Markets & Finance

PV systems provider First Solar has announced that multinational technology giant Apple has committed US$848 million for First Solar’s California Flats Solar Project in Monterey County, California.

The top 20 PV module manufacturers shipped 8.8GW in the fourth quarter of 2014, generating an estimated US$5.9 billion in revenue, according to market research firm IHS.

The director of the US Department of Energy’s (DoE) solar cost cutting programme has hailed the “phenomenal jobs growth rate” that the US solar industry has enjoyed in recent times.

Major US utility Duke Energy has acquired a majority stake in US PV installer, REC Solar for an undisclosed sum.

After a strong recovery in solar cell shipments at the end of 2014, Taiwan-based cell producer, Gintech Energy reported a 29.8% month-on-month sales decline for January, 2015.

The falling cost of solar energy could have as much impact on energy markets as the so-called “shale revolution”, according to a new report.

The largest merchant solar cell producer, Neo Solar Power (NSP) reported a dramatic drop in sales for January 2015.

Hanwha SolarOne has completed the acquisition of Hanwha Q CELLS.

Capacity additions for residential, commercial and utility-scale solar all declined in 2014 in Germany, but the ongoing slowdown of German PV deployment has been felt most keenly in the small commercial segment of the market, according to research out today.

Insolvent PV equipment and wet processing specialist, RENA GmbH has been acquired by Swiss private equity firm, Capvis for an undisclosed sum.