Hoku Materials’ never-used polysilicon plant in Idaho has sold at auction for US$5.3 million. The company had invested an estimated US$700 million in the facility.
Despite increased shipments and sales reported in its second quarter (FY) results, China Sunergy has been forced to lower quarterly and full-year guidance due Chinese banks tightening credit facilities, restricting the company’s ability to purchase materials and products for production.
Shunfeng Photovoltaic International has successfully acquired the PV manufacturing operations of Suntech Wuxi with administrator approval for around US$490 million. Suntech Wuxi had debts of more than US$2.3 billion.
In issuing third quarter 2013 financial results, thin-film market leader First Solar, reported its largest quarterly decline in its CdTe module cost per watt since 2007.
Technology giant, Apple has applied for the patent of a power management system to utilise portable solar panels, to the US patent and trademark office on Thursday.
PV equipment supplier, BTU International, has reported third quarter net sales of US$12.0 million, down 15.7% compared to US$14.2 million in the preceding quarter as little sales activity was generated from the PV sector.
Two US PV manufacturers have announced milestones in the outsourced production of their equipment, suggesting the ‘fab-less’ and ‘asset-lite’ business model exist in the PV industry.