Martifer Solar has installed a 4.5kWp off-grid system in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, with enhanced Martifer PV modules, SMA inverters and Sonnenschein batteries
JinkoSolar Holding has provided a calm and unruffled response to the SolarWorld/CASM petition news, stating that the company intends to carry on its manufacturing practices as normal while the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and the US Department of Commerce (DOC) decide how to respond to the allegations of unfair trading practices on the part of Chinese cell and module manufacturers.
Responding to capacity expansion push-outs and cancellations at solar wafer manufacturing customers, Meyer Burger Technology has set in motion temporary adjustments to equipment production at its subsidiary, MB Wafertec. However, Meyer Burger reiterated that its 2011 net sales and earnings remained on target.
Strong quarterly shipments failed to offer respite from a rapid decline in revenue and profit margins within OCI Chemicals, polysilicon production division in the third quarter of 2011. Revenue in its polysilicon segment fell from KRW572 billion in Q2 to KRW495 billion in Q3. Margins fell from 50% in Q2 to 36% in Q3, according to the company.
SunPower and California’s San Ramon Valley Unified School District celebrated the 3.3MW of solar projects installed across five school sites for the San Ramon school district. It is estimated that the five projects will produce over two-thirds of school’s energy needs over the system’s lifetime. California High School, Dougherty Valley High School, Monte Vista High School, San Ramon Valley High School and Diablo Vista Middle School all saw the solar installations completed earlier this month.
Trina Solar has also denied any wrongdoing over a spat with other PV manufacturers, headed by SolarWorld that have claimed a number of China-based producers over unfair practices, including pricing. Trina noted that the subsequent proceedings would reveal the allegations “unfounded.” Suntech Power and Yingli Green have already denied any unfair practices in official statements.
Abound Solar is planning to triple the capacity of its thin-film module manufacturing plant in Colorado by the end of 2012. The site expansion will see annual production capacity reach 200MW and help the company meet growing global demand for cadmium telluride modules.
Campbell Soup Company is leasing 14 acres of its facility in Sacramento, US, to American Capital Energy (ACE). A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Land Lease Agreement (LLA) will allow ACE to construct a 2.3MW capacity PV solar power generation ground mount tracker system on the grounds. ACE will own the system and be responsible for its construction, operation and maintenance.
Citing some customer cutbacks in solar module manufacturing production levels and continued pressure on wafer prices that have declined more than 50% since April this year, PV Crystalox Solar is taking drastic measures to reduce cash burn in difficult times for the global PV industry. The company guided a significant reduction in wafer shipments, compared to previous forecasts, job losses and short time working.
