REC Group reacts to Hanwha Q Cells lawsuit, says legal action in Germany not started yet
The Norwegian manufacturer said Hanwha Q Cells’ legal action in Germany has not started yet, and it will take all necessary steps to defend itself against patent infringement allegations.
PI Berlin findings say little about module quality in Europe
PI Berlin analysis has suggested the quality of modules is particularly high in Asian factories with a large throughput. However, just 2% of the 67 GW of production capacity audited for the study originated in Europe. The audits for the white paper were mostly carried out by Solarbuyer between 2012 and 2018.
Manufacturers and research institutes form alliance in Europe
The European Solar Manufacturing Council has been launched at EU PVSEC in Brussels. Participating research institutes, mechanical engineers, material and PV manufacturers stress the importance of having big solar manufacturers in Europe.
Turkey’s Smart Energy talks quality and customer proximity – Video interview
Turkish EPC and module manufacturer, Smart Energy highlighted the importance of high-quality products and the perks of operating a giga-fab right at the gates of Europe to pv magazine at this year’s Intersolar Europe.
SunPower to exit utility-scale solar development
The company is pivoting to DG solar and expanding its manufacturing as it continues to struggle with profitability.
US: SEIA reports 18 companies reducing solar deployment, workforce in 2018
U.S. solar trade organization, Solar Energy Idustries Association (SEIA) has listed cancelled investments and hiring as well as job losses in its comments supporting requests for exclusion from Section 201 tariffs.
Comtec to focus on downstream and 156mm x 156mm “Super Mono” wafer business
In the past financial year, the Chinese solar manufacturer and project developer implemented a plan to expand activities in the downstream solar sector, while downsizing its wafer manufacturing. In the future, Comtec will focus on its 156mm x 156mm “Super Mono” wafer business, and will ship no more than 500 MW per year.
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.
Japanese battery maker to start production in Hungary
Lithium ion (Li-ion) manufacturer, GS Yuasa has announced plans to establish a European subsidiary, and to construct a new manufacturing plant for lithium batteries in Miskolc, Hungary.
India drafts $1.7bn solar PV manufacturing scheme
India invites suggestions and feedback for its new solar PV manufacturing scheme, which aims to ramp up domestic manufacturing capacity of modules, cells, wafers and ingots, and polysilicon. The scheme is expected to be implemented at the beginning of 2018.
