Asia

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has announced a slew of Requests for Selection (RfS) for the installation of various PV projects totaling 3.37 GW across the country.

There is no denying that 2017 proved to be the most remarkable year yet for China’s PV industry. From whichever way one looks at it – be it installation figures, exports, manufacturing capacity growth, or innovation – the 12 months that shaped China’s solar industry were equally impressive and somewhat surprising, with even the national government perhaps shocked by the progress made.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has announced a tender for the development of a 150 MW grid connected floating solar PV power project in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

At the World Trade Organization’s Safeguard Committee Meeting, the European Union and Japan found that India’s safeguard measures on imported solar PV cells and modules need further investigation, and must be more conclusive. India replied, saying it has nothing to add.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Chinese solar PV project developer has posted positive earnings for both FY2017 and Q4, although it has not included its discontinued manufacturing operations in its latest financials. Overall, it has a project pipeline of 1.1 GW, big plans for Europe and a strategic investor interested in injecting US$31.6 million in its Chinese Holdco.

Longi is progressing at breakneck speed, having announced yet another world record. This time, the Chinese manufacturer says its 120-cell half-cut monocrystalline PERC module has exceeded 360 W.