Modules

Leading thin-film producer First Solar is planning a major revamp of its next-generation CdTe modules by introducing a new suite of production lines capable of producing large-area (1.2m x 1.8m) ‘Series 6’ modules with 400W output and significantly lower production costs currently achievable with its smaller form factor modules.

SolarCity’s request that its Silevo modules be excluded from the scope of the US trade case against Chinese products has been rejected in a preliminary ruling made on Monday.

This article reveals the most important PV manufacturers and suppliers to the solar industry in 2016. The new analysis and methodology explains exactly which companies are currently controlling, shaping and influencing all metrics related to upstream manufacturing trends and final end-market module shipments.

By any ‘normal’ metrics, PV thin-film equipment and module producer Hanergy Thin Film Power Group (Hanergy TF) remains in a dire financial position after reporting a non-cash loss of around US$1.58 billion in 2015 and its biggest customer and parent company, Hanergy Holdings and its affiliates failed to make due payments of around US$680 million.

Integrated PV module manufacturer REC Solar has said that it would migrate all production at its manufacturing facility in Tuas, Singapore to its half-cut PERC cell technology, used for its ‘TwinPeak’ series modules.

Equipment manufacturer Foxconn has acquired a 66% stake in Sharp at a reduced price, with the two parties set to hold a press conference this Saturday, 2 April.

Shanghai HIUV New Materials Co has introduced a newly developed ‘pre-crosslinking’ EVA. The G401W EVA, part of a new G Series range is designed specifically for double glass PV modules with the aim of eliminating a series of issues encountered with conventional EVA materials in the lamination process.

Leading ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Trina Solar has officially started ramping its solar cell and module assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand, meeting every milestone on schedule, from groundbreaking to production, according to the company.

Integrated China-based monocrystalline PV producer, Solargiga Energy Holdings as expected from preliminary announcements, reported only a small increase in revenue for 2015, however the company returned to a small net profit, compared to a net loss in 2014.

Integrated PV manufacturer REC Solar is to invest a total of $200 million Singapore dollars (US$182.3 million) in expanding and upgrading production at its facilities in Singapore. The company also plans to invest a further US$50 million in R&D activities at the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), with emphasis on a type of PV module.