Solar trackers: Record 2017 shipments; up to 20 GW expected in 2018
Last year saw record levels of global solar tracker shipments, reports GTM Research. It forecasts even bigger growth in 2018, despite continued consolidation. NEXTracker held on to the top spot once again, while Latin America became the biggest market.
First Solar to build the largest solar plant in the US South
Georgia Power has awarded a power contract to the PV maker and developer under its latest solicitation. The project will utilize First Solar’s large-format Series 6 modules.
Canada unveils roadmap for coal phase out, RE implementation
The Canadian Department of Energy has revised its goals to phase out coal powered electricity by 2030. It will increasingly focus on renewable energy (RE) and natural gas. In Alberta alone, an extra 5 GW of solar and wind are expected to be installed.
US researchers get the lead out of perovskites
Scientists led by Brown University have developed perovskite solar cells, which replace the toxic lead common to many of these material structures with titanium. The researchers say that with further optimization, the material could eventually be ideal for use as a tandem cell layer.
Solar to lead global renewables growth for next five years — KPMG
Investors throughout the world made 406 investments in large-scale renewables in 2017, collectively valued at roughly €40.1 billion (US$49.5 billion), but solar is set to grow more in terms of capacity than any other clean-energy technology over the next half decade, according to a new report. Battery storage will play a crucial role in this, it found.
US imports of Chinese solar climbed sharply in Q4
1,200%. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that’s how high imports of Chinese modules rose in the fourth quarter last year, in a desperate attempt to stockpile sufficient numbers before tariffs choked off international supplies.
Aurora Solar Tech infrared tool upgraded for HJT cell measurement
The Canadian firm’s Decima Gemini infrared measurement technology has been updated to measure performance and characteristics of transparent conductive oxide layers key in heterojunction cell technology.
US regulators open markets to energy storage
As the conclusion of a 15-month rule-making, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will require grid operators to value the contributions of energy storage, and begins a process to look at how aggregated distributed energy resources can compete in wholesale markets.
Chinese companies lead global solar developer rankings
State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and GCL New Energy have taken the top spots for installed capacity, but Canadian Solar and First Solar are showing impressive pipelines.
SunPower continues to bleed red ink
Due largely to write downs, the high-efficiency PV maker lost a whopping $750 million during Q4 2017, as it sells off assets.
