JinkoSolar, Longi, JA Solar claim 182mm modules offer lowest LCOE for utility scale solar
In a white paper, the three Chinese module manufacturers have reiterated the well-known refrain “bigger is not always better.” Experts from the three companies compared the BoS costs of 182mm-wafer-based modules and 210mm products, and found that the former have a slight advantage in racking, foundation, and land costs.
China’s Jinchen holds 10 GW of solar production line orders from India
Jinchen Machinery has landed module production equipment orders from leading Indian solar manufacturers. It has already installed 2 GW of production lines and plans to supply the balance within three months. The company will open an India office in Surat, in the state of Gujarat.
Is large scale solar ready for the North Pole?
Norwegian researchers have conducted a study to assess the technical feasibility of solar parks in polar regions. They found out that snowdrifts may be a major issue but they also believe that snow accumulation can be reduced through snow fences and proper system design.
FRV builds on Australian portfolio with 2.4 MW/5 MWh solar-storage plant
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has started building a 5 MW solar-storage hybrid power plant near Dalby, southern Queensland.
Meyer Burger wants to build another 400 MW factory
The Swiss manufacturer has secured €185 million for the expansion of its cell and module production. Meyer Burger no longer wants to sell its solar cells to third parties in the future.
Swedish fund launches takeover bid for Solarpack
Swedish venture capital fund EQT has launched an offer for the Spanish solar developer at €26.50 per share.
Organic solar cell with 18.4% efficiency via new electrode coating
Saudi scientists built the cell’s electrode with a hole-transporting molecule called Br-2PACz and not with the commonly used PEDOT:PSS. It helped improve the photovoltaic cell efficiency by around 0.9%.
France announces results of commercial and industrial PV tender
The French government has selected 329 projects in its latest procurement exercise. Average prices were €77.62/ MWh for large power plants (500 kWp to 8 MWp) and €87.23/MWh for projects below 500 kWp.
Module price increases to moderate PV project returns in India
PV module prices have risen by 15% to 20% over the last four to five months. PV modules account for about 50% to 55% of overall project costs, so such price increases could moderate debt service coverage metrics for developers.
US passes 100 GW of installed solar capacity
Figures from the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) show that utility-scale solar set an installation record in the first quarter, with 3.6 GW of new capacity additions. Texas made up the largest share of this capacity, with more than 1.4 GW.
