China-based polysilicon producer Daqo New Energy has announced plans for expanding production by at least 12,000MT in less than 18-months that will be dedicated to supplying high-efficiency monocrystalline wafers producers, due to continued strong demand.
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has tendered another 3GW of inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar projects to be set up anywhere in India, adding to the 2GW of similar projects tendered in January.
Indian solar developer Avaada Power has further staked its claim in the Indian PV market by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to develop 500MW of utility-scale PV projects with a INR35 billion (US$537 million) investment.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Solar, a subsidiary of LONGI Green Energy Technology, has hit 23.6% conversion efficiency with its P-type monocrystalline passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) solar cells - a new industry record.
Leading CdTe thin-film module manufacturer First Solar is increasing its shipment guidance for 2018, due to plans to bring back online 180MW of mothballed Series 4 module capacity at its Perrysburg, Ohio manufacturing facility.
China-based integrated PV module manufacturer Wuxi Suntech Power Co said it had started supplying high-performance multicrystalline half-cut cell modules to European customers, offering power classes of 295/290W.
Ayala Corporation, part of Filipino conglomerate Ayala Group, has acquired a controlling stake in Silicon Valley-based firm Merlin Solar Technologies, which produces flexible, mobile and wearable crystalline silicon solar modules.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to provide a loan of US$235 million to Thai energy firm B. Grimm Power to develop renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia.