PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in the first quarter of 2018 continued to follow the strong trend set in the fourth quarter of 2017. The quarter also represented a revival in thin-film expansion plans as well as the return of PV module assembly outpacing solar cell announcements. Also notable was the return of India and the US as major destinations for new capacity plans.
India’s unusual tender for 5GW of PV manufacturing capacity linked with 10GW of solar projects has been called many things, ranging from pioneering to fanciful, but the earliest stages have seen some of the global industry’s biggest names toss their hat in the ring.
Thailand has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) requesting consultations with the US over its 30% solar import tariffs and discussions over trade compensation, according to a WTO filing dated 21 June.
Indian PV manufacturer Waaree has started commercial production at a 1GW solar module assembly factory in the state of Gujarat, with several large tenders soon coming to fruition expected to counter the lull in activity brought about by a lack of tenders in H2 2017, according to a company official.
US-based PV manufacturer Suniva has been released from bankruptcy proceedings and plans to restart manufacturing operations again with a partner, according to SQN Capital Management.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JA Solar has become the first Chinese manufacturer to indicate efforts to increase its overseas sales - following China’s move to curtail solar growth - by announcing that it is establishing a new subsidiary in South Korea.
The past few weeks has seen some of the most dramatic knee-jerk, naïve and misinformed PV market reporting seen in recent times, with the headlines often resembling nothing more than tabloid sensationalism.
Leading CdTe thin-film PV module manufacturer First Solar held a ground breaking ceremony on 8 June 2018 for the construction of its new 1.2GW manufacturing plant near its existing flagship facility in Perrysburg, Ohio.
