First Solar suspends Vietnam plant construction
Amongst a range of announcements, thin-film manufacturer First Solar has announced that it will “postpone commissioning” of its 250-megawatt (MW) Vietnam factory. The announcement was made only hours after the inauguration of its second factory (FF02) at its Frankfurt (Oder) site in Germany.
SunPower announces restructuring program, lowers Q4 guidance, sees CFO go
Another victim of this years turbulent solar market, solar cell manufacturer, SunPower has said it will be implementing a restructuring program in the fourth quarter (Q4)of this year. Having missed its 3Q 2011 revenue and margin expectations, it has significantly revised its Q4 guidance downwards.
Trina announces revised Q3 guidance
Trina Solar is also suffering from the shaky solar market conditions. As such, it has revised its full year photovoltaic module shipment downwards.
Ahearn steers First Solar towards new markets
Taking the wheel once again at First Solar, chairman of the board and interim CEO, Michal J Ahearn set out a new direction for the company in a conference call to discuss the companys third quarter (Q3) results.
Inquiry into UK PV FIT cut proposals launched
The U.K. Parliaments Environmental Audit Committee and Energy and Climate Change Committee has launched an inquiry into the Department of Energy and Climate Changes (DECCs) proposed photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) cuts.
President Obama comments on SolarWorld petition
U.S. President Barak Obama has dipped into the debate surrounding the SolarWorld-sponsored “trade case” it, along with an unnamed coalition of U.S. manufacturers, has filed against Chinese manufacturers.
PV production capacity expansions to "dramatically" slow
According to new research, photovoltaic wafer, cell and module capacity expansions are predicted to “slow dramatically” from now until the first half of 2012. It was also found that while supply of these products has grown by 54 percent since the start of the year, demand has only increased by 19 percent.
BTU experiences weak Q3 due to "slim" solar orders; announces layoffs
BTU International Inc. which, among other products, produces thermal processing equipment for solar cells, has experienced a weak third quarter Q3 2011. The results were said to have been primarily affected by the weak solar market. It has also announced staff layoffs.
First Solar inaugurates second German plant
Thin-film module manufacturer First Solar has inaugurated today its second plant (FF02) at its Frankfurt (Oder) site in Germanys east. The plant will have a capacity of 250 megawatts (MW) a year, bringing the company’s capacity at the site to 500 MW.
UK: Six-week FIT cutoff causes supply shortage
Just days after the halving of photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) rates was announced by the U.K. Government, an installer has reported a rush on modules meaning that orders cannot be completed before the six-week FIT cutoff date.
