Major PV module materials and N-type mono IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) bifacial module manufacturer Jolywood has signed a partnership agreement with Adelaide-headquartered solar company Golden Invest to develop 100MW of PV projects in Australia using N-type bifacial solar cells.
As previously reported there was a significant slowdown in global solar PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in the third quarter of 2017, which we highlighted was hardly surprising due to significant level of expansions plans announced in the first half of the year. However, despite increased concerns over the potential imposition of restrictive trade practices in the US and India in the fourth quarter of 2017, there was a significant rebound over the previous quarter, leading to the highest recorded gigawatts of new expansion announcements.
Driving p- and n-type solar cell manufacturing beyond current limitations was a key topic at PV CellTech last week. We caught up with the CTO of leading PV equipment supplier Meyer Burger, Dr. Gunter Erfurt, during the conference, to discuss just how fast the industry is moving.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar has lowered nameplate capacity expansion plans in 2018 for both in-house solar cell production and module assembly as total module shipment guidance for 2018, indicates marginal growth.
Enel’s PV module manufacturing subsidiary, 3SUN has outlined its ‘2.0 innovation project,’ which includes the installation of a new assembly line to enable the manufacture of bifacial panels.
Indian PV module manufacturer Waaree Energies has launched a do-It-yourself rooftop solar kit, aiming to reduce the time and manpower needed for standard installations.
OPES Solutions a supplier of off-grid solar modules for grid independent power supply, has developed an ultra-light solar module together with the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP. The new ultra-light solar module reduces module weight by two thirds when compared to conventional crystalline modules.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar has completed construction and started commercial operation of a 6MWp PV power project in Keetmanshoop, Namibia, its first project in Africa.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JA Solar is getting closer to de-listing from NASDAQ and going private after over 90% of the ordinary shares held had voted to agree a merger with its Cayman Islands registered parent company, owned primarily by JA Solar’s founder, chairman and CEO, Baofang Jin.
