SolarWorld Americas joins Suniva’s trade petition
After originally being cool to Suniva’s petition to the U.S. International Trade Commission for protection from its Chinese competitors, SolarWorld Americas has reversed its stance and joined the complaint as a co-petitioner.
More solar and hydro brings California gas use to five-year low
As renewable energy breaks new output records in California, both the need for and availability of gas in California have both declined.
Armenia’s first module factory expected to start production by the end of June
Modules manufactured at the facility will be sold under the brand Solaron. The facility will be owned and operated by local company Profpanel LLC.
Trump budget guts solar research at NREL and Berkeley (14 essential documents embedded)
The president’s federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018 includes the expected cuts to renewable energy within the DOE’s walls, but the cuts to prominent national labs – including the elimination of energy-storage research funding at both – could have unforeseen long-term effects on the industry.
Russian researchers develop process for crystalline perovskite film
A research team at Lomonosov Moscow State University has developed a new process to obtain organic/inorganic crystalline perovskite films for solar cells. The team says that the process allows for the development of compositions with optimal stability, and that it’s discovery could give fresh impetus to the research into perovskite solar cells.
TEP to buy solar power at under 3 cents per kWh
The Arizona utility has signed a 20-year contract to buy electricity from a 100 MW plant at this new record low price.
Indonesia’s 1.2 MW community-owned off-grid PV: model for the future?
A 1.2 MW hybrid plant is currently under development in a remote area of Indonesia aiming to provide 24-hours access to electricity for about 400 households in three villages. The project will be owned by the local community, offering a model for the development of solar PV in the country.
Video: industrial LID ‘fix’ for multi PERC drawing closer
PERC application in monocrystalline cells has proven its capability to produce high efficiency cells. Further cost reductions could be achieved with multi PERC, but problems with Light Induced Degradation (LID) has stood in the way of its industry adoption. However, researchers and equipment suppliers are drawing in on an industrial solution.
Steady Q1 for JA Solar as revenue, shipments increase slightly YOY
The Tier-1 Chinese solar company saw its profit slip both sequentially and year-over-year, however, as lower average selling prices continued to fall. Company will seek opportunities to streamline operations moving forward.
Japan’s solar shipments fall 5% in fiscal Q4 — JPEA
Deliveries of PV cells and modules hit 1.7 GW in the three months to the end of December, down from 1.8 GW in the July-September period, according to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA).
