PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in the second quarter of 2018, were slightly higher than the previous quarter, although activity slumped specifically in June, after China’s decision to suddenly cap utility-scale and distributed generation (DG) projects (531 New Deal). But large-scale multi-gigawatt production plans in the first half of the year may have hidden an inevitable slowdown, despite the impact on downstream demand from the 531 New Deal.
The Chinese government’s decision (531 New Deal) to curtail utility-scale and distributed generation (DG) PV deployments just after the SNEC trade show at the end of May, not only surprised the industry but has since fuelled a significant ASP decline of modules and inverters.
Akuo Energy and Norton Rose Fulbright reach financial close on 50MW Mali solar project, BayWa r.e. completes self-consumption solar project in Spain, Solar comes top in European survey, CDPQ increases stake in Azure Power.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS has as expected confirmed it would de-list from NASDAQ as part of its planned acquisition by Hanwha Solar Holdings Co, a subsidiary of Hanwha Chemical Corporation.
Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier Meyer Burger has announced a new restructuring program, which is intended to bring its breakeven level to around CHF 250 million per annum.
An agreement to buy 75% of Korean battery manufacturer Kokam gives SolarEdge a level of vertical integration that could make the PV company a ‘one-stop-shop’ for customers, while SolarEdge could diversify into areas outside solar energy.
The long-standing CEO of major PV inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology, Pierre-Pascal Urbon has suddenly stepped down from his executive role and plans to leave the company altogether at the end of December, 2018.
Renewables firm AC Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Philippines-based industrial firm, Ayala Corporation has announced a further 80MW of solar projects in Vietnam, soon after detailing a 300MW pipeline in the country.
China-based polysilicon producer Daqo New Energy Corp said that its polysilicon production costs were targeted to reach US$6.80 per kilogram in 2020, once the capacity expansion to 70,000MT per annum had been completed.
Tunisia delays 70MW solar tender, Greenko completes acquisition of Orange Renewable and agrees to acquire Skeiron assets, Northern Territory approves 25MW solar project
