Fab & Facilities

A total of 247 module types from 35 manufacturers have been named “Top Performers” by PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) in its 2023 Module Reliability Scorecard, more than doubling last year’s numbers and the highest ever.

PV tracker supplier Nextracker has commissioned a new factory to produce steel components for its tracker systems. The facility was opened in partnership with MSS Steel Tubes USA, a joint venture subsidiary between Metalogalva and Soufe, two international industrial manufacturers.

Fraunhofer ISE has announced a new international test standard for PV inverters with integrated arc fault detection systems.

Fraunhofer ISE has opened a new outdoor solar technology test field in Germany, enabling a faster and more accurate evaluation of PV modules. 

Polysilicon prices dropped across the board as of 8 May, according to the latest report from metals market research company Shanghai Metals Market.

German chemical group Wacker Chemie has started the first quarter of 2023 with lower polysilicon sales volume.

The Silicon Industry Association has reported that silicon wafer prices have continued to fall due to an oversupply of silicon.

Lower average selling price (ASP) and polysilicon volume sales have dented the revenue of Daqo New Energy in the opening quarter of 2023.

Inverter supplier SMA Solar Technology has started the construction of a 20GW inverter factory in Germany expected to be operational in 2025.

Allegations of fraud at Indian conglomerate Adani Group, which have knocked around US$125 billion off its market value since January, are unlikely to cause any perceptible damage to India’s long-term solar growth, according to two prominent members of the industry.