Manufacturing

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US-based wafer producer 1366 Technologies and ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS have announced a new cells record of 20.3% using direct wafer technology.

Automotive giant Audi AG and thin-film solar manufacturer Hanergy, via its US-based subsidiary Alta Devices have signed an MOU in respect of a development agreement to provide its electric vehicles with gallium arsenide (GaAs) flexible thin film based solar system integrated into a range of planned electric vehicles.

Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte today inaugurated the Philippines first solar module manufacturing facility with an expanded capacity of 800MW at Santo Tomas, Batangas, owned by renewable energy firm Solar Philippines.

Having turned and continue to remain cautious about its business outlook for the second-half of 2017, JA Solar reported second quarter results that simply defied previous guidance, driven by greater than expected demand in China and a start of a rush to stockpile in the US.

This blog features the second part of our new two-part blog on PV-Tech this week, presenting the latest findings of the PV-Tech in-house market research team, with all data and graphics shown in this blog coming from the August 2017 release of our PV Manufacturing & Technology Quarterly report.

According to independent solar industry advisory firm AECEA, China has already exceeded its 13th Five-Year-Plan (2016-2020) target of 105GW by installing around 10.52GW of solar in July, after record first half 2017 installations of 24.4GW.

Sweden-based flexible CIGS thin film solar cell equipment supplier Midsummer has received a follow-on order from an undisclosed customer.

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has taken a 49% stake in SolarWorld Industries GmbH, the new entity that purchased SolarWorld AG’s core manufacturing assets, according to reports in Qatar.

A key factor in the strong growth of the PV industry in 2017 is the Silicon Module Super League (or SMSL), comprised of the seven companies that will each ship in excess of 4GW of modules this year, well above all other module suppliers to the industry.

Taiwan-based PV cell and module manufacturer Motech Industries continued a fourth consecutive quarterly loss, yet losses declined on increased solar cell shipments in the second quarter of 2017.

Leading PV module encapsulation and backsheet material supplier Hangzhou First Applied Materials Co, formerly First Photovoltaics (PV) reported a continued increase in demand with sales up by 16.56% but profits crashed by 43.49% on significant ASP pressure in the first half of 2017.

Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems is planning a new share offering to raise around US$9.3 million, which could be used for potential acquisitions.

Leading polysilicon and solar wafer producer GCL-Poly Energy Holdings has secured a US$200 million loan facility from an unspecified number and unidentified banks based in Hong Kong.

German PV research institute ISC Konstanz is leading the development of a new solar development laboratory in Chile.