Solar cells produced using p-type multi c-Si wafers retained their dominant market-share position in 2016, despite significant investments into p-type mono and advanced cell production, such as PERC. The transition to increased mono wafer use is now expected to be seen more clearly during 2017 and 2018, but depends still upon the relative end-market demand from the domestic Chinese market.
Indian state-owned electricity equipment supplier and PV project developer Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has officially opened its upgraded and extended PV module manufacturing operations in Bangalore, Karnataka state, India.
Taiwan-based multicrystalline wafer producer Green Energy Technology (GET) has said had terminated a sub-contracting wafer supply deal with another Taiwan-based wafer producer, Eversol Corporation
Specialist German-based PV module manufacturer Solarion is expanding its c-Si-glass-foil module production to meet parent company, OC3 AG pipeline of commercial and industrial rooftop projects in Turkey.
Silicon Module Super League (SMSL) member JinkoSolar is to supply its high-efficiency Eagle PERC modules to the University of New South Wales, Australia, for one of its rooftop PV projects.
Capital expenditure (capex) for solar cell manufacturing is to see increased contributions in 2017 from Vietnam, India and Thailand, expanding the global footprint of cell manufacturing outside China across different countries in the Asia region.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems has reported new solar orders since the end of September, 2016 have topped US$60 million, driven by PV manufacturers in China, Malaysia and Taiwan.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS has secured a major module supply deal with US utility, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) valued at US$317.1 million.
Integrated PV manufacturer ReneSola has secured at least RMB 1 billion (US$145 million) in an annual credit facility from China Resources Leasing Co to support its downstream PV projects business.