‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JA Solar may have met first quarter 2017 guidance on key financial metrics and guided a strong second quarter, due to an increase in demand from China but management commentary turned cautious for the second-half of the year on limited customer demand visibility.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS said it had become eligible to participate in solar tenders in France after Certisolis had certified its PV modules had met low carbon footprint metrics and fulfilled all criteria for CRE3 and CRE4 tenders in the country.
Hanwha Q CELLS has launched its first PV modules using P-type monocrystalline PERC cell technology. The Q.PEAK module series is now available for European customers in two variations: Q.PEAK-G4.1 with black frame and white back sheet and as the all black Q.PEAK BLK-G4.1. The Q.PEAK-G4.1 comes in power classes ranging from 295Wp to 305Wp and efficiencies of up to 18.6 %. The Q.PEAK module series is being showcased at Intersolar Europe 2017.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has elected to launch an investigation into Suniva’s trade complaint under Section 201 of the 1974 Trade Act. The body will decide whether to raise import prices on modules as per the bankrupt module manufacturer’s request.
Sweden-based solar cell nanowire materials start-up Sol Voltaics said it had achieved a key breakthrough in commercializing its gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanowire film for crystalline silicon solar cells.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is to provide AU$20 million (US$15 million) for its third competitive funding round for PV research and development (R&D).
Wickon Hightech has developed a new model of the ‘SPEEDFilm’ inspection platform specifically for PV manufacturers. The ‘SPEEDFilm Solar’ system ensures 100% inspection of screen printed paste structures with a very high throughput that is able to handle thinner and thinner printed structures on c-Si solar wafers.
Inline solar cell measurement equipment specialist Aurora Solar Technologies (AST) said it was collaborating with several leading PV manufacturers in Asia to develop and test an enhanced version of its Veritas visualization software and quality control systems.
Suniva’s petition to the US International Trade Commission (ITC) puts PV demand at risk by the uncertainty created among investors and the global supply chain, argues market research firm IHS Markit.
