Taiwan-based solar cell producer TSEC Corporation is pitching its future competitiveness on plans to migrate to advanced N-type monocrystalline heterojunction (HJ) and advanced multicrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology over the next few years.
Tier-one PV manufacturer JinkoSolar has said its new production facility for solar cells and modules in Malaysia has started ramping on schedule and was expected reach capacity within two months.
Chinese manufacturer BYD Company is to build a 400MW PV module assembly plant in Brazil at a cost of around US$50 million, adding to its planned electric bus manufacturing facility in the state of São Paulo.
Major tier-one PV manufacturer JA Solar said it was building a 400MW solar cell plant in Penang, Malaysia as well as adding capacity for high-performance monocrystalline and multicrystalline cells and modules, while establishing a JV module partnership with Essel in India.
Integrated PV module manufacturer SolarWorld said its Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC) technology had proved a big hit in the US market and would reach 430MW of production capacity at its US-based plant in Hillsboro, US in the second quarter of 2015.
The acquisition of PV module manufacturer REC Solar was said to have been completed by Norway-based Elkem Group, owned by Chinese investment firm China National Bluestar Group.
High-tech equipment manufacturer Manz sees “significant opportunities for growth” in both its solar and energy storage business segments, according to statements released to accompany first quarter results for 2015.
Major polysilicon producer Wacker Chemie said its capacity could reach around 80,000MT by 2017 as it optimises production in Germany and ramps its new plant in
Tennessee.
