New York State has offered employees of Panasonic working at Tesla’s Gigafactory 2 plant in Buffalo assistance in finding new jobs as the Japanese electronics giant is expected to shut down solar panel operations at the facility.
The new Q1 2020 bankability analysis has now been completed by the PV-Tech market research team, ranking PV module suppliers within the PV ModuleTech Bankability Ratings. The listing reveals that LONGi Solar now commands AAA-Rated status, the highest grade achievable. A further seven module suppliers are in the AA and A bands and four suppliers fall into the B levels.
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, LONGi Solar has signed a framework agreement to buy Vietnam-based solar cell and module OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), Vina Solar for RMB 1.78 billion (US$253 million).
Carrie Xiao speaks exclusively to Trina Solar vice general manager and executive vice president Yin Rongfang on the company’s continued R&D, the roadmap for its new 210 module and why he feels modules remain “grossly undervalued” in the solar supply chain.
North American PV module manufacturer, Silfab Solar is investing around US$4 million to boost production at its assembly plant in Washington State that could lead to extra jobs.
With developers facing months of delivery delays for Chinese solar parts, India has said it will consider extending deadlines for PV projects scheduled to be switched on this summer, relieving developers from costly fines.
Exemption on customs duty for cells and modules in India widely expected to be lifted later in the year but there are still legal barriers to overcome, says Bridge to India.
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, JA Solar is planning to expand high-efficiency solar cell capacity to 10GW at a recently announced 5GW new solar cell manufacturing plant in China, while also investing in major upgrades at an existing cell plant to provide a further 3.6GW of high-efficiency cell capacity.
There needs to be a comprehensive industrial strategy for the solar industry located in the EU as part of the pending release of the EU’s own ‘Green Deal’ strategy, according to German manufacturing trade group VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) and solar trade association, SolarPower Europe.
