Renewables generate (almost) as much U.S. power as nuclear during H1 2017
The DOE’s latest numbers show renewables rising to 20.05% of U.S. electricity generation during the first half of the year, just behind nuclear’s 20.07%. Solar provided 2% of electricity, and wind 7%.
ReneSola may sell PV production ops to regain NYSE compliance
ReneSola may sell off its indebted polysilicon, wafer and PV module production businesses to regain compliance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Swiss researchers team with NREL to break 35% cell efficiency
A collaborative project between the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has tested a range of multi junction cells in tandem configuration, and achieved efficiencies of up to 35.9%.
Chinese module prices rise 10% above forecast, causing problems for India
Growth in the booming Indian solar market, heavily reliant on Chinese modules, could slow as strong Q3 demand for panels in China and the U.S. push up prices and impact Indian firms’ financial modelling.
1366 Technologies, Hanwha Q Cells hit 20.3% cell efficiency with Direct Wafer process
U.S. based PV innovator 1366 Technologies, and Korean PV manufacturer Hanwha Q CELLS have announced a new performance record for cells produced using 1366’s Direct Wafer technique. The cells achieved 20.3% efficiency, which has been independently confirmed by Fraunhofer ISE.
Appeals court upholds SolarWorld’s $800 million debt to Hemlock
The ruling comes as the German solar manufacturer is restarting following an insolvency process, and Hemlock may have a hard time collecting.
Uncertainty in 2018
As revealed in testimony against proposed trade action yesterday, the U.S. International Trade Commission’s Section 201 investigation is already having effects.
SunPower announces pilot line for new back-contact technology
The new 5 MW line in Silicon Valley will produce cells and modules under a new IBC technology from the company that makes the most powerful commercially available silicon solar products.
U.S. legislators pressure ITC to reject trade petition
A bipartisan group of congressmen cite the possibility of devastating job losses as a reason to reject the Suniva/SolarWorld Section 201 trade case, one day before the commission hears testimony.
Amtech sees turnover and profits climb in Q2 of fiscal 2017
The U.S. supplier of automation systems for the PV industry said its performance in the quarter was its best results since its solar business unit peaked in the third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2011.
