Even though monkeys were allegedly wreaking havoc on India’s solar rooftop systems last year, 2016 was remarkable for the Indian PV sector. With solar taking 1% the nation’s electricity share and India set to become the world’s third largest market in 2017 , Bloomberg New Energy Finance has proclaimed that ‘solar is king of Indian renewables’. Add the completion of the world’s largest solar plant to these accolades and you have a good indicator of the South Asian giant’s ambitions. Even India’s biggest oil, steel and mining companies are getting on board the solar rush.
China has made known its disappointment with the European Commission’s decision to extend its trade duties on Chinese solar products for a further two years, through comments from an official at the Ministry of Commerce.
Brazil’s solar industry will still see strong growth despite the cancellation of Brazil’s only solar and wind auction this year, representatives of ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar have told PV Tech.
US-Based wafer producer 1366 Technologies and ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS have jointly hit a new record of 19.6% efficiency for cells using the 'Direct wafer' process.
UPDATED: The minimum import price (MIP) for solar products being sold into the EU will drop significantly in 2017, according to official correspondence seen by PV Tech.
Rooftop solar specialist Asia Clean Capital (ACC) has signed a power supply agreement with steel and iron industry firm Wisco Jiangbei Group for a 14MW solar rooftop plant in China.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Trina Solar has set a new world record of 22.61% efficiency for a p-type mono-crystalline cell, with Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology at its State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of China.
Tariffs for utility-scale solar power in India are expected to go below the four rupee (US$0.059) mark next year, which would be a “radical moment” for India’s entire power sector, according to consultancy firm Bridge to India.
US-based PV module manufacturer Suniva has officially opened its 250MW capacity expansion at its US headquarters, located in Norcross, Atlanta, Georgia.
