NREL researchers push past 1V CdTe cell barrier
A research team lead by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a technique by which cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV cells can be produced with an open-circuit voltage exceeding 1 volt. The team claims the development will allow for further increase CdTe conversion efficiencies and represents a “crucial milestone” in the technology’s evolution.
U.S. utility-scale solar increasingly driven by economics, not mandates
GTM Research’s latest report predicts that more than half the utility-scale solar installed in the United States this year will be outside of RPS requirements.
Chinese polysilicon imports hit a record high in January
Data from Chinese customs shows the import of polysilicon reached a new record volume in January 2016 at 12,388 tons, 19% over December levels.
Hanergy issues profit warning
Hanergy Thin Film has issued a warning in which it forecasts a “substantially decrease[d] revenues for 2015. The company has attributed the sharp decline to damage to its reputation as a result of the ongoing suspension of trading in its shares.
IHS: PV manufacturing margins grew to 22% in 2015
Driven by end-market growth in the U.S., India and China, PV manufacturing margins bounced back to 22% in 2015. IHS released the finding today, noting that improving margins for manufacturers could result in a “wave of capacity expansions.”
Shanghai Electric invests in Manz, German equipment supplier to stay in solar segment
Manz has announced a strategic collaboration with Shanghai Electric that will enable the German equipment supplier to continue its operations in the solar industry. Manz will increase its number of shares, from todays value, by 43%. This will allow Shanghai Electric to purchase 29.9% of shares in Manz, under the new issuance.
Greece adds only 8 MW in 2015; solar remains victim of politics
The Greek governments disastrous economic policy has decimated the solar sector at the moment when fresh hopes had started to emerge in the form of a new net metering regime.
Germany: 83 MW added in January
The weak performance of the German solar market continues, with Federal Network Agency reporting that 83.242 MW of PV was added to the country’s grid in January. Nine new ground mounted PV power plants were registered in the month.
Sun Electric commemorates its first retail of solar electricity in Singapore
Singapore’s Sun Electric has celebrated its first retailing of solar electricity in the island state. It plans to develop up to 20 MW of projects in 2016.
SunPower sets record C&I solar install time with Helix solution
An analysis by DNV GL indicates that SunPowers install time for commercial rooftop systems is as much as 2 1/2 times faster than competitors.
