Wacker’s US polysilicon factory still on hold
Following an explosion at a U.S. production facility in 2017, the German polysilicon producer is under investigation by local authorities. Wacker Chemie must now pay a fine of US$20,000 for failing to comply with certain regulations regarding the provision of personal protective equipment and employee safety during maintenance work prior to the accident.
The Weekend Read: Polysilicon and wafer manufacturer ranking
Polysilicon and wafer manufacturer ranking: PV demand reached record levels in 2017, with global installations surpassing 100 GW for the first time ever. Few in the industry expected deployments to hit this level, piling the pressure on to the supply chain. Armed with polysilicon and wafer manufacturer ranking data supplied by IHS Markit, pv magazine delves into the past year’s upstream landscape.
REC Silicon posts revenue increase for Q4 2017
Norwegian headquartered manufacturer, REC Silicon has posted revenue of $78 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, a 3.4% increase over the previous quarter’s $75.5 million. The company also increased its EBITDA to $10.3 million, up from $3.6 million the previous quarter.
Wacker Chemie boosts 2017 sales volume by 6% Y-O-Y
German-headquartered polysilicon producer attains 2017 sales and earnings target, posting €4.92 billion in sales and net income of €885 million.
Daqo polysilicon order book reaches 90.2% on Chinese demand
The Chinese polysilicon supplier reveals that its order book is 90.2% filled as of the end of January, in response to surging demand among Chinese solar firms.
China: REC Silicon reduces stake in 20,000 MT polysilicon JV
The Norwegian polysilicon producer saw its stake in the joint venture (JV) with Chinese silicon material manufacturer, NSF reduced, after the latter agreed to provide all of REC Silicon’s outstanding capital contribution for the project.
Hemlock calls on Trump to restore access to the Chinese polysilicon market
The last round of the trade war decimated U.S. polysilicon, and Hemlock Semiconductor is calling on Trump to address this in the Section 201 remedy.
2017: The PV year in review
Trade cases, insolvencies, record-breaking low auction prices, China’s eye watering installation rates – all this and more characterized the 2017 solar PV industry. pv magazine reflects on the biggest stories, trends and developments of the past year; and summarizes what the industry can expect in 2018.
Coal specialists EMO, JERA enter solar industry
The Dutch shipment company and the Singapore-based coal trader will begin providing the global solar industry with specialty metallurgical coals.
Solar PV 2018: Installs of 111 GW, a polysilicon factory boom and $0.30/W for modules
On the back of high solar PV installs, which will smash records this year at just under 100 GW, BNEF’s optimistic demand forecasts place growth at 111 GW in 2018, rising to 121 GW in 2019. It further sees a polysilicon factory boom, with production 10% up on 2017; and module prices dropping to as low as US$0.30/W for market leaders.
