China

Despite a considerable increase in polysilicon sales, the Chinese manufacturer saw its turnover decline 7.5% year-on-year in the latest quarter.

Chinese monocrystalline manufacturer Longi Solar Technology has broken its own record for PERC module efficiency, reaching 20.83% in independent testing conducted by TÜV Süd.

A day after signing a 300 MW production capacity deal with the building materials company, the German company has announced exactly the same order – with the same customer – for a facility elsewhere in China.

The rise of batteries will attract that headline figure in investment up to 2040, say analysts, as exponential growth in EV ownership, falling stationery system costs and the needs of the world’s grid-poor regions combine to boost lithium-ion technology.

BYD’s electric bus business is growing at an healthy rate. Geely’s EVs lag their more traditional counterparts – but are gaining ground.

The polysilicon, PV wafer and module and inverter maker has arranged a second EGM of 2018 to seek permission for two bond issues, as its peers scramble to raise their manufacturing capacities.

Predictions of the imminent demise of Chinese solar demand due to the reining in of subsidies have not stopped manufacturers ramping up production capacities. German equipment maker Singulus is among the suppliers to benefit from a renewed confidence in the Far East.

Last December, the company’s CEO made a proposed transaction offer to acquire Canadia Solar. Mulling the offer, a special committee has now advised the company’s board to cease its review of the proposal, highlighting that it could not find sufficient certainty in the CEO’s ability to secure the funding for the transaction. Following the news today the CEO has withdrawn his offer.

Although industry representatives are predicting no falling-off in the market next year, there is nothing in the latest set of figures to support such a positive outlook.

The Hong Kong-listed unit has asked where its parent will find the cash and shares to complete a $7bn deal to take ownership back in house and then list it on the Chinese A-share index.