Engie and Sonnen team up on solar-plus-storage
The French energy giant and the German storage specialist will begin offering a combined solar-plus-storage solution for self-consumption on the residential French market.
Yingli’s financials go from bad to worse
In reporting its FY 2017 financials, Yingli has again revealed that “substantial doubt exists as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” It is seeking to agree on a debt restructuring plan with creditors, and is asking them to refrain from initiating bankruptcy proceedings. Overall, it recorded a 2017 net loss of US$510 million and total liabilities of $3.2 billion. It has not issued guidance for this year.
Kyocera reports lower solar sales for fiscal 2018
The group’s solar business incurred an operating lost in the last fiscal year, due to a write-down related to a long-term purchase contract for the supply of polysilicon.
Wacker to restart US polysilicon production
Wacker Chemie AG has said it is gradually ramping up production at its beleaguered U.S. polysilicon production site, with product expected to be again available in Q2. The shutdown has affected its Q1 earnings, with sales down 18% compared to a year ago.
US residential solar power grows 11% in Q1 2018
OhmHome estimates 72,996 residential solar power installations in the first quarter of 2018, with California and Massachusetts growing 14% and 9%, respectively.
Schletter Inc. files for chapter 11 bankruptcy
The solar mounting systems maker’s U.S. division has filed for bankruptcy, one month after the German parent company filed for insolvency.
Meyer Burger secures $16 million equipment order from Asia
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has secured a CHF 16million (US$16.3 million) order from an unidentified Asian customer for its MAiA and FABiA cell coating equipment. It is the first industrial order for the latter platform, says the company.
US scientists claim new efficiency record for organic tandem solar cells
A team from the University of Michigan in the U.S. has developed an organic tandem solar cell with 15% efficiency, a new record for an organic solar cell. The scientists utilized a novel method for stacking the two layers on top of each other without damaging either layer.
Middle East to tender 8 GW of PV in 2018, says GTM Research
Most of the region’s future solar development will come from large-scale solar projects, as distributed generation still suffers from the high subsidies granted to residential and commercial electricity customers.
Sungrow plans 3 GW inverter fab in India
Sungrow, the world’s second largest inverter supplier, according to GTM research, has announced plans to establish production facilities in India. The Chinese inverter company is aiming to strengthen its global delivery capability by setting up central and string inverter facilities in the state of Karnataka. The fab would be its first outside of China.
