The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) launched its new investment plan prioritising how to use US$800 million worth of funds in the next few years, with solar PV innovation one of the main new areas of focus.
This week's Movers & Shakers segment features executive shuffles in energy storage companies and an O&M firm, while examining a new merger between Spain's Gamesa and Siemens Wind Power. Spain's Renewable Energy Association elects a new president for the next four years, and Jon Wellinghoff exits SolarCity amid the US$2 billion Tesla acquisition.
Tesla reported first quarter 2017 solar installations of 150MW, down from 201MW in the previous quarter, a 25% decrease, due to selection criteria biased towards customer owned PV systems rather than leased.
Struggling China-based PV manufacturer Yingli Green Energy has avoided another bond default with the payment of approximately US$46 million on one of its five-year unsecured medium-term notes (MTNs) that were due on May 3, 2017.
Specialist semiconductor and PV equipment supplier Intevac reported first quarter 2017 financial results that included a 40% increase in new orders, driven by its largest single order in its Thin-film Equipment segment that includes its solar product offerings with a 12 system follow-on order in March for its solar ‘ENERGi’ implant tools.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) was said to have announced that it will invest up to US$60 million in Malaysian PV company Jinko Malaysia, according to Deal Street Asia.
Struggling China-based PV manufacturer Yingli Green Energy has warned of delays in filing its 2016 annual report (Form 20F) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Trina Solar has launched its high-efficiency P-type mono-PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) bifacial module ‘DUOMAX Twin.’ The modules have a 0~+5W positive power tolerance and have a 285-300W power range with 18% maximum conversion efficiency.
Struggling China-based PV manufacturer Yingli Green Energy, which recently reported an annual loss of US$293.6 million and total debts of US$2.2 billion has received new demands from bondholders over looming payments and partial previous defaults.
India will add 9,812MW of solar PV this year, according to the latest quarterly market update from Mercom Capital Group, which is significantly up from the 9,020MW that the consultancy previously forecast in January this year.
