company. This transition finalizes Schletter’s financial recovery.
The China effect: Decreasing PV utilization rates, serious oversupply and future strategies
Independent energy analyst, Corinne Lin discusses the fallout of China’s recent solar PV policy decision, including decreasing utilization rates and serious oversupply; and a focus on equipment upgrades, particularly for PERC, SE, half cut and bifiacial technologies. The industry will bounce back in 2019, she concludes.
TrendForce: Price war may begin due to overcapacity
The Taiwanese analysts expect that overcapacity will force some solar players to abandon their business or file for bankruptcy. IHS Markit also sees further price declines and consolidation in the third quarter, although it does forecast signs of a speedy recovery.
SolarEdge’s enters UPS market, $11.5 million Gamatronic acquisition closed
The Israel-headquartered power electronics supplier continues to diversify its business base as it closes its acquisition of UPS provider Gamatronic. Uninterruptible power supply is a multi-billion-dollar market expected to grow in the coming years.
