With First Solar’s revenue and shipment guidance unchanged and basically locked-in for 2016, despite solar industry dynamics becoming increasingly fluid, filling demand for 3GW of thin-film module capacity in 2017 has become a priority for management as a rather large hole in bookings is proving difficult to fill.
Recent first half 2016 downstream PV installation figures for China have led industry advisory firm AECEA to project full-year figures could be in the 25GW to 30GW range, significantly ahead of planned installs of around 18GW.
Ecoprogetti has launched its latest innovative sun simulator with LED technology in A+A+A+ Class certified and verified by TÜV. The newest levels in A+A+A+ of uniformity, stability and repeatability are the most advanced available in the market, according to the company. Ecosun Plus is the solution for precise and reliable I-V Curve tests of both standard PV modules and mainly for testing all new high efficiency cells technology in PV modules.
In this week's Movers & Shakers, PV Tech reports some recent industry mergers and acquisitions, dramatic UK solar job losses and an equally dramatic opportunity for job growth in the US with Tesla's new Gigafactory in Nevada.
Integrated PV module manufacturer SolarWorld has reported flat revenue and shipments for the second quarter of 2016, compared with the previous quarter.
PV Tech’s preliminary analysis of global PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in June, clearly demonstrate a significant slowdown in recent months.
China-based major EPC firm TBEA Sunoasis has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Egyptian government agencies to build two 500MW PV power plants in the country.
Capital expenditure (capex) from solar PV manufacturers is set to decline during the first half of 2017, as the industry adjusts to the excess of new capacity having come online during 2015 and 2016, according to the latest findings in the PV Manufacturing & Technology Quarterly report, released July 2016.
Asia-based EVA encapsulant material producer HIUV New Materials said it successfully developed an encapsulant for N-type cell based PV modules that limits PID (Potential Induced Degradation).
Solar PV manufacturing in 2016 has seen the highest capex (capital expenditure) levels for years, and a return to capacity expansion plans. Furthermore, many of the companies announcing the capacity expansions are doing so for the first time, especially at the cell and module stage.
