Nanoelectronics research centre imec said that copper-based solar cells have reached the same reliability standards as traditional silver-based solar cells in recently completed rapid-cycle testing of a limited number of specially prepared modules.
India is expected to become a “key pillar” for solar demand growth, while growth from leading nations including China, Japan and possibly the US declines, according to the latest update from consultancy firm Bridge to India.
Even though monkeys were allegedly wreaking havoc on India’s solar rooftop systems last year, 2016 was remarkable for the Indian PV sector. With solar taking 1% the nation’s electricity share and India set to become the world’s third largest market in 2017 , Bloomberg New Energy Finance has proclaimed that ‘solar is king of Indian renewables’. Add the completion of the world’s largest solar plant to these accolades and you have a good indicator of the South Asian giant’s ambitions. Even India’s biggest oil, steel and mining companies are getting on board the solar rush.
China has made known its disappointment with the European Commission’s decision to extend its trade duties on Chinese solar products for a further two years, through comments from an official at the Ministry of Commerce.
UPDATED: The minimum import price (MIP) for solar products being sold into the EU will drop significantly in 2017, according to official correspondence seen by PV Tech.
Rooftop solar specialist Asia Clean Capital (ACC) has signed a power supply agreement with steel and iron industry firm Wisco Jiangbei Group for a 14MW solar rooftop plant in China.
Tariffs for utility-scale solar power in India are expected to go below the four rupee (US$0.059) mark next year, which would be a “radical moment” for India’s entire power sector, according to consultancy firm Bridge to India.
US-based PV module manufacturer Suniva has officially opened its 250MW capacity expansion at its US headquarters, located in Norcross, Atlanta, Georgia.
Solar Frontier Americas, the US subsidiary of one of the world’s largest CIS module manufacturers, is nearing completion of two solar plants totalling 106MW in Southern California.
Integrated PV module manufacturer REC Group has reported around a 15% decline in third quarter, 2016 shipments, driven by around an 18% decline in shipments to its largest market, the US.
