China

Researchers in China have developed a fault detection method for PV systems that combines both neural networks and fuzzy logic principles within a single framework. It considers seven input variables and an output variable.

The Chinese module manufacturer said the record efficiency of 25.25% was obtained through material upgrades integrated into the cell process and fabrication. The result was confirmed by China’s National Institute of Metrology.

Longi has raised its wafer prices for June and the China Nonferrous Metals Association has reported this week that polysilicon reached a price of RMB200-210 per kg, and that the highest price exceeded RMB230 per kg.

The ruling was issued on Thursday after the matter was referred by a U.K. tax tribunal which, in March last year, upheld the U.S.-headquartered solar manufacturer’s claim the assembly of cells into panels is an important step, which should render such products Indian.

Solar manufacturers Longi and Zhonghuan Semiconductor have reported output at their factories in the two provinces has been reduced by earthquakes that happened on Friday night and before dawn on Saturday. Elsewhere, module maker Jolywood has announced the signing of an agreement with the city government of Taiyuan, in Shanxi province, to build a TOPCon solar cell fab with a 16 GW production capacity.

Shareholders will vote on whether to approve the sale of ten solar farms to generate $320 million towards paying down its heavy debt pile.

The discussion about the extent to which forced labor exists in the solar value chain continues. A video, a university report, a ministerial response and a parliamentary machinations formed notable developments of the debate last week.

The Chinese polysilicon manufacturer said it only discovered this month that the stock in its solar project division – which it had pledged to secure a $60 million loan which GCL says was never delivered – had been claimed by the lender a year ago, on the grounds the finance agreement had been breached.

The sheer volume of new power lines which will be required to accommodate the rising tide of solar installations ensures copper has been included by the International Energy Agency on its list of minerals which must keep flowing if the energy transition is to stay on course. And it’s not production that’s the potential bottleneck.

China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) has allocated some $77 million for residential PV incentives. This should be enough to deploy another 1 GW of rooftop PV.