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.
Sharp Corporation reported its Solar Cells unit significantly increased sales and operating income in FY2014 due to strong domestic demand and its shift to downstream PV mega-solar project business.
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.
Major merchant solar cell producer Neo Solar Power (NSP) reported first quarter 2015 sales down around 37% from the same period a year ago as demand remained weak.
Thin-film module producer Solar Frontier has revealed that it will partner with German developer, New Energy for the World (NEW) to develop and sell 100MW of solar farms in the UK.
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.
PV manufacturing equipment specialist, Amtech Systems has reported its highest level of tool order backlog in three years as part of reporting its fiscal second quarter 2015 financial results.
