German parent of green energy developer BayWa r.e. says it is ‘well positioned’ in year where unit will seek new shareholders and work to deliver 690MW solar pipeline.

JP Morgan’s majority-owned multinational independent power producer (IPP) Sonnedix has brought online a 38.7MW PV plant in southern Japan, while an analyst has said the country’s solar industry continues to target cost reductions to bring it in line with global levelised cost of energy (LCOE) figures.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member discloses that its manufacturing operations in Jiangsu, China had suffered an outbreak of COVID-19 that had necessitated a temporary partial shutdown.

Having already guided expected GAAP net losses of US$145-195 million for 2020, high-performance PV manufacturer, SunPower is planning to make operating cuts to save around US$50 million, due to ongoing impact of COVID-19 and has withdrawn previous financial guidance for the year.

CEO Elon Musk claims the PV panel production line it closed Monday in New York will reopen ‘as soon as humanly possible’ to help make devices critical to saving those afflicted by virus.

‘Solar Module Super League (SMSL) member, Canadian Solar plans to increase module assembly capacity by 3GW in 2020, giving the company a total nameplate capacity of 16GW, while shipments were guided between a range of 10GW to 12GW for the year.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member concludes facilities in Ohio and Malaysia are exempt so far from government restrictions, while Vietnam factory remains 'not affected'.

IPP stands by its Q1 2020 power production forecasts and says it remains too early to predict any potential impact on solar project completion dates from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Government orders state, local and police reps to ensure staff are allowed to work at offices and access installations, the latest green energy reprieve by a country facing steep 2022 targets.

Firm believes long-term renewable growth is assured but trims €400m EBITDA guidance for next year, amid talk of pandemic disrupting construction timetables.

Attempts have failed to include an extension of the solar Investment Tax Credit in a significant stimulus package adopted in the US to shelter the economy against the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Spanish and Australian associations highlight renewables' key role in powering society as COVID-19 lockdowns tighten, with pooling resources and reducing worker travel on the agenda.

List of public interest workers includes those providing services that are “necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences”.

Firm behind major solar projects in Europe, the US and others tells PV Tech it fears work restrictions at regulatory bodies could further worsen already ‘unspeakable’ delays.

Germany-based LPKF Laser & Electronics AG has told PV Tech that its manufacturing plants in Germany are able to operate at normal capacity levels, despite the continued impact of COVID-19.

Industry reps persuade France to split rather than fully postpone major solar auction in July while Germany acts to freeze deadlines for bidding green energy projects.

German firm expects earnings to stay strong this year even if delays were to hit two large projects in Spain.

Italian utility Enel has been forced to close the solar manufacturing operations of subsidiary 3SUN after Italian government directives on 22 March 2020 ordered closure of all non-essential production facilities nationwide.

ACWA Power-led consortium taps six international and local lenders for US$275 million in senior debt.

Jinko Solar CTO Hao Jin speaks to PV Tech’s Carrie Xiao about the manufacturer’s ongoing commitment to R&D, the need for new capacity expansions and how solar’s technology envelope continues to evolve.

Major semiconductor and specialist solar equipment manufacturer withdraws its business outlook for its FYQ2 as pandemic hits supply chain and manufacturing operations.

Anti-pandemic shutdown measures will help reach target-complying 40-45% emission cuts this year but a failure to invest in green growth may make progress temporary, country told.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has warned that support is needed for approximately 250,000 people that directly work in the US solar industry as COVID-19 could impact as much as 50% of the sector.

Fraunhofer ISE expects to maintain much of their R&D activities despite COVID-19 restrictions as many engineers are said to working from home.

Group notes outbreak could see construction contracts postponed but insists it can reach 1GW-by-2020 installed capacity target, amid PV work in Brazil, Portugal, France and others.

Leading monocrystalline wafer producer and ‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member approves around US$985 million in capex on three separate capacity expansion projects totaling 25GW for 2020.

Government approves previously floated plans to allow renewable developers to invoke ‘force majeure’ clauses to win more time as virus continues to disrupt PV supply chains.

Major polysilicon and merchant solar cell producer, Tongwei Group is adding 40,000MT of high-purity polysilicon at a cost of around RMB 4 billion (US$563 million), which is to result in its total polysilicon capacity reaching 155,000MT in 2021.

In this second part, we will talk about some of the companies preparing for business in the solar market in post-feed in tariff (FiT) Japan and the close links with energy storage that this market is strongly expected to rely on.

Italian energy giant argues most of its EBITDA comes from contracted activities, with financial results showing firm built 3GW of green energy in 2019 and is eyeing a further 4GW in 2020.