Manz sees further solar growth potential for 2018
The German solar PV equipment manufacturer has confirmed its preliminary figures for the past year. The record sales registered in 2017 could be increased even further this year.
SMA reports record shipments, lower revenue
The German inverter maker sold 8.5 GW of solar PV inverters last year. Revenue, however, dropped by €50 million, while net profit remained flat at €30 million.
Video interview: Will lithium-ion’s battery dominance soon end?
At the recent Energy Storage Europe exhibition in Düsseldorf, Florian Mayr, partner at renewable energy advisory firm Apricum, explained how lithium-ion technologies got a jump on other battery forms in the stationary storage world, but its dominance should not be taken for granted.
SolarWorld files for insolvency – again
Roughly seven months after its new beginning, the German solar PV manufacturer has again filed for insolvency at the District Court of Bonn – the second time in one year. SolarWorld blames the planned phasing out of anti-dumping measures by the EU Commission against Chinese competition and the further drop in prices.
Vattenfall: “PV will lead the race”
For a long time, the Swedish power utility has primarily focused on hydro and wind power when it comes to renewables. But in recent months, the number of solar PV and storage projects has significantly increased. This was reason enough for pv magazine to talk with Claus Wattendrup, head of Vattenfall’s Solar and Batteries Business Unit, about the utility’s concrete plans.
Manz dismisses CFO
A few days after announcing a record turnover and positive EBIT, the German PV equipment provider has now dismissed its CFO, Gunnar Voss von Dahlen, effective immediately. The company said his departure was due to divergent opinions about its strategic direction.
Energy storage-as-a-service: The hottest game in town?
Alexander Schönfeldt of energy storage specialists, Younicos examines the growing trend of energy storage-as-a-service, and explains why the sector is growing at such a rate.
Meyer Burger reports €67.8 million loss for fiscal 2017
The Swiss PV equipment manufacturer recorded a loss of around €68 million last year. Although Meyer Burger was able to slightly increase sales, the EBITDA margin was below 3%. This year, the company is aiming for an EBITDA margin of 10%, in order to return to profitability.
Astronergy announces upgrades to German production line
Module manufacturer Astronergy has announced a series of upgrades contributing to an overall production efficiency increase of 40% at one of its production lines in Frankfurt (Oder), close to Germany’s border with Poland.
PV has the lowest LCOE in Germany, finds Fraunhofer ISE
According to Fraunhofer ISE experts, PV’s Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) currently ranges between €0.0371 and €0.1154 per kWh in Germany. The potential for further cost reductions is vast, the researchers add.
