A detailed preliminary analysis of global PV manufacturing expansion plans for the first half of 2015 indicates that little if any meaningful or ‘effective’ new plans were announced by Chinese producers for China.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has opted to introduce a time-of-use (TOU) based system for state utilities to charge customers for electricity and has rejected a fixed monthly charge that was seen as a barrier to rooftop solar.
The government of Brazilian state Pernambuco is in negotiations with two unnamed solar panel manufacturers to set up facilities in the state, according to a local report.
Business conglomerate Adani Group has signed an agreement with utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to set up a 648MW solar park valued at INR45.4 billion (US$715 million) in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, according to local reports.
Leading PV manufacturer Trina Solar had its plans to build a manufacturing plant in Malaysia opposed by a Malaysian government agency, according to news reports.
Foresight Group has purchased a large-scale UK solar farm from the Chinese tier-one PV module manufacturer Renesola, with Foresight claiming that its UK solar portfolio now exceeds 400MW of generation assets.
Leading thin-film manufacturer First Solar faces the prospect of losing a key financial supporter of its foreign exports as the possible closure of the US Export-Import Bank looms.
Taiwan-based solar cell producer Solartech Energy Corp has seen its monthly sales rebound strongly in the last few months as the company continues to shift production to PERC (passivated emitter rear contact) cell technology.
