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Chinese PV aspirant Tongwei’s 5 GW PV cell facilities may take several years to realize, analysts caution, while its downstream ambitions in China could see significant capacity realized. Fab fit out likely to lead to orders from Chinese and non-Chinese production equipment vendors alike.

Capital costs for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are expected to come down by around 50% over the next five years, as a result of increased renewables generation, among other factors, finds Lazard in a new study looking at the levelised cost of storage (LCOS). Currently, energy storage is not cost-competitive with most applications, however. In a separate study, Lazard, analyzed LCOEs in the U.S. Utility-scale PV was found to be competitive against conventional energies, while rooftop solar still requires “significant” subsidization.

Hanwha’s takeover of Q Cells is bearing fruit, with Q3 recording significantly improved earnings results. In addition to a return to net profitability, Hanwha Q Cells Co. Ltd has raised its gross margin forecasts for Q4, and expects shipments to increase at least two-fold. Capacity expansions are on the cards for both this year and 2016.

The two houses of the Massachusetts legislature failed to reconcile bills that would have lifted the net metering caps, which have already been reached in some utility service areas.

China’s JinkoSolar continues to grow shipments in Q3, to 1.345 GW of modules, however its gross income on an annual basis has suffered, due to a number of factors including currency devaluation, stock based compensation expenses and income tax liabilities.

The Western Australian island of Rottnest will achieve 45% renewable penetration with a new 600 kW PV array, which will be coupled with an existing wind turbine. Together the renewable generation sources will supply the island with almost half of its power, necessitating a sophisticated diesel-hybrid control system to be delivered by Hydro Tasmania.

Record revenue and shipments underline strong third quarter for the Chinese solar firm that surpassed high end guidance forecast from Q2; China represented more than half of its total shipments.

Local reports suggest the Chinese solar firm has penned a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh government to develop its 2 GW, Rs 2,800 crore solar manufacturing facility in Atchutapuram.

Researchers from Germany’s Technical University of Munich (TUM) have discovered key processes by which lithium ion batteries lose capacity. The scientists believe that battery life can be enhanced through adjusting the process by which lithium ion batteries form a pacifying layer on graphite anodes or by carrying out modifications on the cathode surface.

Fast-growing tracker supplier NEXTracker will produce tracking technology at parent company Flextronic’s Brazilian facilities. The move will allow it to meet local content requirements in what CEO Dan Shugar describes as “the next frontier in Latin American solar deployment.”