China-based merchant solar cell producer Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd (Aiko Solar) said it had achieved a production capacity of 4GW for PERC solar cells, while initially ramping its new production plant on schedule near Yiwu City, central Zhejiang province, China at the end of 2017.
China-based integrated PV manufacturer Wuxi Suntech Power Co has started initial mass production of P-type multicrystalline wafers using its in-house developed metal assisted chemical etching (MACE) texturing process (black silicon) for diamond wire sawing.
Solar PV capital expenditure (capex) covering the midstream segments of the industry (c-Si ingot-to-module and thin-film) is now well into its second major upturn in spending, going into 2018, at a time when the industry is just about to move to a new phase in annual deployment levels of greater than 100GW.
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued an expression of interest (EOI) for the setting up of 20GW of vertically-integrated solar PV manufacturing capacity in India over the next three years, in an unclear and poorly worded release.
Aiming to make its local solar manufacturers competitive on the global stage, the Indian government has proposed direct financial support of INR110 billion (US$1.7 billion) and a 12GW allocation of public sector tenders mandated to include locally sourced PV equipment.
A subsidiary of PV equipment supplier Amtech Systems has received a follow-on order for three next generation solar Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) systems.
As part of an initiative by the Australian government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) awarded a total of AU$29.2 million for 20 research projects to propel the development of PV technology.
Meyer Burger Technology has announced that 100 staff will definitely be let go from its facility in Thun after a consultation procedure was completed on 28 November. However the security of another 60 positions will be dependant on whether strategic alternatives are found.
Taiwan-based multicrystalline wafer producer Green Energy Technology (GET) reported November 2017 sales that continued the moderate upward trend seen since mid-year as demand remained strong.
