Industry & Suppliers

Panasonic reports a slight decrease in sales and a sharper fall in profitability in its Eco Solutions business, which it blames on slowing domestic demand for its solar PV solutions and other products.

On January 29, SMA published its outlook for 2016, both in terms of financial goals and upcoming product innovations. Industry expert and Smart Solar Consulting CEO, Götz Fischbeck has crunched the numbers and examined how the German inverter giant was able to turn its business around. According to the data, the future is promising.

Oil-rich nation aiming for 10% renewables by 2030 is mulling a plan to peg the subsidies it provides for clean energy to the U.S. dollar in an effort to tempt foreign investors.

Rumors have been furiously swirling around the possibility of a bailout of Sharp Corp. Both Taiwan’s Foxconn and the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan have recently presented rescue plans. The latest news to emerge from Japan is a possible merger with CIS thin film pioneer, Solar Frontier.

Plunging prices in polysilicon trigger Q4 year-over-year sales drop of 8% despite overall increase in sales for 2015; German firm ramps up production at new U.S. polysilicon plant.

E.ON today announced its net investments in renewable energy have surpassed EUR10 billion. The lion’s share has been directed into wind, while solar has received around EUR200 million. A spokesperson confirms the energy utility has a 1 GW solar pipeline in the U.S. and projects under the German tender scheme.

Elon Musk has confirmed Tesla will bring out a new version of its Powerwall home energy storage battery system this summer. While “step changes” can be expected, he declined to elaborate on the new product.

On the back of a successful 2015, which saw revenues and shipments exceeding forecasts by 33%, SolarWorld says it expects to see another increase of more than 20% in both areas in 2016. Although a positive 2015 EBIT was not achieved, as anticipated, it hopes for double digit gains this year.

The European Commission has officially confirmed Trina Solar’s exit from the Minimum Import Price (MIP), announced in December. This now brings to seven, the total number of Chinese companies that have withdrawn from the undertaking.

Hareon Solar has entered into a tripartite agreement with United PV and a Hong Kong investment fund, under which United PV’s around US$90 million claim against Hareon will be transferred to the new investor. The deal, if it goes ahead, could secure Hareon’s survival, and its continued listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.