Materials

According to Hanwha Q CELLS, the US International Trade Commission (US ITC) has voted to begin an investigation of alleged patent infringement by JinkoSolar, LONGi Solar, and REC Group, in relation to its US [215] patent on solar cell passivation layer structures.

Leading polysilicon and multicrystalline solar wafer producer, GCL-Poly Energy Holdings has reported a loss of RMB 1,011.4 million (US$150.7 million) for its ‘Solar Material Business’ unit in 2018, citing the demand impact from the China 531 New Deal that led to overcapacity and rapidly falling selling prices.

US-headquartered high-efficiency solar panel manufacturer SunPower Corp recently held its ‘Capital Markets Day’ event that indicated a slow turnaround in its business fortunes would be a key development in 2019. A key challenge for a company that has undergone several major restructurings in recent years has been the lack of profitability.

Chinese manufacturer takes bifacial panel to market with transparent backsheet eyeing performance and installation advantages.

Diversified renewables firm Shunfeng International Clean Energy (SFCE) is close to an agreement to sell its manufacturing operations, which include Wuxi Suntech, as well as other international operations, including power plant monitoring firm, meteocontrol to reduce debts of RMB12,295.3 million (US$1.83 billion).

Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Hanwha Q CELLS has extended its patent infringement complaints in Australia to include REC Group and two of its distributors, Sol Distribution, and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems, the first time the SMSL has expanded its patent cases to include distributors.

Leading ‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, JinkoSolar said a strong recovery in global solar demand was expected to lead to a 30% increase in its PV module shipments in 2019. As a result, the SMSL would ramp module capacity to 15GW.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Canadian Solar plans to expand PV module nameplate capacity by around 26% in 2019, despite the high-end of new shipment guidance increasing by 18%.

The perovskite record breaker will buy a 200MW heterojunction line from Meyer Burger for the production of tandem solar cells at its German facility.

Leading PV equipment supplier Meyer Burger has received a CHF 15 million repeat order for its ‘MAiA’ 6.1 PECVD tool for PERC passivation processes from a leading Asian customer, according to the company.