Mark Osborne

Aiko Solar has been celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019 and has become the largest merchant solar cell producer in the last few years, focusing on high-efficiency cells, notably mono-PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell] production, and is the first-tier producer of this cell type in 2018.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) members, JinkoSolar, JA Solar, GCL SI, Q CELLS and Canadian Solar have announced supply deals, new project developments as well as new partnerships and awards this week.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Q CELLS is to immediately appeal the forthcoming US ITC judgement on its patent infringement case against JinkoSolar, REC Group, and LONGi Solar.

Leading ‘Solar Module Super League (SMSL) member, JinkoSolar said it expected the U.S. International Trade Commission Investigation into Q CELLS solar cell patent IP case (patent 215) to be dismissed in the next few weeks.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Canadian Solar is targeting to achieve over 15GW of PV module manufacturing capacity in 2020, while relying on China-based merchant solar cell producers.

IHS Markit has reiterated its global solar demand forecast for 2019, despite lower expectations for China.

The US-headquartered high-efficiency solar panel maker is to spin off most of its manufacturing operations into a separate public listed entity, Maxeon Solar, which will include monocrystalline silicon wafer producer, Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor (TZS) as an investor.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) leader, JinkoSolar is to expand its high-efficiency large-area mono-wafer production capacity in China to 18GW in the second quarter of 2020, which would be higher than its module assembly nameplate capacity.

Major PV inverter company, SolarEdge Technologies continued its streak of record quarterly revenues in the third quarter of 2019. However, fourth quarter revenue growth is expected to slow compared to previous quarters.

Renewable energy firm BayWa r.e is planning floating solar (FPV) plants in Europe totalling over 100MW in 2020, after several successful projects were recently completed in the Netherlands with a total capacity of 25MW.