Sweden’s Midsummer receives $3.3 million CIGS equipment order, announces expansion
Turnkey PV equipment supplier, Midsummer has received a repeat order from an unidentified Asian customer for its thin film cell production equipment. On the back of strong demand, it adds that expansion is on the cards.
Wärtsilä completes its first European energy storage project
Hungary-based Sinergy Kft is the recipient of Wärtsilä’s first EPC energy storage project in Europe. The Finnish technology group commissioned the engine plus storage hybrid installation, its first globally, on August 22. The VPP can now provide frequency and secondary regulation to the Hungarian national grid.
Australia: RCR Tomlinson difficulties highlight impact of PV project commissioning delays
Delays in achieving the full commissioning of Australian PV power plants are beginning to seriously impact project EPCs. Diversified engineering and infrastructure company, RCR Tomlinson has postponed its annual financial results, with speculation mounting that delays to the commissioning of a solar project has caused “a material negative impact” on its earnings.
Taiwan’s Motech scales back solar cell capacity
Taiwanese solar PV cell manufacturer, Motech has shut down production in Suzhou, China, and potentially shelved plans for an 800 MW fab in Kunshan. It will instead focus production on two other sites in the country. In Taiwan, it has reportedly stopped production of solar ingots and wafers, and has suffered massive Q2 2018 losses.
Engie, Greenyellow create joint solar venture
France-based energy giant and the unit of the French conglomerate, Casino have obtained approval from the European Commission for the creation of a new common unit specializing in the development of solar projects for self-consumption.
Kness Group to build 400 MW solar panel factory in Ukraine
The first 200 MW section of the manufacturing facility, to be located in Vinnytsia, in Central Ukraine, is set to be operational by the end of this year. The second 200 MW phase of the project will be implemented by the end of 2019.
Romania launches rebate scheme to support solar under net metering
The rebate mechanism may cover up to 90% of the costs for buying and installing a rooftop PV system, but grants may not exceed 20,000 RON (around US$4,800). The scheme is intended to support the development of net metered residential solar projects.
Researchers propose doubling today’s solar panel efficiency using two weird tricks
By double stacking a perovskite-silicon solar cell and using the cell in a glass-on-glass bifacial solar module, scientists model that a 30-36% efficient solar module can be attained.
Report shows Tesla’s US battery gigafactory booming
The report found over 3,200 employees working at the factory at the end of 2017, and US$3.7 billion in invested in the plant.
UK to deploy ‘first’ unsubsidized C&I solar park
A 15 MW solar PV system at Westcott business park is on track to becoming what has been described as the U.K.’s first unsubsidized C&I PV system.
